What's Next?

Bjorn

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Drama, Action, 

(Will contain graphic scenes with, gore, possible sex scenes)

Astra, daughter of Chieftain Tadgh, is born to a mortal woman, kept secret from Tadgh until he makes his voyages a year later, stumbling upon the same woman in the hopes of a warm bed when he discovers his bairn. Astra is the bairn of a strong berserker, given the gift of sight and powers of her father's people, unbeknown to her. Seeing something that frightens her, she turns to her Amma, only to be shunned, persuaded to leave to journey from the safety of the village.

Bjorn, Chieftain and Jarl of his own clan, he persuaded into meeting Astra, hoping to be her mate, a union between clans and a peace treaty. He finds his destined mate amongst the horrors of her vision. Her peril calls out to his beast, creating a deep urge within him to protect the small and vulnerable woman he's known for mere moments.

Excerpt:

Entering the small run down home, I listen to the wails of a móðer, losing her humanity. "Please, no that's my baby. You can't take her, she's not ready." The woman sobs, releasing sounds of pure anguish. Being taken to bed by a Berserker always sounds like an honor for a mortal until they become pregnant.

"Don't make this harder, you've been granted a year. It's time Melanie." A stoic voice reminds the woman, interrupting her hysteria. Pausing in the doorway, becoming amused by the scene that unfolds before me. A young woman with a copper mane, tangled in a mass of coils, haphazardly tied back. Her pale chalky skin dusted with a scant layer of copper freckles over her cheeks. Kneeling on the floor, her white barely translucent chemise bunched around her.

Hands clasped around Tadgh's sturdy legs, she shakes her head emphatically, tears streaming down her face. "You can't take her, please that's my baby. Don't do this." Her tormented cries reverberated off the walls, shaking the windows of the small home.

"Melanie, act your age. I warned you the night I took you to bed, if you were blessed with a child, you'd only be a móðer for a year. Be happy you were blessed with that." The flat and dead voice takes control of the home, Tadgh looks down to the squirming bairn in his arms. Through narrowed eyes, he stares at the baby girl. Her soft copper curls sparsely dot her head, a small chubby hand reaches out. Beckoning, calling out to the faðer in him. Tadgh lifts his free hand extending one large-knuckled finger, watching in awe as the child grasps the appendage.

Bold brown eyes gaze steadily at the child, watching her hand grip the calloused digit. "Da-Da." The two syllables slip past the bairn's lips in a soft silvery voice, new to the world, fresh to her faðer's ears.

"Bonnie." Tadgh whispers out gruffly, staring at the child, I watch as she kicks her legs out with an exuberant giggle. "Ulf, take her." Nodding I push from the door frame, walking towards him. Listening as Melanie lets out another wail, pulling at Tadgh's arms in a futile attempt to get the bairn away from him.

"No! You can't take Celia, she's my baby. Please Tadgh, I'll leave, you'll never be bothered by me again, let me keep her." She sobs, tugging on his weapon belt, trying to shake him. Tadgh passes me Celia, stepping away from Melanie's grasping hands.

"Melanie, enough." Tadgh lets out an animalistic growl, silencing the grief-stricken woman. "You ignored my warning, took no heed to my words, accept your punishment in silence now." A soft tugging on my beard has me casting my eyes downwards, gunmetal blue doe-eyes greet me. Soft chubby rosy cheeks painted with a spattering of freckles, crossing her small upturned nose. Full lips complete her delicate doll-like face, the innocence that graces her features.

"Ahhh!" The pure melodic sound being followed by a fit of giggles, her hands tossing my beard aimlessly.

"Ulf, wait outside for me." Giving one firm nod to Tadgh, I turn listening to the fading wails of the móðer as I step outside of the home. Being greeted with the low fragrant salty sea air. Wheat colored grass tilts to the side, moving with the wind. The silver rays of the moon grace the open landscape.

"NOO Tadgh-" The shrill scream ended suddenly, a calm settled over the cliff, the once thriving home growing lifeless.

"Ahh." Adjusting Celia in my arms, my hand rubs her back hearing the startled, nervous cry.

"Da-da was taking care of issues Little Bit." I try to soften my gruff voice, I don't need to piss off Tadgh.

"Da-da!" Celia's chubby hands beat my chest, peering down, I'm greeted with her face scrunched, pinched in confusion. Heavy footsteps advance, making me turn towards the door. Tadgh, steps from the home, looking at me before his eyes drop towards Celia. The corner of his mouth turns upwards slightly. She turns her head looking at Tadgh, a happy grin contorts her features. "Ahhh, Da-da!" Reaching for her faðer, she waves her hands trying to get her way.

"She's bonnie." Tadgh grabs her, holding her to his side, cradling her awkwardly. He's not a natural with a bairn. Brushing what few curls Celia's head bolsters, she leans back, her face scrunched with a delighted smile.