Because a Shaman is merely a way of communing, you do not need to speak to the gods for you to be an extraordinary person.Azul did not voice her thoughts out loud.She supposed a Shaman was like an advisor for such a king candidate, so the question then was, who was Somadina’s Shaman?
“When you offered me anything I wished,” Ragnar’s voice interrupted.“I nearly mistook you for a messenger of the gods, ordaining me king.”
Azul looked at the man, finding him somewhat apprehensive of her.“I know my offer is vague.And you have no reason to trust I can fulfil your wish.But I'm grateful you were willing to marry me temporarily.I apologise for the mess my life is right now."
He took his time to respond, and for a moment, she considered he might have cold feet.
Her situation wasn’t advantageous, and there was too much unknown for either of them to make such risky gambles.'Warlord' was a title of brutality, not conquest.Many people wanted Ragnar’s head to pander to his enemies; the Borjigin were apparently no different.
"Khatun."He brought her attention to the back of his head, to his long, black hair tied up behind him."Such things you need not say.While you stay by my side, you must never apologise, not to me, not to anyone.Such is the weight of my name.Use it till you're full."
"Is that really alright?"She sounded uncharacteristically small."To use you as a shield?"
"My name is not that weak that you need to worry about such things."
Her heart thumped.
Before she could say anything more, a horse burst from the trees ahead of them—wild-eyed, riderless, clearly spooked.Behind it, a child's scream.
Chinedu.
Azul's heart stopped.
The little prince's horse was bolting straight toward them, Chinedu clinging to its neck, his small face white with terror.The horse was completely out of control, foam flying from its mouth, eyes rolling white.
"Chinedu!"Azul's voice cut through the chaos, but the boy couldn't hear her, couldn't do anything but hold on.
Ragnar swung onto the horse behind her, arms closing around her as he grabbed the reins.The stallion surged forward without needing instruction.
"Hold on," he said in her ear.
Not like she had a choice.
They closed the distance fast—too fast, the wind tearing at her hair, the world blurring.Ragnar guided them alongside the bolting horse, matching its speed, then leaning—
His arm shot out, caught Chinedu around the waist, and lifted the boy clean off his saddle.
The child landed against Azul, small and shaking, and Ragnar pulled them both to a halt.
The boy burst into tears, hugging Azul tightly.
"You're safe," Azul said, her voice rough.She wrapped her arms around him, feeling his heart pound against hers."It's over."
Ragnar slid off the horse and reached up for the boy.Chinedu went to him without hesitation, clinging to this stranger who had just saved his life.
"Where's your mother?"Ragnar asked.
"I don't know," he sobbed."She was helping me up, and my horse suddenly lost its composure!"
Ragnar's eyes met Azul's.They both understood: this was not an accident.
"We need to get him back," Azul said.Her stomach was churning from the sudden motion."His mother will be—"
She stopped and swallowed.The world tilted slightly.
Ragnar was at her side in an instant."Khatun?"
"I need to get down."She pressed a hand to her mouth.
