I do miss him.
And I still love him deeply.
But he was never my forever.
But that doesn’t lessen the experiences we’ve shared. Or does it diminish the place he holds in my heart?
Ulf will never be tamed.
Because he was born to run free.
I know our paths will cross again.
But until then, I hold on to the memories of being loved by a man who didn’t give his heart away to any.
So for now, Skarth and I govern England, making it just and prosperous for all.
We are accepting and hope that through education and example, wars will be no more.
But if there are…I am ready.
“Our love has withstood the test of time,” Skarth says, snapping me from my thoughts.
I look at him, brow raised. “This sounds like a ‘breaking up with me’ talk.”
He laughs. “On the contrary.”
Before I know what’s happening, he gets onto one knee and opens a box. Inside is a simple gold ring with a blue stone. It’s beautiful.
“Marry me.”
I stare at the ring, then back at Skarth, speechless.
He takes my silence as a refusal.
“I understand you are an independent woman, and I would never take that away from you. But I love you and want you to be my wife.”
I still cannot talk.
“But only if you want.” He blows out a deep breath, his hair fanning off his gorgeous face as he quickly stands. “This was a stupid idea.”
He goes to close the box, but I jump up and place my hand over his. “Yes.”
“Yes? Yes, it’s a stupid idea. Or yes…yes?”
“Yes, yes,” I reply, unable to hide my smile.
A string of Norse leaves him before he picks me up and twirls me in the air. An elated chuckle bursts from me because I am so happy.
He places me on my feet and slides the ring onto my finger.
“A Saxon queen and a Viking king,” I say, eyes welling with tears because many years ago I asked this very question and he said no.
It wasn’t the right time, but now, it is.
Loki and Sune come running over, and Skarth picks up both boys in his arms. “She said yes!”
“Of course she did!” Loki replies, whilst Sune rolls his eyes playfully.
