The pronouncement roused several intriguing hints. He could pay them no mind now. Now he must focus on Katrin. He studied her pale face, the dark red of her hair making her appear ashen, almost blue, as if she was already cold. The very idea tore at his heart. He brushed his fingers across one soft cheek, relieved to find her warm, despite her appearance, and breathing so shallow, one might think her dead.
"Katrin, wake up," he said softly. Again, this time a little louder. "Katrin, wake up!"
"She is lost to you. The gods have stolen her spirit!" The cackling words came from Gunilla, her arms now bound behind her. The look in her eyes bordered on pure madness. Before he could rise to face her, the eldest brother stalked over to her.
"You’ll pay, old woman, for all that you’ve done to us, and most of all to our sister and mother. I’ve waited many summers for this day. You will suffer, this I promise before the gods."
The harsh words and deadly tone sent a shiver along Hradi’s spine. He gave thanks these men were now Grindafell’s allies, instead of enemies. Hradi had no doubt he could handily beat the younger man, but that depth of rage made him more dangerous.
The old woman shrank away from Katrin’s brother. Hradi gave them the order to take her away. Waiting until they had left, Hradi scooped Katrin against him and rose, striding to the back room. In a few moments, he laid her upon his bunk, much as he had the first day she arrived in Grindafell. Her fingers still clutched her wand, and he held back a smile before sitting beside her, aware her brothers watched his every move.
After a few attempts to gently shake her awake, her eyelids finally fluttered. It took several more moments before he looked into the familiar blue of her innocent gaze. Confusion and fear mixed there. He offered a smile and another gentle caress of her cheek in an attempt to calm her.
The touch worked. Relief and affection sprouted in her clearing eyes. She looked past him and he knew the moment she recalled what she’d learned before fainting.
"They’ve been searching for you for a long time," he said quietly. He turned to Henrik and waved him closer. "Tell her what you told me."
Katrin pushed herself up to sit, pushing away Hradi’s hands when he would have stopped her. "I am fine now. I wish to speak with … my brothers."
"Of course. Would you like me to leave?" He couldn’t completely ignore the hurt that she seemed not to want him by her side at such an important moment.
"What? Why will you leave?" She tilted her head, her brow furrowed in obvious confusion. "No, I want you to stay."
A burst of pure excitement chased the gloom and he nodded, afraid if he spoke, he might appear weak and soft.
"I am Henrik," said her brother. "I am the eldest. Artur is the middle son, and Oleg the youngest."
"Where do I fit?" Katrin asked.
"You are the youngest of all. Our mother despaired of ever having a daughter and then you were born." Artur said this, stepping closer. Oleg did the same.
Hradi focused on them, but soon realized he had no need to protect her. He should be relieved, but oddly, the knowledge bothered him.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Katrin studied the three men before her, marveling at the similarities, as well as the differences. Their hair matched hers, and they all fashioned it in various braids and knots. All of them bore several knots resembling the triple horns of Odin, indicating their familial relationship. Their fur cloaks and leather tunics were clear signs of wealth. On their belts, all three carried fine swords in ornately decorated leather sheaths.
So many questions buzzed in her head, almost deafening her, and she didn’t know which to ask first. Finally, she spoke.
"How many summers am I?"
The perplexed expressions twisting their faces almost drew a chuckle, but she had no time for such levity. "I mean, I was told that I will reach eighteen summers in a few months. Is that true?"
"Why do you ask?" Oleg didn’t seem to understand what she meant or why it mattered any more than the others. She avoided looking at Hradi, knowing the sight of him would distract her. She had many questions for him as well, but those she would ask him later.
When they were alone.
"I was told that on my eighteenth summer, I would be fully empowered and ready to embark on my own journey asVölva, with my own retinue, if I so choose."
"There is no need for that," Henrik said. "You will return with us."
"No, she is staying here," Hradi said, rising to face her brothers.
"No need to decide that now," Katrin said, sliding from the bed to stand between them. She stared up at Henrik, taller even than Hradi. "I need to know if that is true, if my powers will be fully realized then."
All four men looked at her. Henrik was the one to answer.
"Yes, you will be eighteen summers."
