Doing your duty to serve and protect, but what when there are starting to grow feelings?

Synopsis

Journey to Constantinople with this Viking romance!

Bound by duty

Tempted by desire

Guard to the Byzantine emperor, Viking warrior Destin is tasked with delivering his sovereign’s runaway bride-to-be to Constantinople. Abandoned at birth, Destin has spent years making something of himself, and with this final task comes the promise of land and riches. Only, the fiercely beautiful Livia refuses to be wed! Destin must return her unharmed—and untouched—but the closer they grow on their journey, the harder it becomes for him to hand her over…

From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.

My review

Even if Livia has been promised to wed the sovereign of Byzantium, she for sure isn’t all too happy with the arrangement made 4 years ago.
So when suddenly Viking warrior Destin arrives to bring her to Constantinople, she not only refuses to leave, but she also refuses to get married!
Yet when Livia realizes that not only her, but also her people’s safety is at risk, she agrees to follow Destin.
No matter that Destin is a fierce and skilled warrior, the journey becomes more precarious with each passing moment. And his determination to ‘deliver’ Livia safe and sound isn’t that straightforward.
Yet the longer the journey takes, the closer this unlikely pair grows. But what will happen when they have reached their destination and they will have to go their separate ways?

I was a bit wary of this story when I started reading it. Not because I doubted the author, but because there was a link with the Byzantium Empire, which I don’t have any kind of connection with that.
But I was happy to discover that in fact the whole Byzantium – thing wasn’t a common thread, but it was a sort of sidenote in a wonderful story.

If you have read my reviews, you know I like Vikings 😊 They are fierce, strong men, not scared of getting into a fight.
But Destin had something extra, something special. I admired him as how he managed to turn his prospects around. Because Destin was born with a paralyzed arm, it was common in that time to protect the whole group, at cost of the weakest ones.
Yet Destin did not let his weakness hold him back, turning him into the strong man he is now!
He is also a loyal man, as he follows the orders of his emperor, as Alexios believed in him.

But in a way I also felt also sorry for him. Because all his life he has been judged been commented on because of his arm.
Yet no one ever bothered to get to know Destin for the man he is, they only see Destin the warrior with a lacking arm…

I have to say, the way he at the start “handles” Livia, for sure made me frown… Yes, I know he is a warrior and is used of everyone following his orders. But for sure just demanding Livia to follow him without questions, he should have known that it wouldn’t work!

Because even if Livia is in a way hiding herself, she stands her grounds, doesn’t meekly follow orders and just does as she is expected to do.
It’s clear that she also has a kind and compassionate heart. Not only is she deeply worried about her father, but she also wants to protect the people of the village.

She is also a bright young woman, as she has smart ideas, and she for sure is a feminist, because why couldn’t she take over the role of her father, just because she is a woman?

The journey to Constantinople through Rome isn’t a walk in the park, as it’s clear that someone is after them, or rather after Livia, wanting to prevent her becoming queen. So the pair constantly has to try to stay ahead of everyone.

But it’s the evolution of their relationship that truly amazed me. Because yes, of course they have a rocky start. But they both slowly start to appreciate and see each other for who they really are.
Yet while on hand it was sweet to see how they are growing closer, it was also a bit frustrating seeing how righteous Destin was. Funny, right? Getting angry because someone is doing the right thing? But that is who Destin is…

We see in this story how emotions evolve, feelings shift and yet characters trying to do the right thing. But we also see betrayal in different forms.
Nevertheless, we see also the main characters believing in themselves, as they have someone else believing in them. And that is an invaluable power, knowing that despite your background, your status or your sex, you are capable of ruling the world, but also you are capable and worthy of love. And that no matter how impossible it may seem, love will find a way!