Nova's POV

"JEZEBEL!" I jump up as I see my cousin while she descends from the carriage

"Nova!" She hugs me as we both embrace each other for a while

"Now come with me!" I say as I hurriedly take her hand and pull her inside the castle door

I take her to an empty hall and shut the door gently

As she removes her hat and her gloves, I see her scars

Tears start forming in my eyes but not a single one dare to drop on my cheek

"I am so happy to see you" Jezebel says as she sits and drink a glass of water

"I don't believe this" I say as I move closer to her, "He did this? To you?" I say as my fingers touch the scars on my cousins neck

"He is out for blood like a shark, Nova" Jezebel's voice cracks

I kneel by her side and hold her hand, "I am so sorry Jezebel, It's all my fault" I say

"Nova! It's not your fault!! Queens don't kneel" Jezebel holds my hand and kneels by my side

"It's not time for weakness, It's time for strength" Jezebel says

Lord knows how would I have survived if it were not for Jezebel, from heartbreaks to my mother's death to Alfie's birth. She was right there by my side, my soldier.

My Rock.

"Did you think? About what we discussed?" Jezebel asked, as I flashback to our talk before I left for England

"I feel I cannot do it" I say as I stare at the floor

"Daughter of a gypsy and blood of a king. Why do you doubt yourself?" Jezebel rubs my shoulder 

"Because I am a woman?" I ask her

"Nonsense! A pair of breasts and a vagina doesn't make you less of a ruler or a warrior Nova. Let go of these inhibitions" Jezebel hugs me

"I am counting on you, France is counting on you" She says

No matter how strong I am or how courageous I am, there are days when I doubt myself. There are days I don't want to wake up from my sleep. 

"May I?" Alfred pokes his head

"King Alfred!" Jezebel rejoices

As we both get up from the floor, he gestures us to sit and pulls my chair for me to sit

My heart melts

Jezebel winks at me and giggles

"Nova never stops talking about your contributions in her life" Alfred smiles as the rays of sun dance in his green eyes

(Alfred)

"Ah! It's nothing like that, this woman needs no one but herself to rule the world and hearts of men" Jezebel laughs

"Jezebel!" I squeeze my eyeballs at her

Alfred blushes, "I know that very well"

"Nova?" Alfred turns towards me

"Yes Alfred?" I say gently

"My mother insists that you have to be baptised before we wed" Alfred says

Jezebel looks at me and says, "But she is a christian!"

"I am well aware of that" Alfred says in eloquent english with an enticing accent

"Then?" I ask with my mouth a little open

Alfred moves his chair by my till his arm brushes onto mine while leaning closer to me

"You are or were married to a pagan, for the church to accept our union it's a small price to pay. Are you willing to do it?" Alfred touches my hand gently

I hesitate but I look at Jezebel who nods

"I will do so" I say as I look at him with his pink lips and green eyes maddening every inch of my body

"You will be baptised in front of Mother, Priest and I" He says slowly, "Don't take it as humiliation but rather a step forward to our union" He rubs my hand gently and kisses it

I smile hesitantly...

(Nova)

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Ivar's POV

"Where's the other barrel?" I ask 

"I will just bring it" Says the man

"Light it all up" Hvitserk claims 

The vikings set fire to the churches, trees and goods. Whatever they can get their hands on.

Men, women and children scream as people rush here and there

Chaos follows....

"Burn them all" I smile

"What about the church?" Ubbe asks as he stops by to catch a breath 

"Bring the charred body of the bishop and the nuns" I say

"Load them back on the horses" I say

"For what?" Hvitserk asks

"To put on a show" I smile

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Nova's POV

"I sense a little hesitation in your eyes" Alfred says

"I am not hesitant, just a little scared" I say

"Scared of... EEKKK!" I scream as I rise up and rush towards the window

My chair falls to the ground...

"WHAT HAPPENED?" Alfred rises with me and so does Jezebel

We see huge fields of fire, forests and towns engulfed in it

"He will burn their bodies, to reach yours" The woman had warned me

"What is going on?" Alfred exclaims as we watch the flames rise up between the trees like fiery monsters

"EKKK!" Jezebel shrieks

"WHAT NOW?" I howl 

"The... bodies" Jezebel points her shaky finger to the ground and we see it

We see dead bodies charred in fire, kept onto the entrance of the palace in shape of a Cross

"GUARDS!" Alfred erupts and rushes outside

I shiver and shake as I find it hard to breathe

"What is this?..." Jezebel asks me with a shaky voice as she looks at me

"The wrath of Ivar" I reply as my fingers tremble..