“Yes, Volva. The dishes are done.”
“Lovely,” she says. “You truly are diligent. You slept well, I presume?”
I raise my gaze, trying not to swallow my tongue. Ylvin has her hair loose, dark curls cascading down her bare shoulders. She is carrying an enormous white fur to cover the rest of her body, barely cover, in fact—the fur is held so low I can almost see her nipples.
“Well, I?—”
“Good to hear,” she says, lifting her fur. “A bit chilly, isn’t it?”
She’s right, it’s a cold morning for this time of year. The sun is covered by clouds, and a wind buffets us from the west. From the ocean. But it’s not that cold if one puts on some clothes.
“Where is Ari?” she asks as her blue eyes scan me up and down. I wonder if they stand out because of the contrast to her dark hair and pale skin, or if they glow from some ancient magic she can wield.
“He’s in the tent,” I answer, lowering my eyes from her seductive form. What is she? Some unknown sex-goddess lost to time? Freya reborn? Would Freya be so liberal with her body? The Goddess of Love and Fertility had her fair share of partners, according to the stories.
“Perfect!” she announces, tucking her fur around her arms. “Come then, it’s warmer inside. We will chase out Elof.”
“Very well, my lady,” I respond, making her turn suddenly.
“Kilda, please, let go of this ‘my lady this’ or ‘my lady that’ business. You are not my slave. Call me Ylvin.”
“Very well, Ylvin.”
“That’s better. Come now.”
She walks into the lavvu, hips swaying. It’s dark inside, lit only by the orange glow of embers in the firepit. The hole at the top of the structure allows for smoke to escape. Ours must have a hole, but I didn’t notice last night—too busy raging at Ari. The smell of bodies hangs in the air, but I don’t find it revolting. It feels like a home.
“Get up, Elof!” she shouts at her husband. He merely grunts and rolls over on his side, probably irritated at such an unceremonious greeting. The love for his wife must be endless to accept such treatment.
The room is covered in furs, all white or light gray. Again, I wonder how they transported everything. There’s a table covered in talismans and herbs, her staff of simple wood leans against it. An ornate dagger lies among the other items. I’m happy to see it’s not covered in blood. Benches covered in furs sit along the walls. Looking up, I see more talismans hanging from the support beams.
It’s cleaner than I thought it would be.
“Wake up, you troll!” she shouts as she smacks him on the shoulder.
The man grunts again as he raises himself from the furs they share. My eyes instantly get drawn to his crotch—I can’t help it. The man is stark naked and unbothered by my presence. He is also partially erect, as men so often are in the morning. So I am told. Elof stretches his arms. I turn my head away. It takes Ylvin a couple seconds to catch on.
“By Odin, Elof, put on some pants! There’s an innocent maiden in the tent!”
“Oh, sorry,” he mumbles.
I hear him scratching some body part. I’m not going to guess which one.
“A shirt wouldn’t hurt either, my dear,” she purrs as she gives him an audible kiss. “It’s cold outside.”
“Thank you, my love,” he mumbles.
“Now off you go, to teach Ari what he needs to know.”
“Good luck,” he says as I hear him walk out. I turn my gaze back to Ylvin as my cheeks cool off. What a scene.
“Happy blessings, darling,” she says as she closes the entry flap. She sits where Elof had been lying, relaxing.
“Men,” she laughs. “Such beasts. Finally, it’s just us ladies. Please sit.”
I nod, trying to repress the nervous icicle in my throat. Finding a fur-covered bench, I straighten my back.
“So,” says Ylvin. “Where to sta?—”
