Page 33 of Mastered By the Viking King

“Aye!” Fists pumped the air. “Queen Tove!”

The nerves in her belly settled somewhat, no longer a swarm of butterflies. She walked up to Astrid and set her hands on her large, protruding belly. “What I can tell you—and I have heard of this before—is that this child is a great gift to our village. A gift from the gods. From Thor, and Odin, and Loki. Andespeciallyfrom Frigg, Odin’s beautiful and wise wife.”

Murmuring rippled through the crowd.

“Is the child a god?” someone called.

“No,” Tove said. “It is not. But itisa gift. We have all been chosen to receive this great honor. We have all been chosen”—Tove cupped Astrid’s chin—“to care for this fatherless child as if it were our own.” She stared at a tall Viking standing close. “The men of Halsgrof willallbe father to this child. You will swear to protect it and teach it—be it a boy or a girl. You will promise now, in the name of all the gods, that it will live the life of a proud Viking.”

“It is not a fatherless child.” Ysar stepped forward. “It is a sign that my husband is a good for nothing—”

“Are you questioning me? Your queen?” Tove asked, lifting her chin and clapping her hands to her hips.

Ysar was a mean-looking woman with ink down the left side of her face, and all of her hair, except for a thin strip over her crown, shaved off.

Under normal circumstances, Tove would have avoided her. But this was no ordinary day, and certainly not ordinary circumstances.

The stakes were high: a mother and an unborn child were at mortal risk.

Ysar’s eyes narrowed. “My queen, I do not believe you are speaking the—”

“Beverycareful with your next words,” King Njal said in a low, deadly voice. “Your accusations have made the noose hungry. Perhaps, if you disrespect the queen, I shall be forced to sate that hunger with your neck.”

Ysar drew a deep breath, then crept back, lowering her head. “I am sorry, my queen.”

She didn’t sound sorry, but that wasn’t Tove’s problem.

Tove stepped up to Sune. “I have heard of this situation before, a husband being accused of cheating when he has not. For that, you must take some responsibility, and bestow love and affection upon your wife. Pleasure her, and cherish her so her mind does not wander in such directions again.”

A tendon flexed in Sune’s cheek. “Aye, my queen. I will.”

“And, like every other man in this village, you will help raise this child. What is your profession?”

“I am a boat maker.”

“If this child is a son—which I believe it will be—he, too, shall be a boat maker. I am passing that responsibility to you, Sune.”

“Thank you, my queen. It will be an honor to carry out your bidding. I have no children.” He glanced at Ysar. “Wehave no children.”

“The gods work in mysterious ways.” She touched his shoulder, then turned to look at Njal.

His gaze connected with hers, and he gave a tiny nod.

She held in a smile. He was happy with her! Despite his stern expression, the glint in his eyes told her she’d done the right thing.

She wished the crowd would vanish so she could sit on his lap and kiss him, hug him, feel his body against hers.

As she gazed upon him, her heart seemed to swell in her chest, skipping a beat.

Am I… falling in love with him?

Tove didn’t know, but when she took her place at the king’s side again, she felt different. Something had happened inside her. The gods had shown her whom her heart would beat for in this life—and the next.

“You have heard your wise queen speak,” King Njal said. “There will be no hanging. The child will be cared for by all the people of Halsgrof. Ysar and Sune, I suggest you go home and put this matter behind you.” He stood. “Which is what I have done now.”

Halfdan rushed forward, waving his arms. “This matter is closed. This matter is closed. Go about your business. There is much to be done, the snow is still falling.”

Conversations grew into a flurry of noise as people streamed out, discussing the outcome of the dispute.

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