Page 9 of Hungry Like a Wolf (Vikings Rock #3)

T he days turned into weeks and then a month went by. The frost and snow melted and small, yellow flowers sprung up wherever there was space. Geese flew overhead, honking as they moved from one home to another. The sun woke earlier and set later, spreading long shadows on the growing crops.

Carmel was still a prisoner in Tillicoulty. She was a slave to Orm’s constant needs and her prayers remained unanswered.

“Carmel,” Anna said, rushing over to where Carmel sat weaving a basket with Fion—one of the older ladies in the village who seemed to have taken a shine to Carmel. “A meeting is being called in the Great House.”

“Today?” Fion asked, looking up and patting her graying bun as though checking for stray strands.

“Aye, and King Haakon says Carmel must attend.”

“Oh.” Carmel looked between the two women. “But…why me?” She was the lowest of the low—Orm told her that often enough. She had no voice in the village she’d sought to attack so viciously alongside her father.

“Come on.” Anna plucked the basket from Carmel’s hand and pulled her up. “They are waiting.”

“Who is waiting?” Carmel asked.

“Them. All of them…the Vikings.”

Carmel hoisted her pants up her lean hips—a gift from Anna when her gown had become unwearable—and straightened her tunic. She tucked her hair behind her ears—it was loose today, as she’d just washed it with a jug of warm water and rosemary soap and was waiting for it to dry completely.

“But why must I be there?”

“Because the meeting is about you .” Anna linked her hand through Carmel’s arm as they walked.

“Me?”

“Aye, you are a big problem, don’t you know?”

“How can I be a big problem?” Carmel shook her head. “I have done nothing other than obey Orm’s every command and speak only when spoken to.”

“You are a problem because you are a princess, and not a princess of Tillicoulty.”

“That is true.” Carmel saw that the doorway to the Great House had been propped open now that the weather was more temperate. “I am a princess and I am no doubt being missed.”

“And likely a rescue mission is being planned as we speak.”

Carmel said nothing. Much as she liked Anna and some of the other villagers, she knew they were on borrowed time.

Her mother would be convening an army, assembling the best men and the most skilled warriors.

And likely now that the weather was better, they’d soon be making an appearance.

Heck, if God was being merciful, they’d be camped by the river right now and just picking their moment.

Aye, surely that was where they were. Right now.

Her stomach roiled with excitement at the thought of being rescued and going home, but she didn’t show her anticipation. Instead, she ducked into the Great House and let her eyes adjust to the dimness.

She spotted King Haakon first, seated upon his tall-backed chair with Queen Kenna at his side.

Lined beside benches laden with ale jugs and bread were some of the men of the village, Noah, Olaf, Bryce, and Hamish, plus several others she hadn’t deigned to speak to.

Opposite them were Astrid—busy whittling arrowheads—Orm, and Ravn.

Her attention stayed on Ravn.

Why?

Because as it so often was, his attention was settled on her. Intense. Unwavering. Absolute. It was as if he were trying to see right into her and figure her out. See her deepest, darkest thoughts and the bare bones of her soul.

“Ah, good, you are here,” King Haakon said. “We await your counsel, Princess Carmel.”

“My… My counsel?” she managed, twisting her hands in front of herself. It was rare for anyone to address her by title here in Tillicoulty, let alone the king.

“ Ja , we wish to know what is to come from your people,” Haakon said, holding his mug out for ale.

A villager filled it.

“I have told you.” Astrid stopped what she was doing and looked up at her brother. “The runes bring a forecast of invasion and bloodshed. Berkana heeds preparation.”

Carmel forced herself to stop fidgeting and tilted her chin. “Who is Berkana?”

Astrid frowned her way. “The Birch Goddess. The stone also advises caution if you find yourself in an unfortunate domestic situation, which is apparently what has happened to you, thrall.”

Carmel didn’t answer, but she held Astrid’s challenging glare for a few seconds before turning back to Haakon. “How would I know what is to come when I am here?”

“You know your people,” Haakon said.

“I know my mother is a queen of great power and determination.”

“And she loves you?” Kenna asked.

“Aye, she does.”

“So she will search for you.” Kenna took Haakon’s hand. “We would search the world twice over if a daughter of ours went missing.”

“That is true.” He kissed the backs of his wife’s knuckles. “And may we be blessed with daughters as well as sons one day.”

Kenna smiled and rubbed her belly.

“Spring has arrived,” Noah said, tugging at his beard. “We should expect an invasion any day.”

“I prefer to think of it as an opportunity to negotiate,” King Haakon said. “To discuss how we will charge King Athol’s heirs when they use our land in the future.”

“My father’s heir is my brother, Seamus. He is only eleven and he is king now. It is him you must negotiate with.”

Haakon nodded slowly.

“And he is not yet a warrior.” The thought of something happening to sweet, young Alfred didn’t bear thinking about. “I doubt he will be with any traveling army.”

“And your mother?”

“She may well journey. She is fit and strong.”

“Like her daughter,” Ravn said. “Good stock.”

“We are not a pen of pigs about to be bartered.” She narrowed her gaze at Ravn. “So do not compare us as such.”

He threw back his head and laughed. “No, no, you are not a sow from a pen of pigs. I can attest to that.”

Astrid half-smiled and her eyebrows twitched. “She does not tolerate your drollness, King Ravn.”

“Another fine quality.” He tugged on his beard and smiled at Carmel. “That I have only just become appreciative of.”

“We should journey to the falls to see if they are in the valley yet,” Hamish said. “I am happy to volunteer.”

“And I will go with him,” the huge Viking Gunner said. “We will return swiftly if we take rested horses.”

“ Ja , that is a good idea.” Haakon nodded at the door. “Go now, but be sure not to be seen.

Hamish stood, stepped over to Astrid, and set a kiss on the top of her head. She didn’t acknowledge him, just carried on working at her arrowhead. Though Carmel did see the briefest hint of a smile tugging at her lips.

“God’s speed,” Noah said, crossing himself. The man at his side with the long, gray beard did the same.

The two tall men left the Great House.

“I have a question,” Orm said, flapping his arm in the air.

“Go on.” Haakon nodded at him.

“When is Ravn returning to Drangar? This is a busy village with two kings.”

“You are so keen to get rid of me,” Ravn said, sitting back and folding his arms. “Why is that?”

“I do not like your face.” Orm circled his own and pouted.

Ravn turned to Haakon. “Now that the weather has changed and the sea is calm, I will return to Drangar as soon as I get the boat stocked.” He nodded at the handful of crew who had traveled with him.

“The men are keen to get back to their families and work their land. Also, I have my people awaiting me, their leader. There is much to do for a town that size to prosper.”

“ Ja ,” Haakon said with a nod. “And you can take news of us to the people of Drangar.”

“I will.” Ravn pressed his hand to his chest. “They will be pleased to hear of your good fortune.”

Haakon leaned forward. “And you, brother? Are you pleased for our good fortune?”

“ Ja , of course.”

“You would not have been at one time.” Astrid stared at Ravn.

“I am a changed man.” He paused. “Loss can do that to a person.”

Orm laughed. “You can change no more than an apple can change to a turnip.”

“Then you do not know my heart.” Ravn picked up a drink and took a slug.

“Your black heart,” Astrid said.

“Black, maybe, but also broken. Losing a wife, child, and father all within a few weeks does that to a man.”

Quietness descended. A few people looked at one another.

“And now my son, Thormod, awaits me.” Ravn stood. “And he will need a new mother, so I will take her.” He pointed straight at Carmel. “A mother with royal blood, if not Viking blood, will do nicely.”

“What?” Carmel’s mouth hung open as she stared at Ravn. “I will not go with you.”

“It was not a question, but a statement.” Ravn shrugged.

Her vision of returning to her castle, her mother and brother, and with views of the sunset over the sea shrank from her grasp. “No. I refuse.” She turned to Haakon. “Please, Your Grace, I beg you.”

Haakon frowned. “Why would I let you take our hostage, Ravn?”

“ Ja , you cannot take her. She is mine.” Orm jumped up.

Ravn ignored him. “It makes perfect sense,” he said. “When the army comes for her, you can say she was taken by invading forces to a land faraway. It will prevent a battle, avoid the spilling of more Tillicoulty blood, and it is the truth.”

Haakon looked at Kenna, who gave a small nod.

“What! No!” Carmel rushed up to Haakon. “It’s a crazy idea. I can’t leave these shores. This land is my home.”

“You don’t get a say in it,” Haakon said. “You attacked our people and now you are our prisoner.”

“Aye, your prisoner, not his.” She pointed at Ravn. “He wasn’t even here when I arrived.”

“She is my prisoner, my thrall. I captured her.” Orm slammed his hand into his fist. “I will not let you take her, brother. I will chain her to…to…to me.” He glanced around as though looking for the ankle chains.

“But it is a solution,” Noah said. “We get to save face because we have not handed a hostage over, yet there is no need for a battle. What would they gain by attacking if she is not here?”

Ravn nodded slowly and crossed his arms. He gave Carmel a look of smug satisfaction and ignored Orm, who ran past him and out of the meeting.