The Viking's Chosen by Quinn Loftis (11)

“That is to be your wife?” Brant asked.

I heard my friend’s words, but I was still too busy staring at the door that had just been closed in my face a second time. My brain was stuck on the exposed collar bone and shoulder of the woman who held me captive.

I felt a smack to the back of my head and whipped around with a snarl on my face. “Mind yourself, Brant.”

He held up his hands. “I meant no offense, but you seemed a little distracted. I do not blame you. She is quite a lovely piece.” Brant’s eyes flashed with something that looked like amusement. “Not to mention, she is pure as the driven snow. A woman who has known the touch of a man would never turn that shade of red.”

I felt my muscles tense at the fact that my next in command was having such thoughts regarding Allete. Pure as the driven snow was just another way of saying she had never been unclothed in front of a man. “It would behoove you to keep your thoughts far from the skin of Allete and whether she has been touched by a man,” I snapped. For whatever reason, one I was not about to examine too closely, I felt very protective of the small, feisty princess.

“All teasing aside,” Brant said after several minutes of silence. “She is beautiful. I hope the prophecy is correct, and she is the woman who you will have. You deserve something beautiful in this life of war we live.”

“When did you become so philosophical?” I jested.

Brant shrugged his large shoulders. “I have layers.”

I chuckled. “Yes, you are certainly like an onion. Peel back the layers to find something underneath, but by doing so, a stench is released that brings tears to the eyes of those around you.”

“You are simply a riot,” Brant said dryly. “Oh, and just to ease your mind, I have no designs on your woman. Now the lively one who just whipped past us with only a passing glance, she is intriguing.” He licked his lips. “She is more to my taste.”

I groaned. “We are on a mission. Please refrain from attempting to bed a host of the English women.”

Brant reached out and clapped me on the shoulder. “Do not worry. I do not want to bed a host of them. Just that one.” He nodded his head toward the door where the woman in question had disappeared.

“Did you notice the likeness? And the clothes? She is probably Allete’s younger sister,” I said, crossing my arms and giving him my best do as I tell you glare.

“Relax, Torben. I will not jeopardize the mission for a gown…even if it is royal and encasing such a beauty.”

I rolled my eyes. “Bloody hell, when did you become such a wielder of words?” Footsteps moving quickly from the right side of the corridor caused us both straighten and slip into the roles we were playing.

Under the pretense of acting as a watchful guard, I jerked my head to the side to look at the approaching man who was striding toward us. He was tall, though still a few inches shorter than myself. I imagined the women probably classified him as handsome, though there was a cruelty that danced in his narrowed eyes. His mouth was thin and tightly stretched across his face, as though he was perpetually offended by everything around him. The man stunk of wealth and entitlement. He was the type of man who believed everyone to be beneath him, and he proved it when he opened his mouth to speak.

“Are you going to open the door, or do you need a heralding trumpet to prompt you to do your job?”

My jaw tightened, and I was sure I was going to break some teeth. “Forgive me, my lord,”

The man interrupted me. “Your Highness,” he snapped.

“No, I am simply the guard,” I retorted. Brant attempted to cover his laugh with a cough.

The man in front of me was seething, which only made me want to laugh.

“Not you, you idiot. I was speaking of me. You do not address me as ‘my lord,’ you address me as ‘Your Highness.’ I am Cathal, the king of Tara.”

He paused, looking expectantly at me as though I was going to break out into applause. I simply returned his stare.

“Now, open the door,” Cathal ordered.

“I cannot,” I said. “The lady is still dressing. I am sure you would want to protect her reputation and virtue, seeing as how you are to wed her.” I knew I was walking a fine line with the king, but it was so easy to bait the man, which might have been the only thing that kept me from punching him.

I turned, pushing my body in between his and the door, and knocked gently. As soon as the door opened, I stepped quickly inside, gently moving the woman in front of me aside and shutting the door behind me. When I looked up, I saw three sets of eyes staring at me. One set was quite appreciative, one set was clearly confused and shocked, and the third set was curious. I dismissed the appreciative and curious pair and looked at the woman who was staring at me with her mouth opening and closing, unsure of what to say. Butterflies assaulted my stomach as I took in her beautiful form, followed by a roaring dragon that threatened to consume me as I realized what she was wearing. I clenched my fist, pushing down the rage, and taking a deep breath, steadied myself.

“Forgive the intrusion, my lady, and my also impertinence, but where the hell is the rest of your dress?” I said, bowing my head slightly though my eyes never left her. “King Cathal is waiting for you, and I did not want to let him enter until I knew you were appropriate. It was a good thing I did not let him in, considering that …” I could not even call it a dress. There was practically no top half; I would be more apt to call it a skirt with suspenders. Allete stood and stalked toward me, stopping when she was a few feet away.

“And what about you?”

“Excuse me?”

“Do you think you can come into my chambers any time you like? You are a guard, not my nursemaid. My life is yours to protect, not my honor. And what if I wasn’t decent? I could have your head for storming in here.” She was angry that I had called her out on the scrap of material she was pretending was a dress. But she had a point. I had no right to enter her room, of course. Perhaps I should not have acted so hastily. The idea of Cathal alone with her, however, twisted in my gut like rotten meat and spurned on my rash behavior.

“You are right, my lady. I should not have intruded, but I did not know how else to keep him from entering. I know that your father would not wish the man in your bedchamber before the wedding.” I fought to keep my eyes on her face, though I was man enough to admit that they did drop to the ample bust that was threatening to make a full appearance. I wanted to throw a blanket over her so that no other would ever see her in such a state. Why in the gods would she put on something so revealing?

Allete held my gaze a moment longer but did not acknowledge my words. Instead she turned to one of the other women in the room. “Dayna, this is Torben, the new guard I was telling you about. Torben, this is my sister, Dayna. And the beauty who answered the door is Lidia, my handmaiden.”

I bowed to each of them. “Ladies.” It did not escape my notice that Dayna was clothed much more appropriately than her older sister.

“Please allow the king to enter,” Allete commanded. She pulled her shoulders back and raised her chin slightly.

My blood boiled, and it wasn’t because she had given me, a clan general, an order. Rather, I was incensed she was going to let that slime into her chambers. “Perhaps you should meet him in the dining hall after you have put on something more akin to what your lovely sister is wearing,” I suggested through clenched teeth.

Her eyes snapped to mine quick as lightning. “My attire is not your concern.”

“I am your guard, Your Highness. Anything involving your person is my concern.”

“I think you mean anything involving my safety,” she attempted to correct me. “My choice of gown does not affect my safety.”

“Forgive me if I disagree. I will have to fight off every male in the castle if you parade around looking like—”

“Be very careful how you end that sentence, Torben,” she seethed.

“Every man’s desire,” I bit out.

“Every man?” she asked coyly, her demeanor changing without warning.

“Do you really want to play with me, Princess?” I challenged as I took a step toward her. My six and a half foot frame towered over her diminutive form. She tilted her head back to look up at me. Apprehension filled her light brown eyes, but no fear, for which I was glad. I did not want her to fear me, just follow my instructions regarded her safety. I nearly laughed to myself. It was apparent that Princess Allete was not about to turn belly up and submit.

Smothered laughter reminded me that we were not alone. Allete seemed to draw my attention so completely that everyone else faded into the background while in her presence—a dangerous weakness to have.

“Open the door,” she all but growled at me.

“I will not,” I refused. “He has no business being in your chambers.”

“I have chaperones.” She pointed to her sister and Lidia.

I snorted. “Two females. What kind of safety do they offer if he decides to take what he already thinks is his? Especially when you offer it up in such desirable wrapping.”

Allete gasped at my blatant reference to the intimacy between man and wife. I could not stop the grin that lifted on my lips. She was beautiful, but especially so when she was angry. She looked like an avenging angel. All she needed was a glowing sword.

Allete stomped her foot. The laughter I had held back rolled out. “Did you just stomp your foot?”

“You have been my guard all of an hour, and already you are worse than Clay.” She stopped abruptly and narrowed her eyes on me. “Where is Clay?” She glanced around the room as if he might suddenly appear. “I was so surprised by your appearance earlier that I did not think to ask.”

“Your previous guard has been reassigned. He will be a liaison to your betrothed’s own men.”

“Do not call him that,” Allete snapped.

“Do not call him your previous guard?” My brow drew together as I watched her begin to pace.

“Not that. I meant, do not call Cathal my betrothed.”

I tilted my head, trying to understand her sudden change in demeanor. “But he is your betrothed.”

She was in my face faster than I would have thought possible. Her words were bitten out through clenched teeth, and the emotion that flowed with them fueled my own rage. “He is a man who made the right promises and offered the highest price to obtain me. That is not a betrothed; that is a merchant, and I am simply his merchandise.”

“You do not want to marry him?” I could not stop myself from asking. The question seemed to bring Allete back from her angry rant. She straightened her dress before turning away, no doubt in the hopes that it would go unnoticed that she was attempting to pull the bodice of the dress higher.

“I do not know why we are speaking of this.” Her voice was once again formal and reserved. “Please let Cathal know I will meet him in the dining hall.”

I continued to stare at her, knowing she could feel my eyes boring into her.

Finally, she turned around, holding her head high. She wore her responsibility like a heavy cloak and it showed in the weariness etched on her face. “If you are still standing there instead of doing my bidding because of the dress, then rest assured I will not be wearing it. Now please leave so that I may change.”

I turned to go, making sure to keep the smile to myself. As I reached the door I heard her say, “I am not changing for you. I am changing to preserve my dignity. You were simply the vessel that was used to help me see that.”

“Whatever you need to tell yourself, Princess,” I said as I looked over my shoulder and winked at her. I saw her reach for a hair brush and pull her arm back to throw it. I quickly stepped out and heard a thunk against the door only made me want to laugh more.

The grin was quickly wiped from my face as I nearly bumped into Cathal.

“Well?” he growled. “Why the hell were you in there so long?”

“We were discussing the logistics of her safety today as you both move about the grounds,” I answered smoothly. “She asked me to inform you that she will meet you in the dining hall momentarily.”

I glanced over the king’s shoulder to see Brant nearly doubled over in silent laughter. When Cathal turned abruptly, my second-in-command straightened faster than a flying arrow and wiped the humor from his face. We watched as Cathal practically shook with anger at having been rebuffed by Allete.

“I don’t take orders from you,” he growled, attempting to take a step around me and push through the door.

“Stop,” I said simply. I did not move, and I did not raise my voice, but the king froze in his tracks. “I am not ordering you. But you will honor the queen’s wishes.”

He turned and stared at me; I could practically hear his teeth grinding together. I could see the man weighing his options. He was incensed that neither I nor Allete were bending to his wishes. At the same time, it was clear that he didn’t want to cause an altercation with Allete’s guard while trying to force his way into her bedroom. I held his gaze without blinking, ready to react in an instant if I needed to. Without taking my eyes off Cathal, I could feel Brant tensing himself to act as well. After several long moments, he took a step backward.

“Albric will hear of this,” he spat, turning on his heel and stomping loudly away.

“That is a dangerous one,” Brant muttered.

I nodded. “He is the type of man who is always just on the edge of violence. Instead of trying to avoid it, he is eagerly waiting for an opportunity to partake in a fight, but only when he knows he has the upper hand.” I knew his type, and it made me sick to think of Allete married to a man like that.

The door opened behind me, and I stepped to the side, turning to face the ladies emerging. My eyes immediately sought out Allete. I nearly sighed when I saw she had changed into a dress with a bodice that came up over her collar bone. The more skin that was covered, the happier I would be.

Her eyes met mine briefly, and her skin took on the lovely flush I was beginning to thoroughly enjoy. Dayna grabbed her sister’s hand and pulled her forward. I did not miss the wink she shot Brant. I made a cutting motion across my neck. He knew exactly what I meant. Pursue her and die. But it would not be by my hand. I imagine King Albric would not be too keen on his youngest daughter becoming entangled with a guard. And he would probably be even angrier if the guard turned out to be a Viking warrior in disguise.

We took our spots on either side of the women, keeping in step with them. My eyes repeatedly landed on Allete, but I continued to scan everything around us. After the short amount of time I had spent with her, I knew she would be perfect for my clan because of the fire that burned within her. I was no longer protecting just the Princess of England; I was protecting my future bride. I conveniently ignored the fact that she was currently betrothed to another and that I was going to have to endure their fruitless courtship. Instead, I focused on the future encounters and banter that I would share with Allete, thanks to my proximity to her as her guard. It had been a while since I’d truly enjoyed something. Getting under the princess’s skin was something I enjoyed.

She was nothing like I imagined. The spoiled image I had built up in my head was the furthest thing from who she truly was. I could tell that she was a good person, and my heart broke when I remembered how she had described her situation with Cathal—a young, innocent girl willing to marry a stranger because her father had said she must. She held herself regally, but in no way did she appear to be looking down on those around her. Allete was a girl on the verge of becoming an incredible woman, and if she married Cathal, he would tear her down, piece by beautiful piece.

By the gods, I was not about to let that happen. Even if she were not meant to be mine, I could not let a woman be wed to that poor excuse for a man.

“I am glad to see you could finally join us.” Cathal’s voice, both his words and the vehemence in which he said them, grabbed my attention.

“Do forgive me, my lord,” Allete said sweetly. “I did not sleep well last night, which caused me some lethargy this morn.”

When Allete reached the chair where she was to sit, Cathal did not stand to help her with the chair. Allete simply stood there, smiling at everyone.

Cheeky female, I thought.

I stepped forward and pulled the chair back so she could step around it and then pushed it forward as she sat down. She glanced back at me, surprise filling her eyes.

“Thank you,” she said.

I bowed. “My lady.”

The next words out of Cathal’s mouth made it perfectly clear that I was going to have to remind myself all day long of all the reasons I could not kill the King of Tara.

The king leaned over to Allete in the pretense of whispering, but speaking in a normal voice. “I thought I instructed you to wear the dresses I brought you. I prefer to be able to enjoy the sight of the body that will soon belong to me.”

She looked up into his eyes and blinked innocently. “This is one of the dresses you brought me. But it is still hard to let go of my things, so I had it altered a bit.”

It was then I noticed the dress was the same one she had been wearing when I had been in her room. She had simply added some fabric to the top of it. I chuckled and shook my head slightly. Yes, she was perfect for Clan Hakon. She was perfect for me.