Page 51 of Merciful Salvation

“Go,” he repeated brusquely.

She hugged herself, turned, then trudged away.

Chapter Fifteen

Repelled

The lingering memoryof Kara’s hot kisses turned into pounding pain inside Aaron’s head. He sought comfort the only way he knew how. In something that could numb his senses—mead. Not the ordinary kind. His cousin’s brewer used more honey and special yeast to make the drink doubly potent. He tapped his fingers on the table, considering his options.

Oh, there was the fact they’d made love. That unsavory piece of information would either convince Erik the Bald to let him marry his only daughter or get him stabbed in the gut. Or, he could leave his future to fate.

Cupping his head in both hands, he didn’t see who came up behind him. He didn’t really care. One wrong word and he’d likely throw a punch.

“Are you waiting for someone?” Tyr asked.

Aaron gazed up at his kinsman. “I thought you were asleep.”

Tyr chuckled, although he seemed to be evaluating his condition. “Is there anything left in the bottle?”

Aaron lifted the flagon. It felt empty. “You’re too late, all the bloody mead is gone.” His mind was a whirl, as susceptible as flame in wind. Yet he had the grace to pull out the chair next to him. “Please, sit with me.”

Tyr accepted. “I cannot count the times you’ve frequented mytable in this condition.”

Words that forced Aaron to remember his own selfishness in the past. “Another reason to distance yourself from me.”

“Actually,” Tyr commented. “I prefer you this way.”

Frowning, Aaron tilted his head. “Why?”

His cousin slapped him on the back. “You finally care about someone other than yourself.”

Surprised, he let out a breath. “You’re not paying me any compliments.”

“Aye,” Tyr said. “But I’m not insulting you, either.”

Aaron visually searched the tabletops below. He found what he was looking for, a bottle of wine. He stood, then stumbled off the dais, grabbing the open bottle. Instead of measuring out a serving in a cup, he drank greedily. He welcomed oblivion. When he was finished, he dropped the empty vessel on the floor. “Goddamnit.”

Tyr burst out laughing. “By the gods, Aaron. What could that tiny girl have possibly done to crush your manhood?” he asked. “Shall I impart to you a piece of wisdom from the Sayings of the High One?Only a fool lies awake all night and broods over his problems. When morning comes, he is worn out and his troubles the same as before.”

That earned Tyr a scowl. His cousin’s love life hadn’t always been so tranquil. “Speaking from experience?”

“Aye.” Tyr’s eyes glinted. “If I weren’t, I’d have no right to counsel you. Fermented drink isn’t the answer.”

“No, but it will dull the ache.”

“Until morning,” his cousin reminded. “Then you’ll beg me to split your skull in half with my axe to ease the pressure between your ears.”

Aaron wiped the back of his hand across his mouth. “Perhaps I should follow in your footsteps and find myself a Saxon wench to bed.”

Tyr’s shoulders stiffened. “Don’t blacken this moment by recalling our past, you’ll find yourself on my wrong side again.”

Another reason Aaron had given up overindulging in drink. Whenever he did, his mind wandered to times better forgotten. “I apologize.”

“Come back to the table.”

Aaron returned in a huff. “Don’t worry about me. Go back to your beautiful wife.”

“Listen.” Tyr reclined, resting his feet on the tabletop. “How long has it been since you’ve visited your steading? Inventoried your livestock and crops? Relaxed before your own hearth?”