Nena sat back annoyed that he had fooled her for as long as he had.
“It is true,” he said, responding to her skepticism. “You can ask Gunnar or Tryggr, or any of the men when we next see them.”
Nena shook her head, refusing to be more gullible. “And you have seen such a beast?” she asked, her eyebrows raised.
“No,” Jarl admitted. “The last dragon was killed in the time of my great grandfather. They were so dangerous and so deadly, men launched long campaigns to hunt them down in their caves in the mountains where they slept and kill them. Even then, many men were lost.” He could see he had her interest again. “To this day many of our ships carry the image of the dragon on their bow. We believe it imparts some of the dragon’s power. It is a good symbol to represent me.”
“If it so powerful, why would all of your ships not have it?”
“The dragon is reserved for drakkar—lead warships,” Jarl explained, then went back to something she had said earlier. “You said you had ink for both of us. Why would I need it?”
“You are Teclan now. You will bear the mark of the tribe, and since you have been chosen, you will also bear my mark.”
“I will have a star?” he asked with a grin.
“And a lightning bolt,” she said, smiling at his boyish enthusiasm.
“Who will do it? I have no qualms with you doing mine, but I would not be responsible for putting anything less than perfect on your skin.”
“Jalla is skilled with the needle. She can do both of us, so they will be the same.”
“We could stay here, if you want,” he offered, his eyes suddenly serious. “I would stay here for you.”
“No.” Nena shook her head. “My people have accepted you for me, but you could never truly be one of us. Unlike Exanthia, you will never look Dor, and while that doesn’t really matter, our history of being enemies will be difficult for many to overcome. Besides, I can’t see you raiding with the other Teclan warriors while taking orders from my brother.” She paused. “And it would be very difficult for him to look upon you every day, and to have the other people of the tribe look upon you, knowing you had bested him, when he is to be chief. Your plan is for the best,” she said.
“But if we stayed,” Jarl pondered out loud. “What would our life be like? What would my responsibilities be? Hunting to provide food for you and Jalla, and Exanthia until she chooses? An occasional raid that I would not have to organize or be responsible for? And you would tend to all my daily needs, cooking, and weaving these nice carpets and waiting at home for me, while I was away? You told me once that was all a Teclan woman longs for after she chooses. You probably have already lost all desire to even ride a horse again, now that your choice is behind you.” He smiled a mischievous smile.
“You are a wicked man, Jarl. I know that you only pretend to be enamored with the idea of an easy life here to tease me, when you know you would not like it. While you would not have the responsibilities of a raid, neither would you have any decision. You would be allowed to do only what my brother commanded you. That would not suit you,” she said, smug and confident she had turned the tables on him.
Jarl heaved a great sigh, “It would be an adjustment at first, but one that might be worth the sacrifice to see you as a contented and dutiful demure wife.”
Nena pursed her lips, even though she knew he was not serious. “You would not like that.”
“I might,” he disagreed. He laid back and locked his fingers behind his head. “Let’s try it and see. Wife, fetch me a cup of water.” He was grinning now. He was surprised when Nena stood to do as he asked. Although he was instantly wary when she returned with the full cup of icy mountain water and did not hand it to him. Instead, she stood over him, the cup suspended over his naked chest. Now it was she who smiled.
“Yes, my lord. Was this what you had in mind?” she asked sweetly. “Oh, apologies,” she said before he could answer, and tipped the cup so that a few drops fell on him.
Jarl lunged and grabbed her ankles, pulling her off balance and down onto the furs with him. She shrieked as the water flew in the air, soaking them both. “What a naughty wife I have. One who would probably need to be punished frequently for her disobedience if we stayed here. So, I suppose it is for the best that we leave, but only if you first admit that you are the one who would have more difficulty adjusting if we stayed.”
Nena clamped her lips together.
“Admit it,” he repeated, moving his hands along her ribs, as if he were going to tickle her.
“It is true,” she gasped. “It is not only you who wouldn’t fit in here. Though these are the only people I have ever known, I feel I no longer belong. I would be bored with that life. You have shown me too much of the world for me to be that woman now, though perhaps I was never that woman before,” she confessed.
“I don’t want that woman. I never wanted that woman.” He pulled her close and looked into her eyes. “Then it is settled? We both agree? We will meet my men at the port?” he asked.
“Yes.” She nodded. “I will tell my father.”
“Later,” he said. “With all that squealing and carrying on, everyone
