Branded By Etain

Branded By Etain by Jianne Carlo Read Free Book Online Page B

Book: Branded By Etain by Jianne Carlo Read Free Book Online
Authors: Jianne Carlo
Tags: Romance, Historical Romance, Love Story, medieval romance, Viking
husband?”
    “Aye. He and his brother are in the bailey.” The downcast set of Gavin’s mouth signaled annoyance.
    “Aye. He, his brother, and mayhap ten score of their men.” Larkin fingered the hilt of his sword. “I tell you they are Norse. I can smell it on them.”
    Alarm slowed Étaín’s quick pace. “Da does not forbid Norse traders.”
    “Nay. But he encourages them not. None has forgotten Diarf the Devil’s pillaging ten and nine summers afore.” Gavin’s grim mien had Étaín’s pulse skipping.
    “When Da accepted the one God, he forgave his enemies,” she protested and crossed her fingers for good luck.
    Both Gavin and Larkin halted, shot incredulous looks at her, and shook their heads.
    “No king forgives the death of his family or the killing of his people,” Gavin declared as they arrived at her da’s room at the base of the second tower. “We will await you here, Princess.”
    “My thanks,” Étaín murmured and glided through the open door into the sitting area off her father’s chamber, the room he called his office. ’Twas here he spoke with important visiting warriors and allies. ’Twould’ve been here he and Brand met this morn.
    Da sat behind a wide table piled with quills, scrolls, and tablets. His steward, Declan, selected a parchment from a conical container. When the door clicked shut, both men glanced her way.
    Étaín flashed a quick smile and curtsied. “Good morn, Da, Declan.”
    “I bid you good morn, Lady Étaín,” Declan murmured, his focus on the scroll he unfurled.
    “Étaín.” Da rose and made his way to her. He captured her hands in his. “Leave, Declan. We will continue after the noon meal.”
    Da squeezed her hand. “You look none the worse. Are you well, daughter?”
    Étaín waited until Declan left and sealed the room before answering, “I am fine, Da. ’Tis no need for you to worry. I chose well. He was gentle with me. Brand is no like Eachan. He would ne’er abuse me.”
    She bore his intense scrutiny without flinching. Da hated any mention of her abductor’s name.
    Da sighed. He drew her into his embrace and kissed her forehead. “Your husband and I spoke at length earlier.”
    A flare of panic burned her insides. She drew back to meet Da’s gaze. “And?”
    “He fears Gunnar the Godless plans to invade Caul Cairlinne and is adamant we must prepare for a siege—”
    “A siege? ’Tis not possible, is it?”
    After Da had regained control of Caul Cairlinne, he had remarried, taking as his wife Áine, the daughter of King Egogabal of the Tuatha Dé Danann. The fairy king had stayed at Caul Cairlinne to oversee Da’s courting of Áine, and when he became bored had bestowed several magikal gifts on select members of the settlement.
    Da lifted both shoulders. “Nay. Howbeit your new husband pointed out the flaws in our security with appalling clarity this morn. Then his brother joined us and informed us that his scouting langskip spied a half-dozen ships led by Gunnar the Godless anchored off the isle of Rathane. The two men are anxious we prepare immediately for invasion by Gunnar.”
    Étaín jumped when the door banged open. She craned her neck to see around her da’s broad chest and pushed away from him.
    Brand stalked into the room, accompanied by the man who had lingered in their chamber last night. Her husband halted when their stares collided.
    To her delight, Brand’s smile was immediate and reflected in his twinkling eyes. He inclined his head, strode straight to her, clasped her hand, and brushed his lips over her knuckles. “I bid you good morn, wife.”
    Étaín shivered and curtsied knowing from the heat in her cheeks, she blushed. “Good morn, my lord.”
    “What news have you?” Da demanded, his voice gruff.
    “Naught that is good. King Fagan the Fire-eater has joined Gunnar at Rathane. They are seven ships strong,” Brand replied.
    “What evidence have you they intend to invade?” Da stood, arms akimbo, his

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