Chapter 9: The Fiance at the Gate

Leif knelt in the middle of the great hall with his hands tied.

He had lost his steward's coat on the way down.

His face was scraped raw and there was dried blood on his lip.

When he saw Ingrith on the glass chair he started to cry.

"Ingrith," he said. "Thank the gods. Thank the gods."

She said nothing.

The dead stood in two long rows on either side of him.

Kaelor sat on the iron throne with his chin on his fist, and he looked at Leif.

"I came to save you," Leif said.

"They forced me. Hrodmar put a knife at my back, I swear it."

"You said nothing like that on the ice," Ingrith said.

"I was afraid."

"You asked for the chain."

"I asked because he made me ask!"

The words echoed.

Ingrith rose.

The chain slid along the floor as she walked down the steps.

"Look at me," she said.

He looked.

"Two years you told me you loved me," she said.

"You held my hand at my mother's bed when the healer said a month."

"You were holding my hand when you decided to sell me."

"No."

"Yes."

"I was going to tell you."

"You were going to tell me at dawn. Standing in the courtyard with the riders at the gate."

Leif's face crumpled.

"Please," he whispered. "I will do anything. I will serve you, I will carry your boots, I will be your man."

"On your knees, then."

"I am on my knees."

"Lower."

He bent until his forehead touched the black stone.

The court watched in silence.

Ingrith stood over him with her heart pounding, and she waited to feel something.

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