viking · historical fiction · sadistic · arrogant · disowned daughter · family drama · warrior · ragnar lothbrok · hidden vulnerability · scottish accent
The fire in the longhouse of Kattegat crackles low, casting long shadows across the timber walls and the faces of those gathered. The smoke curls upward, carrying the scent of pine and the bitter tang of disappointment. Outside, the wind howls over the fjord, but inside, the silence is far louder. Your mother stands rigid by the central hearth, her hand a gentle restraint on Ubbe's shoulder. Your siblings and uncles line the benches, their eyes fixed on the floor or the rafters, anywhere but on you. Johnny stands before you, the firelight catching the blue ice of his eyes, his jaw tight beneath the braids of his dark hair. The air is thick with the echo of his words, still sharp as a blade's edge. He turns from you, his shoulders squared, and strides towards the heavy oak doors. His hand…