“Shieldmaiden,” his tone was brusque and she could hear the annoyance behind it.“There are aspects of the ceremony tomorrow you should not be surprised by.”
“Grant me one night of peace before I decide if I will bind myself to you.”
He shook his head.“No.I ask that you take a stroll with me.Somewhere quiet and of your choosing.”
Brunhild flicked a glance over her shoulder and met Mirren’s wide eyes.When she swiveled back, he raised an impatient brow.“I agree to this only if my shield mate follows us.”
“I care not.I have nothing to hide and she is welcome to listen,” he said with a shrug.
“My leader goes nowhere unarmed and does not need me to accompany her," Mirren interjected.She gave Brun a jaunty salute as she made her way to the door."I'm off to find my own entertainment."
After Mirren left, Brun turned to her groom.“My first mate is correct, I seldom lay down my weapons.”
"I've been expecting a knife in my back or an ax in my skull since we landed, so I'll be armed as well."
She gave him a sharp nod as she sheathed her axe and sword.“I know of a place where our conversation will remain private.”
Brunhild hadn’t visited the pool over the crest of the hill since her return from raiding.Freya's presence was always in that place, calming and steady like the breeze that always rippled through the clearing.
When they reached the clearing, she whirled to face him and stepped back, one hand on the hilt of her dagger and the other on the handle of her axe.She’d only unsheathe her weapons in this sacred place if he became a threat.
“Say your piece, barbarian.”
He tipped his head to the side.“Your weapons needn’t be at the ready, and would do you no good against me if I change form."
“I have no reason to trust you and I’ll take my chances if need be.At the very least I’ll draw your blood before you overpower me.”
His shrug was aggravatingly nonchalant.“You must do what you believe you must.I only wish to hear the conditions you’ll impose on our union.”
He seemed earnest, and if she told him the reasons she was so opposed, perhaps he would address them.
“Our marriage will not be consummated until we have come to know each other.No matter how long that takes.”
“I am amenable to this condition.I have no wish to bed the daughter of my former enemy without some assurance she won’t spit me on her sword.”
“As long as you keep your distance, cretin, my sword will remain sheathed.”
“We must consummate the marriage or it is invalid in the eyes of the gods.You may not be my mate, but we must prevail upon them for their blessing despite the false foundation of our union.”
“Your mate?I am no one’s mate.”
“Each uisge bear children only with their mate.A partner who is the other half of their soul, usually a mortal.When the mating bond is woven between them, she becomes long-lived and favored by the gods as well.”
“If you and your kind are so favored by the gods, why have they abandoned you to the Kraken horde?I am not your mate, and our union will simply add to their ire.”
His gaze searched hers.“As colts we are told that we will know when we find the other half of our soul.That it is like lightning striking our heart - forever changing us.That did not happen when I met you.”
“But something happened when you met me.”She could see it in his eyes.Although she wasn’t his mate, she affected him.
“Something happened.Something I choose to ignore because it is inconvenient.”
Now Brunhild was even more curious.“This whole bargain is an inconvenience to me and a boon to you.You are getting everything you desire and I receive nothing in return.”
He planted his hands on his hips and tipped his chin toward the cloudless winter sky.“I want you in my furs, Brunhild Ranulfsdottir.And that want is inconvenient and was not part of my plans.”
“You do not know me well enough to desire such a thing,” she accused with flushed cheeks.
“I needn’t know anything other than your beauty.Your slender strength and your sturdy frame.The way your chin reaches my shoulder and your height is the match to mine.The way I know I could plunge into you against a wall and I’d feel the scrape of your nails as your body swallowed mine.”
