Chapter 29: Chapter 29

FJORN

All I wanted was to hold her, to press my lips to her forehead and apologize for everything again and again. I wanted to cradle her in my arms and never let go. And a baby? Every mistake I’ve ever made felt like a weight on my chest.

I was on my knees, praying to the gods, watching the healer work tirelessly to save not only my love but also the child growing inside her. I left her side only long enough to send more men to aid Ulf and Sten. Then I was back, pacing anxiously, waiting for any news.

I was torn. I knew I should have been outside with my men, defending our homes, but I couldn’t leave my blonde beauty, not knowing what was happening to her, afraid for her and the life she carried inside.

After what felt like an eternity, the healer approached me, wiping blood from her hands. I grabbed for her hands. “How is she? How’s the baby?” I asked, my voice trembling with trepidation.

“She is resting. The wound is deep, but the cut was clean. I washed and dressed it, and then I gave her only a few stitches,” she replied, her voice steady and reassuring. “You will, however, have to watch for infection.”

My knees buckled, and I fell into a wobbly chair against the wall. How many men and women had I watched die, not from the wound itself but from the putrefaction that set in afterward? Knowing she was okay only gave me momentary relief, but what about the days ahead, when nothing could be done save watching and waiting?

The healer tilted her head, her eyes studying me. She nodded slightly, as if my anguish confirmed my commitment to the woman on the table, whose eyes remained tightly shut. “I will send a paste of herbs. It must be gently rubbed onto the skin every four hours until the skin is no longer red and angry.”

Taking a steadying breath, I nodded gravely. I would do anything the healer said, stay by her side night and day, until I knew she was better.

She patted my hand. “As for the pregnancy, these are early days. The frue is strong, but even without the trauma of today, there is no guarantee. Keep her in bed until the wound heals. The rest is in Freyja’s hands.”

I moved toward Kendra slowly, my heart pounding, my palms slick with sweat. My entire world was lying on that table, sleeping peacefully. I gently stroked her cheek, whispering in her ear, “The baby is okay, my love. You’re okay.”

She stirred slightly in her sleep, and I stood there, counting every breath she took, each exhale drawing from me a sigh of relief. “Can I take her home?” I asked the healer, who nodded in response.

I’d never been so terrified or gentle in my life. As I lifted her to my chest, she groaned slightly, and I shot the healer a panicked look.

The healer laughed. “She is all right to be moved. Her body is not made of glass. Women are much stronger than men like to think.”

I nodded at her, knowing she was right. But this was the love of my life! I wanted to be cautious. I began the slow, careful walk to our house, just a few hundred yards away. Outside on the porch, Ulf and Sten waited for us, their faces etched with worry, their bodies covered in blood.

“How is she?” Ulf asked, jumping up to open the door for me.

“She is okay. The healer said it was a deep but clean wound,” I replied. “I have to watch for—” My voice caught on the edge of a sob, and I swallowed over the lump in my throat. “I have to watch for infection.”

“We’ll help. Anything you need,” Ulf said, his eyes filled with sincerity. Sten nodded in agreement, his eyes raking over Kendra as if he could determine what she needed just by looking at her.

“Everything has been taken care of?” I asked, nodding toward the village.

Sten dipped his head. “There are men seeing to the bodies as we speak,” he said. “Do you want us to do anything particular with Ingrid?”

I looked from him to Ulf. A small smile lifted the corners of my mouth. “Well, since she’s already dead, I guess we can’t skin her and then kill her.”

Ulf’s face brightened, and he chuckled, but his laughter quickly subsided when his eyes rested on Kendra, and he covered his mouth as if to trap any remaining laughter inside.

“And the baby?” Sten asked hesitantly.

I sighed, my smile quickly fading. “These are early days,” I said, echoing the healer. “May Freyja watch over them both.” I eased Kendra through the doorway and into the house, Ulf and Sten following close behind.