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“You both have our deepest thanks.” I looked from Magnus to Alexander, understanding there was also a political angle to their generous offerings. “We will be sure to let the King of Norway know how gracious both of you were.”

“’Twould be appreciated,” King Alexander said, his gaze pointed, telling me he fully intended to get his way in the end. “As diplomacy will continue with your country until every last Scottish isle is at long last ours again.”

Having no argument with that, Tove and I kept to being grateful for the great gifts they bestowed on us rather than talk of their driving our countrymen from Scottish shores. We knew Astrid had made great strides to ensure peace betwixt the Norse, who had been there for generations, and the local Scots, and that was enough for us. How it should be, to our way of looking at things.

After that, King Alexander requested that we join him to break our fast in the dining hall, as it would show all that peace was possible betwixt our countries. To be expected, Magnus claimed he had already eaten, whether true or not, and he needed to oversee preparations for our upcoming travels. To be equally expected, King Alexander took no issue with that, given that Tove, Freya, and I showed unification enough.

“’Tis clear the three of them are close,” I mentioned later that day to Tove, speaking of Astrid and Declan with Alexander. “And that she commands a lot of respect from the king.”

We were in our lodge, readying ourselves to say goodbye to Astrid soon.

It had been a good day for the sisters, and I think, for Declan and me, too, giving us a chance to get to know one another better. Though the chances we would ever meet again beyond the flames of our Helvig seers were slim, it was an opportunity to better understand each other’s character for the sake of our wives.

Astrid’s sisters had opted to present themselves as true shield-maidens for Astrid’s send-off, so we’d returned in order that she could ready herself. In more ways than one, too. I felt it in what had mostly become a heavy silence as she prepared herself for something so difficult.

She had never looked more beautiful or fierce, though, with her hair intricately braided back with beads and talismans. She had lined her pale sea-green eyes with charcoal and painted her face for battle, a show of strength that honored their shield-maiden sisterhood. Wearing her black leather tunic cinched at the waist, trousers, and boots beneath her polar cloak, she had sheathed her blade at her side and strapped her shield of purples to her back.

“No doubt Astrid does command a lot of respect from the king,” Tove replied to me, sounding proud. “I don’t doubt she will have…a very good and happy life in Scotland.”

My heart hurt for the way her voice broke. Though she struggled with her emotions, she knew now wasn’t the time for it. Needing me to be strong for her, I reeled her into my arms and tilted her chin until our eyes were aligned.

“She will have a good life, shield-maiden,” I assured, reminding her who she needed to be right now, wiping away the teardrop pearled at the corner of her eye with the pad of my thumb. “And you will be the Helvig earl and big sister she needs to see when you go out there.” I shook my head. “Not the one your father became, but your version.” I pressed my hand to her heart. “And you will know precisely how to go about it.”

Blinking back tears, she stood taller and nodded. “I will, husband.”

I perked my eyebrows and searched her eyes. “Ja?”

“Ja.”

While tempted to kiss her, I knew better right now. She needed to remain focused and strong, no matter how sad she was, so I stepped away, opened the door, and looked at her not just as a king but as her second-in-command.

“Then let us go say goodbye to your sister, Earl Helvig,” I said. “And send her off into a bright future indeed.”

And so, we did, however difficult it proved to be.

Chapter Twenty-One

Tove

Late November 1264

The Kingdom of Norway

Two Months Later

Though I had prayed a day would come when my sisters and I could reunite in peace, given the great task the three talismans had given us, it saddened me that peace would likely mean a final goodbye.

Yet, thanks to Knud rallying me to stay strong and be the fierce shield-maiden and earl I was, I managed to walk down that dock on the Isle of Mann beside Freya months before and say goodbye to Astrid without falling apart, understanding my tree-side prophecy was coming to pass.

I was letting go of a great love, my sister, and embracing a king, Knud.

Yet I found strength in our final embrace before holding Astrid at arm’s length, speaking to her with love and admiration.

“You have made your earl, sisters, and tribe so very proud, Lady Astrid Mackay.” Then I told her something she didn’t know. “As did you our father. He told me so on his deathbed.” I kept my gaze on her face, ensuring she saw the truth of it in my eyes. “He claimed you were the bravest of us all and that he wished he’d had a chance to tell you that.”

I had pressed my hand to her heart as tears slipped down her cheeks. “He claimed you would make all the difference, and so you have. Might that carry you forward through all the days of your life, as I couldn’t agree more. Moreover, I love you just as fiercely as he did, even if he no longer knew how to show it.”

“Thank you, sister,” she’d replied, her voice choked with emotion, when she embraced me again. “Wishing you and Knud many wee ones and much happiness for all your days.” Meeting my eyes again, she had managed a wobbly smile. “I always hoped you two would end up together.”