She chuckled. "You."
"Ah, well." He sucked in a deep breath, making his chest stick out as far as he possibly could. "I am better than most men, so that is not surprising. I think I should win an award for that."
"And Ragnar. I don't mind him."
He nodded. "My brother is very good with most people, unless that person is his own wife. For some reason, he sticks his foot in it every time it comes to her. The man is a complete and utter dolt in a relationship. He was an ass most of their early courtship."
"He's still an ass," she replied dryly.
Gunnar couldn't help himself. He burst out laughing, and likely the others in the clearing could hear him as they strode out of the forest. "Yes, yes, he is. He's trying, though."
"Sometimes I think he's learning." She seemed to think for a little while longer. "And I like Bjorn well enough. It's just hard to be around him. I think it's hard for him to be around me as well, considering all that we know about each other."
"You were in the same circles, I suppose."
"Well, and I always knew what he did to those women. I understand why he did it. I would have begged him for death as well if I had been given to him. But they only gave him the ones who wanted to die. They knew he'd kill them, but they didn't understand it was for mercy's sake." A troubled expression crossed her face. "I should probably apologize to him someday for thinking the worst of him in those times."
"No dark thoughts, remember?" He squeezed her a little tighter as the crowd appeared before them. "Who else do you like?"
"Torbin. Birgir is really nice too, even if he's a little grumpy." She stepped a little closer to him as they reached the first group of trolls who had been waiting for them to return. "And I like Magnus too. Just don't tell him."
"I wouldn't dare. I want him to think you despise him." Gunnar pressed a kiss to the top of her head and plunged into the crowd.
The trolls all congratulated him, although there were a lot of curious looks in their direction as well. Rose was obviously not herself, or at least that was how it must have looked to them. But he knew she was more herself than she had been in a long time.
They were one of the final pairs to return. Although Vigdis and her man were the very last. She looked disappointed. She was the only one who looked as such, and the man who had gone with her was just dazed. Confused, maybe?
King Egil shouted for everyone's silence, and they all stood at attention, giving their king their undivided attention.
"This is the final game!" the king announced. "If you wish to change partners, please do so now."
Only Vigdis shifted. She moved slightly to the left, farther away from the man who had clearly disappointed her and toward a woman who was tall and broad.
At that, the king grinned. "Then let the bonding begin!"
A cheer rose, but Gunnar felt all the blood drain out of his face. He hadn't thought they would do that so soon. They would know. The blood witch would know that he had Rose had already done this.
He glanced down at her to see all the pride glittering in her eyes, and he realized he didn't have it in him to be frightened of what would come. Because she wasn't. Because his strong woman had a spine of steel, she wasn't afraid.
So neither was he.
Thirty-Seven
Rose
Rose was quickly swept up with the other men and women who were readying themselves for a bonding. Gunnar's hand slipped out of hers and suddenly she was thrust into the arms of the troll crones who were waiting on the sidelines. They were all giggling as they separated the men and women, heading off in groups.
"Rose?" a voice called out through the chaos.
She turned, trying to find the owner of the voice, only to stop, frozen as she saw another ghost at the edge of the trees.
The queen herself. Staring at her husband with tear filled eyes, and her hands pressed to her lips. But she was smiling underneath those hands, as though she was proud that her husband had brought them all together like this. A wind stirred through her skirts, and the beads in her hair crackled together.
She noticed Rose looking and waved a hand. Then mouthed,Go, just as a hand closed around Rose's arm.
There was a time when that might have made her panic. Instead, she could tell whose hand it was by the claws and all therings that decorated each finger. Vigdis. She had been the one who had called for her in the crowd of people. Not the queen.
"Come on!" Vigdis said, tugging her forward. "We're getting ready for our bonding, and there is so much to do in such a short amount of time."
