2 book of the series
Irvina was always a religious woman. So far North, people believed more than down South. Every one of her decisions was first at least twice consulted with her Seeress. So when the lost raven-haired woman sailed to her shores, i...
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He looked over the boat. It took him almost all day to persuade Irvina to let him come. And the effort he put to it in bed made him spent. Her advisors were very much against it, and all of them were glaring at him even now. But, Halfdan was not a man who would let anyone walk over him, he glared right back. Besides, nothing would stop him from going with his woman.
She knew how to fight and definitely wasn't the worse at it, but Halfdan knew she wasn't that good either. He was here to protect here. Especially when she threw herself headfirst when blinded by rage into anything that was before her. He leaned onto the railing as he watched his woman paddling with her people. This time she was wearing a pink dress, sitting so proper he ached just from watching her.
"I came to apologize for punching you and kidnapping you." He didn't turn to look at the dark-haired woman. And even though he didn't turn to her, she still leaned next to him.
Scoffing, she continued, "Still, I find it weird that you found your way into Irvina's bed." He questioned that also. He was the first she was with, and that thrilling feeling almost made him grin. How did she always say it?
"It's Fate." Irvina believed whatever came out of Sigrún's mouth, and even he had to admit that the Volva was right half of the time. Ronja scoffed again.
"What if you come before your brother. Who will you choose to fight?!" He growled. That was why everyone questioned him so much. He understood why they were so unsure, but he fought with Bjorn against his brother, and Irvina meant ten times more.
He turned, "The same reason why you haven't fought against Ivar." Her eyes squinted. Then a smirk appeared on her lips.
"Alright" —then the smirk turned vicious—"try something, and I'll blood eagle you!" She didn't wait for his retort as she marched off. He couldn't help but roll his eyes as he looked back toward his brunette. This time she was not paddling instead talking and patting people on the back. He loved her as a Queen.
How could an amazing woman like her doubt if she deserved the position she fought for. The only one who fought for it. The frown disappeared from his face once her eyes met his. His eyes didn't stray as he watched her walk towards him. Was he ready to fight his brother for her?
"What are you thinking so deeply about?" He loved her voice. Desired to hear it when she was reaching her high calling out his name. Her lips pulled into a smile, and now he could see that it was real.
"You." She shook her head, a small smile still playing at her lips. He found himself stepping closer to her, intertwining their hands. And again, he could feel the looks as always when they got close. The stares made him angry. Didn't they have something better to do? Pulling her into his arms, he couldn't help but rest his chin on her head. He rubbed her back, trying to comfort her.
"Everything will be fine." His lips trailed over her ear, trying to reassure her. What if they faced his brother was he ready to kill him. Why shouldn't he when his brother attempted to kill him. Irvina grumbled into his chest before pushing him back. Her hands stayed at his chest, her fingers drawing symbols.
After defeating silence, she said, "Three more days and were at Sarpsborg. This is not my first war, but I am so nervous." He understood. She was going to face one of her biggest enemies. The man who took everything from her. And he didn't like the thought of her fighting against his brother even more.
"I'll protect you," he whispered. The small smile she gave him in return, lightened up the whole boat. The waves calmly moved the boat, and he realized one thing, the Gods would guard her. His eyes wandered to Sigrún, who was busy squinting her eyes on the water and touching the surface lightly.
Her voice brought his attention back to her, "What are you worried about?" Those eyes of her swirled with emotion. Was this one of the first times someone cared about his opinion or fears. His brother barely did, Harald had his dreams to worry about.
"What if something goes wrong. What if I won't be able to protect you!" She tried to reassure him with a soft smile, not that it worked much.
Patting his chest, she spoke, "You don't have to worry. I have many plans, and Sigrún has already seen how the battles will go." Battles? Now that he thought about it, she already told him that Bjorn's plan was going to fail. But how much loss will they suffer was definitely not in their conversation. How many men will die because of their cunning plan?
"Do the others know about your plans?" His question made her grimace, and he could see the frustration. So that was a no. Grimacing, his eyes searched over the boats sailing next to them. Was his friend, Bjorn, going to die? Or any other person that was sitting around him.
"Sometimes rulers have to make hard decisions, sometimes we have to decide who dies." The only thing he could do was close his eyes. "Don't worry" —her finger slid over his brows as she did her best to sound reassuring— "Sigrún assured, me that no one close to us will die, nor will the losses be big."
He shook his head. "Gods change their minds all the time," the scoff that he finished the sentence with dampened the mood around them even more. She looked so taken aback by his words that she took a step back.
"Then I guess we will all die." Everyone seemed to question Sigrún, and that made her seethe. She trusted her with her life. Besides, she could see only what the Gods allowed her to see, and she hated that people were forgetting it.
