“Yup.” Kenzie slanted Ava a look. “Though I hear Thorulf’s been asking Dagr about you who in turn has been providing him with all sorts of tidbits by gathering memories from the four of us.”
She had heard about Dagr. Son to Kenzie and Eirik in their last life, he had been reborn to Eirik and Goddess Hel this time around making him damn powerful.
“Who told Thorulf about me before that?” Ava asked, not sure how to feel.
“Soren,” Sage said.
“And Agatha,” Shea added.
“Agatha?” she said surprised.
“Yes, me,” came a clipped female voice from behind her.
Crap. Well, that didn’t take long. She turned and plastered on the neutral expression she had worn often when dealing with an adversary, or someone she knew wouldn’t compromise easily.
“Hello.” She held out her hand, not sure what else to do. “I’m Ava.”
“I know who you are.” Agatha eyed her over then gestured toward the shore. “Come, we will talk, yes?”
“Yes,” Ava agreed, aware of how silent her sisters had become. “But not fight.”
Agatha’s brows perked a little as though she had not expected that. “No, we will not fight.” She started walking. “Come, let us go not fight.”
She glanced at her sisters, but they only shrugged. Shea, naturally, mouthed, “Tread carefully.”
“Thanks,” she mouthed back, rolling her eyes before she followed the Viking.
Though Soren and Thorulf still laughed together and didn’t look her way, she felt Soren’s mind brush hers. He was fully aware of what was happening, but purposefully hung back, which she appreciated. She would just as soon hash things out with Agatha alone to get a feel for what kind of woman she was beyond what she saw in the time flux.
As it turned out, Agatha didn’t confront her like the ‘storm’ Shea implied or seem over-dramatic like the women she’d witnessed before but level-headed when they made it to the shore and away from the crowd.
“I have already talked to my son about you.” Agatha’s eyes met Ava’s. “But I could only tell him what I knew. That you are Soren’s fated mate. Tell me what else I should know about you. What are your intentions?”
“To save not just my people but yours,” she replied. “Beyond that, I hadn’t given it much thought.”
“But you are Soren’s fated mate.” Agatha frowned. “That is a great honor. One you should have been thinking about since the moment you knew.” Her brows swept up. “You should have also considered his child.”
Why was it a great honor to be with Soren? Then she realized. He was the son of a king, which meant had Sven not been appointed, Soren would have been king now. She wondered how he felt about that. He didn’t strike her as bitter or resentful, but then she barely knew him.
“I only just learned about Thorulf.” She remained perfectly honest. “As to Soren, while we might be fated mates the concept’s brand new to me just like he is, so I intend to take things one day at a time.” She kept her eyes with Agatha’s. “I have no intention of coming between you and Soren or your son. You’re his mother, and I respect that.”
Agatha sized her up for a moment before she continued, showing a far more rational mind than Ava had anticipated.
“Soren is my friend, nothing more,” she said. “As to my son, his mind is his own.” She cocked her head as she considered Ava. “And I hope it remains that way.”
“Why would it not?”
“Because you are dragon,” Agatha replied bluntly. “Soren has never been with another dragon, so this will be new for Thorulf.” She hesitated as though weighing her words. “My son expects many things from you. He puts you in a position of esteem before you have earned it.” She shook her head. “That is no small thing.”
While relieved Thorulf didn’t resent her, she was by no means ready to be a kid’s role model. What kind of example would she be considering her past?
“I will keep that in mind, Agatha,” she replied. “And please rest assured, I have no intention of influencing Thorulf in any way that you don’t approve of.”
What else was she supposed to say when so much was out of her hands? When she was literally flying blind when it came to all this?
“We will see.” Agatha considered her for another stretch before she apparently felt the discussion was over and walked away, nodding at Thorulf and Soren in passing as they headed Ava’s way.
While she expected one type of greeting from the boy, she got another kind altogether.
Soren’s son held a wooden sword at the ready and confronted her. “My name is Thorulf, son of your fated mate.” He narrowed his eyes in challenge. “Now show me what you are capable of dragon or be gone from here!”
Chapter Ten
SOREN SHOOK HIS head at Thorulf’s antics and was about to stop him when Ava surprised him. Her dragon eyes flared, she pulled a wooden sword out of nowhere and met Thorulf in challenge. Not only was he shocked she allowed her dragon to surface but that she entertained his son’s demands.
He bit back a smile as the two circled each other then engaged. Though she was quick, she held back just enough, keeping things even nearly the whole time until she played it perfectly. She came in fast and dislodged his weapon.
“Nice to meet you, Thorulf.” She sheathed her blade and held out her hand. “My name’s Ava.”
Impressed but confused, he frowned at her hand.
“Where I come from you shake hands when you first meet.” She winked. “Not to say, I don’t like the way you just greeted me too.”
“I needed to assess your skills as a warrior,” he replied dutifully, still eying her hand. “To see if you were worthy of my tribe and the Great War ahead.”
“And your thoughts?”
He considered her for a moment before he nodded once. “Though I let you win this time because your technique could use some work, you have earned the shake of my hand.”
Soren grinned when Thorulf’s serious expression blossomed into a smile, and they shook hands. “I have another battle I must see to, but we will meet again, dragon.” He gave her a pointed look. “At that time I will teach you what you did wrong just now when sparring.”
Then, just like that, he raced off.
Ava’s dragon eyes faded, leaving a flash of curious wonder.
“I told you he would like you.” Soren kept grinning, as they started toward the gates to the Fortress. “Yet you seem surprised.”
“I am a little,” she admitted, a small but wondrous smile hovering on her lips. “Though I’d like to say that was all me it was mostly my dragon.” Her eyes met his. “It’s never struck me as playful before yet the minute Thorulf engaged me, I felt like...”
“Like what?” he asked when she trailed off.
“I don’t know.” Her smile grew. “I guess I felt lighter than I have in a long time. Hopeful. Almost kid-like.” She chuckled. “It was nice seeing another side to my dragon.”
“You never saw that side when you were a child?”
“Not that I recall.” She shook her head. “My dragon always seemed a little serious. Somber. Almost as if it didn’t feel like it deserved to be happy. Or maybe it just wasn’t happy in general.” She shrugged. “Maybe that’s why it was a fairly easy decision to repress it. Why even though it put up a fight, it was only half-hearted.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Ava,” he said softly. “No dragon should feel that way. Especially when young.”
“It’s okay,” she replied. “I got used to it and was sort of grateful for it when I pursued my career.”
Though he didn’t say it, he wondered if her dragon’s behavior had something to do with their previous life. With what they had done.
“What did we do?” she murmured, following his thoughts. “What happened to us after the Gateway was closed by Skáld in that life and you and I remained allies with him? More than that, Tess thinks I was the one who figured out how to create the Gateway, to begin with.”
She shook her head. “I wish I remembered what I did...what we did.”
“You will,” he said. “We both will just like our kin figured out their roles before us.”
She nodded and sighed. “Why are we here, though? Because I don’t get the sense this is where our answers lie.”
“Maybe not to the obvious questions,” he replied. “But perhaps to those less pressing but just as worrisome to your dragon...perhaps even mine.”
“Your son and ex,” she murmured, figuring it out fast. “I suppose it’s safe to say I was a little concerned about what they would think of me once we were actually introduced.”
“And are you less concerned now?”
“Actually, I am. Agatha’s different than I expected.” The corner of her mouth curled up. “And Thorulf is great. My dragon really took to him.”
He was truly glad to hear that. “And your human half?”
“Liked him just as much,” she assured before casting him a sidelong glance. “Why didn’t you tell me you’d talked to him about me? That Agatha had?”
“Because I didn’t want you to think we tried to influence him to behave a certain way,” he revealed. “It is best to let Thorulf speak for himself.”
Ava nodded. “I get that.” She perked a brow. “You might’ve mentioned Agatha was a bit less intense than what I witnessed in the time flux.” She frowned. “Which makes me wonder why we had to see that at all.”
“My dragon must’ve been worried about what you would make of mine and Agatha’s relationship,” he said. “As to her behavior, she is a hard woman to predict.” He shook his head. “Your meeting could have gone another way, but I’m happy it did not. I'm glad she came across well. I prayed she would.” His eyes went to her. “I had hoped she would come to the right conclusions and make you feel welcome.”
“I wouldn’t go that far.” She chuckled. “But she did come across as a good mom and friend to you, so that’s a start. As to her actually liking me, I’m fairly certain I’m going to have to earn that.”
He nodded in agreement, pleased with Agatha. When she first learned his fated mate was on her way, she was upset, as he expected her to be, but it hadn’t lasted long. It was a day she knew would come, and it was much easier for her to accept now that they were only friends.
“Mom,” Ava exclaimed when her parents appeared at the gate in front of them. “Dad.” She embraced them, smiling. “Glad you’re safe and sound.”
Her mother was a lovely soft-spoken woman who said little and her father a sturdy type who clearly took pride in his daughters. Soren had met them before he traveled forward in time, so there was no need for introductions.
“Spend some time with your parents, Ava.” He met her eyes. “I will see to our ship then meet you in the main lodge later.”
He felt compelled to personally see to their ship. More importantly, their sail and its symbol of protection. Seeming to understand, she smiled and nodded, her eyes lingering on his before they went their separate ways. Not surprisingly the moment they parted he wanted to be with her again.
He was nearly to a dock when he crossed paths with Leviathan, an Ancient who had joined up with the Sigdirs and helped them on their quests.
“How fares the First Blade,” the Ancient asked, falling in step alongside him as he headed for the ship. “Has it acted up at all?”
By acted up, he meant shown any signs of magic.
“No, it has remained the same,” he said. “No lightning along the blade.”
“And your tattoo?” Leviathan asked. “Skáld’s mark?”
“Still one headed,” he assured of the dragon tattoo on his shoulder.
Everyone feared it might change as time went on mainly because they suspected his mark represented the double-headed serpent himself. After all, the mark represented each Sigdir’s enemy and as far as they knew Skáld wanted Ava, so that made him Soren's number one foe.
“While I know the Scotsman feels one way about it,” Leviathan said, having likely been filled in telepathically by his kin. “I do not think it is a good thing that Skáld’s Domain is getting smaller.”
When he frowned in question as they boarded the ship, relieving the men furling the sail before the incoming storm arrived, Leviathan went on.
“While yes, the Domain is Skáld’s foothold on Midgard, and it would make sense that it dwindling was him losing his entranceway,” Leviathan said. “I sense a draw in the atmosphere that wasn’t there before...as if true evil is using the energy of something here to get closer.”
Fully aware the Ancient was capable of things Sigdir dragons weren’t plus more directly connected to their home world, he paid attention.
“There is more that supports my premise too,” Leviathan went on. “Magnus has been in touch with his men in the Domain. It seems rogue Årud warriors keep showing up, no longer possessed by Skáld.”
“Which could support the double-headed serpent’s waning control over his Domain,” Soren countered. “Not to mention, if Skáld is drawing so much power from his Domain to get here, might it not stand to reason that it will collapse entirely if he makes it all the way?”
“That is a possible theory,” the Ancient conceded. “But so is the possibility that if Skáld makes his way here, he won’t be alone. I doubt he would come this far without a way to get back.” He shook his head. “We should not assume his Domain is the only way.”
Soren nodded in agreement, still mulling it over hours later when he entered the main lodge, eager to see Ava again. It was strange how strongly he felt about someone he had known for such a short time. At least in this life. Yet, he felt as though he had known her since birth, which brought his mind back to what she’d said about dreaming of him. How she felt betrayed that he hadn’t looked for her in every woman as she had looked for him in every man.
Why had he not, though? Why had he been able to set those dreams aside? While he could say, it was because he was determined to give his whole heart to Agatha, he sensed there was more to it. Almost as if his dragon had practice at setting her aside...of pushing her away.
More than that, he sensed it had something to do with their previous life.
“Son, come sit with us,” his mother, Cybil called out. She sat with Sven, Emily, Ava, and a few of her sisters.
Yet again, he tried not to stare when he laid eyes on Ava. She wore trousers and a supple, form-fitting tunic. A few small braids had been woven into her hair before it was pulled back into a larger braid. Not only was she stunning with her natural beauty but at ease with herself in a way few women were. Yes, there was tension in her soul made of guilt over what she felt responsible for, and perhaps even current circumstances, but as a whole, her spirit was as level as her mind.
Or at least it was when she wasn’t battling it out with her dragon. He sensed the growing conflict in her. Where part of her wanted her inner beast to surface and take the reins, another was used to handling things on her own.
“After Thorulf stopped bending Ava’s ear and went off to battle Dagr, we were trying to learn more about your mini-adventure before you got here,” his mother divulged. “But Ava’s been very close-lipped about it.”
“As she should be.” He winked at his mother. “This is her journey to the truth, after all. And that truth is hers to keep to herself if she wishes.”
“So it is.” Cybil squeezed Ava’s hand and offered supportive words. “If it helps bring you closer to your mate, I’m all for it.”
Though not surprised, he was glad to see his mother liked Ava. He’d told her about their encounter with Father and Uncle Bjorn, but that wasn’t what she was curious about. She wanted to know if Ava liked Soren as much as he liked her. Because his mother knew the minute her mind brushed his how taken he was with his mate.
Ava offered a gracious smile, clearly still trying to acclimate to all this. “Thank you, Cybil. I appreciate your support.”
“How did things go with Thorulf?” He smiled and sat beside her. “Did
he challenge you to battle again or give you pointers for your next fight?”
“The latter of the two.” Ava grinned. “Then he proceeded to share his favorite foods, which will surely be mine too, his various pets over the years, warriors all, and of course, what I can expect from the ongoing—she made quotes with her fingers—“Great War” between him and Dagr. One in which I best be allied with him but understand that he occasionally aligns himself with the enemy so they can play.”
“All that then?” Soren chuckled, glad to hear it. “I would say you have made a new friend.” He offered a crooked grin. “One who I suspect will eventually appoint you as one of his top commanders in the ongoing Great War.”
“I’d be honored.”
He kept smiling, charmed by her.
“Are your parents well?” He looked around. “I thought they would be here with you.”
“They were, then returned to the lodge King Sven so kindly provided.”
“Sven,” their king corrected, smiling at Ava. “Please.”
She nodded and returned his smile before looking at Soren. “They’re comfortable and resting.”
“They love it here, I might add.” Shea grinned. “There’s even a rumor they might stay after we kick Skáld’s ass.”
When Ava tensed, he assumed she wasn’t ready to think that far ahead. What would happen after they defeated the enemy. Yet when her mind brushed his he realized she did have a plan.
She would return to the future and pay for her crimes.
“When we defeat our enemy,” he said telepathically, addressing Ava’s foolhardy notion before he could stop himself, “you will have saved far more than you think you killed that day.” He met her eyes. “Think about that, Ava. Think about all the lives you will be saving once we end this war once and for all.”
“That doesn’t dispel the deaths I’m responsible for, Soren.” She focused on her food. “Let’s just leave it at that, okay? We’ve got bigger things to focus on.”
He scowled, wishing he could get through to her. Praying that something happened along the way that allowed her to forgive herself. Because he didn’t want her to go. He wanted her here. Next to him. By his side always. In truth, his inner dragon had started feeling that way before he actually met her, which in turn, likely fueled his human half to feel so strongly.
Viking's Crusade (Viking Ancestors: Rise of the Dragon, #6) Page 6
