Page 42 of Claimed By the Viking

Though his face was hardened, Signy could see he was ready to listen. Gone was the ranting fury of their last encounter, as if the air had been taken from him, leaving barely enough to breathe.

“You’ve guessed, or someone has told you…? Our men sailed away some time ago, and they show no sign of returning. You can imagine our thoughts when we discovered you on the shore. ‘Twas a gift from the gods. Being women alone, with no man among us but a babe in arms, we?—”

“Thought you’d harvest us for our seed,” he jumped in.

“I don’t deny it.” Signy swallowed. “Tell me, what do you know?”

Both Rangvald and his jarl had visited Viggo. If Elin or Hedda had been loose-lipped, the knowledge they’d shared was no doubt known to all the strangers now. ‘Twas an uncomfortable thought that Viggo was likely aware of a great deal more than she gave him credit for. Little wonder he’d become incensed.

“Never mind what I know. I want to hear the story from you. Men don’t just disappear off to sea—grey-beards and childlings alike—without expectation of return.” His mouth was set.

“True enough. The way they left was unexpected but understandable, given the circumstances. I told you my father and brother died, but it isn’t true. They departed with the rest. My mother and I watched from the sands as they boarded. Not once did they look back nor utter a word of farewell.” She paused but could not read Viggo’s expression.

“It began so many days before. The men had gone to the other side of the island for their ritual, one they performed at certain intervals. I wasn’t supposed to know anything of it, naturally. No women were allowed to know, not even where our men went. Nevertheless, my brother liked to taunt me about it—that he knew things I did not, that he was a man and thereby superior in ways I could not fathom. That he made communion with the gods, visiting a special place.”

Viggo gave a quiet grunt but made no other comment.

“I asked him about it, of course, but he delighted in knowing what I did not, holding that secret over me as proof of his ascendancy.” Signy frowned. ‘Twas strange to think of it now—that far-off time and the power her brother had exerted over her, alongside their father.

She cleared her throat. “The sickness began as soon as they returned. All of them had it to some degree—vomiting and cramping of the stomach, but dizziness too, and a disorientation of their thoughts. Some ranted, as if they no longer recognized their own wives and mothers.”

Signy grimaced. “We thought ‘twas the end of all days, that we too would be struck down, but while the men writhed and cried out, bewailing their fate, not a single woman among us was affected. We nursed, we comforted, and we burned the dead, but we remained spared.”

“And the men who did not succumb?” Viggo asked.

“‘Twas us they blamed.” Signy went on. “As if we’d brought the curse upon them. You can’t imagine the turmoil and the… violence!”

“Believe me, I can picture it only too well,” Viggo answered quietly. “So, you concealed the history of this place, that misfortune struck down your men. They are long gone, and you struggle alone. There can be no more children unless we oblige.”

Signy went on. “The goddess sent you to bring?—”

“Do not evoke the gods.” Viggo did not raise his voice, but he spoke firmly. “Perhaps they willed this upon your island, and perhaps they guided us here, as you say. But your decision to tell half-truths, to manipulate us… those choices are your own.”

She was relieved that he made no declaration of disbelief, but still, he asked, “There is naught more you conceal?”

“There is more, but I won’t tell you until you’ve made a promise.” Moving from where she sat, Signy came to kneelbefore Viggo. “I beg you to release me from my oath. I cannot bear to think of it… of you ending your life. You must know?—”

“Don’t ask me that.” His reply was immediate. “Once you’re with child, my purpose is fulfilled.”

“What of love, Viggo?” Desperate to make him listen, she clasped his hands. “I’ve told you how I feel. You came here as a stranger, but you’re part of my life now. I can’t let you go.”

A look of pain crossed his face. “Eventually, you’ll have to. If you refuse, I’ll find a way to do what I must alone.”

“So, you’ve forsaken me entirely? You care nothing for my fate when you’re… gone?” With all her strength, Signy tried not to surrender to tears. The conflict between them made no sense, at least not to her. Viggo was torturing himself, and for what?

“I do care.” Breathlessly, he pushed out the words. “I won’t promise to set aside my goal, but I shan’t leave you unprotected.”

A flame of hope ignited within her. “You’ll stay with me?”

“Until potential danger has passed.” He allowed his fingers to intertwine with hers. “You’re right to be wary of us, Signy. We men who landed on your shore are not so different from those who abandoned you. Eldberg is planning departure. When that time comes, he’ll act quickly and to his own benefit. No matter what he says, he’s not to be trusted. He’ll take what he wants… even your women, with their consent or otherwise.”

Signy could not hide her alarm. “Nay! We’ll never let that happen.”

“Don’t underestimate our jarl. He’ll choose a time when you’re unprepared. He’ll use cunning, and he’ll have formed alliances. There will be enough helping him to smother any dissent.”

Signy shook her head. “Of course, if some wish to go, none shall stop them, but he can’t abduct us against our will. No honorable man would do that… at least, not where he’s receivedhospitality and shelter. Nor do I believe our own women would turn on us.”

“It won’t matter what you believe. What I’m saying, Signy, is that I won’t let him take you. Not unless you’re adamant in making a new life away from here.”

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