Page 29 of Soul of Fire

“Thank you.” She blushed slightly as she took the plate, either because of the attention or the nickname, but my mother beamed at me in approval.

Arne grumbled and slumped back into his chair. “Right waste of time,” he muttered as he helped himself to the bacon.

“The sparring ring won’t go anywhere,” I reminded him. Baldur always got an inordinate amount of pleasure from watching Eisa eat, and I nudged her thigh as she nibbled delicately on a slice of fried bread.You can eat normally.

Eisa rolled her eyes, but took normal-sized bites as my mother recounted the mundane comings and goings of the castle. To my chagrin, Magda didn’t leave, and I knew my mother didn’t have the heart to dismiss her so that we could discuss the Althing.

“There.” Arne stood as he drained his cup of tea, then grabbed a sweet roll and gave me an impatient look. “She’s eaten. Shall we?”

Did you have enough to eat?

Eisa raised a brow in surprise.You want me to come?

I held out my hand.Always, Kjære.

Eisa took it, and my mother rose from her chair, holding out her arms. “We’ll have another little chat sometime before you return to Ironholm.” Her smile was warm as she took my mate in her arms and kissed her cheek. “And you, my son.”

My mother’s arms were so thin and fragile as they came around me, but the voice in my ear was firm as she whispered, “Do not leave her alone with your father. Or your brother.”

It was an unnecessary warning. I’d never trust Edvard after what he did, and if my father found out what Eisa might be capable of, he would find a way to use her power for himself. “I know.”

She nodded, and I took her delicate hands in mine. “You should leave with Arne when he returns to the Reaches. There’s nothing for you here.”

She smiled, a sad, weighty thing as if the entire world rested on her. “I do more for our people here. Don’t worry about me.”

Arne barked at me irritably from the door. “Are we going to stand around all day exchanging pleasantries, or can we go beat something with a heavy stick?”

I rolled my eyes and took Eisa’s hand. “Just letting you get a head start, old man.”

Chapter nine

Eisa

“Explaintomeagainexactly who that is?” Branka had a dreamy look on her face, her eyes firmly fixed on the three men sparring with long wooden sticks in the middle of the yard.

Arne, Jorgen, and Arik had all stripped off their leathers and shirts, and the weak sun that had broken though the cloud cover was enough to make the sweat glisten on their chests.

Branka and I were similarly drenched as we leaned against the stone wall that surrounded the training yard, ostensibly to take a water break, andnotto stare brazenly at the men.

In all fairness to us, their practice was mesmerizing, and the sounds of swords and shields clattering loudly around had dimmed as a ring of onlookers quit their own matches and gathered to watch them along with us.

They were a motley group of men, likely here with their jarls for the Althing. I’d never had much need to understand the politics of Stalheim, but I wished I’d taken the time to ask Arik about it before we’d been thrust into the center of it all.

Arne whooped loudly as he dodged a blow, nimbly jumping over Arik’s stick. He must have been at least in his late forties, but he appeared in no worse shape than either of the drage fighting him. His torso was thick with muscle and chiseled with scars that marked him a warrior as much as the other men. He lacked the tattoos that I’d noted on so many drage men, but if I didn’t know better, I’d assume he was one of us.

Arne swung the wooden pole, landing a brutal hit to Arik’s midsection. Arik let out a grunt, his face as impassive as it had been the entire fight.

Idunn growled protectively deep in my chest.We must kill the hairy one.

They’re sparring, you ridiculous thing,I admonished, trying to soothe her agitation. Beside me, Branka was fanning herself, her dragon clearly in a similar disposition.Arik wouldn’t thank you for roasting his uncle.

Arik glanced at me, his beard twitching in amusement as he tapped inquiringly at my mental bridge.Tired already?What’s Idunn so antsy about?

You, getting killed. Watch your head!I shouted as Jorgen aimed a blow designed to strike bothopponents.

Arik dodged it gracefully as if he had known the blow was coming.Believe it or not, I’m fairly skilled in this area.

Pay attention, then.I snapped.I have no desire to restrain Idunn from eating your uncle if he knocks your head off.