The Angel Wore Fangs(84)

Andrea was the only one to jump, not having known what was coming.

Njal then dipped his hand into a bowl of wheat seeds and sprinkled them over Dyna’s head. As Njal exhorted Frey, god of fertility, to bless her with many children of Thorkel’s loins, Thorkel grinned. Dyna, on the other hand, glanced up at Andrea and winked, a sign that she would be the one to control that particular issue.

After that, Njal asked, “Who stands witness to the handsal that binds this bride and groom?”

“We do,” Cnut and Andrea said, stepping forward. Cnut laced his fingers with hers, and the moment felt even more poignant. No matter what happened in the future, Andrea would always remember this time with fondness.

Cnut picked up a ewer and poured red bridal wine into a two-handled cup. Dyna took the cup and handed it to Thorkel for the first sip as she recited some age-old words:

Ale I bring thee, thou oak-of-battle,

With strength blended and greatest honor:

’Tis mixed with magic and mighty songs,

With goodly spells, wish-speeding runs.

Thorkel made the sign of Thor’s hammer over the cup and turned it for Dyna to drink, reciting at the same time:

Bring the Hammer the bride to bless:

On the maiden’s lap lay ye Mjollnir;

In Frigg’s name then our wedlock hallow.

The crowd yelled, “Skål!” and raised their horns of ale again.

Njal asked Thorkel and Dyna to extend their wrists, which he slit lightly with a sharp blade that had also been placed previously on the table. Then he pressed Dyna’s wrist over Thorkel’s and the two of them proclaimed together, “Blood of my blood, I pledge thee my troth.”

“With the blending of their blood, I declare Thorkel and Dyna are one,” Njal said.

Everyone stood and cheered, clapping their hands as Thorkel and Dyna smiled at each other, kissed, then linked their hands and made their way through the hall accepting well wishes from the attendees, many of whom were already half buzzed. Good thing the meal was about to start.

With great aplomb, three whole roasted pigs, their skin glistening with golden crispness, were carried in on huge boards lifted high by four men each and circulated around the hall for all to see before being returned to the kitchen for carving. Ten deer were likewise brought in. The oohs and aahs of the crowd brought tears to Girda’s eyes. She’d worked hard, probably hadn’t slept at all last night to pull this feast off. Of course, she’d had lots of help, Andrea included, but still . . . kudos to the cook!

Almost immediately, servants began carrying in the trenchers of sliced meat and joints, along with an enormous stuffed fish—a pike that had to be three feet long. There were also herring pies, spareribs and sauerkraut, and various side dishes that included cabbage, beets, peas, leeks, onions, lentils, and endive. For dessert, honey egg custard, apple currant nutmeg tarts, and honey oatcakes completed the meal. The menu wouldn’t have been near so varied if not for Reynilda’s food contributions, Andrea had to admit.

“I need to go get your gift,” Andrea told Cnut.

He arched his brows at her, but released her hand that he had been holding almost nonstop, as if he feared she would run away, or slap him for one of his many indecent touches under the table. She returned shortly with a wooden platter holding her latest creation. “Ta-da! Cream-filled doughnuts!” she said, placing the sweet treat in front of Cnut.

He grinned. “How did you manage this without sugar?”

“Honey cream on the inside, honey glaze on the outside. And a tube made by Hastein by peeling the bark off a fat twig and removing the pith. It took me three tries to get them right.”

“Hastein has been a busy fellow,” Cnut remarked. “And so have you, sweetling.” He was about to pick up one of his edible gifts when Reynilda reached across, grabbed one, and said, “What are these?” She took a huge bite, and sweet cream squirted out onto her face and the front of her gown.

Cnut and Andrea and Zeb just gaped at her. The crowd below the dais started laughing.

Reynilda rose with a shriek and turned with clawed hands toward Andrea. “You did that on purpose, you filthy trollop.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Andrea said, holding up her hands. “Those were intended for Cnut, not you.”

“Did you hear that, Cnut? Did you? She intended to make the fool of you.”

“I know how to eat the things, Reynilda. Come, let me take you to your chamber where you can change your gown.”

Andrea arched her brows. And will you be watching?

“I can take her,” Zeb offered.

Yes, let him.

“No, thank you,” Cnut said, and he and the demon vampire Wise Man person exchanged meaningful looks.