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Nilsa gasped as Uhtred's arm slipped around her waist to guide her to land, she clutched his armor tightly as he dropped the both of them to the ground. She was relieved to know he was not repulsed by her, she let out a shaky breath when he laid his forehead against her shoulder. She reached up hesitantly to cradle the side of his face in her palm, she kissed his head as he trembled against her. She looked up as Sihtric and Osferth collapsed on the sand, Finan helped Young Uhtred to land as he began to vomit up water.

Nilsa laid her head against her husband as he fisted her dress to keep her beside him as if she would ever leave the man. She tensed as Uhtred moved his hand to rest on her stomach, she feared he would pull away in hatred or disgust but he did neither. He stroked her stomach with his thumb as he turned his head to look out at the sea, he nuzzled his head closer to her neck as he relaxed into her body.

Finan sent her a small smile when he noticed the couple. He was glad they were reconnecting, he hoped his smile hadn't turned pained whenever he looked at them. Sihtric tapped his thigh with a look of pity, he knew all too well how the Irishman felt. Because he and Osferth loved her too.

Uhtred stood up as he held a hand out for her, she quickly grasped it and allowed him to pull her up. She watched as Uhtred looked down at their hands before lifting hers to place a chaste kiss on the back of it. She melted at the small act of affection and smiled at him, Uhtred sent her one back though it was of pure sadness. He motioned with his head at the hill and hesitated to leave without her, she intertwined their fingers and nodded silently.

She would follow him to the end of the world. She would do anything for the man she loved.

They walk in silence as he helps her up the hill, she places her free hand on his arm as he leans heavily against her. The only comfort he had at the moment was his wife, she was his everything. His heart, his rock, and above all else his soul.

The two sat in silence as she guided his head to her shoulder once more, Uhtred relaxed into her comforting touch as she rubbed his back. Uhtred refused to release their clasped hands as he watched the nature around them. She turns when she hears Finan and the Irishman watching the two with a sad smile.

"I've lost every family I had. Beocca was always there. The only constant. Without Beocca, I have no home. His death is on my hands. I failed him." Uhtred whispered as he fought the urge to cry, Finan placed his hand on Uhtred's shoulder and she felt her stomach twist into a knot.

"No." Finan whispered.

"If anyone is to be blamed, it should be me or Wihtgar. I-I lied to you, Uhtred. When I was crying on the ship, it wasn't because I was tired," She turned to Uhtred who furrowed his brows, she glanced at Finan who gave her an encouraging smile. "The dragonfly told me I was pregnant, yes, but for our child to live someone on that ship and to die. I am the reason Beocca..." She trailed off with a choked sob and both men pulled her into them, she cuddled into Uhtred's chest as she felt the warmth of Finan's against her back. Uhtred kissed her forehead as he cradled her jaw, Finan moved her hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear as he rubbed her back.

"No, Nil. It is not your fault. I could never blame you for something the signs have shown you. From the moment I have spoken of the plan, you have told me of the prophesied death." She felt Uhtred gently wipe away her tears as she cried.

"You do not regret marrying me? You do not resent me or our child?" She whispered and Finan made a noise that sounded wounded at her claim. Uhtred felt his heart drop to his stomach at her questions, he hadn't realized he had given such an impression.

"No, I do not regret marrying you nor do I resent the two of you. I swear it. You could take my dagger and slowly use it to penetrate my heart and I would still die being so enthralled with you. My love for you will not waver." Uhtred locked eyes with Finan who he had noticed grew more invisible by the moment. "And I know my men feel the same. They love you, as I do. And nothing would make me happier than to have you be so loved and protected." Finan quickly shook his head as Uhtred never looked away from him.

Uhtred had seen the shared glances and small touches. Life was too risky to not be free, he would hate himself if he stood in the way of her and his men's happiness.

"You have my permission to pursue my men, Nilsa. My only rule is that you return to me each night, I fear I cannot sleep without you by my side." Uhtred spoke with a small smile, Nilsa laughed softly as she kissed him. She looked to Finan who seemed frozen, before turning to Uhtred who nodded encouragingly.

"You swear this is true? I do not want you to do this only for me, I am perfectly fine with just you Uhtred." She raised her hand to caress her husband's face.

"I am sure. I trust no one else with you and it would make me feel better knowing that you have men who would kill for you. The Gods are cruel, they could take my life at any moment and it would bring me peace knowing you were in safe hands." Finan inhaled sharply when he understood the gravity of his friend's words.

He was given the three permission to be with his wife, the woman they had all fallen in love with.

Finan looked at Uhtred who showed no sign of a lie or hesitation. No part of the Dane looked uncomfortable with what he spoke, Finan turned to Nilsa who had her eyes flickering over his face for a sign of disagreement. She would not find anything. Uhtred nudged her back lightly as she moved to kiss Finan chastely and pulled away with a flustered expression after.

Finan swore that was the most powerful kiss he'd ever had.

"Does this make me a whore?" She spoke with a frown and glanced between the two, she felt the shame crawl up her spine as she kissed another man in front of her husband.

Edward was right. She was a whore.

She hadn't realized she was crying until both men had a hand cradling her jaw, she let her eyes slowly look at them as they both leaned in to place their foreheads against her head. She relaxed into their warmth and sense of safety.

"No, you are not a whore. I gave my consent to this, Nilsa. No one is paying you nor are you sneaking around with them in secret. This...relationship?" Uhtred trailed off to find the correct word. "Whatever it may be, it will only work with consent and communication. I am sure Finan and the other two would agree with me."

"Absolutely, lord. You make the lines, Nil. We will not cross any of them, I promise. You decide the pace of this and how it develops. I can tell you this much, we will take whatever you wish to freely give. Even a kiss on occasion would be enough for us." Nilsa smiled as both of the men kissed her head, though, she supposed they would both be her men now.

"Can I think about it? I want all four of you, my heart has never known something more true. I just... I just hear Edward's words every time I wish for that. And I am so terrified that you, Uhtred, will grow to resent me and our child because of it. Not to mention, my father. He will disown me, right? He would have to." She claimed franticly as she gripped both of their arms as she spiraled.

"Hey, shush. Nilsa, look at us." She listened to Finan who sent her a sad smile, he leaned forward to kiss her forehead as she leaned heavily into Uhtred.

"I love you, my beautiful wife. And I love our child, I will love any child after too. Even if they might not be mine. You are not a whore. You are a Goddess and someone as divine as you should not hold only one lover, you deserve to be worshiped by me and my men." Uhtred confessed as she blushed at the pure look of adoration in his eyes.

"And besides, Edward is a spoiled boy who listens to the devil's temptation. Steapa, he would only want the best for you. He would want what any good father would, for you to be happy and safe." She looked between Uhtred and Finan and felt her heart race at their confessions. She was a bit overwhelmed but she would take that over any dark thoughts that invaded her mind. She let her eyes land on Sihtric and Osferth who sat in the grass down below, perhaps, letting them love her wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.