Chapter 15
Freydis
I cracked my eyes open. My muscles were sore, and I felt a pounding headache. But the scent of soup drifted to my nostrils, pulling me out of bed. My stomach growled.
When I sat up on the bed, my eyes widened as I realized this wasn't my room.
I scanned the space, taking in the hearth at the centre of the room, the small wooden table, and the two chests in the corner. For a moment, my heart pounded loudly. I was in Ragnar's room.
Fortunately, I quickly remembered the events before I fell unconscious, from Brok and Tove driving me mad, to staggering through the hallway, dizzy, and getting caught by Ragnar.
I remembered falling unconscious in his arms. But how did I end up in his room?
I threw the furs from my body and stood up. When I saw I was still wearing my garment, I smiled to myself. At least he didn't try to change my clothes.
I stared at the soup on the table. It was hot, and the scent was strong. My stomach grumbled again.
But just before I could take a step, I heard the sound of water and snapped my head toward the bathing chamber. The sloshing of water filled the silence.
The wooden door opened, and Ragnar walked out. He was dripping wet, and the trousers he wore clung to his skin. He was shirtless. When he turned his back to me, I gasped at the muscles along my back.
I quickly looked away, my heart beating fast as I tried to give him privacy. When I heard footsteps approaching again, I turned around. He still wasn't wearing a shirt, though his chest was now dry. Water dripped from his wet hair. The smell of lavender soap wafted into my nostrils, and I smiled.
Oh God. Had he always been this handsome? All I could think of was tracing my fingers along his taut muscles.
He smirked when he noticed I was staring at him.
"Good morning, Freyja," he said. "How are ye feeling?"
"I'm a lot better."
"About last night," he said, the smile fading from his face as he turned serious.
I tried to change the subject, but Ragnar took a step closer.
"Ye'll only bring more pain upon yourself if ye refuse to accept it."
"Accept what?"
"That ye're the child of the gods."
I frowned.
"This is a sign that the gods are calling to ye."
"Nay," I snapped. "I refuse to serve the old gods. It's the demon inside me that makes me angry."
"The gods aren't fools to have let ye carry their blood. They saw your fate a long time ago, even before ye drew your first breath."
My stomach grumbled, and I turned toward the food. The smell made my mouth water.
"I'm hungry," I said, brushing past him and moving to the bed. I sat down and reached for the bowl.
Ragnar just watched me for a moment before joining me. I took a spoonful of soup, eating it with some flatbread.
"How did you get this?"
"'Twas Siggy, your handmaid, who brought it here."
"Siggy," I paused. "How is she? Did she look fine?"
"Aye. Why do ye ask?"
"Because she was whipped by Brok. It's why I was so mad."
We ate in silence, and after some time, I spoke again.
"Ragnar, will you tell me something?"
"Mm?"
"The goddess Freyja. I'd like to hear about her."
"In our tales, Freyja once ruled over Skelgard with the other gods," he began. "Many feared her. She was no mere goddess; she was born of fire and vengeance. Gods, she destroyed. Mortals, she killed. None dare speak her name or serve her in their shrines."
I chewed the bread. "Why was she like that?"
"She never told anyone what happened. Some say the gods made her that way."
"Was she among the gods who cursed Rolf?"
"Aye. She cursed him."
"But then came Bjorn, King of the gods. He went to Skelgard to take back a god wrongfully imprisoned. Yet Freyja refused, saying none who stepped into the realm could return after being judged 'til their time was fully served. When Bjorn would not leave, she fought him."
"Who won?" I asked, very interested in the story.
"Bjorn... but when the moment came to kill her, he gave her a seat at his Council instead. She accepted, and after that, she changed for good."
The food was finished, and I sat down on the bed, comfortably listening to Ragnar speak.
I remembered the dream I had a few days ago, of the woman in the mountains surrounded by dead bodies. Was I really a child of hers? Was that why I always saw her in my dreams?
It was hard for me to fully comprehend that I carried any god's blood in me. Not just any god, but a goddess who was once evil and dangerous. She killed thousands of people.
That goddess was in my blood?
I couldn't believe what Ragnar was saying. The gods were not real. That was impossible. I couldn't be all that dangerous and a threat to people.
"How could I be that goddess's daughter?" I asked, even though it sounded impossible.
"Ye know not how the children of the gods came into this world, do ye?"
I shook my head.
He laughed lightly. "Ye don't want to know how, trust me."
"Tell me how?"
He continued to laugh, and I grew even more curious. I wanted to know.
"When a god or goddess sought to pass down their legacy, they'd walk the earth as mortals. They'd choose a woman to lie with. Oftentimes, they partook in sexual intercourse with both man and woman. The chosen knew not they were bedding a god or goddess. Only after the babe was born with a mark did the truth reveal itself."
Oh Lord! Does that mean that Lagertha and Harald slept with a god? What if she knew? Or what if she doesn't know? She might think he's mortal and just have slept with him.
I shook my head. "Nay... Nay... My parents gave birth to me."
"Aye," Ragnar nodded. "They're your mortal parents. They gave you life. Ye carry both bloods, of gods and mortals."
My eyes widened, and I stood up. "Nay. This can't be true. I'm leaving."
I felt an excruciating headache, and as I took a step forward, my legs gave out, and I fell, but Ragnar caught me.
"Ye need more rest."
I murmured that I needed to return to my room before they started looking for me, but he told me he had already instructed Siggy to cover for me. I didn't want to put Siggy through more trouble, but I was feeling dizzy again. When I closed my eyes, sleep took me.