Page 111 of Alliance Bride
“The woman told me Sig had it.” Though his voice was calm, his shoulders remained stiff, and fire lingered behind his eyes as he studied her face. He leaned in and kissed her, tender and full of emotion. Then he drew back, his voice low but intense. “I love you.”
The words weren’t new, but they were different somehow. They carried urgency, as if it were imperative he say them in case he somehow lost the chance.
Eadlyn slid her hand into his and squeezed it. “I love you too.”
Aevar let out a breath like a weight leaving his chest. He stood, brushing her hair with his fingers one last time before saying, “I’ll wash up, and we’ll go have breakfast. Jodis is making tea to help with your pain.”
The idea of food made her stomach growl, the first pangs of hunger cutting through her fatigue.
As Aevar stripped off his tunic and washed with the rag from the basin, Eadlyn watched him, taking in every familiar line of him. Her mind wandered, still dazed from exhaustion, until she blinked and realized something was missing.
“Where is your pendant?” From the time she’d met him, she had never seen him without it for long. He even wore it to bed most nights, but she had not seen it since he’d rescued her.
Aevar looked over his shoulder, then turned to her with a slow, meaningful smile. “At the bottom of a river somewhere southeast of here.”
“Why?”
He came to sit beside her again and took her hand, his gaze unwavering. “Because I don’t need it. My faith is in God now.”
The weight of his words washed over her, stealing her breath. Tears sprang up so fast she couldn’t even wipe them away. “Truly?”
He nodded, the truth shining in his eyes. “Yes.”
Eadlyn leaned into him, resting her forehead against his as the tears kept flowing with emotion too vast to name. They were truly one now. Not just in body or vow but in faith. No more fearing for his soul. No more begging God to reach him. He had come of his own free will. And now she understood the purpose behind their pain and the waiting.
They had come through the fire and were still standing. Together.
Though the pain lingered, as Aevar had predicted, each day brought Eadlyn more relief. The healer’s tea dulled the ache in her shoulder enough to allow her to sleep at night, and with food, shelter, and Aevar never far from her side, her strength returned. The weight of captivity fell away piece by piece, like the remnants of a nightmare chased away by morning light.
By the fourth morning in Kjolur, her steps were steady, no longer dragged down by exhaustion. When Aevar helped her tie the sling around her arm, she caught the small smile on his face.
“What is it?” she asked.
His smile deepened. “It’s just good to see you recovering and doing well.”
For a heartbeat they were silent, savoring each other’s presence. Then he kissed her forehead, and they left the room.
In the hall, Aevar’s father turned to meet them, and his weathered face softened. Like Aevar, Eadlyn read the relief in his expression.
“Gudrik is preparing us a ship to return to Fjellheim,” he said.
They had decided the river was the best route home, faster and less taxing than the long, rough ride by land. Ingvald and a few of the huskarls would take the horses south, but the rest would travel with her and Aevar downriver.
Runar held her gaze. “Are you up for traveling?”
“Yes,” she answered at once.
Though Kjolur had offered peace and safety, her heart longed for home. For the comfort of Inga’s mothering and Ranvi’s sisterly affection. For the children’s laughter. In Fjellheim, the last remnants of this ordeal could finally heal.
“Good,” Runar said. “We will leave once we’ve eaten.”
Across the hall, Heida lingered by the hearth where Jodis oversaw breakfast. She had been quieter than usual since they’d arrived, even here, in the place where she grew up.
Eadlyn touched Aevar’s arm. “I’ll be right back.”
Heida straightened as she approached. Ready to help. Ready to act. She’d been like that ever since the rescue, always making sure Eadlyn had what she needed. Food. A cup of tea. A place to rest.
But Eadlyn had no need of anything right now, except to share what was on her mind. “I know you feel guilty I was taken.”
