Page 43 of Claimed By the Viking

“If it were with you, Viggo, I’d go anywhere,” she answered vehemently.

“I’ve told you. I won’t be going with them.”

“Then I shan’t either!” Signy countered.

Solemnly, he nodded. “I’ll make my jarl believe I’m loyal, that I’ll help him provision the boat, that I’ll row for him even. But as soon as I know they’re ready, you must do as I say, Signy. Prepare a place on the hillside to hide. I’ll divert whoever comes for you until there’s no time for them to search.”

“But what of you, Viggo? What will Eldberg do if he thinks you’ve betrayed him?”

“In likelihood, he’ll kill me, which is all to the good.” Viggo’s expression was grim.

“Nay!” Signy was growing frantic. “I can’t bear it! If you’re to die, at least permit me to be with you. Let my arms be the last to hold you as?—”

“Enough! I’ve told you how it’s going to be! I release you from your oath. One way or another, I don’t expect to live much beyond this cycle of the moon.”

“But I need you, Viggo! I told you, there is more… Something I’ve kept from you these weeks past.” Signy clutched at the last of her secrets. If this didn’t sway him, nothing would. “I wasn’t certain… not at first, and I didn’t want to tell you because I feared it would be the end of everything, and I wanted more time. So much more…”

She took a gulping breath.

“‘Tis not just for my sake that you must hold on to this life. I need you, but so will another. Someone far more vulnerable than I. Someone who deserves to know you.”

“What are you telling me?” His hand released hers, grasping her tightly above the elbow.

“That a child is coming! Your child, Viggo.”

Several expressions crossed his face—surprise, followed by disbelief, then he looked almost joyous before a frown closed off his happiness again. The spark which had briefly lit his eyes was extinguished.

“You’re certain?”

“‘Tis early, but my instinct tells me a child is growing. I believe they’ll thrive. My heart tells me it's so.”

He passed his hand over his face. “I ought to be angry you kept it from me, but I cannot.”

“It changes everything, does it not? Now that you know the child is coming? I do not believe you would abandon us.” She searched his face, waiting for the glimmer to return, which had signaled his pleasure at the news.

However, his expression was implacable. At last, he spoke.

“It changes naught, Signy. You must see…”

“Nay! I do not!” A surge of anger brought her to her feet. “Tell me then that you do not love me! That you love neither me nor the child!”

“‘Tis no matter how I feel.” His voice was leaden, but he cast up his eyes, as if to look into her own. “You surely know that I love you, that you’re the only woman I’ve ever loved. If things were different. If I were different…” His voice broke.

“Oh, Viggo!” Without hesitation, she embraced him, bringing his head to rest against her lower belly. “Cease this. Let me love you, and love me in return. All else, we can navigate.” Gently, she stroked her fingers through his hair. “Come to bed now. Lay withme. Be soothed. Naught else shall matter. There is only you and I.”

His arms hugged her tightly, and she felt his shoulders heave, but he kept his face buried where she clasped him to her. Long moments passed before he withdrew.

“You keep pretending, Signy, telling me we can be more, but I don’t think we can. I’ll always be like this… or worse.” His cheeks were streaked wet, the tears caught between his lashes. “How can I carry on like this, day after day? Helpless. Useless. A burden. A danger. I’m barely the man I was. I cannot speak for what I’ll become. I can’t?—”

Placing her hands on either side of his face, she tipped back his head and stopped his protestations with a kiss. His arms came about her again, and he widened his legs, so she stood between them. He held her fast, surrendering to the gentleness of her mouth, offering no more argument.

‘Tis all I want. Only this. There must be a way to stay as we are.

Deeply, they drank of each other, tugging lips and touching tongues.

It’s going to be alright. I know it is.

However, when she reached for his hand to lead him to the bed furs, he let it drop, eluding her coaxing.

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