My brow creases. “What does that mean?”
His eyes slide up and down my body, and heat pools low in my belly. “It means that ye opened yourself up for suitors.”
I swallow, my eyes going wide. I stammer out, “But—but I don’t want any suitors.”
He tips his drinking horn back and takes long gulps of the mead inside. His throat bobs with the movement, and I watch a single drop slide down his chin before he wipes it away with the back of his hand.
“I should think not. Because you’re mine.”
My whole body catches on fire, his words and the drums beat reverberating through me. Lachlan pulls me into a dance, our bodies flowing along together perfectly.
There’s no hesitancy, no misstep, just the perfect gliding movement of two people who belong together. With my arms around his neck and his hands on my waist, I feel the heat of his body against mine.
His lips brush against mine, and I allow myself to get swept away, knowing this moment won’t last forever, but I will covet it for however long I can.
32
LIGHT THROUGH THE CLOUDS
Weeks later, thoughts of Midsommar still dance around in my mind. But not right now, as my arms tremble at the force necessary to block Tane’s strike.
Sweat drips down the side of his face and drops onto my outstretched arm.
“Gross,” I mutter.
A flash of humor lights across his eyes before his face cracks into a wide smile.
“Lena,” he shakes his head, “you need to stay focused,no distractions, or it will cost you.” His voice is light, but I heed the warning, anyway.
We break apart and walk together to the water table. I sheath my axe on my back. The past few weeks have passed in a flurry of meetings, training, and introductions. The only time I feel relaxed is when I’m on this training ground. It seems like every day a new family arrives, and a tent is erected.
“Thank you for all your instructions—and the new houses look great,” I say after throwing back an entire glass of water.
Tane has been a tremendous help not only with keeping meon a rigid training schedule but also with housing logistics. Several of the new timber homes were built by his very hands. Thatched roofs and sturdy timber constructions, the perfect fit for some of the warriors with smaller children. The rest of our population has had to make do with the tents.
“It’s what the rebellion needs. I’m more than happy to help.” He shrugs.
But something glimmered in his eyes with the word “rebellion.”
“Have you ever been a part of a rebellion before?” I ask hesitantly.
Tane turns to look at me, but his eyes are a million miles away. The breeze that floats between us does nothing to cool off the intensity of his gaze.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t pry,” I say apologetically.
But Tane just shakes his head before gruffly clearing his throat.
“I was a part of a rebellion once, and I died there protecting my people and our land.”
His words are heavy.
“Mathilda said she was the Valkyrie who brought you here.”
At my words, Tane’s face relaxes, and he tips his head to the sky, closing his eyes and embracing the sun.
He sighs deeply before continuing. “I thought there had been a mistake. My soul was supposed to journey to Hawaiki. But when she broke through the clouds, I held my last breath. It was like looking into the sun. Her face … it was light and warmth, and every good feeling I’d ever felt before. I didn’t know pain in the end. I had died a warrior’s death, and she was my reward. She took my hand, asking if I wanted to join her, and then brought me here. She explained to me what my duty now was, but none of it mattered. I would have gone anywhere or done anything she’d asked.”
His revelation has me gasping for air;he loves her.
