Viking Heart (The MacLomain Series: Viking Ancestors Book 3) (23 page)

“Good to see you again, lass,” he murmured and also kissed the back of her hand.

“A.K.A., Grant Seavey…Sean’s lawyer,” she managed, eyes again flickering over his attire. “The last time I saw you, you were wearing a business suit and holding a briefcase. Oh, and lying to me, my sister and Sean.”

If she wasn’t mistaken, compassion flickered in his eyes as he offered his elbow to her. “Walk with me?”

She hesitated a second before she wrapped her arm with his and they headed down the dock.

“I owe you an apology, lass,” he said. “It was never my intention to deceive you, Veronica or Sean.”

“Why did you then?”

Save her sisters, Kjar, Adlin and the Sigdir brothers, the majority of villagers were already far ahead and filtering into the fortress.

Grant’s response was soft when it came. “I couldnae tell ye who I was without risking the connection you were meant to have with the king and his brothers. Like Adlin, I am only here to help.”

“Uh huh.” Evasive. But what did she expect?

She knew exactly who Grant MacLomain really was. After all, she’d read about him in the MacLomain Next Generation manuscript. Which was a pretty astounding concept. And though she might be aggravated with him, she felt sympathetic too. The guy hadn’t had it easy being imprisoned by the enemy for fourteen years. Still, several strong emotions were washing over her. “You’re supposedly a wizard too. A powerful one at that.” Her eyes pleaded with his and she braced herself for an unfavorable answer when she asked, “What happened to Sean?”

Something indiscernible flickered in his eyes. Whatever it was vanished fast. “I dinnae know lass. The last I saw of the twenty-first century was when I made sure your stone was returned to you.”

She swallowed hard, eyes round. “You came back to Sean’s house after Veronica and Megan left? When? He didn’t mention it.”

“That is because he didnae know I was there,” Grant said. “The stone was returned to its box then I left.”

Amber frowned heavily. “Why do I get the feeling you’re hiding something.”

“That tends to be a common reaction with most people I meet.” But his eyes were warm as they met hers. “The plight of being a wizard I’m afraid.”

“I need answers,” she murmured. “You must understand that.”

“Aye, lass.” His eyes held hers. “Know this. Though I cannae be the one to give them to ye, all shall be revealed soon enough. Ye will have your answers.”

Amber sighed. “A lot of good that does me now.”

They were nearing the end of the dock when Grant tilted his head slightly. “Your lad grows jealous.”

“My lad?”

Grant arched a brow. “Your dragon?”

“My dragon?”

The corner of his lip curled up a fraction. “The king’s youngest brother.”

“Kol?” She shook her head. “No. Kol doesn’t get jealous. We have an understanding.”

Amused, he said nothing more as the subject of their conversation came alongside her. Grant stopped and held out his hand to Kol. “I am Grant MacLomain. Good to meet ye, lad.”

Kol’s gaze narrowed, assessing the Scotsman with a dark sweep of his eyes. Amber was surprised by the possessive hand he put against her lower back.

Grant kept a hand extended though Kol didn’t grip it. The Scotsman’s gaze flickered appreciatively over their surroundings before they met the Viking's eyes. “Once the pact is fulfilled, I will have to bring my wife, my wee bonnie lass, Sheila, here to visit. As you might imagine, ‘tis hard to be away from your true love for even a moment, aye?” 

Amber lowered her brows at Kol. “Aren’t you going to shake his hand?”

“That depends.” His eyes were shadowed when they met hers. It didn’t seem as though he saw anything wrong with saying, “Do you desire him?”

“Are you serious?” Keep in mind he’s mourning and off his game, she said to herself.

“Och, he’s verra serious. ‘Tis the way of the dragon when he’s claimed his mate,” Grant enlightened. He didn’t seem offended in the least. His hand was still extended, but his eyes were on her. “Ye best tell him ye dinnae desire me, lass.”

Her eyes popped. “Claimed me as his
mate?
”

Adlin nudged Grant in passing, a little twinkle in his eyes. “‘Tis good ye’ve the muscles to keep that arm extended for a while, laddie.”

“Listen, I’m nobody’s mate,” she grumbled to Grant. “And I’m
so
okay with you not shaking this brute’s hand.”

Amber started walking but stopped when she realized the men weren’t moving.

Kol had his arms crossed over his chest, eyes on her.

Grant didn’t move his arm in the least, eyes on her as well. “Do ye desire me, lass? ‘Tis a simple question.”

Megan and Veronica walked by and damn if she didn’t see repressed amusement in their eyes. Naðr only offered a shrug as he passed. It was Raknar of all people that leaned close and murmured in her ear. “They’ll both stand there the whole night. My brother won’t be satisfied until you answer his question and the Scotsman will stand by his honor.”

Before she could respond, or maybe keep him around to help argue on her behalf, Raknar was off. All she could envision was the little golden dragon swooping down to save his brother. Blood stuck by blood which she understood because she had such great sisters. Yet they had seemed just fine strolling on by.

Like Kol, she crossed her arms over her chest. “This is absurd. Come on! Since when do you care if I desire another man? I thought we were fine with that sort of thing?”

Kol shrugged a shoulder. “I’m not asking for your devotion, Amber. But I won’t clasp another man’s hand in greeting if you desire him.”

Grant arched a brow at Kol. “No devotion then? Are you sure? I dinnae get the sense ye want to share your mate with another.”

They both frowned at the Scotsman.

“I’m
not
Kol’s mate,” she repeated.

But damn if she didn’t feel pressure between her thighs when she said it. For that matter, when she first heard him say it.

“I will share her if she desires it.” Kol’s brows lowered sharply. “But not with you, wizard.”

Grant continued to look mildly bemused. “‘Tis good then because I intend to remain faithful to my Sheila through this life into the next and all that follow.” Then he looked at Amber and shook his head, disappointment in his eyes. “I am sorry lass, but I dinnae desire ye so if ye were hoping—”

“Well of course I don’t desire you either,” she started then snapped her mouth shut. The Scotsman had smoothly tricked her into giving Kol what he wanted.

Kol shot her a triumphant look and grasped Grant’s arm, hand to elbow. “Welcome. It’s nice to meet you, Grant.”

Amber scowled and was about to tell Kol exactly what she thought of his little charade when her attention was caught by Kjar walking down the dock. Better yet
who
he walked with, her elbow locked with his.

The Unnamed One.

It took about everything Kol had not to throw Amber over his shoulder, slap her sweet little ass and show her just how
claimed
she really was. But he was still too caught up in Grant’s observation.

Kol making Amber his mate.

He wasn’t sure precisely when it had happened, but the wizard was right, the dragon
had
declared as much. But had
he
himself?

One thing remained certain; dragon fury had turned his vision deep red as he watched Amber and Grant walk a little too closely together. It was a rare day that he met a man nearly as tall and strong as him. While the Viking was just fine with it and always appreciated a fellow warrior, the dragon was in complete disagreement. If it weren’t for the fact that it was a day of mourning and he knew the Scotsman was here to help, his blade would have been drawn.

It didn’t matter in the least if the wizard could wipe him out with a flick of his magical wrist, Kol would go down fighting. Now if he could embrace his dragon, everything would go a whole lot differently. But even then, he sensed Grant was nearly as powerful as Adlin so it would be a brutal and gory battle to say the least.

Thankfully his woman finally said what he needed to hear. What he knew anyways because he could smell her desire. And it wasn’t for Grant in the least. No, moments after she heard Kol had claimed her as his mate, he caught her scent.

She liked it.

But he still fully intended to remind her how much as soon as they were alone. Right now, however, they had far bigger problems to deal with. And so much vengeance to embrace. He was eager for the blood of his enemies. Hopefully, the Unnamed One could help him and his brothers achieve such an end.

Still, it was unsettling to see her without Helga.

Kjar stopped in front of him and Grant. The seer kept her head down, but Kol didn’t miss how close she stayed to the shipwright.

“Our people will be celebrating the journey of our loved ones to Valhalla in the great hall. But, first, the king wants us in his holding to talk of our next move.”

Kol nodded. “Where is Helga? How will the Unnamed One speak without her?”

“‘Tis why I am here,” Grant said. “I’ve the magic to keep enemies at bay through the MacLomain’s great hall tapestry, and the ability to hear the seer’s words.”

The tapestry Grant spoke of was the same one that depicted his oldest brother, the Viking King. An extremely powerful gateway of sorts between medieval Scotland and Scandinavia, it also served as a cage where they currently had an evil enemy trapped between life and death. But that was another story and the reason Naðr’s son by marriage, Valan, came here to begin with. 

The five of them made their way into the fortress, for the most part silent. Kol noticed that Amber chose to walk on the Unnamed One’s other side. He was surprised to realize she was offering the seer support.

Celebrations were in full swing within the great hall. His kinsmen were eager to make sure Odin heard their cries of favor, the endless songs about all the good deeds the fallen had accomplished in their lives. It was important that their people drank much, ate aplenty, and celebrated a life well lived with their AllFather.

A table of food and drinks was laid out in the room adjoining the king’s sleeping area. Yet his brother had been strategic and set it off to the side with chairs placed around the fire. While the food was available for hospitality reasons, he wanted the focus more on conversation.

Naðr and Adlin sat next to one another, deep in conversation. The babe had been put to bed and Raknar, Veronica, and Megan were chatting amongst themselves. When they entered, all fell silent. His brothers and Adlin stood as Kjar led the Unnamed One forward.

All lowered their heads briefly as the king spoke.

“Welcome. I can only assume since you’re here without your sister that you are our ally and Helga is no longer.”

“Or mayhap,” Adlin said, eyes trained on her. “Helga has been captured and my King unknowingly welcomes the enemy.”

The Unnamed One sunk to her knees and started making slashes on the floor. Grant came alongside; his eyes narrowed as he didn’t watch her fingers but seemed to be listening to something. “I am not your enemy.” She wrapped a shaky hand into Kjar’s when he sunk into a chair beside her. “Ask the demi-god. He might not be able to hear me, but he knows.”

Kol grabbed a couple of skins and kept Amber by his side.

Naðr’s eyes went to Kjar. “So now we have arrived at the point where you can share your secrets, shipwright. But I wonder…how am I to trust anything you say to me?”

Kjar cocked his head. “I guess you’ll just have to use your good judgment, my King.”

Raknar and Kol narrowed their eyes on Kjar.

But not Naðr. Instead, his brother’s brows perked slightly and he sat. Legs spread, skin dangling loosely, he wasn’t about to let the demi-god get him riled. Though his steady gaze never left Kjar’s, he spoke to the arch-wizard. “Your thoughts, Adlin?”

Adlin kept studying the seer, eyes never once going to Kjar, before he sat as well. “Your man’s been deceiving you. He’s part of this pact.” The Scotsman shrugged, his posture at ease. “But he has not deceived you beyond that nor would he ever.”

Naðr tilted back his head, eyes still narrowed on Kjar as he contemplated him for several long moments. Then he spread his hands, voice crass. “Then by all means share, cousin. Prove to me that I can trust you.”

Kjar’s eyes narrowed. “That I am
here
is proof enough.”

Grant sighed and sat. “‘Tis time to set aside strife. The seer can give you answers.”

Kol pulled Amber down onto a chair beside him and handed her a skin.

The king’s eyes slid to Grant. “You’re bold considering we just met.”

“Aye, we only just met, my King, but does our magic not know one another’s well?” Grant’s eyes stayed locked with Naðr’s. “Do we not work toward the same end in keeping evil away from both my people and yours?”

Naðr’s face was expressionless as he considered Grant. Eventually, he said, “We do and you and yours will always be welcome.” Though he held his skin, he didn’t drink. “Now tell me what the seer wishes us to know.”

Megan made an indiscernible sound.

Naðr sighed in response, eyes still on Grant. “
Please
.”

Though he wanted to, Kol didn’t quirk his lip. Megan had been working on the King’s manners since she arrived. He still found it amusing. Vikings with manners. Naðr no less.

The Unnamed One started making slashes on the ground and Grant was about to speak, but Amber stood and shook her head. “I can’t deal with this anymore.”

She dragged a chair between Grant and Kjar and then held out her hand to the Unnamed One. “Please. I’m sick of seeing you sit at other people’s feet.”

The seer didn’t move.

Frustration marred Amber’s face and she huffed, “Fine.” She plunked down on the floor beside the Unnamed One and held out her palm. “Then at least make your slashes on my hand and not the dirty floor.”

When the Unnamed One made no movement, Amber took her hand then frowned. “Oh, you’re so cold.” So she cupped her hands around the seer's and blew.

What a woman. He couldn’t take his eyes off Amber. Warmth curled around his heart as he remembered how she had cared for his headache in the cave. The seer didn’t pull her hand away but remained still as Amber took her other hand and set to warming it as well.

Only once did his eyes flicker to the King to see his response but was caught instead by the steady stare of her sisters. Both had a gleam in their eyes and a curl to their lips as they watched not Amber but Kol. Those damn women were entertaining all sorts of thoughts about how he felt about Amber.

Yet, nobody said a word. Then, seemingly satisfied with the warmth of the seer’s hands, Amber again offered her palm for communication. Her eyes went to Naðr. “Okay then, ask away.”

Kol pushed aside the tension he felt having such a powerful seer using his woman as her method of communication. He could only pray the Unnamed One wouldn’t hurt her nor would Amber get caught up in powerful magic. Because if that started to happen, he’d do exactly what Raknar had and embrace the dragon.

There would be no other choice.

Because whether or not either of them acknowledged it, she
was
his mate.

He kept his discontent well-concealed and wondered if the king even knew he had a slight smile on his face when he asked, “Did Helga turn on us? And if so, when?”

Kol didn’t blame him for smiling. Amber brought it out in them all.

The Unnamed One hesitated for a moment as if uncomfortable. Then Amber nodded at her and smiled. “Go for it. I’m all yours.”

The seer didn’t move for another long moment before she finally started making slashes in Amber’s palm. Grant spoke. “Helga was very close with Tofa, she who left our mountain first to join with King Rennir. Tofa was second born. Helga third. They formed a strong bond.” She slashed more and Grant kept talking. “Not just sisters but
blood sisters
. And through the spell of blood, they harnessed the power of Loki’s, Hel. Together they learned well what existed in the afterlife. Good and evil. Through it they became very powerful.”

She kept slashing. The Scotsman kept talking.

“They opened a doorway that gave them access to both. Tofa used the evil. Helga used the good. But always they could harness the other. Always they were connected.”

Naðr leaned forward. “Did my former wife, Aesa, know of this? And Raknar’s former wife, Yrsa?”

“Yes,” Grant said as the seer kept slashing. “Aesa wanted nothing to do with it. That is why she left the mountain next and sought out the dragon brothers.” The Unnamed One lowered her head, body trembling. “You were her salvation. Her safety. A place she knew good still reigned.”

Kjar put a hand on her shoulder and she slowly stilled.

“What of Yrsa?” Raknar asked.

“My youngest sister,” Grant said. “Wanted to be good but craved the darkness too much. The greatness it might offer.”

That sounded about right.

Veronica’s hand slid into Raknar’s as he murmured, “So she did.”

The seer kept making slashes. Grant kept talking.

“Though first-born and the most powerful, I am no longer. I chose another path instead. One that would protect good, protect all of you. A path that has greatly weakened me. Only because of the demi-god’s help am I here, free of Helga for now.”

Naðr shook his head, eyes narrowed on Kjar. “Just tell me, cousin. What is your connection to all this?”

Kol was surprised to see the shipwright’s expression falter. It was the first time he ever saw genuine pain in his cousin’s eyes. “I cannot tell you, my King. Not until the pact is fulfilled and you and your brothers can once more embrace the dragon.”

“So you would sit here and put our lives at risk?” Raknar said.

“No.” Kjar shook his head. “Everything I have done is to save your lives.” He made a gesture that encompassed the room. “To protect all that you have built here.”

“I've been wondering about something,” Amber said. “Can the pact be fulfilled simply by me returning from the future? Does there
have
to be love between Kol and me?”

Kol clenched his teeth and kept a growl at bay, surprised at how disagreeable he found the idea of her not loving him.

The Unnamed One placed her free hand over Amber’s and nodded her head sharply.

“Yes,” Kjar said. “There must be love. Without it, why else would you want to go on to Valhalla with your Viking? A fact that made this pact so appealing to the seers to begin with.”

“I was under the impression we had the option to go to Heaven if we wanted to,” Veronica pointed out before her eyes connected with Raknar’s. “But I realized when I fell in love that I wanted to be wherever Raknar was in the end.”

Kjar nodded, eyes still on Amber. “So you see. True love is necessary.” His eyes flickered over Adlin and Grant. “And thankfully many have helped to ensure that those from the future would not suffer heartache because of this pact.”

The king’s incredulous eyes went to Amber, obviously of a one track mind. “Do you not love my brother then, woman?”

While Kol appreciated Naðr’s need to protect him and though she was most definitely his mate, he wouldn’t have Amber pressured into anything.

“How she does or does not feel is not yours to force from her tongue, brother,” he said softly, voice edged with just enough threat.

Naðr and Raknar’s eyes shot to his.

His middle brother spoke this time. “You love her. Why would you not fight to keep her?”

“Because I don’t take what is not given to me freely,” he ground out, eyes anywhere but on Amber. “And
that
is a better way to fight to keep her.”

His brothers eyed him and like their women, he didn’t much like the look in their eyes.

“So you
do
love Amber then,” Veronica said matter-of-factly. “I for one think you have great taste.”