Page 79 of Heart of the Wolf
Before Leif spoke, she reached up, resting her palm on his cheek. A callused hand covered her own, stilling the slight tremor in Brielle’s fingers.
“No. Please. Leave her.”
“Hjartað mitt,” Leif said, shaking his head. “She stole my kona and a jarl’s wife; she cannot be allowed to live.”
“What choice did she have?” Brielle croaked, her voice still raw. “She’s just a girl, Leif.”
“Brielle,” he whispered for only her to hear. “She will be killed. If not by us, someone in the village will once we leave. Herja turned on their Konungr and turned on their people. They will want to rid themselves of that stain. If Amund does it, it will be a kindness.”
Brielle scraped through Leif’s beard, taking comfort in how the coarse hair ran along her fingertips. Vala’s blue eyes glistened with tears, shining like stormy ocean waters. The poor girl was too skinny. Her cheekbones jutted out from her gaunt face. She looked as tired as Brielle felt.
Despite how broken she was, Brielle had seen it in her eyes. The moment her resolve clicked into place. Vala had intended to free Astrid and Brielle. It was only when Herja arrived that she crumbled.
Brielle hadn’t lied to Vala.
She had said she could help, and she would.
“Take her with us.”
“You want a thrall?” Leif arched a brow, reaffirming his grip on Brielle, clearly confused by her request.
“No. Not a thrall. She could live in the village as one of us.”
Amund snorted a laugh that he pinched off when Leif glared at him. Astrid’s distant gaze twinkled, a smile spreading across her face as she threaded her arm through Amund’s.
“She would be most welcome,” Astrid said, fluttering her lashes.
The hard lines etched into Leif’s brow faded as an exasperated sigh passed his lips. Soon, he relented, his eyes closing before opening again. He buried his nose into the crook of Brielle’s neck, dragging it up the hinge of her jaw before kissing the corner of her mouth.
“You’re too good for this world.” Brielle flashed him a tired smile when he grunted before facing Amund. “Restrain the thrall and bring her with us,” he commanded dismissively.
Chuckling, Amund stowed his axe, pulling Vala to her feet. A sad smile cracked Vala’s tired features as she dipped her chin in Brielle’s direction. It looked like she wanted to say something, but couldn’t find the words. Amund tied her wrists together behind her back with a strip of leather.
“Her name is Vala,” Brielle said, a tiny V forming between her brows. “Not thrall.”
“Firebird,” Amund snorted, pushing Vala to walk in front of him and Astrid.
“Yes. Vala,” Leif echoed, rubbing new age lines from his face. “Relax, now. She is under my protection.”
Brielle nodded, lulled into sleep by the movements.
***
Cool water crested her lips while fluffy furs cradled her. Brielle let out a quiet groan, wanting nothing more than to sleep. A low rumble purred nearby, almost coaxing her awake. With her eyes still closed, she pushed her fingers out, spreading them wide until they collided with supple leather and metal.
“Drink, hjartað mitt,” Leif urged, tipping a skin of water to her dry lips. “I know you’re tired. But we’re home now.”
Obediently, Brielle opened her mouth, moaning a contented hum when the water hit the back of her throat. She drank two full skins before shaking her head, too full to drink anymore. Leif passed her tiny pieces of fruit, only satisfied once the plate was empty.
“Where is Vala?” Brielle asked as Leif stood from their bed.
“Liv took her. She is in her home for now.”
“For now?” Brielle arched a brow, hissing at the renewed sting in her arm.
“Still your fire. I made a promise,” Leif said, shaking his head. “She is free to live here or leave. The choice is hers. Liv has offered the girl a room in her home if she decides to stay.”
Everything settled for the first time in hours, and Brielle sucked in a deep breath, groaning at how her chest expanded. Leif crouched, carefully assessing the cut on her cheek along with the gashes on her arm. The pad of his thumb hovered over the wound, not touching but tracing the marks.
