“This is where I saw Tait,” Shannon murmured and shook her head. “When I first met him in the twenty-first century, I knew I’d seen him before.” Her eyes met Matthew’s. “It was here.” She shook her head. “But how is that possible?”
Matthew was about to respond when it occurred to him they weren’t alone.
Uncle Kjar was still here.
A few moments later, so was someone else.
“Father?” Håkon said as his eyes locked on Matthew. “Did you really come?”
“Son?” Matthew rasped, his eyes widening as he closed the distance, fell to his knees and pulled Håkon into his arms. He was solid. Real. But he had to be sure. “Is it you?” He cupped his cheeks and met his eyes. “Is it really you?”
“Yes, it is me.” Håkon pressed his lips together, stood up taller and shook his head. “You should not have come all this way. You should be protecting our tribe.”
“I am protecting our tribe, Håkon,” he whispered hoarsely. “You are my tribe.”
“I am?” Håkon kept eying him, unsure. “Then why have you stayed away from me since mother left? Why did you say you could protect me better by staying away?” He kept shaking his head. “I do not understand. What has changed?”
Though tempted to tell him the real reasons he kept his distance, he would not. He wanted his son to remember his mother as she once was. Not as a ghost that haunted him. He was about to speak when Shannon’s words slipped into his mind.
“Sigrunn has visited him since she died, Matthew,” she said. “I’m not sure if that makes a difference, but you should know.”
She had? Though thankful Shannon had shared, he didn’t want to put this on Sigrunn in any way. He wanted his son to remember her in a positive light. So he answered Håkon’s questions. What changed? Why did Matthew want him close again?
“I changed, Son.” He stroked his finger over Håkon’s cheek and smiled. “When I lost your mother, I was very sad. Lost. And I didn’t want it to affect you. I didn’t want you to be sadder.” He perked his brows in question. “Does that make sense?”
“I suppose.” Tears filled Håkon’s eyes. “But you made me sad anyway because I missed both you and mother. I was very lonely.”
“I know, Son.” Matthew pulled him against his chest, clenched his jaw and made a promise he intended to keep. “But you do not need to miss me anymore because I’m here now. I will never leave you alone again.”
“You will, though,” Håkon murmured as he hugged him in return. “You will have to.” He pulled back and met Matthew’s eyes. “Or at least that’s what Uncle Kjar said, and I think he’s probably right.”
Matthew continued holding Håkon’s hand as he stood and frowned at Kjar. “What does that mean?” He pulled Shannon closer as well before she could stop him. She might be giving him space to reconnect with his son, but he wanted them both as close as possible. They were his kin. His tribe. “Tell me what’s happening, Uncle Kjar. Why did you bring Håkon here?”
He did not question the dart and why it had brought him here as well. Yet as his eyes flickered to Shannon, it was all starting to make sense. He had always been under the impression she had somehow saved him. It was why he became so obsessed with meeting her. Finding her.
She had been there for him in life, battling the enemy to protect him.
Now she was here for him in death.
“You have arrived in Helheim now, Matthew,” Uncle Kjar said. “That means, as I know you’ve figured out, that you’re in the enemy’s world too.” He shook his head. “It has not been easy staying one step ahead of him.”
All of this was staying one step ahead of him? Shannon losing her life?
When Kjar’s voice resonated deeper than usual and echoed, Matthew realized it was because he was a demi-god and they were in a world far godlier than Midgard.
Hel’s world.
And, evidently, her son Hallstein’s.
“What are you trying to tell me, Uncle,” Matthew said, his voice respectful but tense. This was his son they were talking about. No, not just his son but Shannon’s too. And based on her expression and the protective hand she’d rested on Håkon’s shoulder, she wanted answers just as much as he did.
“Now that you are here.” Kjar’s eyes went between Shannon and Matthew. “Now that you have both crossed over, things will become clearer. As they do, you’ll find the answers and the strength you’ll need to fight your enemy. Our enemy.” Kjar’s eyes narrowed. “When you do, we will be one step closer to his destruction and Naðr Véurr at last finding peace,” his voice dropped to a whisper, “one way or another.”
“But what about my daughter?” Shannon’s eyes were moist. “How do I know she’s really safe? How do I know she’ll remain that way?” Her eyes dropped to Håkon, and she gave him a grateful look before her gaze returned to Kjar. “I know Håkon is in touch with her, and all is supposedly well, but I want your assurance too. Surely you understand.”
“I do,” Kjar conceded, empathy in his eyes. “I have three daughters of my own.” His eyes fell to Håkon. “Might you give her what you have then? I know you like it, but I think Emily would want you to do this.” He gave Håkon a look. “In fact, did she not mention as much? That her mama might need it?”
Håkon sighed as a frown settled on his face. “But she gave it to me.”
“To give to her mother for comfort and well you know it,” Kjar kept prompting.
Håkon twisted his lips in dismay, eying Shannon before he finally pulled something out of his pocket and held it in his open palm.
Shannon’s eyes widened, and emotion churned in her eyes. “That’s the snow globe Emily gave Lauren.” She bit her lower lip and shook her head as she crouched in front of him. “That’s a very special globe, Håkon. And while I’d love to have it, you don’t have to give it to me if you don’t want to. That was a gift from Emily, and I understand why you might want to hold on to it.”
“So you would not be upset if I kept it?” He looked at her, not convinced. “Really?”
“Really,” Shannon confirmed, still eying the globe. She didn’t wear a frown to make him feel guilty, just kept looking at it, hopeful.
Matthew was about to say something, to tell his son to do the right thing, but stopped when Shannon spoke within his mind. “No, don’t say a word. It’s clearly important to him. If he doesn’t want to give it to me, that’s his choice.” She paused. “But I think you’ll be surprised.”
It seemed Shannon knew Håkon better than him because after his son continued to eye both the globe and Shannon for a few more moments, he finally said, “If I give it to you, will you give it back?”
“Of course.”
Håkon eyed Shannon again before he handed it over.
“Thank you,” she said.
When Shannon hugged Håkon, Matthew knew how much she wanted to keep holding him. How strongly she felt. “I’ll take good care of it. I promise.”
Matthew was pleased to see Håkon hug her back before he pulled away and said, “Keep it somewhere safe, yes?”
“Absolutely.” Shannon tucked it in her pocket. “There. Very safe.”
Håkon’s eyes narrowed on the pocket, and he was about to say something but Kjar spoke first. “We have to go now Håkon, but we will see your father and Shannon again very soon.”
“What? No.” Matthew shook his head. “My son is safest with me. We have been apart long enough.”
“Your son is not safest with you,” Kjar said. “Not until you and Shannon find your way out of here. Until then, he must stay with me.” He rested a hand on Matthew’s shoulder and met his eyes. “You and Shannon have come far. All of you have. But you must trust me on this. Håkon is not safe with you yet.”
Frustrated, Matthew ran a hand over his face and shook his head. All he wanted to do was have the enemy gone so he could reunite with his family. Shannon, Håkon, and Emily. But he saw the truth in Kjar’s eyes and knew his uncle would never lead him astray.
Matthew spoke into Kjar’s mind. “You’ve known so much all along and haven’t told any of us. Your people. Why?”
“I haven’t told you for your own safety,” Uncle Kjar said. “And I will not until it is time. Nor will Aella.”
Matthew had wondered if Aunt Aella was behind any of this. While he might not trust full-blooded seers as a rule, he trusted her and her daughters. Now that he thought about it, of course his aunt, the head seer, was somehow a part of all this. Especially if Cameron and Anthony were reincarnates of those who had once been so powerful. Who had apprenticed under Eluf himself. She would, without a doubt, be aware of them and be particularly interested in Matthew and Shannon’s current adventure.
“I’m glad to meet you, Kjar, and thankful for your protection of first my sisters and now Håkon, but how am I supposed to trust you? I don’t even know you,” Shannon began within the mind before Håkon interrupted.
Not aloud but within the mind as well.
“You can trust Uncle Kjar, Shannon.” He looked up at her. “He will not let anyone hurt me.”
Matthew wasn’t sure what to make of the fact his son could hear all of them telepathically. Mainly Shannon considering he didn’t know her well. It said a lot about how quickly they were connecting.
“Okay, Håkon, if you trust Kjar then so will I,” Shannon whispered aloud. Matthew knew she wanted to say, “Though he better not let me down,” but held her tongue. More so, she repressed the pain she felt knowing that once again Håkon was going to be heading in a different direction than them. Yet it seemed Håkon knew what she held back because his hand slipped into hers.
“Uncle Heidrek and father’s bear and Emily’s wolf will watch over me too, you know,” Håkon said. “They have been with me a lot since I got here.”
He remembered the way he felt when the two animals joined him in the cave. How supportive they had been. While he knew the wolf was Emily’s, he was somewhat surprised that Heidrek’s spirit guide, the bear, might be his as well.
Håkon smiled and continuing talking. “There’s a wolf Emily says is a dog too. Guardian. But she’s not here as often because she’s watching over Auntie Cybil and her belly.”
“Her belly?” Shannon said. Her brows shot up in curiosity.
“Yes.” Håkon nodded. “Because pretty soon, a baby’s heading there. Emily says Guardian’s a good watch dog and protecting the baby because she was so good to her when she was still alive.”
She?
Emily knew the sex of the baby already?
“Oh, wow,” Shannon whispered, clearly trying to digest the information. “That’s really something.”
Meanwhile, Matthew did his best not to frown. He knew who Guardian was. She had been a dog from his childhood and a close companion to not only Heidrek and Matthew but Aunt Megan.
In fact, she was Aunt Megan’s dog when she first traveled back in time.
She had worshiped that dog.
And now Guardian was guarding the spirit of a fetus that Cybil had yet to carry because that soul had treated her so well? That couldn’t be good considering all the reincarnation happening and the fact Aunt Megan was currently fighting for her life in the twenty-first century. When Shannon’s eyes met his, he knew she was thinking the same thing. Did this mean Megan might die and come back? He couldn’t imagine. He didn’t want to. He wanted her as she was now but in tenth century Scandinavia with Naðr Véurr. Alive and well. Both of them healthy, happy and content.
“It is time for us to go now, Håkon,” Kjar repeated. “Say goodbye to your father and Shannon. We will see them again soon.”
“I know.” Yet there was a smidge of uncertainty when his eyes met Matthew’s.
“We will, Son.” He crouched, gripped his shoulders like a man. Like a Viking. “As soon as Uncle Kjar says we can safely be together again, we will. All the time.” He held his eyes. “Because we have a lot of time to make up for, yes?”
“Yes,” Håkon said, his voice firm. But Matthew didn’t miss the way his lower lip trembled as he fought emotions. Just like Emily’s did. “I look forward to seeing you again, Father.”
“You will stay strong, yes?” Matthew said. “And do everything Uncle Kjar asks of you?”
“I will,” he confirmed. “You have my word as a warrior.” Håkon stood up straighter, proud. “And as your son, Håkon Sigdir, son to Matthew, first-born Sigdir dragon to a new generation.”
Matthew bit back emotion. It was his title. One that Håkon was never taught but once he heard who his father was, insisted he be called by it.
“That is all I need, Son. For you to stay safe and strong because once we come together again, our days of being separated are over.” Matthew held his eyes. “I love you, Håkon. And I am very proud of you.”
“I know.” Håkon gave up trying to put on a brave face and finally gave Matthew the hug he had been waiting for. The sort that told a parent their child trusted them. Believed in them. “I love you too, Father.”
Matthew held him for as long as possible before Kjar cleared his throat. “We must go.” His eyes went to Shannon. “Do you still have what was given to you? Have you kept them safe?”
Matthew glanced from Kjar to Shannon then back as he stood. He knew what Uncle Kjar was talking about. Vigdis’ bones. And he was vague for a reason. He sensed ears were listening and danger might be drawing closer.
Shannon frowned a moment before she finally understood and checked her pocket. “I’m not sure how they made it, but yes, I’ve got them.”
“Good.” There was a warning in Kjar’s voice. “Do not let them out of your sight.” His eyes stayed with Shannon’s. “When you’re ready and the time is right, touch them again. Push past all the pain and find the truth.”
Matthew wasn’t sure he liked the sound of that. “Will they harm her again?”
“She is already dead.” Kjar arched a brow at him. “So what do you think?”
“I had thought to hope she wasn’t,” Matthew shot back, frowning as he kept Shannon close. “That this place might just be somewhere we are caught for now.”
“You are certainly caught,” Kjar confirmed, placing a comforting hand on Håkon’s shoulder. “But I will not soften the reality for either of you. This is Helheim. This is the land of the dead. And you are here. Completely.”
Yet that wasn’t the entire truth. He just knew it. And they deserved more answers. Aggravated, he was about to reply, but Shannon put a hand on his arm, glanced from Håkon to him, and shook her head. She was right. Now wasn’t the time for anger. Now was the time to show his son not weakness but strength.
“Then we will make our way through Helheim.” Matthew locked eyes with Håkon and gripped the hilt of his sheathed dagger. “And return to Midgard stronger warriors because of it, yes?”
Pride entered Håkon’s eyes as he stood up even straighter, nodded and rested his hand by his hip as though gripping his own hilt. “We will, Father.”
Matthew nodded his approval and smiled.
Kjar gestured at the path going down the gorge. “Go back the way you came the day the dart hit you. Back to the shore.” His eyes scanned the sky and a frown settled on his face. “Travel fast and well. While caught in a rift of my making, it is only a matter of time before Hallstein figures out you’re here.”
“Thank you, Uncle.” Matthew met Håkon’s eyes one last time before he started to pull Shannon after him.
Suddenly, Håkon called out, “Stop.”
Matthew released Shannon’s hand when his son raced over, flung his arms around her waist, pressed his cheek against her stomach and murmured, “I hope I will see you again soon, too, Shannon.”
She put one hand on the back of his head, one between his shoulder blades, and hung her head. There was no missing the emotion in her response. “You will, Håkon. I’ll move Midgard and Helheim to make sure of it.”
His eyes widened as he peered up at her in wonder. “You can move Midgard and Helheim?”
Funny, it almost sounded like his son truly believed she could move at least one of them. The second only added to his awe.
“I’ll give it my best shot if it means seeing you again.” Shannon winked, crouched and embraced him. “I look forward to that day, Håkon. Very much.”
Håkon smiled and hugged her back.
Though it was hard, they finally left and made their way down the gorge. Matthew knew Kjar would take good care of Håkon and that Emily was safe wherever she was. When they reached the shore, Shannon confirmed it.
“Look.” A soft smile came to her lips as she held out the globe. “She seems safe. And happy. Where is she?”
“She’s home. Back at the Fortress.” He smiled in surprise as he saw her sitting amongst his kin in the great lodge. His mother and father were there. Heidrek and Cybil. He almost said, “I don’t know how she got back there so quickly,” but stopped. There was only one way they could have returned so fast.
Through the Place of Seers with a seer.
“Cameron,” he murmured and met her eyes. “He got them all home safely.” He nodded. “Emily is with my kin now and well protected.”
“Thank God,” she whispered, still staring at the globe. “Or thank Cameron this time.”
Matthew nodded. Though not all that pleased by the secrets the man continued to keep, he was grateful that he’d kept Emily safe and whisked her and his kin home.
“Come, we need to keep moving.” He took Shannon’s hand and pulled her after him. “We need to keep going until I know you’re safe.”
“But where?” she asked as they walked along a shore he had once battled upon.
Almost as if the land remembered him, the battle manifested and men crashed together all around them. It seemed this world remembered everything that happened on Midgard and could replay it at will. Almost like the Forest of Memories.
That’s when he saw the truth behind Helheim.
Its great secret.
While bright and brilliant, it was but a shadow of Midgard.
“That’s why spirits are all variations of transparency,” Shannon whispered, following his every thought, her eyes wide on the battle around them. Weapons sailed right through them. “They become a shadow of their former life here. It’s not good or bad just…”
Fury of a Viking (The MacLomain Series: Viking Ancestors' Kin Book 4) Page 24