“And you want to build our home there.”
His brow furrowed. He looked so forlorn that she placed her hand on his cheek. “Magnus, my home is wherever you are. Don’t you know that already?”
He released a deep breath as if he’d been holding it for an age. Placing his hand on the back of her neck, he drew her forward so their foreheads touched.
“I was worried you would insist on staying here and I would have stayed with you, but of the two offers, I promise you with my heart and soul you will be happy on Islay. I will build us our very own tower and you can help decide where all the chambers will be situated.”
She leaned back and gazed into his eyes. “You want me to help you build a tower? Likeourtower?” Not that the tower they stayed in was theirs, but in her mind it was theirs for a time.
“I do. If we travel to Islay once the wedding feast is complete, I can start to work gathering materials. By the time the spring comes, I should have enough of everything to start building. I am certain Gunnar will provide me with enough men to help clear the land and with the build.”
He had it all planned out and she loved the sound of every detail he shared. “Magnus, I love it and cannot wait to start planning.”
Magnus cupped her face with his hands and kissed her deeply. The second his lips touched hers she could see his vision in full form. An image of a tower house, smaller dwellings, gated sheep, and young children running through tall grass filled her mind. Her heart was near to bursting with the essence of the life he envisioned for them.
When he leaned back, the look of contentment now resting on his face was infectious. Her heart, nay, her very soul was full of such happiness and joy that she could scarce contain it.
“You are sure you accept this path for us?” he asked.
“I have never been more certain of anything in my life,” she said and grasped his hand. “I have seen the path as you do and I cannot imagine a happier existence.”
“How long must we remain here?”
“This day? Or do you mean how long will the feast continue?”
“Both.”
“Today we must remain here for a while yet. There will be dancing and much music and Osgar will likely want to formally announce his betrothal to Vigdis. But be patient,” she said, feeling just as eager as him to be alone. “After today, we only need to partake for our meals and if we need a break…”
He smiled broadly at her. She already knew what a skilled lover he was and also knew that their appetite for one another was not easily satiated.
“Then I will be patient,” he said. “For I already know the reward is worth a thousand feasts.”
Magnus leaned forward and filled his trencher and hers again. When she made to stop him he shook his head. “You will need your energy, my darling wife. For you are in store for an evening where you will get no sleep and I plan to make up for each of the last seven days since we have been together.”
Heat pooled between her thighs and more rose to her cheeks. She grabbed a big piece of rabbit and bit into its succulence. Seven nights to make up was a great deal and he was right, she’d need the energy.
After they ate their meals, they sat back and watched as the musicians played their various instruments. Magnus asked about each and every one of them. His curiosity appeared to have no limits and she loved sharing all that she knew with him. And she was more than aware that once they went to Islay, she would have just as many questions. She wanted to take the time over the winter to learn as much about their ways so she could find a way to blend them both. After all, they need not be bound to one or the other way of doing things, rather take the best of both cultures and form something new. Her whole outlook on their future changed the moment she saw his vision.
She had no sooner felt that realization when an image of Kenneth floated into her mind.Danger. He was in danger. She looked first at Magnus, then at Osgar who had been nearby the entire evening.
“What is it?” Osgar asked.
“Kenneth,” she said and felt a powerful pressure on her head. A second later it was gone. She glanced around the table to see Freydis focusing intently on her.
“You and your wife should retire for the evening, now,” Freydis said.
“What is going on?” Magnus asked.
“You do not need to worry,” Freydis said. “She is safe.”
Elspeth could feel Freydis’ protection from across the table. The strain on the woman’s face told Elspeth she may not be able to hold out much longer and luckily no one else had noticed what was going on.
She stood and took Magnus’ hand. They made their thanks and left the hall. Out of the corner of her eye, Elspeth caught sight of a cloaked figure leaving the keep and before she could say anything, Osgar and some of his men were laying chase.
“Come upstairs,” Magnus said. “I trust Freydis’ advice.”
“As do I,” she said and took his hand and led him upstairs. Something strange was happening and though she was worried about Kenneth she had to question if she should have put aside her fear of him. Whether he was in danger or not she was not about to risk hers or Magnus’ safety to find out.
