Chapter 18
Freydis
The guests poured through the gates, all dressed in black and brown—twenty warriors armed with shields and free blades.
There rode Geir, his hair shining as if he'd poured oil on it. He was tall, with porcelain skin and cheeks flushed with blush. He had long blond hair and brown eyes like his father. Beside him rode his father, Vegard, who was almost unrecognizable—until he leapt from the horse with a loud thud. His stomach was round and full of mead and ale.
"Harald!" Vegard roared as he rushed to my father. "By the gods, it is good to see your face again this summer."
"Welcome home," the King said.
I stood next to my mother as we greeted the guests.
"The halls of Fellur never fail to impress me every summer," Vegard smiled.
"You flatter me, Vegard," the King said, welcoming each of Vegard's wives before turning to him. He had five wives, but only four were present.
"Where is Lady Mýra?" the King asked.
"She passed away," Vegard said. "In childbirth."
"She was a good hunter."
"The gods are cruel," Vegard said.
The King slowly nodded. "She was a fair lady and a good wife to you, Vegard."
"Sad thing the babe didn't survive either," one of his wives said.
"The bastard killed her mother. I would have killed the babe myself if it had survived," Vegard said, and the place grew silent—then he burst out laughing, Geir joining him.
Vegard pulled my father into a tight hug. "I have missed you, Brother."
When he pulled away, Vegard noticed me. For a brief moment, I saw a flash of disgust before he quickly replaced it with a smile.
"She is as beautiful as a rose," Vegard said.
"Beautiful and innocent—for the rumors surrounding her," said a voice. I turned to see Geir with a wicked grin, dressed in black bear skin.
"Come inside, all of you," the King said.
We entered the house, and Geir's two sisters approached me. They had long pale blond hair like Geir, with freckles on their cheeks.
"I am very pleased to see you all," the Queen said to the two girls.
Eira was the younger one—more beautiful, but rude. She gave me an icy glare before turning to the Queen and smiling.
Eydis was the older one. Kind-hearted and beautiful, too.
"She has her mother's beauty," I heard Vegard say as he spoke to the King.
"You have a strong heart, raising a girl as your successor. Didn't people warn you to take a second wife to bear a son?"
Harald shrugged. "Yes, but she is still my blood. Boy or girl, she'll inherit the throne."
"Many say that when she was born, her mother felt the power of the gods," Vegard said, frowning at me. "She dreamed of Freyja."
Everyone hated Freyja because of how she treated humans—and even gods—in the olden days. She sent anyone who angered her to the prison world, Helheim. To this day, she is hated, and in some villages, worshiping her is forbidden.
"Yes," the King replied swiftly.
"Then is she touched by the gods? Is she Freyja's child?" Vegard asked.
"Father," Eira said. "She's just a girl. Human like us. How can she be Freyja's child? That would make her cursed."
"I am not cursed," I snapped.
"She has a temper," Eira said. "Best you lower that temper before marriage. My brother doesn't tolerate fierce women."
Harald laughed. "She is not cursed. She is my daughter. She has my blood, not a god's."
Vegard frowned at the Queen. "You let me and my son sit here without a horn in our hands? That's disrespectful, woman. Where are your thralls?"
The Queen shot a glare at Vegard when he wasn't looking. I wanted to smile. She agreed to this marriage and was already getting mad over Vegard's words. What was she expecting from him?
The Queen walked away and returned moments later with two thralls serving the guests mead and ale.
Vegard took a sip of his mead and smiled. "Now we can talk about the marriage, Brother," he said, turning to us. "You women should find something to do."
The King turned to me. "Freydis, take Eira and Eydis around the house."
"She really has a pretty face, Harald," Vegard smiled. "For that, we'll offer you as many goats as needed."
"One goat per hair on her head," the Queen said, and Vegard burst out laughing.
"She isn't worth that many goats," Geir said, and I turned to him. Next to him was a beautiful woman with long blond hair and pale skin.
"Geir's thrall, Anna. Isn't she beautiful?" Eira said.
I turned to her, frowning. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because she's much more beautiful than you. She doesn't have a temper and she's wise. That's why Geir loves her," Eira said. "He's planning to marry her after you."
My eyes widened, and I turned to see how Geir had placed his hand around the thrall's waist. If my father saw this, he said nothing.
At that moment, I didn't want to stand there and listen to Eira.
I turned to Eydis, and led her outside, Eydis gripping my hand.
The two girls loved to talk. They went on and on about how many pools they had back home and the men they planned to marry. Geir was in love with his thrall, and he planned to marry her after me. I was disgusted.
"His father is planning to visit my family soon," Eira smiled. "What's more beautiful than marrying a King?"
"You two haven't even seen each other before," I said. "What if he doesn't like you?"
She looked at me, annoyed. "I have prayed to the gods—he'll fall in love with me the moment he sees me. What about you, Freydis? What if you don't give my brother a son?"
If my father ever forced me to marry Geir, I'd ask the gods to close my womb for him. I'd never bring a son like him into this world.
"You do know he could marry his thrall if you refuse to give him a son."
I turned to Eydis. "Why does your father allow Geir's behavior? He brought his lover thrall to see my people?"
"He—"
"That's because she is far better than you, Freydis," Eira cut in. "At least she hasn't shamed her family. You walk around like someone innocent, but we've all heard what you did, Freydis."
I snapped my head to her. "Don't talk to me with that tongue."
"Or what?"
"Or I'll hit you," I said.
"Hòra," she spat. (Hòra means whore)
That was it.
I shoved her hard, and she stumbled back, almost falling to the ground.
"You dare—"
"Stop it! Both of you!" Eydis jumped between us to stop the fight.
"You speak again, and I swear by the gods, I'll strike you in the face," I said.
"You should pray to the gods that Geir keeps his patience—because you're a wild bitch. No one wants a wild bitch as wife," she said, turning around and storming away.
I gritted my teeth.