Dawn of Wolves (The Kingdom of Mercia) by Jayne Castel Read Free Book Online Page B

desperation in their gazes cut her to the quick. To distract herself from the pitiful sight, Ermenilda focused on her maid.
    “You do not grieve for being parted from your family, Wynflaed. Why is that?”
    Wynflaed tore her gaze from the crowd, where folk were chasing off a leper. Covered in filthy rags, the dirty, limping creature was a sorry sight.
    “I am the youngest of five daughters,” Wynflaed replied, her guileless gaze meeting Ermenilda’s. “My father despaired of finding a husband for me, for three of my elder sisters are still unwed. To become the handmaid of a highborn lady is more than I could have hoped for. Truthfully, I was bored in Cantwareburh. My whole life, I have seen the same people and the same sights. It is a relief to be going to a new home.”
    “But your kin,” Ermenilda pressed. “Do you not miss them?”
    Wynflaed smiled. “Not as yet. They all wish me well, and I the same for them, but the time has come for us to take different paths.”
    Ermenilda listened to Wynflaed before lapsing into silence. Her maid’s pragmatic approach to life stunned her. They were so different, and Wynflaed’s boldness and fearlessness made Ermenilda feel like a frightened rabbit in comparison.
    Ermenilda wanted nothing more than to flee from the world—but Wynflaed could not wait to embrace it.
    “I can see you miss your family greatly, milady,” Wynflaed observed.
    Ermenilda nodded, her throat constricting. “My sister and mother are my best friends. I do not know how I will survive without them.”
    Wynflaed observed her for a moment, thinking upon Ermenilda’s words, before replying. “I know it is not my place to say it, but I think you are stronger than you believe, milady.”
    Ermenilda frowned, her body tensing. “What do you mean?”
    “Just that—you believe that away from your home and kin you are adrift and alone. Yet, I think that once you accept this change, it could well be the making of you.”
    Ermenilda stared at her handmaid. Her first reaction was outrage. How dare this thegn’s daughter lecture her on the merits of change. She felt her face grow hot as she struggled to rein in her temper. When she did reply, her voice was ice-cold.
    “I have just had all things I care about torn away from me. I do not wish to be any man’s husband, least of all Wulfhere of Mercia’s, and I do not wish to be queen. What I wanted was to be left in peace. Contrary to what you believe, this new life is likely to be the end of me.”
    Wynflaed’s gaze widened at her mistress’s sharp response, but this time she held her tongue. Stiff with indignation, Ermenilda turned her gaze back to her surroundings. She focused on the back of the warrior riding in front of her and ignored Wynflaed.
    Yet, her handmaid’s words lingered with her, needling her, long after their conversation ended.
     
    They did not delay in Lundenwic. Wulfhere’s men picked up some supplies, and then they resumed their journey. A vast wooden bridge spanned the River Temese, and the company clattered across it, before the Roman road continued northwest.
    Wulfhere rode a few yards ahead of his betrothed. Ermenilda had proved not to be a chatty travel companion, and although he liked women who were not prone to prattle, Wulfhere soon wearied of her cold silence.
    She will warm up soon enough, he reassured himself. Once the Kingdom of the Kentish is far behind us.
    Wulfhere realized that Princess Ermenilda, for all her demure manners and speech, was surprisingly willful. After seeing her mother’s display of anger, Wulfhere could see that there was more to his betrothed than met the eye. Queen Seaxburh looked as if a cross word had never parted from her lips, yet she had attacked him like a snarling wildcat. Her daughter clearly did not wish to be wed. He had heard from one of her father’s thegns that the princess had planned to take the veil.
    A terrible waste.
    Wulfhere allowed himself a smile. He would enjoy teaching his