The Deepening Night (The Kingdom of the East Angles Book 3) by Jayne Castel Read Free Book Online

that at least.”
    “Come.” Cyneswide beckoned to her. “We must get you ready for
your betrothal. The king has gone out to greet them but they will enter the
tower soon.”
    Saewara rose to her feet and followed the queen without
complaint; they both knew the time for resistance had long passed.
    The two women entered an antechamber at the back of the hall,
screened by a heavy tapestry. For the first time in days, Saewara had a moment
of relative privacy. Moving woodenly, as if in a trance, she pulled her heavy
woolen over-dress and linen under-tunic over her head and stood naked on the
rushes while Cyneswide placed a basin of hot water before her to wash with.
Saewara bathed quickly, in deft movements. Despite that it was not cold in the
hall, she stood shivering while Cyneswide handed her a freshly laundered linen
under-tunic followed by a thick green woolen wealca ; a tubular dress
clasped at the shoulders by two bronze broaches. Around her waist, she clasped
a heavy leather belt, studded with gold, and she adorned her bare arms with
gold and silver rings. Then, she donned a dark green cloak, embroidered with
gold around the borders. On her feet, she strapped on light leather sandals.
    Cyneswide then brushed out Saewara’s long hair, letting it
fall down her back in a dark curtain. She had just finished fussing over
Saewara’s cloak, and was stepping back to admire her handiwork, when the rumble
of men’s voices entering the Great Tower, reached them from beyond the
tapestry.
    Saewara’s legs began to tremble. Suddenly, the numbness that
had protected her over the past days lifted, and she was acutely aware of her
surroundings.
    “I can’t go to them,” she whispered, clutching at Cyneswide,
“please don’t make me!”
    “Saewara!” Cyneswide gave her a fierce hug. Then she stood
back and took hold of Saewara by the shoulders, her face uncharacteristically
resolute. “You must do this. If I could, I would help you – but there is no
choice. Only this.”
    Saewara stared at her sister-in-law, frozen to the spot.
    “You look beautiful.” Cyneswide gave her a tremulous smile, in
an effort to bolster Saewara’s courage. “Your new husband-to-be will be
enchanted.”
    Saewara choked back hysteria at that. “Beautiful?” she gulped,
glancing around like a hare cornered by hounds. “I am nothing more than a
fattened sow at market, as well you know, Cyneswide.”
    Her gaze met Cyneswide’s and she saw the tears brimming in the
queen’s eyes.
    “I’m sorry,” Saewara gasped, “but I was not made for a life
such as this – it will kill me.”
    “Saewara!” Penda’s voice sounded on the other side of the
curtain. “Annan of the East Angles is about to enter this hall. Come out now or
I will drag you out by your hair.”
    The two women exchanged glances; looks full of unsaid words
that could never, and would never, be uttered. They knew their lot – and it was
time for Saewara to bow before the life she had been given.
    Saewara closed her eyes, clutching the crucifix she wore
around her neck to her breast and saying a silent prayer. Then, opening her
eyes, she squared her shoulders and stepped toward the tapestry.
     
    Annan walked up the stone steps to the great oaken doors of
Penda’s hall, with as much enthusiasm as if he were walking to his own hanging.
His warriors flanked him, with Saba at his right side. Their presence did
little to alleviate the dread which increased with every step.
    Above him, reared the Great Tower of Tamworth; a magnificent,
if somber, sight against a colorless sky. Annan had heard many a tale of this
fortress, but even so was awed by its size and solidity.
    At the doors, Aldfrid of Tamworth, the ealdorman who had
brought tidings of Annan’s impending nuptials, stood waiting. He had lost none
of his arrogance since the last time they had met; if anything the heavy-set
warrior looked even fuller of himself. Of course, he was on home ground now,
surrounded by his own