Her dark eyes turned towards mine, looking deeply, her brows furrowing, almost willing me to understand what she said next.

I could not help but tremble at the words that uttered from her mouth.

"Britta...you do not fathom. Aderick has been waiting for you for a very long time. Longer than you could ever imagine."

My breathing stopped.

What?

My mouth opened and closed like a fish out of the water. Questions and protests rose in my throat, but they seemed to die there as no words escaped. I sat there stunned.

What did she mean, the brute has been waiting for me longer than I could imagine? What? Why? How? That is impossible. I had never met the Jarl or any man from the Dahlsten clan until two days ago. How could that be?

But his eyes held a hint of familiarity...

Ingrid only smiled slightly at me, noting my confusion and shock. I waited for her to say more, but she did not explain any further.

She suddenly turned sheepish, her gaze moving around the room, avoiding me.

"P-pardon me, I should not have said anything. Aderick would be furious if he found out I said anything to you," Ingrid cleared her throat and opened the door, letting Laila and her apprentices back into the room. For her, the conversation was over.

But not for me.

I wanted desperately to ask her more questions, but I knew I could not ask anything about the Jarl in front of the others. I nearly blurted out my questions in spite, but I knew Laila and girls may pass from faintness as I challenged their Jarl and his motives. Ingrid seemed to enjoy spilling confusing riddles at me to question everything I had thought I understood. I would have to corner her later to make her explain everything. Rather her than him. I did not want to see him after what happened earlier.

A blush rose to my face as I remembered his kisses as well as my wanton reaction. I was disgusted at myself for responding to his touches. Ingrid had an impish grin on her face and I wanted to roll my eyes at her. I held the impulse down as Laila gestured me towards the stool again. I sighed in resignation.

The women continued for several more hours of creating styles of gowns and their measurements for every possible circumstance. My feet began aching from standing for a long period of time. I grumbled when they tried convincing me to try on silky undergarments.

I requested a thick cloak to be made, and I inwardly noticed Ingrid's slight frown as I asked for a specific sturdy material to be used.

Laila and the girls began grabbing the white and cream material from the bed and dropped it near me. I nearly moaned in devastation as they joyfully began making the wedding gown. They started cutting and measuring the pieces for the dress, pinning them loosely together on my body. They added black ribbons outlining the budding wide billowing sleeves and intricate silk black flowers along the bodice and flowing towards the hem on the ground. Laila and Ingrid deliberated on belts for the dress, finally deciding on a black and gold lace piece that came together to lay in the middle of the white silk.

The colors of the Dahlsten family. It was imperative that the colors be incorporated within the gown, gold and black, evidently showing everyone who was to be wedded. Only the future bride of the Jarl could wear such prideful colors on the wedding. Even though it was not completely finished, the gown was beautiful I shall admit, but I would not be wearing this.

I crossed my arms in annoyance, ready to rid of this dastardly clothing. Laila sent a malicious glare my way and I could not help my flinch at her murderous stare. It was not as if I was going to ruin the gown.

Though the thought was tempting...

"We shall get this gown completed by dawn, Lady Ingrid, for the wedding tomorrow," Laila said turning away from me as she began gathering the gowns to make. The apprentices began peeling off the pieces for the wedding gown and carefully setting them on the desk.

Bewildered, I swung my gaze towards a flustered Ingrid who suddenly looked guilty. I could not help but feel betrayed and hurt by Ingrid's careless exclusion of such important news.

Tomorrow? My chest tightened in dread, my breathing now shallow.

So soon? Usually, marriage ceremonies took weeks to prepare. But a few days? Something was not right. I could feel it in my gut.

Unless...Aderick and his people must have been planning this much longer than I could have imagined. Far before I had arrived.

Almost as if he planned out the massacre of my entire clan, the kidnapping of the Jarl's maiden daughter, the only survivor, and be married within a few days time of returning.

Any developing trust and affectionate feelings towards Ingrid were slain as I realized she was as guilty as her kin, if not more.

The women left the room, promising to begin making the dress as soon as they got back to the shop. I remained frozen in shock on the stool, anger building at the deception of the one person I believed I could have befriended within this clan. My only possible companion in the ruthless world of the Dahlsten people. I was nearly shaking from the waves of my emotions.

I was wrong. Terribly wrong. I was naive to believe that someone like Ingrid, deceptively bright and amiable, would not be like the others. I had tried to give her a chance, one chance to make me believe that not all Dahlsten clan members were brutes, animals, and the worst individuals to walk this earth. The small sliver of hope within me died.

I was terribly down in the head.

It was pivotal that I fled tonight when the darkness would act as my protector and the moon would be my guide. There was no more time to waste. Without another glance at Ingrid, who was watching me warily, I quietly left the room. I had no idea of where my chamber resided, only in a different wing, but I had to put distance betwixt Ingrid and myself.

I heard Ingrid's protests from the hallway but I ignored them as I ran, blindly, to the other side of the manor. The passageway looked familiar, but I grew hesitant as the doors began to look the same as the ones before.

Odin's blood, I was lost amongst the home of the Dahlsten.

I wandered the corridors for what seemed like forever until I heard footsteps behind me, steadily approaching. I gasped in fear, spinning round, then relaxed slightly at the recognizable face of Balder. My heart pounded fiercely in fear, then slowed slightly at the familiar face.

But I thought too soon.

His golden eyes seemed latched onto my body, traveling down ever so slowly. The hard glint in his eyes made me nervous, as he could not take his gaze away from me. Wondering why he was acting so strange, I glanced down at my body.

A loud shriek escaped me as I realized I did not put my gown and cloak back on in Ingrid's chambers and I stood before Balder nearly nude, as my shift was thin and transparent.

Humiliation and horror did not begin to cover what I felt in this moment.

I slowly backed away from Balder, his leering eyes never leaving me. I crossed my arms across my breasts, covering any part of my body from him. I frantically looked around for an opened doorway to escape to but found nothing.

I cursed aloud.

Balder inched closer, eerily transfixed. It was like he had never seen a woman in the flesh before.

"B-Balder, I can explain. Do not come any closer. I-I just desire to go back to my room," I pleaded softly, blindly stepping backward. I bumped into the wall, pressing myself as close to it as I could.

Balder's strides did not falter as he followed me to the wall. He reached up and faintly touched my face, almost like a caress. I turned away from him, my arms curled around my body in defense. I did not know what he wanted, a kiss or worse, voldta me.

I shuddered in terror yet fury bloomed inside. I was not going to let him touch me, let alone rape me. No, I was going to be strong like Kare always stressed to me. By the gods, these Dahlsten men needed to be taught a lesson. I squeezed my eyes tightly, ready to throw a punch like Ran taught me, trying to ignore the chills running through me as Balder pressed closer.

Suddenly, the weight of Balder against my body was gone.

I heard a loud crunch and my eyes shot open as I watched Balder drop to the ground from my captor's punch. He clutched his nose as thick red blood spilled through his fingers. My hands covered my mouth in shock at the raw brutality from my captor. Balder was then flung up against the wall, one bloodied hand clutching his nose while the other grasped the hand that clenched his tunic.

I swung my gaze to the seething Jarl. His thick chest was heaving, loud exhales left him as he glared murderously at his cousin. A long knife was held against Balder's throat, pressing deeply as a few trickles of blood began seeping down into his tunic. The brute's grasp on his cousin and the knife were tight in fury, knuckles white as fresh snow. He physically shook, too furious for he did not speak. This was the side of my captor that I had heard of.

Ruthless.

Deadly.

I was not certain whether or not to approach him, to soothe his nerves as he silently debated to kill his kin. Though I could not stand him, more so since I found out about the wedding that was to take place tomorrow, an urge to go reassure and calm him filled me.

Hesitating for a few breaths, I gave in to the impulse and reached my hand out to him, lightly touching his arm.

My captor swung his head around to face me and I stepped back in surprise and fear at the deadly ferociousness etched on his features. His scarred face softened slightly as he gazed down at me. His endless eyes held the look of a man near his end point.

I kept an arm covered around my chest and his eyes flickered downward at my state of undress. A flush rose to my face as his dark eyes flashed with want and possessiveness.

"I-I was lost," I stuttered out. "And Balder found me..." I trailed off as his face tightened with rage. Any explanation would just enrage him more. I knew I had to create distance between the two men before the Jarl killed his own blood. He could not kill a member of his kin over a captive.

I had seen enough death to last a lifetime.

"Can you take me to my chambers? Please?" I stared into my captor's eyes, trying to make him understand. I yearned for the isolation of my chambers. I ignored Balder's groan of pain as I lightly touched his forearm again before retracting. I did not want to touch him more than I had to.

He slowly nodded. If I had blinked, I would have missed the small gesture.

"I shall deal with you later, cousin." He said, never taking his gaze from mine. The Jarl's low voice promised vengeance. I watched Balder grimace from the corner of my eye.

My abductor released Balder, shoving him hard against the wall before guiding me through the halls. He wrapped his arm around my waist in a possessive gesture, tugging me close to his side. I grabbed it and threw the offending limb back at his side. He shot me an amused look and I ignored him.

I did not want to be touched by a man ever again.

We finally stopped before my chamber doors. I opened the door and began to close it, needing time to soak in the shocking news of the wedding, before his wide body stepped through the threshold. I spun around, alarm pierced through me like Thor's lightning. I did not desire to recapitulate what happened earlier in this very room. He only smirked at me, his scar shifting ever so slightly. He strode into the room, walking towards a chest that laid at the foot of the bed. Opening it, he reached in and moved clothes around until pulling out a new tunic.

I hesitantly watched him walked around the chambers confidently, as if it were his own quarters. I frowned, wondering why he was so comfortable in here. My captor grabbed his bloodied tunic from the back of the collar and pulled it off.

My eyes suddenly widened in awe, breath hitching at his revealed muscular chest that rippled with movement. Dark curly hair was sprinkled across his tan chest, dropping in a trail that continued along his lower belly before it stopped below his chiseled hips. Numerous faded scars lined across his chest and sides. Battle scars, I realized. His bare right arm exposed the thick black ink that wound around his limb. The intricate lines connected to the Dahlsten crest that laid in the middle of his inner forearm. It was beautiful. He was beautiful. A blush covered my face and chest at the realization of the indecent situation as well as my physical reaction. Here I was acting like a harlot once again as well as barely covered in my shift and he was only clothed in pants.

I shook my head to clear my traitorous thoughts, mentally chastising myself for ogling my captor.

"J-Jarl Aderick, you need to leave," I mumbled, turning away from him and staring at the wall. I kept my arms firmly crossed, covering anything I could from his eyes.

His fingers brushed my chin, sending a thrill through my body, turning my attention back to him. Being this close to him was frightening, but at the same time, a small part of me was desperate to press up against his body, tilting every one of my curves into his dips and crevices. There must be something wrong with me. 'Tis not natural to feel this way for a man like him.

I jerked my chin from his grasp, snarling, and took a large step away from him. His clean tunic was tucked into his pants, thankfully, and he only smiled at me in amusement.

"Min søte, these are my chambers. I do not have to leave if I so wish." His voice was soft but deadly. These are his chambers? Why would I stay in his room? My eyes narrowed at the memory of Ingrid leading me here earlier.

By the gods, this was her doing.

"Do not touch me! Why am I in here?"

"'Tis alright, kjære, I requested for you to stay in here."

"Why?" I demanded.

"Because this is where you are the safest. And you are my intended." He said.

"That does not mean anything!" I began hotly. "I refuse to marry someone like you."

He suddenly leaned down, his clean face a fingerbreadth away. I could feel his warm breath on my lips, my own parting at the sudden heat. I swallowed nervously yet held my glare.

"Oh? Why is that?" He breathed.

I inhaled deeply before letting it out, not caring if my rising temper exploded. To hell with it. "I refuse to marry the person who ordered the killing of my family and people as well as the one who took me away from my home and everything I have known! You are a monster! I would rather starve to death than wed you!"

His dark brown orbs narrowed at my words. He stood up straight before peering down at me with a strange look in his eyes.

"We shall see about that," He snapped. And with those words, he roughly brushed past me and strode towards the door. Before he stepped foot out of the chambers, he turned back slightly, not looking my way.

"A servant shall bring you a fresh set of clothing. Wear it to the feast later tonight."

"I am not going anywhere with you!" I yelled with my hands clenched at my sides, tired of him.

Tired of everything.

Closing the door he suddenly lunged towards me, his body pinning me up against the wall. His eyes were blazing with emotion, nearly bulging from his head. One arm was pressed against both of my shoulders and the other was clenched in a fist near my head. He slammed his fist into the wall, making the stone crack from his rage.

His strength did not impress me. I was done.

I struggled against his hold, my nails scratching his face.

"I hate you! Unhand me, you savage!" I screamed in rage.

"Oh, my little wildcat, do you not understand? You are mine. You cannot leave here, and you will be my wife." He smirked at me, his eyes trained on my lips.

I wanted to scream aloud in frustration and hate. I was not property, I was not something to be owned by him or anyone. What did he not understand? This man, despite my attraction to him, was vile, a monster, and a ruthless murderer.

'Twas like the calm before the raging storm, the bottling of my emotions erupting out of a deep dark haunting place in my damaged soul. I could not take it anymore.

I snapped.

"I am not yours, nor shall I ever be! I am not to be owned by anyone, most of all by a vile person as yourself! By the gods, I hope you die a slow painful death!" I hissed, escaping from his hold against the wall.

I strode to the desk, grabbing the closest object on the desk and throwing it at him. I began throwing anything at him; furniture, lighted candles, papers, anything at all.

"You shall never own me! I am a person, not a property! I do not care what you do; kiss me, rape me, or kill me! I have lost everything! Everyone that I loved is gone, dead, burned to the ground because of you and your pathetic wants!" I shrieked, my body vibrating with the loathing and despair rolling through me.

"I hope Thor smashes you to nothing with Mjöllnir, you vile sønn av en hore!"

I moved around the room, throwing objects throughout my raging path at my captor. I was sick of their careful treading, but mostly of their attitude as if I would come to an unknown barbarous place and forget what had happened to my people. I could not. 'Twas impossible to forget my mother dying in my arms nor forget the image of the burning church containing my beloved Leif and Astrid crumble to the earth. The images were forever embedded in my mind.

I now stood by the bed, facing him. He remained stoic, unmoving and quiet. His eyes were the only mirrors to what he really felt, swimming with weariness and apprehension. I wanted, nei, needed him to respond. I needed him to respond, so I could then, in turn, release my last bits of rage onto him. My pent up feelings seemed endless, a continuous rath of despair, loss, and anger. I could only release those emotions into what I had become known within my clan for.

My fiery explosive temper.

The room was now destroyed, the furniture taking the brunt of my fit of rage. The bed of thick furs was splayed all across the chambers. In my tantrum, I had torn apart nearly everything I had touched.

My chest was heaving with emotion and I sobbed for all that I had lost. Everyone was gone. I was all alone on this earth, all that I had known and loved was ripped away from me with an unparalleled ferocity. I collapsed to the floor, my wails following me.

I had tried, by the gods, I tried so hard to be strong, be brave for I know that is what my family would have wanted. I tried shoving everything down, showing a strong calm front but 'tis not possible anymore. Some might say I was not acting normally after my entire family was killed. I had tried my best to ignore the yawning grief and despair within me. I could not do it. Not anymore. The calm persona was cracked beyond repair. The protective numbing cocoon of denial and ignorance was obliterated. I could not hide my feelings now.

My heart was shattered, my soul damaged.

I could not go on much longer.