Being in the wrong place at the wrong time was all it took for Adelasia's whole life to turn upside down. After being captured by the heathens raiding her city and taken all the way to the cold North, the youngest Ragnarsson takes an interest in her...
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Fiddling with her hands under the table, Alasia offered a strained smile to one of the thralls who came up the dais to fill her cup with wine. Not a second after it had been filled, she grabbed it and took a big gulp, hoping that it would calm her nerves. The music was still playing loudly, the people were still dancing, and nothing appeared to be wrong other than the two vacant seats to her left.
"Calm your nerves, wife," Ivar whispered softly in her direction. He grabbed the hand in which she held her cup, gently prying her fingers away from the metal and placing the cup back on the table, before pressing a kiss to the back of her hand. "You were quick to act. The völva is already here and she will heal your sister the same way she healed you."
"I should be with her," she countered, giving the man next to her a quick, but meaningful look.
"If you do not want to raise suspicion, you will remain by my side," Ivar said.
She gave a loud sigh. "I know, but this makes me terribly anxious."
Catching her older brother's questioning eyes from somewhere in the crowd, she made a subtle gesture with her head, bidding him to come to her. He smacked some Viking on the back, laughed heartily and scooped Antonio away from some maidens on his way to the dais. He entered gracefully and authoritatively, reminding her painfully of her father when he was about to address his war council.
"Where is Imeldina?" Antonio asked at the same time as his older brother, the two of them raising their eyebrows in the exact same way.
"She was really tired and retreated for the night," Alasia said to her brother, moving her hands through his curls. He suffered her show of affection, but only just barely. "As must you. Tomorrow is a new day and it is late enough as it is." She raised her head to the nearest guard and nudged her brother in his direction. "Please see that my brother arrives at his chambers safely and remain there posted until dawn. Nobody will visit him or bring him anything without my knowing."
The guard bowed his head and firmly grabbed Antonio by his shoulder, allowing her younger brother to lead the way. As soon as they were out of sight, Alasia gestured to the chair that Imeldina had occupied before she had smelt the roses and Mercuccio took the seat silently. "You said mother was on the verge of insanity," Alasia said.
Mercuccio swallowed awkwardly. "Not only on the verge of, she completely is," he said quickly. "What happened to Imeldina?"
Ignoring the question and the urgent squeeze Ivar gave her hand, she continued. "Is there any chance she might have escaped the tower you locked her in? Is there anyone still loyal to her at court?"
