Viking Claim (The MacLomain Series: Viking Ancestors Book 2) (21 page)

Megan put her hand over his and shook her head. “It’s not your fault. You were only taking my advice after I watched him fight.”

Interestingly enough, Adlin’s curious eyes remained on the Unnamed One as he spoke to Helga. “Is there any way to undo the harm done by Raknar embracing the dragon?”

It was then as Helga waited for the Unnamed One to draw on the table that Veronica realized exactly who was in charge. The faceless woman. Eventually, she made a few more slashes on the table and Helga continued. “The magic must once more be strengthened. Yrsa
must
be defeated.”

The Unnamed One made several more slashes and Helga spoke. “Though he is only twenty winters old, she has now taken your former enemy, King Rennir’s son, as her new king. He is more ruthless and bloodthirsty than most. Worse than that, he is her puppet. Some say she has opened a channel between them, that she is sharing her dark magic.”

Helga’s eyes skirted over the brothers as the Unnamed One kept on with her slashes. “You and your women must return with us to our home on Galdhøpiggen Mountain. There we will lure her. There she will meet her death.”

“And if that doesn’t work?” Naðr said.

“Then the MacLomains and their connections to women from the future will be at great risk and a remarkable timeline might very well be rewritten.”

All fell silent.

A chill raced up Veronica’s spine as her eyes went to Adlin. Somber, he wore a heavy frown as he stared at the table. Then she met Megan’s eyes. Though her expression was pained, she nodded.

“Let’s say they lose against Yrsa. What if there was another way?” Veronica said.

The Unnamed One’s head moved slightly in Veronica’s direction.

“What are you suggesting?” Helga said.

Call her a coward, but she couldn’t look at Raknar as she spoke. “All along it’s been about the king and his brothers maintaining this pact to help keep Torra MacLomain safe. What if my sisters and I could shoulder some of the responsibility?”

Naðr frowned heavily at Megan then Veronica, and she felt the weight of his stare like cement blocks on her shoulders. So she kept her eyes on Helga as she touched the satchel containing the cylinder. “What if Megan and I utilize the power of free-will the gods gave us with these…” She fingered the cylinder again, not daring to look at either Raknar or Naor when she made her final plea. “And choose to remain in the twenty-first century. What if we made a promise never to return allowing you to find three more women to fulfill the pact? Would that reset and re-strengthen this ancient magic you’re talking about?”

Naðr and Raknar muttered several curses. Or so she assumed because they came across as Norse not English. A little blip in the magic from the stones that kept swearing from their ears.

“Absolutely not,” Naðr growled. “I won’t lose them.”

“I’d rather rot in Loki’s hel than lose Veronica and her sisters,” Raknar agreed.

As Kol had yet to meet Amber, he surprised her when he said, “I refuse to lose Megan or Veronica…or their sister.”

Though all three continued to grumble, everyone else remained silent as Helga and Veronica kept staring at one another. At last the seer spoke. “You and your sister offer a great sacrifice to keep a clan you’ve never met safe.”

“Yes,” Veronica acknowledged.  “Yet we’re not just doing it for the MacLomains but for the Sigdir brothers. If they can sacrifice to keep their descendants safe, then we can do the same to keep them safe.”

When the brothers started to protest, Helga shook her head sharply and they stopped. Everyone waited as the Unnamed One’s fingers hovered over the table. Veronica stopped breathing as she kept her eyes locked with Helga’s. Wind battered the thatching overhead. Fire crackled.

What seemed far too many moments later, the Unnamed One made one gentle slash.

“Yes,” Helga said softly. “We accept your offer.”

Before Naðr could argue, she continued. “You are laying claim to a serious commitment. If Yrsa is not defeated then the connections already forged between you, your sister and the Sigdir brothers will cease to exist. You will not remember them and they will not remember you. Bifröst, the Rainbow Bridge, will cease to connect any of you through time or memory.”

Helga and the Unnamed One placed their hands side by side, palm down on the table and slid them toward Veronica and Megan. “Each of you put a hand on the table as we have and slide them until our fingertips connect. This will seal your pact with us.”

“No,” the brothers roared at the same time but when Helga flung up a hand all suddenly seemed unable to move let alone speak.

Veronica’s gaze went from Naðr to Kol before ending up on Raknar. She had never seen such pain in his eyes and suspected he saw the same in hers. She squeezed his hand and whispered, “I’m so sorry, but I have to do this. For you. And them.”

She closed her eyes to the torture in his gaze and opened them to Helga as she placed her hand on the table and slid it until it connected with theirs.

Meanwhile, Megan was cupping Naðr’s cheek and whispering something in his ear. By the looks of it, he was furious at her words, at the whole damn thing. Megan brushed her lips over his, eyes wet as she slid her hand until it touched theirs.

Their hands glowed for a second and a strange chill ran over her.

“Our pact is sealed,” Helga announced as she and her sister pulled their hands away.

That, it seemed, freed the brothers and all three rose abruptly. Equally furious, Raknar started pacing, shooting off several more disgusted words in Norse. Kol took a long swig from his skin and stood in front of the fire, brooding. Naðr flung away his chair, crossed his arms over his chest and glared at anyone willing to meet his confrontational eyes.

Megan braced her forehead in her hands and Veronica stared at the table.

Helga and the Unnamed One stood. “We leave for Galdhøpiggen soon. Be ready.”

When they left, Meyla and Valan followed.

Now Naðr and Adlin were staring one another down as the king’s eyes narrowed. “You will come with us.”

Adlin nodded. “Aye, lad. I will help get you there then I must go. This battle is not mine.” His eyes went to Veronica then Megan. “I am forever in your debt for what you did today.”

“Then fight with us,” Naðr ground out.

“Nay,” Adlin said softly. “Even if I wanted to, the seers wouldnae allow it. They will fight alongside you this time and are verra powerful.”

“But not as powerful as you,” Raknar said.

The MacLomain wizard arched a brow. “You dinnae know that.”

“But you do,” Naðr said. “Are they?”

“Together, aye,” Adlin replied. “Apart, nay.”

Raknar growled something indiscernible then yanked Veronica into his arms. She gasped against his chest he held her so tightly. “Why did you
do
this, woman?”

“Because she was put in a position that she felt she had no choice,” Naðr spat, his possessive hands falling on Megan’s shoulders. “Now because of your actions we might very well lose what we’ve come to love so much, brother.”

Megan slammed her hands on the table. “Enough!” She stood, turned and glared up at Naðr. “Tell me exactly what you would have done out there on the dock earlier had
you
been in Raknar’s position.” Her sister jabbed an angry finger into his chest. “What would you have done if that were me Yrsa was set to take or worse, kill. Better yet, what would you have done had that been our son with me?” Her eyes rounded as both her fury and voice rose. “No matter, that was
my
sister and
your
nephew out there. Why the hell didn’t you risk it all and shift into a dragon?”

For the first time since she’d met him the king was utterly speechless.

Megan wiped away an angry tear, flung up her hands in aggravation then strode from the room. Naðr swiped a hand over his face in frustration and went after her.

Again silence fell over the room.

Veronica bit her lower lip and fought tears as she pressed her cheek against Raknar’s chest and inhaled deeply.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “God, I hope I don’t lose you.”

Raknar held her head against his chest, breathing heavy. “You won’t. My brothers and I
will
succeed.” Though she knew he was still angry when he cupped her cheeks and met her eyes, his words were reverent. “You and your sister have great courage. I am so proud of you both. You have defended and honored us with this pact. We
will not
fail you.”

“No, we will not,” Kol vowed, coming alongside.

Raknar let her go when his younger brother pulled her into his arms. Kol hugged her just as tightly before he tilted her chin and met her eyes. “Thank you, sister. Naðr thanks you as well he just needs more time.”

Sadness continued to overwhelm her. “I just convinced his wife to give him up. Can’t really blame him for not being thankful in the least.”

“Megan has her own mind.” Raknar pulled her back into his arms. “You could not force that woman to do anything against her will.”

“True,” she murmured. “But I don’t think Naðr sees it that way.”

“Naðr can see nothing but pain and fury right now,” Kol said. “But we'll help him push past the pain and embrace the fury. And we will defeat Yrsa.”

Yet Veronica couldn’t help wonder. Could Yrsa be defeated without the dragons…without Adlin MacLomain? Were the seers strong enough?

Her eyes shot to Kjar, who had been speaking with Adlin. It seemed he sensed she needed him because he ceased talking and his eyes met hers.

“Are you really a demi-god?”

He nodded. “Yes. Once removed.”

“What does that mean exactly?” She sat on the edge of the table. “I know you were partly responsible for the time-travel aspect of Megan returning here. But what other powers do you possess?”

Kjar shrugged and popped a nut in his mouth. “A little bit of this. A little bit of that. Heimdall is my grandfather so mostly things that have to do with time itself.”

“So how can you help the brothers fight?”

A frown settled on his face as he shook his head. “I have not been invited to go with them so I cannot help at all.”

“I don’t get it.” She frowned as well. “Why not?”

“This is a fight to be had by the brothers,” Adlin said.

“Right.” Veronica’s eyes narrowed on him as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Why is it that you’re allowed to go with them, but you can’t help once you’re there? I find that curious.”

“Aye, Veronica. ‘Tis a sharp, curious mind you possess, lass. One that has served you well and will continue to do so.” The corner of Adlin’s lips hitched up. “Whether here or in the twenty-first century.”

Something about the way he said it, about the way he looked at her, made Veronica feel like he knew a whole lot more than he was saying. So she called him on it. “What do you know that we don’t?”

The corner of Adlin’s lips only hitched up further, but there was a touch of sadness in his eyes. “Lass, you couldnae even begin to comprehend all that I know and I wouldnae wish it on you if you could.”

Caught in the melancholy she sensed within him, Veronica sighed. She was about to speak again but Raknar took her hand and interrupted. “We must prepare to leave.”

“Nay.” Adlin stood. “Everything you need will be waiting. There is no more time.”

Veronica was about to respond but couldn’t.

Everyone and everything spun around her too quickly.

Then, vast and unending, darkness descended.

“What the fu—” Veronica cried out but her words were smothered against Raknar’s chest.

“Shh,” he whispered, stroking her hair. “It’s all right. Adlin shifted us. Just focus on breathing until you’ve calmed.”

Shifted them? But she couldn’t wonder at that now as her body went from feeling weightless to incredibly heavy. Pain pounded through her head then faded fast. Shaking, unsteady, she wrapped her arms around Raknar and prayed she wasn’t dying here and now.

“It will soon pass,” he murmured.

God, she hoped so because this wasn’t fun in the least.

He was right though. It did pass.

Bit by bit, her body started to feel normal and breathing became easier. Yet her heart still hammered as she pulled back slightly, blinked and looked around.

“Here, lass.” Adlin swung a fur cloak over her shoulders. “My apologies for bringing you here so quickly. Better that you had little time to mull over what was coming.”

Veronica pulled the cloak around her and stepped back from Raknar as she met Adlin’s eyes then started to take in her surroundings. “Where exactly are we?”

But she already knew as she started to spin and truly took in everything. Wind gusted and the sun was no longer climbing up the sky but now sat low on an unbelievable horizon. Wide, sweeping, she clearly stood on a mountain overlooking many more. They crested and jutted against the sky as clouds swept and scooped not only between them but
beneath
where she stood.

“It's gorgeous,” she whispered, taking in the stunning grandeur.

“We have arrived near the peak of Galdhøpiggen Mountain.” Raknar wrapped his arm around her waist. “Home of the seers.”

Not only her gaze but her very soul was so caught up in the sweeping, powerful landscape that it was hard to tear her eyes away.

“Come.” Raknar took her hand and she walked with him away from the edge of the cliff.

“Megan,” she said as her sister rushed over quickly and embraced her. “Are you okay? Is Naðr?”

“Yeah, we’re good enough.” Megan squeezed her tightly then pulled back. “I’m still pissed at him and he’s still pissed at everyone in general but we’ll work it out.” She looked around. “Because at this point we have no choice.”

Veronica looked around. Maybe twenty-five feet separated the entrance to a cave from the sheer cliff she had been standing so close to.

Kol flexed his shoulders. “I can’t stand traveling this way.”

How exactly had they arrived here in the blink of an eye? Through Adlin of course but still…how? Veronica went to ask him but stopped short, searching. “Where’d Adlin go?”

“Away,” Naðr grumbled as he came alongside. “Back to Scotland.”

“What?” Veronica’s heart sunk. So he really wasn’t going to help. “Just like that?”

“As he said, this isn’t his battle,” Naðr said. Then he surprised her when he took her shoulders and met her eyes. “I am furious but not at you, Veronica. Though I'll die before I allow it to come to pass, thank you for what you...” He cleared his throat. “And Megan did for me and my brothers. Nobody has ever done anything like that for us and we will forever honor you both for it.”

Veronica’s heart broke at the look in his eyes, at the look in all of their eyes. These weren’t men who handled others protecting them well. They were the protectors and Naðr was the number one protector of his kind.

“No need to honor us,” she said softly. “But if you’re determined to, then kick Yrsa’s skanky ass, okay?”

“Skanky,” Kol mouthed, clearly pondering the word.

“Means nasty,” Megan said.

“Nasty?”

Veronica gave a little grin. “Downright slimy evil?”

Kol nodded, approving. He arched his brows at his brothers. “I think then that we can kick Yrsa’s skanky ass, yes?”

“You and I at least,” Naðr uttered as he stepped away from Veronica, less-than-impressed eyes on Raknar. “As to him, not so sur—”

“Not so sure what, husband?” Megan said, hands on her hips, brows lowered.

A sound close to a growl rumbled in the king’s chest as his eyes went from Raknar to Megan. He was about to say something else, but the seers appeared at the mouth of the cave. Helga, of course, spoke. “Welcome. Come with us.”

A strange sensation washed over her. Something calm and soothing as Helga waved them forward. Raknar’s hand slid into hers and they followed.

Veronica’s eyes widened as they entered a huge cave with many exits stemming off of it in a honeycomb pattern. A bright fire burned in the middle, highlighting thousands of what looked to be talismans hanging from the ceiling. Long strings hung at varying lengths with bones, rocks, feathers, and a variety of other things tied to them.

Wind whistled, creating an eerie sound made of both the little bells interwoven in the strings and air rushing through the various tunnels and deeper recesses of the cave. Small wooden chairs were set around the fire.

“Please. Sit,” Helga urged.

The Unnamed One sat on the ground by Helga’s feet and started rolling what sounded to be a handful of pebbles in her fist.

They sat across the fire from the seers as platters of food and drinks were laid by their side.

Nobody moved, only watched the women warily.

Helga nodded at them. “Please eat, drink. No harm will come to you this night.”

“How do we know we can trust the food and drinks,” Naðr said. “You made a pact with me and my brothers then made a secondary pact with our women to protect yourselves.”

“Think it through, my king,” Helga murmured, eyes soft. “What good would it do me and my sister to kill any of you when you have the possibility of bringing us such greatness in Odin’s eyes?”

Naðr glared at her long and hard before his eyes went to a slave. “Let me sample what you mean to give my family.”

“No,” Raknar and Kol exclaimed but Helga had already nodded her approval and a girl knelt before Naðr with a sampling of everything.

Raknar and Kol clearly tried to stand, but they were obviously tied back by the same magic the seers had used before.

“Sweetie, don’t,” Megan pleaded, voice thick as not only fear but tears brimmed in her eyes.

“I agree,” Veronica said. “Don’t be an idiot. Seriously. Please don’t. Let me.” She shook her head. “Heck,
everyone
knows the leader is the last one who’s supposed to sample the poisoned stuff.”

Naðr ignored them and started munching a bite of everything then washed it down with a sampling of the drinks provided. All the while, Helga watched him and the Unnamed One kept her head bent. When finished, he sat back, crossed his arms over his chest and waited.

Veronica felt sick to her stomach. Naðr had just consumed everything that might likely have poisoned his family without a care in the world. Or so it seemed. Though he kept a stoic face, her chest tightened at the silent tear that trickled down Megan’s face as she held his hand. Her sister didn’t go into hysterics but stared at the fire as though it offered an escape from her torment.

Raknar squeezed Veronica’s hand and she squeezed right back. If Naðr died, she knew his brothers would find a way to kill the seers before they took their next breath.

Several minutes passed before Helga at last spoke. “If we meant to kill you, you would already be dead.” She cocked her head at Naðr. “Do you believe your people are safe now?”

Naðr nodded at the tray he’d sampled from. “Once you and your sister eat and drink of the same selection then yes, I will be satisfied.”

Even as Helga did as requested and she and the Unnamed One ate and drank, Veronica knew the seer was right…if they wanted them dead they would be. Regardless, they seemed well enough so all was shared.

Not offended in the least by Naðr’s actions, Helga said, “Please, partake of our hospitality. We will retire soon then summon Yrsa early on the morn.” Her sultry eyes turned Kol’s way. “Might I expect you in my bed this eve dragon?”

Veronica would have snorted if she wasn’t so busy being grateful they were all okay. Naðr had pulled Megan close and her cheek rested against his chest. Raknar’s arm was around Veronica's back and his posture so stiff she wondered if he’d ever move again.

Kol, however, seemed to be going with the flow as a slow, careful smile spread over his face. “If I know my family’s safe, I’m all yours beautiful.”

Though a warm, welcoming smile stayed on her face, Helga spread then shut her legs slowly as though undecided. “I do not know, that almost sounds as if you feel obligated.”

Kol took a long drag from his mug and shrugged, flirtatious as he braced his elbows on his knees and slowly looked her up and down. “You know how much I love you, Helga.”

“Yet you are willing to commit to a woman from the future,” she reminded, cunning eyes locked on his.

“For you, anything,” he murmured and shot her a look that made Veronica understand why women couldn’t turn him away.

“Ah, well, when you say it like that,” she breathed softly.

The Unnamed One started rattling the stones and shaking her head.

Helga sighed and momentarily focused less on lust as she met Naðr’s eyes. “Eat. Drink. Then my slaves will show you to your bed. We will meet the sun as she crests the horizon and call Yrsa. She will have no choice but to come. Then there will be war.”

The Unnamed One shot out her fist as though she meant to toss the stones, but Helga grasped it and shook her head. “Might we all rest in peace this eve?”

Her sister gave no response, only hung her head.

So they partook of the seer’s hospitality and maybe an hour later, Helga stood, eyes not soft but hard as they met Kol’s. “Come, youngest brother. I want to feel you between my legs.”

Kol started to turn his head to say goodbye to his brothers, but Helga bit out, “No, not them.
Me
. Now.”

Veronica didn’t care if it wasn’t her place, she stood, fists clenched by her side as she eyed Helga. “How
dare
you. Kol doesn’t deserve that.”

Helga’s eyes drifted lazily from hers to Kol’s. “Have I offended you then?”

Kol didn’t hesitate as he sauntered forward. “Not at all.”

Veronica couldn’t believe what she was seeing but before she could say another word, Raknar pulled her down next to him and whispered in her ear. “This battle is not yours, woman.”

“No, it’s yours,” she seethed softly. “And Naðr’s. Why aren’t either of you doing anything about it?”

“Does it look like Kol is being tortured?” Raknar said just as softly.

For all Helga’s ordering around, it seemed she was too impatient to go far. Veronica’s jaw dropped when Helga fell to her knees in front of Kol and ran her eager hands up his thighs and over his backside. When she untied the front of his pants and he grabbed her head in invitation, Helga flicked not only her tongue but her hand.

Multiple slaves swarmed forward. The next thing she knew Megan and Naðr were being ushered in one direction, her and Raknar in the other.

“What’s happening to Kol?” she asked as they were led forward.

“Torture by cock.” Raknar snorted then placed his hand against the small of her back as they walked. “Have no worries. Kol always survives, especially when with a woman.”

Baffled, she sighed as they were ushered into a surprisingly warm torch-lit cave with a small pool in one corner and a bed nestled in another. The men who had escorted them vanished back in the direction they’d come.

Raknar felt the air around the entrance. “Seer’s magic. We’re trapped.”

“Trapped,” she murmured and gazed around. It was beautiful. But…Her eyes met Raknar’s. “Are Megan and Naðr okay?”

He walked to the edge of the fog covered pool, back-dropped by water sluicing down a rock wall. “I'm sure they're fine.” His eyes met hers. “The seers mean us no harm.”

“How do you know?”

“Think about it.” Raknar pulled off his boots. “Like they said, the simple truth is if they wanted us dead we already would be.” He shook his head. “But that would be wasteful of them. They need more.”

He felt the water then held out his hand. "Come, it's warm.”

Veronica hesitated, unsure. “Tell me what more they need.”

Raknar pulled off his shirt, unveiling all his glorious muscles. More than that, the tattoo on his back of
him
…the dragon, with her wrapped around him…
needing
him. Caught in the golden glow of torchlight, his eyes met hers. “Not only are they determined to bless Odin with more souls but they remain curious as to whether true love not only exists but can truly sustain itself.”

She nearly laughed. “
Really?
”

Hand held out, he shrugged. “Is that so bad then?”

“Bad? No.” She took his hand. “Over the top? Yeah.”

“Over what top?”

Veronica rethought her words. “Unrealistic?”

Raknar brought her palm to his lips and murmured, “Is it so unrealistic?”

“Love,” she whispered and shook her head. “If it truly exists.”