Viking Conspiracy

by S. T. Bende

  “Fine. I’ll go. But you might want to wrap things up soon,” Helene warned. “Aunt Freia’s bound to check Saga’s room eventually.”

  “Erik, you need to leave,” I hissed.

  He leaned back, looking at me with amusement. “You’re afraid of my mother?”

  “I don’t want her to know you spent the night!”

  Helene burst into a fit of giggles.

  “I said, ‘get out of here,’” Erik groaned.

  “I’ll stall your mom if I see here,” Helene promised. “Though I don’t know how long you’ll take to, uh, finish, and I might run out of excuses before you—"

  “Out!” Erik thundered.

  Oh. My. God. I buried my face in Erik’s naked chest.

  “Fine,” Helene huffed. “You’re welcome for covering for you!”

  I waited until the door clicked shut behind her before I dared lift my head. When I finally did, Erik’s eyes twinkled with barely contained amusement.

  “Saga? You okay down there?”

  “You have to go,” I whispered.

  “I’ll go when I’m ready,” he said gently. But he did get up to lock the door. His insanely massive arm muscles flexed as he turned toward me and reached overhead in a stretch.

  Good morning, gorgeous.

  Erik dropped his arms and sauntered toward me. His eyes lowered when he passed my desk, and he paused to pick up a piece of parchment. “What’s this? ‘Action Plan for Dissemination of Valkyris Lifestyle?””

  “It’s the draft I drew up over the weekend.” I leaned back against my headboard, glancing down and discreetly making sure my nightgown was covering my boobs. Whew.

  “May I read it?”

  “I’d love that,” I said honestly.

  Erik carried the paper back to bed. He slipped beneath the sheets and extended an arm. I nestled against him, my cheek against his chest as I waited for him to finish reading. I hoped he’d meant what he’d said—that he really was willing to consider extending Valkyris’ borders. Exposing our lifestyle made sense from not only a military standpoint, but an economic one as well. The more tribes working under our model, the more Norway would be poised to thrive; to become a major world power; to, God willing, usher in an era of increased peace and equalitarianism, saving the planet another thousand years of suppression and strife.

  Not that I knew what was coming, or anything.

  “Saga?” Erik’s chest rumbled against my face.

  “Yes?”

  “You’re hurting me.” He gently pried my fingertips from his abs. I glanced down, flinching at the sight of freshly dug nail marks.

  Oops.

  “You don’t need to be nervous.” He lay the parchment on his lap. “This is a well-formulated argument. Though I’d hesitate to call it an action plan just yet.”

  “I didn’t get that far,” I admitted. “Part one is just a breakdown of the fiscal and military benefits to the Valkyris lifestyle. Part two will outline the social benefits, and part three will be the action plan—the detailed breakdown of how, where, and when to roll out societal changes, beginning with the least impactful.”

  Erik arched one brow. “I have to say, I am impressed. I have concerns, of course. But looking purely to the economic analysis, I see the advantages to a more public offering of conversion.”

  “I don’t know how Freia and Halvar would feel about taxes—if they’d want to collect from tribes, or if they’d look at this as a purely humanitarian mission. But I’m prepared to perform an evaluation from both standpoints, and if it’s something you’re onboard with, maybe we could present it to your parents together.”

  “There are a lot of points we’d need to evaluate before then. But I see a lot of potential. And I look forward to discussing it once it’s more fleshed out. But for now . . .” Erik pushed the paper to the foot of the bed and rolled to his side. He framed my shoulders with his forearms and lowered himself so he lay directly on top of me. Goose bumps broke out across my arms, and my breathing quickened as he dropped his mouth to my neck and sucked gently.

  I arched my back, pressing my chest to his and trying not to whimper at the surge of heat that shot straight through me. Erik raised his head, placed a finger to his lips, then resumed his ministrations.

  Then he dipped lower.

  Tension coiled deep in my belly as Erik’s lips made their way downward, passing my collarbone, and settling just above the fabric of my nightgown. His lips grazed the sensitive skin, and I clamped my mouth shut as his tongue settled in the deep V of my neckline. I would not make a peep. Not with Freia potentially walking the halls. I. Would. Not—

  “Shh.” Erik raised his head again. His eyes carried a mixture of amusement and frustration.

  “You can’t do . . . that,” I panted, “and expect me to be silent. It’s just not possible.”

  He ran one hand slowly along my ribcage, his fingertips tracing my hip before spreading wide across the outside of my thigh. He squeezed, lifting my leg so it hiked around his butt. Holy mother . . .

  “Not. Possible,” I reiterated.

  “Mmm.” Erik lowered his forehead so it rested against mine. “You’re going to be trouble. You know that?”

  “I’m not,” I promised breathlessly. “I swear.”

  “I beg to differ.” Erik sucked gently on my bottom lip, and I dug my fingernails into his back to keep from crying out. God, he’s amazing at this.

  “Why?” I exhaled.

  “I’m only kissing you, Saga,” he pointed out. “How am I going to keep you from waking the entire castle once we finally make love?”

  I slid my hands down his back and squeezed his butt. “Can the fairies soundproof rooms?”

  Erik’s laughter ripped from his throat in a burst of pure joy. “Gods, I love you, Saga Skånstad. You know that?”

  “I do.” I stretched upward to kiss his nose. “And just so you know, that was a serious question.”

  Desire flooded Erik’s eyes. “We have much to discuss, min kjære, but I meant what I said. I am yours for as long as you’ll have me.”

  Emotion pooled in my heart. “I know you are. It’s the only thing that’s kept me grounded these past few months. And it’s the only thing that makes my still being here make any sense.”

  Maybe the truth was that I’d been brought here not only to lead Valkyris, but to . . .

  No. I couldn’t go there.

  Not yet.

  Because I knew in the back of my mind that one day, I’d have to decide if I wanted to return to my old life. And the harder I fell for Erik, the harder it got to imagine going home . . . and leaving him behind. But someday, I’d have to.

  Wouldn’t I?

  Chapter 16

  THE NEXT FEW WEEKS were a whirlwind of classes and training. Our sources reported that Bjorn’s army had nearly doubled in size since their initial threat. They still didn’t seem to know where we were, and though Erik was hopeful we’d scared the spy into silence, I had my doubts. My gut told me the traitor was waiting things out, buying time while the conflict percolated. When a superior party emerged—or a significant loyalty bid came in—they’d make their play. The only question was, which side would they choose?

  By March, the blizzards had given way to windstorms. Axel chose one particularly blustery afternoon to take me and Deathknell out for shooting drills. Because of course he did. Masochist.

  I shot him a glare as our dragons flew in tandem over the Dragehus. “You cannot possibly still be mad I tracked Erik by myself.”

  “What makes you think I’m mad?” Axel jutted his chin toward the water before changing course.

  Crap. The wind was even colder over the ocean.

  With great reluctance, I høyre-ed Deathknell. She glanced over her shoulder at me, her look clearly communicating that she thought I was a lunatic. You and me both, sister.

  “You’re taking me out in below-zero temperatures, with a wind-chill factor of frozen wasteland.” I pulled my scarf tighter around
my neck. “You’re either mad at me, or completely insane. You choose.”

  “You and I are Valkyris’ best chance at an airborne defense,” Axel pointed out. “Do you really want to leave your tribe vulnerable because it’s cold outside?”

  “That’s not what I’m saying and you know it,” I grumbled. We hung right, flying for the western mountains.

  “Then stop complaining,” Axel called over his shoulder. He pulled his dragon back so he hovered a hundred yards from the nearest hill. “Last week, I set ten targets at intervals along this mountain. They’re all level with our current height, but because of the storms, some of them have been obscured.”

  “Great,” I yelled to be heard over a fierce gust.

  “Flushing out threats is a big part of our job—since we’re airborne, we’re able to see things our ground troops can’t. And conditions aren’t always optimal. Sometimes it’s windy. And cold.” Axel pinned me with a look.

  “I knew it. You’re still mad at me. I said I’m sorry!”

  “I don’t want you getting yourself killed,” Axel yelled back.

  “I don’t want any of us getting killed!” I pulled Deathknell up so she was level with Axel’s dragon. The wind was so intense, I had to lie nearly flat on her back to keep from being blown off. “I’d have done the same for you, and you know it. So, let it go.”

  Axel’s dimple popped. “Locate and strike all ten targets, and I will.”

  I changed my mind. He was insane after all. Regardless, I’d give it a shot. Because I wanted to do all I could if we faced an attack.

  “Fine.” I scanned the mountain. In addition to being covered in snow, it was currently being buffeted by a veritable wind cannon. Even if I did manage to locate the targets, I’d have one hell of a job actually hitting them.

  But no way was I complaining to Axel.

  I squeezed Deathknell with my knees and slung my bow over my shoulder. After shifting my quiver to my hip, I withdrew an arrow and held it in my bow-hand. With the other, I gripped my dragon’s reins and guided her closer to the mountain. We did a quick lap, during which I spotted a handful of Axel’s marks. Several chunks of hay stuck out against the snowy white backdrop, cuing me to the target’s locations.

  I’ll show him.

  I brought Deathknell around for a second pass, guiding her as close to the mountain as the wind would allow. After making calculations for wind, I fired off my first arrow.

  It missed by a solid thirty feet.

  “You’ve just alerted the enemy to our presence!” Axel shouted. “Though you did that when you flew right over him at short range. Care to take a different approach?”

  “Yes.” I gritted my teeth and pulled Deathknell back. We circled around and approached again, this time doubling our distance from the mountain. I reworked my wind allowance, drew another arrow, and shot.

  “Better!” Axel yelled as my arrow struck the target. “Now do it nine more times.”

  “I was planning to!” I shouted back. I did as he instructed, flying alongside the mountain and firing arrow after arrow at the marks. I made seven out of ten, even with the crazy wind, and returned to Axel feeling inordinately pleased with myself. “How was that?”

  “Fine.” Axel shrugged. “But those three guys you missed just took out half of our men.”

  So, it was going to be one of those lessons.

  “I’ll go again.” I pulled a fresh quiver from the net that hung from Deathknell’s saddle, swapping it for the one I’d just emptied. I did another lap around the mountain, this time hitting nine of the targets. When I drew even with Axel, I didn’t wait for him to open his mouth before I graded myself. “I know, that last guy just killed half of Valkyris. I’ll go again.”

  “And from a greater distance,” Axel added. “You’re still flying too close to the marks. Surprise is our greatest advantage as airbornes.”

  “Right.” I swapped quills and circled again. And again. And again.

  I’d run through a full hundred arrows before Axel finally called it for the day. “Your accuracy’s improved,” he praised. “Next time, we’ll work on increasing range.”

  I nodded. “Are you going to help me collect the arrows, or do I have to do that myself?”

  “I’ll help you, if . . .”

  Oh, God. “If what?” I asked warily.

  “If you tell me what the hell I did to piss off your friend.”

  “Deal.” I directed Deathknell to the first target and told her to land on the narrow outcropping. She shot me a look that clearly communicated you and me are having words when we get back to the Dragehus, but flew close enough to the narrow ledge that I was able to slide off her back. Once I was knee-deep in snow, she cleared out and made room for Axel’s dragon. He jumped off, landed next to me, and immediately commenced plucking arrows from the snowdrift.

  “But you’re going to have to be more specific.” I waded toward the haybale. “I’m sure you’ve upset a lot of my friends—you being a massive player, and all.”

  “A what?” Axel’s brow furrowed.

  Context, Saga. “You tend to go through a lot of girls in a short amount of time,” I explained. “From what I hear.”

  “Oh. Well.” He frowned.

  “So, who have you wronged now?” I plucked an arrow from the hay.

  “Apparently, Ingrid.”

  “Ingrid?” I plucked another. “What’d you do to her?”

  “I have no idea!” Axel threw up his arms. “But between her requesting to train with another swordsmanship tutor, and ignoring me completely when we pass in the halls, I’m pretty sure she can’t stand me. Which, I’ll be honest, is new territory for me as far as girls are concerned.”

  God bless the Viking ego. “Is she ignoring you, or is she just not falling all over you like Brigga and Birna and whoever else you’ve hooked up with?”

  “Saga, please.” Axel retrieved another arrow. “I think I know when someone hates me.”

  I shrugged. “What I think is that you’re so used to girls throwing themselves at you, you’ve developed a bit of a god complex. And you don’t know what to do when someone treats you like a regular guy.”

  “A god complex?” Axel asked.

  “You told me you’re descended from Asgardians,” I reminded him. “So . . .”

  “That’s fact. Not complex.”

  “Keep telling yourself that.” I pulled the final arrow from the snow.

  “That woman irritates the hell out of me,” Axel grumbled as he followed me to the next target. “She claims to be so determined to join the Shieldmaiden Squadron, yet she’d rather train with an inferior swordsman? It’s irrational.”

  I shrugged. “Why don’t you just ask her if you did something to offend her?”

  “That’s not how I do things,” Axel said drily.

  “Clearly.” Why would it be, when every other girl in the tribe fawned all over him? No wonder he was confused. “Are you still seeing Brigga and Birna? Were you actually seeing two sisters at the same time?” So gross.

  “I haven’t been with either of them since they were rude to you and Helene.”

  Ew! So he had been with both of them. Men.

  “I wonder if that’s why Brigga’s been so awful in Acquisitions and Dissemination.” I shuddered. “She’s horrid, Axel. I can’t believe you ever liked her.”

  “I never said I liked her.”

  I glanced over my shoulder to find Axel wearing a cocky grin. “You’re terrible. You know this?”

  “All part of the charm.” He reached forward to cuff me on the shoulder.

  “No. Not charming. Gross.” I swatted his hand away. “What about Birna? You ever see anything in her besides . . . well, you know?”

  “Birna was even worse than her sister. She’s a total user—always looking to move her way up.”

  “Yeah, I can see that.” I stopped at the next hay bale and began withdrawing arrows. “I haven’t seen her around the castle lately. Is she off on a missio
n, or . . .”

  “A mission? No. Birna’s in her final year at the academy.” Axel came up next to me and stood on tiptoe to pull a particularly misfired arrow from a ledge. “She has one more term of study before she ranks as a full-on dragon trainer.”

  “Guess we’re just hitting the dining hall at different times then.” And the Dragehus. And the classrooms.

  Not that I minded not seeing Brigga’s sister around. But it was kind of weird, considering Valkyris was an island and all. Now that I thought about it, I hadn’t seen Brigga that much either.

  Huh.

  Axel pulled another arrow. “You don’t think Ingrid’s mad at me?”

  “Again, you should be asking her.” I shoved my arrows into my quiver. “But if you’re too stubborn, just know that she’s been through a lot, and she’s really focused on building a good life for herself here. She believes the best way to accomplish that is through joining Shieldmaiden Squadron. I’d imagine she doesn’t want any distractions.”

  “So, you’re saying I’m a distraction.” Axel’s dimple popped.

  Seriously. That ego.

  “I’m saying you’re the village player.” I pulled the last arrow from the second target and marched toward the third. “And someone who’s gone through everything she has doesn’t want to get mixed up with all of that.”

  “I should just let her train with any idiot because she doesn’t like that I have a past?”

  “You should let her have the space she’s asking for, yes.”

  “It’s her career she’s throwing away,” Axel muttered.

  I bit back a smile. “Why do you care so much?”

  “Because our tribe needs warriors,” Axel said. “And she has the makings of a great one. But she’ll never reach her full potential if she trains with Einar.”

  “That’s it, huh? This is just a professional courtesy? Nothing to do with the fact that she’s the first girl in ever not to throw herself at you?”

  “Please.” Axel pushed past me.

  I quickly bent down and lobbed a snowball at his head.

  “Do you really want to start that?” He raised one brow.

  “It just so happens I’m an excellent shot. And apparently, your ego needs to be taken down a notch. Or twenty.”