“THIS IS YOUR HOME?” The words came out on a squawk. After two weeks shackled inside a windowless hut, and a night spent in a cabin in the woods, I certainly hadn’t expected, well . . . this.
“It’s comfortable.” Erik shrugged.
“It’s a castle,” I corrected. And it was—a multi-storied, four-towered, turret-boasting, castle. One that could have been ripped from the pages of a fairytale with fields of blooms bordering its walls, and large windows framing either side of the heavily guarded front door. Wide, cream-colored stones made up the bulk of the structure, with iron candle-fixtures attached at twenty foot intervals along the ground floor. Higher up, walkways connected the four towers, the blue tiles of their roofs a near perfect match for Erik’s eyes.
Not that I noticed.
“What’s over there?” I pointed to the left of the castle, where a second, slightly smaller stone structure stood.
“The Dragehus,” Erik said.
Crazy-hot Viking said what? “Pardon?”
“The stable where we keep the dragons,” he explained.
Right.
Behind the Dragehus was an enormous field. It stretched from the knolls behind the dragon barn across the island, where its grassy turf gave way to a series of plots. There, crops sprung from the earth, farmers tilled the ground, and a group of children skipped after an exuberant dog.
“Do you have many other animals here? Besides the, uh, dragons?”
“We keep our domestic animals on the opposite side of the main structure.” Erik pointed to the right of the castle, where a third stone building was bordered by a vast pasture. Cows, sheep, goats, and chickens roamed freely atop a lush bed of greenery.
What kept the dragons from eating them?
Between the structures was another massive field. This one was set up with archery targets, nets, and what appeared to be some kind of a fighting ring.
“And behind the pasture is the craftsman’s structure.” Erik pointed again. “Come. I’ll show you around.”
Erik pulled his horse forward, and I followed him along the winding path to the castle. As we approached, a young boy jumped over the pasture’s fence and ran toward us.
“Welcome home, sir.” The boy bowed. “I’ll take your horse for you.”
“Thank you, Langley. He’s been traveling for several days, so check his hooves then let him rest.” Erik handed the rope to the boy, who bowed again before leading the horse toward the barn. Erik continued toward the castle and I followed, trying not to gawk at the tapestry of yellow and purple wildflowers lining the walkway. Either the land was just that good, or Valkyris employed some seriously gifted gardeners.
“Sir.” The six guards framing the castle’s massive front door brought their fists to their chests in unison. “Velkommen.”
Erik nodded, and two of the guards stepped forward to open the door. The wood was so thick, it groaned with the movement. Erik crossed over the threshold, and I picked at my cuticles as I followed him into the vast entry. Intricately woven tapestries in shades of blue and cream lined the walls, and buttercup-filled vases sat atop elegant wooden tables. Corridors stretched to the left and the right, each boasting windows that filled the space with light. A grand staircase ran from the polished floor to the second story, where a white-pillared railing bordered a long hallway. The entire room was illuminated by candles that burned in ornate chandeliers and wall sconces. The flames were reflected in large mirrors placed opposite the windows, making the already substantial space seem absolutely enormous.
“I cannot believe you live here,” I whispered.
Erik crossed to one of the vases and pulled out a flower. Rough fingers stroked the delicate stem as he looked over at me and shrugged. “It’s just a home, Saga.”
Watching him stand in the entry, sword and dagger at his hip and a flower in his hand, I had the most peculiar sensation of déjà vu. The room, the moment . . . all of it was disconcertingly familiar. The feeling washed over me as my eyes locked on Erik’s, and I knew with absolute certainty that I was going to be okay here. Maybe not comfortable. Maybe not even happy. But okay.
It would have to be enough.
“My son! You’re home!” A warm voice rang from the upper level. I tore my eyes from Erik’s to find a breathtakingly beautiful woman descending the staircase. Her white-blond hair was swept into an intricate braid that highlighted elegant cheekbones and sparkling blue eyes. She wore an ivory gown with silver-blue snowflakes stitched from one shoulder all the way down to the hem. Her movements were so fluid she appeared to float, rather than walk, down the stairs.
When she reached the bottom, Erik dipped his head and offered her the flower. “I selected it for you, Mother.”
“From the bouquet I picked this morning?” Erik’s mom raised one arched brow.
“Precisely,” Erik said. “I knew it would be to your liking.”
His mother tilted her head back, her laughter filling the room. “I am very glad to see you home. I always worry about the Ting. Blood feuds and ale are a poor combination.”
“Agreed. But I’m here. And I have what you requested.” Erik withdrew my dagger from his belt, and offered it to his mother. “I return it to your care, safe and sound.”
Wait. What? My dagger belonged to Erik’s mom?
“Thank you. I’ll lock this away for safekeeping.” She slipped the dagger into the pocket of her dress, and turned to face me. “And you, my dear. We are most pleased that you have come to join us.”
Huh? Why was she being so nice to me?
“Thank you, uh . . .” I wasn’t sure how to address Erik’s mom. She was the wife of a chief, but she lived in what seemed to be a castle. Was she a chieftess, or a queen, or . . . I pressed my lips together. There were no etiquette books that covered this.
“Oh, forgive me. I forget, this is all new to you.” Erik’s mom reached out to clasp my hands in hers. “I am Chieftess Freia—founder of the Valkyris Tribe, and guardian of this island.”
Hold on. Erik’s tribe was led by a woman? His mom had created this whole fantastical world?
“I—erm, I . . .” I dropped into an awkward curtsy. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness, uh, Your Excellency, er . . . ma’am?”
“No need for that.” Freia placed a hand to my elbow and guided me up. “It is my pleasure to welcome you to Valkyris. I’m not sure what my son has told you about us, but I hope you will come to love this land as your own.” Freia leaned closer, her eyes filled with warmth.
My gaze flickered to Erik, who shot Freia a stern look. “Mother.”
Freia waved him away. “The girl needs to know what she’s gotten herself into.”
“‘The girl’ has been taken captive twice. What she needs is the chance to acclimate to all of this.” Erik waved a hand in the air. I tried not to notice the way his biceps flexed with the movement.
I failed.
“Erik.” Freia smiled. “Why don’t you check in on our newborns? Two of the dragon eggs hatched while you were away, and I know you prefer to bond with them as early as possible.”
“Trying to get rid of me so you can convert Saga?” Erik raised a brow.
Hold up. Is this a cult?
“Saga.” Freia smiled. “Such a beautiful name.”
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“Mother?” Erik pressed.
“I promise to go easy on our guest.” Freia raised her right hand. “Now go play with your dragons. Your father sent word that he will arrive soon, and we can catch up then.”
“Very well. Mother.” Erik bowed his head. “Saga.”
“Erik.” I nodded back.
He gave me one more look before turning and stalking down one of the corridors. I definitely did not stare at his butt as he walked away.
Well, not for long.
“You are fond of my son.” Freia’s voice interrupted my ogling.
“What? Oh.” Mortification doused my lust. “No. It’s not like that. He’s just . . . Well, he’s the first person who’s been . . . not awful to me in this whole . . .” Whole timeline? Whole alternate universe? What could I possibly say that wouldn’t make me seem totally crazy? “In this whole place,” I finished lamely.
“You must have been through quite the ordeal.” Freia clucked her tongue. “Did Erik say you were taken captive twice?”
“Yeah.” I sighed. “Erik captured me when I was trying to run from Bjorn—I was supposed to marry their heir.”
“Oh.” Freia’s brows furrowed. “I didn’t mean for that to happen. I’m so sorry, Saga. I fear that was quite my fault.”
My breath hitched. “What do you mean?”
“It’s a rather involved story.” Freia linked her arm through mine. “Come, dear. We’ll take a walk. You need to understand your place in all of this.”
“All of this?”
“Our tribe. Our world. Saga, it was not circumstance that brought you here. It was Fate.” My chest tightened as Freia tilted her head and said, “Our people have been waiting for you for a very long time.”