And the ohalla Aidan sought? She’d only ever heard of one berserker in all of history who’d earned it. The rest died in battles long before their two hundredth one.

A fact that the cunning Wóden well knew.

“I am certain we will, little wife.” Finished with his meal, Aidan rose and crossed to his bed, dividing the furs into two pallets on opposite walls. He waved her to one, then took the other. Easing to his side, he propped his head in his hand. “When you are older you’ll come to see that every woman needs a man, even a Valkyrie.”

“Why?” She plopped down across from him.

“You’ll understand when you go through the change.”

“You mean when I become immortal?” When she would change from a growing, vulnerable girl to a nigh invincible woman. Her sisters spoke of this time in whispers, but Regin didn’t know why. Mayhap this male would tell her.

“Those months will be sweet.” He lay on his back, his hands behind his head. In a knowing tone, he said, “You’ll definitely want me around then.”

“Why? What happens?”

“You’ll become a woman. And you’ll need me as much as I will surely be needing you.”

“Would you try to kiss me?” she asked slyly.

“Depend on it.”

“And?”

“And now you should go to sleep. We’ve a long journey ahead of us.”

“Warlord, tell me!” She crossed her arms over her chest and lightning struck outside.

He chuckled.

“Why should I choose you to kiss, then?”

He turned on his side again, his gaze holding hers. “Why not me?”

“All you do is war.”

“True, and I’m damned skilled at my trade. Which means I’ll always be able to protect you. And by the time you’re grown, I’ll have accumulated enough loot to spoil you.”

“You’re not noble or refined.”