"Ragnar, we were wondering how long it would take you!" Nikolai jumped from the rocks smiling before shaking Ragnar's hand. Lowering his voice, Nikolai tried to keep his anger and apprehension from showing. "Where is my brother?"
"He is coming soon Nikolai."
"And he brings the female?"
Ragnar glanced quickly at Nikolai, an expression of shock crossing his face before his usual calm returned to him. "What do you know of her?"
"I know that Bruni told me the contract had to be fulfilled." Nikolai felt the anger in him spread, he did not want to be here, he did not want to deal with her, or Bruni, or the infuriating contract. Hell, he wanted to run, and if he had any sense, or if his legs would actually obey his mind at this moment, he would be smart enough to escape while Bruni and the wench were still out of sight.
"Excuse me Nikolai." Ragnar bit out before heading swiftly for the boat.
Nikolai watched as Ragnar practically stalked away from him, the rage coming from him was as perplexing as it was strong.
Why would Ragnar get angry about that? It had nothing to do with him, that he knew of anyway. Nikolai's confusion clawed at him; irritated him.
Until he saw a fair angel curled in the embrace of his little brother.
Hair of sunshine gold fanned around her, framing pale skin, her lithe figure held so close in Bruni's arms, pulled tight against his chest as they broke through the trees and onto the beach. Nikolai's temper flared, her hand was clutching his brother's shirt, his face was leant down near hers, and kissing her swollen lips intermittently, the smiles from one to another reflected some matter of emotion.
She was beautiful.
Realization dawned sharply on Nikolai; Ragnar's anger over Bruni telling him that this woman was part of the contract. Ragnar wanted her to remain Bruni's, wanted the knowledge of the contract to remain a secret. The consequences of the contract being found out, having been betrayed were dire. Bruni was too young to remember the contract being made, too young to know the consequences. Nikolai did not have that excuse. He was there the day the contract was made.
He felt sick. He did not know what to do; he did not know who to tell of what turned his stomach. If anyone else knew she was the one, if the bastard found out; all the peace that had prevailed these past twenty years or so would be lost. This was the reason he had escaped, roamed Europe, Britain, even the hotter climates of the south; he never wanted Finnvid's ploy to come to pass. His Grandfather had wanted this, had made sure they aligned with the Haur's, watching, waiting...for a child from Bjorn. Finnvid wanted a daughter to be born; and as long as it was Bjorn's, it would be a royal.
Nikolai shuddered, sitting down on the cold rocks out of the way of the men loading supplies to the boats, out of the way of Bruni wading through the shallow water, and climbing the ladder before passing Eleanor over the side. Nikolai needed to tell him, needed to stop him from growing too attached, needed to protect them both, he told his body this, told himself to move, but could not, his limbs would no longer listen, they would not obey, at least not in the direction he needed to go. Jumping to his feet, Nikolai headed into the woods, not far, just enough to be alone, alone in his anger, his rage.
Finnvid was an evil man, no matter he was their grandfather; he was evil, crooked and spiteful. Nikolai had been living with him since his mother's death, unable to accept his sorrow, and then unable to accept Astrid as his next mother when his father found love once more. And the twisted man attempted to mould him, convince him to his side...Nikolai could still remember the clause Finnvid added to the parchment...
If the Haur child, borne from Bjorn, prince son of Cristoph Haur, Prince of Anarja of the South; be a male child he shall wed the first unwed female from the great warrior family of Auden, first daughter of Broddi, great son of Finnvid Auden. If the Haur child be borne a female child, she shall be bride to the eldest son of Broddi, great son of Finnvid Auden. So upon the Honor of our families, this contract shall be upheld.
Except Finnvid held a motive behind the contract; a grandchild being molded to his will, a grandson being readied for the possibility of a princess. A male he could control on the long vacated throne.
Nikolai let his rage fly at the oak in front of him, seeing Finnvid's face on every strike, hating him with every punch. He had thought himself finally free, thought that with the tragic death of Bjorn that the contract could be forgotten. His grandfather bound to the peace he had "bargained" for.
But now...now he would be forced to see through with the contract; because only Nikolai knew the truth behind the infighting, the truth of Finnvid's involvement. Only Nikolai knew the truth behind the contract. And he knew he could not let Bruni fall for Eleanor.
She was the price of the contract for peace.
***
Kailara curled her legs beneath her as she found a spot at the bow of Bruni's boat; her arms leant over the side as she peered back at the shoreline. She was finally about to leave these hellish lands, escape from her memories, and reluctantly leave her precious boy. Fingering the leather at her throat she remembered him, her little boy, her Alexander.
All those days they spent traveling across the great expanse of land, talking of all the different animals he saw, talking of the fairies that lived in the different lands. She remembered the day she finished making this for him, similar to the one his father wore, bound and twisted leather, soft and supple with the endless manipulating she had put into it while they traveled, embroidering their sacred words of love and protection, of life into it before placing it around his neck as he slept. Alexander looked just like his father, rosy skin, dusk hair and eyes, and the most peaceful countenance. He was a child of angels. And now he resided with them.
