by Ciara Lake
Forsaken Norse Wind
by
Ciara Lake
Forsaken Norse Wind
Copyright © 2012, Ciara Lake
ISBN: 9781937325442
Publisher: Beachwalk Press, Inc.
Electronic Publication: November, 2012
Editor: Pamela Tyner
Cover: LFD Designs
eBooks are not transferable. No part of this book may be used or reproduced without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations in articles and reviews.
This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.
Back Cover Copy
A troll, a mortal, and a love hot enough to melt ice.
Trapped in a vicious life, Breanna Devion survives only by the strength of her heart. Determined to have more than what her abusive stepfather has planned for her, she’s willing to risk everything to be free.
Axel Venrick is a troll who has spent centuries alone, isolated in his castle in Iceland. At the insistence of others, Axel crafts the ultimate tool to find his soul mate. He creates a beautiful ring which is bespelled, blessed by a god, and sent forth to locate Axel’s other half.
The ring finds Breanna just in time to prevent her stepfather’s disastrous plan from taking place. But angry gods, vengeful parents, and an evil lurking in the immortal world all conspire to destroy the love of the jaded troll and his innocent mortal. Can their love free them or will the evil spreading from the bowels of the earth destroy them first?
Content Warning: graphic sex, some violence
Dedication
To my sons.
Chapter 1
Axel Venrick lifted his face to the fading warmth of the setting sun as it sank deep into the indigo sky. Shadows fell across the water as the sun lowered on the horizon. There was silence except for the rowing of the ship’s four oars. The rowing made a rhythmic sound, soothing him. With the sun sinking, the winds were chillier. They filled the sails, pushing the ship smoothly at a swift pace. Waves lapped against the wooden hull. He could see his breath, as well as that of the others, on the frigid air. A thick fog developed around them, hiding their approach. The salt of the sea permeated the air. He could taste it on his lips.
Their ship headed to the shores of Britannia. Like the rest of their people, the mighty Vikings were masters of the sea. Axel stood at the bow of the lead ship watching for the shoreline to come into view. He smiled as he thought of Britannia’s rich farmland with its pretty dames.
Axel stood alone, aware the men were leery of him. Even their greatest warriors looked down and away when speaking to him. Their eyes never met his. The Vikings respected, even desired his power and strength, but feared him still. Trolls were self-governing and not particularly social. Law unto themselves, they were only accountable to the Norse gods. Axel served Loki, which incited further apprehension among the Norse humans. Loki could be a tricky god, full of mischief.
They would arrive on the quiet beach just as the sun fully set, casting the world into eerie darkness. As the chief of this mission, Axel would direct the Vikings to raid, taking all they desired. The strong ruled, the weak bowed to them, thus was the natural way of things.
Protruding from the bow as well as the stern were fierce dragonheads, a warning to those who would think to resist. These ships incited fear to all who saw them coming.
“My Jarl Axel, land I see before us.” The lead rower pointed in the direction of the rocky shore.
“Yes, it is indeed.” Axel looked over his shoulder and raised his hand above his head. “We’re almost to Britannia’s shore. Slow the rowing, we’ll allow darkness to fully fall. The darkness will aide us ashore.” Axel inhaled the cool, salty air. Unlike other moments, the urge to battle heated his blood, pumping it through his body like fire. It was the only time in this millennium of life he’d felt alive.
Over the centuries, he’d grown bored with the repetitiveness of raiding followed by the boisterous rejoicing. The passion for battle had faded. Truly, nothing he desired came from raiding. He obtained his riches in another way. Axel only joined to engage in the heat of battle. At times, he sought companionship of the Vikings. A few among them could be tolerable humans. He smiled as he thought of his plans. At the conclusion of this raid, he was leaving, moving to a far off land. It is time to go.
He watched the men moving around the ship. He’d known these men since they’d been babes, suckling at their mother’s breasts. He’d been among these mortals far too long. Looking up into the sky, he waited for the moon to make its appearance. He was looking forward to some isolation living in the land of fire and ice.
Axel observed the men, a mild disgust settling like a cloak about him. His affiliation with humans was uncommon for his kind, but Axel was an unusual troll. The Vikings were an unusual people—fierce, loyal to Odin in their pursuit of Valhalla. They bore Axel no ill will. In fact, they revered him.
“Lord Axel, I hear you will be leaving us soon.” Alf, the biggest of the warriors, approached him slowly. He was one of the few who would directly speak to Axel. Yet he never held his gaze. Even now, he looked down as he spoke.
“Yes, I plan to go to the land which matches my spirit.” Axel smiled widely, and then he looked out over the sea.
“Iceland does indeed mirror your warrior’s spirit,” Alf agreed.
“I will build my home there. A home like no other.” Axel looked back at Alf. “One I have dreamed of in my imagination. It will be my castle.” He chuckled as the happiness of his plan bubbled up inside him.
“I am pleased you seem happy.”
“I am happy.” Axel nodded. “Alf, I will miss our companionship. You too have a great warrior’s heart.”
“Thank you, Lord Axel. I have learned from the greatest.”
“You are kind.” Axel patted Alf’s arm. “I have plans to build a castle of ice mixed with magical gems. I will dedicate my time to creating special jewels for the immortals as well as the gods. Jewels of great power and beauty.”
“What of your bridges, portals?”
“I can guard the portals from any location.” Axel smiled down at the man.
“I hope you find what you seek.”
“I think I will. I will remember your friendship, Alf. You are an honorable warrior. May you, when it is your time, find Valhalla as you deserve.” He patted the man on his back as he moved away.
“And may you find your peace.” Alf walked off to join the other men.
With a sigh, Axel allowed an illusion to pass over him. Where his muscular body, a blond warrior of great handsomeness once stood, a hideous haggard monster substituted. Axel’s appearance now resembled what most knew a troll to be. The Vikings looked away as if repulsed, as if it was hard to look upon him. Smelling their fear, it excited Axel. Fear, he used as a tool to make others do his bidding. Most of the Brits he’d encounter would flee from him, screaming into the hills. The ones worth fighting would remain, giving him a good scuffle.
“Vikings, the sun has set, let us move upon the land.” He motioned to row again. His voice changed too, now guttural, as repugnant as his appearance.
The Vikings complied, rowing their ships to shore.
* * * *
Axel pounded away on the wedding ring commissioned by a merman for his fiancée. The bang, bang, rang throughout the great room. “This ring’s magnificent,” Axel whispered to himself. He looked at the ring with pride, examining every aspect. The sparkling gems were blinding. Hopefully, Mer Collin Aquilla would be pleased.
“Axel, my son, always so busy.” The massive doors slammed against the wall
as his mother strode inside.
Groaning, he turned his head to watch her approach. “Mother, you love your entrances. Good thing my home’s strong enough to handle you.” He nodded toward the doors.
She moved gracefully toward him. “Working hard, are you?” Her long, golden hair floated around her face as she shook her head in disapproval.
He continued to hold the band of gems over the flame. Then quickly he dipped it into water to cool it. “Yes, Mother, I’m trying to complete this special ring for a Mer’s bride.” He held it over the blue flame, appraising the stone before he set it back atop his workbench.
“Never time to visit with your mother or your kin?” She placed a long, slender finger on her chin, tapping it. “I’ve birthed another child since we last spoke, a sibling to you. It’s a shame you’ve yet to meet her. She’s nearly fifteen years now. Leonic’s a darling.”
“Forgive me, Mother, I’ve been busy.”
“For fifteen years?” Arta’s willowy body relaxed against the arm of his favorite chair.
“Mother, we’re immortal, fifteen years is but a short interval. I can’t believe you even kept track.” Axel glanced up, his teeth grinding at the way his mother trailed her fingers over the wide display of gems he’d set out to choose from. “I’ve been building my home, crafting my works of art.” He held up the ring. “Not to mention guarding my many portals. A troll’s work is never done.”
“No, my dear, your work’s never done.” She paused, looking at him. Axel met her gaze, and then rolled his eyes. “I’ve kept track because I love you.”
“If you say so.” He frowned.
“I do say so.” She lifted her eyebrow as she regarded him. “I keep track of all of my children. Don’t be irritable with me, it is unkind.” She twirled her hair in her hand as she watched him. Her ice blue eyes twinkled. “Your workshop is nice. You’re very talented, your father would be proud. I’ll have to bring him with me next time. He sends his regards. I’m very proud of you.”
“Nice.” Axel groaned.
“Is that all you have to say?” She walked around the room, touching his things.
“What would you have me say?” He hated it when others touched his gems or anything belonging to him. Axel cringed, trying to remain silent. But she continued to finger everything, making him seethe inside.
“I don’t know, maybe that you’ve missed me, or you could ask me how I am.”
“How are you, Mother?”
“I’m good, better now that I’ve seen you.”
“Be careful with my things,” he bit out. “Please.”
She ignored him “You really do spend too much time here. If you don’t want to be social, go out, scare a few humans. Seeing humans fleeing from us is always fun.” She picked up a diamond necklace to look at it closer. “Extort gold from them to cross your bridges. Do something else, Axel. You hurt my heart to be so isolated.” She sighed. “Can I have this lovely bauble?” She held it to her neck.
“It’s not a bauble, they’re nearly perfect diamonds set in a platinum-gold mix. The answer is no, unless you wish to purchase it.” Axel raised his brow, putting his hands on his hips. He eyed her carefully. “All things have a price, Mother.”
“No, that’s not true. Or at least it should not be between us.” She shook her head. “I’d hoped you would just give it to me. But I should have known you’ve not changed.” Arta’s eyes showed her irritation.
“You trained me well, Mother.” He chuckled coldly.
“Don’t be rude, I am your mother,” she snapped.
“I know who you are.”
“For being your mother, you should give me something shiny.”
“Very well, Mother, as you say.” He tossed her a small scrap of gold he had lying on his bench. She caught it like a raptor to a piece of meat. “I do those things if and when I wish.” He put his hammer away as he organized his work area. “But scaring humans is dull. I’ll leave that to other trolls. I’d rather pursue something more artistic, creative. Things which make me great profit while keeping me truly entertained.”
“What about love?” She looked up at him.
“What about it?”
“Love fills our lives.” She pouted her lips. “Since you left the Vikings a half a millennium ago, you’ve been too isolated.” His mother’s gauzy dress floated around her as she moved about the room inspecting all his work. “I know we’re not overly social creatures but we do honor family.” She paused to walk closer to him.
“You do? I mean, we do?”
“This is a lovely piece you’re working on.” Arta gazed closely at the ring. “It’s a shame to waste it on a Mer.” She moved to touch it, but he snatched it out of the way.
“Thank you. I don’t want it to get smudged. He’s paid me well for my work. The Mer are to be respected.”
“Whatever.” She waved her hand. “You spend all your time with Loki and the chilly ice fey. How can you stand this desolation? There’s not a village close to you.”
“I prefer it. How do you know what I’m doing?” He put his other tools away.
“I have my ways. Like I told you, I keep track of my children.”
“There’s no land more beautiful than this one.” Axel grinned. “I love the climate, it reflects who I am. On the outside I’m cold, but on the inside I’m on fire, just like this island. Like now, I’m banking my fire or else I’d explode like a volcano at your sudden appearance. You are here for something, no doubt. You never just drop by to chat.”
“Oh, Axel, you are so dramatic. It’s exactly why you need a lover. Someone to explode with in a different way, a productive way. All your heat should be shared with a deserving woman. You need a lover, a mate. Trolls do join with a mate to procreate, we don’t stay alone forever.”
Axel held the ring up to his special light to exam his handiwork. “Lovely,” he said to himself.
“What’s lovely? My idea for you to have a mate?” His mother’s face brightened with happiness.
“No, Mother.” He shook his head. “The ring’s lovely.” He placed the finished ring on a silver platter. It made a metallic clang.
“You make a ring for another who has a bride, still you’re alone?” Suddenly, his mother jumped up on her tiptoes then spun around.
“What’s wrong with you?” He watched her dance on her tiptoes.
“I have an idea.” Arta danced around some more. “Why don’t you make a finding ring?”
“A what?” Axel cocked his head to the side. “What in Loki’s name is a finding ring?”
“It’s a magical ring which finds what you seek.” She clapped her hands together in excitement. “It’s a fabulous idea. I love my ideas.” She kicked her heels up as she danced around the room.
She would never grow up, Axel mused while he watched her perform.
She stopped in front of his workbench. “Axel, make a glorious ring, bespelling it to locate your mate. Craft it, cast a special spell, then send it out into the world to find the one who is yours. You’re a master craftsman. A troll of great power, you can certainly do this. It’ll find her.” Her eyes were bright. “If it takes another century or more, so be it. But it’ll eventually find the one who is for you. Unless…” Arta looked down at the floor. She stared at her reflection on marble. For a moment, she seemed to have lost her focus as she stared at herself. Moving her hair about, she primped. Arta was a vain woman in every way. But when she put on her illusion of hideousness, no one appeared more grotesque.
“Unless what?” His temper neared boiling. He wanted to yell. Tell me what you want then leave. “Unless what, Mother? You are bothering me. I have work to do. What do you want from me?”
“Unless she’s no more.” She shrugged. “I don’t want anything, but to see you, my dear.” His mother’s eyes looked sad. “Trolls can cease to be, under some circumstances. You’ve taken so long to find her… And why do you think I always want something?” She cocked her head to the side.
&nb
sp; “Perhaps she’s not a troll.” He fisted his hands. “And I think you want something, because you always do.”
“No, I don’t,” she whined. “I suppose it’s possible that your mate may not be a troll.” She leaned against his worktable. “I really don’t care. All I want is for you to be happy.”
“Why do you insist I’m not happy? Why do you suddenly care?” He clenched his jaw, trying hard to not say too much.
“Because you live alone in an ice castle in Iceland. Because you are my child, my oldest son. You never visit your family. Not even trolls want to be alone as much as you are.” She waved her hands around. “This huge castle for just you? It’s a waste.” She looked at him oddly. “You should be filling it with children or at least other family members.” She grinned as if she meant to send him a subtle message. “And you socialize with Loki, he’s unpleasant,” Arta whispered, wrinkling her nose. “You used to surround yourself with those Vikings.” She sneered. “From Viking warriors to this isolation, it just doesn’t make sense. Where’s your adventure?”
“I’m satisfied.” He ran his hand through his hair, pushing it back from his face. “It’s enough for me, nothing else matters.”
She stared at him for a few moments before she spoke again. “When you were younger, you had great adventures guarding your portals, threatening the weak humans out of their riches. You were so different. You were a true troll. What has happened?”
“I’ve progressed. I’ve grown up, I’m wiser.” He sat down in his favorite chair, stretching his legs causally in front of him. “But if it makes you feel better, I’ll think about making a finding ring.”
“All right.” She nodded, a huge grin lifting the corners of her lips. “When are you going to craft it?”
“When you leave, I’ll think about it.”
“Oh, Axel, you’re so difficult.” She shook her finger at him.
“Am I any different from you? Really, Mother, difficult is my nature as is yours. So leave me be.” He waved his hand in her direction. “I don’t mind your visits if you don’t come to hound me.” Axel exhaled as he tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair. “Your favorite god’s due to visit me soon. Perhaps you should leave before he arrives.”
