Destiny of the Heart (Viking Destiny)

by K. Young

  "Si. Tristan brought me and several maids this morning so that we could decorate. Did you like it?

  "Oh, yes. It was very beautiful. Thank you."

  "I am sorry your friend is not here."

  "It's all right. We will celebrate when I return. Besides, I have you here."

  Chelsea's hand slowed slightly. She never had another woman consider her a friend. She was always hated by most women, so it was a new experience. One she very much enjoyed.

  "Gracias." Chelsea replied, touched.

  Kristen turned and patted Chelsea's hand

  affectionately. She smiled at her and lifted her brows, wondering if she could see her hair. Chelsea started.

  "Oh goodness, look at me delaying you. Si, come take a look."

  Chelsea lead Kristen to a mirror and stepped out of the way so Kristen could see. Kristen looked at her reflection and gasped with delighted surprise, covering her mouth as her eyes grew wide. Chelsea grinned behind her. Somehow, even with her quick movements, Chelsea had managed to make Kristen's hair look absolutely beautiful. It was swept up with loose curls pinned around her head, but the bulk of it was swept to the side. A few loose tendrils framed her face. Chelsea had chosen bright orange flowers for her hair, which looked stunning with her blue eyes.

  "Chelsea, it's perfect!"

  Kristen looked at Chelsea in the mirror, who gave her a small nod with her head and smiled.

  "I'm glad you like it. Now, let's get you dressed. I'll not be surprised if Derrick falls over once he looks at you today."

  Kristen knew that wouldn't happen, but it was a pleasant thought. As she slipped into Derrick's mother's dress, she ran her hand over the fabric and immediately felt the warmth and love that had gone into its design. She smiled. She loved that Tristan trusted her enough to wear the dress, but she loved that she got to wear it while marrying Derrick. She was sure Mel would be beside herself with the 'I told you so's" right now.

  Chelsea fluffed the bottom of the skirt and stood up beaming. "Senorita, you look beautiful."

  "Thank you. I feel beautiful in this dress."

  Kristen glanced at herself in the mirror and smiled brightly.

  "Derrick is lucky to have you. He will be thrilled when he sees you."

  Kristen turned and took a deep breath. She was grateful to have Chelsea there. Normal wedding jitters aside, she was worried Derrick wouldn't like what he heard before they wed and all of Chelsea's efforts would be wasted. But, she could only hope that fate would be kind to her. She was ready to marry the man she loved, and even if he didn't return that love now, she hoped that he would in time.

  A sharp rap sounded on the door, and Chelsea squeezed Kristen's hands reassuringly before walking over to answer the door. Kristen heard Derrick's gruff voice and smiled to herself. They still had the marriage contract to sign and she wondered if he would sign it without reading it. She sincerely hoped not, but he was about as stubborn as she was, so it was possible. Chelsea admitted him to the small room and Kristen turned to greet him, but when she got a look at him, she gasped.

  "Derrick, what happened?" She asked in horror.

  He looked as if he had been run over by a carriage, then the horses came back to stomp all over him. His lip was busted, his face beat to a pulp, and Kristen was certain both eyes would be black, though only one would be swollen entirely come morning. He had changed into a fine set of togs, but Kristen hardly noticed.

  "Minor disagreement with m'brother. Let's sign your contract and get married." He said brusquely.

  Derrick signaled to someone standing at the door and it was pushed open wider. Mr. Crenshaw walked in and bowed formally to Kristen. She inclined her head politely.

  "Derrick - "

  "No more delays, Kristen. I will have you as my wife."

  For some reason Derrick didn't entirely trust, that made Kristen smile brightly. His breath caught in his throat. Damn, but she was beautiful. And in his mother's wedding dress, too. But, he was still angry with her. And, if she tried to get out of the wedding one more time...

  Kristen took a tentative step toward Derrick and gently placed a hand on either side of his bruised face. She stood on her tip toes and softly kissed him on the lips, then his eyes, and finally his forehead.

  "I'm not trying to delay. I merely wish to know if you are alright." She looked him in the eye, determined not to fight with him any more on their wedding day.

  The kindness disarmed Derrick and his shoulders sagged in relief.

  "I'm fine. You should see Tristan."

  Kristen chuckled. "Well, just wait until I get a hold of him. I'll not stand for a bruised and bloody groom on my wedding day." She teased.

  She held Derrick's hand as Mr. Crenshaw brought the contract forward and set it on the table. Derrick leaned into Kristen and whispered in her ear.

  "You look ravishing, m'dear. I believe I forgot to mention that."

  Kristen smiled to herself and squeezed Derrick's hand, but said nothing as Mr. Crenshaw finished.

  "Alright, this is the official signing of Lady Kristen's contract. Would either party care to read through the documents prior to signing them?"

  Derrick gave him a quelling look, so he cleared his throat and pulled out a pen. Derrick took the pen and went through the contract, signing each page quickly and then moving to the next. Kristen frowned.

  "You wouldn't know this, of course, since you hadn't bothered to read it, but there are about three of my family's properties that now pass to you through me. Additionally, you will be taking over the entire estate of - "

  Derrick looked at her through narrowed eyes. "Just how rich are you?"

  She chuckled again. "I've been trying to tell you that I come with quite a bit of money and land, but you won't let me finish."

  Derrick straightened. "I'm listening."

  Kristen flicked a glance at Mr. Crenshaw, who took the hint and left them to their discussion. He and Chelsea left the small room and closed the door behind them. Kristen waited until they left and then took a deep breath.

  "My mother's maiden name was Christiansen."

  Derrick's brows shot up to his hair line. "As in the Norwegian princess who came here under the king's protection as a political refugee?"

  "One and the same."

  "So, you're a descendant to the throne of Norway?"

  "Not anymore. Our family fled the country to escape persecution and save its people, and now the country is run by another. We settled here, under the protection of the king. He and my grandfather were quite good friends, so the king granted us a fair amount of land and we earned our own money. My ancestors were very tenacious in that respect."

  "I'll say. Your family wealth is rumored to be more than the king's."

  Kristen smiled. "Possibly."

  "So, where is the rest of your family?"

  Kristen's smile faded, and she took a deep breath. It was the moment she feared the most. The moment when she would have to tell Derrick that she was selfishly putting his life at risk by marrying him, and she didn't want him to walk away. God help her, risks and all, she wanted Derrick to stay.

  "They're dead."

  Derrick frowned, as well as he could with a beat up face. He caressed her cheek with one hand and looked at her with more tenderness than she could have hoped for, but then, she hadn't gotten to the worst part.

  "Derrick, my family has been targeted since we left Norway. At first the deaths just seemed like accidents, but my grandfather was an excellent fisherman and swimmer, it's highly unlikely that he would drown. And my mother, she was an expert rider, there's no way she would have fallen off her horse the way they said she did."

  Derrick pulled her close as the emotion built up and tears shimmered in her eyes. He wrapped his arms around her tightly and kissed the top of her head.

  "It's ok. I'm here and I promise I'll take care of you. Nothing bad is going to happen to you."

  "I've already been kidnapped once, Derrick. It's only a matter of time
before someone comes after me again. Anyone around me is in danger. Look at Ashby. He hated my family and they still killed him. I can't ask you to put yourself at risk for me."

  Derrick leaned back and studied her face. "Is that what this was all about? You said no because you thought you were putting my life in danger?"

  Kristen nodded as she wiped tears from her eyes. "I couldn't put your family through that, and I would never be able to face them if something happened to you."

  "Kristen, nothing is going to happen to me. I don't care if you have the entire Norwegian army after you, I'm still marrying you."

  Kristen looked at him in surprise. She had expected that he would change his mind regarding the wedding. She hadn't expected that he would not only want to marry her, but protect her as well. She hugged him tight, relief washing over her. She hadn't realized just how worried she was that he would leave her.

  Derrick didn't say anything, but he had known there was more to Kristen then she initially let on. The fact that she was a Viking descendent certainly explained a lot, like where she had learned to fight, why she was so remarkably different from other English women, and possibly why she swore like a pirate. But, he also felt as if an enormous weight had been lifted from his shoulders with her confession. He wouldn't admit it to Kristen, but her refusal and sudden agreement to marry him had bothered him a great deal. Understanding her reasons certainly helped.

  He kept an arm around her waist, but finished signing the marriage contract. Derrick wondered just what he had gotten himself into. Since she was the descendant of royalty, if she ever made a bid to reclaim her throne, would that make him her consort? He grinned at the thought.

  Once the contract was completed, Derrick escorted her out of the small room to the platform at the front of the church. There weren't many people in attendance, but that suited Kristen just fine. She walked up to Tristan and punched him hard enough to make him stagger. He laughed goodnaturedly, knowing Kristen and why she had just punched him in front of all of their guests. The parson, not used to such aggression from a woman, looked at Kristen with surprise and a little censure. If she noticed the censure, she ignored it.

  "We're ready to begin, sir." She said calmly.

  This time Derrick burst out laughing. He took her hands in his as he faced her, a smile dancing on his split lip and eyes glowing happily.

  Chapter 33

  The small ceremony went off without a hitch. Kristen couldn't help thinking that though she wished Mel had been there to witness the wedding, the ceremony couldn't have been more perfect. The small gathering of witnesses clapped with enthusiasm as Derrick and Kristen sealed their vows with a kiss. Tristan rushed them both and squeezed them in a massive hug that had Derrick grunting, and Kristen laughing as her back popped in three different places.

  "Do put my down, Tristan." She said happily.

  "This is cause for celebration. I hope you don't mind, but I've taken the liberty of organizing a feast in your honor."

  "I believe that's a wonderful idea." Derrick said, grinning and pulling Kristen close. "But, we really must set sail tomorrow if I'm to make my deadline for those goods." He added.

  Tristan nodded and beckoned everyone to follow him. They left the small chapel and made the short walk uphill to Tristan's house. Kristen couldn't help feeling excited about her future, despite all of the uncertainty. She knew there was a chance that Derrick would break her heart, but she thought it more likely they would have an amicable marriage. She hoped that in time, Derrick would grow to love her as she loved him.

  Derrick looked at Kristen and smiled, wondering what she was thinking. She was always a mystery to him. But, she looked happy and he wanted to see that she stayed that way. He started by lifting her hand to his mouth and kissing the back of it. She smiled brightly, the kind of smile that never failed to take his breath away. He reached up and tucked a stray curl behind her ear.

  "I'm sorry Mel wasn't here today." He said.

  "I appreciate that, but it's all right. We'll celebrate with her when we get home."

  Derrick wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close, kissing the top of her head. They climbed the steps to the porch and Derrick picked Kristen up before walking over the threshold.

  "This isn't our home, m'dear, so we'll do it again for our own home. But, I thought you would appreciate the symbolism."

  "Cheeky git." She teased.

  Derrick laughed and set her down in the foyer. Tristan followed them in and disappeared to get things ready. The smell of food made Kristen realize she was quite famished. She stood on her toes and kissed Derrick's bruised cheek lightly.

  "I'm going upstairs to change. I'll be right back."

  Derrick grabbed her wrist before she got too far away from him. "I could help you." There was a wicked gleam in his eyes.

  Kristen laughed. "No, I think perhaps that should wait. Tristan seems to have gone to a lot of trouble and wishes us to be present."

  Right on cue, Tristan returned to the foyer. "Indeed I do, dear brother. Be a good chap and wait until this evening before disappearing, hmm?"

  Derrick sighed dramatically. "Fine, but do be quick about it, m'dear." He released her wrist and she grinned wickedly before darting up the stairs.

  Derrick watched her and couldn't help feeling as if he was the luckiest man in the world. Kristen was difficult to be sure, but she was the best thing that had ever happened to him.

  ***

  Later, as they were all gathered around the table for the feast, the mood was light and festive. Everyone toasted the happy couple, and Tristan and Jack regaled Kristen with stories from Derrick's childhood. They even went so far as to reveal every ticklish spot on Derrick's body. Derrick threatened their lives, but Kristen reached up to tickle him and he lost his train of thought as she jumped up to get away from her. They all laughed merrily and Derrick hugged Kristen, but rubbed his knuckles against her head. She laughed until her stomach hurt, not remembering the last time she had so much fun.

  After the meal, Tristan arranged for a quartet to play for them. Derrick led Kristen onto the dance floor.

  "Try not to leave me standing alone on the floor this time, hmm?"

  Kristen chuckled at the memory of her first ball. Derrick had escorted her, and despite herself, she watched him the whole evening.

  "The look on your face was rather funny." She teased.

  "Was it now? I seem to recall Oliver saying something similar."

  "You know, it occurs to me that Oliver came round to call on Mel that next day. Said they had business. I was irritated with you at the time, so I didn't think to ask Mel, but do you suppose the two of them conspired to put me on your ship?"

  Derrick spun her around expertly. "I suppose it makes sense. Mel did seem to take an interest in matchmaking the two of us."

  "Yes, she did." Kristen said flatly.

  Derrick laughed. "Don't be too angry with her. She has always been a bit fond of me. I suspect Guy has a little something to do with that."

  "Don't take this the wrong way, Derrick, it's just that she was supposed to be helping me."

  The music came to a crescendo, marking the end of the song. Derrick bowed, Kristen curtsied. He took her hand and tucked it into the crook of his elbow as he led her to the open French doors. On the balcony, the evening breeze lifted the loose strands around Kristen's face and blew them back. She inhaled happily and didn't think she would ever get enough of the exotic smell of the island. Derrick turned Kristen and looked into her eyes, his own lit up brightly.

  "I like to think she did help you, Kristen."

  His voice was husky with need and Kristen suddenly felt warm all over.

  She licked her lips. "Yes, I suppose she did."

  Derrick bent down to kiss her, his mouth was warm over hers. He crushed her to his chest as his lips pressed hers with a possessive need that made her knees weak. Kristen leaned into him for support, twining her fingers through his hair. He moaned and pulled
back, resting his forehead against hers. They were both breathing deeply.

  "Perhaps we should move this upstairs before the whole island gets a show." Derrick said hoarsely.

  Kristen laughed. "If you insist."

  She kissed him softly on the mouth, careful of his split lip even though he hadn't been, then took his head gently between her hands. "Don't take too long." She warned.

  And just like that, she was gone. Derrick watched her with a bemused expression as she calmly walked up the stairs. He laughed to himself. His little Viking. He would make her scream with pleasure.

  Derrick started for the French doors, intending to do just that, but an explosion from the second floor knocked him to the ground. The sound of glass shattering was deafening where Derrick was and he covered his ears. Stray bits of glass flew across his bruised skin, slicing him. He barely noticed as the fear that gripped his heart was taking over.

  "Kristen!" He screamed.

  He was on his feet and running for the stairs. Tristan helped Chelsea from the floor, but most of the staff was unconscious. Tristan looked at Derrick as he came flying down the hallway.

  "What the bloody hell was that?" Tristan growled, anger twisting his handsome face.

  "A bomb." Derrick answered, rounding the corner and taking the stairs two at a time.

  Chelsea gasped. "Derrick, Kristen - !"

  "I know!" He yelled back down to her, still running up the stairs.

  Bits of the stairs were on fire, and as he neared the top, several were entirely black and smoking. Derrick took in the damage on the second floor. As far as he could tell, the bomb had been localized to his and Kristen's room, which meant they had been the targets.

  He rushed to their room, his heart racing and a cold dread creeping around his chest.

  "Kristen!" He yelled.

  Derrick kicked burning furniture out of his way. The smoke in the room was thick, but he didn't care. He heard Tristan yelling for him to get out of there, but he ignored him. He had to find Kristen.

  "Kristen!" Derrick yelled again, fear and panic consuming him.

  Derrick felt the smoke searing his lungs and he coughed violently, falling to his knees. He didn't struggle when he was suddenly dragged from the room by the back of his shirt. His eyes burned and watered from the smoke, at least that's what he told himself. He wasn't going to think that she could be dead. He would find her, he wouldn't let her down.