I pitied them if they’d never experienced what I had. Much of my life had been filled with struggle and horrors, but the ache of terror in my chest was a testament to how much I had to live for.
I’d never been afraid to die before Bastian. But at least I’d gotten to know a love like this.
We shook hands with Elric in the courtyard, and Bastian pulled him in for an embrace. “Whatever happens, you set the kingdom to rights. You’re a good man, Elric. I’m glad you’ve found a good woman.”
We both hugged Eleanor. I stage whispered, “You say the word, and my brothers will take you to Ocracoke. Husband or no, he can’t keep you here if Talon and Thorin show up to set you free.”
Elric shook his head with a half smile, stroking a hand down Eleanor’s back, but she only laughed. “It won’t be necessary, but I’ll keep it in mind should he ever get ideas about what Saxon wives should and shouldn’t be allowed to do.”
A soldier came running across the courtyard, but he had a huge smile on his face. “Did you hear? The king of the Danes is dead! Killed by his own son!”
My father is dead.
Bastian put his arm around me, but I didn’t need comfort. Thorin and Layla were safe. The son of a bitch was dead. I could go to Valhalla knowing he couldn’t hurt anyone I loved ever again.
A weight lifted off my shoulders just as another settled in my heart. I had no more excuses. It was time.
I stoppedBastian just before the entrance to the throne room and kissed him for the last time. “I love you, my prince. I love you more than I thought it was possible to love another.”
“Don’t you dare say goodbye, Sigrid Thorvald. We’ll get through this,” he said gruffly. He thought we were only here to confront his father and take him for trial. But I had to finish this.
As soon as we stepped into the throne room, armed guards filed in from the door behind the throne, lining the walls on all sides of us.
“I see the traitors have returned,” the king drawled, sauntering towards us in a blue silk tunic.
“How can you even still use that word?” Bastian spat.
The king shrugged. “Think what you will, but know this about the bond between me and your wife. If I die, she dies too. So choose your next words carefully.”
Bastian reeled in shock, but I steadied him with a hand. “It’s okay. It has to happen.”
His eyes widened. “Youknew? You were going to sacrifice yourself and not tell me?”
His betrayal tore open a rift in my heart, but it didn’t change anything.
He shook his head, looking angry now. “Don’t you fucking dare.”
The king flicked his fingers in a downward motion, and a guard shot his crossbow at Bastian, striking him in the thigh.
“No!” I stood between Bastian and the archer, but we were surrounded.
My slumbering berserker thrashed to life, snapping and snarling against the magical bond that still held her in place.
“If you want me to heal him, you’ll drop your weapons. And you, Princess, will come over here.” The king sounded calm, perfectly in control of the situation.
I dropped my sword, rapidly crossing the room to where he’d pointed, even though my instincts screamed at me to stay by Bastian’s side and protect him.
I was willing to die to avenge Axel. But I wasn’t willing to sacrifice Bastian.
“If you want me to heal him, you’re going to turn every last drop of that berserker power over to me. You’ll belong to me, opening up those reserves anytime I order it. Do you understand me, girl?”
I bared my teeth, near mindless with fury.
He sighed. “We’d better make sure you understand the stakes.”
Another bolt struck Bastian in the back with a sickening wet sound. Bastian wordlessly clutched at it, and a roar of anguished rage tore from my throat, but I couldn’t reach him before another bolt struck his shoulder.
My stoic, strong Saxon groaned in agony and dropped to his knees.
