Page 57 of Ulf's Destiny
To Ulf’s relief, Ylva didn’t balk at the use of the word “love,” even if there had never been any mention of that between them.
He exchanged a look with her. She had gone a lovely pink color and he chose not to mention quite yet that he was actually of Icelandic descent.
His parents chose this moment to come back to the hut.
“So, what have you concluded?” his father asked in Norse.
“The man is who he says he is. There is nothing to fear.”
“No. I swear I will never harm Ylva. She is my sister, the only person left in this world I love. But I thank you for looking after her properly.”
The two men stared at Oslac in stupefaction. Not only had he answered in their language, but his accent was faultless. But, of course, he’d been married to a Dane and had spent well over a decade in Denmark.
His father’s mouth stretched into a rare grin.
“Very well, then. I think it’s time for a drink.”
20
Ylva stayed long into the night talking to her brother.
Ulf had been generous enough to leave the hut to them for the night. It had surprised her to see him trust her to be alone with Oslac but before he’d left he’d rumbled something in Norse, probably some terrible threat should the man cause her any kind of upset.
After that, he’d gone to sleep in his parents’ hut, much to his young sisters’ delight.
As they sipped mead generously given to them by a neighbor called Eirik, Ylva told Oslac all about her captivity and the years of suffering. And once she had told him of her ordeal, it was easy to find the courage to reveal what Mildred had made her do to Ulf, because then it made sense. She trusted her brother would understand, at the very least, that she’d felt she had no choice.
“I didn’t see what else to do to save Judith, because there was no doubt Mildred would have acted on her threat,” she said on a breath. “But thankfully, Ulf and his family proved to be understanding and forgiving. Between them they solved everything. I don’t know what I would have done without them.”
“Yes, I’m thankful as well.” Oslac took her hand in his. “So you’re safe now?”
“Yes, we both are. Safe and free.”
“I can see that Ulf did not resent the fact that you tried to kill him for too long,” he said, nodding at her stomach.
Ylva felt herself turn red to the roots of her hair, remembering their fiery encounter the night their child had been conceived. Indeed Ulf had not let the fact that she could have killed him get in the way of his desire. Less than a week after the attack on his person, he had given her the best night of her life.
“Are the two of you married?”
“No.” Neither was she sure they would be, but that was a discussion for another day.
Her shoulders slumped in defeat. They hadn’t had time to talk about the future yet and she had no idea what it would hold for her. She was carrying Ulf’s child, admittedly, and he’d made it clear he wanted to be involved in the raising of it, but that didn’t mean he would actually marry her. Why would he? She had no money to offer, no connections, she still had many things to learn—and shehadonce tried to kill him, even if he’d understood her reasons and forgiven her. She hardly fit anyone’s idea of a perfect wife.
As if sensing the topic was a difficult one, Oslac took her by the arm.
“Come. It’s time to go to bed. You look exhausted.”
“Yes. I think I have every reason to be. It’s been a most eventful few days.”
Despite her fatigue, she fell asleep with a smile on her face.
Finally, after years of hardship, everything was falling into place and she had a family once more.
“So all is well, then?”
Ulf couldn’t help but smile at his father. “Yes. Ylva is ecstatic at being reunited with her brother.”
“I can well imagine. I’m glad. After the life she’s had, the poor girl was owed some good news.”
