Tears of Amber

Chapter 6 Offer in Return

It was a speech the likes of which she had never heard.  How could a Viking that barely knew her sum up all the things she wanted out of life in a few choice words?  How had this happened?  One minute her pain was unbearable, and the next minute she was enraptured by a pleasure she wished would never end.  She was tempted to accept his marriage proposal just to finish what they had started.

Alone again she thought only of his words and their meaning.  Could she make a home for herself in a new land?  Her old home was nothing more than ash now.  What if his people didn’t take to her?  There were so many questions that needed to be answered before she could accept or deny him.  The greatest question that plagued her was if she could love him.  He offered no promise of love, but it was something she needed.  Certainly her body responded to him, but what about her heart.  Other than erratic beating every time he was near, her heart hadn’t yet filled itself with love.  Maybe with all the pain there wasn’t room love. 

The light from the single window disappeared.  Exhausted and overwhelmed she climbed under the covers.  She prayed for an answer to come to her in her dreams.

Her dreams were filled with tortured visions of her home.  She was amidst the flaming wreckage when Randver appeared to her from the flames.  He was the great Valkyrie angel once again.  Massive golden wings spread behind him as she reached for his outstretched hand.  When their fingers touched he pulled her close and wrapped his great wings around them.  Inside his embrace she knew she was protected.

The ship lurched to the side and she started from her dream.  The angel wings were gone, but his arms were still around her.  His warm breath tickled her neck.  Another forceful wave rocked the ship.  She gasped when he tightened his grip.

“Don’t let these rough seas worry you.  This ship is strong.”

He was awake.  The heat of embarrassment over their improper sleeping arrangement spread through her entire being.  Speaking to him in the dark after her dream felt awkward and intimate.

“It’s not the seas that have me worried.”

He nuzzled his face into her hair.  Goose bumps appeared where his breath brushed against her skin.

“What has you worried?  Tell me so that I may put your fears to rest and get some sleep.”

It was kind in an odd sort of way that he wanted to banish her worries.

“It’s nothing, only a bad dream.”

He rolled her over to face him.

“What did you dream of?”

In the dark of the night she found she wanted to reveal her dream to him.

“I dreamed of my home and the fires that burned there.”

He stroked her back and spoke soft words of comfort.

“Try not to think of it.  Nothing can harm you now.  We will honor your father with a feast when we reach my home.  He will reach Valhalla.”

Tears threatened as he spoke of her father.  His offer was unexpected and moved her deeply.  She continued to talk of her dream.

“You were in my dream too.”

“Was I?”

Pride penetrated his voice as he continued.

“Did I torment you?”

“No, you appeared to me as a Valkyrie angel and with great golden wings you saved me from the flames.”

“I’m no angel, but I will protect you.  All you’ve lost falls on my shoulders.  With my life I pledge I will make you whole again.”

His words touched her and she knew that her dream had been the answer she needed.  Without hesitation she spoke.

“I will marry you, if your offer still stands.”

His fingers stopped their gentle strokes.

“Of course it does.  What made you accept?”

“Your pledge to honor my father.  You didn’t know him yet, you promise a feast in his name.  By honoring him you honor me.  All I have to offer in return is myself.”

“I would have you come to me as a willing bride.  I don’t want you to accept because you feel you owe a debt.  Your father fought bravely against a coward who attacked helpless peasants in the dark.  He deserves to be honored.”

“Aye, and it’s your sense of honor that makes me a willing bride.  I only ask that we are married properly in your home after my father’s funeral feast.”

“So shall it be.  Close your eyes now and get some sleep.”

A sense of peace washed over her as she relaxed against the fur pelts.  She always had the love and protection of her father, and now she would have the protection of a husband.  Maybe eventually she would have his love too.  Once again sleep found her.