Ægir Read online

  He snarled.

  I hung on and didn’t shy away. “If you love me, you will let me go.” I cupped his face in my hands. “Please, Ægir.”

  With a roar, he pushed me down to the bed. I covered my face, willing my tears to stop. My chest was heavy with grief. I had to convince him to let me go. It was the only way.

  Ægir grabbed my right leg and tugged me to the edge of the bed. He used the rope to tie my wrists and ankles. I lay spread eagled and secured, an unwilling sacrifice. He stretched over me.

  “Mine,” Ægir huffed.

  I glared at him.

  “Mine,” he growled. His knee nudged my legs further apart. I was wet and ready, but I shouted and fought as he pushed his cock into my tender opening. His stiff rod hit secret spots inside me that had my eyes rolling back in my head. I cursed and fought my pleasure. When his head dipped to kiss me, I gritted my teeth and turned my face away.

  His hand closed around my throat. A collar of flesh and bone. He squeezed with fingers and thumb, pressing two points on either side of my neck. I growled at him. My chest rose and fell like bellows, dragging air into my lungs. He squeezed tighter and the room fell away. I felt as if I were floating above the bed. Ægir’s great body worked over me, his hips snapping, cock stretching and filling me until I did not know where he ended, and I began.

  He loosened his grip a tad and I slammed back into my body. Caught in the crucible of pleasure, I writhed under him. Lights flashed behind my eyes. I gasped, tossing my head back and forth as white heat filled me.

  Ægir released my neck but did not let me go. I was still tied up, but he further shackled my wrists in his iron hard hands and trapped my legs under his, using his body as a living cage. All the while his cock battered me in the best, most delicious way. My insides tightened, fluttering around the giant intruder.

  “Ægir,” I moaned. I wasn’t fighting my pleasure anymore. My hips rose and fell under his.

  He ripped the ropes away, snapping them where they secured me to the bed. I surged up, gripping handfuls of his hair to bring his face close to mine. But I didn’t kiss him. At the last, I turned my head to the side, caught the edge of his neck with my teeth and tore. Ægir bellowed and rooted deep in my body, spending his seed deep inside me with jerking thrusts.

  “Mine,” I whispered. The taste of blood tingled on my tongue. I’d marked him as he’d marked me.

  The air between us tingled, magic so thick I couldn’t draw breath. A heart beat later, it was gone. I licked the Sea Wolf’s blood from my lips and hungered for more. In some ways I was as wild as he.

  He pulled away, running a hand over his face. I whimpered at the loss, but when I reached for him, he drew away further still. He tugged the ropes from around my wrists and ankles, freeing me. His head was bowed.

  Rising up, I caught his face in my hands and brought his mouth to mine. I kissed him with everything I had.

  When our lips broke apart, his chest heaved against mine.

  I looked into his bright eyes. “I am yours. I do not want to leave. But I must stop Dòmhnall. He will listen to me.”

  “No,” the beast roared until my ears rang. He kissed me again, his lips frantic and feral. The wild part of him knew he was losing his prey.

  A tear rolled down my cheek unchecked. His eyes were so sad. “I must. I’m the only one who can save them.”

  He wrenched away from me, leaving me cold and naked on the bed. I clutched a pelt to my chest, wincing when he kicked the water bucket down the stairs. He leaned against the hearth, every muscle in him tight as if ready to do battle.

  “You can’t keep me here forever,” I told his back.

  Ægir punched the stone again and again. I cowered as the tower shook. A crack formed in the wall. A few rushes rained down. Shouts from downstairs told me the other warriors had felt the foundations shift.

  “What is it?” Hawk called from the stairs. “What’s wrong?”

  I slipped off the bed, setting my feet to the floor gingerly. This tower might not stand much longer.

  “Go,” Ægir muttered, facing the dead fire.

  I sucked in a breath. I did not expect his permission to feel like a dagger driven into my heart.

  I’m sorry. I swallowed the bitter words. I had to go.

  I rushed to the window and climbed onto the ledge. I must use my magic now. If I did not hurry, I’d be too late.

  A crash made me grab the side of the window lest my feet slip. Hawk stood in the doorway, the pitcher he’d dropped in pieces at his feet.

  “Lass, what are you doing? Come down from there.” He raised his hands slowly, as if a sudden movement might make me fall.

  “Go!” Ægir roared.

  For a heartbeat, I balanced on the windowsill clinging to the jagged, rain-slicked rocks. The wind whipped my hair and raised goosebumps over my bare flesh. A single step—

  “No,” Hawk cried.

  I spread my arms and dove into the air.

  The air hit my face, driving my hair back. In the next heartbeat, the Change came over my body. The magic tingled over my body, gripping and stretching me like I was the dough Nanny kneaded for bread. Half of me tore away but there was no pain, only a glorious rush, my body becoming light and small as a bird’s. My hands outstretched, fingers growing long and turning to black feathers. The water surface rose to smack me, but my wings caught the wind.

  With a harsh cry, I flipped in the air, and settled into an air current. I spared a glance behind me.

  Hawk stood at the window disbelief written on his face. I cawed once and winged away.

  Ahead rose the two rock columns. Beyond them, the mist. I’d have to trust my senses to guide me from this magical haven. You can do it, daughter, my mother whispered.

  Behind me rose a wild, keening cry. The sound spurred me on, through the portal and beyond. Ignoring the Sea Wolf’s song of sorrow, I flew in my raven-shape towards home.

  4

  The mist was thick on the water, but no storm raged. My mother’s voice called to me when the way was unclear. I did not know how long I flew, but by the time the mist broke I was half fainting from hunger. My bird wings struggled to catch the air. A gentle gust, a warm current from the south, guided me the rest of the way. I cawed with relief when the island appeared.

  There were men on the beach—my father and some villagers, the ones I’d seen dead in my vision. Warriors in boats were rowing towards them but were still some ways out. Dòmhnall had come to destroy my father. The punishment for the disgrace of losing his bride.

  But I hadn’t come too late to stop the destruction.

  The wind brought me to the cliff. A small figure waved me in.

  When my clawed feet touched the ground, I transformed and rolled, my clumsy human body ungainly and unbalanced.

  “Muireann!” Nanny hustled forward, drawing her cloak off and wrapping it around.

  “Nanny,” I croaked. My throat still thought it was a beak.

  “I prayed you would stay away.”

  “No. I must stop them.” I started down the path.

  She grabbed my arm. “Wait! Your father goes to meet them.”

  “And he and his men will die. I saw it.” I tugged her along. “I must go and explain to Dòmhnall.” Perhaps he would listen. Perhaps he would understand.

  Perhaps he would let me go.

  “Wait, Muireann, what happened? Where have you been?”

  I halted. “Did Danny return?”

  “He did, raving mad, telling tales about some monster in the mist and a Northman’s ship—”

  “It’s true, Nanny. It’s all true. A Northman captured me. But I am fine.” I gripped Nanny’s shoulders, smiling to calm her fears. “He was kind to me. He is the Sea Wolf from the story. The one who was cursed.” The memory of his golden eyes, gentle and sad, filled me with longing and I choked.

  Nanny saw what I could not say. “Oh Muireann.”

  “I did not want to leave him. It was only two nights but,”
I gulped down tears. “I would’ve stayed forever.”

  “So, your mother’s tale turned true.” Nanny patted my hair. “Do you think—”

  Shouts rose from the beach. Dòmhnall’s boat must have landed. My time was up.

  “I have to go.” Clutching the cloak, I bounded barefoot down the path.

  I dashed down the path, but the boats beat me to the beach.

  “Lord Dòmhnall,” my father greeted the son of the Uí Néill chieftain. My father wore no weapon or helm, though his men were armed. Danny stood nearby, twisting the edge of his tunic, staring at the many boats. Too many boats to broker peace. This was a show of force.

  Dòmhnall swaggered up the sand, hand on his sword. “What is this? You stand proudly to greet me? You, who sent a message that my men were lost, and my bride had flown?” He stretched his arms out, smirking, though his men were hard-eyed and hatchet-faced. “What story have you come up with now? Were my men swallowed by a sea monster? Is my bride a selkie?”

  “None of those things, my lord.” My father leaned on his staff. “We have the man who saw it all. He can tell the truth—”

  “Don’t give me false tales, old man.” Anger swallowed Dòmhnall’s smile. His men shifted around him; their weapons ready. “You were told to send my bride. Whether by plan or by folly, you lost her.” He drew his blade and pointed it at my father’s head. “I’ll take your life as forfeit. This island is mine.”

  “Wait!” I screeched. My father’s men turned to gawk. I raced the final few feet, stopping between the outstretched sword and my father.

  “Muireann? What on earth?” My father grabbed me.

  “It wasn’t his fault,” I told my red-faced would-be bridegroom. “It was all true. A warrior came and took me—” Dòmhnall’s eyes swept up and down my form and I tightened my hold on the cloak covering me. “But I escaped.” I turned my back to Dòmhnall. “I’m here now, father. All will be well.”

  The men murmured around us. My father’s face was tight, but he pulled off his own cloak and bundled me in a second layer.

  “So, your daughter is here,” Dòmhnall’s voice rose over the muttering. “Naked, half-crazed. Do you let her run about as she pleases?”

  “Muireann has always done as she pleases.” Father knew a little of my magic. He would say no more in front of strangers. But he tugged me behind him.

  “I’m not crazy. I’ve been a captive of the Sea Wolf. A great warrior from legend. He took me, but he let me go.”

  Dòmhnall scoffed. “Why should I believe you?”

  “Danny can vouch for me.” I waved at the stunned boatman.

  “Indeed, I can.” Danny stepped forward. “A great warrior he was. His ship came out of the mists. Your men fought but he threw them in the water. And then he took her.”

  I smiled encouragingly at Danny. Poor man. He was a steady, stoic sort. This magical tale would not be easy for him to tell.

  My father’s men knew Danny and believed him. Me, they knew my mother had powers beyond the norm. They’d grant me a magical adventure.

  But Dòmhnall’s men were shaking their heads, glowering harder to a man.

  “This is the same pack of lies your messenger told,” Dòmhnall sneered at my father.

  “Not lies,” I answered for myself.

  Dòmhnall turned his sneer to me. “They told me you were taken but here I find you whole. Did you whore yourself to him?”

  I drew myself up. “You insult me, Dòmhnall. I owe you nothing. Go home.”

  “I don’t know what happened here, but I can see the results. My chosen bride is a whore. And you concoct fantastical tales to protect her nonexistent virtue.”

  “Take care, Dòmhnall,” my father finally spoke up.

  “You let her lie with any man… tell me why I shouldn’t put all of you to the sword and take this island by force?”

  He advanced, blade high.

  “Stop!” I flung myself between them to save my father. Most men would hesitate to strike down a woman. But Dòmhnall grabbed my arm and flung me to the sand.

  “Muireann!” my father cried. Dòmhnall’s men barred his way to me.

  “Whore,” Dòmhnall spat, standing over me. “To think I once wanted you. In my father’s house, we mark women like you, so men will know to be wary of your snares.” The blade flashed down and I cried out, scrambling backwards.

  A roar blasted over the water.

  Dòmhnall’s sword stopped. “What was that?” His wide eyes searched the sea. But there was nothing. Dòmhnall’s men turned as one, their weapons high. A fog covered the horizon, advancing quickly. The roar sounded again.

  “No,” I breathed. The mist curled up onto the beach, covering me where I lay, obscuring the legs of the assembled men.

  “Not again,” Danny moaned, backing away from the surf.

  “What was that sound?” Dòmhnall demanded. “What is this strange weather?” He and his men turned this way and that, weapons high as if the metal could beat back the mists. They stood waist deep in it now.

  “The Sea Wolf,” I answered, a mix of joy and horror welling in my heart. “He’s come for me.” Again.

  Another roar and a wolf’s howl.

  Dòmhnall’s men were clamoring, standing in their boats, waving their weapons at a threat they could not see.

  The great Viking ship appeared, plowing through the grey. Gasps echoed all around. Judging from the fear written on the older men’s faces, the dragon head still struck terror into men’s hearts.

  “It’s not possible,” my father breathed. “It’s not real.”

  With a heart-stopping thud, the ship struck Dòmhnall’s boats, sending men flying into the surf.

  “Real enough,” I murmured.

  Dòmhnall’s men on the beach waded to help their brothers out of the water. But it was too late for the men by the boats. One by one they cried out as a dark shape attacked them. One by one, they disappeared before their comrade’s eyes. The mists swallowed the bodies up.

  The remaining men retreated to land, their eyes darting this way and that.

  “What are you waiting for?” Dòmhnall screamed. “Shoot him!”

  A few of his men dropped their swords and drew bows. A twang and arrows flew into the wall of grey. I held my breath. One heartbeat. Two.

  The small boats drifted out of the fog. They held Dòmhnall’s men, dead, pin cushioned with arrows.

  Dòmhnall’s remaining men cried out.

  “The Sea Wolf did this!” I shouted. “He is real. Throw down your arms now, and pledge peace, and your life will be spared.” I would plead with Ægir to make it so. No more needed to die today.

  But Dòmhnall spat into the sand.

  “If he is real, he can die,” Dòmhnall snarled. “Come then, Sea Wolf,” he called. “Face me like a man.”

  “No!” I cried, whirling towards the mist. Willing Ægir not to hear Dòmhnall’s challenge.

  Dòmhnall pulled me to him, a rough hand at my neck.

  “Is this your whore?” Dòmhnall shouted to the ship. “Is this who you want?”

  I fought, scratching and trying to bite, wishing I had my knife.

  “Let her go,” came my father’s frail cry.

  Dòmhnall dragged me into the surf. “She’s already naked,” he taunted. Batting away my hands, he gripped my right breast hard enough to bruise. I screamed my outrage.

  The mists parted and the sun shone down on the great tawny head. Golden eyes glowed and Dòmhnall shrank back. I shimmied out of his grasp but did not flee. I raced to the edge of the water.

  “Stop! Stay back!” I raised my hands, palms outstretched. “Remember the curse!”

  But Ægir kept coming.

  “No,” I cried. “You can’t!”

  “She’s afraid for you.” Dòmhnall taunted. “She knows I am a great warrior.”

  “Don’t do it,” I pleaded, willing the golden eyes to rest on me. “Don’t come. He doesn’t matter.” If Ægir set foot on land, the
curse would win.

  Ægir pointed at me. “Mine.” A promise.

  “Come take her then,” Dòmhnall waved his sword.

  “No!” I would’ve hurled myself between them, but Danny grabbed me and pulled me back.

  “Take her to the lodge,” my father shouted to Danny.

  “Come, my lady. Please,” Danny wrestled with me.

  “He cannot come onto land! The curse will take him forever!” I fought my father’s man.

  Dòmhnall rushed to meet Ægir. Their weapons met with a clang.

  It was too late. Ægir had come onto land. Already the magic was working, the curse taking hold. Ægir’s proud and handsome features contorted. His jaw and ears grew longer, his teeth thickening into fangs. The white pelt he wore over his shoulders seemed to creep down his chest. His legs grew longer and white-furred.

  Dòmhnall fell back, driven to the ground by Ægir’s savage blows. But as the curse rolled over the great warrior’s body, his hands transformed to claws and his weapon fell to the sand.

  Pointing his wolf’s head at the sky, Ægir howled. I sagged in Danny’s hold.

  “Take her away,” my father ordered as his own men urged him flee. Danny dragged me up the beach. Nanny rushed forward and I fell into her arms.

  “Come away, Muireann.” Her face held fear.

  “I can’t leave him!”

  “He’s gone now.” Sure enough, the Sea wolf was no longer a man, but a beast with white and golden fur.

  Dòmhnall’s men closed around Ægir, their blades biting and baiting him. Attacked from behind, Ægir roared and swiped a great claw.

  More men rushed up the surf, their breeches dark with the water. Ægir’s men, led by Hawk. It wasn’t even a fair fight. Dòmhnall’s men turned and died. I saw Hawk’s white teeth flash, him laughing as he cleaved a man’s head from his neck.

  Without his men to help, Dòmhnall had no hope. He raised his weapon and the Sea Wolf thrust foot-long claws into his chest, lifting his body and tossing him with a thick spray of red. Deprived of more prey, the monster bellowed.

  My father’s men had retreated. With frightened shouts, they barricaded themselves in the lodge as the Sea Wolf rushed towards them.