KENDRA
Without hesitation, Fjorn ran out the door, gripping his axe in his hand. I pushed past Sten, who was still out of breath.
Black ash fell from the sky like snow, and the acrid smell of fire burned my nostrils. The scene was one of pure chaos, with people running around in every direction. A small girl fell in front of me, and I rushed to help her up, scooping her into my arms. Her small frame clung to me. âI want Mama,â she said, burying her face in my neck.
I scanned the frightened faces in the village. After a few moments, I saw her, a very pregnant woman, looking frantic. âHERE!â I called out, waving my arm.
Our eyes met, and she ran toward me. âMy sweet girl,â the woman cried, taking the child from my arms. I turned to walk away, but she grabbed my arm. âNo, Frue Kendra, it isnât safe.â
There was that word again. She looked so worried, but I had to find Fjorn.
âTake your child to Fjornâs house and rest. I will be okay,â I said, running toward the wall of flames.
âYou crazy bitch!â I heard Fjornâs angry voice before I saw him as I pushed past people who had formed a crowd. And then I saw her. Ingrid was standing there, a large wooden building engulfed in flames behind her, her eyes filled with pure rage.
âShe doesnât belong here! That whore should die,â Ingrid yelled, pointing an axe at me.
Fjorn threw a look over his shoulder at me, his anger burning almost as hot as the fire.
âShe is mine! Speak of her again and your head will roll,â he said, his tone so icy it sent shivers down my spine.
âShe will never be the frue,â Ingrid said, slowly walking toward me. As Fjorn stepped in front of me, Ingrid came to a sudden halt.
My body tensed, and I feared the impending battle. Neither Fjorn nor Ingrid moved, their eyes locked in a silent battle of will. A hot ember landed on my arm, and I flinched. Fjorn glanced at me, and Ingrid lunged forward, her axe clashing with Fjornâs. With his free hand, he pushed me back, and I landed hard on my ass.
I closed my eyes, the sound of metal hitting metal echoing in my head. I felt a hand on my shoulder, pulling me to my feet and back through the crowd. I didnât dare open my eyes. In a few moments, I was sitting back at the table in Fjornâs house. I tried to hold back the tears, but they streamed down my face all the same.
âNo need to cry, Frue. Fjorn will be just fine,â the pregnant woman from before comforted me.
âCan I ask you something?â
âOf course, Frue.â
âWhat does that mean? Frue?â
She looked puzzled for a moment, unsure how to answer at first. But then a pleasant smile erupted on her face. âIt means âmy ladyâ or âqueen.â As Fjorn is the ruler of his people, that makes you ours as well.â
The air in my lungs turned to stone, and I felt as though I was being pulled into the ocean of the world. He had told me it meant âwife,â but to be the lady of so many people when just a few days ago I was nothing more than a peasantâ¦
I didnât even have time to think when the door flew open once again. Fjorn stormed in, his heavy steps sounding like thunder. I rushed to him, but he shot me a look that stopped me in my tracks, just inches from his chest. My hand was still stretched out to him.
âYou may leave,â he said. The pregnant woman gripped her daughterâs hand, bowed her head, and rushed out the door, closing it behind her.
Almost as soon as the door is shut, Fjorn fell to one knee. I wanted to rush to him, but I was frozen. I watched as his chest, coated in a deep shade of crimson, rhythmically rose and fell, his shoulders shuddering. His head turned toward me, and my eyes were immediately drawn to the small bead of blood slowly making its way down his forehead. Dropping the axe, he opened his arms, and I hurried to him.
His hands gently wrapped around my neck as his eyes scanned my body. I touched his chest, the blood tacky now, but I didnât care. I wanted to touch him. His eyes shot back to meet mine, and they were dark. His jaw tightened as he spoke.
âMINE.â His hand squeezed ever so slightly.
His words from earlier echoed in my head: ~âI will defeat armies to hold you like this forever. I will kill kings to see you smile. I will burn down anything in my way to make sure you never leave my arms.â~ I swallowed hard. What wouldnât this man do for me?