Zahra spent the afternoon in the kitchen making a stew that would both be medicinal and tasty. The rest of the kitchen staff worked around her, preparing a feast for the conquerors. They had to produce a large amount of food in very little time, so they were forced to share the kitchen with Zahra, but they made no effort to hide what they thought of her.

They spoke like she was not even there, calling her names and blaming her for the invasion that had made them all prisoners in their own homes. They called her a traitor for tending to the older man. Zahra thrust out her chin and pretended like she did not even hear the cruel things they were saying. How could she be considered a traitor when it was them that betrayed her? She found it sad that these barbarians treated her with more respect than her clansmen.

When the food was ready, they carried the feast up to the grand hall, placing them on the tables to be enjoyed. With the prettier of the women staying to fill ale mugs and amuse the men while they ate and drank the evening away.

Regin sat in the tall-backed chair at the head of the hall, smiling and listening to his men sing some rousing songs that had all the men involved. They certainly knew how to have a good time.

Zahra placed a bowl of stew in front of Regin, who smiled at her with gratitude. “Thank you, Child. Pease… sit.” He said, gesturing to the chair next to his at the long oak table. “Join us in our merriment.”

Not one to refuse royalty, she took the seat he offered and noticed that Cain was not in his seat. The chair on Regin’s right was empty. She wondered where Cain was.

Her curiosity was soon answered when Cain and two other men came through the main doors with her grandfather among them. Zahra felt her pulse race as they escorted her grandfather in front of Regin. She worried, why was he there? “Your Majesty.” Zahra addressed Regin quietly. “Have I angered you?”

“No, Child.” He said with a smile.

“Then why is my grandfather here? He is an old man; he means you no harm.”

“He is my guest, Child.”

As they stood before him, Mani forced her grandfather to his knees before Regin. Zahra could not bear to watch her grandfather forced down like a dog. She turned to Regin to plead for his mercy. “Your Majesty, please, he is an old man and his knees are no good.”

Regin waved his hand. “Stand.” He ordered, and Mani helped Owen to his feet. He struggled a little and then found his balance. “Real men do not kneel even to kings.” Owen looked at his granddaughter with uncertainty, unsure of what to say or do. “What is your name?”

“Owen McGregor.” He introduced himself.

“I am Regin the Conqueror. I have called you before me to extend an invitation. One that an infidel would not normally receive. I welcome you to join us for dinner. To sit among my men to eat and drink with us. It is a rare honour.”

Owen looked at Zahra and then back at Regin. “Thank you.”

Regin clapped his hands. “Bring this man a chair.” Erik dragged a chair over, and Owen took the seat across from Regin, accepting the mug of ale the serving girl gave him. Zahra watched as Cain took his seat at his father’s side. Things were tense at the table. “I understand you raised Zahra?”

“Aye, she was always a good kid,” Owen said, taking a sip of his ale. “She has always made me proud.”

“I have become quite fond of your granddaughter.” He said with a smile. “She is intelligent and capable. A good woman.”

Owen smiled. “If only the men could see that.”

“I have little regard for your men; they are senseless and erroneous. They cannot see what is in front of them. They are not real men.” Regin said with all seriousness. Then he raised his voice for the men to hear. “Only Norse women give birth to real men.” A rowdy cheer rose up from the men and then Regin returned his attention to Owen. “But every once and a while, there are anomalies such and you and your granddaughter. Rarities that surprise me. We are two old dogs, I only wish we would have met in our prime, but we can still be friends, after all, we will be family.”

A questioning look passed between Owen and Zahra. Even Cain looked confused. “What?” Cain asked, sitting up straighter.

“You heard me, Boy,” Regin said, looking at his son. “I am proposing a union of the bloodlines.” He said.

Zahra could not believe what she was hearing. “You are a married man.” Cain reminded his father.

Regin laughed. “Not me, Lad, you.”

“What?” Both Cain and Zahra asked in unison.

Regin looked at Owen. “Your people did not appreciate your granddaughter. Among my people, she will be a queen.”

“Father, you cannot be serious.” Cain protested. “She is a Scot; we do not mix bloodlines.”

Regin slammed his fist on the table, making everything shake. “I am still King, and I decide what we do or not do. I say there will be a union and my will shall be done.”

“Do I have a say in the matter?” Zahra asked.

“No.” Regin snapped, then his harsh expression softened, and he was smiling once more. “Dear Child, you will be queen. You will never be ostracized again. People will show you the respect your station demands. I offer the chance to change the stars. You will have wealth and fine things. You will be draped in jewels and silks. Freya herself will be envious.”

Zahra looked at Cain for answers. “Father, she does not even know who that is. She is a nonbeliever. She does not know our ways.”

“She will learn, you shall teach her.”

“Your Majesty.” Zahra began choosing her words carefully. “While I am honoured and humbled by your offer, I must respectfully decline. Your son is right; I am not the woman for him. I would make a dreadful wife.”

Regin placed his hand over hers. “You do yourself a great injustice. I think you will be a perfect match for my son. A strong King requires a strong woman behind him.” Then Regin paused and looked at Owen. “Owen, speak reason to your granddaughter.”

Zahra looked at her grandfather, looking for his support. Owen looked at her and then at Cain. His brow furrowed as he weighed his words carefully. He then looked up at her. “I agree with the King.”

“What?” She asked, beyond surprised.

“If you stay here, our kin will kill you like they did your blessed mother. I cannot bear to stand over your grave. But if you go with them, you will be queen. You will be safe. I may never see you again, but at least I will die knowing you survived me.”

Zahra took her grandfather’s hands and pleaded with him to reconsider. “Grandfather, no, I will not leave you. I will not marry this man. There are other ways; there must be.”

“I agree.” Cain piped up.

“No one asked you.” Regin scolded his son.

“I will not marry this woman.” Cain snapped back. “You may be King, but you have no right to dictate my life.”

Regin pointed to the iron crown that circled his head. “This is all the right I require. Son obeys father, warrior obeys King, and to you, I am both. You will obey me, or you will be exiled.” His father threatened. Zahra looked from father to son, trying to judge if Regin was serious. Would he exile his heir? There was a strained silence at the table. Their angry gazes locked in a silent battle of wills.

Suddenly Cain lowered his gaze in surrender. “Yes, Father.”

Oh no, her only ally on the matter had just submitted. “Then it is settled there will be a wedding,” Regin said happily.

“No, there will not.” Zahra snapped. “You may be able to bully him, but you are not my king, and I need not obey you.” She said, standing up. “There will be no wedding. I will not marry, and you cannot make me.”

“Oh?” Regin said, enraged by her defiance. He snapped his fingers and Finn took out his dagger and grabbing a fistful of Owen’s hair, pulled back the older man’s head and pressed his blade firmly against her grandfather’s throat. “You may not care what happens to your people, but I am will to wager you care about your grandfather. I require your compliance or his life; the choice, Dear Child, is yours.”

Zahra looked at her grandfather, and the blade pressed firmly against his throat. She looked in Finn’s eyes and believed he would cut the older man’s throat if ordered. She looked at Cain, whose expression had become unreadable as he swished his ale in the mug he held.

Zahra turned to Regin. She felt a knot in her throat, and she shook her head. “No, I do not believe you could be so cruel.”

“Do not mistake my kindness for weakness, Child. His life means nothing to me. I have killed hundreds of men in my time; I will take his life and not lose one wink of sleep over it. I ask again for your compliance.” Zahra felt trapped. She wanted to cry, but she would not show weakness in front of these men. When she did not answer, Regin nodded, and Finn made to kill Owen.

“No!” She cried out, halting Finn’s action; her will was broken. “I will marry him. I will, please, spare my grandfather’s life.” She dropped to her knees before Regin’s feet. She took his hand and kissed it. “I beg of you, do not kill him. I will do anything you wish of me.”

Regin pulled his hand from hers and stroked her dark hair lovingly. “Rise Child, for a queen should never beg.” Zahra rose to her feet and held her head high. Regin stood up his legs shaky he took a moment to gain his strength. He looked at Cain, and he rose to his feet. Regin took his son’s hand in one and Zahra’s in the other. Then he raised his voice for the whole hall to hear. “Listen up, men. Tonight is a monumental night. For here this day, I am proud to announce there will be a union. My son, your future king, will wed the McGregor witch. We will unite our bloodlines and be stronger than ever. Rise now and show homage to your future queen.”

Every man in the hall rose to their feet, pushed their fur cloaks back off their broad shoulders and drew their swords. They held their swords high with the hilt over their hearts and in unison said something in their native language. She did not understand a word, but she understood the spirit behind it. Every man in this hall had just pledged their allegiance to her.

Regin put Zahra’s hand in Cain’s then lifted his mug in a toast. “To the future and strong sons.” Then he took a drink and looked at Finn. “Lock the old man in one of the empty chambers and keep him heavily guarded until the wedding is complete. Regin looked at Zahra. “He will stay my prisoner to ensure you honour your word.”

With a wave of Regin’s hand, Finn and Wray hauled Owen out of the room. Zahra sat down and tried to get through the rest of the night. She did not speak. She did not look up. She did not eat, nor did she drink a sip. She sat quietly. Near the end of the night, Regin became weary, but Zahra was finding it hard to care. Luckily Cain spared her the disgrace of caring for the man that just stole her freedom. He ordered Erik and Mani to help his father back to his sickbed and then continued to drink.

With her charge gone, Zahra rose to her feet and made her escape from the room. She started up the stone steps heading for her chambers when she heard footsteps behind her. She looked back to see Cain following her. She paused on the steps and allowed him to reach her without having to chase her. He stood on the step below her, looking her in the eye. “I know what you are thinking. Why oh why did I not run when I had the chance?” He was referring to the afternoon in the wood when she had the chance to let him die and seek her freedom.

“How could you?” She asked quietly. “How could you let him do this?”

Cain scoffed. “In case you did not notice, I had no more choice than you. I never thought I would marry so young and certainly not to a Scot. It is a disgrace to my whole bloodline. I am just as much a victim in this as you are.” He said, pushing past her and heading up the stairs.

“You could have put up a bigger fight.” She snarled, following him.

“Yes, I could have, but then I would have been exiled and shunned.” He said, stopping to look at her, his eyes flashing with rage. “Do you have any idea what fate awaits a dishonoured warrior?” He groaned and rolled his eyes. “Of course, you do not. You are not one of us. My very soul is at risk. I will not sit at Hel’s table for any woman.”

She had no idea what he was talking about, and that was frustrating. “I do not care whose table you must sit at. You should have fought harder.” She shrieked.

“You are so ignorant. It is a knife to my very heart to think I must suffer life with you as my wife.” He barked at her. “You know nothing. How can you raise my children if you know not of our traditions? I will be a joke to my people if I bring you home. They will laugh at me. A King cannot be laughed at. I do not understand my father’s logic. I question his reasoning. The fever has driven him mad. Were he in his right mind, he would never entertain this ludicrous union.”

Cain continued up the stairs, but Zahra was not yet done with him. “Then be a man and do something about it.” She growled, lifting the hem of her skirt out of the way of her feet so she could keep pace with him.

“He is King.” He snapped, continuing up the stairs. “I am bound by his will.” He then stopped so suddenly she almost walked into him. Cain turned to look at her. “And as my wife, you are bound by mine. Do not think it will be an easy life.”

“Aye because my life has been so easy thus far.” She laughed. “My people hate me. Since I was a wee lass, they spit on me. If you think you can make me feel any worse than my clan does, you are sorely mistaken.” She snarled. “You cannot make me any more miserable than I already be. You can call me names, you can beat me if it makes you feel big, but I will never cower to you.” She yelled and pushed past him, marching up the stairs. Then she stopped and looked back at him. “And as for your father, I am done with him. I will play nursemaid no longer. Find someone else to spare his life.”

“Nothing has changed, Witch. You will save his life, or you will face my wrath. I will kill you and your grandfather should he die.” He snarled, grabbing Zahra by the arm with crushing strength. “Self-sacrifice is easy, but are you ready to sacrifice your grandfather’s life? My father is not the only man you should worry about.”

Zahra pulled away. “You cannot kill me if I am your wife.” She challenged him.

“Husbands kill wives all the time. And if I am King, no one will question me. So, you had best make sure he lives, because you do not want me to be King.” With that, he left her on the stairs to consider his warning. Zahra found herself in a serious predicament, and worse; she saw no way out.

***

Cain sat on the edge of the bed, his hands on his knees as he stared at the dying fire flickering in the hearth across the room. The room was dark and with the shutters closed blocking out the moonlight, it was even darker. The darkness of the night mirrored the blackness of his mood. He had been brooding all night, unable to sleep as he thought about what was to come.

How could his father expect him to marry a Scot? She was so small she would never bear him strong sons. She would pollute his bloodline. He despised the politics behind weddings. No one ever married for love, so the lack of love in his pending union did not bother him. Marriages were meant to unite kingdoms and powerful families. They were used to create allies and strengthen armies. His marrying Zahra would achieve none of those goals. He could not fathom what his father had been thinking.

Though he questioned the wisdom in his father’s decision, he would honour his word and marry the wretched woman. He could not suffer the shame of being exiled. He sat until the morning sun seeped in through the shutters, the fire burnt down to smouldering cinders. He had not slept a wink.

He supposed he should look on the bright side of things. At least Zahra was beautiful; bedding her would be no chore. A thought suddenly donned on him. He could not bed her. If he did, she would lose the powers his father thought made her such a good match. And if he could not bed his wife, there would be no offspring, and his family line would perish.

Cain chuckled; he might have a way out of this distasteful union. He had to speak with his father.

Cain stood up and headed for his father’s chamber. He opened the door, and Erik rose from his bed. The boy might have been dozing, but Regin was up. Cain shut the door and came to his father’s bedside. “We need to talk.” He said.

Regin adjusted his blanket and gestured for Cain to sit on the edge of the bed. “What troubles you, Lad.”

“It is this union you have arranged. I have found a flaw that must be brought to your attention.” Cain then looked at Erik. “Leave us.”

They waited until Erik was in the hall before they continued. “What flaw do you believe you have found?”

“You believe the witch’s powers make her a good match. I understand that. A witch can be useful, but the powers that make her so desirable are entwined with her virtue. If I take her to my bed, she will be stripped of her powers and become of absolutely no use. The very thing that makes her special will be gone. If I cannot bed my wife, there will be no children, no son to carry on our legacy on my passing. It will be the end of our line.” He explained, hoping and praying to any God that would hear him that his father saw the logic in his argument.

Regin remained unfazed by his son’s opposition. “Her mystical powers are not what make her a compatible match. It is the woman herself that will make you a fine queen. It is her inner strength that will fortify your kingdom. Besides, has it ever occurred to you that she only told you this to keep you at bay? What better way to keep a King in line then to threaten what he seeks? Besides, soon, I will be dead, and you shall not even need her powers.”

He wished his father would not talk that way. It was almost like he had given up. Like he was holding on until he believed Cain was ready to accept his passing. “Father, you have many good years ahead of you.”

He sighed. “Ridiculous, I have a few days, a week or so tops. You must come to accept this. But before I leave this world, I will see my son married. The union stands.” The door opened, and Zahra appeared with a tray of food in her hands. Region smiled at the sight of her. “Come in, Child. I must admit I am surprised to see you after last night.” Zahra did not speak a word. She came to the bed and put the tray in his lap. Regin looked in the bowl and turned up his nose. “What is this? It smells God awful.”

“It is creamed wheat.” She said her back straight and her hands clasped in front of her. “Eat, it is good for you.”

“Can you not have made something more appetizing?”

“Aye, I could, but I will not. You will eat what you are given and be grateful it is not poisoned.”

Regin sighed as he picked up his spoon. “You are still bitter. I assure you, Child, I am only thinking of your best interest. I am fond of you, and I only wish to see you are well taken care of since you do such a fine job caring for me.”

“If you wished to show your gratitude, a new frock would have sufficed.”

Regin snickered. “There is that clever wit I have come to enjoy so much.” He said, taking a bite and making a face. “Oh, dear, that is dreadful. Can you not mix in some honey?”

“Aye, I could, but I will not. If you want honey, then get up and get it yourself.” She snarled.

“Do not speak to the King in such a way.” Cain barked, coming to his feet.

“I will speak any way I like, and if you do not like it, you can go to the devil.”

“I can cut out your tongue. It would be a lot quieter around here.”

“Then do so.” She challenged.

“Children.” Regin interrupted. “There is no need to fight. I will eat the vile meal, and I am sure it will help. Now, what do you say you two toddle off and get to know each other better? Send in the boy on your way out I wish to play some chess.”

Cain marched out of the room, pausing long enough to tell Erik to amuse his father. Then he headed back to his chamber to don his armour. He felt the desire to go riding. He was tightening the straps of his chest piece when he noticed Zahra standing in his doorway.

“What do you want?” He asked, picking up his fur cloak from the hook on the wall. He draped it over his shoulders and clasped it in place with two silver broaches on either shoulder.

“I have a request.” She said.

“Request denied.”

“You have not even heard it.”

“Fine, what is your request?” He asked, strapping his sword to his hip.

“It is Sunday.”

“So?”

“It is a holy day among my people. I ask that you allow them to worship in the church.”

“Denied.” He said, stepping around her and heading for the stairs.

“Why?”

“I do not answer to you. My choice is made, and you will obey.” He said, moving down the stairs quickly.

“I deserve an answer.”

“You deserve what I say you do. I said no.”

“Why? What does it matter to you if they worship?” She asked, walking quickly, trying to keep pace with him. “Will you please stop and speak to me? I have asked you a question.”

“And I have given my answer.”

“You are so worried about damning your soul, but you care nothing for the souls of others. How would you feel if someone denied you the right to worship your Gods?”

Cain stopped and looked up at her. “No man will deny me anything because I would never have submitted. I would fight to my last breath and die a free man. Besides, what do you care about the souls of men and women that intended to murder you? You should be glad to damn them, seek your vengeance.”

“My God preaches forgiveness. I will not blacken my soul by damning the souls of others.”

“Forgiveness? Well, that is why I am the master, and you are the slave.”

“Do you have no compassion for anyone?” She asked.

“Compassion makes men weak, and Norse men are not weak.” He said and continued down the stairs a few steps before stopping and turning to look at her again. He came back up the stairs. “You preach compassion, and yet you are cold to the man that has gifted your salvation. The man that wishes to elevate your station in this world. A dying man that cannot fend for himself. You speak to him with disrespect, and you go out of your way to make his last days pitiful and unpleasant because of your damned Scottish pride. Tell me where your compassion is?”

When she did not answer, he walked away. He had hoped that would be the end of it, but he heard her footsteps behind him. “Cain, wait. I am begging you to reconsider. Let them worship.”

“Why should I?” He asked, reaching the landing.

“Because I am asking you to.” She said, reaching him.

Cain laughed. “I owe you nothing.”

“Then do it for compliance. Your father wishes you to educate me in your ways. I will be an apt obedient pupil if you give the people leave to worship. You said it yourself. I do not know your ways. How can I be a good wife if I am ignorant? You have my word as a Scot that I will do as you say without argument.”

Cain considered her request. He supposed if his father was adamant about the union, he might as well educate the girl, so she did not make a fool of him. “Very well, your people can worship, but you will come riding with me.”

“I wish to worship, as well.”

“No wife of mine will worship a false deity. If you are going to be a Nordic bride, you must convert.” She looked alarmed. “You did say you would be obedient. Well, obey your husband. You convert, and the people can worship. Well, what will it be, your soul or theirs?”

She looked distressed but only for a moment and then she held her head up high. “There be one more condition. You allow the priest to speak with my Grandfather so he may confess. You do that, and I will do as you say.”

“Then we have an accord. You change, and I will give the men orders to allow the service. I will meet you in the stables in twenty minutes.” He turned to leave but then paused and looked back at her. “Do not keep me waiting.” With that, he walked off in search of Finn.