Page 32 of Mastered By the Viking King

Tove sat upon on her throne. It was smaller than Njal’s, yet still regal and elevated, giving her a good view of the space.

Halfdan, after handing Njal a horn of mead, gave her one too.

Njal downed his drink in one gulp, then held out his horn for a refill. “I demand silence!” he boomed.

The sounds of conversation came to an abrupt stop.

Two women—one pregnant—and a man emerged from the crowd to stand before the thrones.

“I demand,” a raven-haired woman shouted, “that this siren be hung!”

“That is a high demand,” Njal said, drinking his next horn of mead in one go.

“It is not high enough. She is carrying my husband’s child.”

“Do you have proof of this?” Njal asked.

“I don’t need it. I know. I know he is a rat who went sniffing for her.”

“What do you say, Sune?” Njal asked.

Sune, a tall thin man with a hooked nose and blond beard, glanced first at Ysar, then Astrid.

Astrid looked away, running her palms over her belly.

“Well?” Njal demanded. “We do not have all day.”

Sune cleared his throat. “I have nothing to say.”

“You see!” Ysar jabbed her finger in Sune’s direction. “Guilty.”

“We must hear from all parties,” Njal said. “Astrid, what do you say?”

“King Njal, Queen Tove.” Her voice was gentle. “I had not planned to be with child.”

“Who is the father?” Njal asked.

“I… I…” She paused. “Please, I… I just want my child to live. Kill me, butplease, only after my child is born.”

“King Njal,” Tove said.

“Aye, my queen.”

“If I may?”

He paused, studying her, then nodded.

Tove took a deep breath. In her mind, Sune was the father of Astrid’s child, and if that was confirmed, Astridandher innocent baby could both be killed. So, despite being nervous, she stood. She was queen now; this was her duty.

“People of Halsgrof.” She studied the sea of faces before them. “As your queen, I understand what has happened here.”

“My husband is a cheat and a rat!” Ysar shouted. “And—”

“Silence!” Njal roared. “Your queen is speaking! Show some respect, woman.”

His booming voice startled Tove, but she kept it hidden. “As your queen, I have an understanding of the will of the gods.” She stepped down from the throne’s dais. “When the crown was set upon my head yesterday, with it came royal wisdom.”

“All hail Queen Tove!” someone shouted.

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