When my feet hit the sand of our beach, I finally felt like I could breathe. It was as though I’d been holding my breath since the moment I’d left ten days ago. I was incredibly happy to see that Albric and his men had arrived. There was movement all over the beach as they set up a camp.
I’d managed to make it maybe twenty feet when I heard her voice. I looked up to see a vision. Allete was running full speed, wearing battle attire, her hair braided like the shieldmaiden wear when training or going into battle. Her face was covered in dirt, and there was smeared blood as well. She was a mess, yet she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.
As she came closer, I could see her eyes sparkling with tears. My tender princess missed me. When she was close enough, she launched herself at m
