“I am not inclined to give you your freedom, wife.But I am wise enough to know that setting you free might very well be the only way to gain your loyalty.Because if you chose to remain, it would mean you wanted to remain by my side.”
She ignored the note of speculation in his voice, and the way he fairly smoldered as he said it, and held out her hand.“Do we have an agreement?”
He surveyed her hand for a moment before enveloping it in his own.“We do.And it is your turn to demonstrate your prowess.”
Brun gave him a curt nod and brushed past.This time, she took a deep breath before she let her arrow fly.It landed directly beside his first attempt and she shot him a victorious glance.When she stepped away, he slid his hand from her elbow to her wrist.“An impressive attempt, wife.”
She wasn’t deceived by his compliment or his nonchalance and narrowed her gaze.“Yes.”
This time, his arrow missed the mark, thudding into the shield just above her first one.Brun inwardly cheered, confident she’d disconcerted him.She threw him a cocky grin over her shoulder as she knelt to take aim.When the arrow arced downward she held her breath.
When it landed in the middle of the bullseye she punched her fist above her head.“I dare you to do better, husband,” she challenged.
His answering grin was feral.“I do not intend to lose.”
Despite his proclamation, his third arrow embedded itself in the third ring above the center of the target.
She smiled triumphantly.“It would seem I’ve won our wager.”
“This contest was not public, will you consider reneging on your prize?”
She tapped her finger in the middle of his chest.“Mayhap I’ll grant you a reprieve.”
He smiled slyly and made as if he was staggering backward, tugging her hand and lacing their empty fingers together.She lost her footing and stumbled, plastering her body to his from sternum to ankle.
“Are you in earnest, wife?Will you leave me to fend for myself against the Kraken King?”His tone was deceptively light, his eyes glinting.
She stood on her toes and kissed the intriguing divot in the middle of his chin.It was hidden by his beard, but she could see a hint of it.Perhaps she could convince him to shave and reveal it.“I will abide by my vow, even if my father has proven false.I will stay by your side until the kraken are defeated.”
He sighed in relief and gathered her close."That is good, because I received a missive this morning courtesy of one of my ravens."
Brun tipped her head back so she could see his expression."What did this missive say?"
"It was a call to battle.The one I've had over two hundred years to prepare my army for.The one that will decide the fate of the each uisge kingdom.Whether it will stand strong or sink beneath the waves, forgotten like so many others before it."
"You've accepted the challenge to engage?"
He nodded."Only on land.Nidhogg has your father's fleet at his beck and call.Can those who follow you wield their weapons when they are land bound?"
"Aye.That is how we honed our skills.Those of us who dream of Valhalla hone our skills on land and then seek mastery of the sea."
"Will your shield maidens follow you into battle?"
"They will rejoice in the opportunity to show the Kraken king and his minions the edge of their swords."
"The call to battle is in three days time."
Brun nodded and stroked his bicep."That is enough time for us to prepare.We must arm those who will fight to within an inch of their lives, and choose a battlefield that will give us every advantage."
"We shall assess our troops on the morrow, but tonight I will demonstrate how grateful I am you've chosen to remain here with me."
Chapter Seventeen
Againstallodds,asif Freya had been watching over her, Brun was happy.Her mate was sharpening his blade before the fire and love and contentment flooded her veins.She admired the way the flames gilt the sharp planes of his face and the whiskered outline of his jaw, and limned his bare torso in soft golden light.
“I can feel you smiling, Valkyrie.”
“’Tis not a bad thing.”