Read Online The Silver Wolf by Alice Borchardt - Free Book Online Page A

the deer fell, its shoulder crushed. It died of shock and blood loss a few seconds later. Her mind turned from the memory. Wolfstan had known himself betrayed by the woman he loved, even as he fell.
    They planned to use her in the same way they’d used her mother. Even if she refused to help them, she knew that wouldn’t stop their plotting. They had turned to her mother only when other methods failed with Wolfstan.
    Gundabald eyed her suspiciously. Her capitulation had been too rapid. “My, we are mealy-mouthed all of a sudden,” he said.
    “Yes,” Regeane replied, “but I don’t really have a choice, do I?”
    Gundabald uncovered another one of the dishes. This one a highly spiced fish stew, thick with onions, leeks, and blazing hot cracked peppercorns. “Want some?” Gundabald asked, spooning it out on a trencher and falling to with his fingers.
    The dish assaulted the wolf’s nose across the room. “No. I have no appetite. My head is spinning.” She looked around. The air in the room was a smoky haze, left by the brazier’s embers as they burnt themselves out.
    The blazing hearth fire was dying down, the remaining braziers darkening. Cold began creeping in.
    Regeane walked over to the table. Gundabald was occupied by his greed and a jug of good red wine. Hugo, when he saw her walking toward him, scuttled to the other side of the table. Gundabald rolled his eyes at him, annoyed. “Where is your sword?” he mumbled, his mouth full.
    Hugo looked shamefaced. “I pawned it to buy drink a few days ago.”
    Regeane stopped in front of the table.
    “Have some food,” Gundabald invited her.
    Regeane shook her head. “Only a cup of wine.”
    Hugo poured it and offered it to her, keeping his arm extended, well away from her.
    She took the wine—sipped it.
Very good
, she thought—finished the cup and placed it on the table. Exhaustion was on her like a leaden cope, weighing her down.
    “Remember,” Gundabald said.
    “Yes,” Regeane answered.
    “You don’t really have any choice.” His face was red, smeared with grease, flushed with all the wine he’d taken. The marks scored by her nails on his cheeks were still visible. He probably couldn’t feel them now, but in the morning he would, along with his hangover.
    She felt she’d gained at least a small advantage. She’d better press that now. “I’ll need some money,” she said.
    “For what?” he asked, then ate a large prawn yellowed with saffron. “Wonderful!” he exclaimed, then gulped a mouthful of some pale vintage.
    “Clothes!” Regeane said. “Look at me. This is the best dress I have. I’ll need at least one new mantle and two respectable gowns. Not to mention something to attend the marriage feast in.”
    “Don’t worry,” Gundabald said. “He won’t be in Rome for months.”
    “I’ll still need to get a start,” Regeane said.
    Gundabald was almost drunk. He was happy, things were going his way. He knew the girl was going to be a problem, but he had months to break her, crush her spirit.
    Outside the wind buffeted the building. A particularly loud blast rattled the shutters, making it sound as if a giant hammer was being flung at the walls. He shivered. Next time, he wouldn’t tackle her after dark. True, her face was swollen and mottled with bruises, the gown she wore stiff with bloodstains, but she still looked entirely too good to have taken the full force of his arm.
    Next time, he would face off with her by day and he could learn to judge more exactly how much punishment she could take without being maimed or killed. Physical suffering inflicted on a regular basis would soon sap her will to resist him. So much the better if it didn’t leave scars behind.
    He fished in his scrip for some money. Regeane saw the glint of gold among the coins. She didn’t think she’d get any. Shewas right. Twenty or so copper coins and four silver dinars landed on the table. Thankful for that much, she quickly scooped them up and went