“And Queen Íssla gave us a moonstone cottage—on the eastern shore of Lyrian Lake! We can eat frosted starfruit during this season ofJól. We might even be able to visit Elfi and Njörd’s castle on the Elandrian Sea.” Skadi’s pale blue eyes sparkled like stars. “Miralir,” she whispered, her limpid voice laced with awe. “The name even sounds like music.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Skjöld spotted Bodo approaching Njörd. Something was definitely wrong, for his head hung low, as if ashamed, and he loped with a noticeable limp.
When Njörd turned toward him, Elfi slipped from his arms and joined Sif, who lingered nearby.
“I have something to tell you, Njörd.” Bodo’s voice caught, grief and remorse etched into his scarred, bearded face. Atop his lowered head, the piercing eyes of the brown wolfskin glinted in the incandescent light.
He hobbled closer and stopped before Njörd, raising his head and drawing a deep breath, as if summoning the courage to speak. “It was my fault that the Count of Soissons infiltrated the castle and entered Elfi’s room.” Squaring his shoulders before his taller wolf brother, Bodo laid bare his gnawing guilt. “The ring which cured my limp had been cursed by theDökkálfarwitch. Wearing it placed me under the control of a shapeshifting troll. The one Elfi slew in Ísland.” He forced a swallow and spat out the uglytruth. “Because of me…” he choked, “Elfi…and your babe that she carries… could both have fallen that night.”
Bodo’s voice dropped to a barely audible growl. “I was the one who gave the key to the castle keep to the troll Narglok. The treacherous spy knownas Óttar Skov…” He held Njörd’s bitter gaze. “…who served the Count of Soissons.”
Njörd said nothing. His white wolfskin cloak glowed in the hallowed moonlight, its purity a stark contrast to the dark wolf whose head hung low in shame.
The silence hung heavy in the cold, salty night air.
Finally, Njörd inhaled sharply and let out a deep, low sigh. “Elfi told me how you confessed that night.” His feral gaze was ragged and raw. “She said you spoke the truth not only to her, but to Lord Thorfinn, Jarl Rikard, Sif…and the wholeÚlfhéðnarpack.”
He took a few steps away. pacing like an angry wolf. When he turned back to face Bodo, his upper lip curled in a fierce snarl. “The beast in me wants to rip out your throat.”
His guttural growl sent a shiver up Skjöld’s spine.
Clenching his fists, as if to strangle the fury in his lupine blood, Njörd slowly regained control. When he looked at Elfi, his livid expression eased. “But my She-Wolf mate—la Louve Blanche—also reminded me how the Norns twisted the threads of fate that night, turning what might have been tragedy into triumph. For not only did you provide the means for Elfi to avenge herbroðir’sdeath…she also realized her childhood dream to become the Shieldmaiden of Étretat.By savingChâteau Blanc.”
Njörd slowly approached Bodo, his deep voice raspy and hoarse. “You were myfaðir’sclosest friend.” Sorrow and suffering shone in his solemn gaze. “You told me how Brökk died in your arms, and how you promised him you would find me. And train me, as he trained you.” He looked down at the snow beneath his fur-wrapped boots, then raised his eyes back to Bodo. “You introduced me to the pack…taught me to shift and hunt like a wolf…tookme to Ísland to meet mymoðirand reclaim myfaðir’sDwarven sword.” He rested a gloved hand on Bodo’s wolfskin-clad shoulder. “You trained me every night inla Forêt du Loup, prepared me to battle theDökkálfarso that I could fulfill the prophecy… and slay theDökkálfarBlacksmith of Dorestad.” Njörd gripped both of Bodo’s broad shoulders and shook them with rough affection. “You are my mentor. My friend. Mybroðir.Of course I forgive you.” He pulled Bodo into a fierce bear hug. “You and I share the blood of the wolf.”
Elfi and Sif rushed forward, throwing their arms around their husbands’ necks, kissing bristled faces and wolfskin cloaks, tears of joy streaming down their smiling cheeks. Laughter rippled across the snow-dusted clearing as Skjöld and Skadi joined the embrace, sealing the tender moment of redemption, forgiveness, and healing.
“You’ll have to come to our castle, once we’ve had the chance to see it ourselves,” Elfi quipped to Skadi and Skjöld, nearly breathless with laughter. “We can spend some of theJólseason inÁlfheim.And some of it here with you two, of course,” she added, kissing Bodo and Sif on the cheek.
“We can share frosted starfruit in our moonstone cottage on Lyrian Lake.” Skadi’s radiant smile lit up her beautiful face. “And since we also promised to visit Lugh and Luna, we’ll have a gloriousJólinÁlfheim!”
Njáll led Luna across the snowy glen toward the joyous group, white teeth flashing in his dark, wolfish grin. He threw a brawny arm around Njörd’s thick neck, pulling him into a fierce hug. “Glad to see you’ve forgiven him, too.” Loyalty and brotherhood burned in Njáll’s dark, feral eyes as he held Bodo’s relieved gaze. “After Bodo confessed the night Soissons and theDökkálfarattackedChâteau Blanc, the pack welcomed him back.” With his other arm, he pulled Bodo into their savage embrace, a trio of wolves reunited. “Blood brothers of theÚlfhéðnar.Eternally bound by Odin.”
When the elated wolves rejoined their grateful mates, Luna spoke to Elfi. “It is wonderful that Queen Íssla gifted you theLjósálfarmagic ofmir glir.Not only will it enable you to cometoÁlfheim, it will enhance your healing power ofsjósóngr,through the Light ElvenSong of the Sea.”
Luna’s silvery blonde locks shimmered like the glowing moonstones at the base of her slender throat. She graced Skjöld with a radiant smile. “The queen’s magical gift to Elfi reminds me of the one I offered your mother at her summer solstice wedding atChâteaufort.”Luna’s deep green eyes sparkled like rare emeralds in the starlight.“When I gifted her the healing magic ofnen glir.The Light ElvenSong of Water.”
Skjöld smiled at his beguiling bride. “The sameLjósálfarmagic Skadi used to heal Haldor, when he was wounded by aDökkálfarblade.” He leaned over and kissed Skadi’s soft lips. “She saved his life, as he had saved hers.”
At Luna and Njáll’s inquisitive looks, Skjöld explained. “Haldor hurled his Dwarven spear,Ísfalkr, into the heart of theDökkálfarwho held her captive—just as the Dark Elf was about to kill her. They meant to prevent us from freeing her …and acquiring a formidable ally.” He wrapped a bearskin-clad arm around Skadi and pulled her close. “They knew of her power as afrostdragon, and wanted to thwart my fulfilling the prophecy.”
“The Son of the Dragon will shield the cape and defend the future crown.” Elfi whispered the prophetic words. “Úlvhild foresaw that you would shield Hugh Capet, to ensure that he would be crowned the new king.”
Hersea goddesseyes flicked from Skjöld, to Bodo, then Njörd. “The crimson-eyed witch who struck Úlvhild down in Ísland must have foreseen the same vision. She sent theDökkálfarto the dwarf’s cave, so that Skjöld would not receive the Dwarven shield.” Elfi smiled at Skadi. “Or meet thefrostdragonwho would become hissoulboundmate.”
Njörd’s deep omen hovered like a foreboding storm. “We will need Skadi for the upcoming battle against King Lothaire and hisDökkálfarallies. Úlvhild foresaw this as well.” The commanding gaze of theWolf of the Nordic Seasfixed on his wolf brothers and Skjöld. “Thorfinn has called for a war council to meet inhis solar tomorrow morn afterdagmál, But for now…” he said brightly, casting aside the doom and gloom, “let us celebrate our winter solstice weddings. And dance with our beautiful brides.”
Chapter 41
Counts, Countesses, and Castles
Sunlight streamed through the eastern window, basking the chamber in golden light. Gulls and gannets squawked in the clear sky, the crisp tang of the sea wafting in on the briny breeze. Skadi lay on her belly beneath him, her rounded hips gripped tightly in his calloused hands. As he pounded into her with relentless rhythm, he knew he couldn’t last much longer.
But when she quivered and convulsed, crying out in release, her sleek body clenched and clamped his tightly from within. He slammed into her, filling her with a fountain of seed, like the thunderous waves which crashed and splattered against the craggy cliffs.
When his body calmed, he lay down at her side, cradling her over his thumping heart. “By the gods, Skadi…your sublime body transports me to the stars.”
She hummed with pleasure, twirling the dark blond hair on his chest with the tips of her tender fingers. She nuzzled it with her nose, deeply inhaling his scent. “And you bring me there with you. I am so very glad you’re mine.” Raising her chin to kiss his lips, she whispered into his open mouth. “Let’s do it again tonight, like we did last night…in moonglow and starlight.”
