“Married?”
Couldn’t a man travel for a few years without his family making unreasonable decisions left and right? Talvi and Perhonen had a lot to explain to him when he got home.
“They say he’s quite fond of theJotunn,” Svanhild said gleefully.
Well, that at least Njord knew. Talvi had been obsessed with Håkon Bloodaxe ever since he saw him fight at theÞingTournament. His nephew had been a boy of barely seven summers back then, and when he’d grown into a man, his fascination with Håkon hadn’t subsided. Apparently, Talvi had gotten what he wanted so badly. Njord sighed, stroking Thori’s hair absentmindedly. He had to regain control of this mess.
“He’s close by at the moment,” Sveinn said. “He and his husband might run into a few of Isgrimnur’s berserkers. Talvinen might not see Saeborg again.”
Njord returned Sveinn’s ugly grin impassively. The berserkers were in for a nasty surprise if they thought his nephew easy prey.
“We will see. Until then, I want to buy some of your thralls.”
“Certainly—”
“And I want Odinsson.”
He wouldn’t have noticed if he hadn’t touched him, but Njord could feel Thori flinch at his words. In response, Njord buried his fingers more firmly in the short hair on his neck.
Odinsson was his, and he would get his revenge.
“I’m not sure if you have the silver to buy—”
“Name your price.” Njord cut Sveinn’s rambling short.
“10,000 pounds of silver is certainly not too much for the heir of Asgard, don’t you think?”
A horrendous sum. Njord would pay it in a heartbeat. But before he could say so much, Svanhild laughed and shook her head.
“Now don’t insult our guest. We wouldn’t want to rob you, Norrin Stormtamer.”
“What do you want instead of silver then?”
She smiled pleasantly.
“I’m only a humble priestess. I want to give my power to theVanirand bless their crops. I need Odinsson for a ritual.”
Njord hummed in understanding. This was about recognition for Svanhild, about an opportunity to show off her power. And surely spilling the blood of a god in a potent ritual would have the desired effect.
“But what if I want him alive, not butchered as a sacrifice?”
A shudder ran through Thori.
“They say you’re a powerfulvalayourself. I’d allow you to conduct the ritual for me. If you kill him or fuck him isn’t my concern. I trust you’re going to compensate Sveinn with a fair amount of silver, too.”
“You’ll both be more than compensated,” Njord growled.
For a moment, he considered killing Sveinn and Svanhild there and then. He could raze the whole camp to the ground and just take Thori with him. But that would mean letting his warriors die for Njord’s whims and lose any chance to find out what Svanhild knew about the disappearance of his sister. Njord took a deep breath. And controlled himself.
“You want me to conduct the ritual?” Njord downed his cup. “Fine with me. When shall it be done?”
“Tomorrow night.” Svanhild’s eyes gleamed greedily. She was more than eager for this trade.
“Good,” Njord said. “And I guess 5,000 pounds of silver are enough for a royal thrall.”
“He’s a god…” Sveinn tried.
“We’d consider that an appropriate payment.”
