Always Be By My Side - Sequel to Always Return to Me (The Last Kingdom Fan Fic)

Chapter 40

"Sigtryggr Ivarsson," I bellowed back, standing. "Are you here to kill me?"

Nadia's eyes scanned the unarmed newcomer though her hand did not surface from beneath the table where I was fairly sure she had a concealed weapon despite the fact only I and Rorik were supposed to be allowed to carry in the hall.

"It would be a bit difficult without my sword lord," he replied calmly. "And your man there seems well equipped."

I stole a glance at Rorik, whose hand was on the hilt of his blade. "He is. So, are you here to kill me?"

"As far as I'm concerned, Cnut sealed his own fate. Our cousin's treacherous soul deserved what it got," he smiled.

"I was wondering when I would get to see your ugly face," I smiled back, taking a swig of ale.

"This?" Sigtryggr stroked the scar around his eye. "The ladies find it attractive," he winked at my wife whose stare could kill. "Well most ladies," he smiled charmingly.

"Come, drink with us," I cut in quickly, noting Nadia's jaw locking. I sat myself back down and gave her a small kick under the table. Her glare turned on me and I smiled sweetly back at her.

"Did you tire of Wealas?" My wife asked.

"Straightforward. I like that in a woman," he tried, winning himself no favors with my wife. When she did not respond he quickly continued. "I care not for Wealas. I've heard there is a much greater prize that many of our people have died trying to win."

"And you want to be the first to win it?" Nadia asked.

"That I do lady, that I do."

"Tell me, what makes a child like you think you can succeed at something that so many battle hardened Earls have tried before you and failed at?"

Sigtryggr chuckled slightly and took a sip of ale under my wife's unwavering stare. "They were old and frail."

"Cocky little thing aren't you," she taunted.

"I prefer the term confident," he smiled back at her.

"Would your companions like to sit?" I cut in, noting them still standing in the center of the room.

A devious smile broke across his face as he waved them over. "Lord and Lady Ragnarson, I'd like you to meet my right-hand man, Jorgen. And Ragnar, I believe you know Astrid, my second."

My eyes potentially bulged out of my head at the sight of Astrid. I tried hard not to choke on the ale in my mouth as his second pulled back her hood to reveal her blonde hair pulled back into a single braid down her back. Her blue eyes scanned my face as a small smile appeared on her lips. I refrained the urge to look over at where my wife sat.

"Ragnar, or now I suppose it's Lord, it's good to see you again," Astrid grinned warmly.

"P-please sit," I indicated to the empty seats at the end of the table to our two guests. As they sat and poured themselves ale I stole a glance at Nadia. Fury was boiling beneath her calm demeanor. She possibly could have killed everyone in that room with how dark her eyes had gotten. I gulped down some more ale and prayed the gods she kept her temper in check.

Rorik knew her about as well as I and I noticed him inch closer to her side of the table, ready to intercept if needed.

Nadia

Sigtryggr Ivarsson was nothing but trouble. He stank of it the moment he walked into our hall. The overly confident turd had everyone eating out of his hand but me. I glanced at Brida who hung onto his every word and knew that her loyalties to the Ragnarson household had broken when Cnut had sold her as slave to the Welsh.

Sigtryggr was playing a game, but what that game was I did not yet know. When he revealed the woman, Astrid, as his second I nearly leapt across the table and punched her out. Ragnar had actually gawked at her and my blood boiled. I will admit I felt a surge of jealously sweep through me as I stared at the shield maiden Ragnar had fought alongside when he was making his name in Ireland. But what made me most enraged was that Sigtryggr had brought her to our hall. What game was he playing?

~~~~~

Once everyone had been given accommodation and sent to bed, I relaxed my shoulders slightly as Ragnar pulled the bolt across our door. He hovered there a moment, looking at me like a frightened child. I ignored his stare and worked on braiding my hair.

He crossed the room in a few steps and was kneeling down in front of where I sat on our bed. I felt his calloused hands find mine, stopping them from their work. He gently pulled one towards him and gave it a kiss before pressing his head against it.

"What are you doing?" I asked, looking down at him. My resolve melting.

"Trying not to be murdered in my sleep," he replied, a grin tugging at his lips.

"I could never," my voice softened as my free hand found its way into his dark golden hair.

"What are you thinking about?" He asked, his thumb stroking my hand.

"I don't like Sigtryggr."

"You don't like anyone," he chuckled.

"He's up to something."

"He's an ambitious fool."

"Why must you take every threat not seriously?"

"So he's a threat then?"

"I don't like him."

"So you've said." He smiled up at me, melting my resolve with his eyes.

"I don't know how you've stayed alive this long," I laughed.

"Because I have you by my side," he replied, lifting himself up to sit beside me.

"Ragnar..." I began but was quickly silenced by his lips pressing against mine. I felt his hands gently cup the nape of my neck and my waist as he pulled me closer, deepening the kiss. His mouth began to wander and any thoughts of Sigtryggr and Astrid quickly fled from my mind.