Page 63 of The Magic of Vanaheim

For a second the barn was filled with silence, then one of the berserkers roared, his eyes rolling back in his skull. His scream was echoed by more voices coming from the woods outside.Hel, how many of them were there?

Before Talvinen could unleash anotherseiðr, an arrow whizzed through the open door of the barn, burying itself in the berserker’s throat. Was that Thyra and her warriors coming to their aid?

“Come!” Talvinen grasped him by the hand and finished off the last visible attacker in passing just as the man was pierced by a second arrow. “This way.”

The golden sunlight of the morning was swallowed by a billowing fog creeping up through the forest, but Talvinen seemed to know exactly where they needed to go. They ran downa narrow pathway, deep into the underbrush, the forest filled with strange screams and guttural noises.

“Talvi,” Håkon hissed as he saw the shadow of a man appearing in the mist in front of them.

But Talvinen didn’t hesitate. He headed straight for the man, who carried a bow and a quiver of arrows slung over his shoulder.

“Uncle Njord,” Talvinen said happily.

The man pulled down his hood, a tall warrior who appeared to be a decade older than Håkon. But considering he was a god of theVanir, he could be centuries old. Though his hair was longer and a dark shade of brown, not black like Talvinen’s, and his eyes had the slate-gray color of the rough sea, the family resemblance was undeniable. Talvi could look very similar in a few decades, and Håkon was embarrassed about how much he liked the idea.

“Talvi,” the Lord of Nóatún smiled. “It’s so good to see you again.”

Opening his arms, he pulled Talvinen into a crushing hug. The sight made Håkon’s stomach churn with unease. This man was Talvinen’s real family. The people he belonged to. What if he grew tired of Håkon as soon as he was reunited with them?

As if reading his thoughts, Talvinen glanced at Håkon over his shoulder and beckoned him to come closer.

“Meet my husband. This is—”

“Håkon Bloodaxe. Prince of Jotunheim,” Njord said.

“Yes.” Freeing himself from his uncle’s embrace, Talvinen threw an arm around Håkon’s shoulders.

“I’m no prince,” Håkon grumbled.

Njord took in their ruffled appearance, both of them drenched in the blood of their enemies and laughed. “You are a prince in the eyes of our laws.” He slapped Håkon on the shoulder. “Welcome to the family.”

“Thank you.” Håkon wasn’t prepared for a warm welcome into any family, but Njord seemed pleased enough with his nephew’s choice.

“What are you doing here?” Talvinen asked.

All cheerfulness drained from Njord’s features. “Taking revenge,” he said, voice as cold as the depths of the sea. “But there’s no time to chatter. Myliðcamps down by the fjord. Svanhild is there, as is Sveinn. It was him who paid the raiders to kill you.”

Talvinen bristled. “I’ll end them both.”

“You will,” Njord promised. “But not yet. I didn’t infiltrate their camp for nothing. I’m still hoping to gain information on your mothers’ whereabouts.”

“The priestesses. I knew it,” Talvi groused. “We should’ve chased them out of the realm and razed their sacred places to the ground.”

“Not so fast,” Njord interrupted, putting a calming hand on Talvinen’s shoulder. “They aren’t all the same. But Svanhild is a rotten apple for sure.”

While the twoVanirtalked, Håkon watched the forest. There were still raiders looking for them, he was sure of it, but no one came near their hiding place. Had Njord woven aseiðrto disguise them?

“It would be best if you continued your journey. Ride down the fjord to Liv’s hall. You’ll be safe there.”

Talvinen hesitated, an adorable frown on his face. “What aren’t you telling me?”

Stunned by the open way Talvinen spoke to his uncle, Håkon was sure that Njord would get angry. At the very least, he expected that the olderVanrwould refuse to answer his nephew’s impudent questions.

“Dammit, Talvi,” Njord growled. “Ride to the camp if you must. Come to my tent. But we must let Sveinn and Svanhild live for now.”

“Good.” Talvinen smiled smugly, clearly the nephew who enjoyed annoying his uncle.

Njord rolled his eyes, but a small smile was tugging at his lips, too. Håkon had no idea what had just happened. Was Talvinen’s whole family like that? Friendly and dangerous and slightly mad?