Viking Claim (The MacLomain Series: Viking Ancestors Book 2)

by Sky Purington

  Veronica tries to cope with losing her sister but is drawn to everything that seemingly took Megan away. A magical stone. Rune staves. A Viking king. The far distant past. It all seems too impossible to believe. Until she slides down a snow swept hill near Maine’s, Raven’s Nest cliffs straight into a reality she never could have imagined.

  Of dragon blood and brother to the king, Raknar Sigdir ‘the hunter’ is determined to welcome any woman from the future if it means he can conquer anew for his people. For those he cares about most. However, Veronica, the irresistible woman thrust back in time, soon has his mind less on loot and more on all the things he forgot about himself.

  Honor. Decency. Pride. The ability to love.

  A pact with the seers hangs in the balance when a ninth century Viking gives in to his heart to protect a modern day woman from a sworn, powerful enemy…his former wife. Rash actions mean an uncertain outcome. A new fate unfolds. An ultimatum is given. A claim must be made. Now all that lies ahead is a challenge that might very well mean the loss of an unparalleled passion found across time.

  Viking Claim

  The MacLomain Series-Viking Ancestors

  Book Two

  By

  Sky Purington

  Dedication

  For Aunt Jane.

  Truly kind. Incomparably strong. A heroine amongst heroines. None are your equal.

  I love you so very much.

  Until we meet again…

  God Bless.

  1950-2015

  Viking Prayer

  Lo, there do I see my father, and

  Lo, there do I see my mother, and

  Lo, there do I see my brothers and my sisters and

  Lo, there do I see my people back to the beginning,

  and Lo they do call to me, and

  bid me take my place among them in the halls of Valhalla,

  Where the brave will live forever.

  COPYRIGHT © 2015

  Viking Claim

  Sky Purington

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of these books may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Edited by Cathy McElhaney

  Cover Art by Tamra Westberry

  Published in the United States of America

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter One

  Winter Harbor, Maine

  2015

  “Live from New York City…Happy New Year!” the broadcaster cried via satellite radio as Veronica pulled her Cadillac Escalade ESV into her sister Megan’s driveway. Actually, she had that wrong. Now it was Sean’s driveway.

  After she killed the engine and headlights, she rested her head against the seat, sighed and stared at the sprawling house. This was only the second time she’d been back since Megan vanished last Halloween.

  Maybe vanish was the wrong word.

  It was more like she decided to abandon life here to travel back in time to ninth century Scandinavia. Or so she had claimed in the letters she left for her sisters and Sean.

  It all began mid-October of last year. That was the day Megan’s ex-husband Nathan showed up claiming that he’d discovered Viking treasure off the coast of Megan’s house. Always having been drawn to Viking history, her sister didn’t hesitate to dive with him and his team to see what they could find.

  As it turned out, Megan, Nathan, and the divers disappeared. Only Megan washed up a few days later. According to her, she traveled through time and met a Viking king named Naðr Véurr. A man she apparently fell in love with. Then, weeks later, Megan did the unthinkable. She sailed the small Viking boat she’d built out into Frenchman Bay, convinced it would bring her back to him.

  She hadn’t been seen or heard from since.

  Megan had left her and their sister Amber a great deal of wealth, but Veronica didn’t care in the least. She desperately wanted her big sister back.

  Amber opened the front door and despite the driving snow, flew out to greet her, Sean not far behind. Veronica threw open the car door and wrapped her arms around her sister.

  “I missed you,” Amber mumbled next to her ear. “Happy New Year.”

  “Back at ya, little Sis,” she murmured. Veronica held Amber for a long minute and did her best to push frustration aside. Where her younger sister seemed to be taking losing Megan in stride, Veronica remained upset. Not only had Megan been willing to leave them behind but she was foolish enough to sail her boat out alone for its maiden voyage. Regardless, Veronica wasn’t about to distress Amber so she pulled away, plastered a small smile on her face and eyed her beautiful sister. “You look great.”

  She imagined that had a lot to do with Sean, who gave her a quick hug and said, “Let me get your luggage.”

  “Thanks, sweetie. It’s unlocked.”

  Sean was a local fishing boat captain and Megan’s best friend, not to mention Amber’s part time fling when she was in these parts.

  Veronica scooped up her purse and a manila envelope off the passenger seat then grabbed Amber’s hand. “Let’s get inside.”

  “I’m glad you made it safely,” Amber said. “It’s a long drive from New York even without the weather.”

  Veronica brushed away the words. “Bad roads don’t bother me.”

  Amber grinned down at Veronica’s feet as she held open the front door. “Glad to see you lost the stilettos for some sturdy yet surprisingly sexy boots.”

  Veronica arched a brow in passing. “Sensible doesn’t have to mean ugly.”

  “Of course not.” Amber chuckled then nodded at the envelope before she followed her down the hallway. “Is that the manuscript?”

  “A copy of it, yes. Megan just about destroyed the original she re-read it so many times.” The manuscript had been written by a friend of Megan’s about modern day women who had traveled back in time to medieval Scotland. According to her the book was based on truth. Yet what made it so valuable to Megan was its mention of King Naðr Véurr.

  Veronica was overly aware of the intimate setting she walked into as she eyed the crackling fire and multiple candles. She'd never met more amorous people than Amber and Sean. While she guessed he wasn’t normally that type, her sister certainly was.

  She removed her jacket and boots, set down her purse and the envelope then stood in front of multiple floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Frenchman Bay. Arms crossed over her chest, she stared out through the driving snow and released another sigh. God she missed Megan no matter how aggravated she was with her. Though they lived separate lives, they kept in constant contact. Her older sister had been her rock and things just weren’t the same without her around.

  “She’s not dead.” Amber handed her a chilled glass of white wine.
“I just know it.”

  Veronica inhaled deeply and focused on keeping her expression neutral. She could only hope Amber was right. In fact, she had to believe she was alive otherwise continuing to function would become a lot more difficult, if not impossible. And though she found Megan’s whole time travel tale hard to believe, she’d not say so to Amber.

  “I’ve been spending time researching Vikings,” Veronica said.

  Amber’s shimmering brown eyes rounded slightly. “Have you then? I’m surprised.”

  “Are you?”

  “Yeah, actually.” Amber shook her head. “I know you’re practical and like to be well-informed, but I honestly didn’t think you were taking all of this so seriously.”

  Of course she’d think that because they were opposites when it came to things like this…well, when it came to most things. Where Amber was the artsy, spontaneous type who lived life precariously, Veronica was the logical one with a law degree and an incessant need to plan everything. She sipped her wine and shrugged. “I’d rather be prepared just in case.”

  Sean crouched and stoked the fire. “Just in case those stones end up meaning something for the two of you?”

  She didn’t miss the catch in his voice. The last thing he wanted was for Amber to be part of anything that meant she’d leave him for good. But, if for some out-there-impossible-to-comprehend reason what Megan said was true, then Sean might be in for some serious heartbreak.

  Amber, clearly sensing his discomfort, joined him and rested her hand on his shoulder. “No worries. There’s no way those stones mean what Megan said they did.”

  Veronica hoped not, because if they did Megan wouldn’t be the only sister traveling back in time. No, by the sounds of it, they might eventually join her. Or so said the wild tale her sister had shared. According to her, Naðr and his brothers had made a pact with seers. A pact that promised them three women from the future. One that also stipulated that the women would share the same bloodline. So, this meant if Megan was truly with her Viking king, then Veronica and Amber were meant for his brothers.

  Raknar and Kol.

  Veronica downed her wine before her eyes drifted to the box sitting on an end table. “You brought it in.”

  Sean stood, pulled Amber’s back against his front and wrapped his arms around her waist as he frowned at it. “Yup, Megan wouldn’t want it in the garage, but in here where it’s safe…just in case.”

  “Just in case,” Veronica whispered as she set aside her glass and opened the metal box with Naðr Véurr’s name etched in it. Not wanting to touch them, but drawn to them anyway, she poured two stones into her palm. Originally there were three but the one Megan had been obsessed with and apparently carried everywhere had vanished along with her.

  “Do you really think the third stone helped send her back in time?” Amber asked softly.

  Veronica offered no answer as she eyed the other two. Each had a Viking rune stave on either side that supposedly matched the interlocking tattoo’s on Naðr’s brothers. One stone had the Helm of Awe or Aegishjalmur and the Hugin and Munin symbol. The Helm of Awe was a protective symbol meant to instill fear in one’s enemies and the Hugin and Munin, Odin’s ravens, of thought and memory.

  The other stone had the Valknut or Hrungnir’s Heart, the Knot of the Slain on one side and the Web of Wyrd on the other. The Web of Wyrd served as a reminder that the actions of the past affect the present and that present actions affect the future; all timelines inextricably interconnected.

  But it was the first stone that held her attention. Better yet, the Hugin and Munin. Thought and memory. Perhaps she was drawn to it because she had too many heartbreaking memories. Ones she’d spent years trying to forget.

  “You okay, Sis?” Amber said.

  Veronica jolted out of deep thought and nodded as she returned the stones to the box. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  Doing her best to muffle another sigh, she headed for the kitchen and refilled her wine glass. Sean nuzzled Amber’s neck and murmured a few soft words before her sister pulled away and they joined her.

  Much like Megan, Sean wasn’t about mincing words as he met her eyes. “Thanks again to you both for coming during a holiday. I know you probably had to cancel plans.”

  “Where else would I be?” Amber grinned.

  They all knew there were at least ten thousand other places she could be.

  “No big deal.” Veronica twirled the stem of her glass on the kitchen island. “Gotta say though, your average lawyer doesn’t make house calls, especially on New Year’s Day.”

  “I know. I got lucky,” Sean agreed. “But before I sign papers granting me ownership of this house and land, I wanted to ask you both one more time in person.” His eyes flickered between her and Amber. “Are you sure?” This was Megan’s house, and you’re her sisters. If you’re uncomfortable with this in any way, just say the word.”

  Veronica shook her head. “Sean, she left us millions and trust me, we’d rather have her than the money.” But she appreciated his gesture. “You’ve been so good to Megan over the past three years. You were…” She cleared her throat, refusing to let go. “Are her best friend and she wanted you to have it. I, for one, applaud her decision.”

  Amber rested her hand over his on the counter. “I second that.”

  Like her, they blinked away tears. Megan had left a hole in their hearts. Now there was a sense of closure looming. When the house officially became Sean’s, even though she knew they’d always be welcome, it ended a chapter. Not just one that said goodbye to Megan but that said goodbye to the life she’d created here. While Veronica had always worried about her choice to buy this house and live a more secluded life, she understood her sister not only needed to escape her ex-husband, Nathan, but also to embrace her roots.

  Raised by a fisherman, their childhood hadn’t been easy but Megan picked up the slack when Dad gambled too much. Though it was tough, she'd set aside enough money to take care of her sisters. Then she went on to college and met Nathan. After that, she became a big shot in real estate, hence all her wealth. Yet her roots, her very heart, was always with the ocean, boats…and with her love of Vikings.

  Veronica’s phone beeped. Damn, she’d forgotten to let Phillip know she’d arrived. She dug into her purse and pulled out her cell phone.

  “Is that him then?” Amber said, less than impressed.

  Veronica ignored her and texted back that she arrived safely.

  Sean, obviously having no desire to get involved, returned to the couch.

  “Well, is it?” Amber asked again.

  “If you mean the guy I’m dating, yes, it’s him.”

  Perched on the edge of a barstool, Amber started to doodle on a piece of paper. “And how is Phillip nowadays?”

  Veronica sipped from her glass and pinned her sister with a don’t-you-dare look. “Actually, he’s booked me to do some commercials.”

  “You don’t say?” Amber started to make smooth, stroking motions across the paper with her pencil, eyes never connecting with her sister. “For what?”

  She stood up a little straighter. “A variety of cars.”

  Amber’s lips pulled down, but she nodded, trying to seem impressed. The expression reminded her a smidge too much of Megan.

  “I see.” Her sister’s wrists flew like magic over the paper. “What cars then?”

  None of this had anything to do with vehicles and everything to do with Amber’s disapproval of Veronica becoming an actress. “It doesn’t matter. All of them are high-end, but that’s beside the point. Do you have any idea how many big actors are doing commercials right now? It’s what’s ‘in’.”

  “Ah.” Amber kept drawing. “You’re already a successful model and you own a magazine. I thought your next step would be to finally pursue being a lawyer.”

  Veronica was so tired of this conversation. Edgy and defensive, she bit back, “And I thought your next step would be to figure out exactly what you want to do with your life. Art
, music or maybe something else?”

  The minute she said it, she regretted it. Sean had made his way back over to the kitchen, a frown heavy on his face. He didn’t need to say a word. His look was damning enough.

  But Amber didn’t seem phased in the least. “I might still be lost but you’re not, Sis.” Her eyes met Veronica’s. “Pursue what you love not what someone else thinks you should be doing.”

  Veronica looked at her sister for a long moment. She didn’t need this. Neither did Amber for that matter. So she avoided an argument and headed for the living room. “Sean, I know the ball has already dropped in New York, but I’d like to watch the celebrations.” She curled a foot beneath her on the couch. “If you don’t mind.”

  Sean remained behind Amber for several long moments before he came over and turned the monster television to a station that would allow her to return home for the night. Veronica nodded her thanks and focused on the crowds of people celebrating in Times Square. Truth be told, she wasn’t watching them at all. She was trying to flee Amber’s words because they had been said too often by Megan.

  Over and over.

  “Pursue what you love not what someone else thinks you should.”

  Veronica had been trying to do that her whole life but always came up short. She had no great love for any of the career paths she'd chosen. But there had been money. So she remained on course, steady, true, determined. Was there any other way to be? After all, she’d learned from the best. Megan.

  Veronica sipped her wine and got lost in the crowd on television. Was it safe to say she’d been riding on her looks for a while with modeling? Sure. Though she didn’t see the same thing when she looked in the mirror, evidently the rest of the world thought she was a knock-out.

  But that wasn’t her.

  Not at all.

  Though she might have thought so a few years ago, that had changed. She had changed. Everything changed. Too many times to count. Lost in the masses of New York, she visually drifted into the crowd as surely as she had since moving there. It was a place to escape. A place she didn’t have to look at herself because there were too many other people to look at.