Then it fucks with the weather, but that blue shit that came out of me, I think it only happened because I was scared to death this asshole was going to kill Aaric.
“You must do the Blood Eagle, it is the only way to send him down to the underworld,” Sten explains.
Shaking my head, I press my lips together. “Why me? Can’t you do it? I’ll even watch.”
Kjeld’s eyes find mine and the sadness that pours off of him seeps into my bones. “You must be the one, you or Aaric. We may not be able to hold him by the time Aaric regains consciousness. It must be you, Liv. I am sorry.”
I believe his words, believe that he is indeed sorry. Lifting my hand, I touch the side of the crown that Aaric placed there not long ago. Lifting my chin, I decide that I must do this. I must be strong and protect his people, protect our family—protect us. Even though I am completely terrified.
“Axe,” Kjeld barks as soon as I lift my chin and take a step forward.
“Nei,” I call out.
Reaching for the jeweled handle of my dagger, I hold it up as I jerk my chin in the air. I take another step toward Einar. Then another. Then a final one. Lifting the blade, I hold out the bottom of his shirt and slice it open.
The people standing around are quiet as they wait, watching for what I’m about to do next.
They all know what is coming.
They have probably seen it all before.
This is their custom.
This is their world, and I am nothing more than a long-term visitor. I will never be okay with the slaves, with the sacrifices, with the Blood Eagle rituals. I will never be able to just turn the other cheek and accept every part of this life.
Aaric knows this, he understands and thankfully hasn’t forced me to accept everything, but this is something that I don’t have a choice on. This is something that I must do to protect my child.
“Start at the base, slice all the way up, press hard,” Sten softly explains.
Nodding my head, I grip the handle of the dagger. Closing my eyes, I block everything out as I press it into the base of Einar’s back and slowly slice up to the base of his neck. When I reopen my eyes, I gasp at the ear-piercing scream that assaults my ears.
Looking from left to right, both Kjeld and Sten are grimacing, but standing firm. Kjeld jerks his chin forward. Then he explains how I’m supposed to separate this man’s ribs from his spine. My hand shakes at the idea of doing this to a man, let alone to one who is still very much alive.
I do exactly as Kjeld instructs. Einar screams more, blood coats my hands and arms, tears stream down my face every single second. When I think that I’m finished, Sten informs me that I must take his lungs out from his chest and display them as wings on the outside of his body.
Pressing my lips together, my body jerks as Einar screams one last fatal time before his entire body slumps. My entire body is trembling as I stand there, bloodied and tear-stained. Strong arms wrap around me and instantly, I let out a sigh of relief.
I don’t even have to turn around to know who it is behind me. My entire body goes lifeless in his arms. Aaric doesn’t pick me up the way that I expect him to. Instead, he steadies me upright, taking a step to the side. He reaches for my hand, taking my bloodied one in his.
“This is your queen,” he booms. “She has sent this völva down to Wylo. She has sacrificed him for us, to appease the God of the Underworld. She has done all of this to protect your homes, your king and the heir to the throne.”
There is a moment of stagnant silence, then a gasp, then the entire place erupts in cheers of joy. Someone starts to play music somewhere in the crowd. Aaric turns to me, a smile playing on his lips.
“Dance with me, Liv.”
Looking down at my hands, I lift my head to look up into his eyes. “But I’m covered in blood, and you were knocked out cold, are you okay?” I ask.
His lips twitch into a smile. “As soon as his spirit started to leave his body, I awakened. You had to finish the ceremony though, I could not take over for you.”
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” I breathe.
He chuckles, tugging me against his chest. One of his hands wraps around my waist, the other lifts our already tangled bloody fingers together, holding them between us, and we dance. In fact, everyone begins to celebrate, dancing and singing around this man’s body.
“Aaric,” I hum.
He dips his chin, looking down at me, his eyes finding mine. “He tried to kill you, kill our babe. I will rejoice that he is suffering with Wylo, Liv.”
Letting out a sigh, I decide to give in to him. This time at least, though it seems I give in quite a bit when it comes to Aaric, especially Aaric and his land’s ways. Pressing my lips together, I bite my bottom lip and dance with my husband.
Chapter Forty-One
AARIC
There is already a bath and a tray of food waiting for us when I guide Liv back to our room. We were supposed to leave this morning, but Einar stepped in and ruined our plans. I am fine with that, seeing Liv perform the Blood Eagle ritual will go down as one of my favored moments of my entire life.
Watching her with my people, the way they now have begun to embrace her as their own, it is amazing to see. I almost don’t wish to tear her away from them, but I need to make sure that she is alright.
She did kill a man a few hours ago, his blood still stains her hands. Lacing my fingers with hers, I tug her behind me as she calls out to the dressmaker and waves. Shaking my head, I cannot take the smile from my face as we wind through the crowd of people.
When we take our first step inside of the húsgørd, I see Runa and Sylvi sitting at the table alone. They both lift their eyes and I clear my throat. “Is all well?” I ask.
Sylvi dips her chin, I watch as she stands and turns, leaving us alone. I’m not sure why she goes, but it matters not. I need to make sure that Runa is okay. Turning to look up at Liv, I clear my throat.
“There is a bath, I will join you,” I murmur.
She nods and thankfully doesn’t argue. Instead, she quietly turns around and I keep my gaze on her until she slips into our bedroom. Only then do I turn to face Runa. “What is the matter?” I demand.
She looks down at her lap, then lifts her gaze to meet mine. “I have failed you, my Konungr,” she breathes. “I will pack my things and take myself somewhere off of Wolfjour Ail lands.”
I almost throw my head back in laughter, almost. I do not. Reaching for her hands, I take them in mine and look directly into her eyes.
“You will go nowhere, Runa. It is imperative that you stay here and protect Sylvi and Oili, protect the people.”
She shakes her head. “How can you even say that? I have failed,” she practically cries out.
Squeezing her hands, I snort. “You have failed as much as I have, Runa. If it were not for Kjeld, Sten, and my wife defying my orders, we would all be gone. Her magic is something truly fantastical, the way it was described, she is of the prophecy, I am sure of it now.”
“But I could not hold him off.”
“That man was full of evil, Runa. He was dark magic, no one völva no matter how strong could fight him off. The only way Liv’s power was able to overtake him so quickly was because you had already depleted him greatly. You are needed, you are important to us.”