by Ciara Lake
“I enjoy only the best.”
“As you should, Loki.”
“And you, my friend. Cheers.” Loki handed him a cup of sweetened apple tea. “We’ll feast even more grandly when you celebrate your mating.” Loki sipped his tea. “This is very tasty, but let’s have wine too. We must have wine to fully celebrate.” A golden jug filled with wine materialized on the table. Loki picked it up and filled their goblets. “We’ll toast to your happiness.”
“And to yours, my god Loki.” Axel held his goblet high. “I do appreciate all you do for me.”
“You will appreciate it even more when your bed is filled.”
Chapter 2
“Bre, get in here.”
Breanna’s pulse raced at the fury and loathing in Hugh’s bellowing.
“Get in here, girl. I told you to have my sup ready. If it ain’t on the table soon I’m gonna take a switch to you. Ungrateful bitch, don’t know why it isn’t on the damn table. I should make you sleep in the barn.”
“It’s not as if you earn your keep,” she mumbled to herself. She shivered at the first icy drops of sleet pounding down on her. She pulled her cloak closer and darted for the house. Her fingers were numb. She opened the door to the house, a gust of wind following her inside.
“Close the damn door. You’re letting the cold inside.” Hugh sat at the dining table with a frown on his full face. “Where have you been? Are you wasting time again? Lazy girl. I’ve got plans for you.” His last words made her stomach turn.
“I’ve been busy with all the chores you gave me. I just finished up. I fed the pigs and collected fresh water. Mother’s been really ill today, so I’ve been busy with her too.”
“Do I look like I care? She’s your mother.” He slammed his meaty fist down on the table. It jarred the entire house.
“And your wife.”
“Don’t be smart with me.” He sneered at her. “Your ma’s sickness is in her head, anyway. If she were truly ill, she’d be dead long ago. Now, listen here, girl, I’ve had a hard day. I need to eat,” he continued to yell. “Get the food on the table, you lazy ass.” His glassy eyes stared at her. He smelled of stale wine, sweat, and urine, a rather putrid mix, which overpowered the confines of the room. No doubt he’d been drinking all day at the local tavern with his buddies, it made him meaner.
Breanna took her threadbare cloak off and threw it across the rocking chair near the door. I wish you’d drop dead. She smiled at him, then a wave of guilt passed over her for having such an evil thought. She rushed past him. But not fast enough, he slapped her behind. Temper flaring, she had to push it down. It would do her no good to lose control.
Carefully, she pulled the large black pot out from over the fire and filled a plate for him. The pork stew had been cooking all day, and it smelled delicious. They were fortunate to always have plenty of food. The pigs were very profitable and provided food for their household as well. The farm had been prosperous when her father was alive. Now under Hugh’s control, it still did well but more for his lack of ambition than anything.
Hurriedly, she added some rolls she had made the night before to the plate. Hugh just sat there watching her, his eyes following her around the room. Her stomach growled. Turning her back to him, she secretly stuffed a piece of bread in her mouth. Then she sat the plate in front of him.
“Where’s my damn butter?” There was a snarl on his face.
Grabbing it from the bench near the door, she sat it in front of him as quickly as possible.
“Now get my ale, you idiot. I’ve never seen anyone move more slowly.” He started shuffling the food down. Breanna poured him a cup of ale. He would be quiet while his mouth was full. He chewed loudly, but it was better than his offensive words.
She prepared a plate for her mother then took it to her room in the back of the house. Fiona hardly looked at her when she entered. Breanna sat the food next to her chair.
Fiona never ventured out of her room anymore. Mostly she sat in her chair, rocking back and forth, staring off into space. She would rock for hours, her expression vacant. Today she’d actually been physically ill, but it was rare for her. Normally she stared past Breanna, ignoring her. Her mother’s lack of response was painful to experience.
Without saying a word, Breanna went back into the front room to tidy up. She grabbed the broom leaning against the wall and started to sweep.
“Listen here, girl.”
“Yes.” Breanna stopped sweeping. She braced herself for his mean words.
“Come ’round here.” He pointed. “So I can see you when I’m talkin’ to you.” Breanna complied. “Angus is coming by tomorrow night for dinner. I want you to wear one of your ma’s better dresses. Look nice. He’ll be marrying you within the next couple weeks. He offered me a good price to take you off my hands. You’re much too old for me to be feeding. Angus is a wealthy man. You’re lucky.”
“I’m not marrying him.” Breanna hit the broom on the floor.
“You’ve no choice. I’ve arranged it. Don’t argue with me, you ungrateful bastard. I done took you in, became your pa, and as such I know what’s best for you. Show a little respect.” He drank down the last of his ale. “He’s a blacksmith. This is a good arrangement.”
“No, it isn’t. His last wife died. He beat her to death.”
Hugh threw his head back, laughing. “Nonsense.” His beady eyes met hers. “Ena fell, is all. He didn’t kill the girl.” Hugh buttered a piece of bread and stuffed it in his mouth. “Clumsiness is what took her. The stupid bitch hit her head.”
“She wasn’t a stupid bitch.” Breanna stifled a gag at the revolting way Hugh ate, the food splattering his chin and shirtfront as he slobbered through his meal.
“Like you would know.” He smiled, showing his rotten black teeth.
“I do, she was my friend. He hit her in the head.” Breanna’s temper threatened to explode. But it would do her no good. Hugh would only become more hostile.
“You lie, foolish girl.” Hugh passed gas. It reverberated on his chair, adding to his aroma. He chuckled, belching loudly.
Turning her lip up, she looked away.
“The food’s not bad. When you’re done with the rest of your chores you can eat. I’m goin’ to bed.” He stood up, scratching his behind as he yawned. His foul breath blew her way, causing her to gag. Walking past her, his open hand rubbed over her bosom.
She pushed him away. “Stop.”
“Here now, lass.” He put his face close to hers. “Just evaluatin’ what Angus will be fondlin’ while he sticks his cock in you. Better get used to this type of attention.” He grinned. “I’m training you. It’s my duty.” He winked. “Yep, Angus will have a fine little bride to enjoy burying himself in. Good thing he’s taking you off my hands.” Hugh leered at her. “I’ve got an itch your ma can’t fill. Truly, your ma’s good for nothing but draining my resources.”
“You’re disgusting.” She backed away. Her backside hit the wall. “You’re my mother’s husband.” Breanna fisted her hands.
“I know who I am.” He shrugged as he walked toward his bed nestled on the other side of the small house. “I don’t want you now. It’ll ruin my deal with Angus. He’s gonna pay for a virgin bride. You’d better be one.” Hugh stopped, pointing his dirty finger at her.
Not looking forward to hearing his chorus all night, she put her cloak on to go back out to the barn. Sleeping in the barn wasn’t so bad, but it was too cold tonight. When she walked out of the house, cold, crisp wind whipped her hair about. Relief flooded her at the realization the sleet had stopped, but it was still chilly. She pulled her cloak tighter around her.
The moon glowed full, bright silver in the dark sky. For a moment, she stared up at the night sky. It was beautiful, making her wish for more beauty in her life.
“I won’t give up hope. I will make a wish on this beautiful night.” She raised her hands to the sky. “I know my life has to be more than this. Beautiful stars above, hear my plea.
Please deliver us from Hugh, out of this situation. Make my mother well again. I miss her.” She turned around with her arms still up. “Send me a man to love, who’s strong, handsome, true to me. One worthy of my heart. I promise I’ll love and cherish him, serve him as a woman should. Send me my love.” Head thrown back, she whirled around in a circle several times, holding her hands to the sky. Closing her eyes, she stood with her arms up for several minutes. “Thank you for hearing my wishes.” Dropping her arms, she walked to the barn.
“I don’t belong here. This life can’t be for me. Please don’t allow me to be like my mother.” Her mother rambled about not belonging, dreaming of another place. An odd world of fantasy interacted with her reality. From Fiona’s comments, Breanna could tell her mother did not believe she belonged in this world. Often she moaned, begging an unknown entity to be heard, not forsaken. Her mother had always been eccentric, but she began to change for the worse after she married Hugh. Something happened, making her mind flee. “No doubt lying with Hugh triggered your decline.”
Breanna sprinted the rest of the way across the yard, entered the barn, then walked to the horse’s stall. He nickered for her.
“Hello, Clyde.” Breanna walked to the head of his stall. “I won’t marry Angus. He’s an evil brute,” she whispered to the gelding as she softly stroked his face. She rested her forehead on the horse’s nose. “I pray to be delivered from this hell.” A tear rolled down her cheek.
Clyde flared his nostrils, searching for the treat she usually carried for him.
“I’m sorry, boy. I don’t have an apple tonight.”
He moved away from her, not wanting to be bothered unless she fed him.
“All you males are the same, always wanting something.” She giggled. “But you’re not a brute.” She sat down on a pile of straw and put her head in her hands. More tears rolled down her face. She wiped them with the back of her hand.
After a couple of hours, she stood, brushing straw off her clothing. It was late and cold, and she needed to go inside. When she opened the barn door, huge snowflakes were falling from the sky. She opened her mouth, sticking her tongue out to catch the light flakes. The beauty of them lightened her spirits considerably. A cold wind picked up, filling her lungs, reviving her a bit. None of the snow stuck to the ground, but it was a lovely sight.
The stars seemed brighter than ever before in the midnight sky. She paused and looked up at them. They mesmerized her. “If I could only wish upon a star for it to come true.” She held her hands above her head, turning around. “If I could touch you.”
When she entered the house, Hugh’s stench greeted her. The mere thought of Hugh, of how he had touched her, made her sick. Hugh snored like a beast.
Now reenergized by the cold, she decided to warm a small pot of water to wash her arms. She’d missed bathing in her secluded area of the river by the woods. It was her favorite spot to escape her reality. When her mother had her sanity, she’d taught her to be clean. They always washed up at least once a month. Bath day had been an enjoyable time for them. They chatted about life and their dreams as they washed each other’s hair.
Her mother had been a beautiful woman before her eyes became vacant. But that was before Hugh came on the scene. He caused her to lose her mind. Breanna looked toward his bed. The huge, bald man was spread out on the bed like a lump. Anger seethed through her. Mother married you to survive, but you’ve destroyed her. Her mother thought they needed a man to run the farm, the household. But the truth was, Breanna ran the farm while Hugh just drunk and stunk up the place.
After Breanna washed up, she ate a plate of stew then put away all the dirty dishes. Weariness finally encouraged her to climb into the loft to her bed. As soon as her head touched the pillow, she closed her eyes, and sleep quickly took her. Odd dreams captivated her, transporting her to another place.
Snow covered everything. She was up high above a violent sea. The scenery before her was magnificent, like nothing she had ever seen. Then a silver-eyed man with dark hair appeared, smiling, laughing. His laughter was silly, full of amusement. An orb of light surrounded him. A gorgeous man with long blond hair and cool blue eyes calmly watched him toss something into the sea below. Breanna’s heartbeat picked up. The blond man was unusually tall and muscular, he took her breath away. His face was angular, hard, but handsome. His eyes lacked tenderness, but for some reason she knew they could be warmed. She reached out for his hand. She wanted to touch him, to have him look into her eyes.
Hugh’s loud snores bounced off the walls and ceiling of their little home. He’d snored so loudly it had awoken her. “’Tis only a dream.” She sighed. “Stupid Hugh woke me from a wonderful world. He messes up everything.” She brought her blanket closer to her face. She stared at the ceiling until she finally fell back to sleep.
Before the sun came up the cock began to crow. Breanna moaned, rolling over. “Kipp, can you let me sleep a bit longer?” The persistent rooster crowed again. The proud, white rooster loved to announce the new day.
Breanna stretched her arms, smiling about the dream. The gorgeous man with cool blue eyes intrigued her as no other had ever done. She longed to touch his hand and look into his eyes.
Of course, he had to be a dream. No man she knew looked as handsome and strong. The town was full of males like Hugh. She sighed. She regretted having to get up so early. Nevertheless, she slowly sat up and dangled her legs over the side of the bed. The room was chilly. “I just couldn’t fall back to sleep.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “I wanted to imagine being on the snowy mountaintop again, with you.”
Hugh still snored. Her teeth chattering, Breanna rushed through dressing then slipped down the ladder. Lighting a candle, she sat at the table to eat a quick breakfast of rye bread with cheese.
The sun came up, shining through the front windows. Its rays made her feel happier. The day looked to be a crisp and pretty. Grabbing her cloak off the chair where she’d left it, she put it on. Then she rushed out the door, picking up the bucket of chicken feed. Kipp greeted her. Two chickens were following behind him. They’d rushed out of the barn when they heard the door open.
“Hello, Kipp. How are you and your ladies this morn?” Breanna threw down some grain mixed with breadcrumbs. Feeling happier this morning, she hummed a merry tune. The chickens quickly snatched up the food. “Come on, let’s go closer to the barn.” She tossed some more out for them. Emptying her bucket near the barn door, she watched them hustle to get their breakfast.
Clyde called to her as she slipped inside the barn. After she’d finished collecting the eggs and fed the chickens and Clyde, she heard the front door of the house slam shut with a bang. She tensed, knowing that nothing good would follow such a hard slam. Obviously, Hugh had woken up in a sour mood.
“Oh no.” She patted Clyde’s nose. “Here comes ill-tempered Hugh.”
“Breanna, where are you, you dim-witted girl?” Hugh bellowed from the front steps. “Get here now.”
“Yes.” Breanna threw open the barn doors to answer. “Yes,” she repeated. She stood at the barn’s entrance. The chickens scattered at his loud bellows.
“There you are.” He pointed. “Listen up, lazy dame. I’m goin’ into the village for the day.”
“You do every day,” Breanna mumbled to herself.
“What you say, girl?” Hugh’s face flushed as he glared at her.
“Nothing.” She shrugged.
“Get your chores done. You hear me?” He shook his fist at her. “Stop your messing around. I’ll be back at six o’clock, and Angus Smith will be with me. He’s anxious to see you. Fix a suitable supper. Try to look your best.” Hugh stumbled a bit. “You two are to be wed within a fortnight. He’d better like you.” Hugh headed off toward town. He looked completely unkempt, as if he’d just rolled out of bed, which he had. His bald, greasy head shone in the sunlight. She watched him waddle.
“I’m not marrying Angus.” Breanna walked toward the house.
“What?” Hugh turned, looking back at her. “What you say, girl?”
Determination gave her courage. “I’m not marrying Angus. He’s a brute. His last wife died at his hands.” Breanna held her head high, facing Hugh.
“You are a liar.” Hugh took several giant steps toward her. “You’re a lucky tart to be marrying a man like Angus. He’s a blacksmith.”
She backed up a couple feet, suddenly regretting her temper along with her rebellious mouth. “I don’t care. I don’t want him. He’s an ugly, fat man,” Breanna spat, fury racing through her. She seethed with anger as she watched Hugh’s plump body move toward her. His hands were fisted at his side, and his eyes blazed with fury. Seeing she had nothing left to lose, more words spilled out. “I’m not marrying a fat, stinky man like you. Both of you disgust me.”
“Shut up, you ignorant lass.” His big body moved faster than she anticipated. Drawing back his arm, he struck her with the back of his hand.
Licking her lip, she tasted blood. It filled her mouth. Stunned, fury boiled in her, giving birth to a metamorphosis, yet it stopped before fully revealing itself. The taste of blood stirred her in a peculiar way. Narrowing her eyes, she looked at him, contemplating his demise.
“I hate you. You’re the dim-witted one.” She envisioned ripping his throat open with her teeth, like an animal. The violent thoughts astonished her. Her rage was thick, releasing her tongue more. “Angus’ll not want me big lipped and bruised. He’ll want the pleasure.” She wiped her mouth. “But it’s just fine with me, because I’m not marrying him anyway,” she defiantly taunted him.
“Shut up.” His face blotchy, he stomped in fury, the motion causing his belly to roll, pitching like the sea.
“Yea, why don’t you die? You’re a fat pig. You’ve brought nothing but misery to this home. You’ve driven my mother mad. You’re the lazy one. No, you’re a drunken bastard. You waste your time as well as money on worthless brew.” Breanna shook with her rage. It boiled up within her. “My father was a hundred times the man you are. You’re an animal.”