Page 39 of Heart of the Wolf
And every night, she slept soundly in his arms.
Traversing the pathways of the village on her own felt foreign. Usually, she traveled with Astrid or Liv. Eyes tracked her movements. Some with curiosity, some with intrigue. Children weaved in and out of her legs, chasing each other. Mothers scolded those same children, murmuring light-hearted apologies that Brielle waved off.
Nobody treated her differently on her own than when Astrid escorted her. In fact, with the announcement of her marriage to Leif, many gifted her small trinkets. She accepted them all gracefully, not wishing to offend anyone as she made her way to the homes by the meadow.
Rows of closed doors greeted her. No sign of life behind them. Her fingers closed around her fur hood, hitching it higher on her head. Sticks crunched under her feet, each step louder than the last. Smoke billowed from the roofs, and she knocked on the first door.
A long silence stretched out, and she debated knocking again until she heard the patter of quiet footsteps, followed by a few stunned mutterings in Norse.
As the wood groaned open, her hands started to twitch. Astrid tried teaching her the Norse words, but she still struggled with them. How was she supposed to converse with these people? Brielle panicked, worried they were going to end up staring at each other in awkward silence.
Bright sapphire eyes widened, glancing at her. The door opened fully to reveal a tall, slender woman with beautiful, thick raven braids waterfalling down her back. A tiny girl poked out from behind the woman’s legs, disappearing back into the home after being scolded.
“Dróttning,” the woman breathed, dipping her chin to her chest respectfully.
Brielle’s shoulders stiffened, identifying the honorific. Astrid had taught her that one. Once she and Leif were married, she would be the Dróttning to his Konungr. Technically, she wasn’t that yet, but she didn’t want to correct the woman, risking making her uncomfortable.
“Heill,” Brielle said.
“If it helps. I know English words,” the woman said, and Brielle unclenched her jaw, more at ease.
“Thank you. I am learning our language, but I’m slow,” Brielle laughed, relieved when the woman’s eyes crinkled. “I am Brielle. What’s your name?”
“Hrafna.”
Hrafna toyed with the sleeve of her tattered dress, her eyes looking everywhere but at Brielle. Leif made sure all the relocated families had shelter, but what of food and clothing? The woman’s dress looked more worn than Brielle’s had when she arrived.
“None of you have been out with the rest of us. We’re worried. Is everything alright? Does anyone need anything? I can help.”
Hrafna bowed her head. “We did not wish to offend with our presence. Our husbands and brothers disrespected our Konungr.”
“You are not them.” The words came out harsher than she intended. Brielle clutched Hrafna’s arm, squeezing it gently. “Do not isolate yourselves as some self-inflicted penance.” As she nodded, Hrafna’s throat bobbed. “Good. I expect to see you at the feast.”
“Yes, Dróttning,” she murmured.
“If you or anyone needs anything, come find me and I will see that it is taken care of.”
With another dip of her chin, Hrafna disappeared back into her home. Words only went so far. Brielle intended to provide them with additional comforts to ensure they trusted her and, by extension, Leif.
On her way back to the longhouse, she bumped into Astrid. Under one arm, she balanced a basket full of grain.With the other, she pulled Brielle into a brief hug, pecking her wind-pinkened cheeks.
“Astrid. Is it possible to have a winter’s worth of food and new clothing sent to the families by the meadow?”
“Brielle, you are to be the Dróttning,” she said, her mouth thinning into a severe line. “If you will it, it will be done.”
“Who do I ask?”
“You don’t ask,” Astrid smiled. “You tell. I will see this done before the sun sets.”
***
Later that night, Brielle sat in front of the fire. While watching the flames dance, she played with one of Leif’s furs, comforted by his scent. Whenever he wasn’t home, Leif sent a young girl to ensure she ate, still complaining that she was too skinny. It didn’t matter that since her arrival, her ribs no longer poked out.
Slow footfalls moved toward her.
“Forgive me for leaving you so alone.” Strong arms wrapped around her chest, urging her up until all she smelled was pine and leather.
“I understand.”
