In the morning I found Freya at the counter in front of the window. She had dark circles under her eyelids from lack of sleep. I didn't get much sleep either. Just thinking about the fact that an entire company of angry rangers showing up at our doorstep was unnerving.
Freya was right.
If they found out what she was, then they would take our children away and most likely execute both of us.
I came up and hugged her from behind. My head resting on top of hers and my hands on her swollen stomach over our baby.
She sighs and shakes her head slightly. Although in the glass of the window I caught her reflection smiling.
"Are you still mad at me?" I asked quietly.
"I'll be less mad at you if you make that girl useful. Guest or not, she needs to help out around here."
"Yes dear."
I look down at what's on the counter to see that old leather book we hide in the floorboards. It was opened to a page containing a sketch of a human figure with tattooed designs on the arms, back, and chest. This picture definitely wasn't the most disturbing depiction in the book. If anything it was tame for what else was contained in the book.
"Why don't you burn this damn thing?" I asked quietly, "you've forsaken that life...yes?"
"Aye, I have, I just...thinking about what we talked about last night...I...can still feel him, a-and for some reason I can't…" she took a deep breath and I didn't push her any further. It was extremely difficult for her to leave that miserable life behind.
To marry me, an exile and a former renegade.
She flipped to the next page.
A language written in black and red ink.
A language I had only heard spoken a few times.
The sketch showed a man choking.
I reached up and slowly shut the book. Making sure to have the cover be faced on the counter.
Freya sighed and leaned her head back against my chest.
"While you were gone...I did something…"
"What?"
"A man showed up here...he was an outlaw, injured...he came into our house and began to ransack it. Looking for medicine I think. I came in to deal with him and he tried to either rape or kill me. I don't know, I...did something to him before he could get close."
My blood froze and I released her slowly. She turned to look up into my eyes. Fear and regret were in them along with hints of tears being held back.
"...he deserved it…"