Her mate visibly swallowed, his throat bobbing as if he were holding something at bay.“He is at his final berth, in the embrace of Lir with his wife, daughter and son.”
“You mean he is dead.”
Tor squeezed his eyes shut.“Aye, he is dead,” he rasped.
The pain in his voice was raw and unmistakable, and she laid her hand on his chest in sympathy.
"This is why you're determined to defeat the Kraken, why you'll stop at nothing to reclaim what they've stolen?"
"How do you know what they've stolen?"
"People talk.Especially vindictive shrews like your aunt.She said you have plans to rescue the women and children the Kraken have taken captive in their raids."
"My plans are not yet final."
She drew a tentative line down his chest, and kept her gaze downcast."Will you allow me to help?"
He pulled her atop him with no warning and kissed the tip of her nose."Nothing would make me happier, wife."
"Not even a new nickname?Or a new position?"She teased.
"The new nickname, no.'Tis likely to be another foul insult.But the new position?Mayhap."
The sparkle in his eyes lit her from the inside out as she tossed her head back in laughter.
Einar Bhaltair walked into the crashing waves with all the unflinching courage he’d shown in his life.His stride was steady and purposeful, and though tears stung his eyes, Tor kept his gaze fixed on his father.
When the wave of the storm rose over his head and he disappeared, grief swept over Tor, and the tears he’d been holding at bay slid silently down his cheeks.The salt of them mixed with the sea spray as his grief overwhelmed him.
His mate had been quiet, but when his arm tensed she laid her head on his shoulder, and inched her fingers over the fist clenched at his side.As she brushed her thumb back and forth over his knuckles, the tension eased from his body and he relaxed into the sorrow he was unable to deny.
“Your father was a good man and a respected leader and his legacy lives on in you,” she said.
“I never wanted the crown, and I’ll never forget what he told me the day he set it on my head.”
He blinked fiercely against the well of tears, and swiped the corner of his eye with his free hand.“He said there was no one better to lead our people, because I wasn’t seeking glory or power.When he told me he was walking into the arms of Lir, he said he was proud of the way I’ve stood for what is right and just and shown wisdom and compassion in the choices I’ve made.”
“Including your choice to wed a bloodthirsty shield maiden?”
Tor gave her a wry smile.“He said you were the wisest choice of all, that you were loyal to your depths despite our inauspicious beginning.”
“I will be at your side when we defeat your enemy, and if we are to emerge victorious when that day comes, I need to hone my skills.”
Her unexpected admission of anything less than perfection roused his curiosity, and he raised a brow.“I have witnessed no such need for improvement.”
She squeezed his hand.“My skill with a bow and arrow has been in disuse.I challenge you to another wager, husband.”
Tor sensed her challenge was an attempt to distract him from his sorrow, but dismissed the suspicion.Brunhild Ranulfsdottir would not expose her weakness to comfort someone else.
Chapter Sixteen
AsBrundonnedherleggings and thigh length tunic, and swung her bow across her back, Mirren entered the room.
“Everyone’s talking about today’s wager,” she said as she flopped belly first onto the bed.
“What are they saying?”Brun asked as she fingered the laces at her throat.
“They were all in such a somber mood yesterday, I think they welcome the frivolity of it.They’re all convinced he’ll beat you, just as he did during the ax challenge, but I have five silver pieces on you.”