Page 38 of A Curse Carved in Bone
The corner of my mouth turned up. It seemed Bjorn’s wit had come by way of his mother, for I’d never heard Snorri speak so. “After I learned you were alive, I became convinced that you would not only be a source of truth in a sea of lies, but also that you might help me understand the magic Hel’s blood has given me. I also hoped you could guide me as to how I might evade the future you have seen. Yet now I’ve spoken with you and know no more than before. So yes, I do feel hopeless.”
“What does Bjorn believe you should do? He’s not one to withhold his opinion, even if it is not asked for.”
“He believes I should run,” I responded.
“His suggestion holds a great deal of merit. It is difficult to be a plague upon a nation you are half a world away from. But I sense you aren’t inclined to walk that path. Why?”
“Every time I try to escape, something happens to stop me,” I said. “When I tried to jump off the cliff at Grindill to end the battle, the specter stopped me. When I tried to leave Skaland with Bjorn, Harald found us. I can’t seem to evade my fate, either through death or a different life.”
Saga fell still. “Specter?”
Taking another mouthful of wine, I nodded. “She has appeared to me many times and guided me on several occasions. A woman burneddown to the bone, embers and ashes floating in her wake. Snorri believed that she was you, but obviously that is not the case, so I have no idea who she might be.”
Saga made a face. “He would believe that. No doubt he fears that I will reveal the truth of his murderous ways.”
I considered how Snorri had reacted in the ashes of Halsar after I’d met with the specter. He’d been overwhelmed, to be sure, but not afraid. If anything, he’d taken strength from the idea that Saga might be guiding me from another realm. Yet I kept that to myself and asked, “Do you know who she might be?”
“Perhaps someone sent by Hlin. A puzzle, to be sure. Have you seen her since Grindill?”
I shook my head, and Saga asked, “So you feel that if you try to run, you will be turned back?” Not waiting for me to answer, she added, “Is there some other reason you feel your freedom limited?”
My lips parted to tell her about the blood oath I’d sworn, only for my jaw to lock in place.
“Freya?” Saga leaned forward, green eyes full of concern. “What is wrong?”
All I could do was stare at her.
Saga sucked in an abrupt breath. “Gods, he’s bound you.” Her eyes narrowed. “Ylvahas bound you.”
I could do nothing but stare at her.
“I wish Harald had traveled with you,” she said. “This is his expertise, not mine, and he might understand better what has been done to you. For I can only speculate.”
Catching hold of my wrist, she lifted my cup to my mouth. “I’ll not ask you to answer questions, for I think that you cannot. But I would prefer you do something other than gape at me like a fish tossed upon a beach.”
As I took several long swallows, Saga sat back and tapped her lips with her index finger. “From your behavior, it is my belief that Snorri, via Ylva’s expertise with magic, has bound you to them with an oaththat forces you to keep silent on the matter.” She tapped her lips again. “Yet you were able to at least attempt to pursue escape with Bjorn, which causes me to believe that you were bound not only to Harald but to his son.” She dropped her hand to rest it on her bare thigh. “To his blood, is my guess. Clever of Ylva, for it assured you were also bound to her son, Leif. That Bjorn was also included is likely something she could not easily figure her way around.”
Shock that she’d landed so close to the truth caused me to drain my cup, Saga absently refilling it as she thought.
“Bjorn might be the key to your escape,” she murmured, staring at the fire. “If you’ve been sworn to the blood, then Snorri’s hold over you is no stronger than Bjorn’s, nor indeed, Leif’s.” She turned her head so that our eyes were once again locked. “Though this might not be a welcome revelation given that you are at odds with my son.”
I could feel the wine buzzing in my skull, yet I still took another swig as I watched her think.
Excitement rose to Saga’s face and her eyes brightened. “Bjorn could order you to travel to the distant south. He could order you to never use Hel’s gift.” She dropped to her knees before me. “This could be the answer, Freya!”
My whole body began to tremble, and it suddenly felt very hard to breathe.
“Let my son take you away.” Saga’s eyes searched mine. “I will explain to Harald why it is necessary, and he will abide by my wishes.”
“It didn’t work before.” My skin felt like ice despite the heat radiating from the stove. “Why will it work now?”
“Perhaps you were not fully committed.” She rose and poured water on the hot stones, steam rising from them to haze the space between us. “Perhaps you sensed that you did not know the full truth. Felt something holding you back. Now that I’ve told you everything, that is no longer the case.”
It was true that I’d felt doubts when Bjorn and I had planned to run away, but the truth hadn’t vanquished them. If anything, they’d made them worse.
Saga made a noise of irritation and refilled her cup. “I feel your resistance, Freya, and I cannot help but shake my head at it. I understand your feelings were injured at learning of Bjorn’s lies, but are you really willing to risk thousands of lives because you are unwilling to forgive a handful of mistruths?”
My cheeks flushed and I looked away, shame flushing my skin.
