Page 63 of Enamored
“Sire,” Ansgar said with nary a glance toward Lis. “Your wisdom and intelligence are greater than any other. I would be honored to have you at the helm of the royal longboat, directing us safely back to Vordinberg.”
How could I reject the Grand Marshal’s offer? He needed me. Saw my value. Realized my potential. The king would also hear about my daring feats and elevate me to higher honor. I didn’t need to worry about Rasmus, did I? Not when I was gaining so much favor.
Was this my chance to rise to fame?
A war broke out inside me. The darkness I’d allowed inside was hungry, almost ravenous, for honor and admiration. But the glimmer of light within my soul begged me to let the craving for praise go unfulfilled. Refusing to feed pride would lead to its starvation and eventual death. I would fare better to let humility swell and grow in its place.
Was I famished for praise because Rasmus had never given it to me? Or was this another temptation to give way to more darkness, so that one day I would end up just like the man I loathed?
I dropped my gaze to Elinor as she comforted the king. I’d let myself slip too far already into becoming like Rasmus and had hurt her in the process. I didn’t want to hurt her ever again. That meant I had to let go of the darkness. Starting now.
Suddenly, I knew what I must do. I had to take her far away and keep her safe until Rasmus was no longer a threat.
“I’m honored, Sir Ansgar.” I bowed my head at him, letting him know I respected him just as much as he did me. “But I must decline so esteemed a position and instead offer you the services of Lis.” I motioned toward the maiden.
With her hood thrown back, her fair hair was windblown. The beauty and likeness of the sisters was unsettling, and I was surprised no one else had made mention of it. Perhaps, in the midst of the crisis, everyone was too busy to pay attention. More likely, this was another instance where I saw things others didn’t notice.
Ansgar shifted his attention to Lis. Though his expression remained kind, one of his brows arched in question.
“I assure you,” I continued, “Lis is the better choice. She’ll keep you safe on the voyage to Vordinberg.”
“Is that so?” Ansgar’s tone was diplomatic, without a trace of condescension.
“I’m not going to Vordinberg,” Lis said quickly.
“If not Vordinberg, then where?” I posed the question knowing I was trapping her. If she chose to go anywhere else, she would appear selfish.
She glanced at Elinor. I could see the answer formulating in her expression. She wanted to go with Elinor and explore the truth of all I’d revealed about her origins. Although Elinor had been too preoccupied with the king to notice Lis, I had no doubt Elinor would want to have the chance to get to know her sister too.
Lis tore her attention from Elinor and focused again on the dracos. She alone, with her draco, had the power to deliver the king and all his forces back to Vordinberg alive. Without their protection, Canute would send his army to attack time after time, and King Ulrik and all his men would face great peril.
Resignation settled across Lis’s features. She’d obviously recognized the same.
“Are you sure I cannot convince you, sire?” Ansgar asked.
“I assure you, in this case you’ll be heartily grateful for Lis.”
Ansgar hesitated but a moment before bowing his head in subservience.
He was worthy. My pulse sped with the realization. Ansgar was the worthiest man in the kingdom, the one worthiest to become the next king. I’d never met a man like him before, a man who exuded greatness and strength and humility all at the same time.
Did I dare share with him the secret of removing the Sword of the Magi from its case? Doing so would thwart Rasmus’s plans to put his pawn onto the throne. If Ansgar became king, he had the strength of character never to bow to Rasmus’s wiles and whims.
As soon as the deception crossed my mind, I tossed it out. Such a decision about who should become the next king was no more mine to make than it was Rasmus’s. For now, I would have to let the matter rest in God’s hand.
Ansgar motioned at Lis’s horse. “I’ll have one of my squires take your horse aboard.”
“No need,” she replied. “I can lead it myself.”
“As you wish. You may ride at the helm with me, near the king.”
“I’ll ride in the bow.”
Ansgar looked to me as though needing guidance for so strong-willed a woman.
“Allow Lis to do as she pleases,” I offered. “It is for the best, as you will soon discover.” Although Elinor wasn’t obstinate, I could see the resemblance in the strength the sisters possessed.
Once Ansgar was distracted giving instructions for transporting the king onto his longboat, I turned to Lis. “Thank you for agreeing to go with them.”
