In Touch With Your Feminine Side

Part 8

Mala wanted to scream, set the whole ship on fire, or possibly both. Her, Heather, and a large group of soldiers had boarded Suda's main ship and snuck down to the cell, only to find that Dagur had been taken by Suda. Brune explained what had happened while favoring a bruise on her cheek, and Mala opened the cell doors to free the women again, sick to her stomach at the thought of what Suda could be doing to her husband.

Mala stated, "Take the women off of this ship and back to the islands- the dragon riders will meet you there." With a wave of her hand, the guards were gone, only Heather remaining by Mala's side. "Let's go find my husband." She started down the hall towards the main quarters, but Heather put a gentle hand on her arm. "Mala- we need to be prepared for what we might find." She had tears in her eyes, but Mala shook her off, refusing to believe what she knew was true. "No, I can't think about that. I have to tell myself he's fine, or I fear that I won't be able to open the door."

A shrill scream echoed down the corridor and Mala's blood ran cold. She and Heather ran down to Suda's chambers, starting to kick in the door as the screams continued. The door broke open after several hard kicks and shoves, only to reveal that it wasn't Dagur screaming.

The berserker chief was perched on Suda's stomach, punching him in the face over and over again, face twisted in rage. He froze when Mala touched his shoulder, and by that point Suda had gone limp, features obscured by blood. Dagur climbed to his feet and hugged his wife, and she could feel him shivering with adrenaline. Heather noticed that his shirt and pants were ripped, pale skin littered with purple bruises.

"Did he..." Mala couldn't bring herself to say it, but Dagur understood and shook his head. "No. he tried, but you can see how that ended for him." He laughed shakily and kissed Mala, thankful to finally be with her again.

Suda groaned on the floor and Heather kicked him in the ribs. The viking squinted up at her, then frowned at Mala and Dagur. "Kari? You... Mala?" Dagur grinned, shaking his head. Suda's eyes widened as he figured it out. "Dagur the deranged! I had you in my grasp..." Dagur nodded, seizing a Dagur from Mala's belt. "Yep! And you never will again." The blade sunk into Suda's chest and he closed his eyes with a choked gasp.