Many murmured their agreement and cast a sympathetic look at the older man.
Naðr’s eyes landed heavily on the younger man. “You took advantage of a man’s love for his daughter when you should have been more focused on how you could best provide for her.” His eyes went to the older man. “And you were fool enough to give your word in a binding agreement.”
He eyed both for a long moment before he spoke to the younger man. “Because you behaved with dishonor, you will only receive half of what Egil Aldafadr still owes you. So three sheep and five chickens.”
Though it seemed he might argue, the younger man nodded then lowered his head when Naðr’s eyes once more narrowed.
Then the king’s gaze swung to the older man. “Egil Aldafadr, you gave your word and will honor it…six fortnights from now.”
Another round of murmured approval rippled through the crowd.
The older man’s shoulders slumped with apparent relief. “Thank you, my king.”
Though Veronica wasn’t a fan of a law system that gave one man all the power to make decisions, she quickly concluded that Naðr Véurr was surprisingly fair. If one thing proved true over the next hour, his decisions were always in favor of the families in his kingdom never going without food.
“God, he’s hot,” Megan murmured, eyes locked on Naðr as the Thing ended. Tables were returned to their original positions and food and drinks were brought out.
Veronica grinned. “Who knew you’d get turned on by a man laying down the law?”
“Everything he does...” Megan fanned her face. “Makes me want to rip his clothes off.” She took Veronica’s hand. “C’mon. Let’s go grab a bite.”
For the first time since she arrived the idea of food didn’t sound too bad. Unlike the night before they didn’t all sit on one side of the table facing the room but on both sides. Then again, it seemed there wasn’t any sort of celebration going on right now. Just lunch.
“Sit across from me." Megan leaned close. “That’ll give you a break from sitting beside the brothers.”
While grateful, Veronica wasn’t sure sitting across from Kol and Raknar was that much better. Thankfully, Kjar plunked down next to her. Meyla and Valan on her other side.
Naðr’s daughter grinned at her. “We didn’t get a proper introduction last night. I’m Meyla.”
Veronica nodded. “Nice to meet you.”
“And I’m Valan,” the handsome Scotsman said with a smile.
She offered a smile in return. “Hi, Valan.”
“Hello, Veronica,” Kol said, a never-ending grin on his face. “Sorry we didn’t see you again last night. Did you sleep well?”
“I did. Thank you.” She tried not to blush when she looked at Kjar. “Sorry I crashed. Thanks for getting me to bed.”
“Crashed?” Kjar shook his head and winked. “You never crashed against anything but you did fall asleep.”
She quirked her lip and looked skyward before taking a small sip of mead.
“Did you enjoy the Thing, Veronica?”
The way Raknar said her name, as though he liked the taste of it on his tongue, made her skin tingle with awareness. She met his eyes. “I did actually.”
Her eyes went to the king. “Impressive.”
Naðr nodded his thanks but was far too caught up in murmuring in Megan’s eager ear. Their body language made it obvious they’d much rather be in bed. Her sister had never acted this lusty with her ex-husband, Nathan. She wished Amber could see this. She’d never believe it. Thinking of her little sister brought a twinge of unease and worry. It had been hard enough losing Megan…but now her too? If she didn’t know Sean was there, Veronica would be searching desperately for a way to get home rather than sipping mead with the locals.
Rather than trying hard to avoid Raknar’s eyes.
Because that’s what everything was narrowing down to as she munched on some sort of flaky, white fish. Though tasty, it was bland enough not to upset her stomach. While everyone chatted, for the most part, she and Raknar remained silent. Like last night, she got the distinct impression that he would rather speak with her when fewer people were around. That he wanted the words they shared to be theirs and theirs alone.
Too many times their eyes connected then moved away from one another’s. She’d catch him staring on occasion but sensed he was as opposed to their connection as she was. So Veronica was thrown for a loop when he looked at her and a warm smile broke over his face. The man had an amazing smile, one that froze her with a cup of mead halfway to her lips. She had to wonder how these brothers had such straight white teeth. It didn’t make much sense considering what had to be inferior dental hygiene in this day and age.
It turned out the smile wasn’t for her. His son had appeared behind her.
“Heidrek.” He nodded at the table. “Sit. Eat.”
“N-no thank y-you, father. I a-already ate.”
Veronica sipped then set aside her mug. She’d had enough to eat and was genuinely eager to spend some time with the boy. Not to mention, escaping wouldn’t be so bad either. “Heidrek, any chance you’d like to show me around now?”
He nodded avidly. “Y-yes, V-Veronica.”
“Excellent.” She stood and waved at the rest. “I’m off.” Then she looked at her sister. “Find me when you’re ready to shop?”
Megan grinned. “You got it, Sis.”
Veronica smiled when Heidrek took her hand and led her out. He reminded her a lot of his father. A small, less intense version that is.
He proceeded to take her on a very thorough tour of the kitchen, stables, the weapons holding, then straight down to the shore. All the while, Guardian trotted alongside and she couldn’t help but notice that when he talked to the dog, which was often, his stutter vanished.
She debated talking to him about it as they made their way down a dock lined with fishing vessels. Near the end, he stopped and said with pride, “T-this one is m-mine.”
“Is it?” she asked, sure to look impressed as she eyed the small fishing boat. “Can we sit in it?”
“Y-yes,” he said, excited.
When she went to get in, he shook his head and jumped in before her. Then he turned, braced his legs and held out his hand. “M-my l-lady.”
What a little gentleman. She thought as much when he kissed the back of her hand last night and wondered where he’d picked up the gesture. Certainly not from his father and uncles.
Veronica took his hand, stepped down and sat next to him.
Guardian seemed content to sit on the dock, smiling into the wind.
Veronica and Heidrek chatted about various things, mostly fishing, before she finally said, “Can I tell you a secret?”
Heidrek’s eyes grew wide and he nodded. “Y-yes. I’d l-like that.”
“Well,” she said softly and touched her lips. “When I was your age, I didn’t speak at all.”
His little brows lowered in confusion. “W-why not?”
“Because I was afraid to.” Veronica stared out over the churning water. “Because something happened that upset me.”
“I’m s-so sorry,” Heidrek whispered.
“It’s okay.” She squeezed his hand. “I just wanted to share that with you.”
“H-how long did you n-not speak?”
She eyed him. “Oh, for quite a while.”
Then she turned her gaze back to the sea and waited. Veronica had talked to Megan and knew Heidrek had developed his stutter after Raknar’s evil ex-wife and now sworn enemy, Yrsa, had left them.
And Veronica’s story wasn’t all that different save it lacked genuine evil. In her case it had been because her mother left her father after she found out he’d cheated on her. Even so, the arguments and separation had done a number on her. The traumatic aftershocks left her with speech issues.
“I s-stopped talking t-too for a-awhile,” Heidrek said softly.
She figured as much. Though she certainly wouldn’t ask him why, she would relate and try
not to embarrass him. But someone needed to help him heal. So she took his hand and met his eyes with kindness. “When I did start talking again it was a long time before I could say my words like I meant to.”
“L-like you m-meant to?”
Veronica nodded and cupped his cheek. “Do you have trouble saying your words like you mean to sometimes?” Before he could respond, she looked at Guardian then back at him. “The only time I spoke my words the way I meant them was to my animals.”
“Oh,” he trailed, looking from Guardian to her before he lowered his head.
Veronica gripped his chin gently and made him look at her. “You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of Heidrek. You’re a strong, handsome warrior. I just wanted you to know that you’re not alone. I’m just like you.” She smiled. “Which makes us pretty great, by the way.”
Her heart about broke in two when he bravely blinked away tears and whispered, “I t-try so h-hard to say t-things right the f-first time.”
“I know you do. I did too.” She stroked his cheek. “And you’re doing really well.”
Veronica pulled away and straightened. Now was the time to show strength. “And I did well too. Better and better as time went on.” She slanted a look at him. “Do you want to know how?”
He sat up straighter as well, notched his chin in defiance and nodded. “Y-yes.”
She hitched up the corner of her lip. “Are you sure? It might sound silly.”
Again he nodded, a little smile on his face. “Y-you could n-never be s-silly.”
“Sure I could. And was.” She knocked shoulders with him, smiling. “But it worked.”
His beautiful light blue eyes watched her expectantly, waiting.
So she continued. “Well, I started pretending I was talking to my animals when I spoke with people.”
Heidrek chuckled. “Y-you did n-not.”
“I did!” she admonished. “All the time.”
“And did it w-work?”
“It sure did.” She shrugged. “Not right away. A little bit at a time. But it worked and eventually every word I said came out like I meant it.”
Heidrek nodded and turned his eyes to the ocean, contemplating, before they swung back to her. “W-why did it w-work?”
Again she shrugged. “I think because some of the stuff that had happened to me made people seem more frightening but I was never afraid of animals so speaking with them was very easy. Does that make sense?”
Heidrek considered her for a long moment before he at last nodded. “Y-yes, maybe it d-does.”
Veronica nodded. “Good.”
Then, determined not to overwhelm the boy, she turned the conversation to simpler things. His favorite foods, what he loved most about fishing, anything to lighten what might have been too difficult for his young mind. By the time they made it back to the village it was safe to say they’d become fast friends.
“There you are,” Megan said, coming alongside.
Heidrek again kissed the back of Veronica’s hand and said hello to her sister before he ran off into the crowd.
“You two seem to be getting along well,” Megan mentioned with a little smile.
“We are.” Veronica eyed Megan’s disheveled curls and tried to smooth them down some. “I know how you’ve been spending your afternoon.”
Her sister wasn’t ashamed in the least as a wide smile broke over her face, complimenting her rosy cheeks. “My husband’s gonna be the death of me.”
“Sounds like a horrible way to go,” Veronica mocked but couldn’t help but grin as they strolled along. Her sister truly deserved this. Especially after all the heartache her douche of an ex had caused her.
“Have you had a chance to look at all the great stuff they sell here?” Megan asked.
“No.” Veronica laughed. “It wasn’t really part of Heidrek’s tour.”
They stopped to look at a cart full of jewelry. Veronica was still amazed at how much Viking women loved to decorate themselves. She one hundred percent approved.
Megan was about to pick something out for her, but Veronica shook her head. “Sorry, Sis. I pick out my own jewelry.”
And she did, several pieces including a necklace with a thin trail of bronze dyed stones. Then she opted for dangly earrings to match. Only after she chose them did she realize she had no way to pay. Luckily, Megan handed the vendor some coins and they continued.
“Thanks.” She grinned. “Looks like I’ll need to get a job so I can maintain my love of fashion.”
Megan only smiled. The next hour or so was spent browsing before they ended up at a cart filled with several fine materials laid out and hanging behind the vendor. She fingered the fabric, blown away by the craftsmanship. It was far better than just about anything she’d come across at home.
Veronica was about to ask the vendor about a swath of fabric when a warm, hard body came against her back. She froze. Veronica clenched her fists as her heart slammed into her throat and a spicy spruce scent filled her nostrils.
Raknar.
She was proven right when Megan arched a brow. “Hey, Raknar. Way to crowd my sister’s space.”
“Mmm,” he rumbled, the sound vibrating through her body. His deep words fell close to her ear. “Good to see you again, Veronica.”
She never felt more consumed by a man’s presence than when his hands landed on her shoulders and he spoke over her head to the vendor. “That one there. Then the material she was admiring.”
“I can pick out my own—”
“Not this time, Goddess.”
Her eyes shot to Megan and she mouthed, “Goddess?”
Megan shrugged, nothing less than a shit-eating grin on her face. “No worries, Sis. Raknar has a knack for dressing women.”
Veronica wasn’t above admitting the tunic Raknar chose was stunning…and perfect for her. Sleeveless, it was pale brown and made of remarkably soft leather with thin, delicately woven Norse symbols trailing around the waist just above a thin interwoven cinch.
“Megan, what would you like?” Raknar said, his firm hands never leaving Veronica.
“Nothing.” Megan kept on smirking. “I’m good. Thanks.”
Raknar paid the vendor then draped the items over his arm before putting his hand to the small of Veronica’s back and steering her into the crowd.
“I just remembered there was something I meant to get a few carts back. See ya in a bit, Veronica,” Megan echoed and was gone before she had a chance to respond. Smooth, Sis. Real smooth.
Meanwhile, Raknar kept her close and steered her along. Men stared at her but looked away when they saw her escort. Which was no big surprise considering Raknar’s ferocious expression.
“You look like you’re ready to spit nails,” she commented.
“Nails?”
“Sharp, pointy metal objects.”
“Spit nails then?” He frowned. “Sounds painful. Is that something men do in your time?”
“Just a saying.” But she couldn’t stop a little giggle. A giggle. Had she ever done such a thing? “What I meant is you look upset.”
If she wasn’t mistaken, the corner of his lips twitched as though he fought a grin. “I'm not upset, just letting the men know they cannot have you.”
She was almost tempted to ask him who the hell he thought he was telling anyone that they couldn’t have her. She was no one’s property. But one look at the men gawking at her, and she couldn’t help but be grateful. The majority of them completely freaked her out. Definitely not your typical New Yorker type guys. For that matter, they weren’t even all that much like the fishermen she was raised around. No, too many of these Vikings were clearly born and bred as warriors.
“Thanks for that then,” she said, sticking close. “I want to make it home in one piece.”
Raknar’s eyes slid smoothly over her before once more focusing on the crowd ahead. If she wasn’t mistaken, he was less than pleased with her words. He said nothing more until they left the seashore behind and were walki
ng down the slightly less busy dirt road behind the gates. “How was your tour with Heidrek?”
Glad that he’d not only removed his distracting hand but that they were at last having a normal conversation, she said, “Great. He was very thorough.”
A small smile came to Raknar’s lips. “Yes, I'm sure he was.”
Though Veronica wanted to broach what she and Heidrek had talked about, she held her tongue. It should remain between her and the boy. So she made idle conversation. “The Thing was interesting. Are there ever more intense disputes?”
Raknar arched a brow in question.
“Murder.”
“Murder?”
“Killing when not in battle.” Which some might definitely say was murder.
“Ah. Yes, there are cases of murder.”
“And how does Naðr deal with those?”
“If he has solid proof it happened, he who is guilty is put to death.”
Her brows perked. “Just like that?”
He frowned, clearly confused by her response. “Yes. Is it different from where you hail?”
“It depends on the state it happened in but yes. In states with the death penalty, people are often held for years before they’re eventually put to death.”
Perplexed, he continued to frown. “And what of the states without this death penalty?”
“Usually jail for life but it varies. Sometimes they get parole.”
“What is jail and parole?”
“Jail is being imprisoned.” She sighed. “Parole means being released early for time well-served.”
Raknar shook his head. “Why would you imprison someone you know killed another and why then possibly release them?”
“It’s just how we do things,” she said, not about to share her opinions on any of it. Best to stay focused on his legal system…which was clearly Naðr Véurr. “Do you always agree with the king’s decisions in legal cases?”
“Yes. Always.” Raknar’s eyes went to hers. “But I sense that you would not.”
Again she shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not. Things are just done a lot differently at home. Though there are various forms of court, most of the time when it comes to murder we have what’s called a jury. American citizens summoned by the government to sit impartially and come to a majority vote or decision about a person’s fate.”
Viking Claim (The MacLomain Series: Viking Ancestors Book 2) Page 7
