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This chapter follows Dahlia mostly with some flashbacks to scenes with Ubbe. I hope you like it.

The open grassy field collected a mist that was drawn in from the moisture of the fighting women, lunging and side stepping around one another as they practiced their swordplay. Grunts of effort and frustration echoed through the valley. Swallows swooped in the shade of the nearby trees attacking any bug within sight. The summer sun beat down causing everyone under its powerful rays to drip with sweat.

The swipe of a blade came crashing down towards Dahlia's neck, whistling in the air. She caught it with the shoulder of her ax. No, Ubbe's ax. She had kept it on her hip after she had stolen it from him weeks ago after she had gone hunting. He had a comment for her every time he watched her place it in her belt.

'That is my ax.'

To which she only smiled back and winked her eye playfully at him.

The last time she had given him that response his lips had crashed onto hers so fast that she staggered under his force.

x

Leaning over Ubbe assaulted her neck with soft biting kisses, moving with her to their oversized bed till the back of her knees hit the edge and she fell, the soft furs catching her. He licked his lips as his eyes roamed over her body until they landed on the ax, his ax. He plucked it out from her leather belt, testing its weight in the palm of his hand. He smiled to himself as if reminded of his fondness for this particular weapon.

The blade was balanced and even, perfect for cutting into wood or skulls. It was too small for him to fight with in battle but he liked to use it when he was hunting or traveling.

Dahlia watched Ubbe with curiosity twinkling in her eyes, a smile creeping onto her lips at the child-like look on his face. Her arms stretched out above her head, relaxed at the sight of him.

His attention turned on to her, suddenly zoned in on her every move, his eyes dark with blood lust. Dahlia shifted her hips, uncomfortable with the look he was giving her and sat up hastily on to her elbows, quick to want to get away. That look reminded her of the night after his mother's death, that side of him still made her feel anxious and small. She did not like it.

Ubbe flipped the ax in the air catching it by the shoulder. The butt of the handle pressing against Dahlia's shoulder forcing her to lay back down.

x

Dahlia stepped her right foot out, placing all her weight in it, forcing Astrid back with a hard shove of her ax. A cat-like grin graced her lips as Astrid glared back at her as she crouched down low, ready to attack. Dahlia swung her short sword out catching Astrid's cheek in a quick bite. Astrid hissed in pain but lunged forward, her long sword meeting Dahlia's in a loud crash. Dahlia brought her ax up, locking Astrid's sword between her weapons. They seemed frozen here for a moment longer than Dahlia enjoyed, the force of their weight equal and unwavering. She grimaced as Astrid struggled to unlock herself, her muscles screaming in agony as she held her down, not willing to give up so easily.

x

The blood lust faded into desire and soon their clothes were discarded, the ax thrown carelessly aside to deal with more urgent matters, pleasure. Ubbe managed to catch Dahlia's wrists in his hand trapping them above her head. She struggled, tugging at his grip, but not full heartily fighting him, allowing him to take control. He tilted forward, nipping tenderly at her collar bone before raising back up, his pupils dilated as he roamed her stretched body under him, the blood lust still lingering in his eyes. His tongue ran along the edge of his lower lip, as if he was licking his chops, preparing for the feast he held so delicately in his hands.

His thumb was on her clit, making her wet and wanting before he languidly entered, thrusting in and out of her with ease. He knew the way she liked to be pleased and would take his time so that she might whisper the words he wanted to hear.

He could feel her tightening around him with each stroke. She mewled, her eyes closing in pleasure. Her jaw slackening as she edged closer to her bliss.

'Tell me who you're loyal to.' Ubbe purred, his voice low, muffled in Dahlia's clouded mind. His eyes hooded, the corner of his lip twitched in thrill as his prey wiggled under him, making him want to attack and finish. To devour her in one bite, a soft growl escaped his throat at the thought.

She tugged at her wrists as he rocked his hips into her but refused his question, enjoying the sensation building within her too much to care to answer him.

'Tell me.' He demanded with more force this time. Still she did not offer an answer and his thumb abruptly left her body, his hips all but stopped moving, only a slow rocking, a tease. Dahlia cried out, frustrated, her hips bucking trying to find the friction she needed but Ubbe withheld.

He watched her for a moment, with patience as she withered. Her eyes flew open giving him her best fiery visage but Ubbe was unaffected, the corner of his lips briefly smirking before his face became somber, his eyes narrowed in on her at her silence. This time Dahlia did truly try to get out of his grasp, pulling with effort but ultimately unsuccessful. Ubbe picked up his pace again, finding his rhythm and on her clit as with his thumb, rubbing slowly in tight circles. Dahlia's breath caught in her throat. She was about to cum, and Ubbe knew it. She was like a fish plucked out of the water, gasping and in dire need for hydration, willing to do whatever it took to be back in the warm embrace of the ocean.

'Tell me, Dahlia.' Ubbe growled, frustrated with her stubbornness. She gave him one last ardent glare before she threw her head back, thrashing it irritability to the side she bit down on the skin of her upper arm.

'You! Gods, Ubbe, I'm loyal to you.' She yelled into her arm as her back arched her hips colliding with his, a low moan escaped her lips as her orgasm took over in soft rolling waves.

x

It was then that Dahlia heard the voice of Lagertha call out.

'Do not forget to utilize your entire body!'

Astrid comprehended the comment quicker than Dahlia and swiped her leg out, catching Dahlia's knee before she knew what was happening. The breath was knocked out of her lungs as she landed on the ground with a soft thud. The grass was soft and spongy here but that did not make the humiliation any easier.

Astrid was catching her breath in deep puffs as she thrust her hand out to Dahlia, offering her help up. Dahlia took it, trying to match Astrid's playful smile but struggled, her ego still trying to recover from being beat. Lagertha approached the women, her hands resting on her hips as she neared.

'You need to remember to use-'

'My entire body. I know.' Dahlia huffed, bent over, trying to catch her breath.

'Men will always be stronger than us but we must be smarter. And that means using every part of our body and quickly.'

Dahlia nodded her head, standing back up, her breathing finally slowing to its normal gait. Lagertha was right. She had already taught her so much in the weeks that she had been training with her and Astrid and Dahlia felt stronger than ever before.

x

Ubbe finished not long after, his hips flush with hers trapping his seed within, as he let his weight crash down. His fingers lazily pulled against her jaw and when she met his eyes she regarded him with a dull annoyance.

'Prove it.' Ubbe bated, the side of his face pressed against her dark hair, sticking to his sweaty skin. Dahlia scoffed, her teeth gnashed as if she was going to bite him but at the last moment withheld herself leaving him with a bruising kiss, surprising them both.

x

Why did she feel so weak when it came to Ubbe? Why did thoughts of him invade her mind at every turn? At what moment did the pain of her heart seep away, absorbed into the sandy shores that surrounded her new home? It had happened so naturally that now she had to look deep within to find the ache that burned for Ozur. Only in the few moments when she found herself alone did she travel back home to his arms.

Dahlia bashfully peered at Lagertha as she tucked her ax and sword away, not able to make eye contact with the queen, hoping she could not read the weakness on her face. Hoping that she could not see how easily she had forgotten her promise to her longtime friend and lover, how easily she could be swayed.

'I thank you Lagertha, for everything you have taught me thus far.' Dahlia spoke breathlessly.

It was the truth even if she still had plans to kill her.

Lagertha smiled, placing a soft hand on her back steering her away from Astrid, who was taking a deep drink from a bladder filled with water.

'You have improved greatly since we first met princess Dahlia. I am impressed. I want you to join my shieldmaidens. Swear an oath to me.' Lagertha stopped near a large oak tree that offered shade from the blazing sun. Her words were blunt and precise, there was no beating around the bush with Lagertha, that was something Dahlia had come to appreciate.

Dahlia peered at Lagertha, her eyes dragging up and down the new queen who was glancing back to Astrid and then to the other shieldmaidens training in the open field. The past few days Lagertha has been nagging her more and more, to swear her fealty but Dahlia continued to deny her, never giving her an excuse, not that she needed to, Lagertha knew her reason, Ubbe.

Maybe in another life Dahlia would have fallen to her knees to please the famous shieldmaiden if only to be in her good graces for a moment's time. Maybe.

'I cannot, Queen Lagertha.' Dahlia replied with a sad smile, her fingers extending down to her thigh fiddling with the knife that was strapped there. It was a habit now, any time Lagertha was near and they were alone, within striking distance, but now was not the time so Dahlia let it be, her hand resting steadily on its cold hilt.

Lagertha nodded her head curtly before turning on her heel, leaving Dahlia under the tree, alone.

Dahlia joined Eda and Elin, the sisters that she had met earlier that year, at the blót, in their training. She had invited them to join her sessions after running into them at the market one afternoon by happenstance and they happily concurred to meet her, Lagertha, and Astrid in a dirt field on the edge of town. At the end of the session Eda mentioned that her neighbor would be interested in training if there was space and Dahlia agreed, offering her a spot, and then the neighbor had a cousin who was dying to exercise her sword arm. Dahlia extended an invitation. The cousin had a sister who had never touched a sword before but was a hard worker and willing to please, she would be delighted if she had the opportunity to try her hand at the art of being a shieldmaiden. A smile spread across her face when Dahlia nodded her head, telling her to bring her sister the next evening. After hours of sweat drenching the sister's face she begged Dahlia if she could bring her daughter whose husband had slapped her around one too many times and she was desperate for her to learn hand to hand combat. Dahlia agreed with a solemn face and a comforting hand on her shoulder, informing her that if the husband raised another hand in her daughter's direction that he would have to answer to her.

That was how they ended up with a small army. Word spread, and the once small band of trainees grew to a large faction of warriors.

Their training spot in the dirt moved to an expansive grassy field outside of the city's limits to accommodate the expanding group.

Dahlia greeted the neighbor with a hug and a soft smile, asking the cousin how her chicken was fairing. It had been producing oblong shaped eggs due to a cyst. The chicken was doing better thanks to the salve Dahlia had recommended. Her sister was becoming a force with a sword in her hand but her shield was never high enough and Dahlia called out, telling her to resist the ache in her arm, always keep your shield arm up, no matter what.

Heid, the daughter, approached Dahlia with bashful eyes downcast to the ground as she spoke.

'Thank you princess Dahlia for helping me.'

'You are welcome Heid. You will tell me if your husband raises a hand in your direction.'

Heid agreed with a nod of her head as she timidly made eye contact with Dahlia.

'I pray to the gods that you will be with child soon.' A blush spreading across her cheeks.

Dahlia smiled, thanking Heid for the kind thought. It was not the first time she had been given the same offering. The women here above all desired for Dahlia to be blessed with a child. It was a wife's duty to produce an heir. The people of Kattegat loved their prince, that much was certain to Dahlia. Anytime they talked of Ubbe their eyes would glow with a loving fondness for him, even the men, whose voices slowed when they spoke of his prowess on the battlefield. It softened Dahlia's heart to hear them speak in such devotion, even as she heard whispers of his infidelity, which pained her more than she was willing to admit.

They would ask about his leg, how it was fairing. To pass on their condolences about his mother. If he was eating oysters, they were a known aphrodisiac, it would aid in his sexual drive, increase the potency of his seed, then there would be no doubt she would be with child. The last one had made Dahlia blush so deeply that her cheeks burned for the rest of the afternoon and she did not think herself a pious person.

Dahlia moved about the crowd, greeting each woman with a smile or a word of advice, introducing herself to the newcomers and welcoming back the ones who had returned.

As the sun started to dip below the hills that surrounded them she found herself back with Eda and Elin. Steam rolled off their bodies as they peeled their boots and socks off, placing their feet in the icy cold creek. Summer was coming to an end soon but the afternoon sun still provided scorching temperatures until it fell hidden behind the valley walls.

Dahlia hissed through gritted teeth as her feet touched the cold water and then let out a contented sigh in relief as her body relaxed. The sisters passed around a skin of ale as they laughed and joked about the stupid comments their husbands made or how the children never really listened. Lately Dahlia had found herself most at ease in this field, training with the fair haired sisters, and in the company of Lagertha and Astrid and even Torvi, who had taken some time to warm up to the princess, not quick to trust the wife of Ubbe.

Dahlia swallowed the lump stuck in her throat at the thought of one day killing Lagertha. Before meeting her she had thought she admired the shieldmaiden but now, truly knowing her, supping, drinking, training with her, she felt as if she practically worshiped the ground the woman walked on. She admired her in so many ways, as a leader, a warrior, a mother, a woman. To kill her would be a crime against the gods and that worried her even more than the wrath of Bjorn or Ubbe.

Shaking her head of these heavy thoughts Dahlia glanced over at Eda who was on her feet embracing her husband, Keldan, with a hug and kiss on the lips. Dahlia smiled as her children then proceeded to run head first into her legs for their own hug. Her small blonde hair daughter begged to be taken in her arms which Eda obliged with a smile that was returned with a sloppy kiss on her cheek. Dahlia embraced Keldan's tall frame and asked how he was doing and he replied with a kiss on her cheek and a smiling nod of his head before he lifted his oldest son, only five or six years old up onto his shoulders. Elin was talking to a tall blonde who was leaning against a tree, his arms crossed over his chest and Dahlia wondered if this was her new husband she was so enamored with.

No, it was Keldan's younger brother, Tyr, who was a blacksmith's apprentice and was very much single, he added on, as he pushed himself off the tree, stalking over in Dahlia's direction. He was tall like his brother with his blonde hair rolled into tight knots on the top of his head and pulled back on to the base of his neck, the sleeves of his tunic rolled up to his elbows showing off his swiney forearms. His dark brown eyes are what threw Dahlia off. She could not look away from them as he talked, an inky black offering a mischievous visage that she could not place a finger on, even as he smiled sweetly down at her.

Eda and Keldan brought Dahlia out of the trance. The couple was headed home and Eda apologized that she would not be able to come train the following evening, laundry, she shrugged her shoulders as her young toddler wiggled in her arms.

Dahlia asked Elin if she would go with her to the market, she needed to pick up a few fish for Ragni that evening, for supper, but Elin shook her head, no, she had to get home to her own husband and rushed off to catch up with her sister and brother-in-law.

Dahlia sighed, sitting down on the cold grass to pull her boots back on her feet, feeling suddenly empty without her friends nearby. Across the field Keldan remembered his brother who was standing over Dahlia, like a clay statue, silently on guard as she tied the laces of her boots. Keldan called out to Tyr, asking if he wanted to have supper at their place.

'No!' Tyr's voice echoed across the valley. 'I will see the princess home safe.'

Dahlia could almost see Eda rolling her eyes by the way her body language shifted upon hearing Tyr's reply.

'She is married, dumbass, you do not stand a chance!' Eda's voice echoed back, turning on her heel, her free arm wrapping around her husband's elbow, tugging him along.

Tyr mumbled under his breath about his sister-in-law's cheekiness as he helped Dahlia to her feet once she had both boots laced up. Dahlia thanked him, patting him on the shoulder.

'It was an arranged marriage, not all hope is lost.' Dahlia said playfully. Tyr's dark eyes lit up like that of a puppy and Dahlia laughed. 'I am kidding. You do not want to be married to a princess, I hear they are all bratty and hard to please.'

'Who said anything about marriage?' Tyr smiled to himself, his hands clasped behind his back. A curt laugh escaped Dahlia's lips as they crossed the empty field. Dahlia tried to catch his eye but Tyr ignored her inquisitive stare, his head downcast watching his feet, as if they were the most captivating thing surrounding them. Dahlia was not surprised to find him unable to meet her gaze, most men did not have the courage to do so, something she had learned from a young age. Her fiery eyes would cast upon them and it was as if she was slicing them open, seeing them as they truly were. They would scramble to hide themselves, closing up, adverting their eyes anywhere but on her. She smiled to herself, proud of her ability.

As they neared the edge of town Tyr stopped short, his dark eyes finally reaching her and Dahlia stumbled at the feel of it, caught off guard by the weight of his gaze. That was a first. Tyr laughed at her as if he knew he was the reason for her clumsiness and she returned his humor at her expense with a dark scowl. He reached out, once again ignoring her looks, swiping the short sword off her waist. She cried out in annoyance when she tried to get it back as he held it over his head when she tried to get it back.

'I only want to inspect it, princess. See its handiwork.' Tyr brought the sword down, turning it over in his hands slowly. Dahlia huffed crossing her arms over her chest. 'It is well made, and sharp.' Tyr hummed in appreciation as he tested the blade on the pad of his thumb.

'It should be. I sharpen it every day.' Dahlia replied. His lips turned down, his eyes back on her and she felt her voice falter in response but she swiped the blade out of Tyr's hand, willing herself not to show her emotions so easily on her face, not to this blacksmith. She was married to Ubbe Ragnarsson. She was a princess of her own island, daughter of Freyja, she would not let this man intimidate her with his subtle glances.

'A well craft blade does not need to be sharpened so often.' Tyr drew out slowly, a smile tickling his lips.

Dahlia rolled her eyes, as her lips pulled into a snarl at his comment, showing him how she really felt. She despised when men tried to explain such trivial ideas to her, as if a woman could not possibly be aware of these simple facts. The truth was, she enjoyed sharpening the blade, it was mindless. She would find herself back home on the sandy shore of her island, Ozur's arm wrapped around her as he whispered sweet words into her ear, his scent wafting into her nose as if she was truly there. It was her moment of bliss. Her time to forget. Tyr did not deserve to know her reasonings so she just nodded her head to feed his ego, thanking him for the advice.

'I noticed you do not have a long sword.' Tyr commented as he walked, hands tucked behind his back again, eyes downcast while Dahlia strolled ahead of him a few paces. 'A long sword is vital on the battlefield.'

Another item of information Tyr did not deserve to know.

'No,' Dahlia replied looking down at the empty spot on her belt. It was getting late and she needed to get the fish for Ragni, otherwise she would have an earful, and she did not have the time nor the patience to explain the story of her traitorous uncle. A grin on her lips formed as she turned to make her way into the market, not waiting for Tyr to keep up as she slipped through the crowds. 'I do not have a long sword. I was hoping that my old sword would fall back into my hands a little sooner but I am cursed to wait on the wills of men.'

Tyr cocked his head to the side confused by Dahlia's statement. She shook her head continuing in her journey.

'I would have one commissioned for the right price, by the right man.' Dahlia turned to look at Tyr in his dark brown eyes. She felt trapped there in their darkness.

'I could be the man for you.' Tyr was grinning, taking a step into Dahlia, he leaned in, his head tilted to the side, as if he was going to kiss her on the lips. Dahlia's body tensed in response, uncertain what she would do if he did, but he brushed past her lips at the last moment falling on her cheek as he squeezed the sides of her arms.

'Come find me, princess, I will craft you the finest sword in all of Midgard.' Tyr whispered, his breath tickling her ear.

Dahlia raised an eyebrow at him as he pulled away, hands resting on her cocked hip. 'I thought you were going to see me home safely?'

Tyr nodded his head in the direction behind Dahlia's shoulder. It was Sigurd. Her brother-in-law stepped around, fish in hand with his arms crossed over his chest scowling at the blacksmith who teetered around them with a quick bow of his head.

Sigurd watched with Dahlia as the blacksmith sauntered away lost in the crowds of the bustling marketplace.

'What did he want?' Sigurd asked with a nod of his head in Tyr's direction, his chest puffed out, pushing his crossed arms out, his stance wide and domineering. Dahlia brushed past his form, purposely running into his shoulder, taking him off balance.

'To walk me home, Sigurd, he was being kind.'

'I do not think he was doing it to be kind.' Sigurd muttered as he caught up with Dahlia's stride. She stopped, spinning tight on her heel to meet face to face with Sigurd.

'You do not need to defend Ubbe's honor by questioning me.' Dahlia's eyes narrowed in on Sigurd's scowling face as she talked. 'He is the one who dishonors me, being seen all over Kattegat with that slave girl.'

Sigurd opened his mouth, the words on his lips ready to argue in his older brother's defence but decided against it, the fire lit in Dahlia's eyes deterring him.

'I was only asking a question.' Sigurd whined at Dahlia's tone, taking a step back. Dahlia hummed out her irritation before she offered Sigurd a bashful smile, annoyed with herself for letting her marital problems be aired so easily, and out in public, where prying ears listened in to every word she said, hoping they could get a sliver of a juicy morsel to take back to their friends for a moment of entertainment. The rumors she heard about Ubbe's infidelity were just that, rumors, but still they creeped into her mind each time Ubbe whispered sweet words into her ear. It frustrated her to no end, she did not love the man so why did she feel possessive of him? That was a question she had yet to answer.

Sigurd laughed at the apologetic smile she offered, easily forgiving her spat. He tugged at her elbow steering her in the direction of the cottage. He held the smelly fish in her face as they walked.

'We are late. I had to go fetch the fish for your thrall. She worried that you would not be home before dark.'

Dahlia pushed the fish out of her face, rolling her eyes as she let Sigurd direct her. 'It is good for you to get out of the house, Sigurd. Actually it would be better if you got yourself a place of your own. We need to find you a wife. I'm tired of sharing my personal space with so many Ragnarssons.'

Dahlia pushed open the door of the cottage as she ranted, easily fired up this evening. Inside sitting hunched over at the dining table, the hood of his cloak pulled up over his head was the youngest son of Ragnar, his blue eyes dark and stormy cast upon Dahlia's once laughing lips.

'Oh, Ivar is back.' Sigurd whispered into Dahlia's ear as she stumbled backwards into Sigurd's hard frame, trapping her from escaping like she desired. Ivar's presence immediately made her uneasy, something had changed in him since the last time she had seen him and she felt a shiver run along her spine.

'Perfect.' Dahlia replied with a roll of her eyes, hiding any apprehension the dark haired prince forced upon her. 'Just what I need, another Ragnarsson taking up space in my already crowded cottage.'

Ivar chuckled under his breath, giving her a lazy smile. His hand swayed in the air, brushing her comment off, as he shrugged his shoulders. Dahlia's nostrils flared at his response as if he was too entitled to care if he was a problem or not. She gritted her teeth, knowing that these tight quarters would be the death of her or Ivar.

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