Chapter 5
5 months later
"There," Freydis said smiling after cleaning the wound on Finn's shoulder. "I believe it should heal, it's not very deep."
"Thank you," he replied.
"You are welcome. If you want to show it to Ayana..."
"That won't be necessary. As you said, it's not very deep."
"Yes..."
After all the time Freydis had lived with her husband's family, she still felt insecure around Finn. Mikael's oldest son was quiet and usually quite serious. He had always been polite to Freydis, but she had no idea how he really felt about her. She knew that Finn had been close with his mother, especially after losing his wife. Obviously, that had affected him very much.
"So, how did this happen?" Freydis asked, hoping to avoid the uncomfortable silence.
"Just a little hunting accident," he replied.
"Oh..."
"How about that?" he asked, glancing at the bruises on her wrist.
"Just a little cooking accident," she replied, keeping her tone of voice as light as she could. "I am afraid I can be quite clumsy sometimes."
It was strange how easily the lies came out. She didn't even hesitate and she could keep the smile on her face the whole time.
"Hmm."
For a moment she saw a glimpse of some feeling in his eyes. Was it pity? Did he know? Just the thought was mortifying.
"I should go," he murmured as he stood up. "Thank you again and... try to be careful. When you cook."
"I will," she assured smiling. "Thank you."
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath after he had left. At least she could hide her other bruises under her clothes. There were many new ones after last night. Not that she should complain, it had been her own fault. She should have known better than to turn her head. Mikael didn't want to see her face when he bedded her. He wasn't rough with her when he didn't see her face.
It had been her own fault. She had kept telling herself that ever since the first bruises had appeared on her skin. If only she would have been more careful. If only she wouldn't have angered him. He wouldn't hurt her if she wouldn't make him angry. She had tried her hardest to please him, but she always failed.
"Freydis?"
She turned to look at Henrik and smiled at him.
"Yes?"
"I took care of the chickens, here are the eggs."
"Thank you," she replied while taking the basket he was handing to her. "That was very kind of you."
"I want to help."
She smiled warmly and kissed the top of the boy's head.
"I know. You are very sweet."
"I'm sweet too," Kol's voice said as he walked in with an armful of firewood. "So," he continued after placing the firewood on the floor. "Where is my kiss?"
"I am sure there are plenty of women in the village who would like to give you that kiss," Freydis replied smiling.
Kol grinned and shook his head.
"I want a kiss from my lovely mother."
"And I want a sword I never have to sharpen," Elijah stated as he walked in. "Behave, Kol."
Kol rolled his eyes.
"I was kidding." He paused and winked at Freydis. "Maybe."
She kept the smile on her face, wanting to believe that he didn't mean any harm. He was a very charming young man and he knew it. The strange thing was that although she was a little younger than him, she felt that she was much older. He had no idea what her life was really like.
No one would force him to wed a much older woman. That woman wouldn't repeat her first husband's name every time when she bedded him. That woman wouldn't hurt him. He wouldn't have to struggle every single day.
Yet, Freydis knew that she shouldn't complain, things could have been much worse. With Henrik, she had been given a chance to experience motherhood. Things were also much better with Rebekah and she really liked Elijah. Niklaus was also quite sweet, Finn was polite and Kol meant no harm. Yes, things could have been much worse.
Ayana looked at Mikael's new wife who was walking in the woods with Henrik and Niklaus. She was a pretty little thing. And young. Very young. Esther had anticipated that Mikael would probably have to take a new wife before her return, but that had been a sacrifice she had been willing to make. She had known that Mikael wouldn't be able to take care of their family and household by himself.
Ayana still thought that Esther should have told Mikael why she was leaving. Sure, there would have been risks, but better that than just leave without saying a word. Not that it mattered what Ayana thought, the choice had been Esther's. Ayana had sworn to her that she would keep an eye on her family, especially Niklaus, while Esther was gone.
She had kept that promise and she intended to keep it as long as she had to. Thankfully Niklaus was still wearing the necklace Esther had given him. As long as he wore it, there was no risk of him discovering his werewolf side. Ayana had talked with Niklaus quite often and lately she had noticed a change in him. Mikael hadn't abused him for a long while.
Of course, that was a good thing, but Ayana had wondered what had caused this sudden change. She could see the answer clearly now as she looked at Mikael's new wife. The girl was smiling, but her eyes told a very different story. Ayana truly felt sorry for her, but there wasn't much she could do. Esther was her dearest friend and she was going to make sure that Esther's family would be safe until she would return.
