Whispering Souls
Page 1
Whispering Souls
by
Jackie M. Smith
Whispering Souls
Copyright © 2018, Jackie M. Smith
ISBN: 9781944270902
Publisher: Beachwalk Press, Inc.
Electronic Publication: March 2018
Editor: Lynne Sully
Cover: Fantasia Frog Designs
eBooks are not transferable. No part of this book may be used or reproduced without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations in articles and reviews.
This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.
Back Cover Copy
Her soul is what he needs to break his curse.
Viking warrior Ragnvald Hallvardson was devastated when his fiancée was killed. In desperation, he sought help from the local witch. But instead of being reunited with his love, he was cursed with immortality. For over a thousand years, he has roamed the earth looking for that special person who can help him break the curse. And now, he may have finally found her.
After a disastrous relationship, Julia Williamson is reluctant to open her heart again. The barrier around her heart is hard to break, and she’s not foolish enough to give her love to just any man. But she finds Ragnvald hard to resist. Something about him calls to her, but can she risk another broken heart? Then things become even more complicated when her former fiancé threatens her life.
Content Warning: contains sensual sex scenes
Prologue
Orensund, Denmark
Winter 793
The Great Hall welcomed Ragnvald Hallvardson with delicious scents of smoked wild boar and assorted fish. Light from the beeswax candles illuminated the grand room. Everything held a golden glow, especially his darling Arnora. He loved everything about her. He had admired her since they were children. But her father, the Earl of Orensund, had refused to accept their friendship. Ragnvald was told he would never be good enough for the earl’s daughter. For years, he had worked hard for the earl. It was the only way he could thank the clan leader for taking him into his home after he had lost both his parents at a young age.
After years of loyalty and service, the earl had finally granted him the opportunity to serve on one of his ships. Thanks to the earl’s gracious gesture, Ragnvald had traveled to faraway lands, trading goods for iron and furs. For the last two summers, he had proven his loyalty and ability to trade. As a gift, the earl had at last granted him his daughter’s hand in marriage.
In another month, Arnora would finally be his wife. A warm smile formed upon her rosy lips when he took a step toward her. Her emerald eyes glittered. His heart thundered against his ribs.
“My lady.” He bowed his head.
“Please, come sit.”
Ragnvald took the chair beside Arnora and kissed her cheek. “I have missed you.”
“And I you,” she whispered. “How was your hunting trip?”
“Good. We will have enough meat to eat and furs to trade.”
“Father will be happy,” she said, resting her small hand upon his larger one.
Ragnvald hoped so. He couldn’t wait to marry her. But her father had postponed their wedding ceremony countless times. He always had conditions. This time, Ragnvald hoped there would be no more delays imposed on marrying the woman he loved.
“Ragnvald, my son,” the earl bellowed as he walked into the hall.
Everyone rose and bowed their heads in a sign of respect.
Ragnvald took the earl’s proffered ringed hand and bowed his head. “My lord.”
“You have honored our agreement,” the earl began. “Therefore...”
Ragnvald held his breath.
“My daughter is yours,” the earl added with a wave of his hand.
Arnora took Ragnvald’s fingers. He looked at her and then at her father. “My thanks, Earl Orensund.”
“We may unite you at the next full moon,” the earl declared before taking a seat at the table beside his daughter.
In the Great Hall, the clan cheered as ale and food filled their bellies. Ragnvald only had an appetite for Arnora. His trousers tightened around his groin. He cursed his obligations to the earl and his promise to Arnora to wait until they married.
“If only I could take you to my bed,” he whispered against his sweetheart’s ear.
Her hand glided along his thigh. His hardness pulsed. He loved her teasing grin.
“We will have our moment together soon, my love.”
Disappointment veiled her eyes despite her reassuring words. She pulled her hand away and continued eating the feast before them. Ragnvald raked a hand through his long hair, hoping his frustration would subside. No longer able to breathe, he kissed Arnora’s cheek, crossed the busy hall, and stepped outside.
Blistering cold and wind cooled his temper and his desire for Arnora. For now. Snowflakes whipped his face, but he didn’t care. Fresh air filled his lungs, and silence surrounded him.
Something told him Earl Orensund would change his mind again. Damn the earl! Ragnvald didn’t like the old man’s control over his life. He wished an answer to his predicament would appear out on the dark horizon. More than anything he wanted to marry Arnora and take her away to their own farmland. She was his breath, his heart. Their souls had found each other thanks to the gods. Nothing and no one could separate them.
Run away with her, a voice whispered to him.
The idea swirled in his head and settled itself. Glancing behind him, loyalty reminded him of his duties. He couldn’t defy the earl or betray his fellow raiders. The old man would outlaw him for sure. Ragnvald shook his head, cursing his own impatience. Before he lost his mind, he walked into the stalls and found his steed. With the cold weather outside, he made sure his horse was warm and fed.
“He is well taken care of,” a familiar male voice assured him.
Ragnvald looked at Svend. “My thanks.”
“What troubles you?”
Ragnvald turned his head and petted his horse’s nose. He’d never been comfortable sharing his thoughts with others. Indeed, he preferred keeping them buried deep within his mind.
“Nothing to worry about,” he decided to say, hoping his friend wouldn’t press him.
When he no longer felt Svend’s presence behind him, Ragnvald let out a breath.
“The Great Hall is under attack,” a male voice shouted nearby.
His heart stopped with shock. The face of his beloved flashed before his eyes. Then all his senses kicked in. His Viking mode took over. Ragnvald ran toward the building. Marauders on horseback whipped their swords back and forth, slaughtering his people one by one.
“Arnora,” he whispered, pulling his sword from his scabbard, ready to fight off the intruders.
His heart tightened while he fought off some of the enemy’s men. With one swipe of his sword and then another, Ragnvald made his way toward the Great Hall. Inside, thick gray smoke surrounded him. He coughed, spotting the fire toward the back of the building.
“Hurry! Head for the hills,” he ordered the women and children.
Bodies lay on the floor. The dead had returned to Valhalla.
Pushing his way through the debris, he finally reached his beloved. She lay on the floor with blood seeping through her gown. He fell to the ground, no longer feeling his legs. With shaky hands, he cradled Arnora’s head. Her pale face told him it was too late.
Chapter 1
Modern Day London
Heathrow Airport’s waiting area bustled with people. Julia Williamson spotted a quiet corner near a tall window. Outside, the sun rose behind the planes parked on the
tarmac. Today would be a nice day to fly, she thought, happy to get away from England for a while. She needed time to think. Since her fiancé, Nigel, had betrayed her in the most awful way, her life had been turned upside down. Inhaling a deep breath, Julia willed her heart and her mind to calm down.
Around her, women and men occupied themselves with a book, or a nap, while some children played nearby. A smile curled Julia’s lips. Would she ever have children? Planning for a family had always been in the back of her mind, but Nigel had never been ready for children. He’d always given her excuses for delaying their plans for a family.
With a pinched heart, she had accepted his reasons and patiently waited for him to change his mind. But that never happened. Finding him in bed with another woman had destroyed any chances of a future together. The betrayal had burned bright in her mind and in her heart since that fateful day six months ago.
Four years of sharing her life with Nigel, and she’d never thought he would hurt her in such a terrible way. How could I be so stupid thinking we had a solid relationship? Deep down, she knew something was missing with Nigel. She couldn’t explain it, but whatever was missing had gnawed at her. She ignored the warning signs and that little voice in the back of her head shouting at her that he wasn’t the right man for her.
Letting out a sigh, Julia hoped her time away in Copenhagen would help clear her mind.
“British Airways. Flight four-zero-seven to Copenhagen now boarding at Gate Two.”
Julia’s heart raced. A mixture of fear of the unknown and excitement bubbled within her. She hadn’t visited Denmark since childhood. Every summer until she’d gone away to college, Julia, along with her older brother, Colin, and their parents, traveled the Scandinavian countries, discovering the Nordic beauty and their heritage. Julia had no idea her father had Danish blood until he’d told her about his life before moving to England as a young boy. She loved her father and respected him, but she wondered what he had in mind when he’d introduced her to Nigel.
It doesn’t matter, she reasoned as she made her way onto the plane.
“Care for a drink, miss?” the lovely flight attendant asked once Julia sat in her window seat.
“A glass of white wine, please.”
As Julia settled into the comfortable leather seat, she glanced around, looking at her fellow passengers settling into their own seats. Her gaze went from one person to another, and then stopped when a handsome face caught her attention. A modern-day Viking warrior sat nearby in the row across the aisle. His long, luscious, golden locks, his aquiline nose and square jawline covered with a short beard, caused a stirring within her depths.
Stop staring at him, the little voice of reason shouted. You will get caught.
Too late. His azure eyes captured her. His tempting lips curled into a melting, boyish grin.
Look away, her head screamed as she chewed on her bottom lip.
Instead, she smiled back at him.
The flight attendant returned with her glass of wine. “Here you go, love.”
“Thank you.”
Julia sipped the delicious drink. She glanced once more toward the handsome stranger. He had closed his eyes. Earbuds filled his ears. What kind of music did he like? She took another sip of her wine and leaned back. She closed her eyes and saw the Viking. No matter how much she tried to distract herself, the picture of his face and lips burned in her mind. A warm sensation coursed through her veins, heating her skin. She opened her eyes, hoping the passenger sitting beside her wouldn’t notice her blushed cheeks.
Daring another glimpse at her Viking, Julia turned. He looked at peace with his eyes closed. She couldn’t stop staring at him. Something deep within her stirred once more. He looked familiar. Had she seen him somewhere before? She searched her tired mind but couldn’t recall meeting him.
Julia closed her eyes and focused on her trip. She couldn’t wait to arrive in Copenhagen and begin work on her Aunt Helga’s new home. Julia was happy to help her aunt. Besides, getting out of London for a while was exactly what she needed as confusion about her future roamed in her head. And the sexy Viking sitting nearby didn’t help her clear her mind one bit.
Stop thinking about that man!
Julia willed her thoughts onto her plans for decorating her aunt’s new home. Warm and inviting, that’s all Aunt Helga had requested. She trusted her niece. Julia had started a career as an interior decorator, and she loved transforming boring houses into homes. Her clients appreciated her work, and she couldn’t be happier.
Except a gnawing feeling wouldn’t let her go—she really wasn’t the happiest woman in the world.
She was thirty-five years old, and her parents wanted grandchildren from her. Her brother Colin and his wife had already given them two. But Julia gently reminded them that she wanted to focus on her career first, not bearing children. Besides, how could she settle down with a man who had betrayed her? She shook her head. When Julia opened her eyes, she glanced at the Viking once more. She couldn’t shake the feeling of knowing him. It’s only your imagination.
“Another drink, please?” she asked the friendly flight attendant.
The woman nodded.
Another drink wouldn’t hurt, she reasoned as the plane hit some turbulence. Besides, she needed to relax. Flying wasn’t her favorite activity, especially when she traveled alone. Nigel had always preferred traveling by car or train. But Julia could count on one hand the number of times they’d taken trips together. Her ex-fiancé was always too busy with work or hanging out with his chaps. Julia never complained or protested. Instead, she busied herself with her own work or hobbies.
Again, she peeked at the passenger who had caught her attention. He mesmerized her. He intrigued her. Before she could turn away, he opened his eyes and smiled at her, holding her in his spell. She couldn’t look away. He weakened her will. Her lips curled upward. She was aware of her body warming under his stare. A honeyed sensation pooled in her depths, radiating through her. Why can’t I look away? But she didn’t want him to release her. For now, Julia wanted to get lost in his azure eyes. She wanted to pretend no one else existed. Her surroundings faded, until—
The plane hit a big jolt. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We’re experiencing some turbulence. It’s nothing to worry about. We are going to climb at just below forty-thousand feet. Please remain seated for the moment. Thank you.”
Julia tightened her seatbelt and squeezed her eyes shut. She took comfort in the pilot’s reassuring words and calming tone. She inhaled one deep breath and then another. By the time she took a third breath, the plane had stopped bouncing and shaking. When she looked around, she noticed most of the passengers’ nervousness. Except one. The Viking. He continued reading his book as if nothing had happened. She wished her nerves wouldn’t get the best of her every time she flew. She envied the man. She shook off the remaining unsettled feelings in her stomach and touched the silver bracelet her parents had given her on her twenty-first birthday. The ancient Viking gods charms brought her some comfort. She drank her glass of wine before resting her back against the seat.
Julia let her imagination calm her. Thoughts of her decorating project bounced in her head. Excitement of a new adventure grew within her and made her heart race. She wondered if Copenhagen had changed much since her last visit ten years ago. Except for her Aunt Helga and Uncle Erik, she didn’t know anyone else there.
But it didn’t matter. She loved meeting new people and visiting new places. Will I see the handsome Viking once we arrive in Denmark, or will he depart on another flight? Julia doubted he’d have the same destination as her, but the possibility of seeing him again excited her even more. Taking another peek at the man, she admired his tempting lips one more time, imagining how they would feel. She shook her head against the idea of another relationship. She wasn’t ready. Instead, she contented herself with a fantasy, burning the image of the Viking’s face in her memory for eternity.
* * * *
“Excuse me,” he called as the pretty flight attendant passed by.
“Yes, sir.” She grinned.
“Scotch. Neat. Please.”
The flight attendant nodded and headed down the aisle. Ragnvald stared outside at the clear sky and blew out a silent breath. In only a short moment, the enchanting passenger had pulled at his heartstrings. What chances did he have of speaking with her? Perhaps another man held her heart? The thought knotted his stomach. He pushed aside the notion. His Viking beliefs reminded him that everything happened for a reason.
The village seer had told him he would meet his beloved again in another lifetime. Was this the right time? Maybe his gut lied to him once more. After years of searching for his beloved, he had stopped only decades ago, finally deciding he must live without his one true love. He reasoned that if his beloved returned to his life, she would do so without any effort on his part. He was done with disappointment and heartbreaks.
“Here is your drink, sir.”
Ragnvald took the chilled glass and drank its contents. “Thank you.” He raised his empty glass. “Another please.”
When the flight attendant walked away, the object of his stirrings smiled at him. Her garnet lips reminded him of the stones encrusted on the hilt of his sword. It took all his willpower not to jump over his fellow passengers and take this beauty into his arms. His lips ached to taste every inch of her. She would think him a fool—everyone would. “If she is truly meant for you, you will know,” the seer’s voice resounded in his head.