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ChapterTwenty-Six
SUNDAY
“Get in there,” the intimidating Viking said as he shoved a fully nude Kingston over the threshold.
“You could at least buy me dinner before you get handsy.”
I stumbled in behind them, Noah on my heels as we left the chilly outdoors and entered what could only be described as a throne room. The first thing I noticed was how it smelled. The scent ofAlekfilled my nose, and I froze, my heart seizing. But a quick sweep around the room revealed he wasn’t there.
High arched ceilings, dark as night, glittered with the echoes of candlelight from a multitude of chandeliers. The glow gave the space a much less sinister feel, but I knew this could easily go badly for all of us. The monstrous fossil hanging in the middle of the room was testament enough to that.
“Ah, there are the lights we were searching for,” Noah said, his focus trained on the bank of windows, which showcased the horizon as perfectly as if we were staring at a picture.
The Aurora was on full display, lighting up the night sky as well as the entirety of the harbor as its reflection danced on the ocean below.
“Seen it. I’m much more interested in getting what we came for so we can go back home.” Kingston’s low grumble as he took my hand almost made me smile... almost.
“You’ll only get home if you prove yourself to be harmless.” The Viking who’d taken us hostage gave Kingston another shove.
“Keep shoving me, and I’ll show you how harmless I am,One-eyed Willie.”
Noah snorted. It seemed like even my vampire prince knew aboutThe Goonies.
The Viking’s low growl was cut off by the sound of a door opening.
“Søren, you’ve never returned from a hunt empty-handed, but this is new fare, even for you. What happened to the boy’s clothes, or was the fool really roaming around the forest armed with nothing but his cock and a smile?” The deep voice boomed from the end of the hall, one I’d heard before as he entered and stalked toward the massive throne.
“Nord,” I whispered, finally finding my voice.
He sat, his legs splayed wide, arms draped on each of the armrests. “That is my name, little one. But the question is, why do you know it?”
“We’ve met before, although I don’t think we’ve ever been properly introduced. I’m Sunday,” I said, stepping closer so I was surrounded by the golden candlelight.
He narrowed his gaze, and Søren tensed as I approached the jarl. “Sunday. What a strange name. You do look familiar. Ah, yes, the crying girl in the woods.”
Great first impression, Sunday. Way to be memorable.
“In my defense, things were a little... tense.”
He lifted a brow. “You’ll find no argument from me on that front. But what brings you here? And more to the point,howdid you find your way to Novasgard?”
“Funny story, actually.”
His lips twitched. “Is that so? Indulge us.” He waved a hand, the gesture reminding me of a king at court. I couldn’t afford to forget how this man held my fate in his hands. As charming as he was, he was also dangerous.
“You took my mate from me. I came to get him.” Was it a tactful approach? No. But in cases like these, where a literal Viking stood between me and my mate, the only way through was direct.
His brows rose, the expression so similar to one I’d seen on Alek it made me ache. “You came to... get him?”
“Yeah.”
“I am sorry to be the one to tell you this, but Alek stayed of his own choosing.”
“Only because he didn’t have all the facts. At least, that’s what Tor said when he opened the portal for us.”
An indistinct murmur rose from the few people in the throne room. I’d hit a nerve.
“What do you mean, he opened the portal? He’d never let outsiders into Novasgard unaccompanied.”
