Skårde washed down a mouthful of roast boar with a gulp of mead, nodding in agreement. “Everything is ready for Thorfinn’s return. You ride in the morning for Reims?”
“After Njörd escorts Elfi to the waterfall cave.” The Duke of Normandy glanced at Njörd. “When do you meet Lugh?”he asked,
“Right afterdagmál,”Njörd replied,referring to the morning meal where Viking warriors and castle occupants broke their fast together in the Great Hall. “The Danish army will defend the castle with you and Varg,” he said to Bjarke, seated on his right. “And theÚlfhéðnarwill be here atChâteau Blanc, should the Franks decide to attack in our absence.”
“I’ll take my personal guard of twenty, and two dozen Norman knights. Njörd will have his Danish army, a garrison of a hundred men, and theÚlfhéðnartodefend Étretat until I return. With the gods’ favor,Alberic of Soissons will deliver Thorfinn unharmed and return Dag’s Elven swordGaladirwithout incident. Assuming fair weather and no unforeseen delays, we’ll be back atChâteau Blancin a fortnight.” Jarl Rikarddrained his goblet, and a diligent servant promptly refilled it with mead.
Oda, resplendent in a fine wool gown of deep purple, graced Jarl Rikard with a gracious smile.“I shall have everything prepared for a splendidHaustblótFestival to celebrate your return with my son.” Tears brimmed in her wide, expressive eyes as she beheld Elfi. “And Dag’s burial withGaladirin the sacred grove.” The elderlychâtelainesmoothed the sides of her gown, composing herself before addressing Skårde. “I shall have the steward Ingolf prepare rooms in the castle for your family when you return.”
As Skårde nodded his thanks, the music took a lively turn, with notes from flutes, lutes, and lyres wafting on the salty breeze. While servants cleared away empty platters and pewter plates, couples flocked to the grassy glen and began dancing around the fire.
When Vilde came to escort Oda to bed, Skårde stood and stretched his arms above his head, yawning like a burly bear. “Since my ship sails at first light, I’ll retire now as well. See you in the morning fordagmál. I bid you all goodnight.” The Count of thePays de Cauxnodded respectfully to those still seated at the table and, accompanied by his personal attendant Joffroi, headed away from the jubilant throng toward the enormous double oak doors leading into the castle.
Úlvhild arose from her seat, clutching her feathered cloak in one hand and her carved wooden staff in the other. Her golden eyes glowed like the moonstone encased in ornate filigree at the top of her wooden staff. “I’ll circulate among the crowd. Cast my runes…foretell futures…earn a bit of coin.” Illuminated by silvery moonlight, thevölva’sgleaming white teeth were a sharp contrast with the deep blue woad and the black Nordic runes painted across her exquisite, angular face. “See you in the morning.Fardu vel.”
Jarl Rikard summoned his nearby awaiting attendants as he, too, arose from the table. “The stable hands will ready the horses in the morning. I’ll depart as soon as you return from the waterfall cave.” The Duke of Normandy bent to gallantly kiss Elfi’s hand. “May the gods grant you safe passage to theÎle de Seinasyou learn to wield your mother’s power.Au revoir, chère Elfi. Odin willing, we shall meet again very soon.” In a grand ducal procession, Richard the Fearless withdrew from the festive wedding feast and retired to his private chambers within the castle.
After Jarl Rikard had departed, Njörd addressed Bjarke and Varg, the two highest-rankinghuscarlsamong Lord Thorfinn’shirdof elite warriors defendingle Château Blanc.“My Danish army from Ribe—and theÚlfhéðnar— will help you defend the castle.” He eyed Bjarke warily. “Although the Count of Soissons has no choice but to surrender Lord Thorfinn in Reims, the Franks might very well take advantage of Jarl Rikard’s absence to launch another attack.”
Bjarke fixed Njörd with the resolute stare of a seasoned commander. “We’ll stock themashrabiyamurder holes with pitch, barrels of pine oil, and arrows for flaming projectiles. With boulders for the ballistae and trebuchets along the ramparts.”
A garish grin spread across Varg’s scarred, bearded face. “And quicklime to burn their eyes and lungs.”
Satisfied with the defensive preparations, Njörd nodded and drained his goblet. “Vel gert. Très bien fait,”he said, congratulating them in Old Norse and the Norman French he was learning as the future Count of Étretat. “Château Blanc—and all of Étretat—will be well defended in your capable hands.” He stood, took hold of Elfi’s hand, and raised her to her feet. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, I intend to dance with my lovely betrothed.”
Njörd led Elfi toward the same spot under the trees where they had danced several times before, pulling her close and swaying to the music under the luminous full moon. As she gazed up at him, he glimpsed a contradictory blend of excitement andreluctance sparkling in her sea green eyes.
“I cannot wait for tomorrow—to see Lugh again. And the white wolf weapons he has crafted.” She tugged on her tempting lower lip. “Although I’m looking forward to the voyage to theÎle de Sein, I’m nervous about meeting the mermaids of theGallizenae. Yet thrilled about wielding my inherited power.”
“You have the valiant Viking heart of a shieldmaiden, like the Valkyrie Brynhildr.” He kissed her full, irresistible mouth. “When you return toChâteau Blanc, you’ll have an arsenal of lethal weapons. Your sword, your shield…andthe sea.” Her beautiful face alight with delight, Elfi melted into his arms.
Laughing and holding hands, Sif and Bodo—no longer hindered by his limp—dashed across the meadow to join them. Sif’s large brown eyes glimmered with anticipation as she whispered breathlessly to Elfi. “The crowd has thinned. We can slip away now. Do I have your permission to leave?”
Elfi kissed Sif’s cheek. “Of course. Remember—knock three times in the morning when you come to the hidden door.” She watched as Bodo obtained a torch from a nearby servant, lit it from the bonfire, and led Sif away from the castle toward his stone cottage in the village.
A lusty gleam in her eye and a sultry smile on her beautiful face, Elfi rose up on tiptoes and murmured in Njörd’s sensitive lupine ear. Her warm breath was a subtle caress on his scarred, bristled cheek. “Our last night together before we must part. Let’s make it memorable.”
A surge of desire crashed through Njörd like the surf slamming into the white chalk cliff.
****
Moonlight danced on the white capped waves far below the cliff. The tangy brine of the sea wafted in through the open window as Elfi led Njörd into her chamber. He lit the beeswax candle on the table, returned the pine torch to the metal sconce on the wall in the corridor, and entered Elfi’s bedroom, bolting the thick oaken door behind him.
Elfi locked the door of the antechamber which connected to Oda’s private quarters. Eyes widened with wondrous delight, sheslipped into Njörd’s open arms. Her hands slid up under his dark green tunic, eager fingers caressing his back as she suckled the base of his neck. “Take this off.”
He quickly complied with a wolfish grin.
She nuzzled the dark hair on his chest, inhaling his scent deep into her lungs. The intoxicating blend of leather, woodsmoke, and musky male stirred her soul and sent liquid warmth straight to her core. Even her toes tingled with desire.By the gods, I want him!
He unstrapped his sheathed sword and stood it against the wall near the table. Removing his black leather boots, he quickly shed his black woolen breeches and black linen hose. Like a Norse god in all his glory, Njörd stood magnificently naked before her, his aroused body at full attention under her appreciative, admiring gaze.
A deep chuckle rumbled in his chest. “See what you do to me? Let’s get you out of this gown.” He unlaced the back of her gathered bodice and slipped it down her body. It pooled into a grey puddle on the gleaming pinewood floor.
She stood nude before him, limbs quivering with anticipation. The moonlight caressed her skin, and the cool salty night breeze made her pert nipples long for the warmth of his lips.
With a groan that was more of a growl, he pounced, pulling her against his hardened warrior body. He gripped her hips, grinding against her belly as he bent to claim her lips like a predator devouring his prey.
His tongue penetrated her open mouth, probing and prodding in the same relentless rhythm he would soon use to impale her lower body and rock between her thighs. When Njörd lowered his lips to suckle her breasts, Elfi’s knees buckled, and he laid her gently upon the feather bed. He spread her legs wide, his warm mouth and wonderfully wicked tongue lapping and tugging at her tender folds. He plunged first one, then two fingers inside her, thrusting with the same rhythm as the tip of his tongue circling her sensitive bud. Likean impossibly taut bow string, the tension in her body increased until she snapped, a soaring arrow released high into the starry night sky.
