“You showed me that I was still needed,” Aila smiled, pressing a kiss to his mouth. “I like being needed by you.”
“I do need you, Aila,” Dagmar smiled. “More than I would have admitted to, even six days ago. Whatever we decide, I’m always with you, okay? I’ll always support you.”
“But not enough to step aside and let me lead?”
“No,” Dagmar sighed. “How could I live with myself if someone or something hurt you? I wouldn’t survive losing you. You were there to help me with losing my parents. No one would be there to console me to the degree I’d need if you got hurt because you were leading our people.”
“Oh, I get it. It’s okay for me to do anything else that puts my life in danger, like hunt or go to war. But leading, that sort of thing is for real men to do, right?”
“Would you quit putting words in my mouth?” Dagmar said. “All I’m saying is that being the ruler of a people comes with a known danger that others might not like you. If they don’t like you and they see you as a threat, they would easily try to snuff you out. I couldn’t live with myself if you died because I gave in and let you become the official ruler of our people.”
“Then I guess there’s nothing else for us to say to each other,” Aila said. She stood and dressed, all the while ignoring Dagmar’s pleas to stay inside where it was warm. When she was finally dressed, Aila opened his tent and walked over to her own. She looked up one last time, seeing Dagmar watching her, before she stepped into her own tent and closed the flap behind her.
THE END
Highlander's Desire
Chapter One: Preparations
Aila Forsberg stepped out of her tent and scowled. Two weeks before Solstice and her people were no closer to a ruler, no closer to celebrating their time-honored traditions. With so little time left, it was odd to see holly just being strung up around the food tent. Holly wreaths should be seen on every tent from here to the river, but nothing was the way it should be.
Walking briskly to Dagmar Stalson’s tent, Aila pulled the flap back and stepped inside. “We need to put up a tree, Dagmar,” she said as her eyes adjusted to the dark interior. She recognized most of the furnishings and other accoutrements and to her humiliation, she also recognized Asgurda Dansberg. The blonde-haired beauty had a rack the size of Big Bertha, their people’s sole ship.
“Aila,” Dagmar said. “So nice of you to drop in, again.”
“I’ll apologize for interrupting you so early this morning, but we need to find a solution to this. Our people aren’t even holding to tradition.”
“How can they, when they don’t have a ruler?” Dagmar asked, his look challenging her.
“You know how I feel about it, Dagmar. I am the rightful ruler. I, alone, have the birth right.”
“So I should throw away my right to rule, just to save face?”
“You should throw it away because you know I’m the rightful ruler.”
“Nice try,” Dagmar said. “Don’t worry, sweetheart, we’ll have a ruler soon enough. One way or another, we’ll settle this between us.”
“In time for our people to celebrate our traditions?” Aila challenged.
“In time.” Dagmar stepped toward her and grabbed hold of her arm, “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have company.”
“This isn’t over,” Aila seethed. She wouldn’t let it hurt that Dagmar had brought another woman to his bed scarcely three days after she’d left it. But had their time together, her first time, meant so little?
Holding her fury close to her chest, Aila knew that if she didn’t start pulling her people together, Dagmar would simply let them fall apart. Searching out Svenbreck, Aila decided that starting her offense might just undo Dagmar’s defense. Even so, she knew she’d have to lay the framework early, before the whole village sided with him. If he wanted to fight and tear their people apart, she’d make sure she took as many with her as she could.
***
Dagmar said farewell to his morning delight, promising to see her later at supper. Then he focused on meeting Aila’s challenge. He’d never expected the sorry state his love life would be in after the loss of Aila. Asgurda had been beyond willing, but he hadn’t been able to impress her, let alone satisfy her. His mind and, he feared, his heart as well were consumed by the dark-haired beauty who’d shared her innocence with him when he’d shared his bed. The little girl who’d crossed the North Sea with him had grown into a sensually beautiful woman, and she tempted him like no other.
Cursing, Dagmar went in search of Dragna. If Aila wanted to split their camps up so they could both rule that was fine by him, but he’d have Dragna on his side. He feared that if he couldn’t win the old cook over he just might starve to death.
“Dragna?”
“In here, young Dagmar,” came the older woman’s voice. “What can I do for you?”
“I have a hypothetical question for you.”
“Alright,” she said, standing to her full height and still barely reaching Dagmar’s stomach.
“Aila and I, as you well know, aren’t any closer to figuring out which one of us should rule. If we can’t decide it between us, we’ll have to split the camp into two; those who are supportive of her rule and those who wish that I would rule.”
“Why don’t you just rule together?”
“It’s an idea, for sure,” Dagmar agreed. “We just haven’t figured out how to do it so both of us feel satisfied with the outcome.”
“Why not just marry Aila? You’d get to rule by her side, and you certainly can’t complain about her bedroom activities.”
“Dragna!” Dagmar chuckled.
“You don’t get to be as old as I am, sonny, without learning a thing or two about people.”
“Just don’t say anything to her. I have a feeling she’d like to keep that private.”
“Don’t worry about me,” Dragna smiled. “Just so you know where I stand… I have a love for both of you, and would much rather see you rule together than tear our village apart. If that were to happen, however, you should know that I’d not follow either of you. My tent would stay right here, and any who wanted to eat my cooking would be welcome, no matter who they followed.”
“Fair enough,” Dagmar agreed. “You should know that whether or not Aila and I agree to anything, I’ll still be eating here.”
“Does my heart good to know it,” Dragna said.
Dagmar figured with that over he’d start talking to their people. He needed to know what they really thought about him and Aila, whether they were more for splitting apart or working it out. Searching out Breslin and Bregnan, twins who were known as much for their merriment as their fist-in-the-face fighting style, he started his impromptu survey.
“Well look what the mangy cat drug in,” Breslin said, a smile spreading easily across his features.
“Well I'll be damned, I think I’m seeing things.” This came from Bregnan as he slapped his brother on the back.
“Funny. You two should start a humorous duo,” Dagmar chuckled. Hugging them in the way men do, Dagmar continued, “I’ve missed you two brutes around here.”
“Ah, don’t be starting no sentimental bullshit,” Bregnan said, slapping him hard enough to make him cough.
“If you two have a minute I’d like to discuss something with you.”
“Shoot,” Breslin said, pouring Dagmar a cup of wine.
“As you and everyone in the village knows, Aila and I have been at odds for a while over who should rule Hail.”
“You and Aila have been at odds as long as we can remember,” Breslin chuckled. “I figured when we all grew up maybe you’d shag her and you could both move on.”
Dagmar couldn’t explain the urge that rose up in him to punch Breslin in the face. He wasn’t a careless lover, but neither was he overly protective. The fact that he wanted to protect Aila from sneering remarks worried him. Clamping down on his temper, Dagmar let his two friends jest about the rumors of his love life.
; “Rumor has it you’re apparently not as good between the skins as everyone assumes.”
“Asgurda caught me on a rare, and unfortunately unexplainably bad, night.”
“Is that it?” Bregnan said, prompting his brother to laugh. “Rumor also has it that Aila wasn’t too pleased to find another woman in your bed.”
“Whether or not Aila was pleased isn’t my concern.” Dagmar tried to steer the conversation back to what he needed to know.
“The way I heard it,” Bregnan smirked. “Aila looked hurt when she noticed Asgurda in your bed. Hurt like a woman who’d seen herself taking up permanent residence there.”
Frustrated, Dagmar pulled a hand through his hair. “Aila and I had one night together. If she read anything further into it, it’s her fault and not a bit of mine.”
“Bad form, Dagmar,” Breslin smiled. “A woman who pictures herself with a man long term is worth looking twice at.”
“And I suppose you two, who have yet to marry, are the pictures of wisdom on women?”
“And who says that marrying has anything at all to do with knowing how women think, or what they want?”
“And who says we aren’t about to get married?”
“You two? Please,” Dagmar laughed. But when the two brothers exchanged a glance, Dagmar had to ask. “When?”
“Just after Solstice. Our women are headed here from across the sea.”
“Will you marry as soon as they arrive?”
“It is our custom to marry once a woman has been chosen, but we may wait a few days and let them get settled first.”
“Congratulations,” Dagmar said, trying to swallow his shocked surprise. “I hope that if Aila and I do split the village up that you’ll both consider coming with me.”
“We’ll give it some thought,” they both agreed. “Although it’d be a much finer arrangement to give Aila a good shag and have her singing your praises until eternity, wouldn’t it?”
“You’d be surprised how fast those praises run out.”
Both men were laughing heartily when Dagmar walked away.
***
“So you really think Dagmar will push it to the point of breaking the village up, just to manipulate you into ruling with him or letting him rule alone?”
“I don’t know,” Aila told Svenbreck. “I’d like to think that our friendship means more to him than that, but he’s proving incredibly stubborn on this.”
“It seems like it,” Sven agreed. “Well, if you’re asking me, you’ve got to know that I’m coming with you. I like your style of leadership. It suits our community well and provides a stable environment where everyone’s needs are met in a timely and adequate manner. I’m afraid Dagmar’s ability to keep us safe and provided for is less than exemplary.”
“Oh, if I could be a fly on the wall if you told him that to his face,” Aila laughed. “Dagmar would make a suitable leader, if he’d only listen to reason.”
“What reason?”
“We had, as you know, a solution-based meeting of the townspeople a few days ago. Tonight we read the solutions to see if any of them will work between us.”
“What if they don’t?”
“Then we’ll have to decide how and when to split the village. We’ll need to decide who goes with him, which would largely be up to our people. Then I’d have to find a place to build my people a home.”
“That’s a lot to take on if no solution is found, Aila.”
“Don’t I know it,” she agreed. As they made their way back into camp, Aila stopped. “Thanks Sven, for listening and for not offering your two cents, even when you easily could have.”
“It’s not a problem Aila. Like I said, I’m always here for you.” Before Aila could move away, Sven cupped her cheek, sliding a firm forefinger under her chin. His lips claimed hers in a heated, not-so-subtle kiss. When he pulled back she saw the dark desire in his eyes before he smiled and turned to walk away.
Stirred more than she was willing to admit, Aila headed for the infirmary. Stepping into the dark building, Aila smelled liniment and the nearly overpowering smell of iron, mainly from blood.
“Ah, Aila. What brings you here?”
“It’s good to see you, Ragnick,” Aila smiled. Hugging the man warmly she stepped back. “I hear business is slow right now.”
“Of that I’m thankful,” Ragnick sighed. “In my line of work if I have a slow day it means no one died.”
“That is always a good day.”
“So, what really brought you by?”
Aila had never been able to hide anything from Ragnick, not even as a child when she’d wanted desperately to keep her boo-boos from being treated. “I came by to talk to you about the predicament we’re all in.”
“You mean about who should rule our people?”
“Yes,” Aila said. She talked to Ragnick for another fifteen minutes before she left. She pretended not to see Dagmar headed her way and ducked behind the chicken pens to hide. When he ducked into the infirmary she grinned. Ragnick would certainly put him in his place.
Chapter Two: Love and War
“Dagmar, how nice to see you.”
Dagmar hugged his longtime friend, thumping the older man on the back with gusto. “Good to see you too my friend.”
“Is there something I can do for you?”
“I came by to talk to you about this disagreement I’ve been having with Aila.”
“Go on.”
“As I’m sure you know, we’ve been at odds for quite some time now about which of us should rule over Hail.”
“Yes.”
“It appears that if we cannot settle this argument between us, we will likely split Hail in two, her taking her people and me taking mine.”
“Does that seem prudent, with the Winter Solstice coming and winter already sprinkling the ground with snow?”
“No, it’s not prudent, but I'll be damned if I can get Aila to bend on this. She’s always been stubborn, but on this she’s like a mountain, totally immoveable.”
“She has her father’s spirit.” Ragnick smiled when Dagmar only grunted. “I will support you both Dagmar. Both of your peoples will be treated here, I don’t care who’s ruling.”
“I figured as much, old man,” Dagmar laughed. “Can you at least tell me which way Aila was headed?”
“I suggested she take some quiet time and relax at the bathing spring.”
Dagmar hugged Ragnick again and headed toward the spring. He couldn’t explain the excitement that raced through him as he drew closer to the spring. It was common for the people of Hail to take advantage of the warm springs, even during the winter. But the idea of seeing Aila there sent a rush through Dagmar that he hadn’t felt since the last time he’d touched her.
He found her easily enough, her milky white skin moving through the water like that of a seal. When she surfaced, her dark hair spilled down her shoulders and back, drawing Dagmar closer like a hungry fish to bait. He inadvertently stepped on a twig and heard it snap before he made his presence known. He heard Aila gasp and turn around, her arms instinctively covering the breasts he knew intimately.
“Who’s there?”
“It’s me,” Dagmar said, stepping out into the clearing.
“Did you follow me?” Dagmar had to hide his smile when irritation flickered over her face. If she only knew that her face said everything her mouth didn’t.
“No, but I did ask Ragnick if he knew where I could find you.”
“Go figure,” Aila sighed. “Traitor. And what if I’d been here with someone else? I do have a life you know Dagmar. One that doesn’t revolve around you.”
“First, Ragnick loves us both as you well know. Secondly, I’m well aware that you think you have a life. One that became surprisingly more interesting after we’d been together. Trust me Aila, had you been here with anyone else, you’d have been sorely disappointed, I can assure you.” Seeing that she wasn’t going to come out, Dagmar started to strip, quickly discarding his o
uter clothes.
***
Furious, Aila flicked her finger at Dagmar, power surging down her arm from her chest. Dagmar was suddenly sitting cross-legged on the ground, his mouth immobile. “Let me tell you something Dagmar, something you might not know. If I choose to take a man to my bed, it’s my choice and you’ll have no say in it. Just because you were my first doesn’t give you rights where my body is concerned. And, for your information, Svenbreck is very interested in me. I may decide to be interested in him as well.” A careless flick of her finger had her now white eyes turning back to their original gray and Dagmar found himself under his own control again.
“That was beneath you, Aila,” Dagmar said, clearly angry. Aila hadn’t expected to see the disappointment that ran alongside it though. “Your powers are marvelous, but using them on me was low.”
“Oh?” Aila chuckled. “And who died and made you supreme moral ruler? You take any number of women to your bed and I’m supposed to feel bad for using powers that were obviously given to me for a reason? Would it have been better if I’d let you run right over me as if I was a little wife to be subservient to you? I’m the one who’d lose, Dagmar.”
“That’s not what I’m saying and you know it.” When he stepped into the pool of spring water and sighed, Aila had trouble deciding whether she should run or move closer. Even when she could see the desire in his eyes she couldn’t seem to conjur up the power to move fast enough. His hand snaked out and grabbed her arm. With an angry little shake he drew her nearer. “Please Aila, enlighten me as to what exactly you’ll be losing by joining with me to rule our people.”
“You obviously don’t understand what it is to know deep down inside, where it really counts, what it means to have a birth right to something. Look, Dagmar, I realize that your parents never saw you again after you came with us. I understand how much that must hurt, but-“
Arranged Marriage To The Rogue (Victorian Romance) Page 33