Ensnared (Knights of Brethren #3)(56)

The others nearby began hoisting Frans toward the castle. Following behind, Sven hesitated, as though unsure whether to leave us with Bernhard or not. I would be outnumbered if Bernhard ordered his men to turn on me, especially since I was troubled by my leg injury and lacked my usual strength and agility.

I nodded to Sven and fell in step beside him with Mikaela. For now, I needed to use great caution with Bernhard. In being honest with him, I’d begun a new kind of battle, a battle over Mikaela. I prayed we wouldn’t come to physical blows over her. But if that happened, I would make certain he knew there was nothing he’d be able to do to stop me from marrying the woman I loved.





Chapter

26





Mikaela


Gunnar had asked me to marry him. All the while we walked back to the castle, Gunnar’s words whispered in my mind: I can think of nothing I want more than to marry you . . . make me the happiest and most fortunate man to ever live by agreeing to wed me.

Only when Nanna met us at the side castle door did Gunnar release my hand. Even then, I could sense his reluctance.

Nanna hugged me tightly, her tears dampening my cheeks. “You shouldn’t have gone in.”

“I’m sorry for worrying you, Nanna.”

I could admit the journey had been perilous. But if I had to do it all over again, I would have done the same thing. If I hadn’t been there to distract the jotunn, the jotunn would have caught up to Gunnar as he made his escape with Frans. And what about Sven? Without my bargain, he would still be the jotunn’s slave and cursed to remain in the forest.

As she released me, Gunnar wrapped his arm around me, tucking me close to his side, making a statement of possession that everyone could see. I was surprised Nanna didn’t raise a brow or hastily warn us to go our separate ways.

On the one hand, I was relieved Gunnar and I no longer had to hide our interest in each other now that he’d made his intentions toward me public. On the other hand, I didn’t trust Bernhard. He was too calculating and wouldn’t let Gunnar’s defiance go unpunished. I just prayed Gunnar would find a way to avoid the brunt of his brother’s wrath. And I wanted to trust that Gunnar would also find a means for keeping my family safe as well.

While I conversed with Nanna and shared the details of my trip into the forest, Gunnar stayed close by my side but spoke quietly with Sven. The older man still covered himself with my cloak, but the torches around the bailey revealed his dismal condition all too clearly—his tattered clothing, his filth, his scars. Those servants who’d risen from their beds—and even those peeking out of windows and doorways—watched him with fear and stayed well away.

Their aversion didn’t surprise me, but I was saddened by it, nonetheless. I guessed people wouldn’t accept his disfigurement now any more than they had when he’d been a youth. Would he forever be shunned because of his appearance?

When Sven headed for the forge to check on Frans, Gunnar’s expression turned grave, his attention affixed upon Bernhard across the bailey, conferring with his guards. “I fear for Sven’s safety here.”

“I fear for him too.” Had we brought him out of one danger only to place him into even greater peril? From the people? From Bernhard? Or both?

“Sven agrees with me that for now he must go away to some place where Bernhard cannot use him for his own ill gain.”

Though Gunnar didn’t say so, I suspected this had to do with the jotunn and the forest. Since Bernhard wanted to kill the jotunn, it was possible he’d coerce Sven into revealing information to gain the advantage over the jotunn. Knowing Bernhard, coerce was probably a kind term for what he was capable of doing.

Gunnar was wise to find a safe place for Sven, a place of solace and peace.

“I must instruct several of my trusted squires to leave before daybreak with Sven and ride as fast as they can to Vordinberg.” The seriousness of Gunnar’s tone told me this was a mission that could not fail.

And suddenly I knew. This had to do with the chalice. It was in Hardanger Forest.

At some point, Gunnar had figured that out. And that was why Bernhard was sending men to their deaths in the forest. He’d also learned of the chalice’s location and was seeking it.

Why hadn’t I realized the truth earlier?

Now, Sven was the only one who could divulge critical details regarding the whereabouts of the sacred relic.

My heart sank with the growing understanding that Gunnar would go back inside the forest again at some point. No matter the risk to himself, he was determined to fulfill his mission. I wanted to admire him for his loyalty and commitment to the king. But after having experienced the danger firsthand, I didn’t want Gunnar returning to the forest ever again.

At the same time, perhaps with Sven’s instructions, Gunnar and the other knights could attack the jotunn and put an end to the menace. After all, if someone didn’t stop the madness, how many others would the earl send to their deaths? What about Enok and eager young men like him? I couldn’t let them die simply because I wanted to keep Gunnar to myself.

“Do you also need to go to the king?” I asked softly. “To inform him of everything you have learned?”

With the torches lit around the battlement and inside the bailey to dispel the darkness of the night, they couldn’t take away the darkness in Gunnar’s eyes. He held my gaze as though trying to decide how much I knew.