Viking Claim (The MacLomain Series: Viking Ancestors Book 2) (20 page)

“No. We don’t.” Restless, Veronica stood in front of the fire. As she stared into the flames, she thought of the fire that had shot from Raknar in dragon form. “Did Raknar know all of this before he did what he did today? That he might ultimately lose me forever? That I might lose you?”

A small stretch passed before Megan softly responded. “Yes.”

Veronica nodded and ground her jaw as she thought through his actions knowing all the potential consequences. It didn’t take long. Back to the fire, she crossed her arms over her chest and met Megan’s eyes. “I would have done the same to defend my son.” Then she was truly honest with herself. “And I would have done the same thing to defend Raknar.”

“Even if it meant you were denying a great love from happening? Possibly two?”

“Amber and Kol,” Veronica said, the pragmatist in her kicking in. “Out of everybody I’ve ever met those two are likely to find great loves without ever meeting one another.”

“So what they don’t know won’t hurt them,” Megan murmured, arms wrapped around her bent knees. “Sounds like you’re willing to play God.”

“God,” Veronica muttered. “No, not nearly that all-consuming. I’m stating things as I see them. As Raknar clearly did. He made a decision based on facts. Cold, hard facts.”

“Don’t fool yourself, Veronica. He made a decision based on
emotions
.” Megan frowned. “Nothing less. Nothing more. And I don’t fault him for it. But don’t for one second think he acted on logic because it had no place in his actions today.”

Veronica ground her teeth and held her sister’s serious gaze. She was right. No doubt about it. Still. Megan didn’t have children so she could never understand what a parent was capable of doing to protect their own. Did his actions likely also have to do with his feelings for her? Of course. So Raknar was dealing with a double whammy. But right now, she needed answers. Non-emotional ones. “Obviously you and Naðr talked about Raknar losing his cool. What are your concerns?”

“I just told you,” Megan said, expression flat. “Beyond that I have no idea. None of the scenarios are good when it comes to breaking a promise to the seers. I’ve met Yrsa twice now but have yet to actually meet her in person.
That
tells you something. How powerful they truly are."

“Right.” Veronica studied the thatched ceiling as she contemplated. “Could there be a loophole in this bargain the brothers made with the seers? Something not clarified enough?”

“I know what a loophole is.” Megan rested her chin on her knees. “If there was I’m sure Naðr would have thought of it already.”

Veronica shook her head. “No offense but he’s just one man, albeit half dragon. Sometimes it takes multiple minds to figure out a way around things. Hence defense teams. Heck, even juries.”

They stared at one another and contemplated.

“So you think that this promise the brothers made to the seers might not be shot after today?” Megan finally said.

“I’d like to think that if we’re intelligent enough in the twenty-first century to deliberate our way around contracts and such, that powerful seers in this day and age might have some perspective as well,” Veronica said.

“The same thing Naðr was hoping for,” Megan whispered.

“Was he then,” Veronica said, not surprised. “Smart man.”

“That’s why he’s king,” Megan murmured, eyes falling to the fire as she contemplated.

“He’s king because he was next in line,” Veronica said, totally in a literal mindset. “But having met all three brothers and knowing Naðr, he is best suited.”

Megan didn’t need confirmation of that based on her ‘Mm hmm’ as she continued to stare into the fire, thinking as rapidly as Veronica. They might not possess magic, but they weren’t stupid.

If anything they held their own power based on their role in the pact. Veronica shook her head as the possibilities unraveled. “Megan, all along you and I have been part of this master plan. Grant you, though against our will, we’ve liked it so far. But what if…”

When Veronica trailed off, Megan’s eyes shot to hers. “What?”

“Well, up to this point the brothers have sacrificed to ensure Torra MacLomain and her clan's safety. What would happen if we, the pawns in the seer’s game, made some demands of our own to see this deal struck, or prophesy seen through?”

Megan was about to respond when Kjar’s voice sounded outside the door. “The seers have arrived. You must come.”

But Veronica saw her sister’s mental wheels spinning. It had always been about how much the
brothers
were willing to sacrifice to see the MacLomain clan safe. What if it were about how much the
sisters
were willing to sacrifice?

“It’s okay. Come in,” Megan called to Kjar.

He entered, his gaze sweeping over them before landing on Megan. “A celebration has started in the great hall so Naðr wants you both to meet him in the secondary hall.”

Megan stood. “Of course.”

“Secondary hall?” Veronica asked.

“Off the main hall, usually unused,” Megan provided as her eyes met Kjar’s. “We’ll be right there.”

“I’ll wait outside. You’re not to be left alone."

Megan nodded and he left. Her eyes shot to Veronica. “Not just the seers have arrived.”

Veronica frowned. “How do you know?”

“I’ve never seen Kjar like that.”

“Like what?”

“Bouncy. Borderline happy.” Her brows rose. “Didn’t you see?”

“Kjar bouncy happy?” Veronica chuckled despite their circumstances. “No, can’t say I did.”

Megan waved away her words as she whipped open a chest and flung a dress at Veronica. “Well, he was. Change fast. We need to go.”

Veronica shrugged, disrobed and pulled on the matronly garb, mumbling, “As to what we were talking about.”

She had just pulled the dress over her head when Megan nodded then shook her head. “You’re talking about saving the brothers from all this. About saving Naðr. Keeping them all safe.”

Veronica didn’t quite know how to respond to the mix of pure anguish and joy in her sister’s eyes. Because what she proposed meant Megan might never see her husband again.

“Tie back your hair. We need to go,” Megan said as she did the same.

By the time they joined Kjar they were dressed more conservatively than either had been since Veronica arrived. Though the sun still sat low in the sky, she could hear music and celebrating.

They entered a building that stemmed off the great hall but was sizable itself. The only difference? It was quiet. A long table sat in the middle. A few flame-lit chandelier bowls hung overhead and a square fire pit was lit off to the left.

This room was all about what needed to be said.

Five people were already present when they entered. Kol, Naðr’s daughter, Meyla and her Scottish husband, Valan and two women. One was blond and glorious. The other was slumped with a veil. A draping hood hid her face. They must be the seers. She guessed the one with a warm enough smile was Helga and the hooded woman was the Unnamed One.

Naðr brushed his lips over Megan's before nodding at Veronica. He made brief introductions, confirming her guess on the identity of the seers, and then said, “Please, take a seat.”

Veronica frowned. “Where’s Raknar?”

“Not here.”

Not here? So this was a meeting to talk about him behind his back. She kept Naðr’s eyes. “I’ll sit when it’s by Raknar’s side.”

The Unnamed One turned her head slightly but said nothing.

Naðr repeated, “Sit.”

She repeated what she had said.

“It is time for us to talk.” Helga’s eyes met Veronica’s. “If the woman wishes to remain standing, fine.”

Veronica didn’t miss the undercut of Helga's tone or the challenge in her voice as the seer slowly sunk into her seat. She didn’t like it one bit. Nor did she like how Raknar had been left out. So she turned to leave.

Only to walk into him.

Raknar held her arms to steady her. His eyes passed smoothly over her shoulder then quickly returned to her face, his voice soft. “Sorry, Goddess, I guess I was running late.” He cupped her cheek, eyes gentle. “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”

He couldn’t possibly know that, but she nodded regardless.

When they sat at the table, Veronica noticed that while Naðr sat on one end with Megan beside him, the other end remained empty. She soon learned why when Kjar reentered with, amazingly enough, another Scotsman. Kilted and incredibly handsome, he was tall with black hair and pale blue eyes.

“Adlin MacLomain!” Meyla cried in delight and flew into his arms.

Naðr and Valan stood as well.

Veronica couldn’t believe the infamous MacLomain patriarch was
here
. And wow, he looked nothing like how she had envisioned an immortal wizard. Then again, what did she know about supernatural creatures.

Her eyes cut to Valan, but he only smiled as his wife embraced Adlin. Apparently, Meyla had a child with Adlin and left him behind in Scotland. It was his birth that led to the existence of the great MacLomain wizards.

“I cannot believe you’re here,” Meyla said.

Adlin eyed her fondly. “Aye, there was little choice.”

“How is our son,” she murmured, eyes damp. “How is Darach?”

He squeezed her hands. “Verra well, lass. He’s a strapping lad already and will be a great warrior like his Viking Ma.”

Meyla stood up a little taller, pride in her eyes. “And like his father as well.”

They gazed at one another for a long moment before Adlin turned to Valan and grasped his arm, hand to elbow, and nodded. “Congratulations on your marriage. Meyla’s a bonnie wee lass indeed.”

“Aye, she is.” Valan grinned. “Good to see you again, Adlin.”

Adlin nodded then turned to Naðr. The men embraced, clapping one another on the back.

“We meet again, old friend,” Adlin said.

“We do,” Naðr replied. Their eyes met. “And though it’s good to see you I wish it were under better circumstances.”

“Aye,” Adlin said gravely.

Megan stood and held out her hand when the Scotsman’s eyes turned her way. “Great to finally meet you, Adlin. I’ve heard so much about you.” She smiled. “And I’m pretty sure I have you to thank for being a part of the journey that led me to my king.”

A little twinkle lit his eyes as he shook her hand. “Nice to meet you as well, Megan.”

When the Unnamed One placed the pads of two fingers on the table and started slashing, Helga again said, “It is time to talk.”

“Aye.” Adlin’s eyes went first to Veronica. He nodded in greeting before his astute regard went to Raknar. “It seems a pact may hang in the balance.” He shook his head as he walked to the other end of the table. “You surprise me with this, Raknar.”

“I assume you know the reasons behind my actions.”

“Aye, Kjar explained it all,” Adlin murmured and sat. He studied Raknar for a long moment before his gaze went to Helga. “What are your intentions now, seer? Will my descendant Torra remain safe?”

“I cannot with any certainty answer such. The gods Freyja and Fionn Mac Cumhail were tied to that but so was dragon magic. Valan keeping his promise and remaining here will help, but it’s hard to say how much.” A frown settled on her face as her gaze flickered over Kol before landing on Raknar. “We well understand the reasons behind your actions but it does not excuse the fact that you broke your promise to us. By embracing the dragon you have directly affected the magic used to tie you to the women from the future.”

The Unnamed One again drew a pattern on the table and Helga nodded as her eyes went to Naðr. “You must understand that the power we accessed to sustain the rune staves tattooed on you and your women is ancient and rare. A magic that can weaken and fluctuate when combined with the power of the dragon.” Her frown grew heavier. “With this weakening it is far easier for Yrsa to tap into the magic and cause great havoc.”

The Unnamed One again made slashes on the table, this time a bit more severely. Helga again nodded and held Naðr’s gaze. “Not only that but Yrsa now knows of the cylinders given to your women to help them find their way back.”

“How is that possible?”

“Oh no,” Veronica whispered, fingering the small satchel around her neck as she remembered the one person who focused on it lately.

Everyone’s eyes went to her.

“What is it?” Raknar said and held her hand.

Veronica looked at Megan. “Tony Castano. He traveled back in time with you and Nathan. I danced with him last night.” She clenched the satchel. “He was very interested in this and how I’d been the second woman claimed by the seers.”

“Damn, he must have been working
with
Nathan not for him then. And this just confirms our suspicions that Nathan was somehow working with King Rennir and Yrsa to begin with,” her sister muttered and shook her head as her eyes went to Naðr. “Where is he now?”

“Gone,” Kjar responded. “He left on a raiding ship this morning.”

“
Hel
,” Naðr growled. “He should have remained a slave.”