Page 20 of A Shield Maiden's Earl
After that, we spoke of other things, yet all the while I remained aware of Freya by my side. The sound of her breathing and the faint, sweet scent of her hair. Every so often, I would lean closer to share one thing or another just so our shoulders touched. Other times, I brushed aside an escaped lock of fiery hair from her cheek so that I could hear the faint hitch of her breath or feel the softness of her cheek or neck.
Once we’d finished eating, Brynhild wished us well and went about her business, but not before giving me a small nod of encouragement, assuring me that I need not worry about showing Freya her boat. Yet even as I leaned close once more and told her I had one more thing I would like to give her for our wedding, I feared that crack and what it might represent.
“We will spend time among your new people after I show you,” I assured her. “But first this, as ’tis something that will be all yours always. Something I hope makes you realize how much this tribe appreciates you and gives you a sense of freedom whenever you desire it, as you will always be free when with me, wife. Always Freya Helvig before Freya Dahl.”
I could tell she appreciated that, and as it turned out, when I led her back to the shore, she appreciated my gift even more.
Or so was the case at first.
Chapter Nine
Freya
Although I wasnervous the night before that Soren might break his word and lie with me after all, he did not. Instead, he didn’t come to bed straight away but drank another ale, and while I tried to remain awake and on guard despite pretending to sleep, I dozed off anyway, only to stir awake hours later.
At first, I remained perfectly still, getting my bearings, only to discover Soren sleeping soundly beside me. The furs covered him from the waist down, leaving the rest of his nude form exposed, and it was as impressive as I had suspected it would be. I could still hardly believe the scrawny boy from my youth had become so well-formed, yet he had. From his broad shoulders and muscular arms to the hard ridges of his torso, he was well worth admiring. I took in the various tattoos inked into his skin, recognizing many runic symbols within them, glad he still practiced the old ways.
Where I thought I wouldn’t be able to fall back asleep, given he was so close without clothing, I felt surprisingly at ease and must have drifted off again, because when I stirred awake, he was gone, and the sun had crested the horizon. It was hard to recall the last time I didn’t wake before the sun, yet here I was in Soren’s bed doing so. If that were not enough, I felt a nugget of disappointment that he wasn’t still here when I thought I would feel relief.
Rather, that feeling came once I dressed and locked eyes with him at the shore. And it only intensified when he smiled and closed the distance. Now, having enjoyed our morning meal together, he claimed he had something else he wanted to gift me with before visiting with his people, and led me back to the shore.
“This way.” He took my hand and brought me down one of the piers, stopping in front of an impressive, well-made boat with a bear and wolf carved side by side into the bow. “I had this built for you, my new wife. ’Tis your own boat, so that you might sail when you wish, whether with me or not.”
Stunned, it took me a moment to find my voice. “Truly?” I looked from him back to the boat. “’Tis mine?”
“’Tis.” He climbed down into it, urging me to follow, and looked at me with an expectant smile. “What do you think?”
“I think you have very talented boat builders.” I returned his smile and joined him. “With an equally talented aunt overseeing everything.”
“She built a great deal of this one herself, or should I say everything she could handle at her age,” he divulged. “’Twas important to us both that you liked it.”
“And I do,” I exclaimed, more than touched. Running my hands along the side, I was impressed by its smooth edges and attention to detail. “I cannot express how thankful I am, Soren.” After taking in the expert craftsmanship of the hull for another moment, I looked at him, truly humbled by such a gesture. The sheer lengths he had gone to see me content in my new home. “This makes me happier than you know.”
“’Tis very good to hear,” he returned, his eyes a vivid bluish gray backdropped by the water.
Our eyes lingered on each other for a moment before I continued taking in the boat, especially drawn to the carving at the front because it matched the hilt of my new blade. Not justthat, but I liked more by the moment, the depiction of the bear and wolf shoulder to shoulder, standing strong together, just as I sensed Soren and I would.
“Let’s take her out,” Soren suggested. I couldn’t help but to agree. Before long, we were setting sail. Cool winds filled our sails and warm sunshine caressed our faces. The simmering sensual feelings Soren inspired were even more evident between us whenever he stepped close to show me one thing or another, or when our eyes met. I knew it was a moment I would cherish forever because here, on the waves with the scent of salt in my nostrils and the seawind in my hair, our friendship flourished once more. I found myself laughing more than I had in a very long time. I felt at home.
Pleased by how the boat moved on the waves, I made my way to the front and admired the details in the carving, only for the pendant to warm against my chest. Compelled, my gaze drifted down and locked on a small crack. Struggling to breathe, I ran my finger along it, startled when such intense heartache, worry, and fear surged through me that tears sprang to my eyes.
“’Twill not get any larger, nor will it affect the boat’s performance,” Soren appeared at my side to assure me, looking at me with a mix of confusion and worry. “I promise you that.”
“Yet it will get larger in another way,” I whispered, my voice hoarse with emotion despite how much I wished it otherwise, given it was my gift of prophecy at work. “Because it represents us and a great divide ahead. A rift. Distance growing betwixt us…” When I trailed off and looked at him because it felt like there was more to this, his troubled expression confirmed my worry. “What is it, Soren? What do you know about this crack?”
“I know a similar one formed on your parents’ ship the last time you were here,” he revealed, sighing. “Shortly before you crossed over to the land of the dead, taking you away from me, however briefly.”
Swallowing back another sharp surge of emotions at the implication, I rested my hand on his arm, trying to lend him comfort. Both of us comfort, if I were to be honest.
“And ’tis that you must focus on,” I said softly. “That ’twas not a permanent separation betwixt us, for am I not alive and returned? Am I not your wife now?”
“You are,” he said just as softly, resting his hand over mine and gazing into my eyes. “And if ever you try to go to the land of the dead again before your time, I will do everything in my power to pull you back once more.”
Captured by his steady blue-gray gaze, I saw the truth of it in his eyes. He would chase me into the afterlife and mayhap even into the great halls of Valhalla if I traveled there too soon, despite it being a warrior’s honor.
“Let us hope, then, it doesn’t come to that,” I managed, pulling away when his gaze dropped to my lips, and I sensed he longed to kiss me.
While I could admit I liked it a great deal the first time, I strongly suspected it would lead to more, and I still needed time. More of a chance to push past this terrible anxiety and trepidation my attacker had left me with, despite knowing Soren would not hurt me. He had proven it last night when he left me untouched.
