The Viking Maiden Box Set

by Kelly N. Jane

  A thousand butterflies spilled out of her heart, and she covered her mouth with her fingers trying to hide the broad grin making her cheeks ache. Startled, she jumped when her mother wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head.

  “I’d tell you to guard your heart, but I’m too late, I see.”

  Ingrid could only nod.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Helka back at Hagen’s side, while Selby stood at the foot of the bed. Stepping away from her mother, she moved next to Selby, slipping her hand into her friend’s.

  “How are you feeling?” she asked Hagen.

  “Good,” he whispered, then put a hand to his throat.

  “You haven’t talked in a while. It’s been nice,” she teased, and wiggled his foot.

  Smiling, he closed his eyes and shook his head. “Just wait.” He paused to catch his breath. “Tomorrow.”

  “Of course, I’m sure you’ll have lots to say.”

  “Come on girls, let’s give these two some time alone,” Agnethe said as she turned Ingrid and Selby toward the door.

  Ingrid squeezed Selby’s hand as they walked out of the room.

  When they entered the main room, Jorg was gripped in a handshake with Klaus, who slapped him on the shoulder before walking away. Ingrid met his smile and started to walk toward him, but noticed his mother heading in his direction, so she hung back to give them some time.

  Jorg turned his attention to his mother with softness in his eyes. As her hand reached out to touch his arm, a rough voice barked her name. From across the room, Jorg’s father approached the two, disgust curling his lip as he looked at his son. Ingrid ambled closer, trying to stay discreet yet feeling the need to be close for support.

  “Step back, woman,” Jorg’s father said to his wife.

  Bending her head, she stepped aside. Jorg’s body stiffened, and he set his shoulders as if waiting for an attack.

  “I’ve done the best I could for you, boy. Tried to ignore what you are and believe you could be my son. You’ve proven you can handle yourself as a man now, so there’s nothing more you need from me. Do whatever you need to, but don’t come home. We’ve uprooted ourselves enough for your sake.” He spat the last of his hateful speech and turned to leave, nodding to his wife to follow.

  “Petr, before you leave . . .” Klaus called out to him.

  Ingrid turned to her father, but Jorg kept his eyes on his mother. Klaus now stood in front of Jorg’s father.

  “I think you should reconsider what you said.”

  “My family is my business, Klaus. I don’t answer to you or anyone else about that.”

  “That’s true, and I won’t interfere with your family. But, the good of the village is my concern, and I’d like you to reconsider your opinion of your son.”

  “I will not. In fact, I question your ability to lead this village if you plan to allow his sort to spend time with your daughter.”

  Ingrid sneered at him and clenched her fists as she saw Jorg do the same.

  “You question me? Well, let me answer that for you. We don’t need your ‘sort’ spreading your plague to the rest of us. Jorg has a home here—you don’t. Pack your things, and be gone by morning.”

  “You are bringing death to everyone. I’ll be glad to leave this place.” Striding to the front of the hall, Petr left, motioning again for Jorg’s mother to follow.

  At the door, she hesitated, holding onto the frame without walking through.

  Ingrid heard Jorg suck in a small breath, and she held her own as they waited, biting the inside of her lip to keep herself from shouting out.

  Don’t do this to him. Please turn around.

  Then, the woman who had saved Jorg, loved him as her son, and protected him, slumped her shoulders and left without a glance.

  Ingrid looked at Jorg, and watched his eyes grow hard and his jaw muscles pulse. Before she could go to him, though, her mother caught her hand and stopped her.

  “Give him some time. Go to him later, when there are not so many eyes to watch.”

  “Are you saying that because you don’t want me to be seen with him?” Ingrid hissed in a whisper.

  “Of course not, and don’t ever insult me like that again. I say it for the sake of his pride. You will make it worse for him if you go over there now.”

  In her head, Ingrid knew she was right, but her heart ached to take away his pain.

  21

  Selby tugged on Ingrid’s sleeve. “Let’s go back and check on Hagen.”

  “Why do you want to do that to yourself?”

  “Nothing better to do.” Selby grinned and looped her hand through Ingrid’s arm, once again bringing lightness to a difficult situation.

  “Isn’t Helka still in there? Won’t you feel awkward?”

  “An hour hasn’t gone by without her sitting by his side from the moment we dragged his heavy arse back here; might as well get used to it. Besides, he’s awake now, and I want to know if he remembers anything.”

  “You want to know if you’ve been caught.” Ingrid grinned and nudged against Selby.

  “True. You know me too well.”

  As they approached Hagen’s room, Selby coughed and cleared her throat while shuffling her feet extra loud.

  “What?” she asked when Ingrid turned her head to stifle a giggle.

  “Nothing. I don’t want to walk in on anything, either. It’s good to know you have limits.”

  Shelby shrugged and smiled as she lifted the door curtain and peeked inside. “Everyone decent in here?”

  “Selby! Come in and keep out the draft.” Helka acted angry, but there was a blush to her cheeks.

  “How is our favorite patient?”

  “Why are you worried about a draft? Is there something wrong?” Ingrid drew her eyebrows together as she hurried to the bedside. The room smelled like mint and saffron from a small bundle of purple crocus sitting in a bowl.

  “I’m fine, feeling better every minute. She’s being a mothering hen, that’s all,” Hagen answered.

  “You look good. There’s color in your cheeks again.”

  Hagen reached across his body to take Ingrid’s hand, not disturbing the one entangled with Helka’s.

  “Thank you. Helka has been filling me in on what happened while I was knocked out. Who knew that my dancing, singing little sister held the power of life and death in her fingertips?”

  It feels like forever ago that I was that girl. Ingrid gave a half-hearted smile. “Don’t you forget it. You should think twice before you pick on me again.” She poked his shoulder and broadened her grin.

  Lifting his hand from hers, he held it in the air. “No more teasing, I wouldn’t dare. Promise,” he said with a smile, but his eyes were serious.

  “Oh please, don’t get all soft on us, we won’t know it’s really you,” Selby snorted from the end of the bed.

  Hagen looked at her for a moment before a mischievous glint shone out of his eyes. “Thank you, Selby. I know it wasn’t easy, pulling me all the way home, and having to spend all that time bickering with Jorg.” He leaned forward a little and whispered, “And telling me all your secrets when he wouldn’t talk to you anymore.”

  Every shade, from pink to bright red, crossed over Selby’s cheeks as she stood motionless, gaping at Hagen.

  Ingrid slapped him playfully. “You’re horrible.” Walking over to Selby, she took her hand. “He’s teasing you.”

  “Am I?” He tilted his head and smirked.

  “Yes,” she said firmly. Then she looked back at her friend. “Ignore it, I’ve been on the receiving end of that look too many times. It’s just not hard to imagine you talking the whole way home.” Ingrid tried to stifle a giggle.

  Selby huffed. “I have a lot to say, that’s true.”

  “A lot of words flow out of your mouth; that’s not the same as a lot to say,” Jorg pointed out as he walked into the room. “I don’t know how you put up with it,” he teased Ingrid, smiling. Everyone ch
uckled, including Selby.

  It felt good to have a moment of lightheartedness surrounded by those she loved. Ingrid closed her eyes and let it wrap around her like sunshine on a warm day.

  After more banter and teasing between Jorg and Selby over who pulled Hagen the most, and who dealt with the most annoyance from the other, the room settled into a companionable silence.

  Hagen interrupted it. Looking up at Helka, he asked, “Shall we tell them?”

  “I’ve been dying to say something.” A smile lit up Helka’s face as she stared back at Hagen.

  Ingrid moved closer to Selby, and a rock settled in her stomach. They’d both known it was coming, and she wanted to be happy for her brother, but her heart wrenched for her best friend.

  Selby stood tall, her face schooled into a pleasant smile. Ingrid saw Jorg glance up at the ceiling and shift on his feet.

  Helka looked over to all of them. “We are getting married in the fall,” she announced.

  “Congratulations,” Ingrid said and hugged both of them.

  Selby followed Ingrid, and held her sister tight. Jorg leaned over and clasped Hagen’s hand, and Ingrid saw her brother flash his eyes toward her as he stared at Jorg.

  Turning away quickly, her knees wobbled, and she wanted to run from the room.

  Thankfully, she heard Jorg whisper, “One thing at a time.”

  Focusing her attention on Selby and ignoring the tremble in her hands, she was grateful that Jorg avoided looking in her direction.

  Minutes later, while Helka was excitedly talking about her plans for the wedding, blissfully unaware of her sister’s discomfort, all of their parents walked into the room.

  “There’s quite a party in here,” Klaus said, slapping the back of Selby’s dad’s shoulder and shaking his hand.

  The two moms hugged, and joined Helka to chatter over the happy news. Selby shifted toward the far wall, using the crowded room as an excuse to distance herself.

  Ingrid followed and pulled her into a hug. “You should come with me,” she whispered into Selby’s ear.

  “Where?” she asked, but she looked like she’d go anywhere as long as it was out of that room.

  Glancing over her shoulder to make sure everyone was still preoccupied, she kept her voice low. “I have to find Eir. I need her to train me so I can get this intruder out of my head.” She stiffened as she felt hands on her shoulders.

  “Are you ever going to listen to reason and stay put?” Jorg had leaned down to speak low next to her ear.

  Ingrid shuddered as his breath tickled her cheek, and she shook her head.

  Selby tried to keep from smiling, but she didn’t succeed. “You knew she wouldn’t. I guess we’ll all have to go.”

  “Go where?” Agnethe asked from across the room.

  Ingrid rolled her eyes at Selby. “You really need to work on your quiet voice.”

  Stepping around Jorg, she faced her parents in the suddenly quiet room. “I need to find Eir, Mama,” she said walking toward Agnethe.

  “I know you do, and you should. Even though I will worry every second you are gone.” Placing her hand on the side of Ingrid’s cheek, she let her eyes rove over every part of Ingrid’s face. “Although, you can change your mind . . . stay and train as a shieldmaiden.”

  Ingrid met her smile with a chuckle of her own.

  Several days later, life was returning to normal.

  After the morning meal had been cleared, Ingrid found Plintze sitting in her favorite corner, sipping a cup of tea.

  “I’m glad you stayed. I was worried you would head back home once everything settled down,” she admitted, plopping down next to him.

  “Thought about it, but didn’t think it would hurt anything to stick around for a few days.”

  Ingrid smiled while she rubbed her hand over the fur they sat on. “I need to leave. I would like it if you came with me.”

  “Humph.”

  “See, how could I go anywhere without such great advice and conversation?” After a moment’s hesitation, she asked again. “Will you come with me? I need you.”

  “You really think I’ve stayed here for the noise and smells? When do we leave?”

  She broke into a grin. “Today. I can’t take any more sitting around, and I can’t risk Dúngarr coming back for me.”

  “Good, it’s about time.”

  “Then I’ll go tell the others, and we’ll get ready.”

  “What others? Well, that half-Elf, I suppose, but who else?”

  Ingrid saw the way he narrowed his eyes, and suspected that he was already preparing himself for the answer. “You will learn to love Selby. She’s like you—grows on you like a fungus.” Patting his arm, she hurried away before he could say anything else.

  Jorg was standing near the center of the room, talking with Klaus and Hagen, who was up and walking around like nothing had ever happened.

  “I’m going to find Selby, and then we’re getting ready to leave,” Ingrid told Jorg. “I can’t wait any longer.” All three men stared at her without saying a word. “Okay, then. I’ll meet you back here within the hour.”

  As she walked off, she heard her father say something about being unsure who to worry for, and she smiled to herself as she headed toward the back wall where Selby stood near their mothers.

  “Mama, I’m leaving today. It’s time.” Ingrid’s words were strong, but lines creased her forehead as she waited for her mother’s response.

  “I know it is. I’ve been thankful for the last few days, but I understand.”

  Turning to face Selby’s mother, she said, “I know there’s a lot to do for Helka’s wedding—”

  “Stop there,” Selby’s mother interrupted. “I wouldn’t dare keep Selby from going with you. Just try to keep each other safe as much as possible.”

  Throwing her arms around her mother, Selby hugged her tight. “Thanks, Mother.”

  “Both of you follow me. I have something for you,” Agnethe said as she walked in the direction of the bedrooms.

  Selby let go of her mother and kissed her cheek, then rushed off with Ingrid.

  A short while later, Ingrid stood with her mother’s hands on her shoulders, being held at arm’s length and appraised from head to toe.

  “Now you look ready to leave,” her mother declared as she pulled her in for one last tight hug.

  Ingrid inhaled the scent of wildflowers and linen while she held onto her mother. This was the woman she’d always thought of as soft and over-cautious, who protected her too much, held her back, and loved her more than she ever knew. Her heart strained at its edges as she realized how fierce and brave her mother truly was. It was a feeling she’d need to remember as strongly as the embrace that held her.

  The two girls emerged from the back room to find Jorg and Plintze ready to go, and talking with Klaus, Hagen, and several others while they waited.

  Jorg noticed Ingrid, and stopped talking to stare at her.

  No longer wearing their maiden dresses, the girls were prepared for anything they might face. Kohl surrounded each girl’s eyes, and braids pulled their hair back from their faces into a ponytail. They were both dressed in black linen trousers, with tunics belted at the waist. Selby wore a deep blue, while Ingrid wore burgundy. Dark leather gauntlets covered her hands and forearms.

  Though she didn’t wear her hangerok apron anymore, Ingrid still secured her beads to her tunic, hoping that the amber one would help lead them to Eir.

  “I hope that’s the reaction you wanted, because I don’t think he’s breathing,” Selby whispered to Ingrid in her discreet way, which made everyone around them snicker.

  Ingrid smiled and walked straight to Jorg, saying nothing.

  “That’s a new look,” he said.

  “Mmhmm.”

  “It suits you.” He smiled despite trying to act casual.

  “Meyla, you look like your mother,” Klaus said pushing Jorg aside to give his daughter a hug.

  “She said this would he
lp us move easier, wherever we needed to go.”

  “I have something else you’ll need,” Klaus said, and pulled Ingrid’s shield out from behind a barrel. Handing it to her, he pointed to the new paint it displayed. “I had Einar add runes for you: some for healing, some for success, and some for persistence.”

  “How is this possible? I thought it was lost with the boat.” Ingrid held the shield in front of her as she scanned the runes and smiled.

  “We found it.” Klaus hesitated and cleared his throat, “When we were searching for you.”

  Ingrid looked up at her father, her eyes beaming with love and a hint of pain for how he must have felt. “Thank you,” she said, and wrapped her free arm tight around his waist.

  Hagen shook hands with Jorg. “Good luck,” he said, nodding toward the girls and laughing.

  As they made their way around the room, saying goodbye to everyone, Plintze grew more and more agitated. He was pacing near the doors, groaning and muttering to himself.

  Finally, Selby spoke up. “Okay, enough admiring how great we look, let’s get going. That dwarf is making himself crazy, and we have a norn to find.”

  “Humph,” Plintze muttered and pushed through the doors.

  Ingrid laced her fingers through Jorg’s and they followed Selby outside.

  Undercutting Ingrid’s happiness, the sticky mental intruder pressed against the inside of her temples.

  Don’t worry Jarrick. I’ll find you, too.

  22

  Amber Magic

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14