Mist & Moonlight

Chapter 26 | In the Heat of the Moment

Freydis stirred awake, her hand instinctively reaching for Erik, only to find his side of the bed cold and empty. A knot formed in her stomach as unease crept over her. She sat up slowly, then pulled her cloak up from the nearby chair, and wrapped it tight around her shoulders. Her eyes drifted toward the window.

From the distance, the glow of the drink hall flickered under the night sky, accompanied by faint sounds of laughter. Something gnawed at her—an unshakable feeling.

Freydis slipped out of bed, her bare feet moving silently over the cold stone. She exited Erik's hut then made her way toward the hall, heart pounding with every step. When she reached the door, she cracked it open slightly and peered inside.

There he was—sitting with Leif, a mug of ale in hand. But what caught her eye was the woman leaning into him, her hand resting on his arm, her body too close for comfort. Freydis's breath hitched as she watched. She saw Erik shift uncomfortably and push the woman away, but the sight still pierced through her heart.

The knot in her stomach tightened. She turned away without a word, retreating into the night, her insecurities swirling in her mind. He pushed her away... but only because I was there. If I hadn't shown up, would it have been different? The thought gnawed at her as she made her way back to bed, where she lay awake, her mind a storm of doubts.

It wasn't long before she heard the soft creak of the door. Erik entered quietly, setting down his sword and pulling off his boots. He slipped into bed beside her, thinking she was asleep—until her voice cut through the silence.

"Where were you?"

Erik froze, caught off guard by the sharpness in her voice. "At the drink hall," he said carefully. "With Leif."

"And her?" Freydis's voice was low, edged with pain.

Erik let out a slow breath. "She was just some tavern girl, Freydis. I told her to leave."

"Did you?" she snapped, sitting up. "Or did you push her away because you saw me?"

Erik's patience frayed, his voice rising slightly. "I pushed her away the moment she touched me. I didn't see you come into the drink hall. If you don't believe me, ask Leif."

Freydis's hands trembled as her anger boiled over. "You think that makes it better? Do you know what it feels like to wake up alone, pregnant with your child, and find you with another woman all over you? Do you know what that does to me?"

Erik sat up, frustration simmering. "I can't believe you're jealous over a prostitute I didn't even touch." His jaw tightened as the words came out. "I had to go months knowing you were being touched by Arlick while my child grew inside of you."

Freydis's breath caught, and her heart twisted painfully at his words. She stared at him, her eyes narrowing with fury. "How dare you say that to me," she whispered, her voice trembling with rage. "I had to survive his touch—every time, it repulsed every inch of my being. Don't you ever throw that in my face again."

Erik's face fell as the weight of his words hit him. "Freydis, I—"

"No," she snapped, cutting him off. "Do you think I wanted any of it?"

Erik exhaled, the frustration draining from his face, replaced by guilt. "I didn't mean it like that, Freydis. I... I was angry. I've been angry ever since he hurt you."

Freydis's shoulders slumped, her fury giving way to exhaustion. "You're not the only one carrying anger, Erik. But that doesn't mean you get to use it against me."

Erik reached for her hand, his grip gentle but firm. "I'm sorry. I never should've said that."

Freydis looked at him, her anger cooling into something softer but still raw. "I don't want to feel like this, Erik. I just... I feel like I've lost so much of myself, and I was terrified that I'd lost you too."

Erik squeezed her hand. "You haven't lost me, Freydis. I've always been here. I just wanted to give you space—space to decide if marrying me is what you really want, without the pressure."

Freydis blinked, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. "You gave me space... because of that?"

"Yes," Erik whispered. "After everything with Arlick, I didn't want you to feel trapped again. I wanted you to choose this—choose us—because it's what you want. Not because of your father- not because of the baby, but because it is what you want."

Freydis exhaled slowly, the tension in her body easing. "I thought you didn't want me anymore. And when I saw you with that woman-"

Erik cupped her face, brushing away the tear that slipped down her cheek. "I've always wanted you. Every part of you. I just didn't want you to feel rushed."

Freydis looked at him, her heart lighter but still uncertain. "What if I make the wrong choice again?"

Erik smiled softly, his gaze steady. "If it's with me, it won't be the wrong choice."

A silence fell between them, not heavy but filled with something new—understanding.

"Do you really want to marry me, Freydis?" Erik asked, his voice low, almost hesitant.

She thought about it for a moment. She ignored her father's expectation and the fact that very soon she would be bringing a child into this world. She ignored the pain of her mistakes with Jarl Arlick.

Underneath it all she realized her love with Erik outweighed everything else.

Yes," Freydis whispered, her voice steady.

Erik searched her face, a hopeful smile tugging at his lips. "We're really doing this?"

Freydis nodded, her hand slipping into his. "I guess we are."

Erik pulled her close, their foreheads resting together.
Freydis let herself relax in his arms, the weight of her fears lifting. They lay back down together, their hands resting over her growing belly.