Page 8 of A Shield Maiden's Earl
“I miss her,” Tove murmured. “Just as I will miss you.”
“And I you, sister.” I looked her way. “But I will always be with you, just as Astrid will always be with us. Just as your bear is with you, my wolf is with me, and her huskies with her. Our protectors, all.”
She smiled at the reminder of the litter of wolf-like dogs Astrid had found at the Russian border before heading southyears ago. The natives had called themhuskies, and Astrid continued calling them that when they took to her and traveled with us when we relocated.
Enjoying ourselves, Tove and I talked for hours, just as we had in the past. She even laughed for the first time in years, and so did I, warmed by a camaraderie I’d thought lost to us. Though she might have embraced me yesterday, I had started to wonder if the strong bond we once shared still existed. Yet it seemed it did as we retold stories of our youth, careful to avoid talking about our future, for it would only ever pull us apart.
“He cares for you,” Tove eventually murmured, her tongue loosened by the ale. She gazed into the flames. “He always has.”
“Who?” I wondered.
“You know who.” And I did, though I was reluctant to admit it. She met my eyes. “Since we were children, he saw you, but you did not see him. Now you do, though. Now—”
She was about to say more, but a rap came at the door, and she was summoned away. Not before she embraced me one last time and looked at me with the wisdom of a big sister. “Stand strong, as you always have, Freya, and never hesitate to follow the path laid for you.” She squeezed my shoulder, and rare emotion flickered in her gaze. “Follow your shield-maiden spirit, whether your shield is in hand or not.” She pressed her hand to my heart. “For it is forever right here, warrior.”
Before I could respond, she was gone into the night, with fog curling around her. As I stood in the doorway, I caught the eyes of Soren’s wolf staring back as though he had been there all along, perhaps watching over me, before he faded into the fog as well.
That night, I dreamt only of the sea and a man with his wolf. Of saying goodbye to all I knew and setting out on a new journey. A dream that would, like many of them, soon come to pass…andlittle did I know just how turbulent that journey would end up being.
Chapter Four
Soren
Though I sleptlittle that night after Freya left Bjorn’s great lodge with her sister to prepare for leaving today, when I managed to rest, I dreamt only of Freya, hardly believing the day had finally come that she would go home with me.
That she would soon become my wife.
I dreamt of her finally smiling at me like she had when we were children. Of her wrapped in my arms as she was now, our limbs tangled when I pressed deep inside her. I would hear her soft moans of pleasure time and time again, because I would make it good for her every time. Ensure she only felt bliss when I made her mine as often as she allowed it. Not only because I longed to see her belly swell with our children, but also because I wanted her to find happiness in my arms.
Eager to set out, I rose early and made my way alongside my wolf down to the shore before my men rose, somehow not surprised to find Freya standing at the end of one of the piers gazing out at the distant storm. She had wrapped her hair in intricate braids for travel, and her white-fur bear cloak billowed around her.
Glad to find her here so that we might share this time alone, I joined her. “I see you still rise early.”
“Ja.” She glanced from me back to the black-bellied clouds flickering with lightning. “It seems you still do as well.”
I could not help a small smile that she recalled more of our time together than she’d admitted to yesterday. “So youdoremember our time together as children.”
She arched a delicate eyebrow at me. “Was that not clear last night when we spoke of sweets and pigs?”
“’Twas clear you remembered your version of events,” I reminded, amused. “’Tis good you recall some things more clearly, as I enjoyed our morns together.”
“I said I recalled you were an early riser,” she countered. “Not that I remembered time spent together during those mornings.”
“Somehow I don’t believe you,” I said softly, noting the way her cheeks had taken on a rosy hue. It was windy, but something told me her blush had nothing to do with the elements. “And I cannot help but wonder why you’re so determined to make me think you forgot.” I cocked my head. “Unless, that is, you fear I might take that for returned affection all those years ago. That perhaps you might not be as opposed to our upcoming nuptials as you have led me to believe.”
“I never said I took issue with marrying you, Soren.” She cut me a sharp look. “I took issue with you agreeing to take my prized weapons.” Her gaze returned to the sea. “That aside, I’m thankful you found a way to distract Father and Knud last night so that Tove and I had time alone together.” Emotion churned in her steady amber gaze. “’Twas truly appreciated.”
“No need to thank me,” I murmured, eyeing her lovely profile, thinking back on days of old. “I remember how close you once were with your sisters, so ’twas the least I could do for accepting your dagger and shield.”
“And what of your wolf?” Her gaze slid to Sten, who sat by my side, taking in the scent of the sea. “Did you somehow order him to follow me last night as well?”
“Order Sten?” I chuckled. “He’s wild, Freya. I could not order him to do anything. He does as he likes.”
“Yet you named him as if you tamed him.” She looked from Sten to me. “And he follows you. Protects you.” Her brow furrowed. “He does this without any commands?”
“He does,” I confirmed. “Since he was a pup, so ’tis good, if not telling, that he watched over you as well.”
She hesitated, as if weighing whether to ask before relenting. “Telling how?”
