Page 29 of Viking Beast
“You have my thanks.” Thoryn clasped us both by the hand as we reached the longhouse. “If I can repay you, then let me know the manner, and it shall be done.”
The night sky was already lightening, the fjord glittering beneath a low-clinging sun. The air was cool, thanks to a breeze blowing in from the sea, and all was hushed. The residents of Skálavík would sleep on another hour, although there was movement in the harbour. The fishermen were early to rise, pushing out beneath those violet-shadowed mountains.
We all needed sleep, but the early morning light was too beautiful to turn from, and I had no eagerness to join the one who awaited me. Ragerta and I stood, watching as Thoryn retreated.
“His mother died early in the spring. He’d been living alone,” said Ragerta sadly.
“He has no thrall?” I’d noticed a woman’s touch in the woven coverings for his bed and walls, but the cauldron had been empty, and his tunic looked to have gone many days without being washed.
Ragerta gave a small smile. “He sold her. Thirka says he’s promised not to have another woman in the house until she can join him.”
“Well, she’s under his roof, now.” I gave Ragerta a nudge. “Perhaps that’s where she’ll stay.”
“If the jarl permits it.” She yawned. “A strange night it was, and I’d say the gods had a hand in it. Many are the stories of lovers united after sore trials. Thirka’s accident may bring them together.”
Aye, if the Beast has a heart and will let her go,I thought. I’d seen little of it until now, but nor had I expected him to act as he had, risking himself for one so insignificant in his eyes.
The two sentries walking the perimeter of the longhouse had made their circuit and paused before us now.
“Best get to bed,” said one. “The mistress will be shaking you out of it afore the cock crows twice.”
“Unless you’d prefer to tarry with us?” The other gave a wink. “We’ll lie you down all right, but I can’t swear you’ll get any sleep.”
“An attractive offer, I’m sure.” Ragerta rolled her eyes. “But I’ll take my own finger over a poke from you. ’Twill be cleaner, at any rate!”
The guards laughed and gave Ragerta’s rump a friendly smack as we turned to go in.
For a fleeting moment, I wondered if I might have run in those moments we’d been alone. Ragerta wouldn’t have stopped me.
Don’t be ridiculous. You’d not have made it to the trees.
But my time will come.
Better to be patient.
Watch and learn, and discover the best way.
I’ll have only one chance.
Inside the hall, Kellick, the lad who chopped wood and ran other errands, had stacked the trenchers and cups to one side, but they’d not been washed. That job might fall to me, besides many others now that Thirka was unable to help. Sigrid was happy to work her loom, but I didn’t imagine she took the dirty work of the household.
Though I was weary, the prospect pleased me. The more I was needed for other tasks, the less time I might spend in Eldberg’s bed, and the more I’d learn about this place I’d come to.
I paused at the curtain. Was he awake? The bed creaked, and I heard a sigh and a grunting snore. Would he even know if I didn’t join him? I could sleep on a bench in the hall—like the other thralls. But, he would know when he woke, and it served me in no way to stir his anger.
Wearing my shift, I took my place beside him. He sighed again and turned, his arm coming over me, pulling me close.
I stiffened at his touch, but he was still asleep, and dreaming—of something that disturbed him, it seemed, for he cried out, though not loud enough to wake himself.
He tossed and mumbled, then curled back to me once more. And I lay listening, as his murmurs became words I understood: “No” and “Find her”.
He pulled me tighter to the curve of his body, and his lips found my neck.
“My love, my love…”
And with his caress, he repeated the name of the woman he dreamed of.
Bretta.
