No, they were caught in magic.
Every color imaginable swirled in the sea as waves carried them forward.
“Holy crap,” she whispered and clutched Raknar tighter.
Yet she need not worry. He would never let her fall, never let her go. Day became night then day again. Over and over, stars twirled across the sky and the sun rose then sunk. Rain fell then stopped. Then snow. Then once more sun. All the while the ocean became one undulating rainbow that pushed them forward through time.
Nearly half a fortnight passed in mere minutes.
When the colors beneath them faded, it was dark and the lights of their fortress glittered close. Torches were quickly lit and soon after a roar arose from the shore.
Their people knew they were home.
“That was amazing,” Veronica murmured.
Raknar turned her and pulled her against him. “Welcome home, Goddess.”
Hair wind-blown and cheeks rosy, she looked up at him. “Goddess. Megan called me that earlier. As though…” She paused and cocked her head. “So how is it that Megan and I finally remembered all this? Was Yrsa defeated?”
“Rumor had it Yrsa was very ill. I no longer feel her life force so perhaps that’s why you remembered. But I tend to think our son had much to do with it as well.” He cupped her cheek. “Did you just learn of him?”
“I did,” she whispered. “And it was after seeing an ultrasound of him that I remembered everything. So did Megan for that matter.”
“Ultrasound?”
“A means to see inside my belly.”
Raknar nodded. “That is how he made his connection with you then. Whether or not Yrsa lives, I imagine our pact with the seers was reignited because of him. It goes against the laws of the gods to keep a dragon child from its kin.”
“Good thing I chose to come back then,” she murmured but tossed him a little grin.
His breathing grew unsteady. “Is he the only reason you chose to return?”
“God no,” she said instantly, eyes studying his. “The second I remembered you I wanted to return.” Her voice became a whisper. “I had no choice. Because I went and fell in love with you.”
Raknar exhaled slowly and stroked her cheek.
Worry glittered in her eyes. “What happens now? Are you still at war? And will Amber be traveling back as well?”
“Whether or not Yrsa lives, we must now contend with the young king and perhaps the magic given to him by the seer,” Raknar said. “As to Amber, there can be no doubt that she will eventually be arriving here.” He flinched. “May the gods bless her that she'll have to deal with Kol.”
“Sort of what I was thinking.” Veronica chuckled. “About both of them.”
“It should be very.” He paused and tried to think of the right words.
“Sexual?” Veronica provided.
“At the very least knowing my brother,” he agreed.
“Oh, just wait. You haven’t met my little sister yet.”
“Worse than Kol?” he asked, dubious.
Veronica offered a small shrug. “Pretty damn close I’d say.” She paused, a frown curling her lips down. “Though Yrsa was awful I’m not sure if I should be apologizing for running that dagger across her throat.”
“Never apologize for being brave enough to protect those you love…and for being brave enough to face true evil as you did.” He straightened with pride. “You are courageous. You are Viking.”
Relief crossed her features and she nodded.
The sail had been lowered and the oarsmen were taking them dockside.
“There is something that I want you to know, Veronica.”
When she looked at him in question, he placed his hand against her stomach and kept his eyes with hers. “This soul has returned to you.”
Her brows knit together and her voice lowered. “What do you mean?”
Raknar kept his hand on her belly and stroked her jawline. “The eve we were together on Megan’s boat, Aesa told me something. She said your son, Matthew wanted to return and be with you again.” He spread his fingers lovingly over her stomach. “Between the power of Thrimilci, a day of great fertility, Aesa’s magic and mine, the gods, and even your God, we were able to bring back his soul.”
Veronica gasped, her hand closing over his as her wide eyes filled with tears. “Matthew is…in here?”
“Yes. By his choice.” Raknar hoped his next words didn’t distress her. “Very little will be able to hurt him in this life he chose because he now carries the blood of the dragon.” He swallowed hard. “Something so incredibly rare with every generation that passes.”
“Matthew…that’s what Grant meant by the Hugin and Munin symbol, of thought and memory. That my baby was just that and would lead me back to my love,” she whispered.
Tears slipped from her eyes as she nodded. A smile came to her beautiful face as her eyes held his. “Dragon blood is good. I wish Matthew had been so blessed the first time around.” She wrapped her arms over his shoulders and buried her face against his chest. “Thank you so much, Raknar.” Then she pulled back and looked at the sky. “You too, Aesa.” Her smile only grew wider. “And of course all contributing gods.”
Though she continued to smile, her brows drew together. “I still don’t understand why our child is already twelve weeks old.”
“That would be the time difference,” Kjar said in passing. “Your son was growing in accordance with time passed here not there.”
“Interesting,” she murmured.
“And expect to be hotter than normal.” Raknar grinned. “Our son runs a bit on the fiery side.”
The corner of her lip hitched. “Well, that explains a lot.”
Raknar was about to speak when Heidrek’s voice reached his ears. “Father!”
The ship had docked and already his son was popping his head over the side, eyes widening. “Veronica! You came back!”
“Of course I did!” Veronica smiled, then hopped down and headed his way. As soon as Heidrek dropped into the boat, he flew into her arms. They held one another tightly as she murmured, “I missed you so much.”
“I missed you too.” His eyes turned up to hers and no stutter met his words when he said, “You know why?”
“Why?”
“Because I love you,” he said matter-of-factly.
“I love you too, Heidrek.” Veronica’s smile only widened as she again pulled him against her. “So much.”
Raknar wrapped his arms around them and held on tight. “And I love you both.”
Perhaps the enemy hadn’t been entirely defeated but it didn’t bother him in the least as he held his family. While he might have thought treasure could only be found on other shores, now he knew that had never been the case.
All that mattered in the world, true wealth, was right here in his arms.
The End
Continue the series with Kol and Amber in Viking Heart. Or start at the beginning with Naðr Véurr and Megan in Viking King.
Curious about Torra MacLomain and the clan Veronica, Megan and the Sigdir brothers were determined to protect? Then be sure to check out The MacLomain Series: Next Generation.
The MacLomain Series
Viking Ancestors
Viking King (Naðr Véurr’s story)
Viking Claim (Raknar’s story)
Viking Heart (Kol’s story)
Previous Releases
~The MacLomain Series- Early Years~
Highland Defiance- Book One
Highland Persuasion- Book Two
Highland Mystic- Book Three
The MacLomain Series- Early Years Boxed Set is also available.
~The MacLomain Series~
The King’s Druidess- Prelude
Fate’s Monolith- Book One
Destiny’s Denial- Book Two
Sylvan Mist- Book Three
The MacLomain Series Boxed Set is also available.
~The MacLomain Series- Next Generation~
Mark of
the Highlander- Book One
Vow of the Highlander- Book Two
Wrath of the Highlander- Book Three
Faith of the Highlander- Book Four
Plight of the Highlander- Book Five
~The MacLomain Series- Viking Ancestors~
Viking King- Book One
Viking Claim- Book Two
Viking Heart- Book Three
~The MacLomain Series- Later Years~
Coming late 2015
Quest of a Scottish Warrior- Book One
Honor of a Scottish Warrior- Book Two
Oath of a Scottish Warrior- Book Three
Passion of a Scottish Warrior- Book Four
~Calum’s Curse Series~
The Victorian Lure- Book One
The Georgian Embrace- Book Two
The Tudor Revival- Book Three
Calum’s Curse Series Boxed Set is also available.
~Forsaken Brethren Series~
Darkest Memory- Book One
Heart of Vesuvius- Book Two
~Song of the Muses Series~
Highland Muse
About the Author
Sky Purington is the best-selling author of seventeen novels and several novellas. A New Englander born and bred, Sky was raised hearing stories of folklore, myth and legend. When combined with a love for nature, romance and time-travel, elements from the stories of her youth found release in her books.
Purington loves to hear from readers and can be contacted at [email protected]. Interested in keeping up with Sky's latest news and releases? Visit Sky's website, http://www.skypurington.com to download her free App on iTunes and Android or sign up for her quarterly newsletter. Love social networking? Find Sky on Facebook and Twitter.
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