I clear my throat.
“He was firm but soft, above and below and… In and out.”
Ausveig slaps her palm to her forehead. Sifrid grins like a hungry wolf. The other girls’ eyes widen as some clap and cheer. I raise one suggestive eyebrow.
“That all you’re getting,” I finish.
“Don’t stop!” laughs Sifrid. “How am I supposed to sleep without an ending to the story?”
“Oh, the story had a happy ending, so now you know that.”
They snicker for a few seconds before the laughter dies down. Ladies love some gossip. No doubt the information will spread like wildfire through the valley. Everyone knew already, apparently. Do the free folk know? Do the male slaves know?
Do I give a fuck?
So many ships have sailed. I care not what Vidar thinks of me anymore. Only Sigurd can protect me. He hadn’t evenmentioned Ari. He only wants control. Control I can supply him. That will protect me.
“Girls,” I say. “I want to ask you something.”
“Ask away,” says Ausveig. “Before this lot burns to a crisp.”
“Or melt to a puddle,” adds Sifrid.
“How do… How do you feel about your lives here?”
“What do you mean?” asks a girl in the back.
“Are you loyal to Opdal? Are you happy?”
Sifrid snorts.
“As happy as the horse pulling the carriage can be,” she says, to murmurs of agreement from several women.
“I have been on travels with Sigurd’s wife,” says Ausveig, “when she was alive. And trust me, other places slaves are treated worse than horses.”
“At least you got to travel,” complains Sifrid. “Some of us have been stuck here since birth.”
“You have clothes, you are well fed,” states Ausveig. “You are protected from being attacked.”
“Attacked?” asks Sifrid, her sharpened eyes darting to mine. “Me, maybe, for now—but say that to Eidunn.”
“Silence, girl!” snaps Ausveig.
But Sifrid stands, refusing to obey her elder.
“Silence is what allowed this to go on,” she says, looking down at Ausveig. “That’s why if I’m loyal to anyone, it’s Kilda here.”
“Yes!” shouts a woman.
“Same!” says another.
I hold my breath. Not what I was expecting. Not what I need. Freya save me. Sifrid goes on, turning to the other slaves.
“If Sigurd won’t protect us, who will? I’ll tell you who, Kilda!”
My stomach drops as I hear Sifrid speak. This is the opposite of what I had hoped for. This will make me a target. I am the thorn in Sigurd’s side. The problem in his hall. I can’t leadanyone, even if I used to think so. Their trust is heavier than any chain. My pulse hammers in my ears as I try to speak.
“I don’t think that?—”
