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Chapter no 12

A Fate Inked in Blood

Sโ€Œcowling, I stared at the sun, which, given it was late morning, was high in the sky. Bjorn was supposed to have been at the great hall an hour after dawn. My morning had been wasted sitting aroundโ€Œ

waiting, and I was thoroughly pissed off.

โ€œBjorn isnโ€™t much for mornings,โ€ Liv said, coming up from behind me. โ€œThe only reason one typically sees him at dawn is because heโ€™s yet to go to bed.โ€

That didnโ€™t surprise me at all.

Liv, however,ย hadย been at the great hall at dawn, checking on the progress of the injured. Despite the gravity of their wounds, several had already departed, fully recovered, while others still suffered. Some, I knew, had never woken up, the goddess Eir having declined to save them.ย How does she decide?ย I quietly wondered, rubbing at the fingerprint-shaped bruises on my arms from Snorri shaking me.ย How does the goddess choose

who lives and who dies?ย But instead of asking Liv the question, I posed another. โ€œYou know him well?โ€

The healer shrugged. โ€œAs well as anyone, I suppose. I was raised on a farm north of Halsar, but I didnโ€™t come to serve Snorri until after my gift manifested, which was after Bjorn was taken to Nordeland.โ€

I blinked. โ€œNordeland?โ€

One of Livโ€™s eyebrows rose, then she shook her head. โ€œI forget how things are in a small village, not knowing any of the events going on more than an hourโ€™s ride in any direction.โ€ She sighed. โ€œThere are days Iโ€™d give anything to go back to a life of blissful ignorance.โ€

From someone else, namely Ylva, the words would have felt like an insult, but not from Liv. She was merely telling it as it was, not casting judgment. โ€œIโ€™d prefer not to be ignorant in this.โ€

She gave a slight nod. โ€œKing Harald of Nordeland heard of the foretelling and, knowing a united Skaland would pose a danger to him, came to Halsar to kidnap Bjorn. He intended to hold him hostage so that Snorri would never move against Nordeland. Bjornโ€™s mother was killed during the kidnapping. Burned alive, they say.โ€

I pressed my fingers to my mouth, horrified.

โ€œSnorri attempted to free Bjorn many times. But it was not until three years ago that he succeeded, and it was at great cost in ships and men. Yet well worth it, for Harald lost his hostage and Snorri regained the son whose magic had the power to reveal the shield maiden. Though there are some who wish heโ€™d never returned.โ€

โ€œYlva?โ€ The lady of Halsarโ€™s name rose easily to my lips.

Liv sighed. โ€œYes. Snorri was handfasted to Ylva when Bjorn was conceived with Saga during a moment of indiscretion. Though Ylva now has a son by him, as firstborn, Bjorn remained his heir. Status which he couldnโ€™t claim as Haraldโ€™s prisoner.โ€

I twitched, remembering the night of the wedding, how Ylva had said she couldnโ€™t stand Snorri being with another woman again. The first instance must have been Bjornโ€™s mother, and it had cost Ylva greatly.

โ€œYlvaโ€™s son is alive, then?โ€ I asked. โ€œIf he is, why havenโ€™t I met him?โ€

Liv nodded. โ€œLeif is fifteen. Heโ€™s on a hunting expedition with his cousins, though I expect heโ€™ll return soon enough. Snorri needs warriors more than Halsar needs meat.โ€

This revelation explained the animosity between Bjorn and Ylva. โ€œWhen Bjorn returned, he regained his status as heir?โ€

โ€œYes.โ€ Liv sat next to me on the bench, fixing her skirts. โ€œBut Leif has spent his whole life in Halsar and is Ylvaโ€™s son, so there are many whoโ€™d prefer him to be Snorriโ€™s heir.โ€

โ€œBut itโ€™s Bjornโ€™s birthright,โ€ I said, not certain why I felt so defensive.

Liv smirked. โ€œI see the flirt has won you over, though perhaps seeing the other side of his personality will cure you of that.โ€

She jerked her chin toward the front of the hall, and I turned in time to watch Bjorn trip over the entranceway, nearly sprawling to the floor before catching his balance. Liv laughed, but my eyes only burned, because nothing about this was funny. Quite the opposite.

โ€œYouโ€™re late,โ€ I snapped at the same time as Liv said, โ€œI hope you feel half as bad as you look, Bjorn.โ€

He ignored me and grinned at her. โ€œNot yet, but soon enough.โ€

His meaning registered and a rush of anger surged through me. โ€œAre you still drunk?โ€

โ€œNot as drunk as I was.โ€ He turned his grin on me, but the straw stuck in his hair ruined the effect. That and the fact that I was angry enough to kick him in the balls. โ€œDonโ€™t give me that look, Freya,โ€ he added. โ€œI was only doing my best to enjoy my final hours of liberty before my father chains me to your side.โ€

I balled my hands into fists, hating the hollowness forming in my stomach. โ€œYourย libertyย ended several hours ago.โ€

His gaze flattened. โ€œAnd it already feels like eternity.โ€

I rolled my eyes to hide the hitch in my breath, because his behavior stung. More than anyone in Halsar, Iโ€™d felt connected to him. Heโ€™d shown me kindness and respect and had defended me against Ylva. But it seemed all of that didnโ€™t matter as much as Iโ€™d thought. At least, not to him. โ€œGet over it.โ€

โ€œAs pleasant as this conversation isโ€โ€”Liv rose to her feetโ€”โ€œIโ€™ve better things to do than watch you two bicker.โ€

Bjorn parroted her words as she walked away, which I was tempted to point out onlyย provedย them, but then he rounded on me. โ€œWell? Are you ready?โ€

Donโ€™t let him get to you,ย I screeched at myself.ย Donโ€™t you dare give him the satisfaction.ย So through my teeth, I said, โ€œWhere do you wish to conduct my training?โ€

โ€œGiven youโ€™re likely to fall on your arse many times, weโ€™ll go somewhere less muddy,โ€ he said. โ€œThe docks will do if you can manage not to fall in the water.โ€

Donโ€™t let himโ€”

Fuck him. I wasnโ€™t going to take this behavior quietly. โ€œIโ€™m not the one struggling to stand steady on a flat floor.โ€

He huffed out an amused breath. โ€œWe shall see who makes it to the end of the lesson without getting wet.โ€ Then he winked.

A fiery hot blush raced up my chest to my face. โ€œDonโ€™t flatter yourself. Iโ€™m not some simpering maid whose thighs turn slick just because an idiot man winks at her.โ€

One of the servants walking by heard my words and gaped. Bjorn gave her an apologetic smile. โ€œI was talking about the fjord, Freya.โ€ Then he shook his head. โ€œSuch a filthy mind you have. I think Iโ€™ll be most corrupted by our time together.โ€

The servant looked back and forth between us, then hurried off. If I hadnโ€™t so recently discovered what it felt like for flesh to burn, I would have sworn my entire body was aflame.

โ€œLetโ€™s go,โ€ Bjorn said, โ€œbefore you fill my virtuous mind with any more talk of slick thighs and hard nipples.โ€

โ€œI said nothing about nipples, you drunk idiot,โ€ I hissed, picking up the two shields Iโ€™d secured and scampering after him.

Bjorn threw up his hands. โ€œYou see, Freya? Already you are influencing me, and Iโ€™ve only been in your company a matter of minutes. What sordid

things will my tongue come up with after an hour with you? A day? A year? You will be the ruin of my virtue.โ€

โ€œThe only thing that you need worry about is me cutting out your tongue if you donโ€™t shut up,โ€ I snapped, then stomped ahead of him down to the water, not caring that mud splattered my new trousers or that my shirt was already damp with nervous sweat.

โ€œFrom most people that would be an empty threat,โ€ he answered, โ€œbut youโ€™re a woman who keeps her word, so I will guard my tongue.โ€

I didnโ€™t think that meant heโ€™d any intention of keeping silent.

The dock would normally be busy with fishermen and merchants coming and going, but today it was silent as a grave, the people of Halsar instead engaged with rebuilding the homes that had been lost to fires set by Gnutโ€™s men.

My feet made echoing thumps as I stomped to the far end, the fjord a glittering steel blue. Though the spring air was cool and the tips of the surrounding mountains were still covered with snow, the overhead sun was warm enough that I didnโ€™t regret leaving my cloak at the great hall. In fact, it was warm enough toโ€”

I turned around in time to see Bjorn dropping his shirt onto the dock, hard muscles and tattooed skin all in clear view. Setting the shields at my feet, I crossed my arms. โ€œWorried about falling in?โ€ I refused to say the wordย wet.

โ€œNo.โ€ He hooked his thumbs over his belt, his trousers drifting low enough to reveal the sharp V of muscle that disappeared into them. The injury heโ€™d taken last night was gone, presumably healed with Livโ€™s magic. Realizing I was staring at the tantalizing stretch of bare skin, I jerked my eyes to his face while gesturing at his discarded shirt.

He only shrugged. โ€œI rarely wear a shirt when I fight.โ€

This time my eye roll was entirely unfeigned. โ€œIs that part of your strategy, then? To distract the enemy with your rippling muscles so you might kill them while they gape at your splendor?โ€

โ€œIt is madness how well it works,โ€ he agreed. โ€œYouโ€™d think that when I run toward them, screaming battle cries and vows for blood, it would be the

burning axe they commented on, but no. Itโ€™s always, โ€˜Look at that Bjornโ€™s ripping muscles. If I survive this battle, I vow to drink less mead so that my belly looks like his.โ€™ โ€

I scowled, annoyed that he was getting the better of me. Again. โ€œWhy, then?โ€

โ€œBecause fabric burns.โ€ He smirked. โ€œSo I either take it off before or risk having to rip it off in the middle of a fight.โ€

โ€œLeather doesnโ€™t burn,โ€ I said flatly, knowing precisely what the warriors wore when they fought. โ€œNeither does steel. So either you are vain or you are very stupid.โ€

Bjorn spread his arms wide. โ€œWhy not both?โ€

โ€œWhy not indeed,โ€ I grumbled, bending to pick up a shield, gripping it tight. โ€œSnorri has ordered you to teach me to fight in a shield wall. You may begin to do so now.โ€

โ€œYes,ย my ladyย of Halsar.โ€ He cast his green eyes skyward. โ€œIn the shield wall, you must hold a shield.โ€

โ€œReally?โ€ I said. โ€œThat part I didnโ€™t know.โ€

โ€œYou must hold a shield for aย long time.โ€ He bent low, his nose less than a handspan from my already-quivering arm, then met my gaze with raised eyebrows. โ€œI suspect you canโ€™t hold it for more than five minutes.โ€

He turned on his heel and retreated back up the dock a few paces before flopping down on his arse. Then he rolled up his shirt, using it as a cushion as he lay on his back and closed his eyes, seemingly intent on sunning himself while I stood here quivering and sweating.

Arrogant prick!

โ€œArm up, Freya,โ€ he called, though there was no way he could see me. โ€œYouโ€™re protecting your heart, not your knees.โ€

Arsehole!ย I lifted the shield higher, grinding my teeth as my arm protested the strain. But Iโ€™d do it. For however long I had to, Iโ€™d stand here. This might not be how Iโ€™d envisioned being trained as a warrior, but that didnโ€™t mean Iโ€™d quit.

I can do this,ย I silently chanted.ย I can do this.

Minutes passed, and with each one I prayed that Bjorn would say it had been long enough. That Iโ€™d proven myself.

But he said nothing. I wasnโ€™t sure if he was even awake. On the beach, more and more people had gathered, watching and chuckling as though this were all a big joke. Even the children joined in, several of them holding up shields with shaking arms, mocking my attempts.

My temper snapped.

โ€œGet up!โ€ I barked. โ€œYou are here to teach, not to take a nap in the sun. I wish to do something else.โ€

Bjorn cracked one eye. โ€œYou think that is how it goes in battle? That you get tired and announce to your enemy, โ€˜I am tired. Let us do something else instead. Let us roast a chicken and drink a cup until my arm steadies.โ€™ โ€ He sat upright. โ€œIf your strength fails you in battle, Freya, youโ€™ll die.โ€

โ€œIโ€™m aware,โ€ I said between my teeth. โ€œBut I wish you to test my strength a different way.โ€

โ€œFine.โ€ He rose to his feet, then retrieved the other shield. โ€œReady?โ€

Before I had a chance to respond, he slammed it into mine. The impact sent me staggering, and I nearly fell off the end of the dock. Gasping, I stumbled back to the center, barely managing to get my shield up before he struck. Again I staggered, nearly going over the edge. โ€œWhy are you so angry about having to do this?โ€

Because there was no denying that heย wasย angry.

Behind the swagger and jokes and indifference was rage, and I didnโ€™t understand why. Didnโ€™t understand why teaching me to fight and watching my back was such a horrible thing.

โ€œBecause itโ€™s bullshit.โ€ He smashed his shield into mine with enough force that my heels slid over the edge of the dock, only luck keeping me from falling. โ€œMy fate is not tied to yoursโ€”thatโ€™s just Snorri spinning words to get what he wants. Itโ€™s not my destiny to protect you.โ€

The latter made sense, in a way, but the formerโ€ฆโ€œWhat if heโ€™s right? Other than Ylva, you were the only one who saw the vision of me being torn apart. That has to mean something.โ€

โ€œProbably because I have godโ€™s blood.โ€

โ€œSo do Steinunn and Liv,โ€ I countered. โ€œSteinunn says that she saw nothing.โ€

His expression darkened, though I wasnโ€™t certain if it was the mention of the skald or the fact Iโ€™d disproved his argument. โ€œThis is not my fate.โ€

He slammed his shield into mine and my arm shuddered, nearly buckling. One more blow like that and I was going to take the edge of my shield in my chin, but I refused to give in. Refused to call it quits.

โ€œMy fateโ€โ€”he paused in his attack, although I wasnโ€™t certain if it was to give me a rest or because he was more interested in airing his grievances than fightingโ€”โ€œis to win battles, not spend day and night defending another manโ€™s wife.โ€

โ€œI see.โ€ My tone frigid, I added, โ€œA woman is only worth your time if you might end up in her bed, is that the truth of it?โ€

โ€œAnd if it is?โ€

Even if it was the truth, his behavior was unfair, because it was Snorri whoโ€™d forced him into this role, not me. Yet I was the one Bjorn was taking his displeasure out on. And I wasnโ€™t going to take it.

Bjorn came at me again, and as I braced, I murmured, โ€œHlin, give me strength.โ€

Power surged through me, magic enveloping my shield. I watched Bjornโ€™s eyes widen, but it was too late for him to stop his blow.

His shield struck my magic, and the impact launched him backward with such force that he flew through the air, landing in the fjord with a splash.

Vanquishing my magic, I moved to the end of the dock and watched him come spluttering to the surface, his shield floating nearby. โ€œIt seems you are the one who is wet, Bjorn.โ€

He glared at me and then swam toward the dock with powerful strokes, shield abandoned in the water. โ€œMagic will only take you so far,โ€ he snarled. โ€œSnorri wants you to become a warrior, not a glowing beacon in the shield wall that everyone will try to kill.โ€

โ€œFuck Snorri,โ€ I shouted at him. โ€œAnd fuck you, too.โ€

He reached for the edge of the dock to pull himself up, but I wasnโ€™t through. So I stomped on his fingers, earning a yelp of pain.

โ€œYou think I want to be a figurehead?โ€ I demanded. โ€œYou think I asked to be named in a seerโ€™s prophecy? I was going about my life when you rode into it and tore it to shreds.โ€

โ€œBecause life with Vragi was such a fine thing? You hated him.โ€ Bjorn started to reach up for the dock again, then hesitated as I lifted my foot.

โ€œPerhaps you ought to consider Vragiโ€™s fate before you test me any further.โ€

โ€œThreats will not force me to be satisfied with spending life as your shadow.โ€

โ€œI donโ€™t give a shit if youโ€™re satisfied!โ€ I shouted, even though it was a lie. Itย wouldย bother me knowing that he resented being around me. โ€œBecause no one gives a shit if Iโ€™m satisfied! I didnโ€™t agree to Snorriโ€™s ultimatum for myself, I did it to protect my family, which is clearly somethingย youย donโ€™t understand. Because weย areย family now.โ€

An emotion I couldnโ€™t quite read flickered through his eyes, and Bjorn looked away. Immediately, I regretted my words. Heโ€™d spent much of his life separated from his family, kept as a prisoner. If he didnโ€™t understand, it was because heโ€™d never had a chance to.

Swallowing hard, I forced myself to finish. โ€œIf you continue to try to make things worse than they are, I will return the favor tenfold. So perhaps you might do us both the favor of saving your ire for the individual who has forced us to such close proximity.โ€

Bjorn said nothing, only treaded water, his shield slowly drifting past us toward shore.

โ€œYou may get out of the water now,โ€ I said, extremely aware that we were being watched. โ€œAnd then you may apologize.โ€

โ€œIโ€™m too afraid to get out.โ€ He continued swimming in place. โ€œYou have thrown me in the water, possibly broken my fingers, and threatened to murder me. At least in the fjord I donโ€™t need to fear you pursuing me.โ€

Though I knew damn well Bjorn had no fear of me, a hint of unease filled my chest that Iโ€™d gone too far. My mother always said that I had the temper of a caged mink, prone to saying the worst sorts of things, only to regret them later. โ€œIโ€™m not going to murder you.โ€

โ€œJust batter my feelings until I wish I were dead?โ€

โ€œIโ€™m notโ€”โ€ I scowled as a smile grew on his face and I crossed my aching arms. โ€œI wonโ€™t do anything to you that you donโ€™t deserve. Now get out and apologize and we may carry on.โ€

He eyed me for a moment, then swam closer and took hold of the dock.

Only to snatch his hand back with a hiss of pain.

Concern flooded me. Had I truly broken his fingers? Should I go fetch Liv?

โ€œHelp me up,โ€ he muttered, reaching with his other hand.

Without thinking I grasped it, realizing his deception a heartbeat before he pulled. A shriek tore from my lips as I fell headfirst into the fjord, the shock of cold worse than I remembered.

Righting myself, I spat out a mouthful of seawater and glared at him. โ€œThis is not a good start.โ€

He inclined his head. โ€œI am sorry for being an arse and not showing you the respect you deserve, Freya Born-in-Fire.โ€

โ€œAnd you needed to get me wet to tell me that?โ€ I was bloody freezing, and from the beach I could hear the laughter of the onlookers whoโ€™d watched me go arse-up into the fjord.

โ€œI needed to be a little bitย moreย sorry before I could get an apology from my mouth,โ€ he said. โ€œBut now it is said, and we may move on.โ€

โ€œDonโ€™t be so certain,โ€ I grumbled, watching as he swam under the dock, then reached up to hook his fingers through the boards. Every muscle in his body stood out in stark relief as he hung from the dock, water running in rivulets through the dips and valleys of taut skin.

He eyed me for a long moment, green eyes thoughtful, then asked, โ€œHas Snorri told you anything of his plans for you? Said anything about how he believes you will make him king?โ€

โ€œNo,โ€ I answered around chattering teeth. โ€œHeโ€™s barely spoken to me at all.โ€

โ€œMarriage at its finest.โ€ Bjorn chuckled, but before I could ball up my fist to punch him in his stomach, he added, โ€œNo one knows. I asked around last night and spent a small fortune in mead, but no one knows anything.โ€

My cheeks heated as I realized that heโ€™d not, as Iโ€™d thought, spent the entirety of his night getting drunk and having sex with random women. Heโ€™d spent at least some of it trying to discover the answer to the question I was desperate to answer myself. โ€œIf he were to confide in anyone, I should think it would be you.โ€

He looked away, scanning the fjord, though there was nothing to be seen but water. โ€œWe are not as close as you might think.โ€

I had no business prying, but I still asked, โ€œBecause of the years you spent in Nordeland?โ€

Bjornโ€™s eyes shot back to me. โ€œWhat do you know of that?โ€

โ€œNothing other than that you were taken prisoner as a child and that Snorri rescued you.โ€ I had a million questions I wished to ask, but I settled on the one that had bothered me the most. โ€œWhy didnโ€™t you escape?โ€

It was understandable why he hadnโ€™t tried to escape as a child, but much less so as a grown man, because as a child of Tyr, Bjorn wasย alwaysย armed. And even untrained, a boy with an axe made of a godโ€™s fire could do a great deal of damage.

Silence.

I cringed internally.ย When will you learn to shut your mouth, Freya?

He cleared his throat. โ€œI swore blood oaths as a child not to try to escape. Harald has many powerful individuals in his service, including those adept with rune magic.โ€

โ€œBeing rescued didnโ€™t violate your oath?โ€ I asked, curious given that Iโ€™d recently sworn my own.

โ€œClearly not.โ€

โ€œI heard that Snorri lost many men and drakkar rescuing you,โ€ I said, unsure why I kept pressing the topic. โ€œHe must care for you very much to have kept trying.โ€

โ€œHe knew he needed the fire of a god to find you,โ€ Bjorn answered. โ€œHis rescue attempts didnโ€™t begin until Iโ€™d been in Nordeland for two years, which was when he learned my magic had manifested.โ€

Oh.

It hadnโ€™t been sentiment that had driven Snorri to rescue his son, but the selfish need to claim the destiny he dreamed of. It was no wonder they werenโ€™t close. Needing to change the subject before I dug up any more wounds, I said, โ€œWhat about the seer who spoke the foretelling. Why not ask them for information about what Iโ€™m supposed to do?โ€

โ€œBecauseย sheย is dead.โ€

His voice was sharp, and understanding slowly dawned on me as I put the pieces together. Swallowing hard, I said, โ€œThe seer was your mother?โ€

Bjorn gave a tight nod.

A million questions reared in my head, but it was more than apparent that Bjorn wanted nothing to do with this conversation. Still, I hazarded one. โ€œWere you there when she spoke the foretelling?โ€

โ€œI was too young to remember.โ€

Of course, that made sense. โ€œDid she ever say anything else about me?

Ever say why the gods believed Iโ€™d be able to achieve such a fate?โ€

He hesitated, then said, โ€œHer gift was her downfall. I donโ€™t enjoy talking about it.โ€

Gods, I needed to cut out my own tongue because one day Iโ€™d build my own barrow with it. But before I could start in on apologies, footfalls thudded down the dock overhead. A heartbeat later, Snorriโ€™s voice filtered down. โ€œGet out of the water. Your brother has returned with news.โ€

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