‘Danr!’ Sissa stood at the entrance to the cave, waving frantically as he emerged from the trees.
‘What is it? What’s happened?’ He came running at once. ‘I was helping Joarr with one of the roofs and it took longer than I intended. Has it started?’
‘Yes!’ She wrung her hands at the sound of a low howl from within. ‘I don’t know what to do!’
‘She knows what to do, don’t worry. Just be with her.’ Danr glanced over to where Halvar was trotting up and down and whining. ‘In the meantime, I’ll stay with him.’
‘Yes, good.’ She pressed her forehead briefly against his and then hurried back inside the cave, crouching down on her haunches at a far enough distance for Tove to see, but not be disturbed by, her. The female wolf was turning around and writhing in circles, in obvious discomfort though the only sounds she made were occasional whimpers.
The passing minutes were interminable, drifting on into what felt like hours, but eventually there were four cubs, their small pink bodies all nestled against Tove’s side.
‘Four!’ Sissa declared, going back outside, feeling drained but triumphant.
‘Male or female?’ Danr stood up from where he was sitting on a rock.
‘Two of each, as far as I can tell. Their eyes are still closed, but they’re all moving and they look healthy.’
‘Two of each...’ He ran a hand over his chin thoughtfully. ‘Well, Erika and Bersa, obviously.’
‘We’re naming them?’
‘Of course. Are you honestly telling me you haven’t been thinking about names?’ He lifted an eyebrow. ‘One of the males could be Rurik. I’d love to see my brother’s face when I tell him.’
‘All right, and the other can be Frode.’
‘Frode?’
‘It was my father’s name.’
‘Then Frode it is. If you’re certain?’
‘I am. You’re my new family, but I never want to forget my old one.’
‘Erika, Bersa, Rurik and Frode.’ Danr smiled lovingly. ‘I feel like a proud father.’
She laughed and rolled her eyes. ‘Don’t tell Hilda or she’ll start getting ideas. She already looks at my stomach every time she sees me.’
‘Really?’ He glanced downwards.
‘Don’t you start! I’m not sure how I feel about going through childbirth after watching that.’
‘Ah, but you’d have me with you, holding your hand and talking the whole time.’
‘Exactly! There’s no hurry anyway.’ She stretched her arms above her head and sighed. ‘Much as I enjoy playing tafl, I’m happy with things as they are for a while longer.’
‘About that...’ He drew his brows together. ‘Joarr said there was a message from Brandt this morning.’
‘Oh!’ She caught her breath. ‘What’s happened?’
‘To be honest, it was more of a summons.’
‘A summons?’ She folded her arms determinedly. ‘You’re not going anywhere without me, Danr Sigurdsson.’
‘I had a feeling you might say that.’ He slid his arms around her waist, pulling their bodies together and gazing deep into her eyes. ‘In that case, it looks like we’re going to Maerr.’
If you enjoyed this story, be sure to read the first three books in the Sons of Sigurd miniseries
Stolen by the Viking
by Michelle Willingham
Falling for Her Viking Captive
by Harper St. George
Conveniently Wed to the Viking
by Michelle Styles
And don’t miss the next story in the
Sons of Sigurd miniseries, coming soon!
Tempted by Her Viking Enemy
by Terri Brisbin