‘We will get there before dark. The dogs will be slower going uphill but still much faster than if we walked.’
Embla snuggled against him. ‘It is nice to watch the scenery. It’s very beautiful when you are not trudging through it!’
‘It is,’ he said, and pressed a kiss against her blanketed head. She was bundled up tightly against the cold, so he could barely feel her body against him. But it did not matter. He was grateful for one thing, at least: she had left her hair loose this morning. She still wore her fur hat, but her golden hair tumbled around her shoulders in a carefree way that he was beginning to love. He hoped she would continue to wear it like this in the future.
Thinking ahead about when they arrived home, he realised he would have to decide on how best to spend the next few weeks. He wanted her to enjoy her time with him, but he also wanted to give her an incentive to stay.
He decided to think up a careful and deliberate scheme to win her heart. At least now he knew he could please her in bed, and that would be his best weapon in the battle ahead to win her.
They stopped only once to feed and swap the dogs over. When they eventually swept into the clearing of his cabin, there was still a yellow haze shining through the trees, but it was falling rapidly.
Iskko wasted no time. He unhitched the dogs from the full sleigh, fed and watered them, before tying both teams to his own sledge.
‘Will you not stay the night?’ asked Embla, worried that the poor man and animals would be exhausted. However, the dogs still seemed incredibly energetic, despite the journey.
‘No, he should head back now. Before the heavy snow comes,’ said Runar.
‘Heavy snow?’ She looked up at the clear sky and wondered what he meant.
Runar nodded. ‘It will turn soon. There is a chill in the air.’ He slapped Iskko on the back. ‘Thank you for your help, and remember what I said about returning here when the cliffs thaw.’
Iskko laughed when he saw the concern on Embla’s face. ‘Do not worry, Embla! The track is set, and the journey downhill is easy. I will be there in half the time it took to climb. The dogs will love it!’
Runar dutifully translated his words so that she could understand him.
‘Be careful,’ warned Embla, not liking the idea of Iskko rushing down the hillside in the twilight. But she supposed the shorter days meant that the time travelling had probably not beenthatlong. ‘I really do wish you would stay. I can make you a hot meal tonight, and a hearty porridge before you leave tomorrow.’
‘No need!’ Iskko said, shaking his head firmly, which required no translation. He leaped onto his sledge, and Runar handed him a large bag of dried meat from his stores as a thank-you. Iskko placed it in the sleigh and paused a moment to admire the cabin. ‘You are right—your place does look a little better... But I still prefer my ownlavvu.’
With a sharp whistled command, the huge team of dogs charged off down the hill, Iskko cheering them on with a loud laugh as he practically flew down the mountainside.
‘I hope he doesn’t get hurt.’
Runar smiled at her concern. ‘He will be fine. He knows every dip and shallow of this mountain as well as I do.’ He reached for her face and cupped it. ‘You look cold. You have ice on your eyelashes.’
‘So do you,’ she laughed, reaching up to gently sweep her finger through the icicles crusted onto his eyelashes. He smiled at her touch, then brushed the snow from hers with a tender kiss.
Blushing hotly, she said, ‘I will just get some food from the stores first.’
Embla busied herself with picking ingredients, lighting the fire, and preparing the evening meal. Meanwhile Runar unloaded the supply sledge and tended to the goats and hens.
It wasn’t long until they were sitting in their matching chairs in front of the fire, with the snow falling thickly outside the closed shutters as they ate a simple stew of barley, dried venison and cloudberries that Embla had thrown together.
For the first time, since they had arrived back at the cabin, Embla realised they were truly alone.
And then Runar said, ‘I have a plan.’
Chapter Fourteen
‘For what?’ Embla asked, her nose wrinkling sweetly with confusion. She was a very expressive person, and Runar liked how he could read her emotions so easily. It meant he was never nervous or uncertain around her, because he would know soon enough what she thought.
‘For our remaining time together,’ he explained. When her face dropped, he quickly added, ‘Let us not speak or eventhinkabout what will happen in the spring. We shall wait until Iskko arrives. He will tell us when the western cliffs have thawed, and that is when the mouth of the Gudvangen cave will be clear... So, there is no need to worry about it. Until then, let us live each day as it comes.’
She nodded slowly. ‘That...makes sense.’
‘I have some suggestions for how we can enjoy our remaining time together...’
‘You do?’
