Broods Of Fenrir - By Coral Moore Page 0,72

upright position.

If the moon had been waxing instead of waning, he might have healed most of the wounds already. As it was, he wondered if perhaps Dagny was right after all. His injuries were 199

severe. Inviting another male whose father had died because of him, if not by his hand, seemed a bad idea.

Gunni came up next to him and brushed against his leg.

The wolf looked up at him with intense blue eyes. Though he couldn"t say how he was aware of it, he knew Gunni would protect both of them to his last breath. He nodded to the wolf in acknowledgement and leaned on Dagny, letting her help him into the living room.

When he was settled in, after what seemed entirely too much effort, he told Dagny to get their guest. Gunni sat next to his chair, eyes on the door.

Hildibjörn entered a few minutes later behind Dagny. If Björn had accomplished anything in his long life, he"d stamped his offspring with authority. Hildi, red-haired and ruddy-skinned, looked like a slightly less brawny version of his father.

He glanced around the room, taking in Brand and the wolf beside him with a quirk of his mouth.

Hildi stepped toward Brand and sunk to one knee in front of him, head bent and fist pressed to the floor. “Hail, Black Sword, King of the Broods of Fenrir.” He spoke in flawless Norse with not a hint of condescension in his tone.

Brand stared at the top of Hildi"s head with no idea what to do. His mind whirled with possible responses. Wary of hesitating too long, he chose one that seemed the least likely to cause trouble. “What has brought the Earl of the Toronto Brood here? I"m sure you are aware your sire died attempting to kill me.”

Hildi didn"t look up from the floor. “Yes, my king. I would apologize on his behalf, if you would allow me.” That was a bold offer on Hildi"s part. A crueler male might decide he should apologize with his life. Brand discarded that option out of hand. “I don"t hold you responsible for your sire"s actions.”

“For that, I am grateful.” Hildi cleared his throat. “I"ve come to offer you the Toronto Brood. By rights, it belongs to you, as you defeated my sire.”

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Brand tapped his fingers on the arm of the chair. He should take credit for the death of Björn and use it to his advantage. It was the smart thing to do. Much as he realized that, he knew he couldn"t. “Your sire did not die by my hand.” Hildi"s head dropped an inch. Clearly, he hadn"t expected that response. “Which great warrior bested him? I will offer the brood to him.”

A smile came to Brand"s face. He reached for Gunni"s head, patting him a few times. “Perhaps you remember the female I stole from Arn a century ago? Alice was the one who killed your sire.” He said it as casually as he could manage, though the pain in his chest was swiftly becoming unmanageable.

That brought Hildi"s head up with a snap. “My king, you can"t expect me to pass the brood to a female?” His face twisted with shock and disbelief.

“She"s dead. Your father slew her, even as she killed him.” He allowed his anger over her death touch his voice.

Gunni growled.

Hildi"s mouth worked a few times, and then he swallowed. “What is it my king wishes me to do?”

“I wish you to return to Toronto and be a better leader than your sire was. You shouldn"t find that too difficult.” When Hildi opened his mouth to protest, Brand cut him off. “I already have one brood I don"t want, courtesy of my brother. I have no interest in stripping you of your rights because your sire was a bastard.”

Hildi"s eyes widened. “Thank you, my king.”

“I want every slave freed, and females are to have rights equal to males, starting today. I am going to send your sister to Toronto in a few months. I expect to hear from her that the brood has flourished in your care.”

He bowed his head. “As my king commands.”

“You"re dismissed.”

When the door closed behind Hildi, Brand sagged in his chair. The effort required to appear as though he weren"t 201

injured made him ache all over. Each breath was agony. He took a few seconds to recover, but he felt Dagny"s eyes on him.

He met her gaze with a tired smile. “Yes, my queen?” Her expression flickered through a handful of emotions before she settled on