Page 60 of Alien Viking's Passion

‘Kofraks-bane’ I name her.”

“That rhymes,” Aretha laughed weakly, tears of relief burning in her eyes. “You don’t need a skald at all.”

“Italmostrhymes,” the prince grunted slowly. “And nobody would want to be likened to a grumr.”

“You… you took the lightning,” Aretha managed, her throat sore. “Instead of me.”

His hand sought hers. “I’ve done it before, my love.”

She took his hand and brought it to her lips, kissing it, wetting it with her tears of relief and joy. “And you never wanted to do it again.”

“It seems I was wrong about that. Oh, look.”

She followed his gaze. The other Vikings were freeing themselves from the iron grip of the krakens.

No, that wasn’t it. There was a small shape attacking each tentacle, spraying kraken flesh and blood like a chainsaw until the krakens retreated.

“Sonic!” Aretha exclaimed.

The warriors fell to the deck and stayed down, unconscious or exhausted.

“Not a good idea to be Sonic’s enemy,” Craxon said and sat up. Where he had laid the deck bore his silhouette, burned into the wood. “Or Aretha’s.”

“Or hers,” Aretha said and nodded towards the red-robed woman. She was at the bow, holding onto the dragon’s head and staring out at the ocean with eyes that probably saw more than working ones could.

“Signe,” Craxon called, his voice creaky. “You saved us all!”

“Not all,” the woman said hollowly, not moving. “The skrymtir cannot be saved. Nor Kofraks himself. He was loved, once. All he wanted was to be loved again. I tricked him into thinking that he was.”

Behind them, the other warriors were coming to, groaning and coughing.

“You saved your prince and your people.” Craxon pointed out, getting up on his knees. “If it was a trick, it was one that even Loki the Trickster could not follow.”

“A kiss breaks the curse,” Aretha said softly. “Oldest trick in the book.”

“He was mighty,” Signe said, turning to face them. “Now he’s nothing. Mark that, my prince! You were yourself almost brought down by love. Now let your beloved raise you up.”

“Oh.” Aretha got hold of Craxon’s hand and wanted to help him up.

But he stayed on one knee, holding her hand. “My love,” he said and gazed up at her with his piercing blue eyes. “I must ask you something.”

Aretha froze. Surely he wouldn’t…

“Aretha Kofraks-bane,” the prince said, his voice still creaky but strong. “I left you because I would condemn my people to destruction if I went on loving you. I wanted to stay, but it was impossible. But now, the curse is broken, and so I am free to do that which I have longed to more than anything else, since the moment I laid eyes on you. I love you, Aretha. Will you marry me?”

24

- Craxon -

Aretha looked stunned, her exotically dark eyes wide, red-rimmed with emotion.

Craxon knew he had caught her off guard. Perhaps he should have waited for a better time. But he couldn’t keep it inside any longer. When he had the lightning tearing through him and burning him alive, knowing he was dying, the only thing he regretted was that he would be leaving Aretha.

“Yes,” she finally replied. “Of course I will marry you, Craxon.”

He kept hold of her hand. “I am glad. Because there was only one possibility for you. Look.”

She gasped. “Your Marks! They’ve turned from white to silver! Oh, my love! It must have hurt so bad!”

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