Styr sobered. “She’s just a girl.”
“She’s also the daughter of a powerful warrior,” Ragnar pointed out. “She’d make a good match with you.”
His friend let out a sigh. “I know it. My father and her father have already discussed a betrothal. I suppose it will happen when she comes of age.” He didn’t sound at all enthused about the idea.
“But you don’t want her?” A flare of hope kindled inside Ragnar, although he knew it was unlikely the outcome would change.
Styr’s expression remained neutral. “There’s nothing wrong with her. But there are years yet, before I’ll wed.”
Before he could speak again, Elena returned. Her face was flushed and she appeared upset. “Styr, my father wants you to come and dine with him.” She nodded toward the open door, and his friend waited a moment.
“We’ll walk together, then.”
“Go on without me,” Elena asked. “I need to speak to Ragnar for a moment.”
After he’d gone, Elena’s face revealed her disappointment. “I—I was wrong. I wanted you to come with us, but—”
“Your father refused, didn’t he?” Ragnar kept his expression shielded, making it seem as if it didn’t matter.
“He said I could bring you food. Outside,” she said quietly. Shaking her head, she added, “This isn’t right. You should be a welcomed guest, the same as any other man.”
“It doesn’t matter.” He knew his place, even if she’d wanted him to rise above it. “Go and join Styr. I’ll return home.”
He started to walk back, but Elena hurried forward and blocked his path. “No. It does matter.” Her green eyes held anger, and she put her hands up to stop him. “You’re going to bea strong fighter one day. One of the best men we have.” Her hand reached up to touch his arm and the touch of her fingers was a gentle warmth. “My father will welcome you at his table, soon enough.”
Her faith in him strengthened his resolve to make it so. He wasn’t the man her father would ever choose. But perhaps, if he fought hard and made himself into a man of worth, he could change the opinion of others.
“I’ll come to his table, one day,” Ragnar promised. “But only if you’re there.” He reached out and squeezed her hand, before turning away. The startled look in her eyes turned to embarrassment.
One day, he swore, everything would change.
Chapter Seven
Present day
Elena walked down to the shoreline, her mind feeling uneasy. Despite the terrible storm, the sun glittered upon the sea.
She shielded her eyes, watching from her place on the sand, when she caught sight of a ship in the distance. It was a small fishing vessel, carrying only a few people. Her heart pounded at the sight of it, though she could not say why. It was not Styr’s ship—the Danes had taken command of that.
But there were few ships in this region. In the four days since she’d arrived, she hadn’t seen any.
Until now.
She strained her eyes, trying to see who it was, but the sunlight blinded her. One of the men was wearing chainmail and his hair was the same color as Styr’s.
Was it her husband? Had he come in search of her? Her heart was pounding and she grasped her skirts, running toward the shore.
The winds had picked up, and before she could get a closer look, they had sailed past the small green island where she’d first landed with Ragnar. It was too late to signal to them.
She should have called out to them. Though it might not have been Styr, she’d done nothing except run.
Perhaps you don’t want him to find you, came an insidious voice inside her.Perhaps you’d rather leave him.
No. Not now, when she was finally going to have a child. His child. She owed it to Styr, to tell him. It would change everything.
And what if it doesn’t?the voice asked.What if he still finds you cold?
She didn’t mean to be. Truly, she wanted to be an affectionate wife, one who brought him comfort. But Styr hadn’t wanted to wed her. He’d obeyed his father and agreed to the arrangement. And in spite of the years between them, he’d never claimed to love her. No matter how she tried to keep his home clean or prepare his favorite foods, it wasn’t enough.
