AEgir (BERSERKER WARRIORS #1) - Lee Savino Page 0,18

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