Page 12

CHAPTER 12

The fifty-fourth day of the men’s sojourn on the island

J?rgen had insisted upon coming, though she’d made it clear she could manage without him. ‘Twas a bitter echo, sitting there with J?rgen opposite, as they’d done on the day she’d taken him to the cavern. Thankfully, the breeze was with them, allowing Astrid to use the sail as they set off around the headland.

J?rgen would take the oars when needed, but she’d avoid asking for his help for as long as possible.

‘Tis a fishing trip like any other. Get the nets filled, then head back.

Except it wasn’t like any other.

These fish were destined for a feasting celebration—to be grilled over hot embers on the beach. All would be gathered as sunset drew close to witness the binding vows of Viggo and Signy.

Some said it was too soon, not even two sennights since Signy’s mother had fallen to her death, but Bothild had upheld the couple’s request.

Signy had come to Astrid, filled with excitement at her news, and Astrid was pleased for her, of course. Signy deserved to be happy, and the way Viggo behaved with her, so gentle yet protective, ‘twas clear he valued her love.

No doubt, the wedding would inspire others to declare themselves—Frida and Gunnar, for instance. Even Grethe, mayhap. Astrid didn’t go out of her way to spend time with Signy’s cousin, but when she’d last seen her, the change in Grethe had been marked.

I shall be alone, as I was before.

Either the runes, or Frida, had been deceitful.

There would be no husband. No baby, either. Astrid’s bleed had come in full flood the evening after their argument.

Moving the sail so it sat neutral to the wind, Astrid slowed the little boat’s speed.

“You can haul the fish in now.”

He might as well do something useful rather than simply sitting there, looking like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders.

J?rgen did as she’d shown him, using the long-handled hook to bring in the net they’d been trailing behind the boat.

Astrid made no move to assist, letting him struggle awkwardly, his hands unused to the task. She allowed herself a small smile as the net sloshed over the side, sending a gush of seawater and flapping mackerel into J?rgen’s lap.

Muttering some choice oaths, he transferred the fish into a lidded basket by his feet.

“‘Tis only practice you need; a shame you’ll be gone before you’ve the chance to improve,” Astrid remarked archly.

“You’ve every right to berate me, but you must know how I feel, Astrid. I beg you… don’t keep punishing me.”

Astrid scoffed. “By not letting you back in my bed? A few days on the floor will hardly kill you. That’s all it will be, isn’t it? You must have near finished repairing that sail.”

He had the decency to look contrite. “As you say, it won’t be long. That’s why I have to make things right between us.”

“Off in the morning, are you?” Astrid’s anger rose again, prickling her neck with heat.

J?rgen looked down at his hands. “Just before dawn.”

A stab of pain wrenched Astrid’s stomach. She’d been taunting him, but it was true. He really was leaving, and he was only just telling her. She didn’t know whether to burst into tears or grab him by the foot, tipping him overboard.

“You want my forgiveness before you set off? A last fuck in the boat, for old times’ sake?”

He flinched. “I need you to come. Astrid, please!”

“I’ve drawn for you the path through the rocks. ‘Twill have to be sufficient.” She turned away. She couldn’t bear to look at him anymore.

“Eldberg may force you.” J?rgen sounded wretched. “I don’t want it that way, but I won’t have a choice. You might hide?—”

She jumped in. “You expect me to run like a rabbit up the hillside and find myself a burrow? I shan’t miss Signy’s wedding, and the celebrations are likely to continue through the night. Or were you thinking to knock me unconscious and leave me on one of the beaches on this side of the island? I’m supposed to clamber up the cliffside and trek back after you’ve sailed away? Like some mountain goat?”

Tossing the lid from one of the baskets, she grabbed at a still-flipping mackerel and threw it at him. By luck more than aim, it hit him on the side of the head.

Sobbing, she took up another and sent it flying after, but he raised his arms this time, deflecting it so that the fish plopped back into the sea, silver-belly first.

Astrid buried her head in her hands. She hated him and loved him… and hated that she loved him. ‘Twould be so easy to agree, to let him take her away. They might even be happy for a while, while she was useful to him, but what would be the point if he didn’t truly love her?

“I’d stay here if I thought ’twas possible, but Eldberg would have to think me dead and you alongside before he gave up looking. And I want you to be safe. My dreams… I’m frightened, Astrid, for this place and for you. No matter what I tell myself, that fear remains. If I could hide us both, perhaps I would, but you’d still be in danger, and I can’t allow that.”

Astrid looked up but didn’t know what to say. The way he was speaking, ‘twas as if he really did care—as if he valued her wellbeing alongside his own.

“I don’t want you to feel obliged. I ask nothing of you…”

J?rgen thumped his forehead with his fist.

Startled, Astrid cried out, and he relented at once, taking her hands.

“That’s not true. I want many things. I want everything! I want you, Astrid, to love and protect. You by my side. Only when you’re in my arms am I complete. ‘Tis all for you… every moment of every day. ‘Tis you in my mind and in my heart. Let me cherish you, Astrid. Let me show what I can offer.”

She flung herself about his neck, burying her face beneath his ear, and felt his arms come about her, strong and warm.

He truly means it.

He wants me not just for what I can give but for what he wishes to give me.

He was kissing her then—fervent caresses that covered her face. Then came a deeper embrace that stole her breath and made her forget where they were.

Only the low rumble of thunder brought her to her senses.

A storm? How can it be? The sky was clear a moment ago.

She pulled away.

The thunder rolled on, making the very sea about them quiver and the boat rock.

The look upon J?rgen’s face was one of sheer horror. He was pointing to the hillside.

“Nay! It cannot be!” Gripping the side of the boat, she stared where his gaze was fixed.

Trees were shifting downward. Some way off, where the summit of the mountain reached skyward, smoke billowed upward. “What is it? Is there a storm on the other side? Has lightning set the forest ablaze?”

“I see no storm.” J?rgen’s eyes were wide. “But I’ve heard of such things in the old sagas. Trolls who bring with them fire that resides in the mountains, destroying all with their fists and the thump of their feet. Mayhap the dark ones have woken them to do their bidding.”

Astrid screamed as rocks broke away from the cliffs before them, tumbling over the precipice into the sea below.

She clung to J?rgen.

Is the world coming to an end?

It seemed the breath had left her body.

“Quickly!” Taking up the oars, J?rgen began turning the boat about. “We must get back and warn the others.”