Dawn of Wolves (The Kingdom of Mercia) Read Online Free PDF

and the ceremony blessed by Bishop Frithuwine.” Queen Seaxburh broke the heavy silence, her voice sharp with anger. “Only then, should she be allowed to leave Cantwareburh. How do we know you will not dishonor her?”
    Wulfhere regarded the queen a moment and inclined his head slightly.
    “Do you not trust me with your daughter?”
    “I trust no Mercian,” the queen hissed.
    “Seaxburh!” Eorcenberht roared. “Silence, woman!”
    It appeared the queen would not hold her tongue. Seaxburh’s face was chalk white, her blue eyes glittering with rage, when she turned on her husband.
    “My father would turn in his barrow to see you like this—toadying and groveling to lesser men.”
    Eorcenberht stared at his wife, momentarily poleaxed by her outburst. Likewise, Ermenilda stared, stunned. Her mother, usually so meek and sweet, had never before shown such fire. For the first time, Ermenilda found herself in awe of the woman who had birthed her.
    “Go to our quarters, wife,” Eorcenberht rumbled, finally recovering his wits, “and not another word, or I will take my hand to you, right now.”
    The queen stared at him, her slender body shaking with fury.
    “Go!” the king roared.
    Finally, Seaxburh complied. Stiffly, she turned and stepped down off the high seat. Ermenilda watched her cross the hall, past staring men and women, before disappearing behind a heavy tapestry to the quarters she and the king shared.
    Eorcenberht’s face was the color of raw meat when he turned back to Wulfhere.
    The Mercian king watched him, a faintly mocking smile curving his mouth. The Kentish queen had effectively shamed her husband this day, in front of men he wished to impress.
    “Do you share your wife’s views?” he asked mildly.
    The Kentish king’s mouth twisted. “A woman’s opinion is not worth dog’s piss. I will punish my wife for her insolence.”
    “So you don’t harbor a secret grudge against Mercia?”
    “Would I be giving my eldest daughter to you, if I did?”
    Satisfied, Wulfhere nodded. His gaze shifted to Ermenilda, who had not spoken during the entire exchange.
    “And what about you, Lady Ermenilda?” he asked, his voice iron cloaked in silk. “Do you agree with your mother?”
    Ermenilda held his gaze and wished she possessed her mother’s courage. She wished to tell him that the thought of being wedded to him turned her stomach—that baptized or not, king or not, she had no desire to have anything to do with him. His arrival had shattered her life, destroyed her dreams for a life of peace and seclusion. She hated him for it.
    Yet, she did not say any of that. Instead, she merely shook her head and dropped her gaze to the floor.

Chapter Five
Leaving Home
     
     
    Watery light filtered into Ermenilda’s bower through a crack in the shutters, warning her that dawn was breaking.
    Despite that she had not slept, the time had passed swiftly. She could still not believe this would be her last night in her father’s hall. Her last night in Cantwareburh.
    Events had spiraled out of control; she no longer felt as if her life belonged to her. This time yesterday, she had awoken serene and safe—and now a stranger was taking her away to a land she had never seen.
    Ermenilda sat up and pulled the furs around her. Her eyes were puffy and sore, for she had cried all night, and her head felt as if it was filled with wool. Her gaze shifted to the leather trunks and packs stacked on the far side of her bower, and fresh tears welled.
    No, it had not been a nightmare. She was indeed leaving.
    “Erme . . .” Her sister’s voice carried softly through the thick hanging. “Are you awake?”
    “Yes,” Ermenilda replied weakly. “Come in.”
    Eorcengota slipped into the bower, and Ermenilda saw that her sister’s face was as miserable as she felt herself.
    “Fæder says it’s time,” Eorcengota said softly. “I’m sorry.”
    Ermenilda nodded, not trusting herself to speak, and climbed out of the furs. She