At first glance, it still possessed the serpentine design Svanhild had given it, but the gleaming red eyes were gone. Instead, the former snake’s head was now longer and broader, its sides adorned by intricate fans, and the creature’s eyes gleamed in sapphire. There were even indicated scales, so tiny they were barely visible.
ByHel’srotting tits, he was looking at a dragon.
Hisseiðr.
His coat of arms.
Marking Thori as his.
A weird satisfaction washed over Njord. He hadn’t been able to save Jökull, but this he could give her. Thori would serve him, and maybe something good would come of it.
Thori blinked sluggishly as Njord finally disentangled them to lay his thrall down on the furs once more. He pulled a blanket over Thori for good measure. Dead, Odinsson would be of no use to him.
“Who are you?” Thori mumbled, his eyes barely open, but watching Njord in feverish confusion. “Shipbreaker?”
Njord froze. Shipbreaker, he’d called him. Did he see through Njord’s disguise, or was he hallucinating?
“Rest now,” Njord grumbled. “You’ll be no good to anyone like this.”
Thori’s lips parted as if he wanted to argue, but exhaustion claimed him before the words could form. His breathing slowed, fingers twitching once before falling still against the soft sheets.
Against his better judgment, Njord lingered, studying the sharp angles of Thori’s handsome face. If he was being honest with himself, he had no idea what to do with him. The thought had been tempting. Capturing Thori. Humiliating him by keeping him as a thrall. Killing him in battle would’ve been clean and simple, but seeing him like this, hurt and defenseless, the thought of torturing him made Njord sick. So, he watched as Thori’s breathing slowed into a shallow, steady rhythm.
Sleep had taken him completely.
He looked younger like this. Vulnerable. Almost innocent. Far too beautiful for a dreadful Asgardian warrior.
Njord rose with a deep sigh. He hated this, hated to see Thori weak, hated the sight of the collar around his neck. But most of all, he hated the strange urge to protect him, to see him recover. He should feel nothing but contempt for the man who’d killed Jökull.
Can you really begrudge him that he protected his lið in battle?
Njord whirled around, dagger in hand. But of course, he was alone, Jökull’s voice only in his head. Had Svanhild enchantedhim, or had Jökull followed him into the waking world? He’d dreamed of her every night since she fell out of the sky, but never had she spoken to him during the waking hours. Not until today.
He needed to talk to Skalmöld soon.
Njord!
Skalmöld practically screamed inside his mind. What was it today with everyone getting inside his head?
What is it?
I found your nephew!
Massaging his temples, Njord could feel a headache forming.
Speak a little quieter, will you? I can hear you.
Sorry!Her booming voice was only slightly dampened.I’ve found Talvi in a barn in the woods northwest of Sveinn’s camp. But the forest is swarming with berserkers.
Damn.
Shall I get rid of the bear warriors? I can take your nephew and his husband to you afterward.
Skalmöld was clearly not lacking self-confidence, but he wouldn’t let her risk her life in his stead.
No.Njord sighed.I’ll get him myself. Come back to the camp. I need you to keep an eye on Thori.
Very well! I’m on my way!
