I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face at seeing my Viking warrior teach our son how to fish off the shore. The water lapped against the white washed rocks, the frigid air moving over us like a lover’s caress. I had our infant daughter in my lap, the berries she greedily grabbed out of my hand and shoving into her little mouth painting her face red.

It had been five years since I became Gunnar’s, since I came to his village and became his wife. And in that time our lives had changed for the better. We were a family, parents, one solid, strong unit. We were committed to each other, loyal to a fault. I was part of this community, this family. We had two wonderful, healthy children. And although Gunnar went out on raids, leaving me in the village as he went to provide for us, I always knew one thing for certain.

He'd come back to us.

I stood and cradled Astrid in my arms and walked back to our home. Gunnar had expanded on his hut, making the structure bigger to house our growing family. It was perfect.

Once I cleaned off Astrid and laid her on her pallet to nap I started dinner prep. It was these little things, the tasks where I cooked for the man and children I loved, made sure this home was warm and welcoming, and gave them my love, that made me feel complete.

But even doing all of that I was also strong, a warrior in my own right.

I knew how to fight, knew how to defend myself and protect my family. Over the years Gunnar had trained me well, and my knowledge of the shield and sword would ensure that no one, beast or man, would harm me, or the ones I held dear again.

I looked over at the wall where I kept my shield and sword. Every day I trained with Gunnar, even if only for a small amount of time. I didn’t just stay in our home to cook and clean and tend to our children. I needed to be strong, both mentally and physically. Although Gunnar was a warrior, my Viking who would protect us with his last breath, I needed to ensure that I could do the same if need be.

Once dinner was prepared, Gunnar came inside with our son. I loved having all of us together, even if just to eat. It was moments like this, as I sat at the table and stared at my son, daughter, and my Viking, that I knew there was nothing greater in this world. The gods had blessed me abundantly. Although my life looked dark all those years ago, with my future unknown, it was when Gunnar came in my life that I knew there was light, there was hope.

It didn’t have to just be about killing in order to survive. It wasn’t just about bloodshed and warfare. It was also about the love of a strong warrior, the warmth your children gave you day in and day out, and the feeling of knowing I would never be a victim again.

It was all those things that I had in my life now, and it was because of the strength I found in myself to not be afraid anymore, that I prospered ... that I grew to be the woman I was today.

And it was glorious.

* * *

I skimmed my fingers over Ingrid’s bare shoulder as I stared at the fire across the room. The flames moved over the logs, crackling, popping, giving an amber glow as they licked at the wood. I listened to the even sounds of her breathing, took comfort in that. I could see my children sleeping across the room, their little bodies covered in animal hides, my love for them undying, unyielding. I moved my hand down her arm and twined my fingers through Ingrid’s. I lifted her hand and stared at our entwined fingers. My skin was scarred, my flesh not smooth, perfect like hers.

I moved my thumb along the back of her hand, not knowing what I’d done to deserve such a gift from the gods. Ingrid had given me a family, a home. She’d given me love, a reason to breathe. I wasn’t ashamed to admit that. I might be ruthless, a Viking warrior that killed when threatened, that took to provide for his family, but at the end of the day I was just a man who lived for his woman and children.

I let her hand go and pulled the animal hide over our bodies. I pulled her in close, feeling her slender form mold to my muscular one. I wanted her strong, wanted her to be able to protect herself if someone ever tried to hurt her or our children. I wanted her to be able to take down a savage if—the gods forbid—something were to happen to me. She’d always have the protection of the village, of the other men who lived here, but that didn’t matter. I wanted her to know how to wield a sword, to kill.

When I closed my eyes all I could feel, smell, and hear was Ingrid. She was perfection, my everything. I felt myself harden against the smooth roundness of her bottom. I pressed my hips forward slightly, holding in my groan, closing my eyes. I wanted her right here and now, and although I knew Ingrid would let me have her, would open up and let me inside because she was ready, primed, I also knew holding her was just as good.

She shifted and pressed her ass against me and I clenched my teeth, the pleasure shooting up my spine. Ingrid moved her hand behind her and placed it on my hip, her nails digging into my flesh. She wanted me, wanted this. Even after all these years my desire for her was insatiable. No one compared to her. No one ever would.

I moved my hand across her hip and down her belly. I placed it over the roundness, wanting another child to grow inside of her, wanting our family to become larger. I kissed her shoulder, her skin smooth, smelling of the dried wildflowers she bathed in.

“Let’s have another child,” I said softly, whispering against her ear. She shifted on our pallet and faced me, her naked breasts now pressed to my chest. Ingrid lifted her hand and smoothed her fingers through my hair, playing with one of the plaits at my temple.

She smiled softly, sweetly at me. Without saying anything she leaned in and kissed me. “I want as many children with you as the gods will allow.”

I pulled her in close and held her, knowing that no matter what happened I was a blessed warrior, and would always cherish each and every day.

No amount of riches could compare to the life I had.