Chapter 3 - It's Not Your Choice

158 4 3
                                    

--------------------------

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.

--------------------------

We all sat around the table with one another. I eyed King Harald from afar while he and his brother tore the chicken off the bone. A thrall stood behind them with a pitcher and was ready to fill their cups to the rim every time they took a single sip.

Every so often, the blonde man would scan over my figure and I would squirm. Not to say that they both didn't make me uncomfortable but one seemed crazier than the other.

Leif cleared his throat and looked over at me, "Sister, why don't you take Geir back to his room."

My head shook in disbelief, "Are you joking?" I let out a small sequel, "You asked me here to help you, now you ask me to leave."

I pushed the chair out from behind me to stand. Hakon stood with me, his hand placed on the butt of his sword. I widened my eyes at his stance and let out a scoff. Before I could speak, a chair scraped on the floor next to me.

Father stood from his seat and peacefully raised his hands, "I will take myself. I think it best Toril stay here along your side." He bowed slightly to the king and his brother and then looked back at the five of us. Geir excused himself from the room and a servant followed his steps carefully all the way back.

My oldest brother eyed Hakon and me. I kept my eyes firmly on Hakon and he shifted the end of his sword in the palm of his hand.

"Sit." Leif spat at us. Our trance ended to look at his threatening glare. Before sitting down, Hakon and I shared a look.

Once sat, we all turned our attention to the other side of the table where Harald and his brother sat.

Harvardr leaned forward in his seat, "May I ask, what brings you here to Vjiatil, King Harald?"

The king chuckled and glanced over at the blonde to his side, "My brother, Halfdan and I would like to make a proposition."

My head cocked to the side, "What proposition could we possibly make you?" The men sent their eyes in my direction and I relaxed my shoulders, "I have heard the stories about you from my travels, all you care about is power. What could we possibly give you that you can't give yourself?"

All four of my brothers shot me a deafening glare that I only returned. Their seething nature did not at all frighten me. I was simply asking the thing that anyone there was too afraid to do themselves. And, if it would've gotten me killed, at least I would be away in a different world than this one.

The king simply laughed and threw his head back. His hand brought the cup of drink to his lips and he sipped gingerly, "What a firey soul you have. Toril. . . is it?" I nodded as an answer and he smirked, "You see, you are correct, I do have much influence and even more power. But what I do not have are the Sons of Ragnar."

I scoffed at his words, "You want the Sons of Ragnar?"

He shook his head, "No, I want what they have. I want Kattegat."

To LoveWhere stories live. Discover now