Chapter Fifteen #2
“Aye,” he agreed, brushing his lips across mine before his gaze dropped to the cross his father had given me. “’Twill never be a religion you can follow, aye?” His brow furrowed, and his verdant eyes met mine. “This magic of yours means you can only ever worship your pagan gods?”
“’Tis of them so ja,” I said softly, saying what was in my heart, hoping it would be enough. “But that does not mean we must raise our children believing in them. Nor does it mean I will shun your deity. Rather, I hope to learn about Him as time goes on.”
“Aye, then,” he murmured, saying nothing more, yet I sensed he found comfort in that. Or so I could only hope as he brushed his lips across mine one last time and we headed out into the brisk, snowy morning to the tavern to begin another day among the people.
Stewart was already there, so we joined him.
“How fare you this morn, my friend?” Declan wondered, without doubt, as curious about the contents of Florie’s letter as I.
“Good enough,” he grunted, appearing tired around the eyes and lacking the happiness we had hoped to see as he ate his porridge.
“And Florie’s letter?” I asked softly, having been convinced she would confess her true feelings.
“’Twas nothing more than a friendly letter full of happenings in her life,” he said. “A means to fill in my time whilst traveling.”
Though tempted to talk more about it, what could I say?
It seemed Declan agreed, because after a mutual glance, we spoke of other things, yet I knew those sweets, wrapped so lovingly, supported my certainty that Florie returned Stewart's affections.
While tempted to point that out, King Alexander joined us soon after, and the conversation turned to talk of the days ahead.
Days that ended up seeing me accomplish what I needed to in our current village, assuring the king that all supported his reign, before making our way north, traveling from village to village, giving me ample time to bond with my new horse, Wyvern.
An incredible beast that held up well, just as Lachlann had assured me she would.
I heard little from my sisters via the flames other than yes, they had received word that I would marry Declan instead of Lachlann. Freya and Soren had returned to their tribe to overwinter after Father’s death and would reunite with our tribe after the thawing.
I didn't tell them much, in return, other than that I traveled with the king to help keep peace in my new homeland.
While I tried to convince myself that I remained vague until I understood more about where things stood here in Scotland, I knew better.
Deep down, I did it to protect my new country, my husband, our people, and even my Scottish king, whom I eventually came to like a great deal.
Despite his youth, he was fair and patient, truly wanting peace on his shores. And as much as I disliked it, the truth was my sisters and their tribes could just as easily turn against Scotland and King Alexander if King Hákon asked them to.
As it had been in the first village, most people had heard of me and my desire to ensure peace between the Scots and their long-established Norse neighbors, earning me much praise and respect from the king.
Declan and I rarely had time alone as days turned into weeks, and we frequented smaller villages, where I had no choice but to lodge with families because there were no spare cottages.
While I missed him every moment we were apart, it gave me ample opportunity to gather gossip I might not have been able to otherwise.
“There is talk stirring of Norse who may not fully appreciate being here,” I informed Alexander one evening as I sat with him, Declan, and Gustav in a small cottage provided to the king.
I had hoped to speak to him and Declan alone, but it would have looked odd given Gustav's esteemed position with the king if he weren't present, so I had no choice but to share news that likely pleased him greatly.
“Where are these traitors?” The king frowned from where he stood in front of the fire, rubbing his hands together to warm them. His eyes flashed with anger. “We will deal with them straight away.”
“Not here,” I assured. “’Twas spoken about by Scotsmen passing through heading north mere days ago. Men who claimed they had heard rumors of these traitors and were warning others to be wary of their Norse neighbors.”
Which was the last thing I wanted to hear, given my efforts to assure Scots their fellow Norse were peaceable.
“Did they say where they were going?” Alexander asked. “Or from what village these Norse traitors hailed?”
“They could not say,” I divulged, sipping my whisky. “Only that they were Scots rallying on your behalf.”
“Were they warriors?” Declan frowned. “Or merchantmen?”
“’Tis said they appeared merchantmen,” I replied, equally unsettled. “They carried no weapons that they could see.” Shaking my head, I looked at the king, certain I had gained his trust in such matters. “Rest assured, you have no enemies in this village or any of those behind us.”
“Unless these traitorous Norsemen were heading south, and arrived there after we left,” Gustav pointed out with disgust, taking a swig of whisky. “In that case, who knows how much Norse dissent lies in our wake.”
“None,” I cut back firmly, frowning at him, frustrated by the seeds of uncertainty he tried to plant in King Alexander’s mind every chance he got. “Those behind us will not be swayed away from the love of Scotland and its king.”
“I believe her,” Declan said, supporting me as always. He looked at the king with reassurance. “As should you, my liege.”
“And I do,” Alexander said without hesitation, speaking to not just the trust I had gained with him but to our growing friendship.
Or so it had seemed when we spent long hours alone, talking so he might better understand my people and culture.
That told me he did, in fact, want peace for all, as long as his country was his own in the end, and I well understood it.
“With that trust,” the king went on, “comes an even greater importance that no harm befalls you, Astrid.” He looked from Declan to Gustav.
“That said, I would have you both guarding her with your lives as we continue to the next village.” His attention returned to me.
“’Tis more than clear you can fight, lass, but ‘twould comfort me knowing you are even more protected, as you have become a boon to me indeed, and I will see no harm come to you.”
Though I sensed Declan’s tension matched my own at Alexander’s request, we had no choice but to comply.
Not surprisingly, Gustav agreed without pause, too.
Despite how much the way he occasionally looked at me since battling unsettled me, he had done nothing untoward, so it made sense the king might ask this of him.
Especially if he were eyeing Gustav as my potential husband.
“Of course, my liege,” Gustav assured. Even though he offered me a warm enough smile, I still saw the predatory gleam in his gaze when he looked my way. “’Twould be an honor to look after someone so determined to protect our homeland.”
“Verra good,” Alexander said, making clear we would set out first thing in the morning. “Declan, I need to speak to Gustav alone so see Astrid back to the family with whom she lodges, then seek out Gustav in the morn so you two might protect her together as we continue north.”
“Aye, my king,” he said. “As you wish.”
With business settled, we left soon afterward into a cold night that smelled of potential snow, remaining silent until we were alone, only for Declan to end up revealing something that chilled me to the bone.