2 book of the series
Irvina was always a religious woman. So far North, people believed more than down South. Every one of her decisions was first at least twice consulted with her Seeress. So when the lost raven-haired woman sailed to her shores, i...
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Once being done punishing Ronja for leaving her brother, her feet carried her to the cells. The tall bald man before her nodded obediently and opened the first doors. Gorm was her guard, and there was nothing except death that would stop him from accomplishing her order. She trusted him with her life. So it was probably a surprise for all when her personal guard stayed and guarded the prisoner.
The man who will make you question every thought will have the lines of fate on his face. That was all that kept repeating inside her head. Was it good or bad? Irvina was unsure as she pushed the second prison door open. The prophecy was something that she didn't understand. And was he even the one. It could be anyone with tattoos on his face, but no one made her thighs quiver as him once her eyes laid on him. Once she stepped into the room, she could hardly question his attractiveness. The beard suited his chiseled face, and even the hair thrown over his right side of face made him mysterious. Once his warm brown eyes held hers, she knew she was doomed.
"I must be special when the Queen herself came to punish me." He was taunting her. She had heard stories about him, how cruel he could be, and how subservient he seemed to be compared to his brother. Irvina doubted that he was the obedient one, though. She could see it in his eyes. Those eyes were ready to devour her and play with her heart until he delivered it to his brother. Irvina laughed at her invading thoughts, but he would have a problem with finding something that was not there.
"You will not be tortured." His eyes reminded her of hers. They didn't hold any emotion. And while he tried to be cold and unapproachable, Irvina just didn't possess emotions at all. Maybe except for hatred and fury. "I have no reason to torture except for the blood you share with your brother. And I know better than anyone that we don't choose our families." Halfdan raised a brow, clearly not believing a word that came out of her mouth.
"Whatever you want to know won't help you. My brother probably already changed strategy since he learned that I am gone." Irvina smiled such a sweet smile that goosebumps appeared over his arms. It was not because the smile was sickly sweet but because her eyes were completely dead. This woman seemed to have more baggage than Ivar, and that says something.
"I do not need any information since your brother is already overthrown," her voice held him, hostage, as she walked close. "My and Bjorn's army will outnumber him even with his allies. Tell me, do you want to be tortured instead of him?" She wanted to see what this man stood for, what was his worth. Crouching before him an encouraging look reached her face she talked to him as if she spoke to a child. She was close to him, but out of reach, you could never trust a chained dog. Because of her closeness, he could smell her. She smelled pleasant, like herbs, he thought to himself.
"You would let us trade places?" She leaned so close that he could feel her warm breath hitting his face. He felt as if she was bewitching him into doing what she wanted. "If you tell me everything I want to know?" She was lying. Irvina would never let anyone take Harald's place. She wanted to stare into his face while slicing him piece by piece. To what she had in plan, even blood eagle will look like a scratch.
Halfdan laughed. She was playing him, but this was his brother's fight, not his. "Nice try." While he traveled the Mediterranean Sea, his brother decided to try and take Trondheim. His brother was ambitious and wanted to become a King of all Norway. Halfdan did not have such grand dreams, but all he wanted to do was live life to its fullest.
"Do you not wish to save your brother?" Didn't he save his brother enough? The brother who almost killed him for not choosing him. He remembered himself on the battlefield so disoriented. He remembered thinking this was his last moment and seeing the sand. He remembered life slipping through his fingers as his brother's sword sliced at his shoulder. His brother's sword left a jagging scar, and he woke up days later in Kattegat. He sacrificed his life for his brother. If they fought, who knew who would walk out victorious.
He didn't answer her question, and she smirked. So no, he was not going to save his brother. The man before her fascinated her, and she couldn't understand why exactly. What was so special about him that she searched his eyes. What was so special about him that she thought of him this morning.
"Fine, we'll play a game. For every question you answer, you will get privileges." His forehead wrinkled in thought. She didn't want to know Harald's plans. No, she wanted to know what he feared. A wicked smile reached her lips, she wanted to be able to make the King shit his pants, and cry in his sleep whenever she appeared in his dreams.
"What kind of questions." A smile reached her lips. She smiled easily, but it never quite reached her eyes. He was considering it, good. Releasing a puff of air, she answered, "Just simple, easy questions. Do not worry." Halfdan reluctantly nodded and squinted his eyes unsurely.
"Perfect, now you should find a good position to sleep tomorrow is going to be a big day." Grinning, she stood up, and without looking his way, she walked out. Not even sparing his need to see her brown eyes. He wanted to demand her to turn and lay on the floor across him but expect for tugging on his restrains he did not utter a sound.
