Promises

The air was hot and clammy as Leif stood waiting.

"I need to speak with your father," she said, out of breath.

Leif took her sweaty hand and pulled her along.

Erik Gustavson's rugged face bore a thoughtful look. It seemed to her that his eyes saw right through her.

"Your father will be furious-at both you and me... But that madman, Knut Olavson, will kill you."

"So it's a yes?"

"It is. But I have one condition."

"And what might that be?" She stared at him.

"That you take the red-haired one with you."

She stretched forth her hand with a broad smile.
"Agreed."

"I only hope we do not start a war."

His last words barely reached her ears as she was already running toward her horse.

She rode home and tied Fenris to a tree by the river.
"Watch over Fenris while I fetch Thora, Balder," she said before she walked the rest of the way home.

She slipped into the main house and found Thora sitting on a stool, peeling potatoes alone in the kitchen.

Thora threw her arms around her neck. "Word is, you're being coerced into marrying that tyrant."

"It's true, but I've spoken with Erik Gustavson, and he'll take me in."

"That man! And you think that's any better? Your father will be furious!" Thora said, frowning.

Smiling, Sigrid said, "He's not that bad once you get to know him. I actually like him. He's fair and listens to what I say. But you must come with me."

"What about my duties here?"

"These duties are more important. Erik Gustavson wants someone to accompany me to protect my reputation. I trust no one but you, Thora."

"If you need me, I will come," Thora said. Sigrid noted a sense of relief in her voice.

"I'll make sure your mother knows you're safe with me. I'll meet you by the brook as soon as I can."

She packed the essentials into a leather pouch, then stepped into Åsmund's room.

Åsmund, the youngest brother and only a year older, sat on the edge of the bed, frustration clear on his face. They had always been inseparable.

"Could you do me a favor? Deliver this to Papa tomorrow." She placed a note on the table.

"Of course. I'm so sorry, Sigrid. I'm just mad at Sigurd for this-everyone knows what Knut is like."

She turned to him, gazing into his gentle, hazel eyes.

"It's okay, brother. I have a plan. Just trust that everything will be all right."

His eyes widened. "Really? I'm glad to hear that."

"Good night." She rose and closed the door behind her before sneaking out through her window.

Thora waited by the brook as agreed, at dusk. The sun had begun its descent behind the mountains.

Suddenly, they realized Sigurd and Thorstein's arrival as they entered the woods and needed to conceal themselves behind a bush.

"I am sure I saw something."

"I saw nothing," Thorstein answered Sigurd.

Sigrid gripped Thora's hand.
If Sigurd found them now, it would be over. Her freedom, her plans-everything would collapse.

A quiet fell upon them.
An eerie, almost unnatural silence hung in the air.

Sigrid held her breath and closed her eyes.

At last, after what seemed like ages of waiting, she skated forward from her hiding place.

The coast was clear, and she released her breath.

They ran up to where Sigrid had tied Fenris, and together they rode up to the farm.

"Where is everyone?" Sigrid asked as they entered the large living room. They were almost alone on the vast farm.

"They're up at the summer pasture. There have been rumors of wolves nearby, so everyone left in a hurry," Leif said as he helped them with their things.

Sigrid lay awake that night, the first time sleeping somewhere other than home, thinking about the letter she had written to her father.

That she was safe and had gone to a convent, and she refused to marry and had taken Thora with her.
She would return when she was ready.

She hoped her parents would regret what they had done.

Days passed in the fields with Thora and Leif.

A quiet happiness filled Sigrid, even with the persistent, quiet reminders of the marriage to Knut.
All she wanted was for this moment to last a little longer-for everything to stay just as it was now. Light. Free.

But the quiet changed when Ragnar barged in while they were eating supper.

"What are you doing here?" Leif stood up, surprised.

"Calm yourself," Ragnar said, nuzzling his younger brother's back. "I've been told to prepare for guests. They'll be here soon."

Ragnar grabbed a handful of food, helping himself greedily, and sat where Leif had been sitting. "I'm in charge now," he grinned at Sigrid.

"I don't understand why Father sent you here," Leif said.

"Clearly, he doesn't trust you to handle guests on your own."

Sigrid stood up. "Well, we should get back to work, if the king allows it. We've no time to sit." The others followed her lead, standing up before Ragnar had time to respond, his mouth too full to speak.

●●●

"I just don't understand it." Leif ran his hands through his hair, pacing back and forth in the meadow, agitated.

"Even so, he's here now. We'll just have to make the best of it." Sigrid said, trying to comfort him the best she could.

Leif sighed and nodded. "You're right."

Ragnar had become a burden, sending Leif off on errands and tasks. Sigrid observed how despondent he had become, his brief sense of authority on the farm slipping away.

The summer days had been scorching. Thora and Leif insisted on going down to the water to cool off, but Sigrid, exhausted from the stifling heat of the nights, stayed behind in the shade of a pine tree. She promised to join them later.

As she rested, she heard branches snap in the forest. Her heart raced in fear-what if it was Sigurd?
He was able to take her away unnoticed. She stood up, preparing to flee.

The sight of Ragnar brought her some relief. He sat back down on the blanket.

"I didn't mean to scare you."

"I just got frightened for a moment, thinking it might have been Sigurd."

His crystal-blue eyes gazed at her with such intensity that she had to look away. "I won't let him take you. You're safe here," he said as he was moving a little closer.

She remained frozen in place, her mind racing, yet unable to settle on a course of action.

"Can I have a kiss?"

"Why in the world do you think I would kiss you, Ragnar?"

He held onto her arm. "Sigrid, what would it take for me to get just one kiss?"

She paused, thinking for a moment before answering.

"If you let Leif be in charge again, then you'll get a kiss."

She figured that would be the last thing Ragnar would agree to, but it was worth a try.

He jumped up from the blanket. "Meet me behind the barn as soon as you can after supper."

"Are you serious?"

"Completely," he said, holding her gaze with a sly grin.

"For a kiss?"

"It's absolutely worth it," he sang as he walked off.

"There'll only be one!" she called after him. "And a very tiny one!"

She regretted it the moment the words left her lips.

As they entered for supper, Ragnar had already taken a seat at the table. He stood up from Leif's place.
Leif looked at him, surprised.

"Please," Ragnar said, gesturing to his brother. "Take your seat."

"Me? What's this, Ragnar?" Leif asked, bewildered.

"It's your place, dear brother. I don't know what I was thinking, but you wear it best," Ragnar smirked.

"Thank you, brother!" Leif couldn't hide his joy.

"Nothing to thank me for." Ragnar shot a glance at Sigrid, then extended his foot under the table as they sat down. Sigrid kicked him in response.

Throughout the meal, she couldn't miss the happiness in Leif's sparkling eyes.
Ragnar, however, kept his gaze fixed on her, smirking before he was the first to leave the table.

Sigrid lingered as long as she could, dreading what she had promised.
She finally excused herself, saying she needed to use the outhouse.

Her nerves tensed as she turned the corner toward the stables.

But Ragnar was nowhere to be seen. She stood still for a moment, contemplating turning back.

"So, you came."

A chill ran down her spine at the sound of his voice.

"I keep my promises."

"Do you regret it?" He said, laughing.

"It was worth it, just to see Leif's eyes tonight."

"I can't wait any longer," Ragnar said, pulling her toward him until they were face-to-face.

Ragnar's hand shot up to her chin, his grip firm but not harsh, tilting her face toward his. Before she could protest, his lips met hers.

They were soft and wet. A warmth unfurled in her chest, spreading through her body like fire.

She froze, her thoughts scattering. She wanted to push him away, to break free, but her limbs betrayed her.

This was her first kiss, and she had imagined it.
But never had she imagined it would feel so good.

Ragnar pressed her against the cold, uneven wall, his body towering over hers. She gasped against his lips as his weight pinned her, the contrast between the unyielding stone and the heat of his closeness overwhelming her senses.

His breathing grew heavier, ragged, as he tangled her hands in his, holding them against the wall like she was a captive.

The kiss deepened, and for a fleeting moment, she surrendered. She suddenly twisted her head, breaking the kiss.

"Enough!" she said, gasping for air, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to catch her breath.

Ragnar loosened his grip on her hands but didn't step back. His gaze burned into hers, a mix of triumph and something softer-something almost vulnerable.

She shoved him away, her voice trembling. "What was that?!"

Ragnar smirked, his confidence unshaken. "The first of many, I'd wager."

She shook her head, her cheeks flaming as she turned away. "Don't count on it."

"Are you sure? It seemed like you enjoyed it as much as I did." He laughed.

She was furious with herself for not stopping sooner.

"Sigrid?"

Leif's voice cut through the air.

She barely had time to push Ragnar away, creating some distance between them.

Leif saw her first, then looked at Ragnar, confused.
"What are you doing here?"

Ragnar gave her a playful look, waiting for her response.

"It was just a coincidence. Come on, let's go back inside."

She nudged Leif forward, positioning herself between them as Leif continued to glare at his brother all the way back to the house.

Ragnar neither confirmed nor denied anything, but his teasing tone only seemed to fuel Leif's irritation.

"Go on," she said to Ragnar.

"He's up to something, I'm sure of it. My brother wouldn't just give up leadership like this without a plan."

"It may seem that way, at least." She patted him on the back. "But come on. It's late."

Ragnar was absent from the rest of the evening and, though she wanted to, she made no inquiry about his whereabouts.

She felt an undeniable urge to find him. Though uncertain of her intentions, a powerful pull guided her steps.

That night, sleep eluded her once more. She lay tossing and turning until at last she decided. She slipped from her bed and climbed out the window.

It was a warm evening, and the sun hung low on the horizon, casting a beautiful flame-colored light over the landscape.

She made her way across the meadow and down toward the water. She remembered she hadn't been to the cliffs since that day with Thora.

The dark pond shimmered, and she heard the humming of grasshoppers and the chirping of birds.

She slipped off her nightgown, one slow movement at a time, until she stood bare beneath the moonlight.

She walked toward the water, drawn by something she couldn't name, as if possessed.

She lay back and let the cold embrace her, pulling her beneath the surface.
It was terrifying, but it made her feel alive and free.

Then, there was a snap.
A branch cracked somewhere in the darkness.
The sound shattered the calm like glass.

She broke the surface, heart hammering.

Someone was out there.

She thrashed toward the shore, breath ragged, limbs panicked.

From the shadows stepped a tall figure.

She froze.

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