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Her eyes roamed up and down my body with unmasked hostility and judgment in her sharp green gaze. She finally looked me in the eyes, the forest green taunting and piercing, a sneer on her thin lips.

"So you are the maiden everyone is talking about. You and I need to talk."

She strode closer and stopped just before me, the red fabric of her thin worn skirts swishing around her like an ominous wave. Small hands snapped to her petite hips as she assessed me like a piece of stock. The woman's nose wrinkled as if she smelled something atrocious, a lone dark brow raised.

My brow furrowed at her words. The slow building feeling of apprehension and nerves made me intimidated and uneasy within this unfamiliar woman's demeanor. This woman planned to do something petty, and I had an inkling I would not like the repercussions. My hands began to wring themselves as I shifted side to side, but I made my hands still as I reminded myself to stay strong. To not show this unfamiliar woman that I was not going to be cowed by her presence.

By the looks of her and her unearthly nasty attitude and confidence, I could tell that she was a woman that desired and demanded all attention to be on her, her beauty uncanny to others around her.

And she knew it.

I swallowed nervously as I took a half step rearward, leaning away from her aggressive approach. I tried placing her within some of the people that I was introduced to, but this striking woman did not come to mind. I had a feeling that I would not forget her if I did.

I cleared my throat, shoving down the thick ball of nerves. "Have we met before?"

A low chuckle left the dark haired woman. "Of course not. But I am surprised that my Ade did not mention me since you have arrived. We are very close, you know." She said with an air of arrogance, a smile that dripped of deeper tales playing on her dark lips.

A flash of anger sparked at her casual epithet for Aderick, yet my calm exterior mask was slowly depleting. I knew exactly what she meant by "close".

Hurt rushed through me and I watched her carefully as she began to walk around me, assessing from every angle.

I gauged this strange woman as well, not leaving my back to her, taking in her worn, slightly torn clothing and her callused hands. Finally, it dawned on me who she was. Or what she was. This woman was a thrall, a servant to the Dahlsten family. A slave to every whim and need to the clan, particularly sexual acts as a woman. She had a lot of brass to approach the intended of a Jarl, especially a short-tempered one such as Aderick.

I took a deep breath before replying, crossing my arms over my chest. "Really? Aderick has not said a word about you." I smirked slightly at her small stumble, but she quickly recovered and continued to shoot daggers with her forest green eyes.

"You ignorant Haraldsson kjerring," she hissed, "You are no one. An orphan, the last Haraldsson alive. Pity Ade found and rescued you before you succumbed to the raid like the rest of your family. Oh ja, everyone has heard of the tale of your last night in the South as the Haraldsson princesse. The poor beautiful Britta, the youngest offspring of Dirk and Rona. A spoiled child that was nearly too old to be married, caught up in her childish world.

"You are a nuisance, a burden on Aderick and this entire clan. We had to welcome you with open arms as the future bride of our Jarl. Well, I shan't do such thing. No matter what Ade says or demands. I can always persuade him differently." She licked her lips slowly, taunting me.

My hands clenched into fists, my nails digging half-moons into my flesh, to the point where I began shedding blood. Blinding rage rippled through me as she dared to insult my family, my body beginning to shake. My people were kind and just, never afraid to stand for what was right. Then she taunted me with her relationship with Aderick, whom I was slowly beginning to feel for. This pathetic thrall made me want to throttle her or claw at her eyes, and I forcefully restrained myself from attacking her.

"Listen to me, you hore," I began hotly, the rage at this woman attacking me in my chambers making me speak through my teeth. "I shall-"

"What are you going to do, little girl? I was here for Aderick long before you arrived and I shall be here till the day he says stop...which shall not be for a very long time. Who do you think was there for the Jarl, waiting hand and foot, taking care of his needs? His wants? His desires? Who was there when he needed to relax after a long day? Making sure he was satisfied? It certainly was not you," she sneered at me, circling around me like I was a weak prey.

I was not a fool. I knew that men used concubines, although I hoped Aderick waited for me like I had thought. I was wrong. And realizing that hurt. Like a festering wound in my chest that throbbed with every heartbeat.

Even though my mind understood the customs that men could toy around with female thralls, my heart roared out its hurt, her words only causing my chest to ache more. I stood strong, my face immobile. A mask on the outside, but my insides were twisted in such a painful and heart-wrenching agony that tears wet my lashes.

Her chin rose in triumph as she saw the slight glaze to my eyes and I glared at her with all my being. I did not know I could feel such loathing in a small amount of time, but the hatred for this woman danced along the lines of the strange man that nearly raped me.

I was torn for Aderick to come and arrive in the midst of our verbal battle, but I did not want to see him either.

That man was complicated, possibly too complicated.

I desperately glanced towards the door, straining myself for any noise outside the chambers to indicate that someone was coming. I looked back at the woman who seemed content with her hateful words towards me and continued to watch me critically.

"He is not coming, I made sure he was distracted before coming to see you. Poor princesse, no one shall come to your rescue this time." She said in a condescending tone, her smile full of malice.

I gritted my teeth and turned my head away from her poisonous words. I tried to not let her words sink into my mind and twist what I began to feel towards Aderick. But doubt twirled its unwanted vines around and around 'til 'twas too much and I wanted to escape. Escape from these chambers and escape from this land.

Before I could retort back to her, a loud demanding voice reached my ears, and my knees went weak with relief.

"Britta, have you eaten already? The servant should have been he-" The low voice that used to soothe my mind cut through the thick tension within the bedchambers.

Aderick stopped speaking as he noticed the other woman in the room, pausing his steps. I watched his eyes as confusion, worry, and eventually the obvious rise of anger within them as he glanced betwixt the two of us. Her, looking confident and seductive as she stared at him with hooded green orbs, and myself nearly in tears looking at him with a tinge of disgust.

"Marit," he said slowly, carefully, "What are you doing in our chambers?" He took a few steps toward where I stood, and I nimbly backed away from his advance.

He shot me an undefinable look before addressing his old lover. "Marit, I asked you a question. Why are you in here with Britta?" He demanded.

She smiled innocently, bashfully fluttering her eyelashes at him. I blatantly rolled my eyes and scoffed lightly at her action, revolted and almost amused at how desperate she looked.

"I was simply getting to know your intended, Ade. The rumors precede her," Marit said with a small smile while she discretely sent a glare my way.

His face remained angered and he did not fall under her fib, thank the gods and goddesses.

He watched her in silence, carefully observing how she began squirming under his scrutiny. His jaw tightened and his hands formed into fists as he finally realized what transpired here just before he arrived. With her smug demeanor and the tears in my eyes 'twas not hard to guess.

"Leave," Aderick commanded suddenly, turning his attention to me. I met his eyes for a brief moment but turned away, wounded that he wanted me to leave. I had to swallow down the sob that desperately wished to escape as I made my way towards the door. I wanted to leave not only this room but this manor...this village. This was a mistake to try and figure out my building feelings for the Jarl. I knew I needed to leave as soon as the sun broke through the sky and the moon retired from the night.

Just before I passed him, Aderick gripped my arm tightly. "Where are you going, my little wildcat?"

Wiping my eyes, I glared up at him. "Leaving."

"Nei, Britta, never you. Her," Aderick said with a glare towards Marit. I looked back at her as well, noticing how her pompous look formed into confusion.

She had the gall to looked shocked. "W-what? Ade, why are you acting so crude?" Marit nearly begged him as she shuffled closer towards Aderick. But the closer she neared, he simply took me with him, his hand still on my arm.

"If I need to remind you of your status, Marit, I shall. And you will not enjoy it," He warned her through his teeth.

"Ade, please, I need you. I am terribly lonely, no man loves like you do." I stiffened at her words, and I attempted to rip my arm from Aderick's grasp. He growled at me in response and I growled back in annoyance. I did not want to hear this.

Aderick stared deeply into my eyes, and I could see the desperation and pleading within his gaze. I stared back unflinchingly for several breaths, and he finally released my limb after ensuring I would not leave the chambers. I let out a loud huff and turned away from the quarreling prior lovers. I wiped my eyes clear of tears before standing before the fire, just watching the dancing flames while secretly listening to them.

"What do you see in her, Ade? She is but a child in a woman's body. I believe you can do better." The hore whispered loudly to him, deliberately ensuring I was able to hear her.

A brief pause graced the chambers before I heard a loud squeal leave Marit. I whirled around in surprise, and my jaw dropped in astonishment as I gazed upon Aderick holding Marit by her throat against the wall by the door. Her small hands frantically grabbed at his thick hand that was easily wrapped around her neck, her legs kicking out from under her dress. Marit's sharp eyes were now bulging from her head, wide with fear and panic.

"I warned you, Marit, to know your place. Your place as a thrall and a concubine. Never have I considered you for my bride, someone as low as you shall never be graced with that title. I have wanted Britta since I was a boy, and you...you were a carnal release. Nothing more. I regret ever laying my eyes on your loose self, because it has, in turn, hurt my Britta. If I have to get rid of you to ensure my bride's happiness, I would be most glad to snap your neck. Or..." A wicked grin curled his lips, his eyes hard as stone. "I can sell you to the East. Far, far away from our land of Norway. Somewhere you shall never return from. Somewhere you will be treated not as a human, but as a rutting animal."

Marit's eyes glazed over with absolute terror. I gasped at the dark promising threats spilling from the same lips that made me weak from kisses. He was absolutely serious, not a smidgen of mirth in his sable eyes. He looked terrifying with the vicious glint to his eyes, a dark menacing smile on his face and how nearly effortlessly he held another person in the air against the wall.

Marit began to whimper, her face turning a different color, her breaths coming out in a harsh wheeze.

"Aderick..." I whispered softly, wanting to break the brutal facade he portrayed.

His head snapped towards me, the hard glint in his eyes softening slightly as he glimpsed over me, making sure I was no longer crying.

"Put her down, Aderick. You shall kill her." I whispered again.

His eyes tightened before he looked back at Marit, who was still struggling. I watched him relax his grasp around her throat scarcely, letting air back into her deprived lungs as she gasped greedily for air.

"She is not worth it. Do not have her blood on your hands. Let someone else deal with her." I said, just as soft. I swallowed slowly before letting out a relieved breath as he released her, and she crumpled to a sobbing mess on the ground.

"I would suggest leaving this room now, Marit. Before I decide to kill you. I shall decide what to do with you later."

Without another look at us, she shot up from the floor and darted out of the chambers as fast as her feet could possibly take her.

I swiveled my gaze to Aderick, who was breathing heavy from the fury rolling through him. Once he calmed down, he faced me with a passionate look of regret and guilt.

"Britta, I am sor-"

"I want you to leave," I interrupted, curling my arms around my waist to protect myself from any other hurtful and empty words. The anger and hurt were returning in full force and I wanted to be alone to process everything. I bowed my head and turned away from Aderick, facing the crackling fire once more.

A low frustrated growl left him. "Nei. I am not leaving you here upset. That is the last thing you need. Furthermore, these are my chambers, I am not going anywhere." I could practically hear the smirk in his tone.

I saw dark red swirls obscure my vision and I swiveled on my heel to give him a piece of my mind. How dare he say such a thing? This was the least he could do after everything that that hore said, I thought with a disgusted curl of my upper lip. I wanted to be alone, but of course, I was not given the simple desire of being separated from him. This man made my blood boil, the urge to smack great, but I felt the constant physical pull towards him. I growled under my breath as the war betwixt my mind and body pulled me two separate ways. I did not know if I wanted to rip my hair out or kiss him.

The prior was more tempting.

"Why must you be so-" I began hotly, turning around to face him, before Aderick did something that completely cut my angered words off, my riled mind shutting down nearly instantaneously.

He pulled me close with a sufficient yank on my waist, lacing his long fingers at the nape of my head and crashed his scorching lips against mine.

Several breaths passed as his seductive hold put me in a trance that I never wanted to escape. My body shivered at the sensual energy surrounding us, cocooning us in our own little world as he moved his lips against mine, his hands sliding down my body to press my curves tightly against his muscular planes.

By the gods, this man could kiss.

My mind then turned on its axis, reviving itself as that lone sentence ran through my head and I could feel the gathering of the red, irritated wave of resentment and anger flow from my belly to my ears. I could picture that hore in the same position as we were, kissing Aderick passionately. It felt as though someone suddenly poured cold bath water over my head, waking my entire body from the Jarl's embrace.

I pulled away roughly, shoving against his shoulders, gasping to catch my breath.

I heard him breathing deeply too, but a low chuckle rang throughout the chamber.

That sound grated on my already annoyed nerves and I whirled around to face him, my anger back in full force.

"You are such an ass," I hissed low, peeved at him for distracting me and mainly at myself for being such a harlot for falling so easily into his heated kiss. I hated how he could turn me inside out with just a simple touch.

"Me?" he said innocently, a mischievous smile playing on his slightly swollen lips.

"Ja, you!" I said with exasperation, throwing my hands up in the air.

"Oh Britta, min lille kattunge, you enjoy my kisses. There is no need to deny it," Aderick whispered low, teasing me, stepping closer towards me with a predatory look in his obsidian eyes.

"I do not care. It does not matter, you can go to Marit for kisses now," I lashed out, wanting him to hurt.

Rage and hurt made his dark eyes swirl dangerously, making him stop in his advances. "Do. Not. Speak. Her. Name. I do not want her. I want you, Britta. And only you."

"Apparently not, Aderick! What did you say to me before, when you said you found me during the raid? Did you wait ten summers for me? Obviously, you did not, sating your desires with a thrall, who undoubtedly became attached to you. You did not wait ten summers for me, Aderick. You lied to me," I sobbed.

"Britta, vær så snill, she is nothing. Nothing but a concubine. A speck of dirt compared to the beautiful gem that you are. I am sorry, I did not know she felt so strongly. I did not realize. Vær så snill, forgive me, min kjære."

I gripped my head, my mind fighting to comprehend it all. 'Twas too much.

"Get out," I whispered, taking numerous steps away from him, too tired to fight with him any longer.

"Nei, Britta, I am not leaving you." He insisted, his hands reaching out towards me.

"I said leave! Do you not comprehend, Aderick? I do not want you here," I said brokenly, tears running down my face fully without hesitation.

"Britta-"

"I said I wished to be alone. Now leave!"

"Nei! You do not need to be alone, that is the last thing you need." Aderick pleaded with me, desperate to make the tears on my face go away.

I advanced on him, my fury taking over. He backed up, his eyes widening at my unforeseen aggression. I pressed closely against him, my blood pumping and pulsing my anger throughout my body.

"My needs? My needs? I believe ever since I have been here it has been about your needs, your wants!" I yelled at him.

He growled low at me, his anger surfacing as he pulled at his hair with his fists. "Because I am the JARL! If you do not understand that then you do need to be alone."

I flinched at his furious manner, his tone rising to a roar. He grimaced at my reaction, looking remorseful, but I did not care. The anger and sadness made my body and mind fill with exhaustion. I just want to sleep this night away and never remember it again.

"Fine. Leave." I turned away from him and collapsed onto the bed of furs, my sobs muffled as I pressed my face into the soft blanket. I cried hard as the frustration, anger, hurt curled into a ball in my throat, making it hard to breathe. My nose ran in the most embarrassing way, but I could not create a care to wipe it away.

Several breaths past before he spoke. "Britta...Britta, please look at me," he said with a loud sigh, rubbing a hand over his weary features.

I snapped my head in his direction, my tears making my vision blurry. "Do not Britta me, Jarl Aderick." I spat back.