Eivor had been gone for a couple of months, building alliances all across England. The only word coming back from Synin to give the good news. Ravensthorpe was growing and thriving, families were happy and healthy, and the trade was better than you ever imagined it would be.

You were now heavily pregnant, doing whatever you could to attend to the clan in Eivor's absence. It wasn't much, but it was more than laying down with a needle and cloth in hand. The marriage between you and Eivor was arranged, but you had learned to love him even before carrying his child. The only one unhappy with the arrangement was your father, who had been promised a handsome amount of silver for your hand.

"There she is." Your father grabbed your face roughly, pulling you close with a faux smile, "Let's head home."

Randvi helped you pry free, your own hands shoving hard. Your father wasn't having it, the anger bubbling up as veins on his face, "They can keep the baby, I care not for the halfbreed. But you will be coming back with me. Even if I have to remove the abomination myself."

"If you plan to cut, then I might as well join your threat."

Eivor entered the longhouse, axe in hand as he passed by the man threatening you. He smiled gently, his hand resting on the roundness of his child in your womb, fingers squeezing gently enough to feel possessive, "How are you and the child?"