The Valkyrie of Fire.
Shannon swallowed hard and watched the spectrum expand—red, yellow, white—the colors grew brighter, reflecting the sunlight that poured down from the sky. Her heart pounded wildly. An intense heat filled the air. She saw Magnus turn his back on Ravenshield, focusing on her.
“I am champion!” he roared, “The Valkyrie is mine!”
Suddenly, the sun’s rays shot down from the sky and ricocheted off Shannon’s cross. Radiant beams of light shot out from the stones as thunder split the heavens. The intense glare flashed across the field and blinded Magnus.
“No!” he screamed, covering his face with his hands.
Ravenshield grabbed his broadsword and growled, “You lost.”
With one quick spin, Ravenshield swung the blade across Magnus’ torso, slicing through leather and flesh. His enemy slumped to the ground and exhaled. He did not move. His eyes stared up to the sky, lifeless and cold. The battle was over. Magnus was dead.
Gunnar staggered a few steps before tumbling to the ground. His body was weak. He gasped for air. An icy chill overcame him as his muscles slowly relaxed. There was no use in fighting anymore. Death hovered over him, waited for him to draw his last breath. He was a Viking, a brave warrior, and his death was an honorable one. Before surrendering to the shadows of the next world, Ravenshield wanted to see Shannon one last time.
“Shannon,” he whispered.
“I’m here,” she cried, cradling his head in her lap. She glanced down and saw where the axe had pierced his side. The wound was deep, too deep. Nothing could be done to save him. Her heart shattered into pieces as tears streamed down her face.
“Do not weep.” His voice grew hoarse as he grazed her cheek with his thumb. “You are safe now.”
“Gunnar,” she cried, “Please don’ leave me.”
He coughed. “Be strong. Raise our child to become a brave warrior.”
She felt his grip weaken. His skin was incredibly cold. “I love you.”
“I love you,” he whispered.
Shannon bowed her head and heard him exhale. His chest was still. He was gone, torn from her forever. Tears of sorrow flowed steadily from her eyes, spilling on to his face. He had given his life in order to save hers.
Leaning over his body, she wept harder and held him in her arms. She was not ready to let him go. The man whom she had fallen in love with had been ripped from her too soon. He would not see his child. He would never hold her again.
Life was not fair, she thought, feeling a gentle breeze blow. A quiet sigh floated on the winds, whispering in her ear.
Tears of sorrow can heal all wounds.
She looked around to see King Olaf and his men gathered around her. No one had said a word. They stood in silence.
...you must not lose faith.
Shannon grasped the leather rope that hung around her neck and broke it. She held the silver cross in the palm of her hand and looked at the stones embedded in it. Ravenshield had this forged for her as a symbol of his love. The shimmering amulet was bathed in her tears. Tears of grief, of sorrow.
...love can conquer all.
She cupped the Celtic cross in her hand and placed it over his heart. It had been a symbol of power, strength and healing for as long as she could remember. Some believed it could even bring back the dead. If only that were true, she thought as tears flowed faster.
...have faith.
She quieted her heart and closed her eyes. The sun warmed her skin, comforted her troubled soul. As she clutched the cross, her hand started to tingle and quiver. Heat radiated from the amulet, spreading to her fingers.
“What’s happenin’?” she whispered, raising her head.
“Look at Ravenshield,” King Olaf said in awe, “His skin is glowing.”
Shannon looked down and noticed how his face had turned a pinkish hue. Her hand snaked inside his tunic, checking for a heartbeat. Nothing. Wait, she thought. There was something. She felt a faint thud against the palm of her hand.
“Gunnar?” she whispered as heat from the cross grew more intense.
Still no answer. A low rumble droned in her ears. Shannon looked down at his face and saw that his lips had turned a healthy pink. Light radiated from the Celtic cross, warming his body. Suddenly, a loud boom shook the ground. Ravenshield gasped for air.
“Shannon?” he whispered, looking around.
“I’m here,” she said.
Gunnar rose from the ground and stood in front of them. Bewildered and confused, he ran his hand along his stomach, trying to find the wound that should have killed him. It was not there. He rolled up his tunic and saw pink flesh where the injury had been.
“Ravenshield,” King Olaf said in awe, “You live.”
Gunnar smiled and inhaled the fresh air. “Yes, I have been healed.”
“How can this be?” the king asked.
Gunnar turned and extended his hand, feeling Shannon’s palm slide into his. He pulled her to her feet and gazed into her eyes. “I would not be here if it were not for Shannon. She saved me.”
“She is the Valkyrie of Fire.” Olaf and his men bowed before her.
“I am no goddess,” she said, holding the celtic cross in her hand, watching the stones glitter in the sunlight, “I had faith that love would conquer all.”
Shannon wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately. He was so warm, so alive. She was never going to let him go. Nothing was going to keep them apart again. Together, they had conquered shores of danger and death. Their love was stronger than ever before and would last a lifetime.
###
About the Author
Ms. Rivers is a native of Virginia and is currently living near the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, photography, cooking, and (of course) watching the History Channel. Long summer days and slow walks on the beach are just a few of her favorite things.
She has traveled abroad visiting castles and monuments which have inspired her writing career. Brooklynn is an avid history buff that loves to incorporate elements of real life events in her stories.
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Table of Contents
Copyright
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
About the Author
Conquered Shores Page 17