Viking King's Vendetta

by Sky Purington

  Moments later, he confirmed that telepathically.

  “This doesn’t count, Håkon,” she muttered out of the corner of her mouth. “Our bet wasn’t based on word from the seers.”

  “We never laid guidelines for our bet,” he rebuffed with a sly grin as they hugged their grandparents goodbye then followed Sven.

  “You only have fifteen minutes left,” she reminded. “I’ll bet I can slow him down long enough.”

  “Good luck.” Håkon chuckled. “You know what that look on his face means. We’ll pretty much be saying goodbye to everyone as we walk past them straight into Aunt Samantha’s gateway to the mountain.”

  Davyn fell in beside them and her cousin Halla on the other side.

  “I’m coming too,” Halla declared, excitement in her warm brown eyes rimmed with gold. “I’ve been waiting for something like this to happen.”

  With golden hair and exquisite dainty features, Halla was Uncle Tait and Aunt Lauren’s daughter and one of the four babies whose heartbeats beat for the first time together. Like Tait, she possessed an unending sense of humor, and like her mother, unequalled fierceness.

  “This is far too dangerous, Halla,” Davyn grumbled, clearly not pleased with the idea of her tagging along. “You should stay here.”

  Though they were cousins, Davyn treated Halla like a little sister he was forever determined to protect. Emily got the impression that Halla filled the place where Davyn’s twin sister would have been had she lived. And while all of the male cousins were overprotective of Halla, she responded best to Davyn which said something considering her independent, sometimes foolhardy nature. A demeanor that put her more at risk which wasn’t good considering how rare female Sigdir dragons were. They weren’t born nearly as often as males.

  “You’re going to need me,” Halla persisted, squeezing Emily’s hand in greeting as their eyes met. “I missed you! How was the twenty-first century?” She pouted. “I wish you had brought me along.”

  “Next time,” she assured, returning her smile.

  While Halla might annoy some of the others with her sometimes too cheerful, optimistic personality, Emily had always enjoyed it. But then, as a rule, she was typically upbeat herself. Why wouldn’t she be? Up until now, life had been pretty good. Sure, there was the strain between her and Sven, but that had nothing to do with what a great upbringing she’d had. Not to mention the wonderful community and kin she called her own. Honestly, how many girls could say they had been reunited with their dragon family from another life? She was darn grateful and never took it for granted.

  “Loki’s hell, he’s not slowing down is he,” Emily muttered as people started handing them traveling supplies at what must have been Sven’s command. Weapons, cloaks, satchels of clothing, dried food and drink. Everyone worked together exceptionally well, but then these people were used to looking out for one another.

  “I told you he wouldn’t slow down,” Håkon chided as Halla sprinted ahead, no doubt going to collect her own things since no one handed her any supplies.

  “She’s not going,” Davyn growled before he raced after her.

  “I still have ten minutes,” Emily grumbled to her brother. “And what’s the big rush anyway? Aunt Samantha will get us to the mountain with a snap of her fingers.”

  Likely catching that last assessment, her father shook his head, grim as he and Mama fell in beside them. “Your aunt has lost all ability to transport anyone anywhere.” Gratefulness and worry lit Matthew's eyes as they met Emily’s. “You were the last one she was able to transport.”

  “What in Loki’s Hel is going on?” Håkon looked between their parents. “So how are we to travel? On foot? All the way to Mt. Galdhøpiggen’s peak? Because the seers don't typically like us flying there.”

  “Once upon a time Vikings did know how to travel without magic,” Uncle Kjar said dryly, humor in his eyes as he joined them and strapped on the weapons handed to him.

  “You’re coming too?” Emily asked, glad to see him.

  Grandson to the god Heimdell, Kjar was as old as Elder Naðr though he appeared slightly younger due to his godliness. A giant of a man, tattoos etched his bald head, and long skinny white braids hung from his goatee.

  “Do not look so surprised, girl.” Kjar eyed himself as he strapped on an enviable amount of weapons. “I am in excellent shape.”

  “For your age,” Emily conceded with a small grin, unable to help herself. They had always gotten along incredibly well. When she was younger, he was the grand teaser. Now that she was older, she enjoyed turning the tables on him.

  Though she saw a flicker of humor in his eyes, it was fleeting, and she didn’t blame him. King Heidrek and King Bjorn were more important to him than most. If anything, he had always treated them like the sons he never had. Finding them and bringing them home safe had to be weighing heavily on his mind.

  “So there will be five of us traveling together then?” Håkon said.

  “Six,” Halla chimed in as she dashed out of her lodge with Davyn in hot pursuit. Because she was so little, she stayed one step ahead of him, dodging in and out of the crowd toward the back entrance to the village.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” came Aunt Lauren’s voice from up ahead.

  By the time they caught up, both Aunt Lauren and Uncle Tait had headed Halla off. Elder Naðr stood nearby with a bemused expression undoubtedly remembering the many times he tried to stop his own daughter Svala from running off on one adventure or another.

  “Six minutes and counting,” Emily said into Håkon’s mind, more confident by the moment she would win their bet. Thank the gods for squabbling kin.

  “It will not be what you want to hear, but it must be said,” Kjar rumbled, taking in the situation before his eyes met Tait and Lauren’s. “Because we can no longer travel via Samantha’s gateways, we will need Halla with us. Nobody can do what she does.”

  Kjar had to be truly concerned if he was willing to risk Halla’s life. But then her ability to cloak Sigdir dragons not only from other dragons but anyone she wished might come in handy. It could be essential.

  Naturally, Halla puffed up, pleased as she notched her chin at her parents and Davyn. “There you have it. I have to go.”

  Tait narrowed his eyes at Kjar, not impressed. “She is a child and my only daughter.”

  “She is a grown woman,” Kjar countered, well aware of how overprotective Tait was. “And powerful in her own right.”

  Tait shook his head, his dragon eyes flaring. “I will not allow it.”

  “You will if it is what the seers advise, Uncle,” Sven said, somewhat gently as he joined them. His eyes went to Lauren’s. “You know full well I would die before I let any harm come to Halla. As I would also die to protect my people.”

  He was wise to address Aunt Lauren. If anyone could pacify the situation and handle Tait, it was her. Fear and worry flared in her eyes as they held Sven’s for a moment. Eventually, she took a ragged breath, nodded, pulled Tait close and murmured softly to him. Though a fierce scowl remained on his face and he shook his head several times, he finally pulled Halla into his arms and held both her and Lauren for what turned out to be a wonderfully long moment.

  “Three minutes left,” Emily chirped into Håkon’s mind, “and we’re still here.”

  “We must go,” Sven said as he bid farewell to those waiting to see them off.

  “Be safe, children.” Their parents embraced her and Håkon, worry in their eyes before Shannon focused on Emily. “Do not hesitate to call on Hel if you need her. She will come.”

  Emily nodded, fully intending to if need be. If for no other reason than it might just get their brother Eirik back too. She missed him so much.

  “Take care of yourself, Son.” Samantha held Sven at arm’s length before she embraced him then Davyn. “Both of you. Please.” She looked between them with tears in her eyes. “And bring your father home safely.”

  They nodded as everyone said their goo
dbyes in a flash and scrambled after Sven who had already exited the back gates and headed up the path into the mountains.

  “Ha! Thirty seconds left,” Håkon declared into her mind as she was shoved through the gates because she had no choice but to follow. “I win!”

  Almost on cue and much to her dismay, Sven glanced over his shoulder and winked at her before he offered Håkon a small smile and a nod of gratitude.

  “Dragons,” she muttered, not sure who to narrow her eyes at.

  Because if she didn’t know better, she would say Sven was in on their bet all along.

  Chapter Seven

  “LOKI’S COCK, YOU could have given me a little longer than a half hour,” Sven said as he and Håkon strode ahead of the others. “I just became king of two regions.”

  “I had faith in you, Cousin.” Håkon shrugged and grinned. “Besides, I’m not sure Em would have taken the bet if I didn’t come back with something so unattainable.”

  They both knew she would have no matter what Håkon said. She could not help herself.

  “I would think you’d be thanking me,” Håkon mused. “You got what you wanted in the end, did you not?”

  “Time will tell.” Sven couldn’t help tossing Håkon a grin. “Though I’ve yet to see her go back on a bet.”

  To be honest, he was extremely thankful and very much looking forward to her making her move. Because he intended that this kiss would not be so easy to walk away from.

  “You two look far too smug,” Emily muttered as she strode past them with Halla right behind. His little cousin grinned at him over her shoulder and gave him a thumbs up sign, well aware of what had taken place.

  “Do you think we’ll be able to access the Place of Seers with what’s going on?” Sven asked Kjar as he and Davyn plodded along behind them.

  The Place of Seers was a pathway covered in foliage between tall sheer cliffs that shortened the length between most places and Mt. Galdhøpiggen’s peak. The catch? Only those with seer blood could access it and on occasion, Kjar, thanks to his connection with his wife, Aella. Though she was formerly the head seer, her apprentice Vigdis had since taken over her position.

  “My hope is that with you along, it will still work,” Kjar replied.

  Sven nodded, acknowledging his seer blood from his biological mother who had died a few years back.

  “We will rest at the Place of Seers if possible for added protection,” he called out before the women vanished ahead. “Then, if we’re lucky, be to the mountain peak on the morrow.”

  They had been walking all night and half the day and needed rest if for no other reason than Halla had to keep the strength of her magic up. Because the gods knew, her physical strength was doing just fine as she bounced along, looking around in awe as though seeing their surroundings for the first time.

  “She thinks herself on a grand adventure, that one,” Davyn muttered. “She’s far too naïve.”

  Sven couldn’t agree more. He didn’t like her being along any more then the rest of his kin did, but knew Kjar was right about her particular gift. It might be the only way to get where they were going safely.

  “Halla's personality is half her charm,” Håkon replied, his voice not as chipper as it could be as he eyed their cousin. While some might say Tait’s overprotectiveness played a part in her innocence, the truth was their cousin was just a happy, trusting soul. She always had been. Her dragon spirit was rare and only really comparable to Emily’s.

  He bit back a sigh, trying not to think about it. Emily might be a powerful dragon and remarkably wise on occasion, but it was tempered by an incomparably good nature that made her a bit more trusting than he would like. She tended to look for the good in people to the point he feared she was blinded to the bad.

  “Em will be all right,” Håkon said softly, obviously thinking the same thoughts as him. “She’s coming into her own. Changed. Can’t you see it?”

  All he could see was her in harm’s way everywhere she went. It didn’t matter whether or not she truly was, that’s what he saw. Feared. Something or someone stealing her away from this life before he could stop them. He had felt this way from the day they met.

  Hence creating Fenrir to protect her.

  Never had he been more thankful for that decision than today when he learned that the wolf had most likely saved her life. Something he would be thanked profusely for when Sven saw him again. Because what would his own life have been like had he lost her? Unthinkable. Unfathomable. Not worth living.

  Emily and Halla waited for them at a bend just before the inconspicuous patch of trees and shrubs that led to the Place of Seers. Usually, he would have already developed a warming sensation as he drew closer to it. As though it recognized his blood and welcomed him. This time that wasn’t happening. He had started to notice something else, though.

  A tingling sensation around his new tattoo.

  “It’s happening to you too isn’t it, Sven?” Håkon murmured as he pulled off his jerkin and frowned at his tattoo.

  “Me as well,” Davyn muttered, eying his tattoo with distrust.

  “They are growing even darker, yes?” Sven said, his eyes narrowed on them as he stripped down to his sleeveless jerkin and peered at his tattoo.

  “That doesn’t look good,” Emily whispered, fear in her eyes as she stepped closer and touched it tentatively. “Is it me or is it redder around the sword?”

  Interestingly enough, it almost felt like a tiny sword was piercing him at her gentle touch. Yet he refrained from flinching so she wouldn’t pull away. Daunting tattoo or not, the feel of her skin against his was compelling in a way that had him holding his breath without realizing it.

  For that matter, he was suddenly aware of only her.

  She had always possessed a natural flowery scent, but something about it had changed ever-so-slightly. Now it had a musky womanly scent that his dragon very much appreciated. His vision hazed red as he focused on her smooth, silky skin. He wanted to touch it, kiss it, taste it. Even her ebony locks blowing in the wind drew him anew. How soft and tempting they appeared.

  Then suddenly, as if she lured him in only to attack, he was ripped from his reverie by the last thing he expected. Her black dragon, raging mad, reared up in his mind’s eye then roared at him in warning to stay away.

  “What the? Ouch!” She yanked her hand away from his tattoo as if it burned then stumbled back, her dragon eyes not light blue but just as fiery raging mad as her dragon's. “Why’d you do that?”

  “Do what?” He shook his head, baffled. “Your dragon just warned me off.”

  Her dragon had never threatened him. Ever. And it hurt like hell.

  She shook her head, her eyes round. “No, your dragon just warned me off!”

  “It would never.” He shook his head and reached for her, but she shied away.

  “It did though,” she whispered, the pain in her eyes reflecting what he felt. “And it was damn ferocious.”

  “I think the tattoos are reacting to the Place of Seers.” Kjar looked between them. “You both must keep in mind that dark magic is at work here. Magic trying to keep you apart.”

  Sven nodded, never more troubled as he eyed Emily with concern who in turn, eyed him with heartbreaking distrust. He didn’t blame her. No matter the circumstance, male dragons could be terrifying if truly riled.

  “You must see if you can enter the Place of Seers, Sven,” Kjar continued. “If so, what happens to your tattoo? We must find out how much power this dark magic really has over you and your kin.”

  Despite her momentary fear of him, Emily stepped in front of Sven when he nodded and started to head that way.

  “What if the tat only hurts you more?” She shook her head and looked from Sven to Kjar, fear obvious in her eyes. “What if it...kills him?”

  “Emily,” Sven began.

  “Em,” she interrupted.

  “Emily,” he continued, trying to keep his voice gentle but firm, so she understood the gravit
y of the situation. “Even if I had not just agreed to rule over two regions, I would do this to protect my people and kin. To protect you.” Before she could cut him off, he continued. “As you know time is of the essence and utilizing the Place of the Seers will get us to the mountaintop far faster.” He perked his brows as he reminded her. “Every second counts not only for the safety of our people but very likely that of Father and Uncle Heidrek.”

  She ground her jaw as their eyes held. “I don’t like this.”

  “None of us do.” He stepped a little closer, pleading with his eyes that she understand. “But we have to do what we must. We’re the only ones who can.”

  As their eyes held for another moment, he didn’t miss the slight tremble of the corner of her mouth. That only happened when she was working hard not to show emotion. When she knew she had to be strong.

  “Okay,” she finally said softly. “But I’m going with you.”

  He shook his head. “Absolutely not.”

  “Yes.” Her chin notched, and her shoulders tightened. “I am.”

  “Actually,” Kjar cut in. “I think you should try it both ways to see if there’s any difference.” His stern, uncompromising eyes met Emily’s. “As you know, female dragons are far too precious, so Sven will try alone first.” Then his eyes met Sven’s. “If that goes well, she will accompany you before we risk Halla.” He looked between them, unbending. “Am I understood?”

  While frustrated, both sighed and nodded. Not only would they not challenge Kjar’s authority and wisdom, but they knew this was for the best. It wasn’t about them but their people.

  Not wasting any more time, Sven stepped around Emily and strode toward the Place of Seers only for the pain of his tattoo to increase tenfold. Even so, he gritted his teeth and kept walking despite the fact it felt like his arm was being torn off. The closer he got the more the pain spread, filling his body. Eventually, it felt like he was being slashed with jagged-edged blades up and down his legs until it crippled him and he fell to his knees.