She’d be wiser this time and listen.
“Fear lies, Rachelle. It plays tricks on your mind—makes you do things you later regret. I believe you,” he said. “Now you must trust me. There’s a reason why I brought you here.” His expression was so possessive, she gasped.
“I’ll try.”
“Good,” he said. “Sir Fiennes.” Tyr looked beyond her.
Uncle Henry came forward.
“I understand you have personal matters to discuss with the priest who performed the marriage ceremony between your niece and Edwin.”
“Very personal,” he confirmed. “My late king signed a death warrant for this brigand years ago, after he was excommunicated by the Church. The man eluded capture and traveled village to village collecting alms and charging innocent people with crimes. He imprisoned women and children.”
Tyr commanded his men with a mere gesture. In seconds, the cleric was escorted inside and forced to kneel at Henry’s feet.
“My gift to you,” Tyr said with a steely tone of satisfaction.
Much to her surprise, Uncle Henry took Rachelle by the elbow. “Is this the man that frightened you as a child?”
She didn’t want to look, but did. The priest’s eyes were downcast.
“Aye,” she said.
Henry’s teeth clenched. He backhanded the rogue cleric so hard he toppled. Rachelle stared, speechless.
“You’ve broken God’s laws,” Henry ground out. “Defied our king… stolen years of happiness from my niece she can never reclaim. I curse your soul.” He spit in the priest’s face.
“You haven’t the power to condemn me,” the holy man laughed, wiping his cheek with his dirty sleeve.
“I do.” Tyr interjected. “These are Odin’s sacred lands. And if I have anything to say about it, you’ll die a coward’s death. Take him outside,” Tyr commanded. “Now…” He pointed at two of Edwin’s men. “Fetch your lord.”
Edwin’s men propped him up and dragged him to the center of the tent. His head rolled forward. He moaned as his eyes fluttered open.
“You don’t deserve to share the lineage of the man who sired you,” Tyr said.
Edwin’s bloodless lips curled upward.
“Out of reverence for your late father and my regard for his legitimate heirs, my dealings with you end here. My men will escort you to Oslo where you will be expected to give full account of your treason to your brother.”
“And my wife?”
Tyr’s laughter was darkly intimidating. Rachelle deplored Edwin’s stubborn stupidity. How could he still call her his wife? Tyr grabbed a fistful of his tunic, lifting him off the ground.
“I’ll drop you where you stand if you ever mention her again.”
Eyes wide with fear, Edwin nodded.
“You made the right choice.” Tyr let go and Edwin dropped. “Get him out of here before I change my mind. Find the guards who manhandled Rachelle—keep them with the others outside until I am done here.”
Rachelle marveled at his authority. How did he know? Did the trees have eyes and ears? His ability to mete out justiceastounded her. No one would escape his fury tonight. Tyr Sigurdsson was not a man to overlook betrayal.
Now, only Aaron remained. The space quickly cleared; only Uncle Henry and Onetooth were permitted to stay.
Tyr faced his cousin. “I’ve overlooked your misdeeds for years,” he began. “Countless freedoms have been yours. Nothing satisfied your wicked nature. I’ve shared my home, accepted your faith without question, and loved you as a brother. And how do you repay my generosity?”
Aaron gave no reply.
“You coveted my wealth and women. Spread lies about me, challenged my authority, and insulted me. All these things I could forgive, and did.” Tyr’s gaze settled on Rachelle. “But once you kidnapped the woman I love, you destroyed any hope of reconciliation with me. Odin will judge your soul henceforth. For your betrayal, you will receive twenty lashes and leave my home.”