Clenching my fist around my mug, I downed the last of my whisky and bid Gustav a good eve, claiming I needed to prepare for traveling tomorrow. Then I climbed the stairs, hoping my father was still awake. I would much rather enjoy this last night with him than the likes of Gustav and his vastly changed ways.
While I was glad to find Father sitting in front of the fire with Oksana at his feet, enjoying a whisky, I was even more pleased to see Astrid sitting beside him once again. The two were smiling at something they had been discussing, and the scene warmed me in ways I didn’t expect.
“Ah, he arrives at last.” Father gestured at the empty chair beside him and poured another cup of whisky. “Come join us this last night together, my son.”
Although the way he said that made me uneasy, I kept it from my face. “’Twill nae be the last night but one of many once we return, Da.”
“Aye, of course it will,” he replied softly, looking from Astrid to me fondly. “Ending each day with those who are dearest to me by my side.”
Though we said nothing more about it, I’d once again noticed Father eating very little tonight, and his color was palerthan I would have liked. Yet he seemed in good enough spirits as we chatted for a bit. It felt so natural between us three that one would have never thought she’d only sat with us for the first time last night. In fact, Astrid and I even shared a mutual smile or two while Father shared one humorous story or another.
Eventually, however, he grew wearier and addressed us with what I suspected had been on his mind since Alexander’s request that Astrid travel with him.
“Whilst I thought to speak with you two separately, I think mayhap together is better.” He looked from Astrid to me before his gaze settled on the fire, and he spoke softly, his tone resolute. “Whether you believe it or not, son, Iamstill dying, and Astrid and I know it. It might not be soon, but ‘twillbe, and I would have you both agree to something before you leave lest I not be here when you return.”
“Och, you arenae—”
“I am,” he cut me off, his voice stronger and sterner when his gaze shot to me. “Tell him, Astrid. Give him the truth.”
“Aye.” I frowned at her. “Tell me, lass, for it seems you truly are a seer after all if you can divine such.”
“I am,” she said gently, without the usual bite to her voice. Swallowing hard, she blinked back tears and looked me in the eyes. “But I am also a verra good healer and can confirm Lachlann is right. ‘Tis just a matter of time.”
“Yet you are recovering, Da,” I exclaimed, turning my frown his way.
“Mayhap it seems like that at the moment, but ‘twill come for me.” He shook his head. “There cannae be any doubt.”
“Nay,” I denied.
“Aye.”
“Then I will stay and—”
“Nay, youwillnae,” my father bit out, his voice sterner still, his gaze never straying from my face, daring me to defyhim. “As your chieftain, I amorderingyou to go and represent this clan.Orderingyou to be as loyal to our rightful king as we are.”
Inhaling deeply, I held his gaze, tempted to oppose him, but I knew better. Father might be older, yet fierce when needed, and I sensed this was one of those moments if I did not tread lightly and agree to his terms.
“What would you have of me now?” I looked from Astrid back to him, not liking being forced into a corner, but truth be told, there was nothing I wouldn’t do for him, and he knew it. “Of Astrid now? We already agreed to marry if you passed, so I cannae imagine what else weighs on your mind.”
“I would have you marry this verra night in this chamber.”
“Och,nay,” I exclaimed, just as surprised as Astrid, given how her eyes rounded at my father.
He shook his head sharply. “I willnae go to my grave leaving Astrid in harm’s way because mark my words, if the king receives word of my death whilst you are gone, hewillmarry her to Gustav, and that man will make her life a living hell. I dinnae doubt it for a moment. I already sent word with Astrid’s sister, Freya, to Earl Bjorn Helvig that you two were to be married and to send his seal of approval so ‘twill be indisputable.”
“And what of our clan and me, Da?” I returned, baffled by this request. By what he’d already done without my knowing.
“All will be well.” Father assured, even though he had no way of knowing that. He held up a hand to stop our protests and shook his head. “’Twill be done, and there’s nothing more to say about it. Whilst you will have to keep it secret for now, I would see it finalized this verra night, so she’s protected when Gustav manages to get his way.”
Was he fevered and ill of mind? He appeared paler than usual, so mayhap that was it. “This is blatantly treasonouswithout the king’s permission and ‘twill bring the wrath of Alexander down on innocent people.Ourinnocent people.”
“’Twill nae.” Father's steady gaze remained on my face, his eyes clear enough. “Because you and Astrid will win his favor during your travels and ‘twill be granted without him knowing it already happened.” He shook his head. “For I would never risk you, Astrid,orour clan. Trust me in this.” Gesturing at what was once my mother’s trunk in the corner, he patted his pocket. “If, in the end, the king finds out you married in secret and takes issue with it, make sure he gets what’s in there. ‘Twill protect you, Astrid, and our clan well into the future.”
“Then let me see it now so you might assure me this willnae bring the wrath of king and country down on our clan in the end,” I countered. “For if you do truly…” I swallowed hard, the word bitter on my tongue, “Passwhilst we are away and Alexander finds out I betrayed him, not once but twice, the fate of our people will lie on my shoulders, nae yours, as their new chieftain.” I shook my head just as firmly as he had, equally stubborn. “And Iwillnaehave that, Da. Iwillnaedo that to our people any more than you should.”
My father’s dark sea green eyes remained locked with mine for a stretch as he clearly debated how much I should know. If I were ready for something he considered dire enough for us to take such bold actions this eve.
Fortunately, he came to the right conclusion.
