by S. T. Bende
My teeth chilled as I sucked in a breath. “Ingrid’s dad killed Olav? He’s the one who snuck behind Bjorn’s lines and . . .?”
“And executed their leader? That he is.” Erik shook his head. “I’d never have believed it based on what we saw up north, but apparently Tirvald had a long overdue change of heart.”
“I’ll say. Wow.” I leaned into Erik’s chest. “Where is he now?”
“Valhalla,” Erik said softly.
The air rushed from my lungs. “He’s dead?”
“After he slaughtered Olav, the chief’s guards took him down. My men forced the story out of one of Bjorn’s warriors before they killed him.”
My heart sank. “How did Ingrid take it?”
“Axel is telling her right now.”
My knees buckled, and I held tight to Erik’s back. He steadied me with one arm, and used his free hand to gently lift my chin.
“She’s strong, Saga. She’ll be all right.”
“That’s one hell of a deal to recover from. First he betrays her, then he gives his life to protect her.” I shook my head. “She’s going to need all the therapy.”
“All the what?” Erik’s tilted his head.
“It’s a . . . thing, where I’m from. Someone helps you through a tough situation.”
“Like a friend.” Erik smiled sadly. “Good thing she has you.”
“Yeah . . .” Ingrid had been there for me when I’d most needed her. She’d been my strength when I feared I’d be consumed by darkness. Whatever her future held, I would do everything in my power to support her through it.
Erik stroked my cheek with his thumb. “You should go to her. But first, there’s something I can’t wait a second longer to do.”
“Mmm?” I pulled my attention back to the Viking standing in front of me. His clear blue eyes flickered with a hint of vulnerability as he took my hands in his and dropped to one knee.
Oh. My. God. Oh, my God. OhmyGod.
“Saga Skånstad, in the time I’ve known you I’ve been challenged and exhausted and exhilarated and fulfilled. I’ve experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows, but I’ve had the strength to press forward because I’ve had you at my side. Your valor and wisdom are unparalleled, and your willingness to sacrifice everything for your beliefs has left me both awed and humbled. The gods blessed me beyond measure the day they brought you into my world, and if you’ll have me, I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to prove I’m worthy of your heart. I love you, Saga, and I will do everything in my power to grant you the happiness you’ve given me.” Erik’s eyes crinkled at the corners as he squeezed my fingertips and asked, “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
My heart nearly burst with joy. I loved this Viking with absolutely everything I had. He was nothing like I’d expected, a fact that had once infuriated me, but now I found absolutely endearing. Erik Halvarsson was my heart—the soul I’d have spent a lifetime searching for. And by some crazy miracle, we’d managed to find each other.
He was mine. For always.
“Yes,” I whispered. “Yes, yes, a thousand yesses. Being your wife will be the single greatest honor of my lifetime. I love you, Erik—I think I loved you before I ever knew you, and I know without a doubt that love will last from now until forever.”
Erik stood and swept me off my feet, cradling me in his arms and pressing his lips to mine in a kiss that left me breathless. My head spun as he set me back down—it was going to be some time before I could see straight.
Not that I minded.
“Just so you know,” I said, “you had me on the battlefield.”
“I know.” Erik reached up to tuck an errant strand of hair behind my ear. “But I thought you deserved a better proposal than that one.”
“The battlefield proposal was pretty hot, actually.”
“Good to know bloody displays of affection impress you.” Erik chuckled.
“I guess I’d better get used to them. If I’m going to be a Viking, and all.”
Heat flashed in Erik’s eyes. “Gods, I love you. You know that?”
“I do.” I stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. “But we’d better get back to work. I have a friend to check on, and you have a . . .” Massacre to deal with? Group cremation to organize? “Funeral to put together,” I finished lamely.
Erik nodded. “You’ll be all right with Ingrid?”
“My job’s easier than yours,” I said honestly. Comforting one person was one thing. Comforting the families of all the warriors we’d lost . . . I didn’t envy Erik one bit.
“Grief is never easy.” Erik pressed his lips to my forehead. “Give Ingrid my sympathies.”
“I will. When should I join you?”
“You’ll see the ships sail in. It will take us a bit after that to sort the bodies, and designate the archer to light the ships.”
“I’ll find you,” I promised. “And Erik?”
“Hmm?” He was already scanning the beach, no doubt mentally preparing for the arduous task at hand.
I rested my cheek against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart as I said, “Valkyris is lucky to have you.”
Erik brought his hand to the back of my head. He tugged gently at my braid, pulling my head back so he could murmur into my ear. “And I am lucky to have you.”
Then he raked my earlobe between his teeth, sending a pulse of hormones rocketing due south. I had a near uncontrollable urge to fling him over my shoulder and carry him back to the castle.
“Saga.” Erik pushed me gently away. “We’re in public.”
“Did you read my mind?”
“No. But if my mother sees where you’ve placed your hands—”
“What?” Heat flooded my cheeks as I looked down. Sure enough, my fingers were wedged just inside the waistline of Erik’s pants. “Oops. Sorry.”
“I’m not.” Erik chuckled. “But let’s make this a short betrothal.”
I had absolutely zero problem with that.
I withdrew my hands, mustered what little dignity I had left, and stepped away from the Viking. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Call for me if you need anything.” Erik raised a hand as I jogged toward the remains of the church. Since Axel’s dragon had just taken off, I imagined Ingrid would be in a world of pain. But I’d hold space for her while she worked through her grief. And together, we’d build a better future than the one she’d been born into.
It was the reason our friendship had been forged.
Chapter 21
THE REST OF THE night passed in a blur. In typical Ingrid fashion, my friend took her father’s sacrifice in her stride. She was grateful he’d had that long-overdue change of heart, and she didn’t appear to mourn the loss of what could have been. If anything, she seemed almost Zen-like about the entire relationship . . . though I had no doubt she’d be working through everything that had transpired between them for weeks, if not years, to come.
The mass funeral was every bit as overwhelming as I’d feared. Since only our warriors and healers had been present for the battle, we’d had to bring the remainder of our clansmen in from Valkyris. Tears streamed freely down my cheeks as I watched family members leap from the ships and run to shore, desperate for news. Those who’d lost loved ones crumbled in despair, while a lucky few clutched their relatives and shouted prayers of gratitude. Erik, Freia, Halvar and I walked through the throng, offering hugs, sympathy, and appreciation for the brave sacrifice of the fallen. When Erik relayed this was a ritual he’d done many times before, my heart broke for all the pain he’d witnessed in the past . . . and all the battles we’d endure together in the future.
When Katrin and Vidia arrived, they joined Helene in the triage unit and set about comforting the mourners. Although Katrin and Vidia were newcomers like me, they’d made plenty of friends, many of whom had lost people close to them. After they made their rounds, I told them what had happened with Ingrid’s dad. We went to look for her together, and when w
e found her on the periphery of the crowd, palms clasped tightly around the hilt of her sword, we gently guided her back into the fold. The girls stuck close to Ingrid’s side for the rest of the night, holding her hands and offering their silent support. I loved them all the more for it.
Axel was chosen to light the funeral pyres, and he shot flaming arrows at each of the ships as they were set to sea. Halvar offered a prayer that our clansmen’s souls receive a warm welcome in Valhalla. And though all of Valkyris stood on the shore, hearts heavy with grief, they wore an air of acceptance I hadn’t expected. Our people appeared to know, with absolute certainty, that their loved ones would be embraced by the gods. Having died defending the honor of our tribe, our fallen heroes would now join the ranks of Odin, Thor, Tyr, and the rest of the deities who watched over Valkyris. Their souls were part of a noble army—one who would continue the fight for a better way of life.
The Viking world was violent and dark. But in death, there would be peace and light.
It was nearly dawn when we returned to the island. Before we joined the Halvarssons in their suite, I pulled Erik aside. Seeing my friends together had triggered something in my mind—the seed of an idea that had grown over the past few months. It would require Erik’s approval, and his parents’ support, but it was something our world desperately needed.
And it was a gift Valkyris had the power to give.
“Erik.” I paused on the landing at the top of the castle’s grand staircase. “I need to ask you something.”
“Anything.” Exhaustion lined his eyes as he turned to give me his full attention. “What is it, min kjære?”
I slowed my steps as we walked down the hallway. “You said you wanted to take me on an expedition—to go and see the place where I used to live.”
“Ja.”
“Well, what if while we did that . . . we made a few more stops? To other places that might need our help?”
Erik frowned. “I don’t understand.”
I drew a deep breath. “The world’s not perfect—it had plenty of problems in my time, and it’s got different ones in yours. But our life here in Valkyris is so good. This island embodies the very best of absolutely everything I’ve ever seen in any era. And with everything that’s wrong in the world right now, I know we could make a difference if we took our lifestyle on a broader scale.”
“You want us to convert the world?” Erik’s brow quirked. “That’s a tall order.”
“I know it is. And I know we can’t affect change everywhere. But we can change one settlement at a time. Look at what happened when we went to the north. Sure, we didn’t bring everyone around—we certainly didn’t bring Ingrid’s dad around at first. But after he had time to think, he got to a good place. Once he saw the options—really, truly saw that he had a choice to do what was possible instead of what had always been done—he had a change of heart. We helped make that happen! And we could help make that happen on a much bigger scale if we were willing to take it on.”
Erik reached over and slid his hand through mine. “I think that’s a wonderful idea. And I’m guessing you’d be willing to head up the effort?”
“I’d co-head the effort,” I corrected. “What do you say, partner?”
Erik’s mouth turned up in a smile. “I say that sounds like a grand adventure. One I would be honored to share with you.”
“Good.” I leaned my head against his shoulder as we continued down the hall.
“Now we just have to convince my parents.”
Right.
Freia and Halvar were more than open to our idea. Now that we’d revealed ourselves to Norway, it wasn’t a huge jump to open our ideals on a larger scale. There were infinite details to iron out, and it would be some time before we were ready to actually set sail. But the plan was underway—we were going to change the world for the better. It was what we’d been brought together to do.
“I’m very proud of you, Saga,” Freia said. She’d perched atop one of the white chairs in the Halvarssons’ family quarters, a cup of her favorite tea in one hand, and a piece of lefse in the other. “You’ve taken on so much, so quickly, and you’ve come out all the better for it. You’re one of the strongest young women I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. I have no doubt that you’ll do everything you set out to accomplish.”
“Agreed.” Halvar raised a cup of something that smelled stronger than tea. “I was beginning to think our son would never meet his equal. But by the grace of the gods, he’s managed to find his better. Well done, Erik.”
Heat crept up my neck, and I tucked my knees to my chest. Erik’s arm stretched across the back of the sofa, and he pulled me to his side with an easy grin. “I did do well, didn’t I?”
Freia smiled kindly. “It would seem that your future is now yours to write.”
“How so?” I asked.
“I’m not sure if you’re aware, but the seers informed me of your prophesy.” Freia set her lefse on a plate.
The seers ratted out my fortune, but they didn’t think Birna and Brigga’s “align with an outsider” deal was important?
Prophets.
“I was supposed to destroy everything,” I whispered.
“And you did.” Freia spoke matter-of-factly. “You destroyed our staunchest opponent. And you destroyed the cloak of secrecy under which Valkyris was kept.”
My stomach clenched. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m not.” Freia shook her head. “That secrecy served us . . . for a time. But it also limited our potential, and kept us from serving our true purpose. We needed that secrecy to establish ourselves, and to create the world in which we wished to live. But once Valkyris could function as an autonomous settlement, we should have opened ourselves up—offered a place of refuge to everyone who needed one.”
“But you did,” I said. “Erik told me you sought out clans who might be open to this lifestyle and offered them the chance to join Valkyris.”
“We also slaughtered those who wouldn’t convert after we’d admitted what we truly were.” Erik shrugged. “We were afraid that if the world knew we were different, it would compromise our people’s safety.”
“We did a lot of things wrong—starting with making decisions out of fear instead of love,” Halvar explained. “But we’re finally in a place where we can set them right.”
“Thank the gods.” Freia looked to the ceiling.
I smiled. “We’ll get started on a dissemination plan right away. I know Katrin will be really excited to draft it. And Ingrid and Vidia will be so happy we’re giving more people the chance to live like we do.”
“But there’s something else we need to discuss, first.” Erik rubbed his thumb lightly along my shoulder. He looked at me with the half-smile that made my heart do flips. “Saga has agreed to marry me.”
We were just going to drop it on them, then.
“Is this true?” Halvar’s eyes crinkled with his smile. He glanced at Freia, whose grin stretched clear across her face.
“Are you to be our daughter?” she asked.
Their joy filled my heart with so much happiness, it felt as if it might burst.
“I am.” I glanced up at Erik, whose grin was even bigger than his mother’s. My heart swelled past its breaking point as I looked at the man who simultaneously frustrated and fulfilled me in ways I’d never dreamed possible.
“Oh, Saga!” Freia set her tea on the table and closed the distance between us. She threw her arms around Erik and me, her shoulders shaking as she held us close. When she pulled back, tears lined her cheeks. “I cannot tell you how happy this makes me. Makes us!”
“But Saga, are you sure?” Halvar’s eyes twinkled. “Erik can be quite a handful.”
“So I’ve heard.” I laughed as Halvar stood, and embraced me in a warm hug.
“Nothing could make me happier,” he said as he released me. “Congratulations to you both.”
“We’ll need to plan the ceremony.” Freia pressed her hands together. “I presu
me you’ll want to hold it before you undertake any more travel. And I suppose you’ll want to sleep, what with the battle lasting through the night and all, but is tomorrow too soon? All right, next week?” she amended when Halvar raised his brow. “Oh, Saga. I’m just so happy you’re going to be our daughter.”
My throat tightened. The Halvarssons had welcomed me from the moment we’d met, but their willingness to accept me like this—to truly make me a part of their family . . . it filled a portion of the hole in my heart that I’d thought would remain empty forever.
I wish my family could see this.
Golden light flashed across the room. A shimmering iridescence cloaked the air, and Erik and I both leapt to our feet. Since I’d checked my blades at the door, I dropped into a fighting stance, ready to drop kick whatever assailant had somehow made his way into the Halvarssons’ living room.
“At ease, both of you.” Halvar’s tenor made me jump. “That is magic—ja?”
“Correct,” Freia confirmed. She crossed to a now-glowing cabinet and opened its door. The sudden burst of light made me raise my arms to my eyes.
“It will ebb in a moment,” Halvar assured. “It just hasn’t been functional in . . .”
“Many, many months,” Freia said.
“What hasn’t been functional?” I dropped my fists and craned my neck to see what Freia was pulling from the cabinet. “What is that?”
“That, sweet girl, is my dagger.”
My body went numb. “The dagger that brought me here? It’s . . . it’s working again?”
“It would appear so.” Freia turned around. The blade still shimmered in her hands, but it had dimmed considerably. It now hummed with a golden glow, almost as if it were nestled inside of a cocoon.
I looked over at Erik, whose stiff torso and slack jaw let me know he was every bit as unnerved by this development as I was. “What does this mean?” he asked.
Freia looked to Halvar, worry lining her normally clear eyes.
Oh, God.
“It means,” Halvar said carefully, “that the dagger’s magic has returned.”