“And that was an effective way to gain Gunnar’s alliance. And look at me, I am now as entrenched as my sister.”
“What do you mean by that?” Elspeth asked from the staircase.
Magnus looked up to see her shocked look. Before he could explain what he meant she turned and ran back up the stairs. He turned back to Giric and pointed his finger in his face.
“This is why we are leaving. You are all mad in the head and obsessed with a king who is hundreds of miles away and little threat to us. I said this from the beginning.”
“You could not be more wrong, Magnus. But if you need to go tomorrow, will you do me one thing?”
“And what is that?”
“Will you bring a missive to Gunnar explaining everything that is going on?”
“I can, but he cannot read it.”
“Elspeth can read it,” Giric said. “I will go over it with her to be sure.”
Magnus was too irritated to answer and merely walked away from him and toward the stairs. He knew how his statement sounded and prayed his wife was in a mood to listen. He could not battle her as well as everyone else.
* * *
She was going to vomit. Of that she was certain. From her discussion with Freydis to the words she could not believe she’d heard fall from Magnus’ lips and the possible implications of it. Could it be possible he felt trapped? Her heart felt like it was being ripped from her body. She wrapped her arms around herself and stared out the window at the ravens who again circled overhead. The dream of their tower and their happy life together was real wasn’t it? He couldn’t possibly regret loving her as much as she did him. But they’d never said it. Mayhap it was all in her head, and the result of an incredible set of circumstances.
The door opened and quietly closed again. She didn’t have to turn around. His footfalls grew until large, strong arms encircled her. His scent, his strength, his very essence was home to her now and by God, if he didn’t feel what she needed him to she didn’t know what she’d do.
“What you heard was out of context,” he said quietly. “I feel that Giric and your brother are acting outside of the alliance they forged with my brother that includes our union. The argument was not about you and I and what we have come to mean to each other. The argument is that they want our alliance, but not our council. Do you understand?”
“Somewhat,” she said quietly. It was difficult to shut off the hurt even if his words did make sense. She had seen what he described with her own eyes during their time on Islay. Osgar had acted like he was Magnus and Gunnar’s better and they had been too gracious to point it out. So that part made sense. Perhaps all she needed was some reassurance.
She turned in his arms and rested her head on his chest focusing on his heartbeat. Its strongthud, thudcalmed the torrent of emotions washing through her. It was as though she was the storm and he was the only calm that could settle it.
“You are my heart, Elspeth. You are the only thing that matters to me. I want us to leave here tomorrow instead of in a few days’ time. All of this drama with your brother and deceit from Giric is too much. I want us to go to where there is less possibility of you being harmed. To where your dreams, or gift, or whatever you want to call it can be dealt with peacefully and without the constant threat of someone or something interfering.”
“I want that too,” she said. Truly she wanted nothing more. Freydis had cast her runes again and found a different meaning this time. She supposed she should share that with Magnus, but first she needed his love to fill the cracks that had found a way into her soul.
She reached up and pulled him down for a kiss. He squeezed her tight and he kissed her like there was never to be another day for either of them. When he leaned back, she was breathless.
“Do you feel a little better?” he asked.
“A little,” she said and smiled shyly at him. How could she tell him she wanted to hear the words?
“What can I do to prove to you that I love you more than my own life? That I would do anything to make you happy even if it meant tolerating either of your brothers and MacDomnail for another few days.”
Elspeth drew a deep breath and smiled. That was all she needed to hear. He was as committed to her as she to him. Sometimes the words mattered.
“We will leave here on the morrow together and make our way to Islay.”
He raised his eyebrows.
“You see, Husband, I love you more thanmyown life and would not see you miserable in the company of any man. If you want to go, then go we shall.”
“You are certain you do not mind leaving early?”
“I am certain,” she said. “I want the dream you shared with me. I know it will take a long time, but I believe in it.”
“And how do you feel about your dreams? I will have to let Freydis know we will be leaving early.”
“She’s already gone.”
