The Viking's Secret Heir - Chapter sixteen
Torben stayed for a horn of warmed mead and they sat out in the garden on tree stumps, drinking it to ward off the increasing chill.
Autumn had arrived late this year, but had made up for its tardiness with the sharpness of its bite. The air was frosty in the morning, the leaves golden brown and thickly carpeting the forest floor. Unexpectedly, it was still reasonably dry despite the cold, and so they could enjoy sitting out despite the ever-shortening days.
Kendra mourned the passing of time, and Torben’s next words only made her feel it more keenly.
‘Your parents wish for you to return…immediately,’ he said, giving Magnus a heavy look.
‘I am busy fulfilling my promise to Kendra. Surely they can wait—’
‘Jarl Borg will arrive soon…with his daughter.’ It took all of Kendra’s strength not to get up and walk away. She remembered Hilda from the spring feast. A beautiful, well-bred Norse lady, rumours had flown amongst the thralls that she would become Magnus’s wife one day. Hilda was the reason why Kendra had sought Magnus out. She had known the opportunity to be with him was fading, and she’d been determined to have one night if nothing else. One night…one magical night… Could she give him up again?
‘So?’ Magnus shrugged, staring into his drink and refusing to look either her or his friend in the eye.
Torben sighed. ‘You should at least come and speak with them.’
Kendra nodded. As much as it pained her, she did not wish to upset the Jarl. She suspected that if Magnus refused to return, then the Jarl would come for him personally. She could not bear such a dangerous confrontation. ‘He will return soon. Won’t you, Magnus? You just need to help me organise the store. It won’t take more than a day or two.’ She gave him a beseeching look.
Magnus frowned at her plea, but eventually nodded. ‘I will need two days.’
Torben seemed relieved by his answer, and finished his drink with greater ease. Kendra wished she could say the same about Magnus. But his mood had darkened considerably.
After they had said their goodbyes to Torben, Magnus helped her clean the bowls and cups. They worked in silence until Magnus thumped down one of the cups on the table between them and grumbled, ‘If you are so eager to get rid of me… you could have sent me away with Torben. Why ask for more time?’
She put down her cloth and looked up at him. ‘Your father dislikes me and he is the Jarl of this region. I do not wish to cause trouble…but…’ Her expression grew pained. ‘I will miss you. Two nights, that is all I ask.’
*
Nights she had said, not days. His heart began to race and his fingers flexed with anticipation. ‘Why?’
‘Our time is coming to an end…and I am sick of denying it.’ She pushed aside the pots that separated them with a clatter. Reaching up to cup his face, she said, ‘Will you lie with me?’