Page 54 of Viking

“What?”

“You never told me what became of her.”

“Kópakonan?” I sigh. “It’s not a happy ending. Are you sure you want to know?”

Arie nods. “Did she ever gain her freedom?”

“She did. They even erected a statue in her honor.”

“And the farmer, did he get what he deserved?”

“Kópakonan escaped and returned to her seal family. Many years later, the farmer—along with the men from the village—killed her mate and sons on a seal hunt, and they sat down to feast on their flippers and meat.” I squeeze her tight and clear my throat. “Consumed with rage, Kópakonan had transformed herself again, this time into a terrible, wailing banshee. She cursed the farmer, the villagers, and all of their descendants. She foretold of many drownings, so many that the dead could take each other’s hands and dance in a circle around the island of Kalsoy.”

“That is a truly awful story.” Arie’s voice cracks as she rests her chin on my chest and sniffles. Tears roll down her rosy cheeks. I wipe them away and suck the salt water from my thumb.

“Men are sometimes truly awful.” I tuck her flaming red hair behind her ear and smile. “I am no exception, Arie.”

“You could have kept the key.”

“A part of me wanted to.”

She’s quiet for a moment and her mouth curls into a frown. “I’m afraid I’ll become that banshee, after what they’ve done, after what they’ve made me.”

I stretch my arm up above me and tuck my forearm under my head. “If you do, I’ll love you anyway.”

She leans forward and captures my lips, the way she’s captured my fucking heart—ruthlessly, hungrily, and completely.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Viking

Istare at the islandwhere she was raped and tortured for years. There’s a long, winding causeway connecting it to the mainland that’s currently under three feet of water, and at the other end, a large gate with a lookout tower armed with men.

The rest of the island can’t be seen from this vantage point, but the craggy rocks around this side give me some indication that it’s not even remotely hospitable.

I hand Niko the binoculars. “We’re gonna have to have a sniper take out the guards from this vantage point. Otherwise, they see us coming and it’s all over before it’s begun. Unless you know someone with a really big boat.”