Hvitserk tore the cloth barrier from the small dwelling. His Hjarta had sailed for Kattegat and he knew not when he'd see her next. A sense of loss burdened his mind and heart. This enraged him. For the first time in his existence he'd discovered a moment of contentment. Loving Bonnie and her loving him in return gave that to him. Now she'd torn herself from him through the fault of another. A fault unknown, but he tasked himself to learn. So when he so a disoriented Bragg stumbling about the harbor. He knew Ivar had to be slithering about among the unattached women of the docks. It didn't take him long to discover the small keep near the edge of the harbor.

He glared down at the sight of his brother entwined with the slave girl from York. The girl was heavy with babe. She'd more than not give birth during the coldest time of winter. He didn't have to ponder for who she carried. The way his brother possessively palmed her belly silently spoke the verity of the situation. Is this the sight Bonnie happened upon? Is this what devastated them?

Fury throbbed within his head, while locking every muscle in his body in an iron clench. The room bled red. He snatched his sword from its sheath. With the blade aimed at the slave girl's chest, he contemplated running her through. Then he shifted the sword to Ivar. His hands shook. No matter how much he despised him in that moment, he couldn't bring about his end. So he shifted the blade back to the girl.

At that instance, Ivar's eyes opened. Fear overtook his countenance as he moved to shield the girl's body with his. "Brother, no! You mustn't do this. She carries my babe."

The girl stirred awake. When she discovered the right of her situation she shrieked and huddled behind Ivar.

"That's why I should bring about her end!" He bellowed as he drove the sword into the feathered mattress. "Why would you allow this thing to happen? How can you be so clever and still lack so many wits?"

"You believe I intended for this to happen?" Ivar flicked a pointed glance over his shoulder at the slave. "You know the gods had a hand in this. For this came about the eve I took her in my throne room. I didn't discover she was with child until after the final battle in York."

"And why was she still in York, Ivar? You swore you banished her from the city."

"She never sought her leave of the city. My personal warriors discovered her during their search for stray Saxons after the final battle." He pulled each of his legs from the bed to sit on the side of the mattress. "When I ordered they strike her down for defying her banishment she revealed she carried my son."

He laughed. "And you believed her?"

"As you can see, she's very much with child, brother?"

"How can you be sure the babe is yours?" His glare flicked from his brother to the slave who cowered at his back. "Even I parted the thighs of that slave when we first laid claim to York."

"Why would she lie, hmm?" Ivar waved a hand at his hobbled legs.

"I know not!" He barked his laughter and threw up his hands. How simple could Ivar truly be of the wiles utilized by striving women? "Why would she, King Ivar?"

"Hvitserk, you mustn't speak any of this to Bonnie," Ivar said in a tone which lingered close to a plea.

"I don't have to, she already happened upon the two of you last eve."

"What?!" His brother roared.

"Bonnie sailed for Kattegat at first light this rising. It appears our reason is to be our enemies answer," he waved his hand at the slave girl who now braved peeks at him around Ivar's shoulder. "Skol, brother. I truly hope your gain was worth our loss."

Bonnie entered her home. Torvi and Guthrum moved to light the candles, but she flared them all to blaze with merely a thought. She cast a glance around her old keep. The place had maintained well in her six years of absence. Even the furniture appeared in the same state she'd left it.

"Guthrum tended to the keep while you were away. He wanted to ensure it be prepared if you were to ever arrive upon a moment's notion." Torvi took her hand pulled her further into the home.

Her gaze moved to Guthrum who hung back by the doorway. "Thank you, Jedi."

He offered her a hint of a smile as he dipped his head in a nod. Just looking at him made her heart ache. What happened to the little boy who'd run into her arms and demand she tell him sagas until slumber forced him to close his eyes. Now he'd grown older and become reserved. He'd barely spoken two words to her since her arrival. And though her world had recently ended, she'd give anything for him to pepper her with a thousand and one questions. Or tell her about the hardships of his day.

She craved the normalcy of yesteryear, like she craved an offering from Silas himself. If she couldn't have her heart are the one who held it, then she'd take a hard reset to the person she'd been before she sailed with Bjorn to the Mediterranean. That woman hadn't yet given herself so completely to Ivar. She didn't have to face the emptiness of tomorrows that would come and go without the benefit of him. She had yet to discover the shallowness of her lover's affections by unearthing the depth of his betrayal. Where the hell was her Groundhog Day prison world when she needed it?

"Your covered in blood in gore, knowing you as I do I'm sure you'd prefer to wash before seeking out your bed furs," Torvi said, sitting Bonnie's bag down on an armchair. "I'll ready the waters, while you gather your things."

"No, there's no need for you to tend to my bath, Torvi. Go see to the children, and bring them to me after first meal," she cut her eye at Guthrum who still watched her as if she'd disappear. "If Jedi has done as he should, I'm sure Asa and Hali will remember me as if I'd never left."

"You've never left Hali's mind and Asa knows you as if you've been her bosom companion for the last six summers," Guthrum assured as he finally left his place at the door to come wrap his arms about her waist as he did when he was a child.

This eased the ache in her heart. It was almost as if he knew she needed him to be her Guthrum. The Guthrum she'd left behind. She palmed his cheek. "You've done well, Jedi. Now, I'm curious. Have you also kept up with your studies while I was away?"

"I'm near fluent in your language." He said to her in English. "Yet, I can read and write it even better than I speak."

A genuine laugh bubbled from her lips as she clapped. "Bravo!"

"What now?" Torvi's gaze shifted from Guthrum to her.

"It's nothing other than your son is brilliant." Her stare swept between them as a smile had its way with her lips. "I've missed you both, so much." She brought Torvi into their hug and held them for a moment, before letting go. "Now, go so I can turn myself into a person who doesn't appear to have staggered in from the Walking Dead."

Torvi pointed her finger at her. "Very well, I'll seek my leave, but you are to send word should you need anything."

"You have my word I will, but we both know I won't," she said, while following Torvi to the door.

Torvi rested her forehead on hers. "Slumber well, My Friend."

"You too." She close the door after her and spun around to find Guthrum gathering things and putting them in a bag. "What're you doing?"

"I'm gathering some things to bring with me to Sigurd's keep. I'll remove the rest after first meal next rising," he turned back to putting his things in the burlap satchel.

She walked over to him and placed her hand on the wrist reaching for another item of clothing. "You live here?"

"Since my sixteenth summer," he said, chancing a glance at her. "I didn't think you'd be troubled by the thought."

"I'm not," she said, tugging the shirt from his grasp. After removing the satchel from his other hand, she interlaced her fingers with his. "And I don't want you to leave either, Jedi. There's more than enough room here for the both of us. Perhaps, the company would do me some good."

His brows scrunched a bit. "Are you certain?"

"Yes." She raised his hands to her lips and kissed the backs of them. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna soak in the tub for the next few risings."

She left him in the living area and rounded the wooden divider to her bedroom space. As in the living area, Guthrum had maintained her personal quarters as well. Nothing was out of place, dirty, or worn. If she hadn't known any better, she would've thought it some sort of shrine to her. Which was silly. Guthrum was just a neat boy. He'd always been that way.

Bonnie drifted around the room. Everywhere she looked memories of she and Ivar hit her. Everything reminded her of them and better days. Back then he would've swallowed his tongue rather than lie to her. Now when he opened his mouth the only words which marched out spun within the realm of fantasy and fiction. She shook her head. No! She had to get pass this! Pass him! Just as he had his purpose, she had hers. No one man was more important than the fate of many.

Guthrum lay on a smaller mattress next to Bonnie's bed staring at the ceiling. She'd come in from her wash earlier and he pretended to be deep in slumber. He sensed she still wanted time to herself. Just as he'd sensed, she needed him to be the boy she remembered. Not the man who'd gouge out his own heart if she'd only ask for it. He still couldn't believe she'd returned. When he witnessed her pass her trading table earlier he thought his eyes had yet again deceived him. Yet when Wilbur ran to her side he knew her to be real and not another vision his mind had conjured.

Not bothering to secure the table, he'd followed her back to the long house. She'd captivated him. Even covered from face to boots in blood and gore. She was even more beautiful than he remembered. Which was senseless. She hadn't changed even a single turn of the hour glass. Perhaps, it was because he now appreciated her in a way he never had a mind to as a child.

A sniffle ripped him from his musings. He angled his head toward the bed. Another sniffle followed by a quiet sob, propelled him from his furs on the floor to her mattress. Without pausing to think his actions through, he pulled her in his arms.

"G-Guthrum…I'm sorry," She sobbed as she placed a hand on his chest while using the other to blot the trails of water from her cheeks. Her body stiffened in his embrace. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's okay, Bonsie. I awakened a while ago," he kissed her forehead and rubbed her back until the stiffness faded from her form.

Eventually, she rested her head on his chest. "Please forgive me for being such a mess in front of you. I never wanted anyone to see me like this. Least of all you, Jedi."

"You're not a mess, Bonsie," he whispered into her hair. "You're everything we don't deserve. So wail if it heals you, I won't think you weak. How can I, you're the strongest person I've ever known."

"No, Jedi, you're wrong. It's me who doesn't deserve you but thank you for caring enough to try and place my mind at ease."

"Where do you suppose he found her? He had to have ventured further in his raids than he claimed," Hvitserk said, while eyeing the new house slave Bjorn had gifted his mother.

Ubbe slouched in his seat as he picked at the meat on his meal trough. He spared one of the female festers a lingering glance, before his gaze flitted to the new house slave as well. "I wouldn't know. He wouldn't allow me to raid with him." Bitterness dripped from his elder brother's tone as he lifted a chalice to his lips.

"I've never sighted another woman more beautiful. I'd like to plow her until my manstand never stands again," Sigurd's brows wagged as if his words needed further meaning.

Ivar's eyes rolled. His brothers were fools for women and witless if they were even passingly fair. "And as soon as you grow weary of plowing her, she shall become as common to you as any other woman who came before her."

"What would you know, Boneless. You've never-," Sigurd's voice broke off as his eyes nigh leaped from his head. "They've arrived."

He exhaled and cast his gaze towards the door to sight what uninspiring woman had captured his brothers' attention this time. A deity donning a sea of verdant cavorted within his view. A fiery gilded glow swirled all about her, lighting her golden brown skin until it shone as if it were polished treasure. He watched her wander around the great hall, all while silently willing her to look to him just once. Then by the favor of Odin she turned her lush, jeweled tone stare his way. In that moment she'd claimed his heart and pilfered every drop of love he'd ever have to give. As if fate had whispered it to him herself, he knew that divine being belonged to him.

"Ivar!" Hvitserk's voice penetrated his slumber. He roused a bit. "The next full moon draws nigh and King Harald is demanding to know what battle strategy you've chosen."

"Tell him it doesn't matter what strategy I decide upon, Bonnie will know them all." He struggled to an upright position. "No one knows me better than she. Without her I no longer have an interest in claiming Kattegat or killing Lagertha. Without her there is no purpose."

"Because she is the purpose, and your foolish deception has forced her away. Now it is no longer your choice whether we pursue our claim to Kattegat." Hvitserk glared down at him through slitted eyes. "For if we're to ever have Bonnie again, then we must bring war to the shores of our homeland. Therefore rise and shake away the offending stench of your self-pity. So you may have a mind to fashion me a battle strategy from which I can secure a victory." With that said he stalked from the room.

Bonnie opened the door wearing a giant smile. She assumed Torvi had arrived with Hali and Asa, instead Ubbe stood in front of her. The smile faded from her face. "Ubbe, has something happened. Have ships been sighted?"

"No, nothing's occurred," he shook his head as he raised his hands, "I'm here to see how your faring is all. It's been two risings since you've arrived and no one's sighted you except Guthrum, Torvi, and the children." He gave her a pointed look when she neglected to invite him inside. She ignored it and folded her arms across her chest. "Allies have begun to arrive. Each are anxious to become acquainted with you."

"Tell them we shall become acquainted on the battlefield," she said before attempting to shut the door.

He placed his hand against the solid wood barrier to prevent her from doing so. "Bjorn's ships have been sighted. He'll reach shore by eve's time. Lagertha is welcoming him home with a feast in his honor. If you don't attend I fear our allies will pull their support. In belief we have deceived them into acting against the pleasure of their Supreme."

"Fine," she said, forcing a smile. "I'll be there to meet our allies, but that is all. Once I've done so, I'll seek my leave and I won't return until it's time for me to raise my sword."

Ubbe reached up and palmed her cheek. She flinched, but he didn't pull away. "What has he done to you, Valkyrie?" He rested his forehead on hers.

"The same thing each of you have done to me, save Sigurd. Goodbye, Ubbe," she pulled away and this time when she moved to close the door he didn't stop her.

"Though we've been to many amazing places, nothing can rival the wondrous sight of our homeland shores," Sigurd said as he gazed at Kattegat.

A memory of the past took Bjorn unawares…

What you are feeling now is the same feelings I have each time I return. Bonnie, swear your allegiance to me. Remain always at my side and I vow to protect you for as long as we both remain upon Midgard.

Why offer me this? You hardly know me.

Because the same emotions I feel when I return to Kattegat is the same sentiment I felt when I gazed upon you for the first time. Something within speaks to me.

What does it say?

To hold you dear, for you are to be treasured.

"Bjorn!" Halfdan called as he watched him with a scrunched expression.

He shook his head to clear away the lingering memory of he and Bonnie's first moments together. "Apologies, Halfdan. What did you say?"

"I asked if you were joyed to return home?" His friend questioned as he studied his expression.

"I'm not sure." He shook his head. "I'm not sure if I can still consider it to be home. Much has changed since I departed from these shores. I'm no longer pleased to live a life of a man who's content to do what is expected of him even if its not what he craves."

"Such as?"

He lifted his chin. "Such as, I no longer love Torvi. I know it's not right, but would it not be worse to mislead her."

"And what of Bonnie?" Halfdan tore his gaze away to consider the sea.

He studied his friend for a moment. "What of Bonnie?"

"Have your affections waned for her as well?"

"You know that they have," he said casting his gaze back toward Kattegat.

Halfdan eyed him from the cut of his eye. "So if I were to propose matrimony to her…"

"If she accepted, I'd be gladdened for you both," he said, ignoring the unease in his chest. "But isn't she already betrothed to Ivar?"

"For now, Ironside." Halfdan grin nigh touched his ears. "For now."

Cheers erupted in Kattegat's great hall when Bjorn entered. Festers he'd known most of his life slapped him on the back, while others who appeared unfamiliar and foreign wished him well. Something blew upon the winds. Kattegat looked as it had during Aslaug's rule. His mother appeared in front of him with open arms.

"I'm relieved of your return," she said as he embraced her.

His gaze swept the hall and collided with a group of Sami's. "What has happened? Why are the Sami here?"

"Ivar and Hvitserk have allied with King Harald to attack Kattegat." She pulled out of the hold to stare up at him. "So I called on them and many others to aide us in our battle. Bonnie said we'll need as many warriors as we can enlist."

He blinked. "Bonnie?"

"Yes." She studied him for a moment. "She left Ivar to honor your vow."

"Our vow?" He uttered to himself.

"She says she'll fight at your side when Ivar, Hvitserk, and Harald came to claim Kattegat." His mother nodded a greeting to someone across the hall.

He exhaled as the whole of their vow replaced itself in his mind. "She vowed to never stand against me on a battlefield."

"And just as well. It's been spoken she, Hvitserk the Berserker, and Ivar the Boneless are a formidable trio. They've subdued the whole of England and that was with half the army in which Ivar intends to attack." She waved her hand at the occupants of the great hall. "She's the reason why clans have chosen to align with us. Everyone wants to either earn the favor of or fight with the Supreme. The Supreme who turned a cripple into a feared warlord king. The Supreme who filled a son of Ragnar with the spirit of a war god. The Supreme who gifted Odin with great power in the middle of a battlefield. They are all here for her!"

"Bonnie?" Confusion crumpled his face.

His mother shook her head. "And she wants nothing to do with them. She's barred herself in her keep since her arrival." She moved closer and lowered her voice. "I suspect she and Ivar's had a falling out of sorts. I sent Ubbe to inform her of your impending arrival."

"And?"

His mother scoffed before casting her gaze back to the group of Sami. "She agreed to come and greet our allies, but no more. Ubbe said the next time she sees them will be on the battlefield."

"Ack!" He tossed his hands up. Not back a full rising and already the woman had managed to incite him.

His mother nodded her agreement. "Come and greet the Sami King and his daughter."

He cast an expecting glance towards the door, before following his mother to the Sami's. They approached a man short in stature. He stood next to a woman who'd not known many summers as such. She pleased the eye. A beauty to be sure. It only took one sight for him to know himself besotted. It was the way of it with his first wife and even so with Bonnie.

His mother placed a hand on his arm, and then smiled at the elder man. "King Svase, I present to you my son Bjorn Ironside." She then cut an eye to him. "Bjorn this is King Svase, king to the Sami's."

As the way of the Sami, he leaned forward to nuzzle the king's jaw. "It is an honor to meet you, Bjorn Ironside, Son of Ragnar Lothbrok."

"You as well, King Svase," he said, allowing his gaze to drift to the beauty at his side.

The king hinted at a smile as he gazed upon the woman as well. "Bjorn Ironside, may I present to you my daughter, Princess Snaefrid."

He leaned forth and greeted her in the same manner he did her father. Her skin smelled of pine and honeysuckle. A combination which provoked his curiosity and encouraged his lust. When she pulled away, she offered him a closed lipped smile which held more mystery than forthrightness.

"Princess," he uttered beyond taken by her.

"Will the Supreme be joining the feast this eve?" King Svase asked returning his gaze to his mother.

She inclined her head in a nod. "She's assured us she'll attend the gathering this eve."

"I anticipate being presented to her. I've heard tales that her skills on the battlefield are matchless." The king's gaze swept from his mother to him. "Is it true, she moves like no other?"

His back teeth clenched, yet he forced a smile. "Yes, Bonnie is a great warrior. She fought many a battle at my side before I took leave for the Mediterranean Sea."

"I embrace the day I'm able to make such a claim," King Svase murmured as he shared a glance with his daughter.

"Come, second meal will be served soon," his mother said attempting to steer the conversation from a still missing Bonnie.

"Will we not wait for the Supreme?" Princess Snaefrid questioned as confusion mocked her beauty.

"Of course," she lifted her hand to beckon his stepson Guthrum to them. Upon arrival he barely spared the king and princess a glance, instead he looked expectantly to Lagertha. "Will you attend the Supreme? Escort her to the feast, so our allies may be presented to her."

Guthrum nodded his obedience, and then crossed the great hall to the door. Bjorn still couldn't believe how much the boy had grown. He'd achieved manhood in his absence. His gaze moved over the festers and settled on Torvi. It was time he spoke with her. There time had come to an end.

Sigurd slammed his fist into Ubbe's face when he thought to welcome him home. Satisfaction barreled his chest as he watched blood pool in his elder brother's mouth. He deserved no less for his part in he and Bonnie's separation. He raised a clenched hand to hit him again, but Halfdan stepped between them.

"Sigurd, though your anger is well placed your timing is not," the Black cast a meaningful glance about the great hall at a few festers who'd halted to watch he and Ubbe's exchange.

Ubbe who opened and closed his mouth while rubbing at the corner of his lips, glared at him with unblinking eyes. "Not only have you grown in size Sigurd, so have your blows."

"I trusted you, Ubbe!" He growled through the clench of his teeth. "I placed no other's word above yours, yet you stared me in my eyes and spewed Ivar's false tales as if they were your own! Were it not for Fate, I'd slice open your gullet and snatch out your misleading tongue."

Ubbe squared his shoulders and straightened to his full length. Yet his elder brother still remained a few hops from matching him in height. "You can try, Sigurd. I welcome you to try."

"Let their not be conflict between the two of you. You're brothers," Halfdan said, pulling them both under each of his arms. "Asides, is this not a feast to hail our return?"

"Among other things," Ubbe said.

This captured both he and Halfdan's attentions. "What other things?" Halfdan questioned, craning his neck to peer at Ubbe.

"Many of these warriors came from other Norwegian kingdoms to align with us against Ivar, Hvitserk, and Harald." Ubbe turned to face them both full on.

"Harald?" Halfdan's arm slipped from Ubbe's shoulder.

Sigurd's glare narrowed as it crept over Ubbe's face. "Why would we need allies against Ivar and Hvitserk? Were you three not already in an alliance when you conspired to steal Bonnie from me?" Ubbe cast his eyes away. For a moment misperception clouded Sigurd's minds eye, but then clarity revealed all. He laughed. "He took her from you as well, huh?" His laughter snatched him over. "Along with Hvitserk and the great army. Just as well!" he wheezed through his laughter, "It's no more than you deserve."

"They'll be here by the next full moon," Ubbe said, attempting to ignore his quips. "Bonnie says seventy ships filled with warriors shall accompany them."

"Bonnie?" Excitement leapt into Halfdan's gaze as he pulled his other arm from Sigurd's shoulders so he could turn and face Ubbe. "She's here…in Kattegat?"

"She is." Suspicion entered Ubbe's gaze. "She arrived three eves past. Why are you concerned over Bonnie's whereabouts?"

Halfdan's glance shifted to him as his mouth became reluctant to part with his words. "I'd rather not say until I've spoken with Bonnie."

"Consider yourself fortunate if she deigns to do so. She's rarely spoken with anyone other than Torvi, Guthrum, and Bjorn's babes since her arrival," he snatched a chalice from a table and filled it with a pitcher of mead. "She grieves, but for what no one knows."

"She shall speak with me," he said, a little concerned he hadn't sensed Bonnie the moment they made land.

What could such an implication mean? After all, was he not her Enforcer/Confessor? They were one…were they not?

"Mm, by the All-Father," Ivar growled as she savagely sucked the head of his dick for the last drop of cum. His fingers threaded themselves through her curls as he tugged her upwards. When her face hovered over his, he brought her lips to his and plunged his tongue in her mouth. He explored her oral cavity in dawdling strokes, which had her grinding her throbbing wetness into his still semi hard twitching member. "My Love," he purred between pecks.

"Why do you call me that?" She said dipping her back to press her breasts tighter against the rock solid firmness of his chest.

He gazed up at her. Adoration and devotion gushed from his eyes. "Call you what?"

"You know what," she nipped at his chin. "My love."

"Because that is who you are." His methane stare drifted over her face as if he meant to commit every distinct detail of her features to his memory. "When I saw you for the first time in the great hall you claimed my heart as your own. In that moment I felt everything. Things I'd never once felt before."

She pressed a kiss to his lips before nipping at his bottom lip. "Like?"

"Like a burning affection which nigh set my chest to flames, I felt my prick stand for the first time since I approached manhood, and my thoughts…I had no control over them. They spun about in my head without sense or order," He guided her into another searing kiss, before pulling away once more. "Then your gaze met mine and fate lent reason to my moment of madness. It was then I understood you were the love I'd always coveted. Not the pity everyone else thought to offer me, but the love…my love."

She gasped as she placed her hand to the cradle of her breasts to soothe the ache in her chest. How could he make a fool of her so thoroughly? How could he look her in the eye, speak so genuinely of his love for her and still allow lies to fall from the split of his lips? Now there she sat in the dark staring at a wall, while calling everything he'd ever said to her into question. Recounting each moment they'd shared together. Did he think of Freydis while he made love to her? Was it her name he wanted to call out every time he died a little inside of her? Such thoughts made the walls of her mind bleed. How could he give her his child? Now what? Would she be passed along to another Lothbrok heir and hope this one could keep it in his pants long enough for them to defeat the Hollow? Goddess, how was this her existence?

"Bonsie?" Guthrum's call yanked her from the bowels of her depression.

She inhaled, and then exhaled to staunch the hemorrhage of emotions. "It's time."

"Yes," Guthrum's voice drifted to her from the door of her keep. "Lagertha ordered me to escort you to the feast so that our allies may be presented to you."

Her eyes closed as she shook her head. This was madness. They had no time for feasts and presentations. One of the most brilliant battle strategist on the planet would be at their shores in a week's time. They should've been plotting on how to out think Ivar, not hosting welcome home dinners. Wanting nothing more than to be over and done with the entire evening, she stood and turned to face Guthrum. His eyes flared and his mouth hung open as if he'd broken his jaw.

"What's wrong, Jedi?" She felt a little self-conscious. It had been a minute since she'd dressed up. There was no cause for her to do so while in England. Maybe her magic had gone too far in slaying her in its excitement of being instructed to do so. She hadn't bother to check her reflection because she really didn't care how she looked. "Did my sorcery go too far? Is it too much?"

"No, you're…" his mouth flapped open and closed like he'd run out of words.

She walked over to the floor length mirror. The woman who stood before her appeared to be a premonition of years to come. An off the shoulder floor length sheer black lace dress clung to her lean but curvy body. And if seeing an outline of her La Perla black silk lingerie underneath wasn't enough, a split on the front side of the dress which ran all the way up to her mid-left thigh made sure all the perves got their peeps worth. Her make-up was dramatic, yet appropriate for the dress. Smokey eyes, bordered brows, a foundation highlighted to perfection, along with a deep wine red matte lipstick lined to precision made it appear as if she'd had her face beat by the gods. While the wavy side part, peek a boo hair do brought it all to a finish for an old Hollywood throwback vibe. Because that's exactly how she looked as if she were about to go walk the red carpet for the Oscars in 1945.

Her eyes rolled. She then beckoned to a still speechless Guthrum. "Come, Jedi. I'm ready to be done with this so they may place their focus where it rightfully belongs."

Bjorn watched as Torvi hurried away. He loathed himself for hurting her, but it was better to part ways. For he no longer loved her and she only loved the notion of him. Once her admiration and glory worship of him had been enough. Now he needed more. His gaze strayed back to the Sami Princess.

"What did you say to Torvi?" His mother demanded as she crowded his space.

A frown bunched his face as he turned to attend her. "It matters not. She's no longer my wife."

"Just like that?" Lagertha snapped.

His stare crept back to Princess Snaefrid. "I want her."

"You don't know anything about that girl," his mother hissed, while moving closer. "And what of Bonnie? Has your love for her faded as well? Will you allow one of your brothers to claim her?"

"Sigurd and Ubbe are welcomed to Bonnie. Neither she nor Torvi holds my affection." He tore his gaze from the Princess to regard his mother once more. "Ask the king."

Lagertha considered him for a moment before crossing the room to the Sami King. He glanced away to not appear too anxious and his gaze collided with the woman who'd haunted his dreams and thoughts for as long as he could recall. She still remained as breath pilfering as ever. If not more. She'd not changed even a rising during the several Solstice Cycles that had parted them. The mere sight of her still filled his heart and cock to nigh bursting. With great ease six summers of indifference melted away. Once again a scorching fascination for all things Bonnie Bennett recaptured his focus.

Bonnie entered the great hall of Kattegat hoping to slip in and go unnoticed. To greet people in a casual sort of way without the extraness. Fate must've pissed her pants laughing at those ideas because her plans went left, while the entire night went in a different direction. Soon as she and Guthrum entered, the great hall fell silent. Every seeing eye fell upon them. When they began to bow, while muttering straight foolishness about it being really her, she knew coming there had been the wrong answer. She turned and attempted to flee. Guthrum grabbed her hand to prevent her from breaking into a crackhead sprint back to her keep.

"Not yet, Bonsie," he whispered next to her ear. His gaze met hers. "Worry not I'll remain at your side until the eve is done."

She reached up to cup his cheek in her palm. An adoring smile curved her lips as she stared up at her sweet boy. "Well played, Jedi Knight. Your understanding of the force is impressive, but your devotion is life giving."

He returned her smile, and then lead her further into the hall. People descended upon them. Vying for her attention, while congratulating her on the many victories she claimed in England. So many voices spoke at once she could only nod and listen. Without warning or reason the gushing horde split. It gave birth to a tall strawberry blonde Viking almost equal to Bjorn in size and build. He was too beautiful and looked too much like his father to be anything other than a Son of Ragnar.

"Sigurd?" She questioned in a cutting tone cold enough to put the Arctic winter into retirement.

"It pains me you'd even have to ask," he dipped his head and attempted to kiss her.

Before his lips could touch hers, she slapped him so hard his head damn near did a three hundred sixty degree turn on his neck. The crowd who'd gathered about them offered up a cacophony of noises contributed to a soundtrack entitled surprise. Sigurd palmed his newly plum reddened jaw. He glared down at her as stars of adoration twinkled bright in his eyes.

"You faithless son of a bitch!" Warriors cheered, incited by her abrupt show of violence. "I saved your life and what'd you do? You sailed off into the damn Mediterranean sunset without me!" She jabbed him in the chest with a finger. "We exchanged-," she cast her gaze around and noticed the entire hall practically dangled by their nails from her every word. She recentered her focus back on the massive gilded rose haired Viking in front of her. "Never you mind! Just keep your distance."

"Valkyrie-," he moved to trail after she and Guthrum.

Her eyes slitted as she spun on him, and then hissed, "Don't you dare follow me, Sigurd Lothbrok! The very sight of you flames my blood to boil."

With that said she dragged Guthrum away to the other side of the hall. In her mad dash across the room she plowed right into a solid chest. She almost knocked the owner of the well fashioned chest to the ground but managed to grab his arms and steady him.

"I'm sorry-," she looked up into a familiar warm whiskey brown stare. "Halfdan."

He gazed down at her with wide disbelieving eyes. His head swung from left to right in a slow deliberate motion. "You haven't changed. You're still the most beautiful woman I've ever sighted."

"Oh, Halfdan," she lifted her chin to stare down her nose at him in a mock scold, "don't you think I know a pretty lie when I hear one? I'm quite sure your wife has to be the most beguiling creature to ever strut across Midgard." She glanced about before returning her gaze to him. "Where is she?"

"Naya was a…traveling companion," he said, while moving his gaze over her face. "I've not wed. Not yet at least."

"A traveling companion, hmph," she uttered with a cock brow and a bit of the side eye. "I see."

"Uh." He cleared his throat as he rubbed at his trousers. "Have you sighted Bjorn since our arrival?" He questioned, bringing her gaze back to him.

She shook her head. "No, but I imagine the hall is not so big I won't run into him before the eve is done. Either way, I'll leave it to fate. Me," she shrugged, "I'm not so pressed to bring about a reunion."

"What of you, Guthrum?" Halfdan asked attempting draw him into the conversation. "You must be overjoyed to have your father home. I'll wager you look forward to hearing sagas dedicated to our travels throughout the Mediterranean."

Guthrum's face remained indifferent as he answered. "Yes this is true."

"Well," Halfdan's brows rose to greet his hairline.

"Nice seeing you again, Halfdan," she said growing aggravated with the small talk. "Guthrum and I should make our rounds. I'd like to make it back to my keep before the next rising greets us."

Once free of Halfdan Lagertha stepped in her path next and proceeded to guide her around the hall introducing her to what felt like every king, earl and jarl of Norway. By the time she'd come to the end of her rounds, she had four offers of marriage from three kings and an earl, multiple invitations to visit kingdoms, blood offerings galore, and a legion of low key propositions for sex. She wanted nothing more than to find her bed and remain there until the spotters sighted Ivar's and Harald's ships on the horizon.

"Wait here and I'll fetch your cloak," Guthrum said, before disappearing into the crowd.

"You still favor fashioning gowns out of unfitting material I see," a voice she'd know in the throes of a coma whispered next to her ear.

She whirled around to discover Bjorn smirking down at her. Although slightly older, he still appeared as blonde and gorgeous as ever. Goddess how she didn't want to be affected by him. Especially after he'd basically chucked deuces to her and never thought to look back. Yet, there she stood with her heart about to beat out of her damn chest. Being assaulted by all the times he'd wrapped her in his arms, kissed her witless, and pleasured her with his glorious mouth. Her attraction for him still arc through her body like live wire electricity.

"And I see you still favor getting dressed in the dark," she said, while working like hell to keep her eyes from taking a tour over his concrete form. "I'm glad you managed to cross the ocean without falling in."

His gaze wandered over her. "You've remained the same. You still have the appearance of a girl who's seen no more than sixteen summers."

"Eighteen," she corrected, squaring her shoulders.

"I find it unnerving," he said as distaste twisted his mouth.

She took the insult to the chin and it cocked her head sideways. "Oh to Helheim with you, Ironside! The Sami Princess you've spent the eve fawning over appears to be twelve. So if you want something to really be unnerved about, perhaps you should start there."

She spun away to stalk off, but he caught her wrist and spun her back towards him. "You'll not be dismissing me as you've dismissed every other warrior this eve, Mystical One."

Still gripping her wrist, he dragged her towards the private quarters of the long house. Once they'd pass through the beaded barrier of the room he shoved her against the nearest wall. He stared down at her with a face full of lust and her nipples tightened.

"I'm not Astrid!" She hissed as she glared up at him. "You'll not bang me in the back room of mommy's long house, and then go running back out to your obedient little princess as if nothing is amiss."

He grabbed her by the neck, before growling, "Hold your tongue! Or perhaps I should do it for you."

His head dipped and he took possession of her lips. He kissed her as if he'd been starving for her mouth for years. They both moaned their relief and pleasure until she broke away from him. She then reached back and slapped the dog shit out of him. Rage swelled between them and it pissed her dry that just looking at him made her clit throb. He rubbed at his jaw. When he opened his mouth to say something, she rushed him. Utilizing supernatural strength, she shoved him on the bed and mounted him before his body landed on the mattress. His chest rumbled from laughter as he pulled her forward to claim her lips once more.

Being back in his arms infused her with a rare euphoria even heroin addicts couldn't claim to know. The way he smelled, tasted, and felt underneath her distracted her beyond her grasp of focus. And he didn't make it any better. His hands were everywhere. In her hair, palming her breasts, gripping her ass, in her panties driving her to the edge of sanity one stroke and plunge at a time.

"Why won't you leave my heart?" He flipped her on her back and climbed over her. "Why won't the thought of you and I leave my mind? Have you cursed me, Mystical One?" He hiked her dress around her waist and parted her legs. "Have you cursed me to love you until the moment I enter the gates of Valhalla?"

He pressed a kiss to her upper thigh, she gasped as she pushed herself up on her elbows to stare down at him. "If I cursed you, then the spell back fired and got my ass too. For I'm supposed to be indifferent to you. Your touch and kiss shouldn't have the power to make me forget my own damn name. My heart shouldn't be filled so by you when it belongs to another."

"That is because you can't give another what I've always had claim to," he pushed her thongs to the side and licked her from slit to clit. A wail damn near strangled her. "What has always belonged to me."

"Bonsie?" Guthrum's voice drifted through the beaded barrier.

She grabbed Bjorn's head to stop him from further feasting on her. Exhaling a shaky breath she answered. "Yes?"

"I have your cloak. Are you still minded to depart?" He questioned.

Bjorn's head popped up and his lips split to answer. She covered his mouth with her hand. "Yes, Jedi. I'll meet you at the entrance of the great hall."

Several seconds passed before he answered. "Alright." Moments later, she heard the departure of his footsteps.

She allowed her head to drop back on the mattress. "We can't do this."

"You're right," he said, taking her by surprise. Climbing off the bed, he pulled her up with him. "Meet me at the cabin by the inlet after the long house and city are at rest."

"No," She shook her head. "This is crazy-,"

He snatched her against the hard press of his chest and kissed her until her knees buckled. "Now go ahead of me, I'll follow in a while." She studied him for a moment, and then nodded. When she moved to leave the room, he pulled her back once more and kissed her again. "I love you, Mystical One. I know now that I never stopped. Come to me later this eve and I'll spend the rest of my risings on Midgard proving to you the claim you have upon my heart."

"Is this real, Bjorn?" She whispered, afraid she may be overheard by fate herself. "Can we really have this…now, of all moments in time?"

He cradled her face in his hands and plundered her mouth until little sense dwelled within her head. "Who would dare deny or attempt to take it from us?" He pecked her lips again, before gently shoving her towards the door. "Now seek your leave so you may find your way back to me one final time."