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Sayrid kept her face bland. Confiding in Blodvin would mean any secret she wanted keeping being spread with a swiftness that would surprise even the gods. ‘I will bear that in mind should I ever have the need to confide anything.’
She walked swiftly from the kitchen and went out to the deserted training area. A lump came in her throat. Because she had totally misjudged Regin and Blodvin, all this was barred to her. She wanted to be a good wife, but she also wanted Hrolf to respect her.
* * *
Sayrid discovered Regin in the stables, grooming his horse where he always went if he was troubled.
Thankfully no one else was about.
‘Are you going to tell me the truth?’ she asked, advancing towards him. ‘Why did you have Auda lie for you?’
‘Are you going to listen to me? Or are you going to believe what that brute of a husband tells you?’
‘Hrolf is…’ Sayrid swallowed hard. Explaining about Hrolf when Regin was in this mood was not worth it. Her feelings were too new and Regin was likely to tease her. ‘I will listen to you. Why did you leave the village without saying goodbye?’
‘Blodvin’s idea.’ Regin continued to brush the horse. ‘Once I’d sobered up, I knew what a terrible idea it was. Think about how my mother will react to Blodvin. She wasn’t fond of Blodvin’s mother. She wouldn’t understand and she’d take it out on Blodvin.’
Sayrid crossed her arms. ‘Look at me when you speak to me.’
He glanced up. His mouth was set in a mutinous scowl. ‘You know what an utter witch my mother is.’
‘And you remembered that when?’
He gave the horse another fierce brush. ‘Look, Blodvin was doing her best when she made me depart. I had no idea what she wrote on the rune until later. And then I tried to make it good, but I just couldn’t.’
‘Do you remember what you did to make Blodvin want to leave quickly?’
Regin turned away from her. ‘Is there any point going over it? I was drunk and upset. I behaved like the worst sort of fool.’
‘Yes, you did.’ Sayrid put a hand on her brother’s shoulder. He shrugged it off. ‘You have made things difficult…for everyone.’
‘I want it to go back to how it was before. Before he ever showed up.’
Sayrid stared at her brother. Go back? That was the last thing she wanted. ‘I’m discovering that I am capable of far more than I dreamt. You should taste my cakes. I’ve stopped burning them.’
‘I thought all you ever wanted was to be a warrior. Cooking was beneath contempt.’ He turned back to her with a fierce face. ‘You see what I mean. A few days and he has you wrapped around his little finger. Dresses and baking. That is not what my sister does! Where is it going to end? Do you think he could actually care for you? He is using you and you refuse to see it.’
‘I will always be your sister,’ Sayrid said quietly. A huge ache opened in her middle. ‘I’d hoped you’d be happy for me. I’ve stopped fearing things. I can do more than fight.’
‘You always could.’ He gave the horse another swipe with the brush. ‘It shouldn’t have taken a sea king to show you that.’
‘You know, I think you are jealous of Hrolf. He has accomplished a lot in his life. He is a better warrior than I am.’
Her brother slammed down his brush. With Regin in this mood, she at last understood why Kettil had his reservations about him and why he wanted a warrior like Hrolf controlling this bay. He was behaving worse than an unblooded youth. She’d hoped marriage and a pregnant wife would bring maturity, but no. Immediately she cursed herself for the disloyal thought. Regin always reacted badly to heavy-handed authority.
‘Have a care, Regin.’
‘He is arrogant and overbearing. Ordering me about like I was little better than a thrall. I grew up in this hall. I should be welcome here without question.’
‘When you get to know him, you will see that Hrolf has many admirable qualities.’ Sayrid knew she spoke the truth rather than mouthing simple platitudes. She did admire Hrolf’s courage and the way he handled his men and…
‘Why did you have to lose, Say? If you’d won, you’d be on your way east.’
Sayrid gave a strangled laugh. She had to wonder if she really knew her brother. ‘Trying to get rid of me?’
Regin paled. ‘Never. You know how important you are to me. You believe me, don’t you?’
That was the trouble. Sayrid found it difficult to know what she believed any more.
Sayrid turned on her heel and left her brother to stew. Regin would come around to her way of thinking. He always did. But there was something about him that left her uneasy as if she were really seeing him for the first time.
