Chapter 14
Freydis
"Nordeland," I whispered, circling Ragnar's chest as I lay naked at his side. That was where Ragnar lived.
"It's always cold and harsh in the North," he said. "Living in Fellur is a lot easier than in Nordeland."
I raised my head slightly. "What are the people like? Do they all have this marks on their faces?"
"Not everyone is marked. Everyone is entirely different, Freyja," he murmured. "It's hard to explain, but if you were to go there, you'd understand."
If you were to go there…
Silence stretched between us as I continued to trace circles on his chest.
I thought of a life in the North, imagining the stone houses as Ragnar had described. Training with my axe and bows. Raising animals and hunting in the woods. I was lost in my thoughts, trying to picture a life with Ragnar. But my mind refused to give me anything other than the image of us walking separate paths.
It's only because this would never work. Your mother would rather die than see her daughter marry him. And your father...
Ragnar carried me out of the bed. A rush of wind blew into the room, brushing over my skin.
I shivered against his hard chest, wanting to run my fingers across his toned muscles. But when he dropped me on the rug, I saw the seriousness on his face and pushed my desires away.
"What are you thinking?" I asked.
"About that night," he replied. "When you pushed me."
My eyes widened.
"Don't say it was an accident."
"But it was," I said. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm sorry."
"I'm not a drunk, Freyja. You think I get swayed that easily?" he asked. "I felt what you did."
"You're thinking too much," I said. "I did nothing."
"I know what you are."
I froze, bile rising in my throat. He knows what I am.
"Do you think I call you Freyja because I fancy the name?" he asked.
"What are you talking about?" I frowned.
"I call you that name because it is your name. Because somewhere in your blood, the gods left their blood in you. You're a child of them."
I opened my mouth. A flood of thoughts swam through my mind. I had never considered the possibility that I could be a child of the gods.
Children of the gods were rare. They say after the gods went to sleep, they left their blood in mortals. I had heard of the child of Bjorn—he was able to summon darkness. But he misused his power and was found dead, smoke drifting from his body.
A child of the gods? I wanted to laugh. No. I wasn't a child of the gods—just someone blessed with powers to liberate my people from the Hounds.
"I'm just a girl who swings her axe," I said. "I know nothing of what you're accusing me of."
"Really?" he asked. "Then prove it."
"Prove it? How?"
"Call on the name of Freyja and prove that you're not her child. Her power will fill this room if you are truly hers."
I wanted to say it—perhaps try it, just to see if what he claimed was true. I also wanted to tell him that I had powers.
The words were at the tip of my tongue.
"I don't know what you're saying."
"I won't press you further," he said, and then his mouth claimed mine. I whimpered, allowing him to part my lips, our tongues dancing. My body pressed into his, wanting—needing—every inch of him.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing and sucking on his lips. I felt his hard muscles under my palms, heat burning in my core.
"Freyja," he whispered. Through the rush of desire, I let myself be consumed as I kissed and licked his chest.
"Leave with me to Nordeland," he said, cupping my breast.
I paused, staring into his eyes. "You know my father—"
"Fuck Harald and come with me. Come with me and I'll give you everything you desire, Freyja. I swear by the gods."
I wanted to say yes. The word was right there in my throat, but my thoughts consumed me. You can't escape with him!
My hand roved over his hard cock. "My father will hunt you down if you take me away."
"Then perhaps we should tell him," Ragnar said.
He's right. I should tell the King and Queen what's going on between us. Perhaps the gods will soften their hearts and accept us.
But an old, familiar voice echoed in my mind. That would only make things worse. What if you're forbidden to see Ragnar? What if they lock you up? What if they force you to marry a stranger?
"No!" I said.
"Then we should leave. I'll have my men prepare the ship."
"I... I can't leave, Ragnar."
"Then why are we doing this?" he pulled away. "To what end?"
"Give me time," was all I said, then stood and walked to the bathing chambers.
After bathing, food was brought to us. We ate and made love again before preparing to leave.
The day was bright, and everyone around would recognize me.
Just as we stepped out of the brothel, I saw Ake standing there. My eyes widened. My mouth dropped open.
"Ake?"
"My Lady," he said, turning to Ragnar. His jaw clenched.
"We were in the process of returning to the house."
Ake frowned. "I know exactly what's going on between you two."
"Interesting," Ragnar murmured. "What do you know?"
"The trader… he told me everything."
I bit my lip. That trader. I should've known he would talk when he thought he recognized me. I remembered his stare when Ragnar led me to the brothel yesterday.
"Nothing happened," Ragnar said.
"Nothing?" Ake snarled. "Don't take me for a fool."
I blinked.
"Do you even understand what she is? What could happen if the King hears of this?"
I stepped forward. "Ake—"
"I know exactly who she is—Princess of Fellur. And she must marry a warrior, a son of a Jarl, to secure her claim to the throne. She'll have to marry a stranger. Maybe she isn't an object without a voice. Maybe she'll choose who she'll be with."
"Ragnar," I shot him a glare. If they kept arguing, they'd risk drawing attention. Soon, everyone in Fellur would know that the unmarried daughter of the King had been seen in a brothel with her uncle.
"How do you see her, Ragnar?" Ake asked, stepping closer until he stood inches away from him. Though Ake was tall, Ragnar towered over him, intimidating with his sheer presence. "Is she just another woman to fuck before you sail North?"
I gasped, turning to Ake. "Ake!"
"Is it because she's fair? Because you see her as a challenge since no man has wed her?" he continued.
Ragnar frowned, and I could feel the dark aura radiating from him.
"I get that you're protective of her. I understand—because you're her guard. But you're testing my temper."
"This will be the last time you see her. The last time you bring her here. Because it'll be over my dead body that I allow this nonsense to happen again."
Ragnar pushed Ake, and he stumbled back.
I quickly stood between them.
"Both of you, stop!"
They continued to glare at each other like it was a contest of will. But it was Ake who broke it first. He stepped back and grabbed my wrist, pulling me away.