Magnus quickly closed his eyes, pretending to sleep as Kendra returned from placing his precious items in her stores.
Why had she stolen them?
He heard her drop another log on the central firepit, and he pretended to wake from his sleep. ‘Kendra?’
‘I have made porridge. Would you like some?’ Her question was asked lightly, but he noticed her hands trembled as she ladled the steaming oats into a bowl.
‘Yes, thank you.’
He decided to wait until after they had eaten to ask about his missing necklace and arm ring. Partly because he wanted to give her time to think of a reasonable excuse, and partly because he did not want to upset her—strangely, the latter idea bothered him more.
After finished the hearty porridge, he asked, ‘Kendra, why did you remove my necklace and arm ring?’
Stiffening at his words, she avoided his eyes as she curtly replied, ‘I have taken them as payment…for Heimdall.’ He raised a single brow in question, and flustered she added quickly, ‘But you can have them back! Once you have worked off the wergild debt… I need some help, fixing the cabin, and preparing it for the babe. Heimdall was going to do it, but now that he’s gone…’
Did she want him to stay with her? His heart raced at the thought, and he had to pause for a moment, before asking, ‘But…why take my jewellery? I had plenty of gold on me. Wasn’t it enough?’
She frowned. ‘You were wearing no purse when I found you. No tunic or belt either… I thought it strange.’
Ahh, so he had lost the gold. ‘I see. Perhaps it came off when I fell? I am sorry, the gold was meant for you. I wanted to give you what you were owed.’
Kendra stared down at her clasped hands, a blush creeping up her neck. Guiltily, she glanced over at her grain stores, and opened her mouth as if to confess.
Magnus interrupted her before she could say anything. ‘If I do everything you ask, will you return my things?’
Kendra nodded, and his chest tightened when he saw the relief in her eyes—she had been too proud to ask for help. That’s why she had stolen from him.
Who could blame her? His father had not been generous, and Magnus knew it was only because he disapproved of Kendra—and Sigurd only disliked her because of how she’d rejected his son. That was not her fault, and Magnus owed her his support, if nothing else.
Eventually, she spoke. ‘Yes…but you should take some time to heal first. At least three days. I insist.’
He grinned, strangely elated to realise he was being held to ransom. ‘Perfect! And while I am healing, you can think of all the ways you can use me.’
She visibly gulped at his words and he tried not to laugh.
Oh, how he wished she would use him.
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