“What is this Landrover?” Wilhelm asked.
“You will see shortly. Horses here are only used for recreation. We have other means of travel for day to day use.”
“Well you should get going before the light starts to fade.”
With Jacques close behind them, Erin headed out to the garage. “Here we have the selection of vehicles. Magnus and I would usually ride the bikes, but as you can see, they are only designed to take one person.” She pointed to the Landrover. “This is the one we are taking.”
Wilhelm looked at the RangeRover. “I prefer that one.”
Erin laughed. Her Viking Prince had excellent taste. “So do I, but it is not for driving around the estate, although it can certainly handle the mountainous terrain. It is Birdie’s and strictly for use on roads only.” She opened the door for him. “I will need to attach the seat belt.”
Erin turned the key in the ignition and the Landrover fired into life. Wilhelm seemed to cope with it relatively well. Then again, he was used to seeing sorcery so a combustion engine was probably along the same lines.
She drove up into the hills, talking non-stop about the estate, eventually coming to a halt at the top most point. She slid out the car and Wilhelm followed suit.
“The best view is from here,” she gazed down at the scenery below her.
“It certainly is,” Wilhelm murmured turning to face her. He ran his hand down her cheek, his thumb softly caressing her lips. “Have you quite finished talking now?” he teased and covered her mouth before she could respond.
She had forgotten what it was like to kiss him. God he was delicious, and with their arms wound tight around each other, she did not think her birthday could get any better. He eventually released her much to her annoyance.
“I’ve been wanting to do that since I arrived, but it seemed we were never to be left alone together.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Even your damn dog was giving me evil looks.”
Erin laughed. “Yes, Jacques will not be happy if you try and get close. He is rather possessive.”
He took hold of her hand. “Your estate is beautiful.” He pointed to a building at the far end of the loch. “What is that?”
“It is the mausoleum. My father rests there.”
She felt his hold increase. “I am sorry.”
“For what?”
“Reminding you of his passing.”
“Wilhelm, his portrait hangs in the living room. I spend most my time in his study. Talking about his final resting places does not upset me. Besides, he is never truly gone.”
“How do you mean?”
“I have spoken to him via Baldoren crystal.”
Wilhelm turned swiftly. “You have one?”
“Yes.”
“Contacting the spirit world is dangerous.”
“I know the risks, but it can sometimes save us a lot of time.”
“Is that how you found the gateway from the Third Realm?”
“Yes. I take it Magnus told you.”
“He did. And a good job too as my father blocked my every attempt to find it.”
“Why?”
“He has no plans to rescue your mother.”
“But that is crazy, she is Lokranor’s priestess.”
“I have reminded him of that, but he is stubborn. He refuses to contemplate any attempt to save Lodraill.”
Erin kicked the tyre of the Landrover in frustration. “He is thinking about Lokranor. If he does attempt to rescue Lodraill, he could be providing Heinrekh with the perfect excuse to invade Lokranor.”
“But it does not mean it is right to ignore her.”
“I agree. However there is no reason why we cannot try something ourselves. A rescue attempt from Muirhead will have no repercussions for Lokranor.”
“Heinrekh is expecting some sort of attempt.”
“Obviously, but not from Frejboren. The only people who know the location of this gateway other than Heinrekh, is Magnus, Birdie, you and me. So long as we keep it quiet, we would be in and out of Vasmaar before he knows it.” Preferably when Heinrekh is visiting Sasha.
“It sounds almost a little too easy.”
“Trust me, it won’t be. I first have to work out how to beat a few of Heinrekh’s security measures. Once I can do that, then game on.” She glanced at the fading light. “We should start back.”
“Really?” he pulled her to him again.
“In a couple of minutes,” she murmured, stretching up to kiss him.
Quit sucking on Wilhelm’s face and get your butt home. Magnus voice rang in her head.
She jumped back from Wilhelm in surprise. Are you spying on us, you pervert?
No, but the emotions I’m picking up from you says you’re not just admiring the landscape.
You’re a toad, Selvig. And as I’ve already got my handsome prince, you can stay a scaly reptile.
Magnus laughter rang in her head as she raised her telepathic block.
“Are you alright, Erin?” Wilhelm was looking at her strangely.
“Sorry, yes. It was Magnus. He picked kind of the wrong time to make a call.”
Wilhelm laughed. “Let me guess, he was making sure I was acting honourably?”
“Something like that.”
They got back in the Landrover and headed down towards the house. As soon as they got out the vehicle, Jacques was back to stalking Wilhelm.
“You’ve made a new friend,” Erin chuckled.
Birdie was rushing around the house. “The McBrides are due here soon and you are not yet changed,” she shooed Erin upstairs. “Magnus, show Wilhelm to his room and explain modern plumbing.”
Erin was shocked to find a dress set out on her bed, it was full length, deep blue and quite stunning. She picked it up, running her hand over the soft velvet. By the bed was an elegant pair of heels. It seemed Birdie really was attempting to make her look like a lady tonight instead of Norse warrior.
After a long hot soak, she applied make-up and tied up her wild curls. The dress fitted her like a glove. She took a long look at her reflection in the mirror; she hated to admit it, but she did look very elegant.
Birdie’s face said it all when she slunk out to the terrace off the living room. Sasha even choked on her drink. “Hell, she’s morphed into a lady.”
“Down south, we are polite to the birthday girl,” Erin frowned.
“You’re in Scotland now, so lump it,” Sasha gave her a hug. “You look fab,” she whispered in her ear. “Is this the Wilhelm effect?”
“No, Birdie,” Erin giggled.
Angus came over and kissed her cheek. “Happy Birthday, Erin.” He was dressed in Scottish black tie, kilt and all.
“Thank you, Angus. I’m glad to see you’re on mosquito decoy.” She glanced down at his legs.
“Mosquitoes are immune to Scottish blood. They love the sweet southern type.”
Birdie stuck a glass of champagne in her hand.
Wilhelm and Magnus joined them a few minutes later, both looking like they had stepped out of a Norse fashion house.
“I know, I’m stunning,” Magnus kissed her on the cheek.
She pushed him aside and stared at Wilhelm. “You look good,” she breathed.
He looked down at his clothes. “I was not sure if these would be suitable for the occasion.”
“Trust me, they look perfect,” Sasha grinned.
He handed over a large box he was carrying to Erin. “My gift to you.”
Erin was not expecting anything, giving gifts was an English custom. She opened the box and pulled out a fabulous cloak, trimmed in fur, very similar to the one she had borrowed from Wilhelm. On the metal claps was the McLomard Dragon. “Thank you,” she beamed. “It’s amazing.”
“I missed my cloak so thought you should probably have your own.” He pulled a small package from his pocket. “My mother asked me to give you this.”
It was a very ornate hair clasp, shaped like a dagger, the hilt of which was covered with tiny
stones. “It’s beautiful,” she murmured. “Please thank her.”
“I guess you’d better have our gift,” Sasha picked up a huge box. “It’s nothing quite so exotic.”
Erin let out a squeal as she ripped back the paper. She had her own cappuccino maker. “Yes. Our house will now be in the twenty-first century too.” She flung her arms around Sasha. “Thank you.”
“I also bought you a box of strawberry flavoured condoms, but left them in the study. Although watching you explain what they are to Wilhelm would have been entertaining,” Sasha whispered.
Erin laughed. “You are truly vile.”
“Just being helpful,” Sasha responded.
“Unless Mrs McDowell is having a seizure, I do believe dinner is ready,” Birdie announced.
It was the first time Erin had used either of the dining rooms. Due to the size of the group, they were in the smaller. It was lined with dark wooden panels and had various stuffed animal heads mounted high up.
The dinner went by in a flash. Erin was surprised Wilhelm had adjusted to modern conveniences so well. He handled a knife and fork with no problem, none of Birdie’s glassware was broken; he looked remarkably at ease.
“Is this really the first time you have been to the First Realm?” she asked.
“Why do you ask?”
“You seem totally un-phased by anything.”
“I was expecting an advanced civilisation. Is this not one?”
Erin giggled. “From where I was raised, no. Muirhead is a backwater in comparison. But I guess coming from Lokranor, Muirhead is advanced.”
“Are you being rude about our wonderful town again?” Angus quizzed.
“Me? Perish the thought.”
The meal was finished off by a triple chocolate birthday cake. Erin was in seventh heaven as she devoured a very unladylike portion.
“This is the food you like,” Wilhelm pointed to her empty plate.
“There is not a girl in this universe who does not like chocolate.”
Birdie moved them into the living room after dinner, where a welcoming fire was roaring. It was late August, after eleven at night and she wasn’t wearing a whole lot; she needed the warmth. They all laughed at her as she hogged prime position in front of the fireplace.
“It is not that cold, Erin,” Sasha groaned.
“You’re all used to these artic temperatures. I am not,” Erin grunted. She glanced at Wilhelm who had a slightly glassy expression. “Are you alright?”
“I am fine,” he grunted, downing the last of the wine. He tossed the glass into the fireplace. “Another.”
“Hey, Viking Lord, here we don’t throw glasses,” Erin hissed.
He looked for a moment like he had surfaced from a dream. “My apologies, I forgot where I was.”
Over the next ten minutes, Erin saw him deteriorate. He was slurring words and becoming quite aggressive. Perhaps it was time to put the Viking to bed, he was clearly slaughtered.
Sasha picked up on her friend’s unease. “Right, we should get going, Erin. Call me tomorrow and we’ll meet for a ride.” She leant into whisper. “I need some girl advice.”
They had just left when Wilhelm tossed his third glass into the fireplace. Birdie was not happy.
“Ok, Wilhelm, I think it’s time for bed,” Erin announced.
“If you insist, wench,” Wilhelm’s voice was overly loud. “Tis been a while since I had such a pretty woman to share my bed.” With that he slung her over his shoulder and marched towards the stairs.
“Put me down at once, you’re not a Norse raider anymore,” Erin giggled, finding the whole scenario quite amusing.
“Are you alright, Erin?” Birdie called from the living room.
“I’m fine. I’ll see that Wilhelm makes it safely to bed. Without me in it,” she laughed.
Wilhelm was clearly struggling to remember where his room was. “Which way, wench,” he growled.
“Down the corridor, third door on the left,” she sighed. “If you’re going to abscond with a woman, at least try and recall where you’re taking her. It kind of ruins the moment otherwise.”
Wilhelm kicked the door open and flung her down on the bed before pulling his tunic off. She loved this whole Viking routine, it was rather seductive. He dropped down on top of her, almost crushing her and clamped his mouth down on hers.
“Easy, Wilhelm, I do break,” she snapped.
“Cease with the talk, woman,” he grunted and kissed her once more. Actually it wasn’t so much as a kiss rather more of an assault on her lips. This was not how Wilhelm kissed. His hand was pushing up her dress, his touch on her thighs very rough.
“Stop, Wilhelm, you’re hurting me,” she squealed trying to push him off, no longer enjoying the charade.
He dealt her a backhand across the cheek. “I told you to shut up,” he snarled, reaching for his belt.
The look in his eyes made her blood chill; it was as though she was looking at a complete stranger. Erin was scared. This was not her Wilhelm, he would never have hit her. And now he was about to force himself on her. She struggled like a fiend but it was useless, she just made him more determined. There was only one avenue left to go down.
Magnus, she screamed. Help me.
A few seconds later she felt a great weight lifted off her. Magnus pulled Wilhelm up and hit him so hard, he crashed into the wall, crumpling into a heap.
Magnus picked her up off the bed with care and held her tight. “Are you alright?”
She burst into tears and buried her head in his shoulder. “Yes. Thank you for coming.”
He stroked her hair soothingly. “I protect you, remember? He didn’t…..?” Magnus could not say the words.
“Not even drunk Vikings are that quick,” she attempted to lighten the atmosphere, but failed.
Birdie appeared and checked on Wilhelm. “Luckily Vikings are fairly robust. He’ll live. Why didn’t you use Loxhadrin on him?”
“Because I could have killed him. I cannot control it well when scared.”
“What came over him?” Birdie was perplexed. “He is usually so well mannered.”
“It was after dinner that he started to change. Maybe we introduced him to the First Realm too quickly. Perhaps his mind could not cope and in a drunken stupor reverted to traditional Viking ways?” Erin tried to offer some sort of explanation for his appalling behaviour.
“Something is not right,” Magnus scowled. “I’ve seen Wilhelm drunk many times and he’s never behaved violently.” He noticed Erin’s red cheek. “He hit you?”
She nodded. Magnus let out a loud snarl in response. “As you said,” Erin tried to placate him, “Wilhelm was not himself.”
“Whatever has got in to him, he cannot stay here,” Birdie said with authority. “I will not risk your safety, Erin, should he wake in the same mood. Magnus, you will need to return him to Lokranor.”
“Fine, I’ll bring the horses around to the front.” Just what he wanted, a late night trip. He hoped he did not run into the King or Queen.
CHAPTER 6
Wilhelm’s head was thumping worse than he could ever remember. He opened his eyes and sat up. He was in his room at Lokranor. Now he was seriously confused. He could remember dinner with Erin, moving into the other room, then a complete blank.
He rubbed his temples and went in search of something to eat. He found Magnus in the living quarters talking to Gudrun.
“I seem to be missing some part of my memory,” Wilhelm grunted. “How did I get back here?”
“I brought you,” Magnus glared at him.
Wilhelm was picking up distinct hostility from Magnus. “I thought I was staying with Erin for a few days?”
“When you attacked Erin last night, the invitation was revoked.” Magnus turned to leave.
“Wait. You are saying I attacked Erin?” he asked incredulously.
“Yes. You apparently decided you wanted a woman and she was going to fit the bill, whether she wanted to or not. Luckil
y for you, she didn’t use her Loxhadrin otherwise I would be returning your ashes to your parents in a very small box.”
“I have no memory whatsoever. There must be a logical explanation. Perhaps something I had caused me to act unnaturally.”
“Maybe, but for now you are not welcome on the McLomard Estate.”
Realms Gate: A Realm Divided Page 4