Page 32 of Hungry Like a Wolf
“You like her?” Haakon asked. There was a note of tension in his voice, as though Ravn’s answer mattered.
Ravn was surprised. “Brother of mine from the womb.” He slapped his hand on Haakon’s back. “I could not be happier for you that the gods led you to Kenna. She is the beat of your heart—I can see that—and you hers.” He paused. “And there iswisdom and kindness in her eyes. She will give you great sons, I am sure of it.”
Haakon stopped at the side of the boat. He turned to Ravn and squinted in the sunshine as he studied him. “What has happened to you, brother?”
Ravn laughed. “What do you mean?”
“I mean you never even did that…”
“What?”
“Laugh… You never laughed before.”
Ravn straightened his face and sighed. “I have had great loss and with that came time to have a deep think about who I am and what the gods want for me.”
“And?”
“And I believe my lust for power had taken me off the path of my destiny. It is why I came to find you.” He touched Haakon’s arm ring and then his own. “Our father gave us these to remind us of our bond with each other and the gods. For a while, I forgot that. I disrespected it, but that will never happen again.” He paused. “If you had not found happiness here, I would have invited you back to Drangar so we could rule together.”
“You would not have!”
Ravn tipped his head. “Ja, you are right. I would not have gone that far.”
Haakon let out a great guffaw. “The gods are wise and I am glad you are following your destiny again.”
“I am, brother, I am.” He reached out and embraced Haakon in a short, sharp hug. “And ’haps she is my destiny too.” He pulled back and nodded at Carmel.
Haakon studied her for a moment and then in their own tongue said, “Her royal blood makes her a good match for you, but do not forget these people have one god who rules their thoughts. You must not disrespect that. If you do, she will hate you forever.” He paused. “Their god also insists they are virginsuntil they marry.” He raised his eyebrows at Ravn. “You must be gentle when you take her that first time.”
“I know that, brother.” Ravn shrugged. “I know all of that, but trust me, I will win her ’round and have her in my bed willingly.”
Haakon raised his eyebrows. “Good luck with that. It’s not easy, brother. Believe me, I know.”
“Any advice, then?”
“Patience. A barrel load of patience.”
“Goodbye, brother.” Astrid held up her hand.
“Next time I see you, you will have sons, I am sure.” Ravn stepped up to Astrid and pulled her into a hug.
She grunted and pushed him away but was smiling. “Get off.”
He laughed and clasped Hamish on the shoulder. “Look after my sister, right?”
“She can look after herself, but aye, I’ll be at her side.” Hamish slipped his arm around Astrid’s waist and pulled her close.
“Orm.” Ravn looked at Orm.
He was still tossing the stone into the air and catching it. His shoulders were rounded and his sulky mouth downturned. Black kohl streaked down his cheeks to his jawline.
“Orm,” Ravn said again. “Be safe.”
“Oh, just bloody go,” Orm said with a flick of his hand. “And don’t come back.”
“I will and when I do, you will be a married man.” Ravn gestured to Anna. “It is the gods’ plan for you, I would wager it.”
Orm’s mouth fell open as he stared wide-eyed at Anna. The stone rolled to the wooden pier and splashed into the water.
