“Not your mate.Just your wife,” she retorted.
He made a grunting noise and didn’t reply.
As the crowd of people drew near, Brunhild was tempted to shrink against the solid wall of muscle at her back.She thrust her shoulders back and her chin forward.
“Easy wife, no one means you harm,” he murmured.
She doubted his reassurance and resented his acknowledgement of her fear.Even people she'd never met usually meant her harm, because her bloodthirsty reputation preceded her.
“Each Uisge,” Toran’s voice boomed behind her shoulder.“I present your new queen, Brunhild Ranulfsdottir, the warrior known as Fireheart.”
There was a flurry of whistles and clapping at his pronouncement.
“See, you have nothing to fear,” he murmured as he squeezed her upper arm.
Brunhild huffed in disbelief because this show of excitement was likely all meant for him.
An older woman with an imperious gaze stepped forward.“Welcome to our kingdom, Berserker’s Daughter,” she said as she swept into a low bow.“Well met.”
Her keen gaze raked over Brunhild and settled for a brief moment on her new husband’s forearm clasped around her waist.
“Well met, Aunt,” Toran nodded in acknowledgment behind her, the shift of air brushing the hair at her nape.
“There is a feast prepared in the hall.The seer knew the time of your arrival and it was made ready in advance.”
Before she could protest, he took Brunhild’s hand in his own and followed the procession that had turned to ascend the stairs carved into the side of the cliff.
Toran’s aunt led Brunhild to a room in the east end of the tower.
“A bath has been drawn, and a fresh set of clothing laid out for you, Shield Maiden.”
The woman had been silent as they meandered their way through the keep, and had yet to call Brunhild by her given name.The woman was clearly displeased by her presence.
“I am Brunhild, and what shall I call you?”She asked as the woman turned on her heel to leave.
“I am Arianrhod.I have managed matters here since the abdication of your husband’s parents.”
That was clearly a warning not to interfere with the way the household was being run.
Brunhild decided to plunge ahead with her questions.“Have I done something to offend you?”
Arianrhod snorted derisively.“Your very existence offends me, Berserker Kin.Though I harbor you no ill will, I have no love for you or your kind.”
“You have nothing to fear from me.”
The woman laughed.“I do not fear you.I merely despise you and everything you stand for.It is a sad day when the each uisge must seek the help of bloodthirsty marauders to protect their kingdom.The council advised my nephew against this course of action, as did I.But he is headstrong and would hear none of it.I hope he doesn’t live to regret his impulsiveness.”
Brunhild squared her shoulders.“I intend to uphold my vows., and you insult my honor by suggesting I will renege on my promises.”
“Bah!I suggest no such thing.I simply mourn the fact that my nephew has forfeited any hope of a happy union in order to defend us.”
“This alliance was not of my choosing.”
This time Arianrhod bent over laughing, her arm pressed to her stomach.When the guffaws had finally dwindled to a wheeze she straightened again.“Oh, I don’t doubt that.You’re likely chafing at the notion of being confined to dry land for so long, forbidden to rain down your fury and prey on innocents.”
Brunhild narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms.“My raids have brought honor and spoils to my clan.”
The woman’s look was scathing.“Mayhap.And where has all this honor and glory gotten you?Shackled to my nephew.Nothing more than a pawn in the schemes of men.Wear what I’ve lain out.It’s the traditional wedding raiment for women of our clan and it’s the least you can do to honor my nephew.”