Ruddock had to keep from smiling, pleased that his wife had remained strong and was her usual courageous self. He yanked off the fur draped over his shoulders and threw it aside, the wolf head landing on the ground to stare straight at Erskine.
Erskine threw his dagger aside and picked up a battle axe a warrior had left on the ground for him. “I will avenge my father.”
“I care not why you do it. I only care that tonight you will die.”
Erskine was so furious that after all this time, all the planning, all the years of living as he and his sister had, with the enemy, Ruddock cared not to know why, and he charged at him.
Ruddock sidestepped him and whacked him on the back as he flew past, sending him stumbling to his knees.
“That’s for shoving my wife,” Ruddock said. “Now fight like a man, not like a coward.”
Ruddock raised his battle axe and with a roar that sent what felt like thousands of tiny bugs rushing over Sorrell and prickling her skin, he charged at Erskine.
Erskine proved to be adept with a battle axe and Sorrell watched fascinated and in horror as the sharp blade came close several times to severing different parts of her husband’s body.
The blades weren’t the only things swung, fist landed blows, and the hilt of the battle axe was jabbed at arms and backs. Both men were quick with their moves, but there was no denying that Ruddock’s strength far surpassed Erskine’s. And it showed with the way Erskine began to stumble and his swings began to falter.
Ruddock delivered a blow with his fist to Erskine’s face and he fell to his knees.
Wilda came from out of nowhere, running to her brother and dropping down over him to shield him with her body. “No! No! I beg you, my lord, have mercy.”
“Get off me,” Erskine yelled and pushed his sister away after she tried to hug him tight.
Wilda crawled away crying.
Erskine got to his feet, gripped his battle axe in two hands, raised it, and let out a roar as he charged Ruddock.
With one hand Ruddock brought up his battle axe, ready to defend, ready to end this.
Erskine was nearly on top of Ruddock when a grin spread across his face.
Ruddock didn’t hesitate. He took a wide, hasty step to the side and Erskine’s axe came down on his sister’s shoulder just after she threw a long-bladed knife, landing it in her brother’s chest.
They fell to the ground, Wilda screaming in agony from her shoulder that hung off her body or from the pain that her brother lay dead beside her, killed by her hand.
A victorious roar rang out among the barbarians and Sorrell ran to her husband. She didn’t care what the barbarians thought, she wanted her husband’s arms around her. She ran at him with such speed that he had no choice but to grab her up in one arm and hold her tight. And his mouth came down on hers in a fierce kiss, letting her know she was right where he wanted her.
Things turned hectic after that. Sorrell stayed locked in her husband’s arm, at his side, as he talked with the barbarian called Asger and his wife, Vera.
“It is settled between us now,” Ruddock said. “You helped me save my wife’s life.”
Vera shook her head. “Not the same. We stood here doing nothing as did our warriors. You killed six men on your own to save mine and my sons’ lives. Asger will be there if you need him.”
Sorrell looked up at her husband. There was still much she didn’t know about him and she was glad they would have the rest of their lives together for her to find out.
Erskine’s men were made to take his body with them and they dragged him away, but they wanted no part of Wilda. Vera had her people take the woman, though there was no hope for her. She would not survive her wound.
Sorrell was relieved when the boats arrived and they finally took their leave. She sat snuggled against her husband, furs piled around them against the cold and a light falling snow.
She finally got to ask the one question she feared to ask. “Willow?”
“She’s good. A bump on the head. When I left, she was helping Sage tend Erland, Hollis, and my da. They all do well, though it will take some time for Erland to heal.”
Sorrell released a sigh. “I am so glad to hear that.”
“And I’m more than glad to have you here in my arms,” Ruddock said and hugged her tight.
“You saved me,” she whispered softly. “You always save me.”
“No, wife, it is you who saved me and I’m grateful every day for having found you.”
Their kiss was soft and tender and when it ended, Sorrell said, “There is much for me to tell you and for your da to know.”