Chapter 9: Motives

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Still smiling, he considered how to answer her question. He looked around the room, quickly finding what he was searching for: a lone chair, crammed between the window and the desk.

She remained seated on the bed, waiting. He lifted the chair, placed it in front of her, and sat down. He frowned when she recoiled at his closeness, scooting as far from him as she could.

“Obviously not for your dowry my Lady,” he tried.

She stared at him in disbelief, her expression swiftly morphing into one of contempt. How dared he remind her of this! These barbarians had no shame!

Unfazed, he added: “However, I swear to compensate for it with the morning gift…”

“This is very thoughtful of you my Lord,” she whispered. Her answer was barely sarcastic. She had no dowry. He had taken all that was hers. If she divorced him, she would be nothing but a beggar, were he not generous enough to her on the morning after the wedding. It was indeed graceful of him to even consider it; after all, forgetting about it would make her think twice before leaving him.

“But you did not answer my question…”

Sven cleared his throat. He couldn’t lie to her if she was to trust him. He went for an indirect answer; she could always connect the dots.

“I want my children to be the rightful heirs to these lands, my Lady.”

Letting her reflect on that, he grabbed his own bowl. His stomach was protesting and he liked his food warm.

Aelswyn's mind was working fast. Children, rightful heirs… she was the rightful heir! She had been so wrong! She had assumed that he came to sack the fort and village, not seize them. He was a conqueror, not a raider. And a very foolish one!

King Athelstan would never condone a Dane stealing a shire in his realm. These times were long gone. Although as her husband, it would be his right. The King couldn’t ignore the law. Unless… she assured him that she was forced into marriage and asked for a divorce…

Sven had a good idea of what she was thinking.

“Don’t place too much hope in the King my Lady. Were he to fight me out, I would not leave you behind. You would follow me back to my country, as my wife or my slave, depending on your behavior. You won’t get rid of me so easily.”

“I hate you,” she muttered.

“Don’t,” he said, kindly this time. “I will never harm you, my Lady. Trust me, accept me as your husband, and I will treat you well. You will be spoiled and respected. Events such as these will never happen to you again. I will protect you, keep you safe, day and night…”

She tensed when he said ‘night’ and he noticed it.

He leaned towards her and she shrank away. He frowned again. She feared his touch. It was to be expected, and yet he was disappointed. Gaining her trust would be hard work, and without it the wedding night would turn into a disaster. Too many times had he seen the haunted eyes of women after a rape; he would never inflict that on her. In his homeland, an honorable man would never hurt his wife, unless he wanted her to leave or curse him. If she didn’t kill him in his sleep before… How could he prove to this Saxon lady that he meant her no harm?

He put the bowl back on the tray and pulled the chair closer. She froze.

“Give me your hand.”

She hesitated, threatened by his physical proximity.

“It’s just your hand, my Lady, I would never force myself on you, I promise.”

Aelswyn felt her body turn into ice. She didn’t want him to touch her, ever. But she was in no position to refuse. She struggled to overcome her fear. If she obeyed, would he leave her alone?

Reluctantly, she placed her hand in his large, calloused one. He turned it palm up, and used the tip of his fingers to trace feather light, random patterns on the offered skin, progressively making his way to the sensitive area of her inner wrist. Hearing her sharp intake of breath, he lifted her hand to his mouth and retraced the design with his lips.

Her eyes widened and he bent closer, whispering in her ear: “Consider this as a small sample of our future nights, my Lady. Roughness is not necessary, unless, of course, you ask for it…”

A bright blush appeared on her cheeks and quickly spread to her whole face and neck, as the meaning of his words sank in. She lowered her gaze, deeply embarrassed, albeit somewhat relieved. If he were true to his words, maybe, just maybe, marrying him wouldn’t be so terrible. IF that wasn’t another one of his tricks, to get something from her.

And sure enough…

“I need your help, my Lady.”

Her heart sank. He had put on quite an act, she nearly fell for it. Her hand was still tingling from the strange sensations he gave her, and she hoped that at least this part was real.

Unaware of her feelings, Sven went on with his plea: “From this evening on, I will have roughly four hundred men stationed here. Would you tell me how long the food reserves will last, and what amount of supplies we will need? Even after writing off your father’s men, I doubt we’ll have enough.”

Aelswyn shivered. He just coldly admitted his plan to slaughter another fifty men, without even blinking. This man was a cold-blooded monster. But she had to agree: if she didn’t help him, they would all be starving very soon. And she could use the activity; it would keep her confused mind off her current predicament.

“If I do what you want, will I be free to go as I please?”

He bowed exaggeratedly: “Free as the wind my Lady, as soon as you swear, on your god’s name, that you won’t be trying to escape or do anything against me. On this condition, I will even give you back your authority on the household.”

Her lips twisted in a sneer, and she tilted her head defiantly, looking him straight in the eyes: “I swear it, may God be my witness, I won’t run or betray you.”

He smiled: “So be it. I will leave a guard at your door though, for your safety. Just try to stay away from my men. Not all of them are as pleasant as your humble servant. Enjoy your day my Lady!”

Sven turned and left. That went well, better than expected. He didn’t care for her affection, but he needed her trust and loyalty. Being his wife, she would rule in his place when he would be away fighting. He had to be sure that she would not betray him. And he would be, once they had children. Even if she didn’t like him, she would protect her own flesh and blood.

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