Chapter Eighteen

Asvald kept his promise of taking me back to see my family, and we agreed to make trips to Ireland once a year, in the fall before the long winter.

About five months had gone by since my last visit, and we decided to bring Toki along so my mother and sister could meet him.

We took a small ship, and took a river route up to my village, so no one would see and think that a raid was going on.

My heart was pounding as we walked through the village I grew up in. I couldn't believe I was here again, because Asvald had finally understood what I needed. As we walked, I reached out and took his hand, giving it a squeeze. Toki was balanced on my hip, with a fistful of my hair in his mouth, drooling all over my shoulder.

Memories came flashing back to me. Memories of my father, which I quickly pushed away. Memories of my sister and I and our few best friends whispering about private things such as getting our first womanly bleed.

I remembered the day I was captured, which was about three years ago. It amazed me how young I was when I was forced into such a horrible situation, and I was proud of myself for the fight I put up. I chuckled as I remembered kicking Asvald in the nose and rubbing red berry juice into my thighs to trick him. And how I tested his temper until he finally gave me a whipping with a tree branch.

Then I remembered our first night together in our longhouse, truly alone for the first time. I had been so frightened, yet excited. I hadn't wanted to give up my virginity, and our union was kind of mutual by force. Still, it moved me one step closer to where I had needed to be. I remembered the day Asvald had to carry the hot iron and how for the following week, I labored to heal his wounds, while falling in love with him at the same time.

I gazed down at Toki, who have me a toothless grin as he chewed on my hair. Tenderness for him filled my heart and I kissed his head and said a prayer of thanks to my God.

Asvald's voice pulled me out of my deep thoughts. "Are you ready to see your family again?"

I nodded and smiled excitedly. "Aye. I've missed them." I knew he wanted to ask me about my father, but thankfully, he did not.

We came to my family's farm and my mother must have seen us coming down the lane, for she came running to meet us, squealing with joy. I passed Toki to Asvald and embraced my mother, tears streaming down my face.

When she pulled away, I asked where my sister was.

"Ah, Kalin has been married now for two weeks," my mother said with a smile.

My mouth fell open and a squeak came out. "Kalin? Married? The woman hates men!"

Mama shook her head. "Not this man. He stole her heart right quick, he did."

"Hmm. Is she enjoying married life?" I asked, taking my mother's hand as we walked into the warm little cottage.

"Aye, I believe she is." Mama bustled around, pouring Asvald and I cups of dark Irish tea. I took a sip and sighed at the familiar taste of home. Glancing around, I noticed the absence of my father. "Where is father?"

Mama pressed her lips together, as if to stop a smile. "He passed away over the winter."

Despite my hate for the man, I felt a subtle sting of pain in my chest. Asvald noticed the look on my face and squeezed my hand, his blue eyes filled with concern.

"What a pity," I said quietly, not really sure if I meant it or not. My mama and I looked at each other, and in that brief moment, I mourned my father. But then the moment passed and we both silently agreed to never speak of him again.

My mother and I rambled on about Kalin and her new husband, while Asvald sat quietly and listened, keeping Toki content by bouncing him gently on his knee.

"How is my little nephew?" I asked, feeling a bit of pain as I remembered that he had forgotten me.

Mother smiled proudly. "The lad is doing just fine. Would you like to visit him while you are here?"

I shook my head and blinked away a few tears. "No."

Asvald reached out and laid a comforting hand on my thigh and I covered it with my own.

My mother saw our touches and winked at me. "I see you lovebirds are still getting along fine."

I blushed. "We are. Mama, I want you to meet Toki," I said, suddenly remembering the baby. My mother looked at Asvald, who held out the baby to her. She took him into her arms, cooing at him as he smiled toothlessly up at her.

"Oh, the wee one is precious," she said and smiled up at me. "What lovely children you two make. You must make me some more grandchildren."

Again I blushed, while Asvald just laughed. He spoke in Norse so my mother wouldn't understand. "I am doing my best at that, ma'am. I like to fill her with my seed every chance I get."

I gasped and stepped on his foot, my cheeks redder than ever. "Asvald!"

"What did he say, Eachna?" Mother asked.

I laughed nervously. "Mmm, he's a Norseman, you really don't want to know."

Asvald laughed again and tilted my chin with his finger and kissed me soundly on the mouth. I laughed into the kiss and Asvald pulled away with a grin. I looked at my mother and rolled my eyes. "He is showing off."

"Aye, got to show off for his lady," my mother winked at me again before lifting Toki up to plant kisses all along his neck, making him giggle. "How long will you be staying, Eachna?"

I looked at Asvald, pleading with him with my eyes.

"As long as you'd like," he told me in Norse.

I told my mother what he said then looked back at him. "Why aren't you speaking Irish?"

He shrugged. "I think that your mother thinks of me as some foreign brute. By speaking Norse, I maintain that reputation."

I shook my head at him. "Sometimes, I truly do not understand you," I said in Norse. He grinned at me.

"Why are you two being so secretive?" Mother asked, placing Toki in my lap when he began to fuss.

I waved my hand in the air to dismiss the question. "Asvald's being an idiot."

Mother chuckled. "So tell me, have you learned any new skills since you were taken away from me?" She gave Asvald a pointed look.

"I have learned to cook many more things than I did before. I have learned to weave cloth, and how to grow many things," I said, proud of myself.

Mother looked impressed as she nodded. "Excellent, my girl. I am proud of you."

My heart warmed with her praise.

{}

That afternoon I went to visit my sister Kalin, while Toki and Asvald stayed with my mother, who forced Asvald to speak Irish as she gave him looks and asked him questions that made him wiggle in his seat.

I followed the way my mother told me to go, and soon came upon a small farm with a modest cottage, and knocked on the door. I heard giggles and moments later my sister came to the door, her wild, curly brown hair flying out in every direction, her bodice half undone.

"Eachna!" She screamed and threw her arms around me. I laughed and held her tight.

"Hello, sister. I've missed you," I said, rubbing her back, then pulled away to get a good look at her.

"What have you been up to?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

She blushed and gave me her guilty smile. "A good girl never tells."

"Thank God you're not a good girl, then." I laughed to show her I was only teasing.

"Your Irish sounds strange," Kalin said with a frown. "Not at all like it used to be."

I smiled. "That is because I haven't spoken it in almost a year now. I speak Norse."

"Say something to me in Norse."

"You want your husband to fuck you like a dog on a bitch in heat," I said in Norse, then burst into laughter.

"What did you just say, little wicked one?" She asked playfully, her fists on her hips.

I told her what I said and she slapped me on the arm. "I think your Norseman husband has corrupted you."

I giggled. "That is probably true." I had changed since becoming Asvald's wife. Honestly, I liked the wife version of me better than the lonely farmer's daughter version.

A deep, yet playful voice came from within the cottage. "Kalin! Get your arse back into my bed!"

My eyes widened, my eyebrows shot up. "Sounds like you've got a Norseman of your own in there."

She bumped me with her shoulder then called into the house. "Me sister is here and I haven't seen her for months. If it's so urgent, take care of it with your own fist."

I laughed at her words. "He lets you talk to him that way?"

She winked at me. "Aye, he knows who's in control."

I shook my head in wonder at my spirited sister. "Asvald would slap me hard on the arse if I spoke to him that way."

"Well, your husband isn't a good tame Irish farmer, now is he?" She said just as her husband appeared in the doorway. He was tall, with curly brown hair and light brown eyes, his jawline manly and covered with stubble. His chest was naked, and was muscular, with a trail of hair between his abs that led into his low hanging trousers.

My sister nudged me in the ribs. "Stop looking at him that way. He's mine."

I raised my hands in surrender. "Asvald would kill me if I looked at another man."

I jumped when I heard my husband's voice behind me. "Aye, he would."

I turned to face him. "Asvald! Uh, this is my sister's husband," I said and Asvald held out his hand to Kalin's husband, and introduced himself.

Kalin's husband nodded and smiled. "I am Uilliam." He was handsome. I winked at Kalin.

Kalin and I wandered off as our husbands spoke.

"Does he truly beat you, Eachna?" She asked quietly, taking my hand in hers.

"No, he never hits me anymore. But, I also don't provoke him to hit me," I said, glancing over my shoulder at my husband, noting how he seemed to be made of nothing but muscle.

"Well, that is good. Otherwise I might have to let him feel my knee again," she chuckled and threw her arms around my shoulders. "You've changed, little sister."

"How so?" I asked, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

"You have grown up. You are serious, yet you make jests. You seem happy, but at the same time I can see that something holds you down," she said and sat down in the lush Irish grass. I sat beside her than laid back, rubbing my hands over the blades of grass.

"Having a husband like Asvald will do that to you," I said, then rolled over onto my belly, resting my chin on my fists. "Tell me about your wedding night."

Kalin blushed, her hazel eyes sparkling. "Oh it was nothing but fumbling on my part at first, but Uilliam seemed to know what he was doing. I followed his lead for the first time we made love. The second time...I took control."

I laughed. "Oh my dear sister. May God help your poor husband."

"I think he enjoys it," she said and we both glanced toward our husbands, who were laughing as well.

"Do you like Norway, sister?" She asked, her expression turning serious.

I nodded with a smile. "It's a magical place, full of loving people who are just a bit greedy." Laughing, I shook my head so she'd know I was teasing.

"Is Asvald greedy?" Kalin asked with a naughty grin, tickling my arm.

"Mmm, you'll have to ask him." I laughed.

We were silent for a few moments, simply basking in each other's company.

"You look exhausted, Eachna," Kalin finally said.

I rubbed at my eyes. "The voyage here was not an easy one, since we brought the baby along."

My sister jumped to her feet. "Toki is here? Why did you not tell me? I want to see him!"

I got to my feet and we told our husbands where we were off to and headed toward our mother's house.

As we walked through the town center, I heard a familiar voice call my name. I turned to see Aedan hurrying toward me, waving his arms to catch my attention. Kalin stood beside, her hands going to her hips, her face full of attitude. "What does that weasel of a man want?"

"Go on to see Toki without me," I said quickly and turned her in the direction of our family's house. "Go."

"Are you sure?" She glanced back at Aedan with contemp.

"Yes!" With a shove from me, she finally walked away and left me to face my old friend alone.

He stood in front of me with a smirk on his face. "Good to see you again, Eachna."

I nodded my head and tried not to feel nervous in front of him. Last time I saw him, I had almost agreed to become his wife, but Asvald's sudden appearance at the time had made the situation a little awkward. Once again I felt that awkwardness, and fiddled with my belt and my hair to distract from it. Though I probably only looked antsy to him. "Hello, Aedan. I trust you've been well?"

He folded his arms over his chest and shifted restlessly on his feet. "Oh eye, indeed. Though I would be a happier man if I had you in my bed each night."

Heat rushed through my body. The angry, embarrassed kind of heat, that is. Who did he think he was to talk to me about such things?

My hands curled into fists at my side and my jaw clenched. Everything in me wanted to strike him. "Well, only Asvald gets that pleasure."

"Unfortunately, that is true. Though I do believe I could make you wish you were in my bed instead of his."

Before I could protest, Aedan leaned in and kissed me full on the mouth, his lips sweet and gentle against mine. I kissed him back for a second and pulled away, my face flushed.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a bit of movement and looked to see what it was out of reflex. About ten feet away, Asvald stood with his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes dark and stormy. My heart skipped a beat and I swallowed. I was in big trouble.

"Oh damn," I whispered under my breath.

Aedan followed my gaze and went pale. His mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out. He looked like a confused fish.

I tried to calm my pounding heart. I hadn't been afraid of Asvald for a long time. An old fear started to sink into my bones and I didn't like it. I forced a smile and gestured for Asvald to come to my side, then faced Aedan. "Would you care to tell my husband what you've just done?"

Asvald came to my side and wrapped his arm around my waist, his hold tight, and his fingers digging painfully into me. I tried not to wince. He was not only angry at Aedan, he was also angry with me. Furious, even.

"Asvald, Aedan kissed me in greeting," I said, trying to force my tone to be light and cheerful.

"Who are you to kiss my wife?" Asvald growled, his hand resting on his sword. His blue eyes were dangerous, like an unexpected storm at sea.

Aedan looked fairly angry himself, though I don't know why. "I am an old friend of Eachna's. Don't worry, lad, 'twas a kiss of remembered friendship and nothing more."

Asvald grunted, his grip even tighter. "I do not care what kind of kiss it was, you should not be touching her. She's mine now."

Aedan glanced at me, then back at Asvald. "By her choice or yours?"

I winced, ready for Asvald's anger to explode. I needed to step in. "My choice," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I do love him, Aedan."

"But he stole you from everything you love. From me," Aedan growled, his voice hard and furious.

"She is mine," Asvald said again, his voice as tight as his grip on my waist. Before anymore words could be spoken, Asvald dragged me away, leading me toward some trees in the distance.

"You kissed him," Asvald hissed and my heart beat quickened even more.

"He kissed me," I corrected, struggling against his hold. "Let me go."

"You flirted with him," he growled.

"No! I did not!" I cried, angry at his false claims.

He was grimly silent as he pulled me into the shelter of the trees. I opened my mouth to say something, but before any words came out, Asvald turned me toward the tree, placed my hands against its trunk, and lifted up my skirts, revealing my arse to him. I gasped and looked over my shoulder at him. I was too shocked to speak. For a moment I was afraid he was going to beat my naked arse.
But then he untied his breeches and moved up against me, lifting my hips. He entered me with a powerful thrust. He leaned down close so his mouth was by my ear. "You are mine."

My mouth fell open and a small whimper passed my lips. This was pure domination.

He moved his hips faster, my hands scraping against the tree bark as I braced myself. One of his hands stayed on my hip, holding me in place, while the other reached around to slip under the bodice of my dress to play with my breast. My whole body was hot, a rush of pleasure shooting straight through my body.

"Ah, God," I groaned, digging my nails into the tree bark.

"You are mine," he growled, nibbling at my earlobe. I shivered.

"I am yours," I whispered back, giving another moan at one deep thrust.

"Mine," he murmured possessively and I thought I'd reach my peak right then and there. He had been sweet, bringing me here to see my family when I got too homesick, but some things never changed. He was still a passionate, possessive Norseman who liked to remind me of who was in control. And I did not mind. Not at all.

There was nothing better than being fucked by your husband surrounded by your homeland, I thought as he continued to pound into me.

My head fell back, my breaths gasping. "Asvald...oh God." My brain went numb with pleasure and I bit down hard on my lower lip to hold in a cry as I found my release, my whole body trembling. Somewhere in the clouds of bliss, I felt Asvald stiffen behind me, letting out a roar as he found his own release with one last deep plunge.

I gasped as I felt him slide out of me, his warm seed trickling down my inner thighs. My legs shook and I clung to the tree for support. Asvald let my dress back down and retied his breeches, his blue eyes bright against his flushed cheeks.

My head still spun, and I saw that Asvald's legs were trembling too. I turned around and leaned my back against the tree, meeting Asvald's eyes to see if he was still angry with me. He looked at me as if to say, Are we clear?

I moved forward shakily and wrapped my arms around his neck, nuzzling his cheek. "I am yours, Asvald. And you are mine."

He cupped my face in his hands and pulled me back so he could look into my eyes. He smiled, lighting up my world.

Taking my hand, he led me toward my mother's house. Hardly any words were spoken during our lovemaking, but it seemed we had said so much.

{}

We entered my mother's house to see her and Kalin giggling over Toki, who was grinning up at them with his toothless smile that could melt even the coldest of hearts. As soon as we entered, Toki saw me and began to cry, holding out his little fat hands to me. I smiled and took him into my arms, pressing my lips to the tender skin of his neck.

"Aye, he is a beautiful lad, Eachna," my sister said with a proud smile. "Glad he's not mine, though."

After kissing Toki repeatedly, I glanced up. "The way you and Uilliam are going is sure to land you with a bun in the oven soon enough."

Her face flushed but she rolled her eyes.

Asvald had slipped unseen to the back corner of the house, his eyes fixed on me. I couldn't see him, but I could feel his gaze on me. My face heated.

"I like Ireland, Eachna. It's a passionate land, made for good loving," Asvald said in Irish so everyone would understand. "Perhaps there will be another little one along soon."

I blushed as my mother and sister burst into laughter, using Toki to hide my face. Asvald's words embarrassed me, but I did want to have another child.

"Is that what took you both so long?" Kalin asked, her bubbling laugh easing my embarrassment. Her hazel eyes were filled with good humor.

"Aye, I took her long and hard from behind, against a tree," Asvald said in Norse, so they wouldn't understand. Thank God.

"Asvald, you are a pig," I giggled in Norse. Part of me wished to playfully slap his face, and another part of me wanted him to led me to the bed and take me all over again.

He made snorting noises like a pig and I laughed even harder. Toki started to fuss at my ruckus, so I settled down and nuzzled him lovingly.

My mother and Kalin were wise enough not to ask what just happened.

{}

Later that day, Asvald and I walked along the beach, Toki cradled in Asvald's arms. The sun was on its way down toward its bed beneath the sea, and the blue sky was streaked with light pink. It was nearly my favorite time of day, when the sun disappeared and the stars began to pop out against the deep blue, almost black sky, yet the light of the sun still lingered. Magic happened at times like those.

"If you could turn back time, and find some way to keep yourself from being taken in that raid, would you do it?" Asvald asked over the sound of the gently rolling waves. His hair blew over his face and he laughed when a strand of hair stuck to his mouth. His hands full with the baby, he tried to spit the hair out of his mouth.

Laughing with him, I reached up and pulled the strand of hair away from his face and tucked it behind his ear. "No, Asvald. I would not change it. I love my life with you."

He grinned and ducked his head to kiss me, our mouths molding together perfectly, drinking in each other's taste and scent, and breathing each other's air. The softness of his mouth still surprised me.

Instead of just pulling away and continuing our walk, we stood close, our noses still brushing, the gentle waves teasing our ankles, soaking our bare feet. The air was flavored with the salt of the sea, and I could almost feel every grain of sand under my feet.

"The gods have blessed me," Asvald finally spoke, his hand cupping our son's head. Toki was sleepy and slightly grumpy, so Asvald passed him back to me. I settled him on my left shoulder and he soon settled down again.

I didn't answer him right away. Asvald was indeed blessed, with a village full of people that loved and respected him, an affection wife, and a son. While I shared his blessing, but the thorns of suffering pricked me in ways that had never touched him.

Toki sighed and pressed his wet mouth to the skin of my neck, making soft grunts and cooing noises.

"I am blessed as well."

{}

We returned to my mother's house after the sun had slipped away. My mother had waited up for us, and there were bowls of Irish stew waiting for us. Kalin sat at the table, her chin resting on her folded hands. Asvald sat beside her and murmured something I couldn't hear.

After feeding Toki goat's milk and lying him down to sleep, I joined my sister and Asvald at the table. Asvald reached out to take my hand, intertwining our fingers between us on top of the table.

Kalin smiled down at our hands. "You nasty lovers."

My mother giggled and kissed the tops of all our heads, even Asvald's. "I am going to sleep. Try not to be too loud, for me and Toki's sake."

We mumured our compliance and she slipped into her bedroom. Kalin went to one of cabinets and brought out cups, filling them with ale and setting them in front of us.

I took a long swig and glanced at Asvald, who winked at me. Once Kalin was settled at the table again, she asked Asvald, "Are you going to put another baby inside my sister?"

Giggling softly, I took another sip of ale and raised my eyebrows at Asvald, who was smirking and rubbing his beard in mock thoughtfulness.

"Well you make it sound so tempting, Kalin, that I might just have to." His tone was serious and his smirk disappeared. "Shall I do it right now?"

Kalin made a face but she still laughed and kicked his foot under the table, which sloshed his ale over the table.

"What about you, Kalin?" I leaned forward, feeling the tingle of alcohol in my blood. "When is your husband going to put a babe in your belly?"

She growled playfully at me, lifting her lips to show her teeth. A laugh followed the growl, and she chugged from her mug. After a gasp for breathe, she spoke quickly. "Never, if I have any control of it."

Surprise filled Asvald's face, and I'm sure mine mirrored his.

Asvald frowned and tapped his fingers on the table. "Does your husband know you are preventing pregnancy?" His body had gone tense, and it was clear this topic troubled him.

Kalin shook her head, making her curls bounce. "He does not and he never shall."

"Why?" I whispered, leaning forward as sadness laid its weight on my chest. "Why would you prevent a babe, and why are you hiding it from Uilliam?"

Her fingers drew circles on the table, her eyes lowered to hide emotion. "Women die just to bring stinky, screaming babes into the world, and if they live, they spend the rest of their lives letting those babes suck the life from their very bones." She paused and sipped her ale. "I do not want that life for myself, and I am not telling my husband because he would be angry, and hurt, and he would force me to stop preventing a child."

Silence hung in the air, like the calm before a thunderstorm. Asvald pursed his lips and glanced at me, and I shrugged my shoulders. My sister was just as stubborn as me, and once her mind was made up, it was almost impossible to change it.

Things had shifted between my sister and I. Kalin once was my closest friend, and I hers, but all of a sudden, we had husbands, and I had a child, and we were not the center of each other's lives any longer. A pang hit my heart, but I knew it was the way of life.

Asvald noticed my silent sadness and stroked his thumb across the back of my hand.

Kalin must have felt the distance between us, because something shifted in her golden eyes and she smiled sadly. "Often I feel as if I do not know who you are, Eachna, as I am sure you feel toward me as well, but I will always love you. You are my sister."

Emotion choked me as I felt the impact of her words, of the freeing, bitter-sweetness of them. "I will always love you too, Kalin."

{}

We stayed with my family for several more days, and I even spoke to Aedan again, with Asvald by my side, of course.

But the day came when it was time to leave. There were no sad and tearful goodbyes, for they knew I would return to them soon. Asvald would keep his word.

…..

We traveled across the calm waters back to Norway, and I was eager to be home. Aye, Norway was my home. I still loved Ireland, and it would forever be a part of me. But Ireland was my past, while Norway was my future.

My gaze wandered to Asvald, who was standing at the helm of the ship, Toki tucked in the crook of his strong arm. I could just hear him murmuring to the child.

"One day you will learn how to sail the seas," Asvald whispered gently, gazing down into Toki's alert little face. "You will be a strong ruler one day, filled with pride and bravery. You will rule with my steadfastness, but also with your mother's kindness and forgiving spirit. You will be great."

I smiled and rose to go to his side. Asvald looked down at me and used his free arm to bring me close to his side, under his protection and warmth, against his heart as his equal. And in that moment, I no longer felt like a captive. I was the chieftain's wife, and a mother of a handsome, strong son. I was loved and cherished, by a man who had come to understand my needs and my desires, a man who was so filled with pride that in the beginning, he only saw himself.

But he had opened his eyes and humbled himself, finally seeing me. And I loved him.

Lifting my face to his, I soon felt warm, salty lips on mine. I am home.