by Lee Savino
Daegan took my hand. “We will keep you safe,” he promised me, voice thick with emotion.
My vision blurred as I nodded. I said a prayer for Samuel, battling the Corpse King from the high reaches of our mountain. He knew, as Daegan and I did, the cost of losing to the mage.
We had so much to fight for, and so much more to lose.
2
Muriel
The wind tore at my gown as I braved the mountain path. The lower I descended down the mountain, the colder it grew. The sun was shining when I left the cabin I shared with my mates, but here each gust held a tinge of winter, even a few flurries of snow.
I frowned. It was not even autumn. Why was it so cold?
When I reached the foot of the mountain, a fog, thick and vile-smelling, draped over the path. Shadows grew from the mist and I shrieked, almost dropping my basket.
“Stop.” Two large warriors stepped into my path, blocking it. “What are you doing here?”
I felt their eyes on me as I answered, keeping my gaze on my feet. “I’m here for my mate.”
A long pause passed, but I didn’t raise my eyes.
“Muriel?”
I turned at Wulfgar’s deep voice. My mate hastened up the path, his great brow creased.
My relief at seeing him melted before his hard frown. “You should not be here.”
I raised the basket. “I brought you some food.”
Wulfgar took my offering without looking at it. “Quickly. It’s not safe here.” With a large hand at my back, he hustled me back up the path. When I stumbled, he scooped me up in his arms. His stride barely registered a burden as he put on a burst of Berserker speed. When we broke away from the fog, the sun shone and birds chirped as if nothing was wrong. When we reached a sunny meadow, untouched by the wind or mist, I was shivering.
“You’re cold,” Wulfgar said gruffly as he set me down, and wrapped the pelt he wore around his shoulders around me. “You should not be here. It’s not safe.”
I bowed my head at the anger in his tone. “I’m sorry. I did not know.”
“You should’ve asked before you came.”
The chiding in his tone froze me more than any weather. “I-I tried. It has been over a night and a day, I haven’t heard from you or Fergus—”
He cursed. “The Corpse King breaks the pack bonds.”
My lower lip trembled. Wulfgar cursed again and hugged me to his great body. “Come here, lass. Forgive my rough words. You startled me.”
I clung to him, savoring his hold. It had been days since I’d seen my giant mate, and months since he had held me like this.
All too soon he eased me backwards. His blunt fingers caught my chin gently. “You must stay away from the lower reaches and the boundary of the protection spell. Promise me.”
“I-I promise.”
Fergus! Wulfgar called for my second mate using our shared mind link.
Coming, the bond echoed with Fergus’ faint reply.
“You will stay with Fergus. Do not stray. You must promise me.”
I nodded against his hand, eager to please my gruff mate. His face softened a touch, and he pulled me forward, kissing my forehead just as Fergus arrived.
“Don’t let her out of your sight,” Wulfgar ordered before striding away.
“Muriel? Why are ye here? And so barely dressed? Ye must be freezing.” Fergus shrugged off the pelt over his shoulders and placed it over the one Wulfgar set on me.
“It is still summer,” I protested.
“The Corpse King has spells to control the weather. His attack on the mountain is constant.” An arm about my shoulders, Fergus led me away. “Why did ye venture so near the foot of the mountain?”
“I did not know. I have not heard from you or Wulfgar. I’m sorry.”
“Och, lass. Ye miss us. ‘Tis no crime.”
“Wulfgar was so angry,” I whispered.
“Not at ye,” Fergus said quickly. “He has been fighting these past few days without rest.”
I bit my lip. It wasn’t only the past few days. For the past few moons, my older mate had withdrawn from me. Fergus was just as loving, but it had been a long time since Wulfgar had shared my bed. Until I felt the chill of his disapproval, I didn’t realize how lonely I was without my second mate.
Fergus must’ve felt my melancholy, for he stopped to hold me close. “It will be all right, lass. The Alphas are calling the witch. We are to watch the bairns while they speak to her.”
“Things are very bad, aren’t they?”
The strain around Fergus’ mouth and his silence told me the answer.
I bit my lip, looking past him down the path. I could not see far past the poisonous fog bathing the base of the mountain, choking out the forest and foothills beyond.
3
Brenna
The wind blew my hair as I climbed the mountain trail. When the summit came in view, I stopped to catch my breath. Since birthing the twins, my body had become lush and heavy, and less used to exertion. That will change when Euan and Jacob start walking.
I clutched my robe close and grit my teeth against the wind. At this height, it was louder and more terrible, filled with howls and mocking laughter. Another of the Corpse King’s spells, meant to inspire despair.
I hastened my steps, reaching out with my mind for my mate, shuddering at the empty silence where Samuel should be.
The head Alpha was so strong. Too strong. His willingness to bear the burden of the whole pack was his greatest weakness. He sat on the highest pinnacle, great body still as if carved from stone, the wind tore at his blond hair.
For a moment I feared Samuel was trapped in a prison of his own mind, but he raised his head as I approached.
Brenna?
My knees almost buckled when his voice touched my mind. It had been so long. Teeth chattering against the vicious cold, I answered. It’s almost time to meet with the witch.
With a great sigh, Samuel stretched from his pose.
Our sons?
They are well. I placed a hand on his leg. He was freezing. Muriel and Fergus are here to watch the babes. Come down the mountain. You must eat, and rest.
I must be ready to find the missing.
He’s being stubborn, I linked to Daegan.
Hang on, lass. I sent help.
“Alpha,” Ragnvald’s voice rang up the path before he appeared. “I will take your place.”
Thank you, I mouthed to my sister’s mate. He inclined his regal head, and settled himself on a rock, brow furrowied in concentration.
Samuel moved slowly as an old man. I wrapped my arms around his waist, as if seeking shelter against the wind. His arm slid around my shoulders.
You should not have come.
I could not stay away. I pressed myself to his side. So joined, we walked down the path. I missed my mate.
It’s too cold for you to be about in just a robe. You must take better care of yourself.
You can punish me later.
Silence met my words, and I felt a touch of despair.
Don’t give up on him, Brenna, Daegan encouraged. He’s been too long listening to the Corpse King.
We must remind him of what is good, I agreed. But I didn’t relax until Samuel and I entered the hallway, out of the reaches of the wind.
Here, I led him to our shared chamber. Come and rest.
Very well. Samuel sank into a chair slowly. But only for a little while. There’s much work to be done.
I fetched him mead, but before I could leave to find food, Daegan entered with two plates.
“Meat,” Daegan set the plates near Samuel. “And carrots.” His nose wrinkled in disgust, he headed to where I stood adding wood to the brazier. He caught my hands and chafed them. “Brenna, ye shouldnae leave without an extra wrap.”
I didn’t know was so cold. Too cold for late summer.
Daegan sniffed. “Ye may take a chill.”
“You should not have sent her,” Samuel rasped between sips of
mead.
“Ye think I can stop her?” Daegan winked at me. “She worried and fretted, not even I could comfort her. As soon as Muriel and Fergus took the boys she was off like a shot.”
“Where are my sons?”
Close, I answered, carrying the plate to him. Eat, and I will bring them to you.
Samuel took the food and grabbed my wrist. “No. Stay here. Stay warm.”
“I’ll get the boys,” Daegan said, disappearing into the hall.
I settled myself at my mate’s feet, leaning against his powerful leg. Samuel’s face looked leaner, haggard from fighting, but he was still strong in body. It was not the strength of his body that earned him a place as Alpha, but the strength of his mind. Only Daegan and I knew how fragile he was. He would bear the entire pack’s burdens until he shattered.
You take too many risks, I said.
Is it your place to question your Alpha?
I met his gaze. Yes.
His eyes smiled at me over the cup.
You need to share your burdens.
The Corpse King’s spells attack the mind. I leaned against Samuel as he explained slowly. He sent me many visions. Horrible things. I did not want to carry them back here. He gestured to the warm room, the dais piled high with pelts, my nursing couch and the two wooden cradles. Sabine and Muriel wove both my boys blankets of dyed wool, one a fair blue, the other a rich red.
But this is what reminds you of what is real, and what is worth fighting for.
Shouts and cries heralded our sons. I rose but stayed at Samuel’s side. His hand caught mine and squeezed. His expression was pained, his breath came faster as images flitted over his mind. Empty cradles, a shredded red blanket. The visions of what would happen if the Corpse King were to overtake the mountain.
Quickly I seated myself beside Samuel and slung an arm around him. Come back to us, I begged, holding him until he blinked at me. This is real.
Daegan set Jacob down in the door and bounced Euan on his hip. The blond babe crawled to Samuel and I, babbling the whole way.
I lifted him with a grunt—already, he was a heavy boy—and sat him on Samuel’s lap. Already the cloud in Samuel’s mind was lifting.
Your son. I stepped away, blinking back tears as Samuel ran a rough hand over his Jacob’s head.
Jacob kept up his monologue, meeting his father’s gaze fearlessly and tugging on the pelt on Samuel’s shoulders. Tension leaked out of the big Alpha’s face.
“He looks so big,” Samuel rasped in an unused voice.
“It’s been days.” Daegan murmured, playing with Euan on the floor. “They grow quickly. You cannot keep away too long.”
“It is necessary.”
“It is necessary for the pack to fight, Samuel. Us. Not just you.”
He wants to stand, I interjected before my mates start fighting. Samuel offered his fingers for Jacob to grasp in his pudgy fists. The babe came to his feet, crowing.
He’s so strong, Samuel admired.
“He is,” Daegan said, ignoring my warning look. “But he also knows there’s no shame in asking for help.”
Samuel grunted.
Maddox poked his head in. “Sabine is ready to call the witch. It’s time.”
4
Sabine
As the Alphas gathered on the ledge outside the mouth of the main cave, I knelt in the circle of stones to finish the summoning spell. The witch spent much of the summer teaching me, and I’d spent many hours practicing the craft. When I used flint to light the fire for the final step, the wind buffeted the tiny flame, but it did not go out. Within seconds, Yseult appeared.
“Alphas,” she nodded to the leaders.
Samuel sat on his throne, Daegan standing nearby. Brenna had her own stone seat between them. With a thick fur robe draped over her shoulders, she looked like a queen. And she was—the Berserker Queen.
My own mates were on either side of me, Ragnvald stood facing the wind, Maddox crouched close. One of Muriel’s mates, Wulfgar, completed the circle.
“Well met, Ysuelt,” Samuel’s voice fought the wind. “It is a dangerous time to travel. We are glad you have come.”
“This mountain is well protected,” Yseult’s eyes were shiny black, an alien obsidian that told me she was handling heavy magic.
“The safeguards are holding, for now.” Samuel sounded so tired. My sister leaned into him, placing a hand on his leg as if seeking comfort. The head Alpha didn’t move, but I sensed he drew strength from his mate’s touch, rather than the other way around.
“Then I bring good news,” Yseult said. “His assault will stop with the first snows. My sisters and I have Seen it.”
“That is good news,” Daegan observed.
“He is weakened.” The wind kicked up at the witch’s words.
“This is weak?” Ragnvald raised a brow. The cold wind brought a smattering of snowflakes. A few white sprinkles dotted the ground.
“Since the raid on the abbey he has loosed all his powers to recapture the spaewives. You must hold out for a few more days.”
“Should we attack?” Maddox asked.
“Your first task is to protect the spaewives. He can use them to increase his power.”
“We have missing warriors. Several of them, along with the women they rescued. We fear his forces have captured them.”
“Then a fight is inevitable. But take care. You must keep the spaewives from the Corpse King, at all costs. They are the main source of his power.”
“Then it is decided,” Samuel said. “We will send a group of warriors to find the lost and aid them. One of us should lead.”
“I’ll do it,” Daegan and Wulfgar spoke at once.
“With respect,” Ragnvald said. “You two are the most familiar with the mountain pack. You are needed here.”
“I’ll go,” Maddox volunteered. “I can take a contingent from our pack, as well as volunteers from here.” My two mates led a separate pack. Over the past few moons both were merging slowly, but there was still rivalry among some of the warriors.
“We also should take shifts searching via the pack bonds, rotating so we are not too tired,” Ragnvald continued. “I can take a shift.”
“So can I,” Daegan nodded at the wisdom of this. “That way it will not all fall to Samuel.”
“Is there another strong warrior who can help?” Ragnvald asked. “One of the pack?”
“There is one who can easily reach the entire pack,” Wulfgar said. “An old warrior named Odin.”
“Odin?” Maddox half chuckled.
“Yes, they call him that because he has but one eye.”
“He did not go to carry off a mate?” Daegan asked.
Wulfgar shook his head.
“If his mind is strong, he can help. Send him to the summit when I am there,” Samuel said.
“Then it is decided.” Maddox struck his leg. “Samuel and Ragnvald will continue monitoring for missing Berserkers. Daegan and Odin will help and take shifts. Wulfgar will manage the pack and patrols, along with Knut and Thorbjorn. And I will lead a fresh band of warriors to retrieve the lost.”
“We are grateful for your aid, Yseult,” Samuel addressed the witch. “You and I must confer to keep this mountain safe. I know you’ve been searching for a way to stop this ancient mage. With the winter reprieve, we could be ready to fight in the spring. If you will help us.”
Yseult nodded. Over the past few minutes, her pupils had shrunk, her eyes becoming more human.
“Well?” Maddox rose and crossed his arms over his chest. “How do we defeat him?”
Yseult licked her lips. For some reason, she looked at me. I sensed a hint of sadness before she turned to Samuel.
“I will tell you.” The witch threw up her hands, casting a spell before our eyes. Figures appeared before us, light reflecting on all our faces from a shared vision. Yseult’s voice spoke over it.
A young spaewife was taken as bride to the mage who would become the Corpse King. A necromancer,
he took many wives, and committed abominations to increase his power, birthing strong children and consuming their flesh to become near immortal. When she found out his plans, she prayed to the goddess for a way to defeat him. She was given a spell, and the children born to her were more powerful than ever. Together they defeated the mage. They couldn’t kill him, but they could lock him in a tomb for a thousand years.
The Corpse King’s wife sacrificed her life to seal the tomb, and her sons were all slain. She was the mother of the Berserkers.
I blinked as the vision faded. Brenna looked pale, and the warrior’s expressions ranged from fierce, to worried, to thoughtful.
“This one woman had a spell to contain the mage?” Samuel asked.
“My witch sisters and I are still searching for the spell.”
“But if you find it,” I spoke up, “it might require great cost.”
Yseult pressed her lips together and nodded. “To bind the mage, one or more spaewives may have to die.”
5
Muriel
I held little Euan in my lap and cooed to him. Beside me, a red wolf sat patiently as a baby grasped his fur with chubby fists. With a chorus of babbling, the baby pulled himself up and started to walk, holding tightly to the red pelt.
I laughed softly at Fergus’ long-suffering expression. Do you want me to distract him?
Nay. This is how the bairn’s learn. When he’s older, I’ll teach him to mind his uncle Fergus. The wolf stuck his wet nose on the back of the baby’s knee, and Jacob lost his footing.
“Yoohoo,” someone called. I tensed, peering through the bushes. We’d carried the babies through a secret hall to a hidden cave lower down the mountain. The day was fine, and though there was a chill in the summer air, the wind wasn’t as bad as it was further up the mountain. We were safe. Still, we stayed in the patch of sun at the cave mouth.