Page 140 of Storm of Desire
She rolled her eyes, but she hugged himtoo.
"Just keep your hands and lips to yourself," Haakon warned, from where he was settling his saddlebags over the back of her kitchen chair. "I'd hate to have to break yourfingers."
She could barely control herself. She felt giddy. "You still haven't told me where you've been. What happened? Is your mother well? The children? Yoursisters?"
"All well. I have more nephews and nieces. They're breeding likerabbits."
Her smile softened, and she didn't quite press her hand to her lower abdomen. That was a secret between them, and she didn't wish to share it with Tormundyet.
Haakon stripped out of his coat, the white of his shirt blinding. He tugged something from the collar of his shirt, but she couldn't see what it was. Something on the end of a chain. "We made a slight detour on the wayhome."
It took the wind right out of her sails. "Isthat—?"
Haakon's palm unfolded, revealing a very familiar ring. The ring twinkled on her finger. Árdís clapped her hands to her mouth, and tears filled her eyes, as they were prone to do thesedays.
"Your ring," Haakon said gruffly, taking her hand and sliding it slowly onto herfinger.
Árdís could barely breathe. She had her ring back. Herring.
"We are legends now. You are looking at Tormund Kraken-slayer." Tormund grinned at her. "Your husband said he could spear the bastard first, but I was the one who took him down. And then we dragged it ashore, and cut out itsheart—"
"That was the easy part," Haakon muttered. "Its heart was the size of a cow, so we had to find a wagon to haul it. You cannotimaginethe stink of it after a week overland. I daresay Lord Fáfnir was not as pleased with his end of the bargain as he thought he mightbe."
She stared at him, her mouthopen.
"Aye," Tormund added. "It was almost a relief to hit those sulfurous mud pools. Something to cleanse thenostrils."
"Youslewakraken?"
"Not a simple endeavor," Haakon drawled, "but it was easier than the other options Fáfnir would trade for, and I was pressed fortime."
Árdís slammed a fist against his chest. "You idiot! You could have been killed. You know my mother and herdrekiare watching us. And a kraken! They've been known to tear ships topieces."
"Damned near did," Tormund admitted, and then shut his mouth abruptly when Haakon's head turned sharply toward him. "Not," he added. "It didnotcome close to tearing the shipapart."
"What were you thinking?" shecried.
"I told you not to trade the ring tohim."
"I had no choice! It was either it—or you. Now I'm starting to regret thatdecision."
"Ah, ah, ah." A growl curled out of his throat, and he hauled her into his arms. "Mind your temper, Árdís. I just battled a kraken for you, and then tricked an enormousdrekiinto handing over your ring in exchange for its heart. I'm not scared of youanymore."
She grabbed a fistful of hiscollar.
Hesmiled.
Gods, that beard. A lick of heat wet her thighs. If she didn't kiss him again, and soon, then she was going toerupt.
"Tormund." Haakon gave his cousin a tellinglook.
Tormund sighed, and slapped a pile of coins on the table. "Fine. You do know her better. And on that note, I think I have a sudden urge to go see to myhorse."
"Dothat."
"And stay in the barn tonight," shecalled.
Tormund backed away with both hands in theair.
