XXX. Change of Plans

Eksel clenched his hands, stomping his way through the longhouse and outside.

*He touched her.*

He growled deep in his chest, his lips lifting in a scowl.

*He touched her.*

His blood boiled and his hands turned red from the exertion.

She didn’t want it.

He stomped his way to the stables, barely holding himself back before throwing his elbow and punching a hole into the side of the wall.

“Fuck!” He yelled, his mind reeling in his head.

“Eksel?” Sigrid stood from the makeshift bed on the floor where he had been sleeping.

Eksel spun on his heels, facing him with his breath leaving his body in slow heaves.

Sigrid lifted his hands as if showing he wasn’t a threat, giving Eksel enough time to calm his rage and Sten enough time to walk in through the back.

“What is going on?” Sten side eyed the hole in the wall before shooting Sigrid a questioning glare.

“He touched her,” Eksel whispered, his shoulder still heaving from his breath.

Sigrid frowned and Sten leaned back.

“They will be wed tomorrow, Eksel,” Sten tried to reason with him.

But Eksel could not be reasoned with. He stepped toward Sten until they were inches apart and dared him to speak again.

“They will not,” Eksel grunted.

Sten smirked, raising his eyebrows as Sigrid, “About time.”

“What’s the plan?” Sigrid crossed his arms on his chest.

Eksel stepped back, looking between the two of them, surprised. In that moment he seemed to realize what a coward he had been. His men had simply been waiting for him to make the decision they all knew he needed to make.

It only took seeing Elva hurt to finalize that decision. It was a cowardly way to live.

He inhaled slowly, a plan forming in his mind, “I have to meet with her uncle.”

Sten frowned, “Her uncle?”

“Is he with her father’s party?” Eksel continued, ignoring him.

“Yes, but why her uncle?”

“I have to get him away and speak to him privately,” Eksel paced, still ignoring Sten’s question.

Sigrid nodded toward the barn door, “They are just arriving. I suggest breaking him off from the group before the festivities begin.”

Eksel nodded and looked to Sten, “After I meet with him, you will stick my his side.”

“No. I’m staying with you.”

“Sten. I trust you. I need you with him.”

Though disappointed, Sten nodded.

“Both of you need to leave. I’ll bring him back here and I do not want him to feel like we are ambushing him. I suspect I have one chance at convincing him.”

“How do you plan on doing that?” Sigrid stepped toward the door.

“Trust me, I have plenty to say.”

“Plenty that will convince him more than her own father?” Sigrid frowned.

Eksel sighed, “I’ll explain later.”

Sten nodded, “We will wait for you then.”

Eksel walked away, and began to make his way to the front gate. He could hear the commotion in front of him and the sudden creak of the gate. Agnar’s men walked in, followed by a group of men on horses and a carriage. Almost immediately, Eksel recognized the Earl’s brother. He rode just a few paces behind Elva’s father and looked around as if he was disgusted by the place. He dismounted his horse, straining his neck to look between the buildings.

He was looking for Elva.

Agnar’s men began to pull the Earl toward the main hall, no doubt taking him to meet with Agnar. He took the chance and approached Elva’s uncle.

He frowned when Eksel approached, “You’re the one that took Elva.”

He wasn’t friendly but all Eksel could do was nod.

“You are not Agnar.”

“No. I’m the brother.”

“Ah,” Alden nodded, “As am I. Alden.”

“Eksel.”

Alden eyed him, confused as to why he had approached him, “So, will you take me to see my niece?”

Eksel nodded, and walked, looking over his shoulder to make sure that Alden followed. He wasn’t taking him to see Elva, but he hoped he would be forgiven after they spoke.

Alden’s steps faltered for a moment and he clenched the hilt of his knife, but he continued to follow Eksel until they stepped inside.

Alden twirled on his heels, frowning when he realized Eksel had brought him to a barn, “Why have you brought me here? I have travelled a long way to see my niece-”

“Your niece or your daughter?” Eksel leaned against the wall.

Alden recoiled, eyeing Eksel with scrutiny, “How- She knows?”

“She does,” Eksel nodded.

He frowned in response, stiffening, “Why would she tell you?”

Eksel looked away, clenching his jaw and exhaling heavily from his nostrils. An uneasiness and vulnerability softened Eksel features.

Alden knew that look all too well and realization had him loosening his grip on his knife, “You love her.”

Eksel inhaled sharply, looking to Alden with a hardened gaze, “She does not want to marry my brother.”

“She wants to marry you?” Alden raised an eyebrow.

“You would have to ask her that,” Eksel muttered under his lips.

A thousand emotion passed through Alden’s chest, and they were painted in his eyes. He was troubled, and confused but also relieved that Elva knew the truth.

He looked at Eksel, seeing the weight that was on his shoulders. He was a savage looking man, but maybe there was more in common between them than even with his own brother.

He sighed, “Let me guess, your brother isn’t understanding?”

Eksel eyed him, annoyed.

“What would you have me do?”

“Help me,” Eksel stepped toward him.

“Kill your brother?”

“If that’s what it takes,” Eksel shrugged.

“Your brother is well connected.”

Eksel nodded. He knew that, and it was frustrating to hear from everyone.

“Loved, even.”

Eksel nodded.

“You’re not.”

Eksel looked away.

“It won’t be easy.”

Eksel snapped his gaze, angry, to Alden, “It’s for Elva.”

“I wasn’t saying I wouldn’t help. Actually, I imagine this is the least I could do for her,” He whispered.

Eksel watched him, noticing that Elva had his nose.

“Lucky for you, in my case, I’m the loved brother,” Alden smiled, raising his arms in a mocking posture.

“Really?” Eksel raised an eyebrow.

“My brother is not exactly brave. Nor intelligent.”

Eksel chewed on his lips, “He was just born first?”

“Exactly,” Alden smirked, before hardening his gaze into a serious frown, “I will have to head back, gather my forces. Now. Soon. They’re only a day or two ride away.”

“So close?” Eksel frowned.

“I had to be prepared. Elva was only doing this for my brother.”

Eksel nodded.

“Can you stall the wedding?”

“I can think of a few ways.”

Alden sighed, looking to the ground, “Tell her. Tell her why I left without seeing her first. Tell her I-I love her.”

Eksel nodded, “I’ll send one of my men with you.”

“There’s no need.”

“I’m not asking you. I trust him.”

“Ah, you don’t trust me?”

“I’m putting everything on the line right now. My life. My men’s lives. Elva’s. All for a shot at her freedom.”

“I understand. But what happens if she doesn’t choose you in the end?”

“I’m not killing my brother so that I can possess her. I want her to be free,” Eksel looked down at his hands, eyeing his scars. He knew exactly what it felt like to be trapped by his brother.

Alden nodded and thrusted his hand forward, and Eksel shook it. Understanding passed between them even if the trust wasn’t quite there.

“You better come back,” Eksel whispered.

“And what will you be doing? Apart from stalling the wedding?”

“I’ll garner support. My brother may be well-liked but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have enemies.”

Alden sighed, “This has to happen fast. I will send your man back ahead so that he can warn you of my approach. Your brother might even surrender.”

Eksel scoffed, “You have not met my brother.”

“Regardless, there will be much to talk about after the fighting. I suspect my brother’s death will also be necessary.”

Eksel frowned, “Elva will not like that.”

Alden’s shoulder’s dropped, “I can take her hate more than I can take her unhappiness.”

They parted ways, each one exiting the barn from different ends. They could not be seen together.

Eksel didn’t hear them, his heart beating too loud in his ears from the adrenaline. He was going to face his brother and he had to win. He had to win for her. His body was pulsing and he didn’t hear them.

By the time he stepped out, it was too late and darkness engulfed him.