by Quinn Loftis
I squeezed her hand in what I hoped was a supportive gesture, and she squeezed back. When I looked down at her, she was gazing up at me, and the love that shone in her eyes nearly took my breath away. I leaned down and pressed my lips to hers—not a quick kiss, but not a passionate one, either. Simply a kiss I took because I wanted to, because I could, and because I loved kissing her.
“We’re all here,” Brant said, stepping up beside me. The other five of my men were standing to my right, just on the other side of Allete. They were protecting her, though she probably didn’t realize it.
“Clan Hakon,” I called out. “There is much I need to tell you. I would ask that you please not interrupt and hold you questions until the end.” I paused, glancing around the gathering and making eye contact with each of my clan members briefly, letting them know that I saw them and acknowledged their presence here.
“As the first order of business, it pains me to tell you that our clan has suffered a great loss. My mother and our Oracle has left this life. She sacrificed herself to see a prophecy fulfilled, one she believed in.”
Murmuring began immediately, along with tears from many of the members. I felt their pain, and my own pain was magnified because of theirs.
“The prophecy she spoke was about the survival of our clan. She said this: ‘A young warrior will take his rightful place as leader of his people. He is just and fair. He is wise beyond his years. He will not be alone. The warrior-turned-king will take a bride not of his people. She will come from across the sea with a new vision for the Hakon Clan. She is a warrior in her own right, but she is also a healer, a rare kind for her race. She keeps the skill hidden from her people because they fear it instead of embracing the gift that it is. Together, they are the catalyst for change that will save Clan Hakon. Without their union, the clan will be snuffed out, ground into nothing. We will be forgotten, a people lost to history.’
This is where Allete,” I motioned to the woman standing by my side, gripping my hand for dear life, “comes in. She is the foreign bride spoken about in the prophecy.”
There was utter silence when I was done speaking. My clan members stared back at me in stunned confusion, and some even had a dose of fear in their eyes.
“Why didn’t your mother tell this to the clan?” Hadar, one of the clan elders, asked.
“Because Magnus would have killed Torben,” Freya said. “That prophecy was meant for Torben alone, at least in the beginning.”
I nodded my thanks at her for her wisdom and noticed Allete smiled at the shieldmaiden as well. Perhaps there was a chance those two could be friends despite the awkward moment at the river.
“And you’re sure the foreign bride isn’t one of our own women?” Babs asked. “After all, Freya comes from across the sea where her birth clan resides. She is a part of Clan Hakon because of her previous marriage.”
“I didn’t hear anything about the foreign bride being English,” Taina said, her twin, Talia, nodding in agreement.
It didn’t surprise me the shieldmaidens questioned the prophecy. They wanted to make certain a female of our clan wasn’t an option. The women in the clan, especially the single ones, did not like sharing the men to outsiders, though, as Freya had come to our clan through marriage, it did happen occasionally. However, any women accepted into our clan had always been other Norsewomen, never someone completely foreign.
“I know without a doubt that Allete is the woman spoken about in the prophecy. But even if I did not, Freya is not a healer. Neither is any other in Clan Hakon.”
There were some quiet murmurings.
“I am not a healer,” Freya said, “nor do I think I am the woman about which Hilda spoke. What does Princess Allete—” Freya paused and bowed her head slightly to my soon-to-be wife. “You are a princess, correct?”
“I am,” Allete said in a clear voice. “But I do not wish to be addressed that way. Allete is fine.”
“Very well,” Freya said. “What does Allete think on the matter?”
I looked down at Allete and raised an eyebrow at her, asking her without words if she wanted to answer. She gave me a slight nod and then raised my eyes back to Freya and the rest of the clan.
“As for the prophecy, I have no doubt that Torben is the young warrior of whom Hilda spoke. With Magnus’ death, he has finally taken his place as king of his people. I can see you all believe this part of the prophecy as well. Because you know Torben, because you’ve fought side-by-side with him and have faith in him, that part of the prophecy is easy to believe.
“But what of the other half of the prophecy? Am I really the foreign bride about which Hilda prophesied? In response, I would say this. I am a healer. I have the ability to heal people and animals. I’ve had this power my entire life, and I’ve kept it hidden. My own people, perhaps like some of you, fear what they do not understand. So, I did what I could, travelling in my own kingdom and healing those in need. But I’ve always known my power would be used somewhere else in the world, I just didn’t know where.
“On the surface, I appear to fit the prophecy to the letter, but you all know that looks can be deceiving. And I would not join this clan under false pretenses of any kind.
“It was quite a shock to be told by a Norse warrior that I was meant to be his wife and become part of his clan. It’s not exactly breakfast conversation.” She smiled as the clan chuckled together. “However, Torben and I had the opportunity to spend time together before I ever knew who he was or what his intentions were for me. Before I knew about the prophecy, Torben, in disguise, was chosen to be my palace guard. Through his faithfulness, goodness, and courage—all qualities you know well in him—he rescued me from Cathal, the man to whom I was betrothed and the same rabid dog who destroyed your village.” She pointed out over the charred remains of their home. A feral glare passed over her face. “Regardless of any prophecy, you would have an ally in Allete Auvray against that bastard. I will see him brought to justice.”
The clan murmured their assent. A ‘here, here’ was even heard amongst the group.
“During my time with Torben, before the prophesy was ever spoken to me, I discovered that he is a man of noble character and honor. In short, I fell in love with him.” She peered up at me and gave me a smile that had me wanting to puff my chest out. “Under different circumstances, though we might be loath to do it, either Torben or myself might be willing to marry someone we didn’t love to strengthen our respective kingdoms. I was certainly ready to do so with Cathal. But it seems the universe, and your Oracle, had other ideas. Torben and I were brought together and fell in love with one another. It appears to me that this union will satisfy the part of the prophecy regarding marriage.
“But I would offer one final reason as to why I believe I am the foreign bride that Hilda spoke of, and that comes from the words and actions of your Oracle herself. Hilda and I were captured by Calder together. We travelled together, we escaped together, and we fought together. She transferred her power to me and sacrificed herself so that I might escape and return to Torben. She would not have done this if she didn’t believe I was the fulfillment of her prophecy.
“When Hilda explained the prophecy to me, I wasn’t shocked, but I did feel a lack of faith that I was worthy to stand at her son’s side and be a part of this clan that he loves so dearly.” Allete turned her head to me briefly and then looked back to the clan members, who were giving her their undivided attention. “There is so much I don’t know, but if Clan Hakon is willing, then I would be honored to learn. I would be humbled to get to be a part of this clan.”
I was in awe of Allete in that moment. She was standing before strangers in a foreign land, proclaiming herself not only the fulfillment of a prophecy but also the clan’s only hope for a future. I’d never doubted that Allete was the woman who was to fulfill the prophecy, but the strength and humility she showed confirmed what I’d already known. Allete was meant to be mine. She was meant to be the queen of Clan Hakon, and we would be ble
ssed to have her.
“Torben is not only our jarl,” Freya said, standing from her crouched position, “he is also a warrior. If you are to be his queen, then you must be a warrior as well. He cannot have a weak mate. Are you willing to learn to fight?”
Allete’s face broke into a huge smile. “Point me to a sword and shield.”
All the shieldmaidens raised their voices in approval. Freya smiled back at Allete and bowed. “Very well, we’ll make you into a fierce warrior, so you can stand at his side and not in his shadow. We begin today.”
Allete bowed in return and then looked at me. She let out a small sound of relief, and I held back the smile that wanted to appear because of my amusement at her.
“Are there any more concerns about the prophecy?” I asked and then waited to see if anyone would speak up. When no one did, I moved on. “I have asked for Allete’s hand in marriage, and she has agreed to have me.”
“We feel sorry for you having to take this brute of a man,” Rush taunted good-naturedly. “Even if you are English.” He winked at her.
I glared at him as I spoke. “Quit flirting with my wife.”
“She’s not your wife yet,” Siv pointed out. “We still have a chance to steal her aw—”
I cut him off with my next declaration. “We are to be married tomorrow at sunset.”
Allete frowned. “When were you planning on telling me this?”
“You said yes,” I pointed out. “Does it really matter when we marry?”
She seemed to think about it, and sorrow filled her eyes. “I suppose not. It’s not like I need to wait for Dayna or Hilda to be here. And my parents can’t leave their kingdom right now, not with Cathal on the loose.”
I leaned down and pressed my forehead to hers. “I’m so sorry, my love. If I could bring her back, I would do everything in my power to make it happen,” I said quietly for her ears only.
“Thank you,” she said. “She would have loved Clan Hakon, especially Freya and her wild women,” she said with a small laugh. “Dayna was a natural warrior.”
“Aye,” I agreed. “Odin is no doubt glad to have her in his halls.”
I raised a hand to regain everyone’s attention. “Just a couple more things before we disperse. Tonight, we will have a remembering of our Oracle. We do not have her body to send on, but we will ask that the gods take her spirit and not allow her to dwell as a wraith. Also, I expect everyone who can carry a sword to be in training today. Women with Freya and men with me and Brant. We will make our clan strong despite the losses we have suffered. Strength comes to those who work hard. If you are unable to fight, then you must find other ways to assist the clan and be an active part of it. We are Clan Hakon.”
“Clan Hakon!” A collective cry went up, along with fists and weapons. I blew out a breath and felt an arm wrap around my waist. I stared down at the woman who I would share my life with. “You are a part of Clan Hakon.”
“Aye,” she said, using the term common to the Norseman. It made me smile. “I am a clanswoman, and soon I will be a shieldmaiden. So, release me, your brute. I have training to do.”
“I’m not the one holding on,” I pointed out.
She glanced at her arm. “It seems you are correct. Don’t get used to me saying that.”
Allete dropped her arm and started to back away from me. I didn’t know if she had a clue where she was headed and gave her a look that said as much.
“Don’t give me that look, Viking,” she sassed. “I’m capable of finding the training grounds.”
“You don’t have to find them,” Babs said, stepping up beside her, “because you aren’t headed there.”
Allete frowned. “I’m not?”
Babs eyes took her in from her face down to her feet. “You can’t fight in that,” she said, pointing to the dress Allete wore.
“Freya told me to get you a new wardrobe. You can borrow stuff from us until we kill for some skins and get to a village to get you your own gear. Say goodbye to your pretty dresses, Princess,” Babs said, grinning with a wicked gleam in her eye. “You’re a shieldmaiden now, which means you always have on your fighting coverings.”
“Lead the way,” Allete said. “There’s no time like the present.”
With a wave and quick kiss blown at me, Allete hurried after Babs, jumping into her new life with both feet.
“I’ll admit,” Rush said, walking along with my other men, “I’m jealous of you. She’s a female worth having.” The others agreed with nods as their eyes followed Allete’s form.
“That she is, now get your damn eyes off my soon-to-be wife and quit drooling. I don’t need besotted schoolboys pretending to be warriors.”
“Harsh,” Brant murmured.
“Truth,” I countered. “Grab some jerky and let’s head to the training field. I want to see if any of you little boys can finally best me.”
There were immediate curses of retaliation at my challenge, and I nearly laughed at their puffed-up chests. But it got them in the mood to fight, and that’s what I was trying to do. Time was not on our side. Our strength would be tested in battles ahead, and I would need every able-bodied man ready to fight. I would need my best warriors to be even better. The odds would be stacked against us when we faced Cathal or Calder, but if we had to fight them both, it would take an act of the gods for any of Clan Hakon to be standing when the last sword was dropped. I clung to the fact that my mother had never been wrong about a prophecy. According to her, by taking Allete as my bride, our clan would survive and grow. How the hell that was going to happen was beyond me.
My attention was snatched from my thoughts when I heard Allete yelling, “Get back! Give me some bloody space to work.”
I turned in the direction of her voice and saw Maarit, one of the shieldmaidens, running toward me.
“What’s going on?” I asked as I started hurrying in the direction she’d just come from.
“Apparently, the twins wanted to test your woman’s healing abilities. Talia didn’t pull her swings while she was sparring with Taina. She nearly spilled her own sister’s innards.”
“I’m not going to lie, the thought of Freya swinging a sword in my direction made me want to retch. But there was no way in Odin’s name I would ever let her know that.”
~ Diary of Allete Auvray
I screamed as I saw the shieldmaiden, Taina, drag her sword across her twin’s stomach. Talia fell to the ground writhing. I sprinted to the spot and dropped to my knees, tearing away her jerkin and assessing the damage. The cut was deep. I pressed my hands to her abdomen and closed my eyes. As quickly as I could, I pushed my healing power into Talia and muttered the words that filled my mind. I could hear voices around me, some raised in anger, others murmuring in awe. Pushing away all the noise, I turned my whole focus on the injured woman. Had I not been there, the wound would have been fatal. What had her sister been thinking?
When it was done, I pulled my blood-covered hands away and met Talia’s eyes. “How do you feel?” I asked. I had to fight back a wave of nausea and exhaustion that threatened to knock me over. I was much weaker than I had been before the bond between me and Torben had been disrupted. Something had affected his ability to help keep me grounded with my healing, which meant that healing would drain me of both energy and life.
Talia looked at her stomach and then at me. Her eyes were wide, and a slow smile formed on her lips. “You really are a healer,” she said.
What in the name of the gods is wrong with these women? I asked myself for at least the twentieth time. Either they’d been hit in the head one too many times with a shield or they’d been born with their madness, one of the two. Then I remembered that their clan had never seen Hilda heal anyone because Magnus had forced her to keep it a secret. And it was then that I realized, by the satisfied smile on Talia and Taina’s faces, that they’d been testing me.
I surged to my feet, stumbling a little, but I didn’t fall because of the large hands that gripped my waist. I
looked over my shoulder to see Torben standing there, appearing angrier than a wet cat. When I turned back to the twins, I took a step toward them. “You had no right to do that,” I said through gritted teeth.
“We needed to know if it was true,” Taina said, no remorse in her voice.
“You couldn’t take the word of your jarl?” I asked.
Talia shrugged. “We were curious.”
I threw my hands up in the air with a frustrated growl. “You should not provoke that which you do not understand. Do you think this is easy? Healing comes at a price. Are you so foolish as to believe that I’ve been given such a gift without cost?”
Their smiles slowly dropped. They hadn’t considered how using the power might affect me.
“You have acted foolishly,” Torben said. His voice was steady, but I could feel a slight tremor through his hands clasping at my waist. Torben was more than angry—he was on the verge of a full-blown rage.
“Torben is right,” Freya said. “I respect courage, but we cannot take needless risks. Such actions show foolishness, not bravery. What shall be their punishment, Jarl?”
“Chores and rebuilding work shall be doubled for the twins, and training exercises shall be tripled. They exhausted Allete because of their thoughtless actions, and so they should have to feel her pain. Go,” he snapped. “I can’t stand either of your company.”
The twins paled and turned away, hurrying back to the training area. The rest of the women followed, all except Freya and Babs.
“Are you all right?” Torben’s voice was soft in my ear as he leaned down and placed his mouth against my neck in a gentle kiss.
“I will be,” I said. “Our bond must be repaired, Torben, and soon. I don’t know how much use I’m going to be otherwise.”
He turned me to face him and cupped my face in his hands. “You must refrain from using your gift for now. If I can’t keep you grounded, every time you heal someone, Princess, you will give up your life force.”
