Page 53 of The Warrior
I frowned again. “Why would he hit you?” Her words triggered me and the thought of any man laying a hand on my little princess had me disliking the idea of her ever marrying.
“It’s just something I heard – rumors that Archer once hit Kya’s behind.” She looked down and fiddled with her hands.
“I know, sweetie, but that was just a spanking.”
Mila’s eyes were large and full of concern, so I explained. “Spanking is not the same as hitting. It’s less painful and doesn’t leave marks.”
“But you said husbands are supposed to protect their wives. Then why would they hurt them? I don’t understand why Archer couldn’t just be nice to Kya. You would never be that mean to Laura, would you, Daddy?”
This conversation had me sweating. “Ehm… no, of course not,” I said, hoping Laura wouldn’t reveal the truth.
Mila leaned in to hug me. “I knew it. Then I want my husband to be just like you when I grow up.”
I patted her hair. Her comment should have made me square my shoulders in pride. But Laura and I both knew that I had always considered it a husband’s responsibility to discipline his wife. If Mila understood that I’d spanked Laura several times, my little pacifistic princess would be disappointed with me.
When Laura spoke up, I held my breath. “If you decide to stay and have a tournament, Mila, I’m sure Magni will explain to your champion that the best kind of marriage is one where both parties respect each other. He would never allow anyone to make you feel like your opinion doesn’t matter or that you’re not equal to your husband.”
Laura was beating me at my own game, and I cleared my throat. “I don’t know about that. Men and women aren’t equal in the Northlands.”
“Why not?” Mila asked.
“Because men are born leaders. It’s their role to take charge and be in control. You wouldn’t want to marry a wuss, would you?”
“No, I guess not.” Mila looked at Laura. “If you could do it again, would you have a tournament?”
Laura took time to think about it. “Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of my tournament. It’s a very special day for a Northlander woman when thousands of men fight for her. My answer would be a big yes.”
“But would you have chosen Magni again?”
I sucked in a deep breath and quickly said, “Laura, you don’t need to answer that.” Mila adored me and I didn’t want Laura to tell the girl what a disappointment I’d been as a husband. “Thank you for the beautiful song. It’s time for me to go and show the kids how to play soccer.”
Mila smiled. “They say you play unfair and that you cheat.”
I got up and stretched my arms in a yawn. “I would never cheat.”
“You picked Plato up from the ground so he couldn’t reach the ball with his feet.”
“So?”
“You can’t do that.” Mila insisted. “You have to play by the rules.”
I grinned and pulled her up from the floor. “I should have known you could never be my biological daughter. There’s no way I would have produced such a wonderful rule follower.”
Mila grinned up at me and turned to Laura. “Will you come and play soccer with us?”
“Sure. But I’m warning you, Mila, I’m no rule follower either.”
Mila shrugged. “It’s okay. Northlanders never are.”
CHAPTER 15
Fight Me
Laura
I loved being at the school. When I was a child this hadn’t been a possibility, and my circle of friends had been very limited.
Seeing girls and boys interact was surreal, and my heart was in my chest when I watched them play soccer.
