“My pleasure, Kilda,” she whispers.
“Let’s have a party here, tonight. Just the slave girls.”
She snorts.
“We will never be allow?—”
“I will convince Sigurd.”
“Right… if you do, I will come.”
“Promise me!” I say, holding up a finger.
“I promise.”
“Good, see you soon then. Thanks for the hair.”
She steps out, turning to me with a brave smile. Her voice is a whisper, so low I can barely hear her.
“You look beautiful.”
I smile.
“Blessings, Eidunn. Freya protect you.”
CHAPTER 41
“Lovely hair,” says Sigurd.
“Thank you, my jarl.”
“And the blue. I noticed it yesterday. An initiation gift from Ylvin?”
“She is a generous woman, a kind teacher and—I am honored to say—a friend.”
Sigurd sits on his throne. It’s just us. Everyone else has been dismissed.
“Ari told me your behavior was impeccable.”
Blessings. My secret is safe. Thank Freya. And Ari, I guess.
“Good to hear, my lord.”
“I am happy, Kilda,” he says, purposefully slow, “to see you grow so much, so fast.”
“My lord.” I bow my head.
“Your entire appearance is…” He waves his hand in circles. “Refined. No longer are you a petulant child. Your time with Ylvin was worth the cost.”
“I hope to be of use to the people of Opdal.”
“You will, I’m sure, but today, you will be of use to me.”
“My lord… before we start…”
“Speak.”
“With fear of being insolent, may I invite the thrall girls to my house this evening?”
