Silk and Swords

Universe

During this whole invasion, thinking about the church had abandoned my mind. I betrayed my faith, what had held me and kept me safe throughout my life. God was my ultimate protector. It didn't matter how warriors and swords Ivar had, the wrath of God was the only thing I truly feared. To love Ivar would be my ultimate sin.

Whatever my emotions, I refused to leave Northumbria in chaos and I intended to keep my grip on my birthright. Inheriting my throne would be difficult from one of my father's many country estates. I would have to travel to the capital, York. Conveniently, this was also where my father was.

Ivar agreed to leave Northumbria to me, but he promised also help me secure my throne. I commanded three companies who guarded Avolire. Two of those companies would accompany us to York while the third would stand guard of my home in my absence. I had decided to combine the first two companies into one grand one and appointed one captain. Captain Edric was young, barely twenty-five and yet, he was seasoned in war and blood. I was confident he could do the job. I had known Edric since my childhood, my father had even once thought of marrying me to him, though thank god he didn't.

Ivar's reading was picking up. Now he could read in his head without speaking aloud. He truly was a natural. I would catch him sneaking secret gazes at me during our reading sessions, it was hard to tell if he actually wanted to learn or if he only wished to look at me.
Today I would tell him about the soldiers. The open window blew a light wind into the study, running through my hair. Ivar stared at me as if I was a rare diamond. "What are you staring at, heathen?" I whispered, the parchment crackling as I turned the page.

"My sun," he whispered back in the sweetest tone.

I felt heat rise in my cheeks, I was blushing. It wasn't the first time that he had made me blush, not at all. But there was something about this specific moment that seemed different, I just couldn't figure out why.

Ivar was always close by, always protecting me. Not that I needed protection within my own castle, Ivar promised to gut anyone who laid an unwelcome hand on me. Ever since the night they came and Hitserk struck me, no one had touched me. His men were eternally loyal but they also feared him more than the gods themselves.

I had witnessed his cruelty during his encampment at Avolire. Harming anyone of the royal court was also forbidden. Fighting with my guards and soldiers was off-limits too. Ivar had unleashed his wrath upon on of his men, he was a rather superior man too, an earl. The Viking had said something of ill taste about me at dinner one night and Ivar slit his throat all over the pheasant dish. That was only one incident. Ivar's anger was always quick to spark but he was never short with me. I didn't fear him.

"Don't stare too long, you'll go blind," I responded, turning to face him. His eyes glittered in the shining light.

Reaching up, he pushed a strand of hair away from my face, his eyes still focusing on mine. "I don't mind going blind if this is the last thing I see."
I rolled my eyes, trying to deter him from the pink in my cheeks. "Well, I mind. It'll be hard to travel with a blind man with no legs."

I was the only one who could speak about his legs. "Hmm. I guess I'll have to leave your presence, princess."

"You don't have to leave. You must simply stop staring." I close my current scripture, turning my whole body toward him, my light green gown ruffling as I do so. I don't understand why I am so hesitant about this conversation. "I have something to speak with you about."

He raised his eyebrows, a gesture of me to continue. I swore my heart was going to burst from within my chest. "I have decided that a small army will accompany me to York."

The Viking chuckled. "Of course. I will assign one hundred men for you to command. If you wish for more I can accommodate you well enou-,"

"Ivar you misunderstand. The army will be my men." I spat it out rather quickly. Bringing an anglo Saxon army along to York would be a constant strain on both mine and Ivar's forces.