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Sayrid bristled. Instinctively she reached for her sword, but instead found the bunch of keys. Tearing them from her belt, she threw them with all her might. They clanked on the floor next to him. ‘I am through with trying. I wanted to be a good wife, but I can see that it is impossible. I will never be the woman you want. I like pitting my wits against people and I like fighting. I’m proud of my strength and what I’ve accomplished. My family would have starved without me. I was wrong to want more.’
Hrolf stared at her. ‘But at what cost to you?’
‘I still breathe.’ She stood proudly with her head up. ‘I can never be the sort of wife you desire. Let us stop this pretence and agree that it is never going to work.’
Without giving him a chance to haul her into his arms, she fled from the room.
Once she had gone, the room became utterly still and lost its vibrancy.
That he wanted to go after her made Hrolf pause. He never chased after women. He had kept the two parts of his life separate. But he didn’t want that with Sayrid. He wanted something more. Sayrid had shown him how empty and devoid of meaning his life was. And above all, he wanted to keep her from being harmed. He cared about her. More than he had ever cared about anyone before. The price she was demanding was far too high.
He hit his hand against the table, making the tafl pieces jump.
Chapter Fourteen
Sayrid stared at the fish pond, searching for trout in the grey-rose of dawn. Hrolf had not come looking for her all night, even when she’d missed sitting at the high table for supper.
She had hardly hidden, staying in the kitchen to make sure the food was properly served, but she had not gone out of her way to join the men. Their jokes and loud talking had scraped against her nerves and she preferred to listen to Inga’s latest attempt at a saga.
She glimpsed Hrolf several times and once she thought he was looking at her, but she couldn’t be sure. All she knew was that a large lump of misery had settled in her chest.
Regin had stayed away as well, which was not a good sign. He had to know by now what he stood accused of. She should be pleased that he wanted to stand on his own two feet, but she wanted to give him counsel.
Sayrid tried one half-hearted throw of the spear and missed the fish. She gave a frustrated yell and waded out into the pond to retrieve it. The water soaked the hem of her skirt. She gave vent to her anger and tossed the spear towards the bank where it fell with a clatter.
‘Were you aiming that at me?’
Her heart skipped a small beat. ‘If I was aiming at you, I would have made the shot.’
Hrolf’s laughter rumbled out over the pond. ‘Good to know. I’d hate to think your arm is compromised.’
She bent to retrieve the spear. ‘I’m fishing. It is best done in silence.’
‘Is that what you are doing?’
‘Of course.’ She drew back her spear and glared at him. ‘What else would I be doing standing knee deep in a freezing-cold pond? Or should your wife be doing something else?’
‘Good question. I will have to consider it.’
‘I intend to keep fishing whether or not I have your permission.’
Hrolf made no attempt to leave. The sunlight hit his hair, turning it golden. No man had the right to look so good. ‘I never asked you to stop. Why did you not dine with me last night?’
She gave a half shrug. ‘Blodvin does talking at feasts much better than I do.’
‘Are you going to come out of the pond?’
Sayrid shook her head. ‘I’m trying to fish.’
‘Blodvin could put any number of people to sleep. And I thought Inga’s mother was bad.’ He rubbed the back of his neck. ‘I found her stories impossible to follow and she kept going on and on that Regin knew nothing and was not to blame. You’ve spoilt me for interesting conversation. I want to hear your voice.’
Sayrid carefully retrieved the spear. Hrolf had found Inga’s mother boring. ‘Truly?’
He gave a half smile. ‘Lately I have discovered that I need more interesting companionship.’
‘Is this an apology?’
‘If you require one…’ He shrugged his shoulder. ‘Fine, yes, but I was pleased you were jealous. I shouldn’t have teased you though.’
Sayrid waded out of the pond. She stopped and released her skirt so it fell about her ankles. ‘I’m sorry as well. I feel clumsy and overgrown when I am about Blodvin. It is like my stepmother is whispering in my ear again about all the things I’m bad at. I took my foul mood out on you. That was wrong of me.’
Hrolf’s fingers went under her elbow. ‘Hush now.’
She regarded his mouth and impulsively leant forward. He tasted of fresh spring water and summer meadows with a hint of pure Hrolf. The instant their mouths touched, his arms went around her and held her tight.
