“He would have them see me as the legend I was, and the Scot I have become,” I divulged, lowering my voice, lest I somehow be overheard. “I think, more so, he would have them see me at his command. Show them that a just Scottish king can tame one of Norway’s fiercest shield-maidens.”
“And how do you feel about that?” she asked, keeping her voice down as well.
“There is little I will not do to bring peace to these shores for the Norse already here,” I said with certainty in my heart. “If the king feels this is the right course of action, then I trust his judgment.” Meeting her eyes, I nodded once slowly, certain she would understand. “As heismy liege now in every sense of the word.”
Though I didn’t elaborate, I knew when surprise flashed in her gaze that she understood what I was saying without saying it. I was married to one of her countrymen now.
What she did not yet know was which Mackay I had wed, but soon would.
“I trust you will see to Laird Mackay when we are gone, for he will soon need it.” Blinking back tears, I swallowed hard and took her hand. “In my opinion, you are every bit as good a healer as I, and he will need you. Meanwhile, his son will see after me…” I gave her a pointed look. “Always.”
Her eyes glistening with unshed tears at news of Lachlann being sicker than he appeared, she nodded. “Of course I will, Astrid. Just as he did for my family and me years ago when he saved us from a fire.” She placed her hand over our joined hands and offered a shaky smile, giving Declan and me a well-disguised blessing. “And I couldnae be happier that Declan will watch over you as devotedly as he does his father’s people.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, offering a small smile of reassurance in return. “Stay safe whilst we are gone, my dear friend.”
“You as well,” she replied, giving my hand one last squeeze before informing me that she was having water heated so that I might bathe before traveling.
And so, I did, before I dressed as the king had requested, swung my white bear fur around my shoulders, and headed belowstairs into the next leg of my fate.
It was a journey that would prove to be so much more than I imagined.
Chapter Eight
-DECLAN-
Though exhausted from having slept so little the night before, I found myself once again lying in bed with thoughts of Astrid churning in my mind, keeping me from dozing off right away after we married and went our separate ways.
While I thought every time I saw her that she couldn’t be lovelier, somehow, standing there in front of the fire in my father’s chamber, she was. Perhaps it was the soft pink warming her delicate cheeks. Or the way the flickering light hit her pale blue eyes, seeming to make them sparkle all for me. Either way, she had been stunning as the clergyman bound our wrists together with Mackay colors, and she became mine.
How I had wanted to pull her into my arms and kiss her afterward. Finally, feel her plush lips beneath mine and taste her. Feel her warm breath mingle with mine. Revel in the softness of her flawless skin beneath my hands as I brought her to bed and caressed her. To spread her thighs and sink so deeply inside her that we became one. In fact, I lost myself so thoroughly to the mere thought of it that I groaned, only to stir awake and realize I had dozed off, and the sun had just hit the horizon.
While a part of me dreaded leaving my father and the potential risks to Astrid on the long journey ahead, another part had never been more eager to be with her as we traveled. To spend every waking moment guarding her with my life, as she proved herself invaluable to our king.
And especially as we began our journey, however secret, as man and wife.
After I made ready the few things I intended to travel with, I strapped on my belt, sheathed my prized blade atmy waist, and made my way belowstairs only to find Father already breaking his fast with Stewart, King Alexander, and, unfortunately, Gustav. Joining them, I ate with the MacGreggor chieftain peaceably, but then, knowing Astrid would never be his eased my tension. Gustav didn’t act as if we’d had a somewhat heated exchange the night before but instead seemed amiable enough.
Where some in my position might justifiably feel guilt and mayhap even fear, given what I had done by marrying Astrid, I felt no such thing. Rather, nothing had ever felt so right. So meant to be when, mere weeks ago, I would have thought my actions ludicrous. Now I felt at ease, as if I could finally release a breath I had been holding my whole life.
Or so I thought until King Alexander’s eyes widened in awe at something behind me, and that breath was stolen from me all over again when I turned and spotted Astrid descending the stairs alongside Oksana and Florie.
“Bloodyhell,” Gustav whispered in just as much awe as the rest of the great hall, based on the silence that fell. Understandably, too.
Where the night before she had been a vision in Scottish attire, today she was every inch a Norse shield-maiden with her head held high.
She had tied back her shimmering honey-blond hair in multiple intricate braids, subtly outlined her striking pale blue eyes with coal, and placed the plush white bear fur of her Helvig tribe, proudly draped around her shoulders. Wearing a tunic cinched at the waist and linen trousers that showed off her slender, shapely legs, she had a shield strapped to her back and an impressive blade sheathed at her side.
Not to mention, to the common eye unfamiliar with Oksana, some might even believe a white wolf stalked along beside her, adding to her impressive presentation.
“There you are, dear Astrid,” my father said warmly, loudly enough that all present knew she was a welcome sight, even if she looked like the enemy now. He went to her and held out the crook of his arm, offering Florie a friendly nod hello before speaking to the lass who had just become my wife. “Come sit and break your fast with us, lass.”
Though not the lady she had appeared the night before, Astrid commanded a different level of respect today from us all, it seemed, because not only did I, Stewart, and Gustav stand at her approach, but also the King of Scotland himself.
Despite my and Astrid's gazes only meeting briefly, it was enough to experience the same powerful connection I always felt when I looked at her starting from the moment she first crossed my drawbridge. Her gaze invoked a feeling of not just stark desire but of strength I’d never quite understood until this moment. Then again, I had never seen her like this. Never truly believed she was a warrior. A talented healer? Aye. Kind-hearted? Aye, that too, it seemed.
But neverthis.
While I should dislike it because her attire was that of those I’d come to hate on the battlefield, I found myself beguiled by her. Admiring her, just as I knew my fellow countrymen were, whether it felt right or not.
