‘Yes, your mother was keen to pick the site and watch over the construction of your house,’ said Thorin, and then he chuckled. ‘She had lots of...opinions.’
Embla laughed; as her heart filled with bittersweet joy. ‘She will be thrilled that I have my own home. It was what she always wanted for me.’
‘Maybe she could come and live with you?’ asked Gertrud quietly, and Embla’s heart skipped at the thought.
‘I will ask her. She might consider it.’ Embla had spoken at length to her mother last night about her life back in Bergen. It seemed her father had grown disinterested in her over the years, and part of Embla wished Asa would finally cut her ties with him. The house gave her hope. ‘Thank you.’
Thorin nodded. ‘The house is our gift to you. You may live in it with your mother, marry, have children—whatever you wish. It will always be yours...even if you choose not to live in it.’
Embla’s brow wrinkled with confusion at his last words. ‘What do you mean?’
Thorin and Gertrud exchanged a knowing look, and then Gertrud said, ‘Thorin wanted to be sure I was comfortable with his presence before speaking with you.’
Embla’s heart began to pound like a drum. ‘His presence? Do you mean Runar? But he left...’
‘This morning he returned, and built his camp just outside of the gate.’
Panic raced through her and her eyes searched Thorin’s face for answers. ‘Is he allowed to do that?’
Thorin’s blue eyes pierced hers. ‘It has been ten years. I have three sons, and a beautiful wife...what do I care for something that happened ten years ago? Besides, I have already forgiven Runar for his stupidity. People make mistakes when they are lonely.’
She heard Gertrud’s relieved exhale, but Embla could not break the hold of Thorin’s perceptive gaze.
‘Embla, it is up to you,’ he continued firmly. ‘If you want Runar to leave, then I will tell him to go. Here, you have independence and freedom. You are loved and cherished, and you willalwayshave a home with us. But it is your life, and only you can decide on your future.’
Embla nodded. ‘I know what I want.’
Chapter Twenty-Three
No one told him to leave that day, so he remained where he was. Runar had set traps that morning, and had caught a hare for his evening meal. But, as usual when he cooked, it was badly done, and he hated how much it reminded him of his life before Embla—when life and food had no flavour.
But he refused to move, still clinging to the hope that Embla would return to him.
Would she even know he was here?
He pushed the worry aside.Word would reach her eventually. That was the way with settlements; whispers reached all ears.
At nightfall, he moved inside the tent. Even though it was spring the air was still sharp, and he was tired from all the walking and building.
But as he wrapped himself in his furs, he heard a strangled wheeze followed by a choked cough outside of hislavvu. It sounded as if someone had tried to whistle...badly.
‘Embla?’ he called out, hope adding a rough layer of desperation to his voice.
‘May I come in?’
He leaped to his feet as soon as he recognised Embla’s voice, and then glanced helplessly around at the messylavvu. Still, it was better than talking outside in the cold night air. He smoothed back his hair and ran his fingers through his beard, wishing he had washed himself properly that morning.
Opening the tent flap, he gestured for her to come in, surprised to see that Gertrud was with her.
Embla gave him a bright smile. ‘You decided to wait for me?’
‘I cannot wait with you inside the walls, but I will stay as close as I can.’
‘I wish you had told me that before you left.’
‘I needed to get my supplies,’ he said, but he knew what she meant, and with a sigh he admitted, ‘and I hoped you would change your mind. Sorry.’
Her eyes softened, and a heavy silence full of longing passed between them. Gertrud shifted awkwardly beside her and with a rosy blush Embla said, ‘Gertrud wishes to speak with you. I will wait at the gate.’
