Chapter Twenty-SixErik smiled at her across the table, looked away and returned his gaze, still smiling.
'You look happy.' Melcorka gestured to a servant to refill her goblet, tutting when the girl nearly spilt a drop.
'I've never felt happier.' Erik looked stunned. 'Thank you.'
'For what?' Melcorka shook her head. 'Oh, for that! Don't be silly.' She watched the delicate manner in which he ate. 'You had better go and ensure your men are all right,' she said.
'I'd prefer to be here with you,' Erik told her.
'Off with you!' She shooed him away. 'Go on.' She pushed him out of the room, watched as he walked away and returned to her breakfast.
Erik was the most unusual Norseman Melcorka had ever met. Polite, diffident and usually happy, he was handsome as sin and surprisingly clean. Melco
