Page 29 of A Curse Carved in Bone
I ate with no appetite despite the fact my stew was excellent. Nor did I argue when Bjorn took my bowl and the pot down to the stream to wash. He returned with clean dishes and a pot full of water, which he set on the fire to boil.
“I’m going for a swim.” He extracted a chunk of soap from his supplies. “The wolves will stay with you, and I’ll take my time so you can do what you wish to do in privacy.”
I watched him disappear into the darkness, the idea of needing privacy from him feeling so foolish given that he’d seen every inch of me. Touched and tasted every inch of me. Just as I had him.
Every part of him is yours,Hel whispered, and I made a face and muttered, “I do not know if it is truly you or if I am talking to myself. But if it is you, perhaps you might tell me something I don’t already know. Preferably something helpful.”
Whoever it was speaking in my head, they did not give me clarity. So I removed my clothes to wash away the sweat I’d accumulated during the ride. Using a cloth, I cleaned myself with the water warmed in the pot. A welcome comfort given the chill of the night air, all while the wolves sat with their backs to me, watching the darkness.
Yet still Bjorn did not return.
Feeling ill at ease for reasons I couldn’t identify, I tidied up the camp. Checked the horses. Laid out my bedroll. Added more wood to the fire. Examined the etchings Gyda had made in my father’s sword.
Still no Bjorn.
“One of you go look to make sure he hasn’t drowned himself,” I said to the wolves, but while they both turned their heads to regard me with intelligent eyes, neither moved.
My skin was crawling and, unable to sit still, I walked to the edge of the firelight and shouted, “Bjorn! I’ve been decent for over an hour! Get your arse back here!”
No answer.
Unease turned swiftly to fear, for while Bjorn seemed keen to test my patience, this was not how he’d do it. What if he had fallen and drowned? What if he’d been dying while I trimmed my fingernails and cleaned the camp?
I drew my sword and picked up my shield, the silver metal gleaming in the firelight. “Hlin, grant me your strength.”
Silver magic flowed over my featherlight shield, illuminating my path as I trotted toward the sound of running water.
The stream was nearly large enough to be called a river, black water running fast and frothy, the far side of the bank hidden by darkness. I found Bjorn’s haphazard pile of clothes, boots discarded next to it, but looking up and down the banks, I saw no sign of him.
“Do you hear him?” I asked the wolves, who had not left my side. No sooner did the words leave my mouth did I hear a woman singing. Hati growled, and as I glanced down at him, it was to see his hackles were up, teeth bared.
Tightening my grip on my sword, I started in the direction of the singer. Whoever it was had a voice to rival Steinunn’s, the wordless song seeming to curl around me, beckoning me closer. The wolves circled around my legs, trying to drive me back, but I pushed past them until I saw two figures.
Bjorn’s distinct broad shape.
And a woman, who swayed and danced.
Bjorn stood waist-deep in the running water, staring up at the woman on the bank. The clouds covering the moon abruptly shifted, light illuminating the face of the beautiful woman we’d met earlier.
And her entirely naked body.
Vicious anger flooded my veins and, extinguishing my magic, I prowled closer to listen, for the song had turned to conversation.
“I want you to take me,” the woman crooned. “I want to feel you inside of me.”
Bjorn took a step closer to her.
“I’m the only woman for you, am I?” I growled under my breath. “You love me more than life, do you?”
That I’d told Bjorn I was through with him didn’t matter, and I cared not whether that was hypocrisy.
“I’m going to kill you,” I muttered, ignoring the hollowness growing in my belly. “I’m going to kill you very slowly.”
The woman stepped into the water, taking Bjorn’s hand in hers and trying to guide it to her full breast, but he pulled away.
“No.” His voice sounded strange. Like it was a struggle for him to speak. “I love her.”
Next to me, the wolves growled, and my own hackles rose. Something about this wasn’t right.
