My status was ambiguous at best. As a freed woman, I was slightly below a servant, and as Lord Einarr's betrothed and future mother of his heir I was above everyone but Lady Disaelfr. Both servants and occasional visitors seemed to struggle with how to treat me. Should they bow to me in deference, regard me as an equal, or look down at me? They usually went for the former but I could tell their confusion from the stillness that always seemed to precede the marks of respect. They were not sure I deserved it. It soon was clear to me that I would have to earn their trust.

So I tried. I refrained from showing any sign of haughtiness at my sudden elevation and modelled my behavior on Lady Disaelfr. I asked for her advice often, learned how to compose a suitable toast in their language, how to place guests according to their rank and alliance. She taught me the politics of the island, and who had a feud with whom. It appeared that Lord Einarr had been quite proficient at keeping peace with his neighbors. I was relieved to know that I wouldn't have to fear an attack when he would be away at sea.

Lord Einarr's courting wasn't what I expected. I saw no sign of a song or a poem, just a long strand of little things.

At each meal, at least one of my favorite dishes appeared on the table. His smug grin when he spied me licking my fingers told me that it was his doing.

Once I glanced at his plate and noticed that he had given me all the crispy cuttings of the lamb's leg we were eating, helping himself to a slice of the pink flesh underneath. Discreetly, I tugged on his sleeve. "You should have kept some. It is not proper to deprive yourself of the best morsels for my benefit. If others find out, they might think you weak or besotted."

He raised his eyebrows and smiled at my concern. "I am flattered to hear that you care about my wellbeing, Sunngifu, but I assure you that you needn't worry. Everyone here is aware of my preference for more tender pieces."

He winked on his last words and I felt my cheeks grow hot. "But you always fed me the first cuts..."

"Because you like them. I never ate them..."

"Oh..." All this time I had assumed he was giving me random pieces of his own meal. From my previous position at his feet, I hadn't been able to see the top of the table. "How did you know?"

"Your father. He told me you like your meat nearly burnt. He found it very funny."

I struggled to come up with a clever answer. The fact that he had remembered such a small detail and made use of it left me voiceless.

"You can blame Magge for anything else. She gave a list of your tastes to my men when they picked you up. To her defense, I had asked her for it."

I pouted. So Magge was in with him. I remembered our conversations by the hearth and all the questions she had asked. I had assumed she was curious about my life as a lady. It turned out she was mostly spying for Lord Einarr.

I should have been upset at her, yet I couldn't. Magge didn't have an ounce of malice in her body. Being married and madly in love with her husband, she wished the same for me. And she couldn't refuse a request from her Godi. So I took it on him.

"You are not playing fair, how dare you use my friend to your advantage!" I emphasized my words with a light punch to his arm. The truth was, I wasn't really angry. If anything, I was flattered that he went to such lengths to please me. But I wasn't about to tell him.

He caught my hand and grinned. "All is fair in war and love, my dear, and I strive to excel in both."

His smugness annoyed me. Did he think he had won already? I gave him the sweetest smile I could muster. "I don't know about the former, but there is still much room for improvement for you in the latter, my Lord."

It was meant to sting, not make him laugh. I was definitely not good at this.

"So you still have fire, little dreki. But I beg to differ, as would anyone who heard you last night..."

I was outraged. "Do you really believe that because my body yields to you, so does my heart? You know nothing of women, my Lord..." The baby began to kick wildly and I grabbed my belly, bending over in pain.

"What is wrong, Sunngifu? Mother, Mildred, help her!" Lord Einarr pulled me into his arms while Mildred and Lady Disaelfr rushed to my side. "Talk to me, little dreki," he whispered, "let me take care of you. I didn't mean to hurt you, it was only chaff..."

I shook my head; there was no need for such fuss. As soon as I managed to catch my breath, I made it clear. "This child is just like his father. He hits hard without a thought for my feelings. It was just a bad kick," I added for the ladies benefit, "his son is not coming yet. I apologize for disturbing your meal."

I tried to wiggle out of his lap, but he held me in place. "I am sorry, beloved, I enjoy nettling you. You are so enticing when your temper is flaring. Your eyes shine, your cheeks burn like a bonfire, and that little crease between your brows... I just want to kiss it. But I will try to refrain from now on, for the sake of our son and the health of his mother. I'm sorry..." He kissed my forehead and I melted. I had lied earlier. He was definitely proficient at both war and love. And he was winning.

The next day he offered me to go with him on a stroll. I agreed instantly, eager to get out of the settlement for a while. The days, narrowed to a few hours of dim light towards Jol, now stretched for many hours, and the sun was out. There was still a chill in the air, and I found it refreshing. It was crisp and bright.

Lord Einarr took a pony with us, saddled and loaded with two bags. I enquired what it was for and he smiled. "It is for you to ride if you get tired, and I brought food and water if we decide to stay out longer."

It was thoughtful and I thanked him, wondering what he had in mind. Sitting and getting up had become difficult, yet walking was no issue. How far did he plan to lead us? I couldn't get him to tell, he wanted to surprise me. So I shrugged and followed him on the path to the cliffs.

We climbed to the top and stopped at the edge, where he produced a blanket for us to sit on. I leaned against him while he pointed at the mountains and islands, naming them and telling me stories of the people leaving there. It was peaceful and I snuggled against him, enjoying the moment. It reminded me of our time on his ship, when he was showing me the stars. I had hated him then. I could measure how much I had changed in a few months.

The sun had moved up when we rose and made our way down to the other side. It wasn't long before I recognized where we were headed. My secret pool, the one I had discovered before the winter. I had stopped going when the evenings shortened and hadn't returned since. I had used the bath house, unwilling to follow the other women to the common pool. But sweating and dipping in a tub couldn't compare to the pleasure of immersing oneself in a hot stream.

Lord Einarr put the blanket down again, and spread toiletries, towels, food and drinks on it. Then he stripped and got in, beckoning me to follow.

I hesitated, fiddling with the brooches on my dress. It was silly; undressing in front of him in broad daylight still made me uneasy, despite months sharing his bed. In the end, I turned my back to him to disrobe, and then let him gather me in his arms and lower me in.

It was warmer than I remembered and I squealed in shock, making him laugh. He sat on the bottom and made me lie down, floating above him, my head reclined on his shoulder. I sighed in delight, suddenly weightless. His hand moved to rest on my belly, and his son rotated into them.

We stay like this a while, in silence, until my stomach grumbled loudly. "Stay here," Lord Einarr whispered. Extending his arm, he picked a small piece of cold meat and brought it to my lips. "Eat, the little one is hungry." I opened my mouth and took his offering, biting his fingers playfully. "Eager, I see. No need to attack me, there is more." He fed me more meat, hazelnuts and sweet cakes, and two cups of water, until I was full.

I moved away from him and swam in circles in the small space while he stood in the middle, chuckling. "You look like a little shark, Sunngifu."

"You are mistaken, I am a whale, a big one."

"Is that so? I'm afraid I'll have to catch you then..." He stepped and grabbed me from behind, kissing my neck. "Time to wash, you smell fishy!"

"I don't" I protested.

Too late. He had taken the soap and was already working it into lather.

I held my hand out. "Give it to me, I can do it."

"Nay, I will. I want to, allow me, little Dreki."

I gawked at him. Women washed men, it was the order of his world. Women could wash women. But men didn't tend to women. He had done it once for me, as a joke, one I didn't want to happen again. "Why, my Lord?"

"You are not as limber as usual, and I wish to do this for you. Is that reason enough?"

I hesitated, and then nodded. He took his time, massaging the foam into my hair, nape and shoulders. His fingers dug into the small of my back, easing the knots in the tense muscles. He kneaded my feet, calves and thighs thoroughly. I held my breath when he reached the apex, and let it go when he cleaned me gently. "Tonight," he whispered in my ear. He finished his work, making me feel worshipped and pampered.

"This is heaven, my Lord, thank you." I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

He grinned. "I do not have the gift of words or music, so I have to find other ways to court you. I am glad to see that you appreciate my efforts."

"I do." I stretched cautiously, noticing the absence of familiar aches, "I feel boneless now."

"I guessed as much, hence the horse. Rest a little more, and then we can go."

For once I was delighted to obey. By the time we got back I could barely keep my eyes opened. I smiled at him when he deposited me on our bed. The prospect of spending my life at his side suddenly didn't sound so bad.