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“One tribe of the gods,” I whispered, my talisman warming as I went somewhere else in my mind, undoubtedly recalling fragments of lost dreams and conversations with our polar bear spirit. My gaze was drawn to the flames on the hearth. “One born of the bear.”

“And one born of a tribe that gained great strength in a single generation,” Freya murmured, clearly speaking of her Dahls. Her eyes became different, too, as she tapped into her gift and gazed into the fire. “All destined to cross the dark seas and survive storms born of Thor, meant to deliver us into the hands of our Wyrd.”

Fortunately, King Magnus and most in his Croven dynasty still practiced the old ways, or this might have gone differently. But he did, and that was never more apparent than when he added to the mystical moment. “And I intend to help with that in every way I can, just as our seer claimed I would, in hopes of finding a future for my tribe amid these quickly changing times.”

“There,” I exclaimed, pointing at the flames. “Do you see her…them…”

“I do,” Freya said softly. Everyone looked to the fire and the scene unfolding within. A fleet of ships left a shoreline, riding the flames as if they were waves, directly at us. Astrid stood proudly between two men on the first ship, before the ships vanished into sparks, but not the message our sister had delivered.

“King Alexander and his fleet will be setting sail in the morn,” I said to Magnus, whose eyes had widened on the fire before he took a steadying breath and drank deeply of his ale. “They should arrive on these shores within a week’s time.”

“And we will be ready for them as we have long prepared,” Magnus vowed, looking at the three of us. “But first, we must make haste at daybreak and seek out the seer to ensure Knud is who he appears to be.” He homed in on Knud and yet again surprised us. “If so, then you will find your long-lost tribe in the seer’s village. Many years ago, when you and I were but boys, six ships set sail from Norway and found shelter on this Isle. Many of them were our age and are now warriors like you and me, having long awaited your arrival.”

Though Knud wore a troubled expression, I recognized the flash of emotion in his eyes at the possibility this might be real. Not so much that he could be a king, but that he might finally find his tribe and learn who he truly was. Where he came from.

“I am a Helvig,” he said soon after, when the king was needed elsewhere, and we once again walked through the village together, having bid all a good night, agreeing to rise early and travel with Magnus and Freya. “I cannot fathom it being any other way.” He shook his head. “’Twould feel unnatural.”

I wanted to take his hand and offer him comfort, but refrained, eager for the moment we were alone again, and I could pull him into my arms. Offer him the comfort I sensed he needed.

“You will always be a Helvig, no matter what,” I assured him, giving him a stern look that he need never question it. The wind had grown gustier and colder, driving many indoors as yet another storm loomed in the distance. “But that doesn’t mean you cannot be more, too.”

Unfortunately, King Magnus had ordered several men to stand guard outside our lodges this eve, given how important not just me but Knud might be to future endeavors with King Alexander, so spending the night together would be impossible. Otherwise, when we stopped at my door, I would have invited him in for our nightly ale and a conversation more needed now than ever.

“Let’s take this one moment at a time, my friend,” I counseled, looking at him with all the love and pride I felt for him, in him, struggling just as much at this information, but I suspected for different reasons at the moment. “Wait until we meet the seer, hear what she has to say, then we will go from there with our facts in hand, as we have handled all matters for our tribe, ja?”

“Ja.” He moved closer before catching himself and taking a step back, knowing we couldn’t share more than words right now. He searched my eyes, his voice whisper-soft. “Might we always, chieftain, no matter where our Wyrd takes us, so long as you never forget how much I love my Helvigs and…”

Though he trailed off and let the words linger, I knew what he said without saying it, and responded in kind.

“As we love you, Knud Thorgard,” I said just as softly, giving him a look he couldn’t mistake. “Just as I love…”

Letting my true feelings linger and catch on the wind, I bid him a good night and slipped through my door. After closing it behind me, I leaned back against it, struggling not to pull him in after me. Not to wrap my arms around him and kiss him again. Spread my thighs for him. Feel all the vast pleasure we could bring one another.

Inhaling deeply, I willed the moment to pass and sat before a newly tended fire for one last ale, imagining he was by my side, and this night was like any other, though it was the furthest thing from it.

Rather, we were turning a page I never could have imagined.

If what King Magnus claimed was true, that would make Knud king of the oldest known tribe in Norway, which would, no matter how small his tribe these days, make them important indeed. Despite ranking beneath the King of Norway, Knud would still be held in high esteem for a renowned heritage that went back much further than the king’s.

After all, folklore claimed Thor himself had blessed the Thorgards.

Hence, my father giving Knud that name when he saw his scar.

Assuming all this proved true, it would very much make Knud suitable to be my husband, hence seeing through my father’s wishes. A marriage like ours, combined with our blood ties to the Dahls and a possible kinship to a powerful Scottish clan like Astrid’s Mackays, would seal a very strong standing for our Helvigs going forward.

“Could it be true?” I whispered, gazing into the fire, hoping to see Astrid once more, but the crackling flames revealed nothing. “Could it be we were born to be together, Knud?” I pulled my talisman out from beneath my dress when it began to gently warm, giving me hope. “Might we finally be together as we have long wanted?”

All I could do was pray to the gods as I lay down soon after and struggled to sleep, so eager for the morrow and seeing him once more, it hurt. To be near him, even if we couldn’t touch. Impatient to find out if there was merit to Magnus’s claim.

I must have dozed off because I stirred awake in the early hours of the morning when a light rap came at my door. Having fallen asleep with my clothes on, I opened it to Knud, my breath catching at the sight of him, no matter the hour.

“Good morn, chieftain.” However dutifully and formally he said it, the look in his eyes as his gaze raked over me was anything but. “The king’s men roused me to let us know we would be setting out within the hour so that we might travel betwixt storms.”

“Of course,” I said just as dutifully, speaking loud enough so listening ears could hear, desperate for a few moments alone with him. “Come in so that we might go over how I wish to handle things with the Helvigs and Dahls traveling with us. ’Twill take just a few moments of your time, and then you are to see to things.”

“Ja, chieftain,” Knud said, stepping inside.

It seemed he was of a similar mind, because the moment the door shut, he reeled me against him, cupped my cheek, and kissed me soundly. Our kisses grew so passionate, I nearly gave myself to him right there at the door, but I knew if I spread my thighs, we might not leave this lodge for hours. I would want more of him. Against the door. Against the wall. On the floor. On the bed. Anywhere we landed, again and again, bedamned who discovered us.