When Angels Sin

11. Color of Seduction

Alina

There were no Kings in Nordenland for a reason. Unlike the tolerant winged ones in the West, or the pagans in the East, the arrogant Northmen would never accept to kneel before another. Just as they would not accept to kneel before God, ever since they were cast out of heaven. They had created their own heaven here in Engeldom, and they became their own gods, their own kings.

There was a time when there had been Kings in the North, but that had only resulted in years and decades of massacres and bloodshed, turning Nordenland into a large battlefield stretching from the Black Demon Sea in the East to the Red River in the West, as everyone fought for the throne. And when the lands and the rivers had turned red with spilt blood, and no more men were left to fight, they finally realized that they were better off without Kings.

Instead of answering to a single King, all the Lords across the North ruled together through a high ruling council, and when necessary they would unite for a common cause. Like they did when they agreed to close the Northern ports against all foreigners two hundred years ago. Like they did when they reopened the ports and signed the treaty with the Kassarathi three years ago. And now like they gathered to aid Frederik against the Vausterians' attack. And because there was no King and no obligations, anyone had the freedom to leave, and so did half of them today...

"To Grytia!" Bernard shouted out as he raised his cup of wine. The remaining Lords stood and cheered back.

To Grytia!

To Grytia!

And soon the earlier tension had disappeared as more drinks were offered. The men stood effortlessly chatting and drinking together as the serious high council had come to an end.

Alina found herself sitting alone while Bernard stood talking with Frederik and Mikal in the middle of the hall. She sat watching Mikal in silence, studying each graceful movement and each confident smile. She lost herself in the beauty of the deep black velvet that traced his tall and lean figure, the charm of his sensuous lips that pouted slightly as he spoke, the radiance of his shimmering silver hair... until he suddenly turned around and looked in her direction. Her heart fluttered, and she looked away quickly.

"You have been staring for quite too long."

Alina was startled as she heard a woman's voice next to her. It was Hilda. Although she had been staying in the castle for the past week or so, Alina had never spoken with her, until now.

"What?" Alina asked dumbly. And she watched with wide eyes as Hilda boldly seated herself next to Alina, on Bernard's chair!

"You were staring at Mikal," Hilda said as she sat back comfortably and crossed her legs in the most unladylike manner. "I really don't get why all the women are crazy about him."

"First of all I was not staring!" Alina lied, blushing deeply. "Besides you are the last one to speak. With all your attempts to get him into marrying you."

"My attempts?" Hilda asked in confusion, before she broke out into a sudden hysterical laugh. Several people turned to look at her in disapproval. And so did Mikal. Alina felt embarrassed. Why did she have to be sitting with this fool of a woman of all people?

"Where in the heavens did you hear that?" Hilda was still laughing. "As a matter of fact, I would rather be married to a frog than be married to that arrogant, self-conceited, pretty face."

Alina looked at Hilda curiously. She was such an unusual character. What kind of woman did not dream of marrying Mikal? Or was she only hiding her failure to impress him behind this façade of indifference. Hilda had finally stopped laughing and she gestured to one of the slave girls who were offering wine.