“In my bed,” he said. “I told you I would keep you safe.”
His bed? Well, that explained the amazing scent. Masculine. Wild. Like sweet, sinful fire. Like how he smelled when he knelt and licked her…oh God. What had she done the night before? Veronica rubbed her forehead and frowned. “Tell me you didn’t sit there all night watching me.”
“I cannot say that,” he said easily. “Because I did.”
“Fabulous,” she murmured as she slowly sat up and wrapped her arms around bent knees. “You didn’t need to do that.”
“I got you mountain water.” She watched him warily when he stood. He grabbed a skin, sat next to her and held it out. “Here. Drink.”
Overly aware of his close proximity, she nodded, took the skin then downed several long swallows. It tasted like pure, icy cold Heaven.
“Thanks,” she whispered after she had her fill.
Raknar took the skin and splashed a few drops in his hands. Before she knew his intentions, he ran the wet, rough pads of his thumbs over her cheekbones.
Confused, she frowned.
“The coal you lined your eyes with,” he enlightened. “You were upset.”
Veronica looked skyward. Super. Make-up streaked her cheeks. Which could only mean she cried. What about though? Only one thing made her cry. Thinking about the loss of her son. Embarrassed, she pulled her face away and shook her head. “I’m so sorry. I hope I didn’t totally ruin your night. I’m not usually a drinker. Guess the ale kicked my ass.”
“Your ass is perfectly fine,” he said, voice a little hoarse.
A chuckle bubbled up at the absurdity of the situation and she eyed him. “I meant the alcohol went to my head and I lost control.”
“I know what you meant.” There was a surprising glint of humor in his eyes. “But I continue to think your ass is perfectly fine.”
Amazed she was even capable of a somewhat flirtatious comeback, she couldn’t help but say, “Just perfectly fine then?”
A dangerous, goading glint entered his eyes. “Without a thorough inspection, it’s hard to say.”
Warmth licked then started to burn beneath her skin as she held his gaze. The truth was he could have easily seen all of her nude but he hadn’t. At least she didn’t think so. Best to be sure. “So we didn’t…do anything?”
Based on his size, on what she felt pressed against her that first night when they danced, she would be amazed if she didn’t feel the aftereffects of sleeping with him. Then again, she was feeling pretty out of it right now.
His brows drew down sharply. “Do anything?”
Veronica knew these Viking men didn’t hold back with their lusty ways so she came right out with it. “Sex. We didn’t have sex, right?”
Not only amusement but cockiness flickered across his face. “Woman, if I’d taken you, you would remember.”
She couldn’t argue with that. Now she felt a little guilty for even bringing it up. Obviously he had been a pretty honorable guy. “Again, I’m sorry.” She held his gaze. “Thanks for taking care of me last night.”
It almost seemed like he was going to touch her hair but instead clenched his fist by his side. “You're very slender and not used to drinking our ale.” His lips thinned. “And I don’t trust Hamdir.”
Right. The greasy loser of a Viking who had supposedly claimed her.
Her mind might be foggy, but she clearly remembered Raknar's ferociousness when Hamdir not only meant to take Veronica but had spoken against Megan.
Arousal speared as flashes flickered through her mind. Raknar’s boot on the man’s throat. His dagger mock slashing Hamdir’s throat. The fierceness in his eyes.
Veronica’s attention quickly returned to the present when Raknar’s nostrils flared and he inhaled deeply. Her eyes snapped to his and she somehow knew that he could smell her desire. Christ, Megan had said Naðr and his brother were dragon shifters but…seriously?
The very idea blew her away. Total insanity.
Now, with what was clearly a raging hangover, she definitely didn’t want to think about it.
“Megan must be worried.” She sighed. “Does she know I’m here?”
“Yes. She knows. Everyone knows.” He handed her the skin. “Keep drinking. It will help.”
“Everyone?” She took a sip and shook her head. “Doesn’t sound like that’ll go over real well with Hamdir seeing how he’s claimed me and all.”
A muscle twitched in Raknar’s jaw and his eyes narrowed. “He has no claim on you. Not until Naðr says so.”
Veronica did her best to ignore a ripple of apprehension. “And will your brother say so?”
She might have hoped for comfort, but he wasn’t giving it.
“I don’t know.” Obvious discontent, maybe even well-masked rage, shadowed Raknar’s face as he stood. “It’s too damn hot in here.”
He yanked off his tunic and walked to the window where he pulled aside an animal skin. Legs spread, arms crossed over his chest, he stared outside.
This was the first time since being on the ship that Veronica was able to truly admire his strong, broad back. The platform for the intricate artwork tattooed on it. Eyes instantly drawn to the interlocking tats on his upper right shoulder, her stomach flipped. The Helm of Awe and Hugin and Munin symbol. When he tightened his arms, muscles flexed and her gaze was drawn to the massive serpent crawling up from his waist.
Yet it wasn’t quite a serpent.
She narrowed her eyes. No, it might have a fluid, scaled body but Veronica soon realized it was a dragon. Shades of pale gold, it was beautiful. If she wasn’t mistaken one, no two women, were depicted as well. Intertwined, twisting, they struggled around the dragon’s body until one seemed to win, her tongue the fire that licked up the back of his neck. It was as if one woman had nearly won and claimed him, but something stopped her…something held her back.
As if he sensed Veronica’s awe and confusion, Raknar turned. Arms still crossed over his chest, his eyes met hers. “You did not see it clearly on the ship.”
He obviously referred to the tattoo. She shook her head slowly. “No.”
Ask him what it means. Ask him who the women are. Just do it.
But as she stared into his eyes, she couldn’t seem to push the words past her lips. Perhaps because she felt it was none of her business. Yet Veronica knew better. The truth was she was afraid to hear the answer.
“Hello?” Megan echoed from outside. “Anyone awake?”
Veronica and Raknar stared at one another.
Hidden truths. Powerful need. Raging desire. All fluctuated between them.
Neither responded.
“Hello?” Megan said again, words softer.
Veronica shook her head and whispered, “We’re here.”
She couldn’t seem to speak louder.
So Raknar did, his voice deep, guttural, but clear enough. “Come. Veronica is awake.”
Megan stuck in her head, eyes flickering between them before she slowly entered, gaze firmly on Veronica. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” She tossed aside the furs, swung her legs over the edge of the bed then immediately grabbed her forehead. “Just drank too much.”
While she thought Megan would crack a well-deserved joke, she didn’t. Instead, she sat next to her and pulled back Veronica’s hair. A comforting gesture she used to do when they were kids. “Overdrinking tends to happen when faced with traveling over a thousand years back in time. You’re allowed.”
If that was the reason she had done it, Veronica would be the first to agree. But it wasn’t. “Really, I’m okay.” She peered at Megan. “What time is it?”
Megan kept stroking her hair and offered a small smile. “No idea. They don’t exactly abide by the time here but by the sun. Late. I think. Does it matter? You slept and needed it.”
More like passed out. “I could use a bath.”
“Sure.” Megan’s eyes went to Raknar. “Thanks for taking care of her. I owe you one.�
��
“I owe you far more for saving my son.” His eyes went to Veronica. “Caring for your sister was no hardship. I’d be honored to continue to do so while she’s here.”
“Thanks but not necessary.” Veronica stood, grateful when the room didn’t tilt. Her eyes met Megan's. “Bath then?”
Megan nodded then hugged Raknar, murmuring something soft in his ear before she followed Veronica out.
“I don’t need a bodyguard,” she mumbled to Megan.
Her sister steered her into a more familiar building. The one she had been staying in all along. “I figured you might be ready for a bath so already had a tub filled for you.” Megan nodded at it. “Hop in. We need to talk.”
That didn’t sound promising. Either way, Veronica was all about the inviting water so wasted no time getting in. Eyes shut, she leaned her head back. “Have at it then, Sis.”
“Hamdir’s a problem that Naðr is well aware of,” Megan confirmed. “That said, he wants one of his brothers with you at all times. Kol or Raknar. Your choice.”
“Never going to happen,” Veronica muttered. “How about Kjar?”
“Not one of the choices.”
“He is now.”
“Actually, he’s not,” Megan said, her tone sharper than before.
Veronica cracked open an eye. “Why not? He’s supposedly a demi-god. It doesn’t get much better than that.”
“Except for dragon shifters.”
“Ugh.” Veronica shut her eyes and shook her head. “I’m too hungover to argue because truthfully, this conversation is way too far out there.”
“You traveled back in time over eleven hundred years and you honestly can’t wrap your mind around a little more craziness,” Megan said, challenge in her voice.
She made a good point. Still, truly believing that a demi-god existed meant that actual Norse gods existed and she just didn’t know what to make of that. Never mind men who could shift into a dragon, a creature that was supposed to be nothing more than something out of a fairytale.
“I’m trying,” Veronica whispered but kept her eyes shut. Yet she knew Megan wasn’t going to let up with this so she opened her eyes. “Why can't I just hang around you and Naðr. That should keep me safe enough, right?”
Megan frowned. “Do you know how often Naðr is away from me dealing with one thing or another? Have you seen how large this place is? And he’s king.” She shook her head. “I’ve been spending a lot of time learning to fight with various weapons but he doesn’t want us running solo. He wants blood backing you up.”
“Hence Kjar,” Veronica argued. “They’re cousins, right?”
“I want Kol or Raknar protecting you.”
“So the truth comes out.” Veronica scowled. “This wasn’t your husband’s demand, after all.”
“Now it is.” Megan didn't seem fazed by Veronica's aggravation. “We’re a team.”
Veronica ground her teeth. Of course they were. And if she hadn’t known the woman her sister was before she met Naðr, she might have more to say. But she did. Her sister had always been remarkably strong-willed and if this was something she wanted she wouldn’t back down.
So that meant she had a choice to make.
But first. “Tell me about the women tattooed on Raknar’s back.”
Their eyes held and something undefinable washed over Megan’s expression. “Sorry. Not for me to share.”
“Not for you to share?” she said. “Are you serious? I’m your sister and in case you’ve forgotten we’re in this together.”
“We are,” Megan acknowledged as she perched on the edge of the bed. “Which is why I can’t tell you.”
“Because you choose not to.” Veronica rubbed the surprisingly moisturizing soap through her hair before she sunk under the water. Megan was doing what she always did. Taking charge. Owning the moment.
Not this time.
Veronica stood and grabbed a towel. Before Megan could say a word, she met her sister’s eyes. “Don’t think I don’t know that you’re forcing me toward Raknar. You made that fairly clear when you whispered in his ear before we left the lodge. Which, by the way, was pretty rude.”
Veronica was growing more and more pissed off with her sister. She thought to order one of Naðr’s brothers to stick by her side but didn’t have the decency to share more about Raknar’s tattoo? Whatever. She whipped the drying cloth aside. “I need clothes. A dress.”
Megan twisted her lips. “But you were so set on pants last night.”
Just look where that got her when around Viking men. “I wanna be low key today so a dress is good.”
“Sure. No problem.” Megan pulled a dress from a trunk and handed it over. “As much as you might not like it, you’ve got to choose a brother. If you don’t.” She looked around pitifully at the room Veronica called hers. “You’re stuck here indefinitely.”
Veronica yanked the dress over her head. “I doubt that.”
“Don’t.”
She started pulling on boots when the king entered.
Surprised, she looked at him. “Good thing I was dressed.”
“I would not have entered otherwise,” he said, a heavy frown on his face.
Not interested in how he knew as much, she eyed Megan. “So what? You have your husband here to help bully me now?”
Naðr’s eyes swung her way. His look wasn’t domineering. Rather it was so compassionate Veronica suddenly felt wary, as though he pitied her. She cut him off before he had a chance to speak. “Listen. I like your brothers, but I don’t need them hovering around me. If I stick by Megan, I’ll be fine.”
Naðr’s arm slid around Megan’s lower back as he eyed Veronica. “So you are willing to put your sister at risk?”
This time he cut her off before she could respond. “Because you will not only put yourself but Megan at risk. Though respected, she is still new here. Trouble is brewing not only with Hamdir, but a greater threat to come. It’s my job to keep my people safe. You and Megan are my people. So please abide by your sister’s desires…and by mine.”
Though she understood the power he possessed, Veronica had spent the past several years learning how to deal with men like him. Even so, she could admit he wasn’t quite the same. Based on the way he kept Megan tucked against his side and seemed to enjoy her strong stance, Naðr was different. More respectful, at least of anyone affiliated with his wife.
Regardless.
“Then I’d like to hang with Kjar,” Veronica said.
“But you won’t,” Megan said. This time her sister’s voice wasn't testing but firm. “Kol or Raknar. Choose.”
Veronica didn’t bother looking at Naðr because the demand was obviously her sister’s and he would stick by that. Damn them. So now she just needed to be logical and not react based on emotion. They wouldn’t get an answer right away. Instead, she sat and made a slow process of tying her boots as she thought about it.
Kol would be entertaining and a non-threat because she felt nothing toward him.
Raknar would be nothing but a threat.
Veronica was no fool. She knew she was attracted to Raknar. Too much so. Yet, had Naðr’s middle brother not proven himself the night before? So it seemed. Considering just how amazing she was starting to think he was, would it be wise to have him around her constantly? Absolutely not. There was too much fluctuating between them. Kol, she could understand and control. Raknar? Not at all. Still, keeping Kol’s hands off her would be a full-time job.
So she stuck to her guns. “Kjar.”
Megan was about to respond when Naðr put a hand on her arm and shook his head. When the king approached, Veronica stood up to meet him face to face.
Naðr stopped within a foot and eyed her.
She eyed him right back.
He might be tall and intimidating, but she wasn’t backing down.
Then again, she wasn’t saying anything either.
The king studied her, his eyes searching before he spoke softly. “I don
't want you to feel forced, Veronica, but I also don't want you to make this difficult for your sister.”
She started to speak but stopped. For years and years, she had tried to mimic Megan, be just like her. What would she say now? What would she do? Veronica knew. She straightened her back, met his eyes and told the truth. “Everything about the way you’re looking at me now makes me feel forced.”
Veronica narrowed her eyes, feeling more like herself and less like Megan as she spoke. “I’ve been given no choice about your brothers and honestly that stinks seeing how both have made me feel a little too wanted since I arrived.”
“Wanted?” Naðr said, clearly biding his time.
“Yeah, like a piece of meat,” she retaliated even though Raknar wasn’t doing that in the least. But she was all about self-preservation of the heart right now.
“Meat?” he murmured.
Veronica wanted to sink into the ground or vanish altogether when Kol and Raknar entered.
Her eyes shot to Naðr. “Really?”
His gaze held hers, unwavering. “This is not only Megan’s will but mine.”
Megan’s eyes stayed steady. “Sorry to put you on the spot Sis, but you left us no choice.”
“Choice,” Veronica muttered and shook her head as she looked at Kol and Raknar. “Sorry guys but I already made my choice.”
Unfortunately, Kjar strolled in at that moment, green eyes annoyingly merry as they met hers. “Sorry, woman, but I cannot protect you. I need to ready the ships.”
“I can help,” she said softly, long past worrying about her manicure.
Apparently considering her offer, Kjar stroked one of the long skinny braids of his goatee before he slowly shook his head. “No, you have to choose one of them.”
Veronica tried not to scowl as her eyes flickered between Kol and Raknar.
Kol’s regard was easy, accepting.
Raknar’s? Less so.
At this point she was starting to feel ungrateful and foolish. She wasn’t a teenager but a grown woman. Raknar had been good to her and even offered to continue watching over her. Still, she wasn't above playing it safe. That in mind, she supposed she was nothing less than a coward but at least she was keeping her distance from the brother who affected her most. That was a smart move considering the whole love connection across time thing that seemed to be part of the seers’ pact.
Viking Claim (The MacLomain Series: Viking Ancestors Book 2) Page 10
