The Prophetess *COMPLETED*

Chapter 10

Throst was looking at me insistently that evening. I was kneeling down in the furs playing with Brye's kitten and pretending to ignore him. We were alone in the room and the fire was piled high with logs, since the air still had a chill to it. It seemed to me it quite never lost it, regardless of season.

"Were you unwell today, Tyra?" He asked me without moving. He already knew it lest he wouldn't have asked, so I opted for telling the truth. The grey shadows had not returned, but I could still feel their mission and their protection.

"Yes, my Lord. It was a momentary dizziness, it passed quickly."

"I am glad. We should start the marriage preparations as soon as possible. I want us to marry before the babe is born. It would honour him."

"Him? What if it is a her, my lord?" I teased.

"Then, she will be beautiful like her mother." My heart constricted tightly at his words. He pulled me gently back against him and rested his hands against my womb. My head fell in his chest and a tear escaped my eyes. I was doomed. I had fallen in love with my gentle captor, and now I would be his forever.

He caught my tear with his finger and tasted it. "Why do you cry?"

"How is it possible that my own land treated me so shamefully, so lowly, and here, someone who is supposed to be my Lord and Master, my Slaver, treats me better than my own family, my father, and better than my own servants? How can this be?" A torrent of tears came pouring out and he held me, as tight as he dared, which made me cry even harder. He was panicking, I knew, not understanding the reason for the weeping.

"Just let her cry, Throst. Pregnant women are emotional. Just hold her until it passes." Thora's kindly voice came from behind me. She stroked my hair and got back to her own bed, and son, the only thing left from her beloved husband. At the thought, I cried harder with the unfairness of it. I cried so long, I must have fallen asleep.

I woke up in Throst's bed, with his arms around my waist, his big hand against my Belly. Did he love me? I thought he did by his actions, but in his heart and mind, did he really?

"What are you thinking about?" His gruff voice asked me.

"Do you love me?" I gasped at my boldness and covered my mouth with my hands. He didn't say anything.

"Forgive me, my lord. I was not thinking." I sat up in bed, his hands falling from my body without resistance. I put on my clothes, a simple tunic and breeches, boots, and ran out of the chamber, going straight to the kitchen and the back door. I walked more slowly to the low fence that divided the house and climbed it, sitting on top of the uppermost wooden bar. I took deep breaths, steadying myself and my heart. What had gotten over me that I was so outspoken? My father would have beaten me for daring to ask.

I heard steps behind me, and Throst's heat radiated against my skin. He grabbed my shoulder gently.

"I honour you. I desire you. That is all I can give you. A warrior cannot, does not, love. Love it is a weakness I cannot afford, my lady." He turned his back on me and then I heard the door open and close again. 

I sobbed quietly with pain, to love someone who did not love you back is heartbreaking. No. He might not love me, but he cared about me. It is better than nothing, now be strong, you've survived your father's beatings, Yngvarr's unkindness, now survive loving without return, I coached myself.

Blinking away my tears, I got up, put up a visage of calm, and wandered through the village. The people greeted me with kindness and love, and the women bid me come inside and share their morning meal. I saw a young woman, my own age up ahead. Her name was Kyra and her marriage was going to be in two months. Suddenly a great idea came upon me.