Lyall huffs. “Like you’re one to talk, brother.”
Anders thumps my shoulder. “Called it. I knew you two were hiding something.”
Wulfric drops his hands into his lap and chuckles. “Aye, neither of you were exactly convincing.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, allowing myself to sit up. “You didn’t believe us?”
“You were about as convincing as Lyall was when he claimed he was dating Arlo, but it was cute, so whatever,” Kieran says.
Helga smiles. “We were just happy you two were finally connecting. You… are connecting, aye?”
My shoulders slump. “If I haven’t ruined everything.”
“Nonsense!” Helga says. She marches up to me and holds out her hands. “You are fated for each other by the Norns themselves. There’s no obstacle you can’t overcome.” She tugs and hoists me up onto my feet. “Now, you go and sit down. I’ll get you something to eat, and then all of us will come up with a plan to send those witches back where they came from.”
Despite everything, it’s difficult not to smile.
My family has my back. They will help me, and I don’t have to go through this ordeal alone. Clearing the lump from my throat, I say, “Thank you.” Gods only know they’d have every reason to turn me away. I have kept to myself and been distant toward them while the berserker gnawed at my mind. Yet here they are, ready to help me.
It’s more than I deserve.
In a matter of minutes, Aunt Helga and Lyall have assembled a plate of bread, cheese, and fruit. We gather at the table, and I clean my plate in seconds. I’d skipped breakfast when I’d run out on Arlo, and shifting so much mass has drained much of my energy. Has Arlo eaten yet? I should have brought him something from the kitchen.
“Now,” Helga says.
Lyall stiffens in his seat. “Hold on. It’s Soren. He’s speaking to me through our bond.” He closes his eyes. “He says—”
Distant howls rend the air beyond the village. Howls of warning.
Wulfric’s eyes widen. “Witches,” he growls.
No, they can’t be here already. Not yet. We aren’t prepared.
Wulfric’s out of his seat, the chair clattering to the floor. “Gunnar, make yourself scarce! Go to our family burial mound and don’t come out unless I tell you through the bond.”
I shake my head. “I won’t leave you to fight.”
Wulfric replies, “We’re not fighting. Not yet.” He goes to the door and holds it open for Kieran, who follows him out the door without hesitation.
Lyall squeezes my shoulder. “We’ve got this, brother. Do as Wulf says. Everything will be fine.” He smiles with such conviction that I can’t tell if he believes it or not.
Anders huffs. “Not fighting, my tail. If those witches try anything, I’m going to make them regret it.”
Helga rounds on him, a stern finger raised. “Anders, son of Erik, you will behave or I will tell Jamie to put a harness on you the next time he comes for dinner!”
Anders winces but doesn’t argue with that. I feel utterly useless as my family runs off to confront the witches without me, but the last thing I want is to burden them. If I lose control again, that will only make things worse. So I leave out the back doorand run. It takes me longer to get there on two legs instead of four, but I won’t risk shifting.
The burial mound comes into view, capped with frost. After the attack on our village, we’d burned the bodies and brought the ash and bone of our fallen with us to our new home. Within the mound, it’s dark and quiet, but I don’t need light to guide me. I know the path to their graves as well as I remember Bjorn’s sweet laughter and Leif’s kind smile.
Seven paces to the right, ten straight ahead and I am there. The little box I’d carried their ashes in is worn from all the times I’ve cradled it in my hands. Kneeling, I lift the box oh so carefully and lay it in my lap.
“It’s me.” My voice is barely a whisper. It’s been too long since I was here last. “I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to visit. I’ve been busy, but I’m sure you know that.” They’d seen me in my dream, after all. “Truth is, I’ve been too ashamed to visit,” I confess, running my thumb over the smooth wood. “You know why, don’t you, Leif?”
Tears dampen my eyes, and I thumb them away.
“I made you a promise, my love, and it’s one I will keep until I am in my grave. I will never forget you. But you never asked me not to love another, you never asked me to punish myself.” My throat aches, making it difficult to get in a full breath.
“I love him, Leif. I love him so much, and I know you would, too. So please. Please, lend me your strength so that I may see him again.”
