by S. T. Bende
“Hello?” an unseen man called. “You there! Are you injured? Do you need help?”
Axel’s mouth opened, then closed. He seemed to be struggling to find his voice.
“Hello?” the man called again.
“We’re not hurt,” I offered back. “We’ve come to help you.”
A long silence followed my declaration.
“Um . . . where exactly are you?” I shaded my eyes with one hand, and squinted into the brush. A handful of trees dotted the island but most of the foliage was low. I didn’t see anyone standing within it.
“Axel,” I whispered. “Where are they?”
Axel’s mouth flapped again. Clearly, I’d be doing the talking.
“We can’t see you,” I yelled. “But we’ve brought food and clothing. We know you’ve been trapped here for quite some time. You must be hungry.”
The man rose slowly from behind one of the bushes. He had the same emerald eyes, thick beard, and unruly, brown man-bun as Axel. But this Andersson’s hair was streaked with grey. And his weather-worn skin looked as if it had aged slightly beyond his years. No doubt he’d been through Helheim and back, but he approached me with a cautious smile and an open hand. “You’re not here to hurt us?”
“No.” I shook my head. “We’ve come from Valkyris—Freia and Halvar sent us to bring you home. My name is Ingrid, and this . . . this is Axel.”
My boyfriend shifted from one foot to the other.
The man turned his eyes to Axel. His voice was soft as he asked, “What did you say your name is?”
“I’m Axel.” The words came on a soft breath. Axel stared at the man as if he were seeing him for the first time.
In a way, he was.
“Axel Andersson,” the man said quietly. “Son of Arne and Astrid Andersson.”
“Yes,” Axel croaked.
The elder Andersson’s eyes misted over. “I never thought I’d see you again.”
“Neither did I.” Axel’s hands shook at his side. I reached over and rested my fingertips on his arm. Mr. Andersson watched us closely. One corner of his mouth tugged up in a half-smile, and he called into the foliage.
“Astrid! Astrid, come out. It’s Axel—he’s here!”
A brown-haired woman walked cautiously across the sand. She stared at Axel as if he were a ghost. “Is it really you?”
“Mother,” Axel whispered.
The woman reached out to touch Axel’s cheek. He leaned into her hand, blinking rapidly. My heart tugged as a single tear slid into his beard. The woman’s eyes crinkled around the corners. “I never thought I’d see you again.”
“I know the feeling.” Axel drew his shoulders back, took a steadying breath, and wrapped his arms around his mother. The woman’s body shook as she folded herself into his embrace.
Mr. Andersson flung his arms around them both. They stood frozen in a hug while I did everything I could not to cry. The Anderssons looked so vulnerable—completely awed by the sight of the son they’d thought was lost to them forever. While Axel . . .
My breath hitched. Axel looked as if he’d just won a dozen Rufuses. As much as he’d made his dragons and his squadron his family, I knew that this moment meant everything to him. It was an honor to bear witness to it.
My heart swelled to near bursting as Axel pulled back, wiped his nose on the back of his sleeve, and offered me his snotty hand. I took it without hesitation.
“Mother, Father. I want to introduce you to Ingrid.”
“You’ve taken a wife.” Mrs. Andersson smiled approvingly. “Welcome to our family, Ingrid.”
“Oh, no. I’m not his—”
“She looks strong.” Mr. Andersson beamed. “You must be a warrior, Ingrid. Perhaps a shieldmaiden?”
“Yes, I am a shieldmaiden. But I’m not Axel’s—”
“I’ve always wanted a daughter.” Mrs. Andersson’s grin lit up the entire island. “I do hope Axel’s been treating you as well as we raised him to. Though I suppose we don’t know how you were raised after we were marooned. Were you well cared for, son?”
“Halvar and Freia took me in,” Axel said. “I was very well cared for, yes.”
“I’m so glad. Oh, the years I spent worrying . . .” Mrs. Andersson wrung her fingers together.
“I was fine. I promise.” Axel smiled at me. “And as for Ingrid, she and I are just—”
“Just perfect together,” Mrs. Andersson trilled. “I can already tell.”
I couldn’t help but smile. Axel’s parents were warm, and kind, and overflowing with love. They’d known me all of five minutes, and they’d already accepted me as a part of their family. If they wanted to believe Axel and I were . . . I nearly choked on the word. Married, well, then . . .
“Hey.” Axel leaned in to whisper in my ear. “My folks have spent years stranded on a deserted island. Do you really want to break their hearts right now?”
“Well, no. But . . .”
“We have a long boat ride—we can tell them tomorrow. Besides, I love you. It’s only a matter of time. Right?”
My pulse quickened. It was the first time he’d ever told me he loved me. Not to mention . . .
It’s only a matter of time?
Was he saying that he wanted . . . that we were . . . was that his way of . . .?
“Your mouth is doing that flapping fish thing.” Axel touched one finger to my lips.
“Shut up, Axel,” I hissed. “You did it earlier.”
“Maybe.” He traced my bottom lip with his thumb. “But I bet I wasn’t as cute as you.”
“You never are.” I shot him my most intense glare, then treated his parents to a beatific smile. “Mr. and Mrs. Andersson, you must be starving. Freia sent us with a multi-course meal. She says she can’t wait to cook for you once we bring you back to Valkyris, but she wanted to make sure you had a taste of home first. Once Axel and I unload the boat, we can eat.”
“I’ll help you.” Axel’s mom followed us across the sand. After a few steps, she stopped and turned to Axel. “I’m so happy you found such a wonderful bride, son.”
“I’m not his—”
“I like her too,” Axel said. “She’s the only girl I’ve ever met who’s fiercer than I am.”
It was the best compliment he could have given me.
“Then you’d better hold onto her.” Mr. Andersson looked fondly at his wife. “A strong partner will see you through a lifetime of adventures.”
“Including a multi-year stay on a deserted island.” Mrs. Andersson smiled back. “There’s nobody I’d have rather been stranded with.”
“And there’s nobody I’d rather finally go home with.” Mr. Andersson chuckled. “Right after a good meal, of course.”
Of course.
We spent the next few hours eating, laughing, and catching up on a decade of stories. When we finally pushed the boat away from the island, Axel tossed his parents a blanket, adjusted the sail, and slung his arm around my shoulders.
“Ready to go home?” he asked. “Maybe catch a little bit of downtime before our next big adventure?”
“Absolutely.” I looked up at him. “But why do I have the feeling that life with you will consist of very little downtime?”
“Because, Shieldmaiden, I am nothing short of thrilling.” Axel kissed the top of my head. “And you wouldn’t want me any other way.”
“No.” I nestled my cheek against his chest. “I suppose I wouldn’t.”
As we entered the open ocean, we picked up speed. It would be smooth sailing for the rest of our trip. And after that, well . . . Axel and I had a lifetime of adventures to look forward to.
I couldn’t wait to discover them all.
TUSEN TAKK FOR READING INGRID AND AXEL’S STORY! Reviews of this book are hugely appreciated, and make my author heart sing!
If you’d like to read more my Norse-inspired young adult fantasy books (and meet Axel’s not-so-mythical Asgardian relatives), I recommend:
-VIKING ACADEMY (discover th
e world of Valkyris . . . and meet its gorgeous Viking heir, Erik); then
-THE ÆRE SAGA: PERFEKT ORDER (the Norse God of War’s story); and
-THE ELSKER SAGA: ELSKER (the Norse God of Winter’s story).
And if you love action, adventure, and faeries, check out ALFHEIM ACADEMY—where an unconventional princess is forced to steal the crown to save her world.
If you want to connect with me, you can find me on Twitter or Instagram (where I share Norway/Disney/hiking photos and book teasers), or sign up for my Reader’s Group to get monthly updates and freebie alerts.
MANGE TAKK!
Shieldmaiden Squadron’s Lefse Recipe
(Instant Potato Version)
7 oz instant potato flakes
1 tbsp melted butter
1 cup boiling water
2 tsp salt
1 cup whole milk
1.5 – 2 cups of flour
* * *
Combine potato flakes and salt. Combine water, milk and butter. Mix together, then add flour until dough is soft but not sticky. Separate into logs, cover with a cloth, and refrigerate overnight.
* * *
The next day: Divide logs into small lefse balls, and roll to desired thickness. Cook both sides in a pan on high heat. Serve with butter, cinnamon and sugar. (Or Nutella!)
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Take a picture and share it with me! Social links at www.stbende.com.
Meet the rest of the Valkyris crew in
VIKING ACADEMY
* * *
* * *
Erik held me until my shoulders stopped shaking—whether it was a minute or an hour, I couldn’t tell. The only things I knew for sure were:
I was trapped a thousand years in the past, with little hope of ever going home. And,
I was wrapped in the arms of the most absurdly gorgeous Viking to have ever walked the face of the Earth.
Maybe my old life was overrated.
When seventeen-year-old Saga Skånstad discovers an antique dagger, she’s instantly sucked into a world where Vikings rule the seas and dragons roam the skies, and the only thing more dangerous than the chief who takes her captive is the rival who steals her away. The heir of Norway’s most feared tribe is fierce, cold, and absolutely unyielding. With intruders encroaching upon his borders, Erik Halvarsson has little patience for the girl whose ignorance threatens his very existence. He enlists Saga in the magical Valkyris Academy, where she learns the skills she’ll need to protect herself from foreign raiders and domestic terrors. But nothing can protect her from falling for the one guy in all the world she’s absolutely forbidden to choose . . . or from risking everything to unlock the secrets that haunt him.
When darkness threatens Saga’s new home, she must decide whether to return to the life she’s always known, or fight for a love she never could have imagined. Her decision will determine a legacy—not only for Saga, but for the world she never knew she was fated to lead.
* * *
Read VIKING ACADEMY now!
Meet Axel Andersson’s not-so-mythical Asgardian relative in …
* * *
THE ÆRE SAGA: PERFEKT ORDER
* * *
* * *
All's fair when you're in love with War.
* * *
For seventeen-year-old Mia Ahlström, a world ruled by order is the only world she allows. A lifetime of chore charts, to-do lists and study schedules have helped earn her a spot at Redwood State University’s engineering program. And while her five year plan includes finding her very own happily-evah-aftah, years at an all-girls boarding school left her feeling woefully unprepared for keg parties and co-ed extracurricular activities.
* * *
So nothing surprises her more than catching the eye of Tyr Fredriksen at her first college party. The imposing Swede is arrogantly charming, stubbornly overprotective, and runs hot-and-cold in ways that defy reason…until Mia learns that she’s fallen for the Norse God of War; an immortal battle deity hiding on Midgard (Earth) to protect a valuable Asgardian treasure from a feral enemy. With a price on his head, Tyr brings more than a little excitement to Mia’s rigidly controlled life. Choosing Tyr may be the biggest distraction—or the greatest adventure—she’s ever had.
* * *
Read PERFEKT ORDER now!
And read all about THE ÆRE SAGA on www.stbende.com.
Also By S.T. Bende
Follow the Valkyris crew in
VIKING ACADEMY
VIKING CONSPIRACY
VIKING VOW
-and-
SHIELDMAIDEN SQUADRON
SORORITY SUBTERFUGE
SILENT SHIELD
* * *
Meet the Norse gods, including Axel’s not-so-mythical Asgardian relations in:
THE ÆRE SAGA
PERFEKT ORDER
PERFEKT CONTROL
PERFEKT BALANCE
PERFEKT MATCH
-and-
THE ELSKER SAGA
ELSKER
ENDRE
TRO
TUR (a novella)
THE ELSKER SAGA: COMPLETE BOXED SET
* * *
Meet the faeries in
ALFHEIM ACADEMY
DARK FAERIE
ROYAL REBEL
* * *
Meet the demigods in NIGHT WAR SAGA.
PROTECTOR
DEFENDER
REDEEMER
* * *
And introduce your Padawans to Star Wars and Disney!
Complete list of S.T.’s licensed children’s titles
at https://www.stbende.com/kids-books/
* * *
Stay in touch with S.T. at www.stbende.com
or
Sign up for S.T.’s newsletter
Acknowledgments
To my adventurous little family—you are my heart. I am so grateful God gave me you.
To Lauren Clarke at CREATING ink, who’s been with me since day one—and who is the epitome of kindness, patience, and wisdom. To Mariana, for being all the things, always—and for doing so with remarkable grace. And to Alison, who championed Ingrid’s happily ever after from her very first appearance in Viking Academy. Thank you for your friendship.
To the readers who dream across the realms with me—thank you for seeing the world through magic-tinted glasses. To everyone who has the spirit of a shieldmaiden—thank you for sharing your light with our world. And to MorMorMa. Always.
About the Author
Before finding domestic bliss in suburbia, S.T. Bende lived in Manhattan Beach (where she became overly fond of Peet’s Coffee) and studied Shakespeare in Europe… where she became overly fond of McVitie’s cookies.
S.T.’s love of Scandinavian culture, and a very patient Norwegian teacher, inspired her YA Norse fantasy series’. And her deep love of a galaxy far, far away led to her writing children’s books for the Star Wars franchise. As an experienced IP writer, she’s written multiple books published by Disney-Lucasfilm Press and its licensees.
When she’s not creating stories, S.T. dreams of skiing on Jotunheim and Hoth.
Learn more about the world of S.T. Bende at www.stbende.com .