Page 9 of A Shield Maiden's Earl
“Telling because he’s never looked after another until you,” I revealed, my gaze lingering on her face because it felt impossible to look away. Impossible to see anything but her. “So I would say he finds you as worthy of protection as he does me.” I brushed the pad of my thumb over her soft cheek before I could stop myself, pleased when she didn’t pull away. “’Tis no small thing to earn that level of devotion from any wolf, let alone Sten, as his is an alpha’s nature.” I pulled my hand away but kept my gaze with hers. “But then you have always been of the wolf despite being born to a bear, have you not, Freya Helvig?”
“I have.” Her voice sounded a bit breathless. “And well you know it, Soren Dahl.”
“Ja.” My gaze dropped to the blue runic stone hanging around her neck. “I remember well the tale you spun of how you came into your stone and the gray wolf that watched over you afterward.” I looked into her eyes again. “I thought it whimsical then, surely a story spun to gain my attention, for ’twas too unbelievable, but now I wonder. Was the wolf pup leading you to me somehow? Am I your destiny, as you claimed the stone would someday show you?”
Her pupils flared, and her gaze remained locked with mine before she looked to the sea and distant storm again. “You are the direction of the stone.”
She was about to say more, but hesitated when we heard footfalls behind us and several of my men moved by, headed toward my ships, getting ready to prepare for travel.
“We should help them,” Freya said when I knew she meant to say something else. Her eyes were lit with the first real flicker of excitement I had seen since coming together the day before. “I would like to help them. See your impressive boats firsthand and get a feel for them, as the way will be choppy at the very least.”
“’Twill.” Taking in the sky, I gauged the moody storm churning in the distance. “We will ride the coast down to my stronghold, but that storm will very likely move inland, so ’twill be rough on the water.”
“Yet you don’t want to remain here and let it pass,” she noted, the sense of anticipation in her eyes warring with her nostalgia at leaving.
As always, Freya enjoyed the sea, no matter how rough. The danger and excitement it could offer. Though I had only ever been on a boat a few times with her in our youth, I saw clearly how sailing freed her spirit. And the rougher the seas, the freer she’d felt.
“No, I don’t want to linger here a moment longer,” I conceded. “I want to see you upon the seas once more, as it seems the gods intend to give you the kind of weather you most enjoy.” I kept my gaze on her face a moment longer. “And whilst I know you love your people and the wilds of this isle, I would see you flourish beyond its shores as the friend I have long missed and my wife by nightfall, given preparations have already been made for your arrival.” I nodded once to her. “So I will see you aboard soon, as my ships will soon be yours, Freya. My warriors, your warriors.”
It was more than most men would give women these days, but I, though still young, had an older mindset and wanted her by my side, as she always should have been. Strong if not fierce. A true shield-maiden sent by the gods because I’d long thought she was, and loathed seeing her as anything else. I wouldhave her know it, too. Mayhap not here with her father’s eyes watching her every move, but someday. Someday soon.
So, I strode back down the dock to help my men, pleased when she fell in beside me, given I had long considered it her rightful place. Not only as the woman I desired above all others, but a steadfast companion who could fight as well as any man, or so I’d heard and did not doubt.
We said little to each other after I introduced her once more to those already preparing to travel, but then words were unnecessary. She took matters into her own hands and went from ship to ship, learning each one. Either with a question here or there to those aboard or by touching the wood and looking over the lines of each vessel with a keen eye. Yet always, I saw her glancing at the sea and weather, gauging as I was, the best course as it would prove tricky today.
Eventually, Tove, Knud, and Bjorn made their way down, along with several of Bjorn’s men bearing gifts to honor our union. A wary look simmered on Bjorn’s face that didn’t surprise me or Freya, it seemed, as we met him on the pier.
“’Twill be dangerous weather for traveling.” Bjorn frowned at the rumbling black clouds in the distance before turning his scowl my way. “You should stay another night and enjoy our hospitality. We have ample food and shelter.”
“If we leave now, we will be fine,” I assured, hoping I was right, yet my desperation to leave these shores with Freya outweighed all.
“Ja.” Freya sounded just as eager, yet I feared not for the same reasons. “And few sail as well as I, nor know the weather like I do, so I can say, without doubt, Soren is right.”
When Bjorn frowned and shook his head, displeased, Tove spoke, clearly surprising Freya. “They are right, Father.” She looked up and considered the skies. “If they leave now, all willbe well, and they will soon be married, tying the wolf and bear together by nightfall.”
If that were not surprising enough, when Bjorn’s brow furrowed in doubt and he kept shaking his head, his man, Knud, spoke, albeit gruffly, after Tove shot him a look I couldn’t quite decipher. “Tove speaks the truth, chieftain. There is time if they catch the wind and move swiftly.” His gaze swept over my boats. “These are fine ships that will cut through waves well manned by admirable sailors.” He nodded once at me. “By an admirable chieftain.”
“And an admirable Helvig,” I added, looking from Freya to Bjorn. “If rumor holds true, few fare as well as your daughter on the sea.”
Where I thought perhaps Freya would remain quiet because she’d clearly tested her limits with her father the day before, she did not, and once again, it worked in my favor.
“’Tis true, Father.” Freya pulled her shoulders back and looked Bjorn in the eyes. “None fares as well as I on the seas, no matter how turbulent, and well you know it. So trust in this journey, for if I don’t aid us in safe travels, the gods surely will.” Fingering the stone around her neck, she gestured at the land. “And if it becomes unsafe, know that my mother and your beloved wife, as she always has from the afterlife, will lead us to ground where we’ll wait out the storm.”
Seeming affected by those words above all, Bjorn’s gaze lingered on her stone before he looked Freya in the eyes again. “Ja?”
“Ja,” Freya assured, saying no more as they gazed at one another for a long moment before, thankfully, Bjorn nodded once.
“Then you best set sail soon,” Bjorn said, his voice rough with emotion as he looked at his daughter before turning hisattention my way. “I won’t weigh your boats down much this day, as you must travel swiftly, but more is coming soon to bless you and Freya’s union. Today, bear furs to warm your tribe and the two of you on your wedding night, and several freshly forged blades, may they protect you and yours always.”
“As will our wolf furs until we can send more goods,” I vowed, referring to the trunks of furs unloaded the previous evening. “May they keep you as strong and stealthy as the wolf in battle.”
After that, we set to making final preparations and said our goodbyes within the hour. Although Bjorn did not embrace Freya, I didn’t miss the emotion in his gaze when he told her to fare well and bear many strong sons. Her sister didn’t embrace her either, yet she did press something into her hand and exchanged the fondest look I had seen on Tove’s face thus far.
By the time we set out, the storm was closer and the seas rougher, much to Freya’s delight. Or so it seemed, given that the sadness on her face while watching her sister and village fade into the distance was soon replaced with anticipation as she set to helping us navigate.
“It sails well,” she praised at one point, looking over my ship with appreciation as it sliced through the choppy water. “You must have a fine boat builder.”
“Brynhild is,” I agreed.
