Page 70 of Astrid at Sea

One of the other pirates snorted and said, “It sure seems like you are.”

Frode ignored him and put down his remaining cards. The game and his fellow pirates were forgotten as he turned his body to face me, giving me his sole attention.

“You’re not ignoring me, are you, Astrid of Jorvik?”

“No, of course not,” I insisted and held his gaze, refusing to be the first one to look away. He would take too much pleasure in that.

“There’s something I haven’t told you yet. Something else we found on the ship.”

“What’s that?”

“A cat.”

My eyes widened at the mention of Kis, giving myself away. I had hoped that Kis would have remained hidden, taking care of herself like she always did, but she wouldn’t be safe if the pirates had gotten their hands on her.

“Don’t worry,” Frode chuckled. “We have no interest in your little furry friend.”

“What did you do with her?” I asked, trying to sound disinterested even though my heart was pounding rapidly at the thought of these horrid pirates hurting Kis.

Oh Lord, please let her be okay!

I would never forgive myself if these pirates did anything to hurt Kis!

“I already told you we have no interest in your furry friend. We locked her up in the bottom deck of your ship. She can die down there for all I care.”

Internally, I sighed in relief but outwardly refused to show any emotion because I didn’t want to give them any ideas of using Kis against me. Unlike Frode,Icared about Kis. I had left Jorvik with Kis and refused to return without her.

When I didn’t say anything, Frode tried another angle.

“You mentioned earlier that you were married to the Captain?” He asked, his intense gaze set on me.

I nodded, wary. “Yes.”

“What was his name again?”

“I don’t believe I mentioned his name to you before.”

“What was his name?” Frode repeated. His smile dimmed just slightly, and I gulped, thinking it better to be truthful than risk getting myself in more trouble.

There was something sinister about Frode underneath the surface that I suspected he usually hid, but he was giving me a glimpse of now.

“Viktor.”

“Viktor and Astrid of Jorvik,” Frode chuckled. “Those names sound good together.”

“That’s why I married him,” I replied dryly.

“You’re a funny one, Astrid of Jorvik,” he chuckled again, but I didn’t find any humour in his words. The other two pirates did.

I pursed my lips and bit my tongue. It wouldn’t do any of us any good if I were to insult Frode’s intelligence. Or lack thereof.

“How long have you two been married?”

This was starting to feel like an interrogation.

“About ten days before we set sail,” I repeated.

“And how long ago was that?”

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