Page 160 of Ironling
Something had clung to him all afternoon, and she sensed it was finally ready to be divulged. She watched as his throat bobbed, and she waited patiently as he quietly found his words.
“Did I frighten you today?”
Aislinn laid her head against his arm. “Yes.”
He stiffened beneath her cheek, and she hurried to explain. “I didn’t know you could be lost to the berserker rage. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“I didn’t know I was capable of it,” he admitted. “But I saw you go down and…”
“You were incredible. They’re already telling stories about you.” It was early yet, but already the people of Dundúran looked differently upon Hakon. He’d defended her ferociously, and they had taken note. He’d proven himself to them in some way, and Aislinn swelled with pride to see them coming to understand what she already knew.
“It was…necessary.”
“I know.” Squeezing his hand, she said, “I’m sorry you were put in that position at all. I was so scared, and you saved me. I’m glad of it. But to see you not yourself…” Her breath went wobbly in her chest. “I worried I might lose you to it.”
“I felt lost. For a time. But even then, I knew I was yours. That I had to protect you.”
She smiled sadly. “Let’s not do it again, though. All right?”
“I can’t promise that. I’ll protect you to my last breath,vinya.”
“I know, my darling. I know. But before that last breath, I want us to live a very long, very happy life.”
That eased most of the tension from his face, and he finally smiled for her again. “Anything for you, mate.”
“Good. Now, let’s extricate ourselves and go to bed. I want you to hold me.”
A saucy purr burst from his chest, sending her laughing as they made their farewells. It took some time and delicate diplomacy to make their escape from the great hall. Even corridors of the castle burst with merriment, and they were stopped every few paces by someone else.
It was slow progress back to their apartments, but as they neared the residential wing, revelers began to dwindle. Except…
Aislinn’s pace slowed as she listened and heard…singing.
She shared a curious look with Hakon.
Leading him back, they entered the otherwise empty east solar. Its tall windows on the far side glowed with light from the courtyard, drawing her toward them. The singing grew louder as they approached, and Hakon opened the glass door onto the balcony.
She stepped out into the night to the sound of thousands of voices singing.
The courtyard glowed as brightly as the day with hundreds of torches and a dozen bonfires, the city illuminated with a warm yellow glow. A crowd of thousands had gathered there, spilling out the castle walls into the city beyond. Windows had been thrown open despite the chill, and the smell of warm cider and roasting meat scented the air.
It took a moment, but the people nearest the balcony soon saw her. Cheers rang out, and people called her name.
Aislinn stepped further onto the balcony, pulling Hakon along with her. Filled with a delight so potent it almost hurt, she waved at the singing crowd, drawing more cheers.
Pulling her into his side, Hakon leaned down to kiss her hair. “They love you, Lady Darrow,” he whispered against her temple, “but not nearly as much as I do.”
Happy tears escaped her, and she laughed, her body unable to contain all her joy and relief.
As more in the crowd turned toward the balcony, the cheering grew in volume, until it felt and sounded as if the whole world shook with their voices.
Aislinn didn’t know who began it, but she recognized the first lines of an old Darrowlands ballad, one even older than Eirea as a united country. It was their song, an anthem just for them. Of their rolling heartland and fertile forests and winding rivers. Of how their people never knelt nor broke.
She sang with her people, loudly and off-key and with her whole body. Her lungs ached and her spirit sang along.
Tonight, the Darrowlands came together in celebration.
Tonight, Aislinn felt a happiness wider and deeper than she ever had before. One born of hope and prospect and dreams.
