Bodo took hold of Elfi’s hand, bent at the waist, and placed a gentle kiss on her fingers. He clasped Njörd’s forearms, his expression conveying that he knew how glad his lupine brother was to be reunited with his betrothed.
Sif spoke quietly to Elfi. “I’ll escort you upstairs, prepare you for bed, and tuck you in. But, with your permission…I’d like to slip back down here and go with Bodo to his cottage. He’ll escort me back through the tunnel in the morning. I’ll knock three times on the door at dawn, so you will know it’s me and unlock the hidden door to let me in. Would that be all right?” Sif held her breath, wide eyes imploring as she searched Elfi’s face.
“Of course it’s all right.” She spun toward Njörd, thrilled at the unexpected opportunity to spend the night with him. “You and Bodo—leave through the front exit, but come back into the castle through the tunnel from the sacred grove. Sif and I will goup to my room, so everyone sees me retire for the evening, exhausted from my trip to theÎle de Sein.” She smirked, flashing a conspiratorial grin at Sif, and continued speaking to Njörd. “We’ll meet you at the bottom of the stairs. Sif and Bodo can go home to his cottage…” She rose on tiptoes to whisper in his ear. “And I’ll sneak you up to my room.” Elfi kissed him, as if saying goodnight, squeezed Bodo’s swarthy hand, and watched with Sif as the two men exited the Great Hall.
Sif led Elfi up the stairs, the dutiful servant guiding her mistress to bed.
Elfi’s legs shook, weak with desire as she imagined a naked Njörd in her bed. She hooked her arm through Sif’s, pulling her close. “I am so glad that you and Bodo arranged this. I cannot wait to spend the night with Njörd!”
Sif hummed. “And I can’t wait to be with Bodo. He’ssuchan attentive lover…” A shy smile curling the corners of her full lips, she selected a torch from the metal wall sconce in the corridor, unlocked the heavy oak door with a key at her waist, and led Elfi into the private chamber where moonlight shone through the open window and the saline breeze wafted into the darkened room. With the torch, Sif lit the candle on the bedside table, handing it to Elfi to hold while she tossed a log into the hearth and stoked the flames with a long metal poker. As the fire leapt to life, she grinned at Elfi. “Now you and Njörd will be warm all night long.”
She took back the torch while Elfi lifted the embroidered tapestry on the wall, unlocking and opening the hidden door. Sif lighted the way down the stairwell, and Elfi followed, unlatching the bolt at the bottom of the castle keep. When she opened the thick oaken door, her heart fluttered at the expectant look on Njörd’s beloved face, his amorous eyes shining like sapphires in the torchlight.
Sif handed Bodo the torch and turned to kiss Elfi’s cheek. “See you in the morning. Listen for three knocks.” Delight danced in herdark eyes as she smiled up at Njörd. “Enjoy your time together.” When Bodo offered Sif his arm, the two lovers disappeared down the dark tunnel.
Elfi grasped Njörd’s warm, calloused hand and led him up the stairs into her room. She slid the bolt behind the tapestry, crossed the pinewood floor, and locked the door to the antechamber which connected her quarters to Oda’s chambers. She rushed back, threw her arms around Njörd’s neck, and melted into his welcoming embrace.
“Odin’s eye, I missed you.” He nuzzled her neck, wrapping his arms behind her waist and pulling her against his hardened body. His eager lips moved up her throat, covering her face with ardent kisses, finally claiming her mouth and penetrating with a probing, possessive tongue. As his hands skimmed over her hips and gripped her bottom, his guttural groans reverberated through her body and thrummed into her throbbing core.
Thrusting her tongue to dance with his, she savored his taste, drinking his essence as he unlaced her gown and slid it down her arms to puddle on the floor. She ran her hands across his muscled back, pulling him toward her, wanting him inside her.
While he quickly shed his clothes, Elfi removed hertrollkorstalisman and necklace, setting them upon the bedside table where the fragrant beeswax candle illuminated Njörd’s magnificent body in a soft, golden glow. She stood nude before him, trembling with want as his feral lupine gaze devoured her with a raw, ravenous hunger.
Like a wolf, he pounced, devouring his delectable prey.
He suckled her elongated neck, greedy lips seeking her breasts, the tug and pull on her nipples making her insides clench and contract with an emptiness that she longed for him to fill. As warmth and wetness pooled between her quivering legs, he laid her down upon the feather bed, trailing kisses down her belly. With calloused fingers, parted her soft curls, moaning as he lowered his wicked, wonderful tongue to lap at her tender folds. While the tip twirled and circled her sensitive bud, he thrust two fingers inside her in a relentless rhythm until she climaxed in his mouth.
“Mmm,” he hummed, licking his moustache and slick fingers. “Nectar of the gods.” He crawled over her, positioning his knees between her quavering thighs. Njörd slid his hands under her hips, tilted her up to receive him, and impaled her with a guttural groan.
She wrapped her limbs around him, kissing his taut arm and tense shoulder. Hersjóvættirspirit soared. reveling in his salty taste, so very much like the sea.
He arrowed into her, convulsing and shuddering, moaning with pleasure as he filled her with his seed. Njörd lifted his head from the side of her neck and leaned down to softly kiss her lips. She tasted herself on his tongue.
He whispered into her open mouth. “By the gods, I missed you, Elfi. Heart, body, and soul.” Lowering himself down at her side, he pulled her into his arms and cradled her over his thundering heart.
Elfi caressed the dark hair across his virile chest, inhaling his tangy scent deep into her lungs. She longed to tell him she carried his child. Share the incredible joy. But theGallizenaehad foreseen a battle in Ísland, and that Elfi’ssjósongrmagic would prove essential for Njörd to succeed. If he knew about the babe, he’d be distracted, concerned about her welfare, perhaps make a fatal mistake. Or he might insist that she remain at the castle for her safety, instead of making the voyage with him. She nuzzled the dark hair that she loved so much and kissed her favorite tuft at the base of his throat. “I missed you, too. I cannot wait until we are wed and can sleep in each other’s arms every night.” She snuggled against him, pulled the woolen blankets over them both, and gazed out the window at the waning moon and twinkling stars.
In three days, they would sail to Ísland. She would wield her inherited magic. Summon theMélusines.Perhaps even her goddess grandmother, Rán. Njörd would meet his mother. Reclaim his father’s sword. And slay theDökkálfarBlacksmith of Dorestad to fulfill thevölva’sprophecy. Gods willing, they would prevail. Havea gloriousLjósálfarwedding. And return to Étretat so she could honor her sworn vow to her brother. And buryGaladiralongside Dag in hishaugrof the sacred grove.
As Njörd’s limbs twitched and his breathing slowed, Elfi rested a protective hand over her lower belly, whispering a prayer for her unborn daughter. “Hail Frigg, Freyja, and Eir, goddesses of fertility, motherhood, and healing. Please protect the child in my womb.The thrice-blessed daughter of the Wolf of the Nordic Seas.May she flourish and thrive. And be born alive. Hale, healthy, and strong.” Elfi gazed up Njörd, his braided beard tickling her cheek, his beloved face relaxed in peaceful sleep. “Odin, Blessed Allfather, please heed my heartfelt prayer. Defend and preserve this man that I love, theÚlfhéðnarwolf who carries your Völsung blood. May your divine wisdom guide his sword and grant him the strength to fulfill his destiny. May the gods of Ásgard and Vanaheim assure us safe passage to Ísland and a swift return to Étretat. May we triumph in the victory of battle. Or bask in the glory of Valhalla.” Elfi closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, secure in Njörd’s sinewy embrace.
Chapter 28
Sólrún
The cawing of gulls and the crashing of waves awakened Elfi to the dim, lavender light of dawn. Njörd smiled, stretched his long limbs, and reached for her. But just as Elfi prepared to welcome him into her warm, willing body, three knocks sounded upon the door.
Njörd groaned in frustration as Elfi slipped from the bed, quickly donning her chemise and gown. He pulled on his linen hose and breeches, rose to his feet, and kissed the back of her neck. “Bodo and I could meet you in the tunnel again tonight. I can never get enough of you.” He murmured into her ear. “My siren with the sea goddess eyes.”
Elfi swirled around to face him, thrilled at the idea of another night together. “Let’s do it! Each night, until we leave for Ísland.”
Eyes as enticing as the turquoise sea, he flashed her a dazzling grin as he donned his tunic, pulled on his boots, and strapped his sword at his hip.
Elfi opened the door to greet a smiling Sif and a beaming Bodo.
Sif lingered in her lover’s arms before finally slipping into the quiet chamber.
Njörd kissed Elfi goodbye. “See you tonight atnáttmál. You can tell me all about the visit with Úlvhild.” He kissed her hand, a fierce, protective gleam in his dark lupine eyes. “Wear yourtrollkorsand white wolf weapons. And bring at least four armored guards.” Seemingly satisfied with Elfi’s nod of consent,he departed with hisÚlfhéðinncompanion.
