It went on for years. That was one of the reasons he later forced her onto the council, to continue exploiting her abilities for his own gain, whether she wanted to or not.
Her father encouraged her to keep her gift a secret from everyone else, something Circe had been all too happy to comply with. But nothing could erase the damage that experience had carved into her. It was so profound that she had never believed she would share it with anyone, not even Rowen.
And yet here she was now, baring her soul to the man lying beside her. Not just any man, her husband. If there was anyone who might understand, it was Ragnar.
He remained quiet for a long moment, his expression darkened with intensity as he processed everything she had told him. This time, his silence didn't worry her. She had learned that this was how he was when he was thinking deeply and she had just placed an enormous weight in his hands once again.
"Is that why you hate your father?" he asked at last.
