Page 42 of Alien Viking's Passion

He still completed his own reckoning, finding that it agreed with her. “So it is. And no sign of trolls. Still, the night is quiet. Weshould keep our voices down.” He grabbed Aretha’s hand and led her down the hill, past the opening to the tunnel. It could only be seen from above, and nobody would have a reason to climb up that high — there was only a sheer cliff wall ahead.

“You’re a fast navigator,” he said softly. “The stars can be hard to make sense of.”

“Looking at stars is what I do,” she said. “The first thing I did here on Gardr was to find the North Star. There are many of them, but I picked one.”

“The Leitauga,” Craxon said. “The Eye that Guides. Yes, we use it when sailing. Once you know that star, you know where to go. Mostly.”

They reached the woods, and the air became warmer and more fragrant. “This must be the same path that led us to the lake,” Aretha said softly. “We will pass the site of Eira’s battle.”

“We shall know it by the ashes,” Craxon said grimly. “Bragr’s people will have burned every little remains of the skrymtir.”

“I hope she’s all right.”

He stopped and took her hand. “You have a big and warm heart, my love. While we on Gardr can seem war-like and uncaring, we appreciate kindness a great deal. Your concern for your friend does you credit. I shall tell her of it. It will gladden her.”

Aretha shrugged her thin shoulders. “No need to tell her. It’s just what I feel.”

He gazed down the path, seeing dark shadows and shapes, trees and rocks. Beyond lay Hjalmarheim and the jarlagard, the soothsayer and the chaperone. And the ship that would take him home.

Away from her and her heart. Away from her bright eyes that saw more than she said. Away from her quick mind that sometimes made him reel when trying to keep up. Away from her roundness and her ability to lose herself in lovemaking like he had never thought possible.

Away from Aretha.

He racked his brain for something to say, something that would make sense.

Going in close, he embraced her and pulled her close, burying his nose in her hair.

He drew breath to speak.

“Your Highness!” a voice roared out of the darkness.

13

- Aretha -

“Helviti!”Craxon recoiled from her, pushed her behind him, and drew his sword halfway out of its scabbard.

“Who calls to wanderers in the night?!” he roared with fury.

“It’s friends!” said the voice, coming closer. Now there was movement, too. “Karangr and Valtyrr!”

The prince pushed Krakhogg back down in the scabbard, giving Aretha a long, pained look before he replied.

“Well met, warriors! We were just on the way to ask why no one came to look for us!”

The silhouettes of two Vikings came up the hill towards them. Aretha gripped her blade tighter.

“We would have come sooner, but there have been many enemies to fight,” one of them said as they approached. “And warrior princes are known for taking care of themselves. Even, it seems to me now that I see your company, in great comfort. As isonly proper for Your Highness.”

The starlight glinted off their horns as the two newcomers clasped arms with Craxon and sent Aretha some stolen glances.

“Which enemies dare harass the Earldom of Hjalmarheim?” the prince asked.

“Skrymtir and trolls, some from the mountains, some from the sea,” was the answer. “In truth, a prince battling only rock trolls may have been the safest warrior of all these past days. Greetings, Lady Aretha. Earl Bragr and his wife, the future queen Josie, have been worried about both of you. This is Huskarl Karangr of Earl Bragr’s household. I am Lendman Valtyrr, Prince Craxon’s herjer and cousin.”

“Greetings, warriors,” she said, loosening her grip on the weapon. She’d seen these two at the jarlagard and at the birthday party. “What news of Huskven Eira, who fought a host of skrymtir not far from where we’re standing?”

The two went quiet for a moment, exchanging glances. Aretha’s heart sank.

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