Page 50 of Storm of Desire
Tormund. The only one who seemed to be on her side. The bearded giant stepped between them, twitching a brow at Gunnar. "And it's not entirely true. Bjorn, Gunnar, and I are here for Haakon, but the others like the scent of gold. Dragon gold. Those men that died knew the risks when they signed on, and they chose to attack a dangerous beast because of their greed. Lay what you want at her feet, Gunnar. But notthat."
Gunnar's face turned red. He didn't appear to be breathing. Without another word he turned around and stompedaway.
"Thank you." Árdís eyed the large man. She remembered his face. "You're Haakon's cousin. You were there, atthe...."
"Wedding?" He cocked a brow. "Can't say it,Princess?"
She turned to stare out at the waves primly. "It's just aword."
"Aye." He leaned on the rail at her side and grinned at her. A handsome man who towered over all the others, his beard was several shades darker than his long hair. Brown eyes twinkled at her. "I was there at the wedding. I'm surprised you remember me. The pair of you barely took your eyes off each other. You danced all night in Haakon's arms, and you smiled at him like you'd just discovered an entire hoard of precious gems nobody had seen for centuries. Brunhild was certain you'd give her grandchildren a mere nine months later. It's the only time I've ever refused to accept abet."
Children. Always children. Her hands tightened on the rail. "You don't seem to despise me like the othersdo."
"Gunnar's only mad because he owes me fiftykroner."
She'd felt the truth vibrating in Gunnar's words. "No. He hates me for what I've done to Haakon. But youdon't."
"That's because I'm smarter than Gunnar." Tormund made a muffled grunting sound, and scratched his beard. "My mother said there's always a reason for the choices people make. I told you. I remember that wedding. You were so in love with Haakon you could barely see anyone else. Your choice to leave him makes no sense to me." He turned his head to look at her, and she realized she wasn't fooling this man at all. "If Haakon could see straight right now, he might realize that. You loved him. And then you left him. And I don't think you've told anyone the reason why. And there is a reason. I'll wager you fifty kroner—no, I'll wager you a handful of emeralds—that something else drove you from hisside."
"You don't have a handful ofemeralds."
"No, but you do." His smile widened. "And I'm not going to lose this wager, am I,Princess?"
* * *
The rowboat rockedas Tormund heaved against the oars, salty spray splashing over Árdís's lips. She watched the ship grow smaller, feeling a little nervous. Every delay narrowed her chances ofescaping.
Claus would have been found bynow.
Her rooms would have been searched, and Malindiscovered.
No doubt her mother had sent herdrekiguards into the sky. Árdís had seen no sign of wings on the horizon, but she had no doubt they were out there.Somewhere.
"Nearly there," Tormund promised, as they began to crest the breakers closer to shore. "I'll keep an eye on your servant foryou."
"Thankyou."
She turned to face the bay. A solitary figure waited on the beach, the fur-lined cloak on his shoulders flapping around his calves. Cliffs lined the bay, and in the distance snow-capped mountainsgleamed.
For a second she let her gaze rove over him, and she didn't bother to hide the feelings inside her when shedid.
Haakon.
Once upon a time, he'd been all she'd everwanted.
And it hadn't simply been lust, though that was tangled in the mix of emotions inside her. No. There was so much more. And she'd never even realized it until the night of their wedding, when he'd finally made love to her, and they'd lain in each other's arms, spent andpanting.
Being in his arms felt like home in a way the court had never been. Shebelongedthere. Nothing could touch her when Haakon was there. No one could ever hurt her. All she'd ever felt washappiness.
Until her mother's shadow began to brush against the edges of her littleworld.
Árdís sighed as Haakon made his way down the beach toward them. She was no longer welcome in hisarms.
He strode into the foamy surf, helping to haul the boat in closer. The sharp cut of his cheekbones looked particularly foreboding, and his eyes glittered with ice as he looked at them. "You'relate."
"The winds weren't in our favor," Tormund called. "And you'rewelcome."
It took her a second to compose herself, when Haakon turned that hot-eyed stare upon her. It always did. But Árdís had spent years playing her court-appointed role. He wouldn't see the longing in her eyes. Or the vulnerability in herheart.
