Bodo flashed an intriguing ring set with a dark green stone that was nearly black, a large splotch of deep red in the center. The eerie gem was encased with prongs which resembled claws in a murky band of shadowy silver, inscribed with a trio of Nordic runes etched in blood. “It’s a bloodstone,” he remarked proudly, “with exceptional powers of healing.” Bodo traced the trio of Nordic runes with the tip of his calloused finger. “These are imbued withgaldrmagic—and etched in blood, for the divine protection of the gods.” Honor and gratitude illuminated his bristled, beaming face. “I bought it from Óttarr Skov. He obtained it from a Rus trader in Novgorod.” Bodo, still seethingwith anger, patted the dagger sheathed at his waist. “I should have used the Ljósálfar blade that Geralt made me in Ísland. To kill that bloody bastard Áki.”
Sif’s voice was soothing and soft. “I’m glad you didn’t. This is a wedding celebration.” She implored Bodo with large. pleading eyes. “Would you like to dance?”
Bodo’s ire disappeared at her gentle touch when Sif stroked his bearded cheek. Delight and desire gleamed in his dark brown gaze as he caught her hand and kissed the inside of her palm. “With pleasure. Come,my lady.”
“No one has ever called me that before.” Sif swooned on unsteady feet. The amethysts at the base of her slender throat sparkled in the moonlight. She whispered to Elfi as Bodo led her away. “See you later. Enjoy the evening.Icertainly shall.”
Njörd swept Elfi into his arms, swaying to the rhythm of the lutes and lyres. “I’m glad Bodo came to the feast. Thank the gods Úlf and I averted the fight.” Warm lips nuzzled the side of her neck. “I’ll have to keep them apart, with Áki training the Danish army. And Bodo working with the stonecutters reinforcing the castle walls.” Apprehension clouded Njörd’s pensive gaze. “At least until after your father’s release. And we return from Ísland.”
Elfi rose up on her toes and kissed his irresistible lips. “Let’s forget about them for now. And focus on each other.”
Njörd snarled and leaned her back in his arms, swooping down to plunder her lips.
Elfi’s knees buckled under her deep blue gown, but he held her tight. And swirled her under the stars.
Later in the evening, the crowd dwindled, with many couples disappearing into the castle or off into the night. While Bodo waited under a nearby tree, Sif motioned to speak privately with Elfi, excitement alighting her pretty face.
Elfi stopped dancing and withdrew from Njörd’s embrace. “I’ll be right back.” She crossed the grassy meadow, curious to hear what Sif had to say.
“With your permission, I’d like to go with Bodo to his cottage.” Sifwhispered breathlessly, her eyes aflame. “He’ll escort me back to the castle at dawn. We’ll come in through the tunnel from the cave in the sacred grove. I’ll knock three times on the hidden door, so you’ll know it’s me.” She peered over Elfi’s shoulder at Njörd, who had walked over to join Bodo and was now staring intently at the two women. “You could even sneak Njörd up to your chambers. Mymoðirand yourammahave already retired. When Bodo and I return in the morning, I can slip into your room, and Njörd can slip out. And exit the castle with Bodo through the tunnel to the sacred grove.” Sif’s beseeching face was alight with anticipation. “Elfi…we could spend the whole night with our wolves!”
Exhilaration and a surge of desire flooded Elfi’s veins at the thought of a delicious night with Njörd. She glanced at her alluring betrothed.No wonder he’s smiling. Bodo must have told him everything. And Njörd is as eager as I am for a glorious night together.Elfi squeezed Sif’s hands and nodded, her pulse racing and her blood roaring. “A wonderful idea. Let’s do it!”
They scooted across the meadow to join their awaiting men. Hunger blazed in Njörd’s fierce gaze, and hesitant hope lingered on Bodo’s bearded face. When Sif ran to him, he shuddered in visible relief, grinning from ear to ear. Wrapping his brown wolfskin cloak around Sif’s shoulders, he growled as he whisked her away. “See you at dawn.”
Elfi took hold of Njörd’s hand, leading him toward the double entrance doors which opened into the castle. As they wove through the wedding guests still regaling around the bonfire, she spotted Úlf dancing with a young widow name Azeline, whose lovely face was flushed with sheer delight and gleeful exertion.
Elfi and Njörd crossed the grassy glen, past the table where Jarl Rikard was amorously enthralled with a pretty servant squirming on his lap. The lusty Duke of Normandy had sired several illegitimate children, including Ylva, the wife of Count Skårde, the burly Dane who was seated at his side, deeply engaged in conversation with the tall wolf warrior, Njáll. The former Dragon of Denmark—now known as the Dragon ofNormandy—ceased his discussion with the dark-hairedÚlfhéðinnand held Elfi’s gaze as she and Njörd passed by. In Skårde’s deep blue eyes—so very much like Njörd’s—she glimpsed understanding and recognition of her need to be with the man she loved. The Count of thePays de Cauxsmiled knowingly, inclined his head to acknowledge Njörd, then resumed his conversation with Njáll, who grinned conspiratorially at them both.
When they finally reached the double oaken doors, where a duo of armored knights steadfastly stood guard, Elfi whisked Njörd into the castle, across the vast foyer where servants were cleaning up after the feast, and up the stone stairs, to her private chambers at the end of the dimly lit hall.
She grabbed a burning torch from a wall sconce and used it to light the beeswax candle on her bedside table, returning it to the metal holder in the hall and locking the entrance door behind her as she came back into the room. While Njörd removed his wolfskin cloak and unstrapped the weapons at his waist, Elfi strode across the pinewood floor and locked the door to the antechamber which connected to the private quarters where herammaand Vilde were sleeping. When she returned to Njörd’s side, he pulled her into his arms and leaned down to kiss her as his awkward fingers unlaced the fitted bodice of the gown behind her back.
He groaned into her open mouth. “I can’t wait to remove this dress.” When at last he’d succeeded, the gown slipped down over her shoulders into a puddle of dark blue linen at her feet.
Elfi removed the three-tiered necklace andtrollkorstalisman, setting them both upon her carved oak table, while Njörd quickly shed his embroidered tunic, woolen breeches, linen hose, and leather boots to stand magnificently naked, his god-like body aglow in the moonlight from the open window overlooking the Narrow Sea.
She ran adoring fingers through the dark hair across his muscled chest, admiring the intricate designs inked upon his sculpted shouldersand trailing down his muscled arms, where the fierce face of a tattooed wolf watched her every move. Elfi nuzzled her nose in the glorious thatch below his braided beard, deeply inhaling the scent of her mate which called to her soul like the sea.
Warm, eager lips suckled her neck and then her breasts, sending waves of want flooding the flesh between her taut, trembling thighs.
He laid her upon the soft feather bed, his lips and tongue trailing down her shivering skin until he reached the sensitive folds which ached for his skilled touch. As Njörd lapped her tender flesh, seeming to drink her very essence and savor her taste, he murmured, the reverberations rippling into her core, “Odin’s eye, Elfi. This is the nectar of the gods!”
He climbed over her, positioning himself between her legs and nudging her knees apart with powerful thighs. Njörd plunged into her, the pleasure so intense it bordered on pain. With relentless, rocking rhythm, he pounded into her, the tension in her loins mounting and curling like the crest of a powerful wave. When he slammed into her depths in explosive release, waves of pleasure engulfed her, like the ocean inundating the white chalk cliffs.
They spent the entire night wrapped in each other’s limbs, their bodies entwined like the threads of fate woven together by the three Norns. When dawn came, with the expected knock upon the hidden door, Elfi donned her gown as Njörd strapped his sword at his waist, preparing to depart.
He pulled her against his chest and kissed her softly. “Let’s do this again next week, on Frigg’s Day, after the wedding feast. It will be our final night together before Lugh brings the wolf weapons to the waterfall cave.”
Elfi nodded, exhilarated at the thought, as she lifted the tapestry which concealed the hidden door to the tunnel. “I’m sure Sif and Bodo will agree.” She unlatched and opened the wooden door, and a smiling Sif slipped into the dimly lit room.
Bodo, holding a lit torch, grinned at his lupine brother. “Enjoy the evening?”
A rumble of deep laughter rolled from Njörd. “Immensely. In fact, I just suggested to Elfi that we do this again next week, after the wedding feast. It will be our last night together before Lugh takes her to theÎle de Sein.”He draped the white wolfskin cloak over his shoulders and secured the leather cords under his chin.
“Nothing would please me more.” Bodo lowered his bearded lips to gallantly kiss Sif’s hand. “I bid you good day, my lady.” He grinned wolfishly. “I’ll see you soon in the Great Hall, fordagmál.”
As Sif slipped to Elfi’s side, Njörd stepped down onto the first stair and turned to say goodbye. “See you in the sacred grove for our dance with swords. And our swim in the Mermaid Cove.” His dazzling smile flooded her with wondrous waves of warmth.
