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Though he knew Esa had been a great warrior
once, he still split his attention between his enemy and her. He need not have
worried. She must have spent time practicing with a sword and likely her foe
underestimated her, giving her an advantage. She fought with such bravery, his heart
swelled with even more love—if that was possible.
    They
began flushing out the raiders from the huts. The remaining men joined them and
together they either killed or ran off the enemy. Covered in blood and sweat,
elation surged through his veins when the last man was killed. He drew Esa into
a tight hold and kissed her fiercely. She grinned back but her smile quickly
dropped.
    “I
did not see Rennir. He is not amongst the dead surely?”
    “ Neinn ,
Rennir would not be killed by such an unskilled rabble. No doubt they underestimated
us and thought they could send their weakest warriors.”
    Her
eyes rounded. “You think they shall send more?”
    “After
that slaughter? Neinn . Do not fear, Esa. I will not leave and you shall
come to no harm. Rennir must have been far away and will be safe.”
    “I
fear he shall not return. It has not been easy for him to come back after so
long. I know he thinks me vastly changed.”
    Alrek
pulled her into his embrace. “From what I can see, you are not so changed.
Rennir will see that.”
    “And
what of you, Alrek? I cannot stand to see you leave again.”
    He
peered down into her beautiful blue eyes. “I do not know, but I will not leave
again. If I must, I will be only a friend to you, for your friendship is surely
worth it. Now, go wash while we carry away the dead.”
    Esa
nodded and pressed a kiss to his cheek before heading off to the river to wipe
away the blood on her skin.
    Alrek
watched her go, the elation slightly dulled. He still did not know how they
would continue on from this. Rennir knew of their love and now he was gone. For
good? Alrek could not feel happy about that. Regardless of what had happened
between him and Esa, Rennir was like a brother to him. He loved them both.

Chapter
Eight
    As
Esa washed away the blood and grime, she closed her eyes and attempted to
forget the slaughter that had taken place. They had been lucky to lose few men.
She felt no pity for their enemy. They had died valiant deaths.
    She
froze at the sound of footsteps behind her. She glanced around for her sword
but it was out of reach on the bank of the stream. Whirling, she released a cry
when Rennir rushed over to her and bundled her into him.
    “You
are safe.”
    “ Já ,
I am safe.” She sagged into his hold as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “As
are you.” Esa drew back to peer up at him. “I thought you might be dead.”
    “ Neinn .
I was a fool for leaving you. I came across several raiders on the headland and
fought them there then returned as soon as I could. I failed you, Esa, yet you
are safe.”
    “Alrek
returned,” she said quietly. “He fought alongside us.”
    Rennir
nodded. “I see. And I also see that you have been fighting. You are not hurt?”
    “ Neinn .
These raiders were not seasoned fighters and were easy enough to defeat.”
    A
smile quirked on his lips. “It seems you are still my warrior woman.”
    “I
am, Rennir. I may want different things—a family, a quiet life—but I am still
the same woman in my heart.”
    “I
see that now. I was so concerned with things returning to the way they were but
I see now that you cannot go back, only forward.”
    Esa
lifted her chin. “And what of Alrek?”
    “What—?”
    Esa
screamed as Rennir sagged suddenly to the ground, revealing a group of three
raiders. They grinned at her.
    “Thought
you had defeated us, pretty woman?” the older one jeered. “We are not so easily
scared by women and limping men as the others. And now we have no riches to
show for our work. So we shall take you, I think.”
    The
other men nodded in agreement. Esa gulped and glanced around. Rennir remained
out cold, a trickle of blood leaching from