#Brida x Skade

[transfinan]

Skade and brida would have been a great couple

[witchthewriter]

𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐔𝐛𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞

⤷ gender neutral and any size reader. Requests are open, thank you for reading!

a/n: a long awaited cross over that I promised months ago.. please do not hate me! Also, Danes = vikings, but the word viking is also a verb. So, you could say 'Hey Ma I'm off to go viking!'.

Saxons = those from England

Celts are an umbrella term for Native Britons who were here before the Saxons.

ᴹᵃˢᵗᵉʳˡᶤˢᵗ | ᴹᵃˢᵗᵉʳˡᶤˢᵗ ᴵᴵ

It didn't make sense.

Ubbe's shoes walked the length of the boat and back again. Creaking wherever he put his feet, the wind was howling. Even during the day. With the sun high in the sky; not that he could see it.

None of the men or women could see more than five feet in front of them. Once he, along with two other ships left Kattegat, the mist had surrounded them.

Ubbe had the mind to turn back, but he couldn't see the shorline of Kattegat. Only the thick whirls of fog surrounding the boats.

What would have been a long journey, was shortened to mere seconds. And Ubbe was in a place he did not wish to be.

It was a place where his father had died. Where a many great Viking men had died.

But something was different. The time, Ubbe knew it; years had passed somehow. Many, many years. And when he took 4 men into a tavern to investigate, he asked and was told.

Ubbe and his men had gone through 100 years on the water.

・Life had gotten better since Uhtred and his men frequented your village - hell, everywhere had gotten better; not only were the raids less and less.

・But safety and hope were two words that Uhtred of Bebbanberg gave the people

・Well, Uhtred along with his three men - Finan, Sihtric & Osferth.

・You always had a crush on Finan. His Irish charm and humour always brightened your day.

・But he had never ventured for more than conversation and company

・You thought he must have an eye on someone else, but news never reached your ears about anyone else.

・And then something happened.

・Two ships full of Danes had washed on Englands' shores. It was not like any other raid. The Danes spoke differently, their weapons seemed old and the way they dressed was so ... incredibly different to the Danes you all knew

・Where did they come from? Why hadn't any other Dane claimed to know them? And why couldn't they point to where they were from on a map?

・These thoughts plagude you for days. You did your chores and you thought about it, you cooked and cleaned - and thought about it.

・However, curiosity won out and you snuck into the woods to get a better look at the semi-prisoners.

・One man caught your eye instantly.

・And he ...

・He was ... beautiful.

・Outlandishly so, you hadn't seen such a man and with so many unique tattoos...

・His hair was long and braided, parts shaved on the sides and you were taken aback.

・A blush creeping so bright you swore he would be able to see you in the dark - like a beacon of sorts

・But a body had bumped against your own, a hand over your mouth. You bit down - hard and Osferth hissed

"Ow!" He said, trying to keep his voice low as he flung his hand about in pain.

"Well don't do that!" You whispered incredulously.

"What are you staring at?" whispered Osferth, crouching down and following your line of sight.

"No-nothing, nothing, stop it-"

"Ooh got your eye on somethin' then?" he mocked.

・You rolled your eyes and pushed him. He caught your arm and hoisted himself up, catching you against him in the process.

・This back and forth behaviour was normal between you and Osferth. As soon as you met, it had started.

・He knows about your feelings for Finan, and has helped you to gain his attention time and time again

・The only failure in this was the fact that he didn't want to put you at risk. Finan couldn't bear to have you as some sort of target.

・But god did that change when Ubbe started talking to you.

・You decided to help around with the new Danes

・Your skills were highly renound and useful no matter who you were with

・Ubbe did everything he could to get your attention and soon Finan became a shell of his witty self.

・Grouchy and sensitive, Finan couldn't stop watching the two of you interract.

"I mean wha' does she see in 'im??"

"- Finan, please-" Uhtred interjected, trying to calm him down. He did not calm down.

"Just tell her how you feel-" Sihtric exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air.

"I - I cannot."

"You cannot what?" You said coming up behind him, the trees and darkness hiding you easily.

・From that day on you and Finan were together, but the subject of Ubbe hung loosely in the air.

・However, your relationship was changed because of Ubbe. Who shocked both you and Finan.

"It is true, I want you. But I want both of you. The funny one as well."

・Finan gulped.

・Your relationship is very loving. It truly is.

・There's a lot of PDA

・But even more affection when people aren't around

・Like casually sitting on each other's laps

・Forehead Touches

・The union between all three of you created something. It was peace.

・Peace settled over the group, a sense of ease becoming easier and easier to grasp.

𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔

Shut Up” (You) x “Make Me” (Ubbe) x “Just Kiss Already.” (Finan)

Found Family

Intuitive & Attentive (Finan) x Restless & Flirty (Ubbe) x Witty & Intuitive (You)

𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝑷𝒍𝒐𝒕 𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆

Intertwined Destinies

Love Transcending Boundaries

Legacy and Legend

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆 𝑺𝒐𝒏𝒈

Scotland by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Golden Years by David Bowie

To Bring You My Love by PJ Harvey

[anoncat6]

PETRICHOR | sihtric x oc | part ten

part one

10. edward's army

When Brida came to Saltwic with news of Ragnar’s death, Finan and Osferth had been sparring outside the walls.

Sihtric and Ghylena however, had to be fetched from their room, interrupted by Finan’s raucous knocking, “HEY! Lovebirds, put some clothes on! We have a visitor.”

Watching on as Finan comforted Uhtred, Ghylena shared a look of concern with Sihtric; from the look on his face, she knew he thought this to be Skade’s curse striking yet again. That witch had taken too much from them all, and now Lena knew there could be no outcome other than her death. If it was not Uhtred who killed the blonde bitch, it would be her.

<>

Marching up to the gates at Aylesbury, intending on collecting an army from Alfred to fetch Skade, Ghylena raised an eyebrow at the less-than-warm welcome presented to them. A line of spears and shields greeted them, and it was some time before Steappa relented in letting all of their group enter the city— on one condition: they had to leave their weapons at the gates.

Lining up to unburden themselves of blades, Ghylena’s turn came after Finan’s and before Sihtric’s. 

Smiling at the soldier who stood awaiting her weapons, she handed him first her bow and quiver which she had collected from Shaeda’s saddle. 

Next came her trusty axe, which she spun in the air with grace before dropping it in his arms.

The sword Sihtric had gifted her all those years ago followed, it’s blade glinting in the afternoon sun. 

Then it was both the daggers at her back and thigh, to the sound of giggles from Finan and the huffing soldier who wobbled under her weaponry.

Smiling slightly at Sihtric over her shoulder, she saw him shake his head at her antics, and it was then that she remembered the needle-like knife in her hair; twisting the lone braid in her hands, she dropped the pretty silver dagger inside her quiver. 

Sihtric stared, “How long has that been in there?”

“Ghylena, stop playing with the man.” Uhtred chastised.

“Lord Aethelred said no weapons, Uhtred, and I wouldn’t dare defy such a man.” She mocked.

“Lena,” Sihtric’s tone teased as he stood up to drop his weapons next, nearly as many as her own, “Sarcasm is unladylike.”

Ghylena pointed to him as she stared at Uhtred, “He’s just as bad!”

“How can you both be married and act like such children?” Uhtred shook his head.

Finan shot in, “I think that may be exactly why they married, Lord.”

Uhtred’s comment about children had made her wince but Finan had saved her from darker thoughts with his usual self. She did her best to keep up.

“Shut up, Finan. At least Sihtric doesn’t have to pay a woman to sleep with him.” Ghylena smacked him upside the head as they walked through the gates.

“Enough, you two.” Uhtred grabbed both their cloaks, dragging them like a mother cat would it’s kittens, with the pair leering at each other like idiots as they laughed the whole time.

<>

Osferth sat with Sihtric and Ghylena whilst Edward made his proposal to Uhtred. Having no doubt that Aethelflaed and Edward’s presence together had made her friend uncomfortable, a reminder of his parentage, Ghylena smoothed down the cloak on his shoulders and passed him some ale.

“Eat, Osferth,” Sihtric spoke, eyes soft at Lena’s motherly display, their loss still echoing, “You will need your strength.”

Ghylena studied him, then looked at his royal half-siblings. 

Call me crazy, but Osferth looks more alike to his sister than Edward, probably those blue eyes that make him look like a newborn puppy.

&lt;>

They moved swiftly from Aylesbury to Beamfleot, ready to retrieve Skade and face Haesten on the battlefield, trusting in Edward’s promise of men. Before approaching the fort in the hopes of baiting Haesten from it, both Uhtred and Sihtric tried to convince Ghylena into staying at the camp— somewhat worried that Edward’s reinforcements wouldn’t show.

“For the last time, I will fight like the rest of you. Or have you all forgotten the last time I was left at a war camp alone?” Ghylena’s statement left no room for argument. 

Now stood outside Beamfleot, having been there for nearly half a day, Ghylena slightly regretted her insistence on joining them; she couldn’t remember the last time her nose had been so cold, nor her arse so numb.

Sat atop Sihtric’s shield as he paced behind her, Ghylena twisted the jewellery in her ears— her last ties to Gisela.

“Send me strength sister, let me free your husband from this witch’s curse.” A whispered prayer.

She had redone her hair at Aylesbury, trying out a new braid, but her needle-knife was still there, tucked into it at the top like a crown. Rings and other hoops of jewellery were scattered throughout her brown locks, gifted her by Sihtric, and the hair pulled together at the back like a horse’s mane. Her tattoos stood plain, black against her smooth skin.

Checking over her equipment once again, Ghylena tightened the buckles which held her quiver up on her waist and checked the string of her bow. She had foregone her sword and axe in favour of speed and agility, left with just her daggers, now sheathed at either side of her hips. She had no shield of her own, but she knew that Sihtric would always be her shield.

“It’s been half a day.” Uhtred sighed.

“Maybe he’s scared of the priest.” Finan looked as cold as Lena felt.

“We leave!” Uhtred’s order rang out, and everyone moved to follow.

It was Osferth’s voice which drew their attention back, his yells of warning: “Lord! Lord! LORD!”

Haesten had clearly been biding his time, gathering men and horses together so as to march on them as one now. 

Turning into a sprint, Ghylena pulled ahead of the others, having no shield. Turning around when Uhtred commanded, Ghylena darted forward, unaware of just how fast she had been. Coming up beside Sihtric once more, she began to notch an arrow on its string before Sihtric’s arm shoved her back.

“Behind me, Lena! Behind!” He yelled, drawing his shield up to hold against Uhtred’s as he turned to face Haesten.

Haesten’s warriors shouted and whooped as they complied to his orders, surrounding them and forcing Uhtred’s men into a circle.

Ghylena and Osferth stood at the centre, the priest armed with just a staff and the woman with her bow drawn, pointed solely at Haesten.

“No… no, no, no.” Osferth mumbled, “May the good Lord protect me. Protect us all.”

“We hold!” Uhtred bellowed, “We give them no ground!” Ghylena threw her voice forward, “We’ve got no ground to give, Uhtred.”

“Not helpful, Lena.” Sihtric crowed.

Haesten, the ugly Gossip Dane, spoke then, “Give up Uhtred, and the rest of you will live. All I want is the Dane-Slayer!”

Ghylena was breathing quickly now, trying to control her panic as she tilted her head. 

“Call off your men, and I won’t shoot you in the balls!” She shouted at Haesten, drawing her arm back further to prove her threat.

She heard Finan snort, then he joined in, “What you will get, Haesten, is my sword up your hairy arse!”

“As you wish. You will die on your knees!” Haesten growled, “I want the head of Uhtred Ragnarsson!”

Haesten’s men charged and the others soon followed, the wave of men springing forward as carnage erupted. 

Ghylena’s first arrow flew straight for Haesten, glancing him in the thigh, and she heard him yell in pain before the fighting around her overwhelmed her.

One man was sent over Uhtred’s shoulder, landing between her and Osferth. Her hands full, she yelled to him, “Osferth! That’s your job!”

Firing arrow after arrow into the hordes of men, her quiver soon ran empty, and Ghylena had no choice but to wrap her bow over her torso before drawing her blades. A dagger in each hand, she dropped low to the earth. 

Their lines had broken, and the ground beneath them had turned to mud underfoot.

Piles of men crushed in towards her— and suddenly Sihtric was at her feet, thrown there by a man she quickly killed, throwing her blade straight at his heart.

“UP!” She grabbed him with one hand, holding her other out in front of them as he got to his feet, “Up, warrior!”

Clasping her arms, he scanned her quickly for injuries as she did the same. He held his shield up, guarding her back and holding her close. Upon seeing her armed with just one knife, he pulled his out and gave it to her. 

“Stay close, Lena!” 

She nodded and turned back to the slaughter, Sihtric’s blade held in reverse grip. As was her typical fighting style, Lena relied on quick , effective strikes, utilising her agility against foes stronger than her.

Men twice her size soon lay dead at her feet, throats slit and blood pooling around them.

She herself sported cuts and bruises, withstanding forceful strikes and blows. Blood spray decorated half her face and hair.

Sihtric fought at her side, swinging his axe with deadly precision in one hand, carving through men with the sword in his other.

Osferth had melted into the crowds and she lost sight of him, left with no choice but to focus on her own survival and her husband’s. 

“Where is Alfred?!” She called to Sihtric, “Where is Edward!?”

He had no answer for her, his eyes wide in dread as a rush of hopelessness washed through him. Pivoting, he searched for any sign of reinforcements, slamming his axe through another man’s shoulder.

“EDWARD! IT’S EDWARD AND HIS ARMY!” Uhtred’s spotted them first.

As the cavalry tore through Haesten’s men, the blonde man took Skade and ran. 

Leaving Beamfleot to Alfred. 

Leaving Uhtred still cursed.

Ghylena screamed in frustration as she watched her hope of revenge torn away.

up next -> 'couples who spy together, stay together'...

Tags: @travelingmypassion

[ivarthebadbitch]

Brida & Aelswith for the character ask!!

brida:

1. sexuality headcanon: I think bi brida would be a lot of fun but the showrunners are cowards ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

2. otp: I'm told by @volvaaslaug that I pioneered brida x skade, and if that's my tlk legacy, I'm totally happy with that

3. brotp: brida & uhtred, on occasion, when I'm not aggravated by him

4. notp: brida x literally any man, sorry

5. first headcanon that pops into my head: that she really, truly was happiest during those first days in iceland, exploring the island with baby vibeke :(

6. favorite line from this character: really any occasion she's telling uhtred he's stupid is good, but I especially like the line about how his ass is smarter than he is because it can multitask

7. one way in which I relate to this character: I relate to the divisions and contradictions she carries within herself; how messy and searching she is

8: thing that gives me second hand embarrassment about this character: her taste in men :/

9: cinnamon roll or problematic fave? i mean it's brida. she murders people and whatever. but that's why I love her.

aelswith:

1. sexuality headcanon: there's only one person for aelswith, and it's alfred. alfred or nobody.

2. otp: I feel like if I answer anything other than aelswith x alfred I'm going to get run off this website. but there really is no other answer to this, alfred said it himself.

3. brotp: aelswith & steapa. uhtred took alfred hostage and her immediate reaction was to yell at steapa to kill him on the spot. you get the sense this is not the first time she has done this.

4. notp: uhhh I dunno. anybody who isn't alfred, I guess?

5. first headcanon that pops into my head: that aelswith is the only one who ever braided aethelflaed's hair up until her marriage. nobody else was allowed to touch aethelflaed's hair but her.

6. favorite line from this character: that bit in s1 after uhtred interrupts the witan and once he leaves she demands the death penalty

7. one way in which I relate to this character: I relate to her desire for certainty, and the way she grapples with her faith

8. thing that gives me second hand embarrassment about this character: the s4 redemption arc

9. cinnamon roll or problematic fave? aelswith is perfect.

[thespiritofvexation]

Some thoughts on The Last Kingdom S.3

Ola Rapace?!

As the namesake of my favourite norse goddess/giantess, Skade has a lot of expectations to live up to

Happy to inform that she won me over with the tied-up standing on the ramparts yelling "die for me! desire me! avenge me!" Class

Uugh uthred NO (note: I don't remember what this reaction was about, it could be a number of things)

Ah yes, Æthelwold is back to his scheming and conniving ways♡

*sigh* Brida has indeed received a no-kids-curse. Called it! Regrettably...

This show has yet to make me cry, which is an accomplishment given the massive crybaby that I am

That being said, Alfred being sad and troubled evokes a lot of feels (I mean he always looks sad and troubled, but when he's sadder and troubleder than usual..)

"Lord you cannot simply execute your subjects as you please. This is the ninth century"

Æthelred and Aldhelm's wicked failking x exasperated henchman-dynamic is 👌

watching Vikings(the show) it always troubles me when they drop their weapon before they die. I was thinking it was due to child-me taking the "die with weapon in hand to get to valhalla"-thing too literally. Not sure where I got it from in the first place so it felt kinda silly. But child-me feels very vindicated in that this show takes dying with weapon in hand just as seriously.

Not happy about Skade's ending, she had so much potential for mischief and was just hauled around by one unworthy man after the other.

Also Uhtred has progressed from Bjorn-behaviour to Ragnar-behaviour and I'm not sure "progress" is the right word

In viking shows "I could never kill you" is the greatest declaration of love

Actually so hot of Æthelwold to not cover his (lack of) eye. I will miss him dearly

[foxyanon]

tell us more about the Clever Fox fic bestie

I’m still workshopping it, buuttttt…

We need more Sihtric fluff so it’s another fluff piece! This one is Sihtric x Aesira (my darling widowed witch). She’s plus sized and a single mom!

Concept: Uhtred just had to go and get himself cursed by Skade, and now Sihtric has to seek out the powerful seer that can help fully break the curse. Takes place in S3, after the crew get to Dunholm. Brida actually decides to have the seer retrieved when Uhtred’s condition doesn’t fully improve the way it’s supposed to.

Teaser:

He was cursing his luck, knowing this task had to be done but furious all the same. Lord Uhtred hadn’t improved the way Brida expected him too, Skade continuing to try to cast her spells even after the Nithstong was placed in front of her prison. He had had enough with witches and magic lately, but he also knew that this one was legitimate and far more powerful than Skade. At least, that is what Brida had said and he did not know Brida to be a liar when it came to the old ways. He just hoped this hag could help, otherwise he might be inclined to run both her and Skade through, consequences be damned.

So here he was, riding through the forest aimlessly while he searched for this seeress. He had travelled for gods know how long before he heard a haunting voice echoing through the forest, the sound calling him like a siren. He urged his horse forward towards the sound before he stumbled upon a woman along the riverbank, her enchanting song filling his ears as he watched her foraging for mushrooms and other herbs that grew along the waters edge. He watched her for a moment before dismounting and cautiously approaching, taking that time to give the woman a once over. She was a thicker woman, the fabric of her green dress doing little to hide her full figure. He took one step in her direction and she looked up quickly, her dark brown eyes enchanting him in an instant and baring her teeth while she held her blade firmly in her hand, prepping to defend herself if needed.

Fuck me, she just had to be a pretty one. Couldn’t be hag like I had hoped. Sihtric thought to himself. He knew he was in trouble now.

[aadmelioraa]

It's almost 2023, so I figured I'd share my updated The Last Kingdom fic recs since I have been meaning to do that all year. Below the cut you will find some shippy stuff, some introspective pieces, and a variety of characters featured (several of whom rarely get fanfic). I hope if this post crosses your path you may find a new favorite! I did limit my selection to complete fics, but you can find more recommendations, both works in progress and complete, under my ao3 tlk bookmarks. Happy New Year, and happy reading!

the leap by @irisdouglasiana

Season 5 cottagecore nuns fixit for Aalys and Aelflaed. Fixit fics are not usually my vibe tbh but this one is perfectly complex and bittersweet.

A Hard Story to Know by @wildwren

Post Season 5 fic. Aelfwynn processes her grief at the loss of her mother with the help of Aldhelm and Eadith. This fic broke my heart and mended it several times over.

no escape by @volvaaslaug

Wonderful Eadith character study and I adore the prose style as well.

come go with me by @wendy-daahling

Aethelflaed x Aldhelm political marriage (for MERCIA of course), slow burn with lots of delicious pining.

the drowned and the damned by @irisdouglasiana

Canon divergent AU centered around Osbert, Uhtred's youngest son. Addresses family trauma, cycles of violence, and legacy within the world of the show and does it in such a thought provoking way.

and, lord, she found me just in time by @jeynepoole

Hild x Iseult hurt/comfort bathing fic...so tender and so lovely.

a rope in hand for your other man by @jeynepoole

This fic is definitely for a niche audience, but if the idea of an Aethelflaed/Aldhelm/Aethelred threesome intrigues you, check it out...and there's more where that came from.

Meanwhile in Mercia by @skatingthinandice

This series is an absolute staple of Aethelflaed x Aldhelm fanfic and I am very grateful for it. Essential reading!

Daughter of Darkness by @ulfrsmal

Gen fic focused around Brida and Thyra's relationship and trauma that I, for one, desperately needed. *this fic is locked, you will need to be logged into your ao3 account to access...I still have a few invitations to send, if you need one feel free to DM me!

I go you go, my dear by alittlebitalexis

Two Osferth x Eadith fics for the Eadsferth truthers among us (no for real they were cute). Fluff and smut.

When the Party's Over by @wildwren

Aethelflaed x Erik College AU. Part of a series, read Part 1 first, I am just particularly attached to this part for...reasons.

The Maiden by @wildwren

Pirate/Witch AU for Aethelflaed x Skade. This fic is HOT and creative and HOT and gorgeously written and HOT.

To Curse a King by @pokeasleepingsmaug

Skade x Sihtric smut fic featuring magic and knife play. Very fun and sexy.

Saint of Shitty Reasons by @volvaaslaug

Edward Modern AU character study that hits 95% of my kinks.

Most CURSED among God's kin are aethelings by @wildwren

Aethelwold character study. A masterpiece though and through.

Lay Down Your Arms by @skatingthinandice

Aethelflaed x Aldhelm post Tettenhall smut, and a most worthy entry for the #GET IT AETHELFLAED tag.

clever-tongued by @tsukkinami

Aethelflaed x Aldhelm smut with wonderful tension and intimacy, it's just top tier! A classic.

in my dreams we survived by @irisdouglasiana

Hild character study, really lovely angst that makes me tear up every time.

poison by @irisdouglasiana

Brida x Skade enemies to lovers...need I say more?

fortune cookie by @jeynepoole

Competent stepdad Aldhelm, Modern AU Aldhelm & Aelfwynn bonding. A warm blanket of a fic.

[mirdaniaa]

will you ever win?

Just a witch’s trick for stupid men, Brida tells herself. And I’m not stupid or a man.

Then why, comes another, stranger voice, can’t you stop thinking about her?

Rated E

written for @tlkfanficfest bingo

read it on ao3 if you wish

“You think these ropes will hold me?” the seer hisses, twisting against her restraints. “You think these ropes will stop me from working my magic?”

“I think you’re giving me a headache,” Brida says gruffly, tightening the knot around the other woman’s wrist.

The seer bares her teeth.

“I’m sure your tricks work on stupid men,” Brida continues in a no-nonsense tone, “but they won’t work on me.”

Skade tilts her head, her blonde hair cascading over one shoulder. “No. You’re not afraid of my curses. Because you’ve already been cursed.”

Brida allows her gaze to linger on the seer’s. There’s no malice in the other woman’s eyes, only curiosity.

“You can never bear a living child,” Skade realizes.

Brida drops her gaze. “No.”

Skade keeps her eyes on Brida. “There are worse curses to be under.”

“Like yours?” Brida quips.

Still Skade does not lower her gaze, does not so much as blink. It unnerves Brida more than she’d care to admit.

“Like I said. Your tricks won’t work on me.” She tightens the knot more than is strictly necessary and ducks out of the cell. “Watch her, Jackdaw. But don’t get too close. Her tricks work on stupid men.”

“Hey--” he starts to protest, but she’s already walking away, her heart pounding.

.

All through the evening meal, her thoughts keep turning to the seer.

Skade.

She can’t stop thinking about her, no matter how hard she tries to think about anything else. She thinks about the way her eyes had seen right through Brida; not slid over her, not traveled up and down her body the way so many men’s eyes do, but looked at her and through her, as though she saw beneath Brida’s furs and leathers and her very flesh.

She begins to understand the hold the witch has on men. It isn’t just that she’s a pretty woman they want to fuck, although she’s sure that’s part of it. There’s something about the way she looks at you that makes you feel special, as though she can see something in you that isn’t in any other man. As though the longer she looks at you, the more special you are. It makes you want to do anything to keep her looking at you.

Just a witch’s trick for stupid men, Brida tells herself. And I’m not stupid or a man.

Then why, comes another, stranger voice, can’t you stop thinking about her?

.

After the evening meal, she goes to check on Uhtred again. Finan is sitting dutifully by his side, trying to scoop some broth into Uhtred’s parched mouth.

“How is he?”

“No better,” Finan says darkly. “In truth, I fear he’s not long for this world.”

“Ragnar’s sent for a seer. She can make a Nithstong.”

“A, erm, what now?” Finan asks uncertainly.

She shakes her head. “Something to stop Skade’s magic.”

“Can one seer do that to another?” he asks with wide eyes.

“Seers can do a lot of things.” She skims a hand over Uhtred’s clammy forehead. “Send for me if anything changes.”

Finan bows his head, and she leaves him to tend to their friend.

The seer should be here in the morning, and with her, the Nithstong. That should keep Skade’s power at bay.

And then what? They can’t leave her in the cell forever. Bloodhair will come looking for her, but will she go? She insisted that Uhtred is her Lord now, and it’s clear to all that she holds his life in the palm of her hand. What if Bloodhair should take her from Dunholm before the curse is lifted? What if--

“Evening, Brida,” Jackdaw says.

With a start, she realizes that she’s made her way to the witch’s cell. She hadn’t meant to come here; she’d meant to go to bed. How is that her feet took her here?

You know how, that voice in her head says.

Skade stares at her through the iron bars, her lip curled in something like a smile and a sneer.

“Jackdaw,” Brida says at last, remembering that the man spoke to her. “Get something to eat. I’ll watch her.”

“Gorm brought me something--”

“Then take a piss,” she says irritably. “I need you to be sharp if you’re to watch this one all night.”

“Yes, Brida.” He leaves, not seeming a bit upset at the unexpected respite.

The two women watch each other for a long moment.

“That curse you put on Uhtred,” Brida says at last.

Skade tilts her head, listening.

“Why?”

“Because he denied me,” she says, as though this should be obvious.

“So you cursed him to die?”

“Not to die,” Skade huffs. “Just to suffer.”

“Until what? He takes you for his woman?”

The serene smile is all the answer the seer gives.

Brida shakes her head. “He’s going to die before he can take you for his woman.”

“He won’t die. I won’t let him.” Skade leans back against the wall. “He’ll have just enough strength to ask for me, and then I’ll take all his suffering away from him.”

Brida shakes her head again, disbelieving. “That’s stupid. Why don’t you just find a man who wants you?”

Skade’s nostrils flare. “There is no man as great a warrior as Uhtred Ragnarsson.”

“You don’t want Uhtred,” Brida says flatly. “Don’t get me wrong, he’s a good man. But he’s an idiot. He thinks with his heart, and his cock, and not with his head. And he fights for Alfred.”

“He used to fight for Alfred,” Skade corrects her. “And all men think with their cocks, and some think with their hearts, but they never think with their heads. They’re not like us.” She leans forward. “That’s why they need us.”

“And you? Why do you need a warrior?” Brida asks.

Skade leans back against the wall. “That’s how it works. Our blood feeds each other.”

Without knowing why, Brida finds herself asking, “And it has to be a man?”

Skade curls her lip again, half a smile and half a sneer. “It doesn’t have to be.”

Brida wants, suddenly, to get in that cell, to tangle her fingers in that white gold hair--

“I’m back.”

She grips the bars of the cell as Jackdaw returns, oblivious to what he has interrupted.

“Good,” she grits out, releasing the bars and turning on her heel.

She feels the seer’s gaze long after she leaves.

.

Though it is the middle of winter, Brida sleeps the uneasy, restless sleep of a hot summer’s night, when the air is heavy and sweat beads on her skin. She tosses and turns, peeling off layers and kicking down the blankets until she lies half-naked beside Ragnar.

Her dreams are strange and fevered. Snatches of memories here, wild imaginings there. And then she dreams that she’s in the cell.

With Skade.

The seer rises from the shadows like a wraith, her black furs slipping off her shoulders and pooling at her feet. She comes forward as far as her bound hands and feet will allow, her wrists pulling against her ropes. She looks expectant.

Hungry.

Hunger gnaws at Brida, too. She wants to taste Skade’s lips, needs to feel the seer’s body against her own.

Then do it, Skade seems to say, even though her lips do not move.

Brida takes the other woman’s chin in her hand, squeezing. Skade watches her, her pale eyes grown dark with desire.

Do it, she seems to say again, her lips still unmoving.

So Brida leans forward and kisses her.

It isn’t a gentle kiss, but then, neither of them are gentle women. It is all teeth and tongues, and then Skade bites down on Brida’s lip so hard she tastes blood.

Our blood feeds each other, she’d said earlier that day, but already the words are fading as she hums against Brida’s mouth, licking and sucking the blood from her lip.

The hand at Skade’s chin slides back, tangling in her moon-pale locks and tugging her head back. Skade smiles at her, Brida’s blood still on her lips.

I’m yours, she seems to say. Command me.

Brida is no stranger to commanding others. There are hundreds of men who would carry out her orders without question. She’s earned it time and again.

But she doesn’t know what to do with Skade, this storm in the shape of a woman. She wants to worship her. She wants to break her. She wants them to be the last two people standing in this wretched world.

She’s yours, she reminds herself. Make her prove it.

She tugs at Skade’s hair again, tugs her down until the sorceress sinks to her knees. She smiles up at Brida, her bloodied lips glittering in the moonlight, and waits patiently while Brida unlaces her pants, shoving them down her legs. Her cunt is wet and warm, and when Skade’s tongue finds it, it’s all Brida can do not to cry out. She tangles her hands in Skade’s hair, pushing her head deeper between her legs as if to remind her who is in control; in truth, her hands are trembling.

Skade takes to her task eagerly, her wrists straining against the ropes as she brings Brida closer and closer to the edge. Brida breathes deeply, the tang of her blood still on her tongue.

I’m yours, she hears Skade’s voice say. And you are mine.

.

She wakes with a gasp, her clothes sticking to her sweaty skin and the blanket tangled around her legs. There’s a dull pulsing between her legs, the kind that always follows her release.

She untangles the blanket, straightening it out so she can lie beneath it. She’s cooler now, the heat from before having lifted.

Ragnar stirs as she moves, unfurling his arms and holding them out to her.

“I’m sweaty,” she warns him, but she settles in his arms anyway.

“You were tossing and turning most of the night.”

“I couldn’t sleep, and when I did, I dreamed.”

“Mmm.” He cracks open his eyes, and then frowns. “Must have been a bad dream.”

Her heart thuds in her chest. “Why?”

He touches her lower lip, which feels raw against his finger. “You’re bleeding. You must have bitten your lip in your sleep.”

She watches, horrified and fascinated, as he pulls his finger away, showing her a smear of blood.

I’m yours, she hears Skade’s voice say. And you are mine.

[hecohansen31]

In Darkness I saw Her Face

SUMMARY: Set up after Brida is taken by the Welsh and in darkness she saw the face of somebody who she helped destroying, coming back to her as a ghost, to haunt her or reveal her the truth.

WARNINGS: Mention of Kidnapping, Mention of Horrid Life Situations, Murder, Ghosts, Very OOC Brida, Historically Inaccurate.

Brida looked out in the darkness of the hole she had been caged in.

Again, a slave, again at the service of others.

And again in nothing more than shit and piss.

But this time she was a fully-grown woman, her swollen belly telling the for ever proof of her innocent sin.

Sin was a Christian word she had always hated and rejected, why should she feel bad for the smallest thing?

But now …

… now she couldn’t help but feel like she must have had some kind of sin to take care of, as her life run in a constant cycle, of betrayal and imprisonment.

The collar around her neck was too tight, as the chains around her wrists, but what truly pained her in her whole body was the knowledge of having the child of the man who had set up her lover’s murder.

She was carrying the child of the man who had killed her beloved Ragnar, the man to whom she couldn’t give any child, letting him seed other women, one after the other, faceless and useful just for one purpose.

She had hated them with a blind hate that had always started from her cursed womb, that couldn’t hold a child.

That couldn’t create life.

But she had loved the children, although she hadn’t been able to be in their lives, Ragnar sending them to various relatives in order to allow them to live far away from the war, which had been a smart decision, although Brida had been greatly pained by it.

Each time she was close to one child, Ragnar would rip them away from her, and the cycle of him seeding another woman would be set up again, as after Summer came Autumn and then painful Winter.

And she saw another woman swell up, meanwhile she remained slender.

And now she was pregnant with her lover’s murder.

Sometimes Destiny was nothing more than a mad man playing cards.

Not knowing how to deal with a good pair but making the worst of a horrible hand.

And right when she had almost won everything, she had lost everything she had fought to conquer.

Even herself.

So, now she looked out at the darkness, knowing that it’d take her soon.

But the darkness had a face, a familiar shape she had cursed and helped to destroy.

So, it was only natural that now it haunted her.

Like a ghost.

Skade’s pretty face looked back at her, but where she expected to find a smirk, she only found a desolated expression, as if she knew all too well about this kind of cruelty she had set up on herself and the darkness and what it brought with itself.

Madness.

She was sure as hell going mad.

“… shouldn’t you be happy” commented tightly Brida, eventually choosing to approach the woman in front of her, her words biting and cruel, almost the savage bark of an hungry dog, promising to chew on her bones “… I’ll be soon dead, as you have said”.

“I said that I would have killed you” Skade’s words were attentive, almost as if she had to point them out, one by one, and Brida rolled her eyes at her theatrics.

That was probably what had brought her and Uhtred together.

“… different words, same ending” replied the woman that had become Danish through service and blood spilled, and now didn’t know what she could make with that identity “… I’ll die here, alongside with my pup”.

She was almost sad for that child who would have never woken up, although she knew she should have been disgusted of it, because it was the child of a traitor and a murderer.

But would it have been different had it been born from Ragnar?

He had murdered Kjartan in cold blood and he had betrayed the vow of fidelity he had done to her.

And although she refused to be annoyed by it as a prissy Christian bride, she certainly hadn’t felt comfortable seeing him enjoy one woman after another.

‘When will it be enough?’ she wanted to ask Ragnar, each time he said ‘simply one more’.

But she had kept her voice down, because she had always thought that she was the one flawed, the one who couldn’t give him children.

And since she couldn’t, he’d always find somebody else who could give them to him.

She would have never been his equal, no matter how much she wanted to believe it.

In the end, she had been made a slave by his family.

Could she seriously expect respect and equality from him?

“… you won’t die here” commented Skade, as she looked up to where the noise of a feast resounded loudly.

“Did you talk about it with the Valkyries when you died?” spoke back loudly Brida, knowing that she must have sounded like an hysterical, cackling as Skade’s pretty face became scrunched up by a frown “… but wait… you weren’t sent to Valhalla, were you? Uthred drowned you… he killed you without shedding blood… a stupid death, no glory in it”.

“… there is a glory in following our Destiny” commented the witch, as her voice seemed so frail, as if it was barely latched on a thread in her mouth and her eyes surrendered to that evidence, no exuberant strength or cursed eyes, she was just a woman.

One like Brida.

But she was smarter than her.

She had known this was all a gods’ play.

And Brida had discovered it painfully, meanwhile Skade had known all about this.

So, maybe it was time that Brida took control over something.

And did it in the rough way she had had men treating her.

She would have stolen everything and fought with her brutal force.

And she would have won, eventually.

“You bore me witch”.

---

(A/N): I personally am a bit unsure about this, because I am sure it sucks but... hey @volvaaslaug​ was curious so...

[iseultdeservedbetter]

With Her Sweetened Breath, And Her Tongue So Mean

Brida x Skade (Modern AU)

(A/N): Hello there, lovelies!

I just wanted to put a huge disclaimer over this fic, because I do have to say that I haven’t any experience in the foster care system, so my judgement of it is mostly based on what I have seen and heard through media.

I do know that isn’t always as it goes, many times it is a way for children to escape abusive households, instead of ending up in one, and many people have good intentions, so please don’t think that what I described is my thought on all foster care.

I just felt like it’d be Brida’s personal experience and feelings she felt in it.

I have no intention of insult/make fun of such a system or people who have been in it!

(I hope it wasn’t offensive but do let me know if it was so that I can remove it!)

As always, feedback is very welcome, it makes my fingers writer faster and my heart beats stronger!

Have a lovely day!

SUMMARY:  After the break up of her life, Brida is thrown in a confusion that risk being extremely destructive for her heart, which never learned that love should be free and sweet and adorable... and not a constant struggle.

WORDS: 1, 9

WARNINGS: Mention of Abusive Household, Unhappy Childhood, Internalize Misogyny, Mention of Casual Sex, Modern AU.

Brida hadn’t known much about love, but she knew one thing for sure about it.

Love was a constant battle and struggle.

As a child in foster care, she had seen this happening continuously.

When you were raised in foster care, you weren’t a child, you weren’t part of the family, no matter how much the people in it treated you better than the previous one you had been pushed in.

You were simply there because your ‘parents’ got paid a special extra to take in ‘rascals’ like you and although her latest and most-lasting family, who had later adopted her alongside another boy, had been absolutely the best she had ever known…

… the sensation of having to fight desperately for their approval had been constant.

And it hadn’t helped in the slightest Brida to grow with a notion that love was free and shouldn’t be something that is bargained or bought with small gestures and such.

That it was much more than being the perfect girl, the one that was different from everybody else so that she could stand out above everyone, surviving through high school successfully and then moving in university with a law enforcing degree, becoming the lawyer her ‘parents’ had always wanted her to be.

She had harbored so much pain and hurt through those years still, feeling like there was this desperate rush in her to show everybody how truly strong she was, how successful she could be.

Almost to thank them for having chosen her.

Eventually she had gotten to a breaking point.

She had discovered at twenty five that she couldn’t have children, a problem with her ovaries due to the starvation she had suffered as a child, before she was taken in by her ‘beloved family’.

It was something that had hit harder Brida’s partner and fiancé, Ragnar, her first love, than her, truly.

She remembered his desperation for it and how well she had faked being disappointed in her ‘unworking body’ but internally, she was glad.

She had wanted to become a mother… eventually.

But not at that age.

Not when she had fought so hard to obtain everything that she now had, wanting to enjoy the freedom of being without duties.

Eventually she would have liked to become a mother.

But did she want to become like her ‘parents’?

Pushing her children into choices that weren’t theirs and forcing them through the notion that all pain and suffering was worth it if they brought you to his ending, and most importantly that all this heartless conquering would be one day what they would have given to their children.

What kind of children would she have raised?

Heartless monsters like her.

So, when she had found Ragnar’s ring left on his side of the bed with a note, she had been strangely euphoric.

No wedding to prepare, no people to disappoint because of her choices and no children to think yet.

Although her eyes had leaked tears for a few minutes, she had then danced around the sitting room, like a crazed woman, feeling like for once, she wasn’t loved, but she wasn’t also struggling to fight through a life she didn’t want and through a love that hugged her too tight to be truly free.

Still the following months had been hard on her.

And confusing.

It had then suddenly hit her how truly alone she felt and she had to admit that she hadn’t gone through the best of remedies to soothe the ache of freedom, still burning in her chest, mostly using the taste of whiskey, which matched perfectly the fire in the pit of her stomach.

An ache that she didn’t know how to use, and it burned her to the core, with a coldness that risked freezing her heart and make her mind go crazy.

And after one of these awful nights, she had woken herself in the arms of a pretty blonde thing.

The surprise had paralyzed her in the bed, meanwhile the woman onto her, obviously half-naked, moved lightly on her bare chest.

She hadn’t known what to do.

Had she seriously just had her first experience with a woman?

Was she seriously too drunk to remember it?

What the heck had she put her body through?

And then the beautiful blonde thing had quirked an eye open at her, a smirk on her face, almost playful and yet it held so much darkness that Brida wondered whether she was under some kind of enchantress and about to be offered to some dark god.

Later on, she had discovered that Skade, that was the name of the girl in whose bed she had ended up, was indeed a witch, but she hadn’t put any enchantment against her.

‘It goes against my professional values’ she had commented, meanwhile she wore back all her clothes, discarded through her room, designed by an elegant emo phase that Brida almost would have appreciated, hadn’t it been one of the many things she had stopped herself from having.

Emo kids, back in high school, according to her brother and boyfriend were creeps and although Brida had admired their bravery and loved their songs, she had just repressed herself through showing any sign of her interest.

‘… and what about taking strangers in your bed?’ she hadn’t meant to sound so bitter, but she had to admit that she had never had an experience like that and all her reactions right now were based on the ‘flight or fight’ thought ‘… is that something that you do usually?’.

Should she do some test for STDs?

She wasn’t a saint and she had had her own experience before becoming Ragnar’s stable girlfriend (looking back to it, she also realized the title was horrendous) but she hadn’t ever been one to ‘stray around’, since she had been taught that it wasn’t something ‘people like her’ did.

She was still wondering what ‘people like her’ meant, because if it was some way to describe the middle-class behavior her ‘parents’ and ‘friends’ followed, she had to say she had never belonged with them.

‘Oh but, my dear Brida, we aren’t strangers” Skade commented, licking her lips with the face of a cat who had stolen milk from her owner.

A cunning expression that almost made Brida reason why she might have been interested in the blonde witch

‘… we talked a bit at the bar, although you were utterly smashed, and you commented about how you had never experienced with girls in college… and I thought about suggesting a little experimentation…’.

Gosh, what had seriously gone through her mind, the previous night?

‘… a little experimentation with a stranger?!’.

Brida should have seriously stopped making questions and gotten the fuck out of there, before she got probably killed by some kind of Mason fangirl.

She had seen too many ‘Criminal Minds’ episodes to know how this would end up.

But blondie over there didn’t seem to acknowledge her uneasiness as she moved to put on a ruined band t-shit on, something metal and Nordic.

Something that didn’t surprise Brida in the slightest

Skade then moved to collect her ruined thighs, probably a gift from Brida.

She had never had too much patience with those things, always ending up with various ruined pairs of thighs because she just didn’t have the patience to roll them up properly.

She had then pushed herself to solely wear pants.

‘You are a tomboy!’ had thrilled her mother with disappointment when she had told her that and Brida had pushed that to become her new identity, throwing herself away completely from all the girly thing she liked and pushing herself to constantly repeat ‘I am not like the other girls’.

She wondered if it was more a compliment or an insult.

Either way that phrase had fucked her mind up greatly.

‘…again…  I don’t think that you are a stranger…’ had commented Skade, her voice was suddenly deep and any trace of amusement had left it, and although Brida should have seriously run out of the fucking building, she had turned around, halfway through adjusting the bird nest that her hair was in an high ponytail.

Skade had immediately caught her eyes and she had known that she had spoken the truth.

‘… I do think that I have known you before’.

It had sounded extremely creepy.

And yet she had found the way right back to that apartment the following week, not knowing how much truly it was the alcohol’s blame since she had kept herself sober that night, having Skade guide her through a ‘sober exploration’.

‘Nothing happened last time’ she had commented and Brida knew that she spoke the truth, this time ‘… you just seemed very lonely, and drunk… and you got naked and tried to actually “have your way with me”…’.

‘I don’t do this often’ Brida hadn’t know why she had had to specify it.

Although she had never been a prude with sex and such, she had always stuck with guys, simply.

And even back then, it hadn’t like she had explored much, having had two boyfriends for most of her life, one of them having become her best friend, although it went through periods.

Meanwhile Ragnar was still somehow an interrogative point.

A bracket left open.

She knew that she had hurt him, somehow.

But she didn’t feel in the slightest guilty for it.

And yet she knew she should.

But here she was, again, in a stranger’s bed.

A stranger that said they knew each other from some kind of past life.

She had seriously reached a new low.

Even more because, as she got to know Skade, she soon realized what a pain in the ass the woman was, hysterical at times and definitely manic in others.

And yet, she felt good with her.

Much better than with everyone else she had been all her life.

And suddenly their meetings weren’t simple exploration (although Brida had understood that she certainly wasn’t as straight as she had thought herself to be) not only because they’d have breakfast in the bar in front of Skade’s apartment (at first Brida had tried hiding herself, but right now she honestly didn’t care who saw her).

But Skade had started casually dropping small gift of protection in her clothes, something that she had dubbed as straight up psycho at first and then had slowly classified as a nice gesture and now she pinned the small objects in every coat she owned.

‘They just bring luck’ she had muttered as a justification, as Skade smirked back at her.

‘Oh, of course’ she had teased her, but it had felt so soft and yet so light that Brida could allow herself to be ‘undermined’ by her for once.

It had felt strange falling in love with Skade.

She had known deep downm she should have been afraid of it, but yet, it was so natural and it wasn’t a struggle for once, although there was plenty of teasing between them, mostly from the blonde woman.

But it felt harmless.

It wasn’t a struggle.

It was a power exchange.

And yet it didn’t lessen the competition between them.

Mostly for questions such as the anniversary presents.

She knew that Skade was quite the sneaky bitch when it came to this, going as far as go through her thing to catch a glimpse of her plan so that she could outmatch it, something that Brida had never allowed her to do, since she wanted to always come up on top.

Old habits died hard.

And yet it always felt like a playful competition.

There wasn’t any prize in this one.

Love was already between them

She hadn’t to win it for once.

And she felt amazing, for once.

[aelswiths]

Based on this post For @volvaaslaug and @ivarthebadbitch

[witchthewriter]

hii! would you be willing to write for Skade too? she's a wlw icon to me lmao and she deserves more fanfics just like tlk itself <33

Oh my god yes! I would 100% write for Skade. She was actually terrifying and I loved her so much.

[solinarimoon]

Fields of Wildflowers

Chapter 2

A/N: anything in italics is either inner monologue or reminiscing. Please let me know if you’re enjoying the story and might like to be on my taglist. You can read the prequel one-shot and chapter 1 if you wish.

Warnings: None for this chapter (I think)

Word Count: 2253

Pairing: Sihtric x OC

The sun beat down on the company as they traveled along the road.  The plan was to travel to Ceaster where, with luck, Aethelflaed would be waiting.  Uhtred and the Lady of Mercia had discussed contingency plans of retreating there should tensions in Mercia boil over.  

Cwen rode along beside Osferth who drove the cart containing their meager supplies and the children.  She knew Ealfwin was feeling scared and worried for her mother.  The young girl was a gentle and sensitive creature.  She spent her days playing with dolls or with her little birds.  

In many ways, Ealfwin reminded Cwen of her mother as a child.  Aethelflaed had grown into an independent and smart woman.  But at Ealfwin’s age, while she was intelligent, Aethelflaed’s head was full of dreaming.  Mainly dreams full of romance and love.  It made Cwen sad that her friend’s spirit had had those dreams dashed and torn from her with her marriage to Aethelred.  

Aethelflaed was keenly aware of her daughter’s disposition and she fought to protect that innocence as long as she could. It was a hard balance to find. Preparing your child for harsh truths and realities. Giving them the skill and knowledge to deal with those truths head on while still allowing them their innocence. 

But in this moment, Cwen wondered if the young girl was too sheltered, too naive.  

Cwen always strived to be truthful and realistic with Ealfwin.  She had been through too much and known Aethelflaed to have gone through too much to deny the child that kindness. 

Cwen could hear Stiorra chiding Ealfwin from the back of the cart. She also heard Young Uhtred defending her. 

Give her a few minutes and then I will check on her, Cwen thought. See if Stiorra’s words altered Ealfwin’s weepy state.  Cwen did not aim to be dismissive or cruel. But she did want to avoid swooping in to rescue the girl from those harsh words. Harsh words are everywhere and a woman must learn to stand up to them. 

Cwen’s thoughts were interrupted at the sound of a rider approaching. She felt her heart flutter in her chest and she rode back to her beside Ealfwin. Harsh words from a companion were one thing. Unknown dangers and unknown riders were a different story. 

The rider was a woman. Cwen recognized her and had to suppress a shudder. Instead she turned her eyes to find Sihtric. 

He gallops past the group to crest the hill where Eadith had just appeared. That was her name. Eadith. Sister to Eardwulf. 

As Sihtric galloped back to the front of their party, his eyes met Cwen’s. Too fast for her to read anything from them. But they still met and she felt a calm come over her. 

“I will be right back. Stay in the cart with Aethelstan.” Cwen’s words were soothing but firm. Ealfwin nodded her understanding while shifting to have a better view of the front of the cart. 

When Cwen cantered forward she positioned herself next to Sihtric. Her eyes met Uhtred’s. What information does Eadith bring?

“The Lady Aethelflaed has fled Aylesbury. She bid me find you and tell you she wishes you to meet her at the ruins of St. Millburgs Priory.”

“Did your brother send you?” Cwen askes. 

At her interjection, both Uhtred and Eadith glance at her. 

“No. He does not know I am here. My brother imprisoned Lady Aethelflaed but I helped her escape.” Eadith said while shifting her eyes back to Uhtred. 

“Why should I believe you?”

“I do not lie,” Eadith quipped as if those words should serve as a convincing argument. 

“Then how did you know where to find us?” Uhtred asked.

“The Lady told me you had spoken of traveling to Ceaster. I was to find you and bid you meet her at the ruins.”

Young Uhtred spoke up, “St. Milburg’s is on the way to Wenloca and we have passed it.”

“It could be a trick to divert us,” Finan added. 

At this, Eadith expressed her frustration, “I have done what I promised. You can choose to believe it or not,” she finished with a sigh. 

“Where will you go?” Uhtred asks her. 

“I have family in Frankia”

“If you wish to board a ship to Frankia, you must ride inland with us. It is not safe on the road alone. And,” Uhtred spoke aside to his men, “then at least if she lies she will be under our control.”

Cwen was taken aback when Eadith spat back at Uhtred, “I am sick of being controlled.”

Perhaps her brother has not made her life easy either, Cwen thought to herself. She was keenly aware of how Eardwulf exerted control and power.  

Cwen took a shuddering breath and refocused her attention on the conversation. 

She did not notice Sihtric glance at her from across his saddle. 

“Cwen, you know Aethelflaed well.  I am of one mind, but would hear your thoughts,” Uhtred asked.

Cwen looked askance at Eadith before giving her answer.

“The sooner we can get mother and daughter reunited the better.  We both know that Aldhelm would do this for Aethelflaed.  And my instinct tells me Eadith speaks the truth.” 

“Lord,” Finan interjected, “We should not do this.  If she found us, so can they.”

Uhtred thinks on Cwen and Finan’s words for a moment.

Raising his head to meet Eadith’s eyes once more, “Are you good with children?”

“Not really.” She replied.

“Good, neither are we. Well except for Cwen here,” Uhtred inclined his head to indicate Cwen.

“We go back,” he said with finality.

Rather than travel alone, the lady Eadith joined their caravan.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few hours later found the companions ambling along a wooded path.  Ealfwin was resting in the cart while Aethelstan and Uhtred’s children shared pieces of stale bread. 

Sihtric dropped back from riding next to Finan to be beside Cwen. 

“Do you need some bread, lady?” He offered. 

“I am no lady, Sihtric. Must I always remind you of that?” Cwen smiled over to Sihtric good naturedly. It had become a game now between them. 

Sihtric chuckled lightly, “take some bread, Cwen.”

“I will, thank you,” Cwen said while reaching for the stale lump he offered. 

“Be careful, Cwen,” Osferth interjected. “That bread will crack a tooth. Best to let it sit in your mouth for a bit before you chew it.”

The three laughed lightly at his jest and then settled into a comfortable silence. 

Cwen enjoyed the forest. She tipped her head up to gaze at the sun breaking through the branches overhead. She allowed herself a large inhale of the musty, earthy aroma then slowly exhaled. 

“You seem at peace in the forest.” Sihtric commented and Cwen turned her face towards him. He sees me, she thought to herself. 

“Your breathing wasn’t so calm on the road.” He spoke the last while turning to face her gaze. 

“You noticed that?” Cwen asked. 

When Sihtric did not answer, “something in our conversation in the road gave me pause. Brought back memories.” Cwen glanced ahead at Eadith. 

Then she added, “and I admit I am anxious about our plan. There are so many unknowns. And I wish Aethelflaed to be alright. And for Ealfwin to be reunited with her mother.”

Sihtric could tell that Cwen was breezing over her demeanor on the road.  Whether it was an effort to avoid talking about it, he did not know.

“I have always found peace in forests.” He offered.

Cwen met Sihtric’s eyes at his admission. She gave him one of those small grins that he loved. 

Sihtric found himself looking for her smiles more and more. 

He had lain awake the previous night after the rest of the camp had fallen asleep thinking about the gentle curves of her lips. He could have drifted to sleep easily imagining her grins directed at him. 

But he couldn’t help replaying their conversation from upstairs at the estate. The knowledge that someone had threatened her, maybe forced themselves on her made his entire body seethe with rage. 

He could stand the horrors of battle and the violence that he faced against enemies in the services of his Lord.  Even if it were women like Skade or Brida.  They chose their paths. Brida was an equal on the battlefield.  Skade played dangerous games and she knew full well that she was playing them. 

But Sihtric could not abide harm to innocents.  Saxon or Dane.  He had witnessed too much in his service to Kjartan.  He did not call the man his father.  He was his mother’s son.  And he knew too well that it was the same violence and violation that Kjartan forced upon his mother that now Sihtric worried had been forced upon Cwen.

He had wiped his hand across his face in frustration and sat up looking for her.  

Across the fire, nestled next to Ealfwin and Aethelstan, Cwen was sleeping.  They were safe for the moment. She was safe. 

Sihtric had risen and relieved Finan of his watch. If he wasn’t able to sleep he may as well let his Irish brother rest. 

A sudden yell and flurry of activity at the rear of the cart brought Sihtric back to the present. 

“Stay near the children,” he ordered Cwen as they both turned their horses to see vagrants trying to steal bread from Stiorra. 

Quick as lightning, Uhtred was by his daughter and the would-be thieves ran towards the front of the cart. 

At almost the same instance, another man appeared hollering that the road was closed. Having gained control of the situation, Finan and Sihtric dismounted to approach the macabre scene blocking the path.

Cwen dismounted her horse to climb onto the cart and check on Ealfwin. 

“It is alright, little bird. They will not let anyone harm you,” she cooed while grasping the young girl's hand. “Nor you, Aethelstan.  These people appear to just be hungry. It is alright.  I am going to see how we will proceed with the road being closed.” 

Cwen waited to see both children nod, then dismounted the cart.

It was then that she heard Finan shout in a panic, “It’s the sickness.  They’re dying of the sickness.”

The next few minutes were a blur of chaos as Finan tried to clean Stiorra’s arm where the brigands had touched her and Uhtred attempted to soothe the warrior.

Cwen stepped up to stand beside Sihtric as he cleaned off his blade.  

“It was a kindness,” he tells her.

Cwen looked down to his bloody knife and then glanced over his shoulder to see the grim display in the road and she understood.

“It was,” she confirms for him.

Then her attention shifted back to hear Uhtred discuss leaving the horses and traveling through the woods.

“The children will not make it on foot,” Sihtric says.  His words were quiet to not alarm anyone.

“Then we find somewhere safe for them,” but Finan’s words are cut off when both Uhtred and Cwen protest.

“We will not leave them behind.”

“They are stronger than you imagine,” Cwen argued. “They are both used to plans changing and to adapting by now.”

“We know that, Cwen,” Uhtred tried to soothe her. “But it will be hard and we do not know what obstacles we may face.  It can be difficult to defend those you hold dear out in the open, no shelter, no place to hide.”

Cwen takes a breath before speaking again. She looks at Finan, Uhtred, and Sihtric in turn.  

Sihtric interrupts her before she can speak again, “I did not mean that the children are not strong and capable.”

“I know Sihtric. But what choice do we actually have now?” She asks, shifting her gaze to rest on Uhtred.

“Cwen is right.  We must continue on foot and through the land to avoid the roads and bad air. It will be alright Finan, we will be safe from the sickness.  And we have no other choice.” Uhtred’s words soothe the big man.  

Both Cwen and Eadith, who had remained quiet during the whole exchange, recognize that the men have faith in their lord.   The two women exchange a glance before Eadith dismounts her horse and they gather their supplies to continue on foot.

“It seems these men have truly found a good lord in Uhtred.  I can see their faith in him,” Eadith comments to Cwen as they are helping the children down off the cart.

Cwen regards her for a moment before replying, “He is a man that other’s trust to follow.  I have known him since I was a child and he has always inspired the trust of others.”

“What a strange thing to find myself in this company,” Eadith then says, more to herself than to Cwen.

“I know you are not used to the company of good men.” Cwen speaks matter of factly without waiting for a response or looking for a reaction. “And these are good men.  All of them.” Cwen finishes the last words while looking across the back of the cart to see Sihtric taking his packs off his horse.  She doesn’t look to Eadith as she walks away to gather Ealfwin and Aethelstan.

And then the companions begin their trek on foot to reach Wenloca.  

Tag list: @morosemagick @maggiescarborough @pokeasleepingsmaug @nxrdist @mystic-shadows42 @emilyhufflepufftlk @magravenwrites @lauwrite1225 @thebohemianpenguin @mrsalwayswrite @notyourwildestdream @obipoelover

[anoncat6]

PETRICHOR | sihtric x oc | part eleven

part one

11. couples who spy together, stay together

Osferth was injured, lying under a tarp with Finan tending to him. Sihtric had fetched Uhtred.

“You dare die, baby monk, and I’ll kill you myself.” Finan teased.

“Right. I’ll try not to then.” Osferth winced.

With orders for Osferth to recover at Saltwic, Uhtred moved to leave the tent.

“What of Skade?” Sihtric questioned, his wife beside him as she tried to wipe the blood from her neck with a rag.

“She’s been taken by Haesten.” Uhtred sounded tired.

“Then nothing has changed. We remain cursed still.” 

“I am cursed.” Uhtred emphasised.

“It touches us all, Lord,” Sihtric looked to Osferth, but shifted closer to Lena as she ran her hand over her abdomen, “It continues.”

<>

The ride to Saltwic had felt like a strange reversal of fate, this time it was Osferth in the cart and Ghylena watching over him. 

Relieved to be back within safe walls again, resting from a hard-fought battle, Ghylena had been unsurprised when Sihtric told her of the plan to spy.

Unwilling to part from him so soon after fighting for their lives together, Lena had insisted on going with him, and after such a fresh reminder of how they fought better together Sihtric hadn’t been keen to deny her.

Which was how they had ended up here, pretending at being traitors, breaking Dagfin and his men out of jail. Sihtric had gone into the cells to free them, Lena waiting above ground with the horses, playing at keeping watch.

Seeing her husband running towards her, men in tow, Ghylena mounted Shaeda and held the reins for Sihtric’s ride.

“The woman is coming with us?” Dagfin was sceptical, “She shot Haesten.”

“She missed,” Lena snapped, “Didn’t she?”

Sihtric shot her a look, turning to the newly freed men as he spoke, “My woman is of the same mind as I am. She rides with us.” 

He led the way out of the gates, the full moon casting long shadows of their figures on the grass.

<>

Hunstanton was the typical Danish war camp, with the typical food and fires.

Brida was sat by the fire, joined by Cnut, Bloodhair, Haesten and Skade.

Uhtred’s traitors— the tall man with dark hair and a soft voice, and the archer woman who had shot Haesten— had joined them that night, sitting close together and wearing matching expressions of cool composure.

Brida remembered them from Dunholm: Sihtric and his woman Ghylena. The last time she had laid eyes on her, the tattooed woman had been ill, her skin much paler and her eyes lacking the fire they currently held.

“Sihtric, answer me this: does Uhtred wish me dead?” Skade had asked.

Her face remaining stoic, nothing but a small tick in her jaw to show she was listening, Ghylena watched as her husband spoke.

“He is undecided. He does not know if he should hump you or kill you. “

Cnut chuckled before Ghylena spoke, Brida watching the stony-faced woman, “He’s afraid of you.”

“Because she’s poison.” Brida nodded, “She has you all by the balls. Believe it.”

As she got up to leave, Brida looked back at the gathering, wary of the newest additions to it. They continued to talk…

“You betrayed Uhtred. Why?” Cnut questioned them.

Sihtric had an answer prepared, familiar with the role of spy, “Because he is losing men and losing his mind.”

Haesten glowered at Ghylena as he groped Skade, asking “Will he come for my woman?”

Ghylena made no move to speak, simply choosing to hold her glare. She figured the easiest way for her to get through all of this was to speak only when necessary, and glower as often as possible.

“He is afraid of the curse, Lord. He wants it gone.” Sihtric answered for her, “Yes, he will come, I’m certain. But he is not the warrior he once was.” “Maybe he’s more dangerous now,” Cnut got up to leave, clearly intent on following Brida to her tent.

Sihtric grimaced, “More reckless, Lord. Unable to plan. That is why we are here.” 

<>

Bloodhair was dead.

Killed by Skade as he fought Haesten in the square.

“She is poison to all men,” Sihtric breathed, wary of the witch.

Speaking in low tones, Lena turned in to her husband’s chest, “Normally, I would dissuade you from such superstitions. But that woman is of the devil, and her curses have killed too many.” He tipped her face up to his, finger under her chin. Her eyes were clouded, and it was clear to him what she thought of. “She will die soon, Lena, and face her justice. This I swear to you.”

Ghylena nodded her assent as Bloodhair’s body was carried away.

<>

Ghylena was waiting for them.

Her typical prey in places such as this walked on 4 legs, not 2.

She sat in the forest, anticipating their arrival and hiding herself, only for them to walk right past her, completely unaware of her presence.

Finan will kick himself when I tell him about this, she thought, grinning.

Sneaking up behind them, she drew her bow, steadying her breathing and footing so as not to give herself away. 

“Someone’s coming.” Finan exclaimed in a hushed tone.

“It’s Sihtric,” Osferth said.

When Uhtred stood to greet him, Ghylena inched forwards more, now coming up directly behind the Irishman, who still hadn’t noticed her presence. If she took one more step, reached a little further, her arrowhead would be touching his spine.

“You have something to say to me?” Uhtred spoke to Sihtric, his acting not much improved from Saltwic.

“I do,” Sihtric drew his sword, “Yield to me.”

And then they were hugging, laughing deep belly laughs.

“You were playing us. My goodness, they were playing us, Finan!” Osferth exclaimed, “Why?”

Ghylena sprung forward now, jabbing Finan in the back with her arrow, and smirking as she rose from her crouch, forcing him forward with a yelp, “Because if you didn’t believe it, no one else would.”

“Lena!” Uhtred grinned, pushing Finan out of the way and pulling her in for a hug, “It is good to see you.”

“I fooled you.” Sihtric goaded Finan.

“No, I knew!” Finan was lying, clearly sore about being snuck up on by the huntress.

Sihtric shook his head, “No, you did not. You nearly filled your breeches just now, I almost felt bad for you.”

“I’m telling you, I knew.” Finan insisted, rubbing the small of his back where Lena had pushed in.

“Were we good?” Ghylena sighed, pulling away from hugging Osferth and placing a kiss on his cheek.

“A little.” The young monk conceded.

<>

The plan was in place, now all that was needed was to get Skade to meet with Uhtred at the tree. Ghylena had collected her from her tent, and Sihtric had freed her from the shackles on her feet.

On the walk to the tree, Ghylena had made her hatred for Skade known through her icy nature and hard face, prodding a reaction from Skade.

“You have something to say to me, huntress?” 

Ghylena turned her unblinking eyes to the witch, shaking her head in disgust before throwing a curse of her own, “When your death comes, I will wait until the crows feast on your eyes. I will revel in watching your skin grey and your blood blacken. You will not see Valhalla, and I will have peace in that.”

Sihtric stood tall at his wife’s shoulder, his broad silence simply adding to the threat that Skade scoffed at.

Soon stood beside Sihtric beneath the tree, the pair of them both cringed at the sight of Uhtred kissing Skade, disgust marring their faces.

“Skade!” Haesten’s voice rang out, “Can you hear me?”

Not moments later, Dagfin had raised the alarm, cawing like a rooster at dawn, and they were running. Sihtric’s cloak billowed out behind him and as always, he and his woman sprinted paces ahead of everyone else, reaching the docks first. 

Pulling on the skin of a spy once more, Ghylena burst from the riverbanks, shouting orders at the few men guarding the boats: “We are under attack!”

Sihtric joined in, coming up beside her now, if shielding her behind him slightly, “Haesten says to ready the ships! Now! Untie them now!”

If Ghylena were in another place, if they weren’t currently running for their lives— for the umpteenth time that month— then she would have kissed him right there, dragged his chest to hers and torn his clothes from his body, because gods be damned, he was hot when he was assertive.

The others’ arrival jolted her from her thoughts, and they leaped into the boats. As Finan led the men in rowing, and Uhtred made sure they weren’t followed, Ghylena lifted a shield, ready to catch any arrows from landing.

One brushed close by her, so near to her head that she felt her hair lift into the air. She blinked.

Another came much too close to Uhtred, but Lena was there, reflexes of a hare and blocked the projectile.

“Goodbye, Haesten!” She hollered, “The next time I shoot at you, I won’t miss!”

-> up next: 'tidman, thyra, and a fire'...

Hey guys! Sorry for that unprecedented two week long hiatus; shit happens I guess. Anyways, here's the newest chapter and expect your updates to return to their regular schedule! Next chapter up on Tuesday x

Tags: @travelingmypassion

[ivarthebadbitch]

Poison

The silence unwinds between them. For a moment, the only sound Brida can hear is her own breathing and the clink of the chains when Skade shifts her weight. In the moonlight, her hair takes on a silvery sheen and her pale eyes glow.

No wonder that men have made fools of themselves over you, she thinks. But you’ll not make a fool out of me.

[pokeasleepingsmaug]

To Curse A King

Back on my bullshit again, so here’s a Sihtric x Skade crackship. 

Summary: Skade wants to secure the Danish victory the only way she knows how, and there’s only one man in the Danish camp who claims to have knowledge of curses. Set when Sihtric has pretended to betray Uhtred and is in the Danish camp. 

Trigger Warnings: Blood, knife play, smut

Tagging: @whenimaunicorn​ @aadmelioraa​ @itslaurenmae​

AO3, if you prefer.

Skade does not flinch as the knife pierces the skin at the crook of her elbow, and she does not struggle against the firm hand holding her wrist in place. She has cut herself so many times in the working of her magic, it does not even bother her when someone else holds the knife.

The knife drags from elbow to wrist, the cut long but shallow, blood welling in a slow trickle, and Skade has always thought the brightness of blood is beautiful against her pale skin. A twisted thought, perhaps, but why else would the gods call her to such a life, if not to revel in that which gives her power?

She meets the eyes of her unwilling assistant, the only man among this whole company of useless Danes who claims to have any knowledge of curses. He is probably not the only one, in truth, but the only one who is not afraid to be called unmanly. He has proven herself time and again on the battlefield; any who dare to call him such will meet a swift end within a square of hazel rods. He told her he threw a curse once, met her eyes steady and calm when he said it, not a hint of remorse, and Brida laughed.

Skade believes him. It is her business to know things; and rumors fly around this camp. Hasten knows even more than Skade herself, and he can't keep a secret when he's in his cups. Sihtric may call himself Elflaedsson, and his father may have been killed long before Skade sailed to this doomed island, but she knows who it is that whelped Sihtric on a Saxon slave-girl.

She is not surprised that Sihtric once threw a curse, and she has a fair guess about his target. He is ideal for this spellwork, anyway. Dane and Saxon in one body, one eye blue and the other brown, the perfect melding of light and dark.

Sihtric stabs the knife into the cold ground, burying it to the hilt, before he grabs Skade’s bare arm and swipes his pointer finger through the blood. He touches each of her eyelids, his fingertip light as a butterfly, before his hand darts to her lips and paints them, too.

Skade slides the knife from the sheath at her waist and cuts Sihtric's arm from wrist to elbow in one deliberate stroke, an equal and opposite wound to her own. She stabs it viciously into the ground beside his, drags her finger through his blood, and touches his eyelids and lips.

Finally she takes their arms and presses the wounds together to mix their blood, the first of their two joinings under tonight's new moon: the time when secrets come to life, when clandestine affairs are revealed, when the darkest impulses of man and nature hold sway.

A perfect night to curse a king.

Sihtric shivers when she pulls his shirt over his head, but he’s still as stone when she draws the runes on him: algiz, for protection, right over his heart, because this is a spell that can so easily go awry. Naunuz, for distress, low on his belly. It is no secret that Alfred has troubles there.

Skade grabs the wooden bowl that waits by the fire, bitter herbs and crushed mushrooms steeping in water boiled before Sihtric cut her arm. It should be at full strength by now.

Skade gulps half the bitter liquid down. Sihtric takes the bowl from her hands, and his eyes, grim and unreadable, meet hers over the rim as he tips it to drink. His throat bobs in long swallows. He shakes his head, as if to rid himself of the taste, and tosses the bowl into the fire.

The flames jump higher as they lap up the dregs of the potion. Skade should be annoyed that he tossed her best bowl into the fire; instead, she is only transfixed by the dancing of the flames as the magic begins to move in her. She takes off her own dress as Sihtric unties his trousers. The night air is cold and comforting against her flushed skin, raising goosebumps on her arms when a light breeze hits her.

She rubs her hands over her arms and finally looks over at Sihtric, sitting cross-legged a few feet away from her. His clothes are neatly folded by the fire, she notes with faint amusement. This will not be a joining of tenderness, but that doesn’t mean she can’t enjoy it, anyway. Her cool gaze sweeps him over, admiring the planes of his face in the firelight, the play of silver scars over his sword-Dane’s body. He is a man without an inch of softness on him, all hard muscle and sharp angles. He may be the most beautiful man she has ever had.

Skade starts toward him. Her hand lands on his shoulder, and she’s shocked by the warmth of him. The magic always does that, makes her surprised by the smallest physical sensations, brings a more intense awareness to every feeling. She revels in it and fears it: the way it makes her powerful and vulnerable all at once. Every blessing must come with its own curse, she muses.

For all that Sihtric is a warrior, for all that he will be the vessel for her curse to pass to Alfred--for all that it will hurt for the brief time the curse is within him--she does not think that he will take advantage of her in this vulnerable state.

He wraps his arms around her waist as he falls to the ground, and Skade is shocked when his lips press gently against hers. “It will hurt,” she reminds him softly, almost feeling guilty, but his momentary suffering will be nothing in the face of Danish victory. The death of Alfred will all but secure it; it is his iron will and cunning mind that have kept them at bay.

“I do not fear pain,” Sihtric assures her, his breath warm and sweet against her lips. His hands are curious and soft as they wander over her, exploring the heft of her breasts and the curve of her waist before sliding to the junction between her thighs. She knows this is not a joining of affection for him, either, but still she appreciates the consideration he shows to make sure she is prepared.

He flicks a deft finger over the nub at her apex, and Skade allows herself to tangle her fingers in his soft hair, to trace the tattooed snakes curving over his ears, to enjoy the hitch of his breath as her fingertips skim down his neck. She wraps a hand around his thick shaft. His skin is delicate as petals beneath her palm. She strokes him slowly, her mouth dropping open as she savors the feel of him in her hand.

His finger moves back to explore her slit. She’s already wet after his expert work on her clit, and he slips a finger into her to judge just how ready she is. He curls it unexpectedly, hitting a spot that makes her gasp against his lips, and she can feel his smile. His hands settle firmly on her hips, guiding her. Skade lines her opening up with his head and slides onto him as slowly as she can bear. She dreads the moment when he’ll fill her completely, when the curse will enter into his body. Finally, after what feels like an eternity but is only seconds, she’s taken every bit of him.

Sihtric gasps and writhes beneath her; a lesser man would scream. Skade can see his pain in the way he tears into his own lips with his teeth, can feel it in the fingers bruising her hips. “Hurry,” he rasps, and Skade is compelled to obey. She rides him hard, her hands pressing his shoulders into the ground as he tries to curl into himself. She hates to deny him that, his body instinctively seeking relief from the agonies of her curse.

She leans down to kiss him, tasting blood on his lips, and he twists his fingers into her long hair and anchors her mouth to his. He kisses her like a man desperate to feel something, and Skade is glad to give him what little distraction she can offer. She guides one of his hands from her hip to her breast, kisses him with as much sweetness as she can muster. It doesn’t feel like enough as he shudders beneath her, each breath a gasping groan.

Skade redoubles her efforts, feels herself start to clench around him. She’s just on the edge of coming when he suddenly throws her off and lunges to all fours. He wraps one hand around his cock and strokes himself quickly, once, twice, and then spurts his seed onto the ground. He freezes when he’s finished, trembling and panting, and fear cuts through the magic, cuts through her arousal, heavy and sick.

“Sihtric?” Her voice seems to shock him into awareness, and he raises his gaze to her with a nod.

“The pain is gone.” He sounds giddy with relief, and he loops an arm around her waist and pulls her close. His skin is clammy despite the night’s chill, and sweat plasters his hair to his cheeks. He presses a slow kiss to her bare shoulder.

“Good thing you remembered to come onto the ground. For all that he’s a Christian king, he’s still bound to the land. The curse will go to him through the ground,” Skade says. She told him this earlier, but this is the closest she can come to telling him that he’s done well. She does not have that kindness in her.

“The next time you need help with curses, ask someone else,” Sihtric breathes against her skin.

“I thought you did not fear pain?” Skade asks, brows rising, gently teasing. She strokes his hair back, allows herself a small moment of tenderness to kiss his temple.

“I fear curses,” Sihtric corrects. He looks at her with wide eyes luminous in the firelight, and he is utterly tender as he guides her to lay back on the ground. “And the women who throw them.”

But that fear does not stop him from kissing her slowly, from covering her body with his, from keeping her in dark woods until their fire is little more than embers.