Chapter Four
Soren
Though I slept little that night after Freya left Bj?rn’s great lodge with her sister to prepare for leaving today, when I managed to rest, I dreamt only of Freya, hardly believing the day had finally come that she would go home with me.
That she would soon become my wife.
I dreamt of her finally smiling at me like she had when we were children.
Of her wrapped in my arms as she was now, our limbs tangled when I pressed deep inside her.
I would hear her soft moans of pleasure time and time again, because I would make it good for her every time.
Ensure she only felt bliss when I made her mine as often as she allowed it.
Not only because I longed to see her belly swell with our children, but also because I wanted her to find happiness in my arms.
Eager to set out, I rose early and made my way alongside my wolf down to the shore before my men rose, somehow not surprised to find Freya standing at the end of one of the piers gazing out at the distant storm.
She had wrapped her hair in intricate braids for travel, and her white-fur bear cloak billowed around her.
Glad to find her here so that we might share this time alone, I joined her. “I see you still rise early.”
“Ja.” She glanced from me back to the black-bellied clouds flickering with lightning. “It seems you still do as well.”
I could not help a small smile that she recalled more of our time together than she’d admitted to yesterday. “So you do remember our time together as children.”
She arched a delicate eyebrow at me. “Was that not clear last night when we spoke of sweets and pigs?”
“’Twas clear you remembered your version of events,” I reminded, amused. “’Tis good you recall some things more clearly, as I enjoyed our morns together.”
“I said I recalled you were an early riser,” she countered. “Not that I remembered time spent together during those mornings.”
“Somehow I don’t believe you,” I said softly, noting the way her cheeks had taken on a rosy hue.
It was windy, but something told me her blush had nothing to do with the elements.
“And I cannot help but wonder why you’re so determined to make me think you forgot.
” I cocked my head. “Unless, that is, you fear I might take that for returned affection all those years ago. That perhaps you might not be as opposed to our upcoming nuptials as you have led me to believe.”
“I never said I took issue with marrying you, Soren.” She cut me a sharp look.
“I took issue with you agreeing to take my prized weapons.” Her gaze returned to the sea.
“That aside, I’m thankful you found a way to distract Father and Knud last night so that Tove and I had time alone together.
” Emotion churned in her steady amber gaze. “’Twas truly appreciated.”
“No need to thank me,” I murmured, eyeing her lovely profile, thinking back on days of old. “I remember how close you once were with your sisters, so ’twas the least I could do for accepting your dagger and shield.”
“And what of your wolf?” Her gaze slid to Sten, who sat by my side, taking in the scent of the sea. “Did you somehow order him to follow me last night as well?”
“Order Sten?” I chuckled. “He’s wild, Freya. I could not order him to do anything. He does as he likes.”
“Yet you named him as if you tamed him.” She looked from Sten to me. “And he follows you. Protects you.” Her brow furrowed. “He does this without any commands?”
“He does,” I confirmed. “Since he was a pup, so ’tis good, if not telling, that he watched over you as well.”
She hesitated, as if weighing whether to ask before relenting. “Telling how?”
“Telling because he’s never looked after another until you,” I revealed, my gaze lingering on her face because it felt impossible to look away.
Impossible to see anything but her. “So I would say he finds you as worthy of protection as he does me.” I brushed the pad of my thumb over her soft cheek before I could stop myself, pleased when she didn’t pull away.
“’Tis no small thing to earn that level of devotion from any wolf, let alone Sten, as his is an alpha’s nature.
” I pulled my hand away but kept my gaze with hers.
“But then you have always been of the wolf despite being born to a bear, have you not, Freya Helvig?”
“I have.” Her voice sounded a bit breathless. “And well you know it, Soren Dahl.”
“Ja.” My gaze dropped to the blue runic stone hanging around her neck.
“I remember well the tale you spun of how you came into your stone and the gray wolf that watched over you afterward.” I looked into her eyes again.
“I thought it whimsical then, surely a story spun to gain my attention, for ’twas too unbelievable, but now I wonder.
Was the wolf pup leading you to me somehow?
Am I your destiny, as you claimed the stone would someday show you? ”
Her pupils flared, and her gaze remained locked with mine before she looked to the sea and distant storm again. “You are the direction of the stone.”
She was about to say more, but hesitated when we heard footfalls behind us and several of my men moved by, headed toward my ships, getting ready to prepare for travel.
“We should help them,” Freya said when I knew she meant to say something else.
Her eyes were lit with the first real flicker of excitement I had seen since coming together the day before.
“I would like to help them. See your impressive boats firsthand and get a feel for them, as the way will be choppy at the very least.”
“’Twill.” Taking in the sky, I gauged the moody storm churning in the distance. “We will ride the coast down to my stronghold, but that storm will very likely move inland, so ’twill be rough on the water.”
“Yet you don’t want to remain here and let it pass,” she noted, the sense of anticipation in her eyes warring with her nostalgia at leaving.
As always, Freya enjoyed the sea, no matter how rough. The danger and excitement it could offer. Though I had only ever been on a boat a few times with her in our youth, I saw clearly how sailing freed her spirit. And the rougher the seas, the freer she’d felt.
“No, I don’t want to linger here a moment longer,” I conceded.
“I want to see you upon the seas once more, as it seems the gods intend to give you the kind of weather you most enjoy.” I kept my gaze on her face a moment longer.
“And whilst I know you love your people and the wilds of this isle, I would see you flourish beyond its shores as the friend I have long missed and my wife by nightfall, given preparations have already been made for your arrival.” I nodded once to her.
“So I will see you aboard soon, as my ships will soon be yours, Freya. My warriors, your warriors.”
It was more than most men would give women these days, but I, though still young, had an older mindset and wanted her by my side, as she always should have been.
Strong if not fierce. A true shield-maiden sent by the gods because I’d long thought she was, and loathed seeing her as anything else.
I would have her know it, too. Mayhap not here with her father’s eyes watching her every move, but someday. Someday soon.
So, I strode back down the dock to help my men, pleased when she fell in beside me, given I had long considered it her rightful place. Not only as the woman I desired above all others, but a steadfast companion who could fight as well as any man, or so I’d heard and did not doubt.
We said little to each other after I introduced her once more to those already preparing to travel, but then words were unnecessary.
She took matters into her own hands and went from ship to ship, learning each one.
Either with a question here or there to those aboard or by touching the wood and looking over the lines of each vessel with a keen eye.
Yet always, I saw her glancing at the sea and weather, gauging as I was, the best course as it would prove tricky today.
Eventually, Tove, Knud, and Bj?rn made their way down, along with several of Bj?rn’s men bearing gifts to honor our union. A wary look simmered on Bj?rn’s face that didn’t surprise me or Freya, it seemed, as we met him on the pier.
“’Twill be dangerous weather for traveling.” Bj?rn frowned at the rumbling black clouds in the distance before turning his scowl my way. “You should stay another night and enjoy our hospitality. We have ample food and shelter.”
“If we leave now, we will be fine,” I assured, hoping I was right, yet my desperation to leave these shores with Freya outweighed all.
“Ja.” Freya sounded just as eager, yet I feared not for the same reasons. “And few sail as well as I, nor know the weather like I do, so I can say, without doubt, Soren is right.”
When Bj?rn frowned and shook his head, displeased, Tove spoke, clearly surprising Freya. “They are right, Father.” She looked up and considered the skies. “If they leave now, all will be well, and they will soon be married, tying the wolf and bear together by nightfall.”
If that were not surprising enough, when Bj?rn’s brow furrowed in doubt and he kept shaking his head, his man, Knud, spoke, albeit gruffly, after Tove shot him a look I couldn’t quite decipher.
“Tove speaks the truth, chieftain. There is time if they catch the wind and move swiftly.” His gaze swept over my boats.
“These are fine ships that will cut through waves well manned by admirable sailors.” He nodded once at me. “By an admirable chieftain.”
“And an admirable Helvig,” I added, looking from Freya to Bj?rn. “If rumor holds true, few fare as well as your daughter on the sea.”
Where I thought perhaps Freya would remain quiet because she’d clearly tested her limits with her father the day before, she did not, and once again, it worked in my favor.