Redeeming Her Viking Warrior

‘And you’ve kept to your oath for three years?’

‘Yes!’

‘So you’re saying that you...’ Rurik paused for effect ‘...you, my brother Danr Sigurdsson, haven’t lain with a woman in...three years?’

‘It’s not that unlikely.’ He was starting to get annoyed. ‘And it’s not funny, either.’

‘Yes, it is.’

‘Well, apparently people really can change.’ Alarr let out a low whistle.

‘I knew you could do it.’ Sandulf slapped him on the back with a laugh. ‘I had total confidence in you.’

‘Then what are you still doing here with us?’ Even Brandt was smiling. ‘Half the maids in Alarr’s hall gawked at you when you came in. Go and find one!’

‘Or two.’ Sandulf chuckled. ‘Only don’t tell Ceanna I said that.’

‘No,’ Danr answered quietly.

‘No?’ Alarr lifted his eyebrows. ‘Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten how to do it, Brother? Because if you want some advice...’

‘I don’t want just any woman.’ He planted his feet firmly apart as they all stared at him. ‘I only want one woman. My wife.’

‘Wife?’ Rurik’s jaw fell open again.

‘Yes. Her name’s Sissa and I married her just before I left Skíð. She’s staying with Hilda until I return. What?’ He frowned as they all exchanged looks.

‘Hilda? Our mother and your stepmother Hilda?’ Brandt spoke first. ‘I thought the two of you hated each other?’

‘We do. Did.’ He shrugged. ‘We’re trying not to any more.’

‘So let me get this clear.’ Rurik placed a fraternal arm around his shoulders. ‘Not only have you committed yourself to one woman—for life—but you want to return to Skíð to live on the same island as our stepmother?’

‘Yes, Sissa and Hilda seem to get along. But we’re not going to live with her. We’re going to live in the forest.’

‘The forest?’

‘Sissa has a roundhouse. It’s small, but she has a cave, too. She’s a healer.’

‘Ah.’ Rurik exchanged another look with the others. ‘Is she beautiful?’

‘Not in an obvious way.’ He smiled at the question. ‘The first time I saw her she had clay on her face and her hair looked like a bird’s nest.’

‘Is her body...?’ Rurik gestured at his chest.

‘She says she looks like a tree. I’ve always thought her more like a spear.’

‘Is she biddable?’

‘No.’ He could feel the smile widening across his face. ‘She once hit me with the hilt of a dagger so hard I almost passed out.’

‘Does she laugh at your jokes?’

‘Sometimes. She likes my stories, but a lot of the time she’d rather sit quietly with her wolves.’

‘Wolves?’

‘She has two. Halvar and Tove. You know, Halvar reminds me of you.’