Page 80 of Besotted
“Curly has agreed to be the steward of Rockland and will live there year-round with his wife, Molly. And Gabriella has opened the estate to any of the former slaves who need a new home. She’s so kind and generous to everyone.”
His voice contained admiration. I wanted to remind him of his own generosity in building a safe place for Grendel to live here in Scania. After Lord Kennard had safely and securely delivered the berserker, Vilmar hadn’t wanted the madman to languish in the dungeons for the rest of his days, so he had begun to build a prison that was more humane in nature.
Not to be outdone, Mikkel had offered his friends from the Isle of Outcasts a new home in Scania, places to live and labor where they wouldn’t face censure. He’d already begun advocating for them as well, dispelling long-held superstitions and promoting the need for people to accept differences.
A moment of silence prevailed, and I found myself growing agitated, needing Aurora, needing another one of her kisses, needing to be with her forever. If only I could say it, if only I could tell one of my brothers or my mother to send a missive inviting her to come.
“You know what’s hilarious?” Vilmar laid his hand upon my arm, and the touch brought my thrashing to an end. “I wish you were awake to hear this. Because you’d laugh, and I’d sure like to hear that sound again...” His voice trailed off with sadness.
He cleared his throat. “Father and the Lagting had arranged a marriage between you and Queen Aurora. Of course, they’d never expected you to finish first in the Testing. They’d always assumed they’d marry a charming man like you to a foreign queen in order to make a good alliance.”
Vilmar was right. I would have laughed if I’d been able to. How was it possible Aurora and I had spent those weeks at the cottage together not knowing our advisors had already arranged our marriage? How might things have changed if we’d known?
The truth was, I wouldn’t have wanted anything to detract from the simple pleasure of knowing each other for who we were rather than for our noble titles.
“Mercia’s ambassador arrived earlier in the week to cancel the arrangement—”
“No.”
Vilmar stood, knocking over his chair. He was silent for a long moment. “Mercia’s ambassador arrived earlier in the week—”
“No.” The word came out of my mouth again, a hoarse whisper. “Do not cancel the arrangement.”
Vilmar dropped to the edge of the bed, pressed his face against my chest, and wept.
I opened my eyes to discover I was under the great canopy of my bed in my chamber in Bergenborg Castle. I found that I could lift my hand, and I placed it on Vilmar’s head. And when he raised his face a moment later to look at me, I managed a smile even as tears coursed down my cheeks too.
Within hours, I was sitting up in bed. By the next morn, I’d managed to take some steps. And by afternoon, I was ravenously hungry, and the servants brought me a feast in bed.
I had visitors nonstop, and I was more than eager to hug my mother and kiss my father’s hand. Both of my brothers and their wives visited me often, as did old friends. Jorg was a constant companion, and I learned he hadn’t left my chamber since I’d been moved there after the voyage of many weeks.
But amidst the good-natured teasing and friendly camaraderie, I couldn’t shake the unsettled feeling of needing Aurora. When my father, brothers, and the Lagting filed into my room late in the day, the feeling only deepened.
They circled my bed. The thirteen men from the Lagting wore their long, white robes trimmed with lynx and fox fur. Most had white hair and white beards—to reflect their age and wisdom. My father stood at the center, his rugged countenance, broad frame, and light-blue eyes so much like all of his sons. Even at his age, he was still an impressive and handsome man.
“You know why we have gathered here today, Prince Kresten?” my father asked solemnly.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You outlasted your brothers in the Testing and so have earned the right to become the next king of Scania—”
“With all due respect, Your Majesty.” I pushed myself up farther in bed. I had to speak up now, or I’d lose the opportunity forever. “The Lagting was willing to bestow upon Mikkel or Vilmar the crown just yesterday. Why not today?”
My father’s brow rose. “You suffered from a sleeping illness.”
“But if the Lagting was willing to give the crown to one of my brothers yesterday, then they should also consider them yet today. Though they did not finish their Testing in the prescribed manner, they finished it in their hearts in all the ways that truly matter. And that is what the Lagting should consider.”
Mikkel’s brows shot up, making him look identical to our father, and I almost smiled. I squelched my humor, knowing no one would listen to me if I made this moment into a jest. And now, more than ever, I needed them to take me seriously.
“If I may speak freely, Your Majesty?” I asked.
My father cocked his head, as though seeing me, truly seeing me for the first time. “Very well, Prince Kresten. Speak freely.”
“Mikkel should be the next king of Scania. He is ready, willing, and able to take on the role. He was born a leader and will continue to make Scania into a great nation.” At my declaration, murmuring broke out amongst the men. Mikkel’s face registered surprise, and again I had to stifle my humor at his expression.
“Vilmar, on the other hand,” I continued louder, “is ready and willing to become an ambassador to other nations.”
Vilmar smiled slightly at my bold statement. I’d told him already that I’d heard everything he and Mikkel had spoken to me over the past weeks. His response had been to punch me in the arm.
