She couldn’t handle meeting the Ice Queen yet.
Chapter Nineteen
Hagen
“Mama, you scared her away. Don’t do that. I told you she was petrified of coming here.”
“Why? We’re friendly.”
Simone said, “Brynja lived a verra protected life until a few months ago.” Simone’s voice grew somber. “She and Hildi lived on an island with their mothers—next to each other in small cottages on Tiree. Then men came. Killed both women right in front of the girls.”
She paused, letting that sink in. “They took Brynja and Hildi to another cottage where they held stolen bairns. The girls were to be placed on a ship and sent away, God knows where. That’s all Brynja knows because she and Hildi escaped in a wee boat. Fishermen found them and took them to the abbey. They’ve been at the nunnery ever since.”
His mother said, “Hagen, you didn’t tell us all of that.”
“I didn’t know all of it. I learned more when we went to MacQuarie land, and I told Da. Right now, she wants vengeance against the man chasing her… the one who was with Clyde, who wants to kill her. His name is Sholto. And she also wants to find the man who killed her mother and aunt.”
“The girls are cousins then. Poor lasses,” his mother said. “I pray that Hildi heals quickly.”
“Mama, she’s stronger than you’d think.”
“Of course she is. She’s part Norse.” Her mother arched a brow at him.
Dyna said, “What I want to know is why does Grant seem to know her?”
Maitland shook his head. Grant pointed to the healing chamber and said, “Bwia.”
“I know. Bria is busy, Grant. She’ll be back.”
Dyna put her face in front of Grant’s and asked, “How do you know her, Grant?” Then she tickled his chubby belly until he giggled. “Bwia? How do you know her?”
Grant pointed to the door again and said, “Bwia.”
Dyna stood up and crossed her arms. “I don’t know what it could be, but there’s something between those two. I can’t wait to learn what it is.”
“Mayhap she’s a seer too?” his mother asked.
“Or an angel?” Dyna suggested.
“Nay, not an angel,” Simone said. “There’s nothing other-worldly about Brynja like there is Lia.”
Hagen didn’t like that comment. He would defend the lass for any slight. “You cannot be certain of that.”
Simone drawled, “Did Brynja live under a frond until Hildi found her?”
Hagen rolled his eyes and laughed. “Good point. Seer then.”
“Mayhap. We’ll have to wait and see,” his mother said.
“I think,” Dyna said. “I think she has another power, but she’s too young to have developed it yet. It’s yet to be determined.” Then she wiggled Grant’s foot. “Just like you, wee laddie.”
The group, in unison, all turned to stare at the door.
Hagen’s father approached and said, “Oh, I wish to know exactly what caused that.”
His mother said, “Hagen, tell him about Grant and Bria. I’m going to see Brynja.”
Simone stopped her and said, “Sela, you need to know that as a daughter of a Norse woman, she heard all about the Ice Queen…”
