Chapter 8
Harald had come in at some point during the night, briefly glancing at his brother and his new lover before turning to his own bed. He shed his clothing and laid upon his furs staring at the roof of the tent for a long while. Sleep evaded him, so he let out a deep breath before rising from his own bed and wandering over to his brother and Ylva.
Harald stood there watching them for several moments. He had never seen Halfdan act in such a manner as he does with her. His brother was never one for affection, the tight hold he held Ylva in and the soft smile he wore while sleeping were out of character for him.
Harald let out a soft laugh as he began to turn away, but movement behind him made him stop. "Is something wrong," he heard Ylva's voice call out softly behind him.
He turned to look at her, but allowed his eyes to pause briefly at the sight of his brother's embrace of her. "Just struggling to find sleep," he replied with a smile. Ylva looked at him then and he met her gaze with longing in his eyes, it had been so long since he had felt the affections of a woman other than meaningless sex.
Ylva held his gaze for a few moments before gently ordering, "bring me your brush." Harald gave her a confused look before obeying and retrieving his brush. He shortly returned and handed her the brush, "sit, like you did this morning." Harald obeyed and set at the edge of the bed with his back to her.
Ylva loosened herself slightly from Halfdan's embrace, his sleeping form snuggling into her back in response. Once free enough to do so, Ylva began to undo the braid she had placed in Harald's hair that morning, before gently brushing through his dark hair. She brushed through his hair for several minutes as Harald's head began to droop as sleep began to overcome him. Ylva placed his hair into a simply braid, securing the end once more.
Harald was completely asleep by the tim she finished. He had leaned back into her as she was braiding and now rested his head against the bed's edge and her stomach. Ylva did not want to disturb the sleeping king, so did her best not to disturb him as she laid back down onto the furs, leaving one of her arms trailing over Harald's shoulder while Halfdan remained close at her back.
