XLIV. Unshackled

“Elva have you been listening to anything I’ve said?”

Alden frowned at her from across the table and she shook her head, freeing her mind from the grasp of her daydream.

Her body was wound tight like a coil and she needed a release like she needed air. Her shoulders were tense and her stomach was in constant pain from the butterflies that fluttered there.

It had been three weeks.

Three weeks since they talked in the creek.

Three weeks of soft touches and chaste kisses.

Three weeks of watching him work on their home until he was covered from head to toe in sweat and then watching him bathe in the creek.

Three long and agonizing weeks.

Her body was more than ready, almost begging, for his touch. It was her mind that held her captive. Her mind that did not want to free her.

She could sleep soundly beside him, knowing it was him. But in the middle of the night when nightmares plagued her and her brain was in a fog, she would forget that it was his arm that held her close.

She hated the guilt that would soften his eyes as he tried to comfort her. She was the cause of the pain in his heart.

“Elva?”

She blinked from her thoughts again and grimaced.

“Sorry. I’m in my head today.”

“I can see that.” He frowned and leaned back in his chair.

She looked out through the open doors, pressing her lips together when she spotted a shirtless Eksel as he hammered away.

Alden raised an eyebrow, “Is everything okay between you two?”

“Huh? Oh yeah. Things are-they’re perfect.” She reluctantly pulled her gaze from Eksel and gave her father a forced smile.

He narrowed his gaze, leaning toward her. “You just say the word and I’ll take you back home.”

Elva’s eyes widened and she shook her head. “No. It’s okay. I love him. I want to be here. I promise.”

He hummed as he sat back in his seat.

“I’m just-I’m still dealing with everything that happened with- with Agnar. With A-arrion.”

Alden nodded. “I know you still have a lot healing to do, but I just wanted you to know how proud I am of you.”

A blissful release unfurled within her, and her chest expanded like a bird stretching its wings.

Proud of you.

Those three little words she had always wanted to hear from Arrion, but never did. Turns out, his words wouldn’t have mattered anyway. It was this man that held the key to breaking that chain.

Her lips parted and she watched him quietly not wanting to speak for fear of crying.

Alden leaned closer again, “You fought for what you wanted. I was-I was so angry. So scared when you ran from me.”

Elva pressed her lips together, not sure if he was lecturing her or not.

“When I went after you I was so ready to find you and tell you how dangerous and idiotic that was.”

Her shoulders dropped, her heart hammering in her chest. So this was a lecture, then?

“But then I saw you. Standing between Agnar and Eksel. Offering your life for the man you love.”

He swallowed, his dark eyes filling with tears. Elva leaned closer, taking his hands in hers, not liking the sadness painted in them.

“You were so brave. So beautiful.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

“You did what your mother and I couldn’t.”

Her lips trembled and she tightened her fingers around his hands. How she wished she was here.

“You were brave in a way that your mother and I were not. And now look at you. You’re with the man you love. Living the life you want.”

Her tears dripped off her chin. “You were a big part of that. I- you made me feel brave. You made me feel like I was enough.”

Alden tilted his head, reaching for her and cupping her cheek with his hand, “Oh Elva, if only I was as brave as you then I would have saved you so much heartbreak. I’m so sorry. So sorry.”

Elva shook her head, “You’re here now. That’s all that matters.”

“I love you, Eadlin.”

A sob shook through her and she nodded vigorously, not able to return the words just yet. Alden stood from his seat, rounding the table to kneel beside her. He wrapped his arms around her, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

“I just want you to be happy,” He whispered.

“I am. I am.” She nodded against his chest.

He pulled away slightly, enough to reach between them to wipe the tears from her face.

“You look just like her and she would have been just as proud of you as I am.”

Elva’s face crumpled. Her heart was so full, almost complete, but there would always be a piece missing. Something she would never be able to complete.

Silence followed and Alden turned serious. “I wanted to ask you something.”

Elva’s heart slammed in her chest, wondering what it could be that could serious his mood so quickly. She nodded.

“I don’t want to intrude, but I would like to live here.”

Elva’s eyes widened, “In Gleneg?”

He nodded.

“What about - what about home?”

He shook his head, “I will go back in a week and make sure there is proper authority in place. We can visit and keep an eye on it, but I would like to be here. With you.”

Her lips trembled and she had to swallow another sob. People making sacrifices for her was not something she had gotten quite used to.

“You-you would do that for me?”

“Being Earl is not even half as important as being your father. I missed out on twenty years of you. I just-I want to get to know you.”

Elva nodded. “Yes. You don’t even have to ask.”

“I didn’t know how you felt about having me near.”

“I’ve missed out on having a father, too. I want to get to know you, too.”

Alden smiled wide and nodded, “I will make the arrangements then. I’ll head home in a couple of days and be back in month.”

Elva smiled, wiping the tears from her face and sniffling. “Good. You can walk me down the aisle, then.”

Alden raised his brows, “A wedding?”

Elva nodded, standing from her chair.

Alden stood as well, smiling at her. “He asked?”

Elva snorted. “No, but my heart said yes to him long ago.”

“So proud of you.” Alden repeated the words, reminding her of just how much he was here for her.

He stepped to her, pressing a kiss to her forehead in a goodbye.

She watched him walk away, another stitch added to her broken heart. She inhaled long and slow, her heart swelling in her chest.

Her father thought her brave.

Was she?

She looked through the doors, focusing her attention on Eksel as he laughed at something Sten said.

She faced death for him.

She was brave.

It was like a bucket of cold water fell on her.

She was brave.

She was free.

She wasn’t a captive.

She wouldn’t be a captive.

Her mind could not hold her captive.

She inhaled, swallowing the fear that tightened her throat and left the mead hall, making her way to Eksel.

She would free herself from the cage in her mind.

She refused to hide any longer.

Eksel threw his head back with another laugh, throwing water over his head to help with the sweat.

The sight had her mouth drying and her legs trembling.

He was a sight to behold.

The scars did nothing to hide the beauty of his skin. Did nothing to break the perfection of his strength.

When he turned to face her, his eyes turned dark and he smirked, his soft lips pulling on his cheeks.

Elva struggled for breath but forced her legs to keep moving.

The world around them disappeared and it was just them.

The voices muffled.

The people vanished from her sight.

When she stood in front of him, her knees buckled.

He caught her, like he always did, with his arm around her waist. She pressed herself against him, causing him to tense. His jaw clenched and his nostrils flared. His body was

hot, and it branded her with a need that made her tremble.

His eyes caressed the curves of her face.

He always made her feel beautiful.

They caressed her curves until they landed on her lips. His eyes turned heavy and he twitched with the need to kiss her.

He always made her feel wanted.

Without caring who was watching, she reached between them, cupping his hardening cock.

“I need you,” She whispered.

Eksel grunted, his smile growing. “Finally.”