Page 10 of Hungry Like a Wolf
“Well, at least he isn’t planning on spreading your legs.” Anna raised her eyebrows.
“What? I…” Carmel shook her head to rid the image of Orm forcing himself on her, taking her maidenhood. Just the thought made her stomach churn.
“Come on. Let us go and see what is happening.” Anna held out her arm. “I will help you walk.”
Carmel said nothing, but she did take the offered support and together, they made their way over the sand to the pier. When they drew closer, she could hear the conversation between the king and the new arrival.
“Ravn, I didn’t expect to see you again in this life.” Haakon tipped his chin and puffed up his chest.
The tall stranger withdrew his sword from his belt and it glinted against the steely sky. He then lay it down with a flourish and held up his palms. “I have not come to wield weapons, brother. I have come in peace.”
“Is that so?” Haakon placed his hands on his hips, spreading his cloak out like wings and showcasing the sword, axe, and dagger on his belt. He made no move to lay down arms.
“Aye, I am here to make amends.” Ravn’s voice was deep and hoarse, as though the salt from the ocean had scratched his throat after many days of traveling.
The woman with the red hair slapped her thigh and laughed, but not with humor. “Amends! You are too late. Those bridges are burned.”
“Astrid.” He stepped forward, hand held out, fist tight. “This is for you.”
With a frown, she took it. “What is it?”
“Look.”
She opened her hand then snatched it closed again. She drew the object to her chest.
Carmel couldn’t see what it was, but it had certainly had an effect on the woman they called “Astrid.” Her mouth flattened and she turned away to face the tall man with one arm in a sling.
His face was deathly serious as he studied first her and then directed his attention at the newcomer. “What did you give her?”
“It is what was in our father’s hand when I found him dead in his bed at the beginning of a new moon.”
“‘Dead’?” Haakon echoed with a frown. “Our father is dead?”
Kenna put her hand on her husband’s upper arm, a soothing gesture.
“You’re lying,” Orm said, flapping around. “Lies spill from your mouth.”
“I am telling the truth,” Ravn said. “He went to the gods without battle and without a goodbye.” He paused. “His heart broke without you all. I was not enough.”
Astrid seemed to slump. It was the first time Carmel had seen her looking anything other than fierce and battle-ready.
The man at her side wrapped his arm around her shoulders and drew her close, murmuring something in her ear. She softened against him, her face hidden.
“I think it is the king’s brother,” Anna said quietly, “who has arrived on our shores.”
Carmel was still studying the newcomer. His sudden presence had certainly caused a stir and Orm was more fractious than ever.
Ravn looked around. His attention settled on the three Vikings standing on the pier glowering at him. “I am sorry for your loss. Egil was a good man.”
“He was,” the tallest muttered. “And now he sups with the gods and beds as many virgins as he wishes.”
“What happened to him?” Ravn turned to Haakon.
“The Valkyrie came for him.”
“He died in battle?”
“Ja.”
