“What about Father and Mother? And your home here?”
“The kingdom isn’t going anywhere, Allete. We can always come back and visit. I was already determined to accompany you to Tara. This will be no different. Besides, Lizzy will still be here. That’s what middle children are for,” she winked. “The oldest goes off to do her duty for the family, the youngest rebels and does whatever she wants and the middle child picks up the slack.”
“You can’t come.” I tried being bossy instead of reasoning with her. Reasoning had never worked on Dayna.
She laughed. “I always find it adorable, sister, when you attempt to tell me what to do and then always seem surprised when I do not obey.”
I wanted to growl at her. “I’ll tell Mother to put Clay on you as your guard this evening.”
She waved me off as if it was a meaningless threat. “Clay refuses to come near me. The last time he was ordered to guard me, I told Cook he didn’t like her meatloaf. She wouldn’t let him eat her cooking for a month. He has learned not to mess with me.” She reached the door, and I realized I was out of time and out of threats. “And it’s not just you I need to keep an eye on. Don’t you remember what I told Brant? How can I make good on my threat to snip, snip if I’m not there to witness his indiscretions?
She waved her fingers at me and shut the door behind her. I wouldn’t lie, I was secretly ecstatic over the thought of having Dayna with me, but I also felt selfish. She couldn’t really understand what it was going to be like living so far away from our parents, in a strange, possibly hostile land. But, for some reason, Dayna had always felt it was her duty to protect me, as if she was the elder sister and I was the younger.
Lidia entered a few minutes later and finished what Dayna had started. By the time the dreaded knock came, I was ready to chew off every finger nail I had and then start in on my toes.
When Lidia opened the door, I had to force my eyes to stay on Cathal and not seek out Torben. I could feel him there, tense and ready to pounce on anyone he perceived as a threat, namely Cathal.
“Good evening, my bride,” Cathal said in a deep, rich voice. “You look,” he paused and I could see him taking in the alterations we’d made. His jaw clenched, as did my own to keep from smiling. “You look stunning,” he finally finished.
“Thank you, my lord,” I curtseyed, but didn’t return the sentiment, no matter how true. Cathal was stunning, but he already knew it and did not need me to remind him.
As I took his offered arm and walked past Torben, I felt him brush his hand discretely against my side and took comfort in knowing he was right there with me and would be no matter what.
Watching my love walk beside a serpent masquerading as a king was like stabbing myself in the heart. I hated Allete being so close to him. I hated knowing that I’d have to keep even a little distance between us tonight, especially after the disturbing news I’d received earlier that day.
After I’d dropped Allete in her chambers, Amund had come to inform Brant and me that Magnus would be making a major move tonight. He and a large group of his men would be infiltrating the banquet dressed as English guards. I had no idea how Magnus expected to pull it off, but then, mad men sometimes seemed to be capable of things that normal men were not.
As we entered the grand ballroom, my eyes immediately began to scan my surroundings. I kept close to Allete, as close as Cathal would allow me without causing a scene. Brant was just as alert as me, but I didn’t miss the way his eyes continually drifted over to Dayna. He would be ensuring she was safe, and I would not fault him at all if he dropped his guard position to protect her if need be.
The room was filled with quiet chatter and music as the orchestra played. I knew, at some point, they would formally introduce Cathal and Allete, and I wondered if that would be when Magnus would do … whatever it was he was planning to do.
My hand continually moved to brace against the hilt of my sword as if assuring itself the weapon was still within ready reach. I would much prefer to be carrying an axe on my back in addition to the sword. I liked having two weapons, if not more on me, but the royal guards only carried a sword. Of course, I had a few small daggers in hiding under my tunic and in boot sheaths, but they didn’t quite carry the punch an axe did. Wielded properly, however, they could be just as deadly.
“There he is,” Brant murmured softly. “As the clock tolls high noon.” This was his way of communicating to me Magnus’s direction without having to point or motion with his head.
My eyes landed on our jarl, and I was shocked at how well he’d managed to disguise himself. His guard uniform was immaculate, and his beard had been clean-shaven. I wasn’t sure if his hair, which usually hung well past his shoulders, was cut, or if he’d managed to hide it under the helmet. Regardless, the wild mane was out of view. He was casually glancing around the room, appearing as though he were simply watching for trouble, ready and willing to intervene if necessary to ensure the safety of the partygoers.
Only a few minutes later, I spotted several more Norsemen. I was still unable to deduce their plan. What did they hope to accomplish here? I wracked my brain, hoping to understand their intentions. If I couldn’t figure out their next move, I might not be able to get Allete out of harm’s way.
Suddenly the music stopped, and the trumpets began their royal call. Once they were silenced, the herald stepped forward to the side of the stage next to the orchestra.
“Lords and ladies, I present King Albric and Queen Alease.”
The king and queen stepped forward and nodded to the applauding crowd. Then King Albric held up his hands and the applause died as he turned his attention to Allete. “Tonight, we celebrate the engagement of my eldest daughter. She has grown into a beautiful young woman and we are so proud of her.” He motioned for Allete and Cathal to step forward. “Please join us as we congratulate her and her fiancé, King Cathal.”