Ensnared (Knights of Brethren #3)(66)
My fingers went to my pocket beneath my skirt, now empty of the beautiful purple shell that had connected me to my twin sister. At first, it had been strange to feel the emptiness where the shell had always been. But I was learning to finally accept the sacrifice she’d made for me, knowing that I could spend my life doing the same for others, that Sven was just the first. As Sven had said, “One act of courage has the power to clear the path for more.”
I prayed Sven would get to experience much of the life he’d lost, that his last days on earth would be filled with all the good things he’d missed while being a prisoner in the forest.
The queen clutched a handkerchief in one of her hands. Even though it was mostly crumpled, she couldn’t hide the blood stains within it. “We have just received news of your brother Bernhard’s recent death.”
Gunnar startled as I did. After spending two days with Lord Lindseth and then taking our time in riding the final distance through the moorland to Vordinberg, we’d been isolated and alone—which had suited us just fine . . . except that we’d clearly missed the news.
Of course, during our time together, Gunnar had explained Bernhard’s sudden onset of bleeding during the fight in the chapel at Likness. We’d puzzled over the turn of events together.
I’d done my best to repeat word for word what the jotunn had spoken: I pass the curse from Sven to the firstborn sons in his family. In analyzing the statement, Gunnar and I had concluded the jotunn hadn’t specifically cursed Sven’s firstborns, since he’d neglected to say the word direct. Thus, we could only speculate that the ailment would afflict all firstborn sons in the Likness family, including Gunnar’s children someday.
Although we couldn’t say for certain, we’d discussed the possibility that the queen’s bleeding disease might have been established by a jotunn too, perhaps by the same jotunn who lived in Hardanger Forest, since we knew of no others in Norvegia.
Gunnar had confided in me the tale of the chalice bringing healing to people who drank from it. I understood now why the king sought it so desperately, so that he could bring about healing for the queen.
“I have returned the Earldom of Likness to Sven.” The king waved a hand toward the older man as though giving him leave to speak.
Sven bowed his head to the king before clearing his throat. “I have only agreed to resume the earldom until Gunnar is ready to do so—”
“’Tis rightfully yours, my lord,” Gunnar interrupted.
“No. I am old, and the people do not know me.”
“They will accept you if I tell them to.”
“I have already made up my mind.” Sven’s voice still contained a raspy quality. Perhaps it had been that way since the fire he’d endured as a young man. “I will govern in your stead, receiving your direct guidance for the laws of the land.”
Gunnar exchanged a look with me.
I understood what he was silently communicating—that together we would provide guidance to Sven. My heart swelled with the thrill of the possibilities. This was what I’d hoped and prayed for, to have the opportunity to better the lives of all the people of Likness and Romsdal.
“I hope you find the agreement suitable?” The king was watching Gunnar intently. “This will allow you to continue on in my service, knowing Romsdal is in good hands.”
Was the king intending to allow Gunnar to remain a Knight of Brethren after all? Was that what this meant?
I almost allowed myself a moment of excitement until I caught sight of the gravity in Gunnar’s demeanor. “I have pledged my life in service to you, Your Majesty. And I would serve you as long as I am able. But I cannot be apart from my wife. She is my life blood. She makes me into the man I have always wanted to be but never had the strength for on my own.”
The king’s eyes seemed to hold hurt. “In all our years together, you never trusted me with the truth of your love for only one woman.”
Gunnar held the king’s gaze. “I regret that I couldn’t share it with you, Ansgar. But I guarded the truth to keep her safe.” His informality with the king told me their friendship had once been vitally important.
I squeezed Gunnar’s hand to assure him I understood his need to keep his feelings private. After Bernhard nearly married me off to his Sagacite, I couldn’t fault Gunnar for anything. He’d only done what he’d thought was best for me.
“I pray you will forgive me, as I am learning to be more truthful to myself.” Gunnar bowed his head toward the king again. “And I pray you will accept her as my wife.”
“Of course we accept her.” The queen rose to her feet, and the king stood by her side in the next instant, his features taut with concern. “She has proven her bravery, loyalty, and kindness in freeing Sven from servitude and the curse.”
“In doing so,” the king said, “she has given me the greatest gift—hope that we will find the chalice and that we may yet save Lis in time.” He bent toward the queen and kissed her cheek.
The love between the king and queen radiated with such strength that tears sprang to my eyes. Suddenly I understood Gunnar’s devotion to this couple and his desire to serve them in any way he could.
I was relieved they would accept me as Gunnar’s wife, but surely they could also accept Gunnar’s wishes. “Your Majesty, you could ask for no better knight than Gunnar. I pray you will find a way to allow him to remain in your service while granting his wish to stay with me. I can assure you that I will only help him and you in any way I can.”