Page 104 of A Light So Blinding
The waves of trolls, all armored and armed to the teeth, rippled around them. There was so much flesh spread out before them, countless men and women who were so strong that he knew Astrid had to be a little frightened. They all lifted spears, swords, and axes into the air at the sight of him. Their whooping calls echoed throughout the hollow mountain until even those in the far reaches would hear the sound of their battle cry.
“Destroyer!” they called out as he held Astrid’s hand and weaved through the masses of them. “The Destroyer fights with us!”
The name dropped onto his shoulders like a weight. He was the one who would kill for them, just as he had killed for all those who had forced him to perform.
But then, a tiny hand squeezed his own. He could hear her above all the other shouts, perhaps only because he knew her voice so well.
Quietly, Astrid said, “You do not battle for those who tell you to do so. You battle for those who cannot.”
Her words stuck with him as they made the way to the front of the war band. Ragnar waited for them there with a few other generals, and they headed out from the mountain. Astrid had worn a cotton dress split at the sides that would make it easy for her to hop onto his back, although she would have to change before meeting her lord. She didn’t have appropriate clothing for that, but there were many tasks for them to figure out as they moved forward with this plan. He only cared for the sensation of her thighs squeezing around his hips and her arms around his neck.
They would do this together. They would fight as they always had, and they would make this work.
He’d keep her safe, he reminded himself. That was his only role in all of this. Keep her safe and get revenge for both of them.
For all of them.
The trolls ran long and hard away from the mountain. King James had sent plenty of soldiers all around their home, still trying to find a way inside that would give them the advantage. It was hard to get into Trollveggen without knowing where they were going, though.
Instead of attacking those human encampments like many of the trolls wished to do, they headed down a steeper side of the mountain and then around the back of the castle. It took them all night, running at full speed, to find a place nearby that would allow them to remain in secret. They set up camp quickly, lighting no fires to give them away.
Poor Astrid was pale and shaking when he pulled her off his back. He wanted to ask her what was wrong, but she beat him toit. She lifted her hands to her arms, running them up and down as a way to show him that she was cold.
He wouldn’t have that. Not for long, at least. Bjorn set up their tent as quickly as he could. Many trolls traveled with the war band who did not intend to fight. They were the ones who brought the supplies. Food, water, the tents, and bed furs that would keep them all warm in the coming days while they were waiting for Astrid’s message.
Bjorn took extra furs from the nearest troll who had them. He didn’t care that others gave him dirty looks, or clearly wanted to complain. His troll wife was cold, and he wasn’t going to watch her suffer. Human skin was so much thinner than a troll’s, and he refused to be the person who didn’t take care of his wife.
Once the tent was set up, he waved for her to head in before him. He’d get inside as soon as he could, but he wanted her to eat.
Bjorn should have brought snacks for her. He should have thought of it before they’d headed out. The last time they’d traveled like this, he hadn’t brought nearly enough food for her. He would learn from this.
Once he grabbed the meager offerings, just a few slices of bread, meat, and cheese, he headed back toward his tent. His plan to snuggle up with her was thwarted only by Ragnar, who stood just outside his tent.
His oldest friend was waiting for him. Quiet conversations were still sparse among the trolls, but the lookouts were now heading to their posts. Theoretically, they would be able to have a quick chat without anyone scolding them.
Who was he kidding? No one would scold him anyway. He was the Destroyer.
“What is it?” he asked.
“I was making sure you were getting food for your wife. Humans are fragile.” But Ragnar’s expression gave away thatthere was more he wished to say. He just wasn’t sure how to say it.
“And?” Bjorn pushed.
“This...” Ragnar sighed and then blurted it all out so quickly, Bjorn almost didn’t catch all the words. “This is likely the last night you will see her for quite some time, perhaps ever. I would suggest making the most of it, brother.”
No, he would not think like that. He would not assume that he would never see her again, or he wouldn’t be able to let her go. Bjorn would end up keeping her in this tent, and they would have to figure out another way to enact their king’s plan.
He nodded though and headed into his tent. He didn’t turn around until he was certain he heard Ragnar leave, because he knew the moment he saw her, he’d lose his breath.
And he did. He turned to see her stretched out on their furs, those long legs bare after she’d removed her dress. Astrid wore nothing but a few strips of fabric covering her breasts and ass from his view, but not much else.
All long limbs, smooth skin, and a grin on her face that made him see stars where he stood.
Bjorn set the food down near the door so it wouldn’t get ruined and started stripping off his armor piece by piece.
She shifted on the furs, and the sound of her movement seemed so loud. “You took long enough.”
“I was getting you food.”
