the invisible string. Sihtric Kjartanson

Chapter fourteen: partners in crime

"Congratulations your majesty" I told her with a low bow. She giggled before embracing me. We were good friends because I had spend a lot of playing hours with her for the time that Uthred and his guard spent in Winchester before we got to Coccham.

"Thank you!" She told me with great excitement. "I hear you're married to" She glanced to Sihtric before leaning forward like it was a co conspiracy. "He's very handsome" I giggled when she whispered that.

"Unlike yours. Sihtric is quite pretty but that's not the reason I married him" She choose to ignore my snide remark. She giggled instead.

"Mother can Kendra join us in the preparations for tonight?" Aethelflaed suddenly said towards her mother who did not like me at all. Now that I had a pagan husband I was probably as good as vermin. But it was a tradition to have the wife prepared by her maids and friends to make sure she was pretty before her wedding night.

"I don't think that is appropriate darling" Aelswith said. I knew it. My hand settled at my hip in a casual move. In truth I had tried to grab my swords hilt in comfort but it wasn't there.

"But please it is my only wish tonight. Kendra is my friend" Aethelflaed begged and her mother rolled her eyes before agreeing. She made sure to throw me a venomous gaze nevertheless. This wasn't going to end well.

"But only if you do not distract her from her wifely duties" Her horrible husband cut in. I must've made a face similar to a snarl because he recoiled in his seat.

"Kendra has recently been married to she will lent me advice" Aethelflaed assured him and it made me smile painfully again.

I was summoned to lead Aethelflaed to her chamber before that pugnacious bastard would join her. She was dressed in an exquisite nightgown.

"Well Kendra you must tell me what the wedding night is like" Aethelflaed demanded while she was getting prepared.

"It's-" I was such a goddamn liar. May the holy lord forgive for the heinous lies I'm about to speak"It hurts at first but then it feels nice. I think it's important that you talk with your husband about what feels good and what doesn't" That was the best I could come up with so quickly.

"Well thank you Kendra. I wish we had more time to chat but I'm afraid my husband will join us any moment. How did you fall in love with your Sihtric?" She inquired as some maids brushes her hair to be perfectly pretty.

"I hated him at first but with time love grew between us and I realised he was the person I could not live without anymore" God it was painful making this up but Aethelflaed seemed pleased. The door did open then and the red headed bastard  stood in the doorframe. I grabbed at my hip instinctively but I found it empty yet again. My sword had become a great comfort for me. I got up from the bed and bowed a little to excuse myself.

"Well you could stay if this was any other night" He told me disgustingly I must've made a wolfish face again for he took a step backwards. I towered over him and I must look fearsome because of my scar.

"I do not think so" A voice called from outside the door and it was Sihtric. He looked equally as dark and as feral as I did, like wolves waiting to pounce on a lamb. Just that he wasn't an innocent lamb. This bastard was leader of the royal guard yet such a turd. Sihtric interrupted my thoughts when he took another warning step forward. "If you speak to my wife like that again I shall gut you slowly. Lord of Mercia or not" Sihtric said quietly and darkly when I stepped half behind him in a protective motion. Aethelred looked dissatisfied that we undermined his authority like that. "Good night Aethelred" Sihtric spoke neutrally yet there was still warning hidden in his voice. Aethelred threw the door close as quick as he could. Sihtric and I locked eyes and burst out laughing. I was worried that the guards would perhaps arrest us after Sihtric had just threatened to kill the kings son in law but curiously the hall and the surrounding corridors were empty. Sihtric and I left to leave the miserable palace and to reclaim our weapons. I felt safer with Corpse Claimer back at my side.