Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17

Resentment burned in Ulva as she hastened toward her abode. Her knees might be painful, but no hurt would prevent her from putting a stop to her daughter’s nonsense.

The idea that Signy would pledge herself to a blind man was ridiculous.

Absurd! That’s what it is! I won’t allow it.

I’ll do what I must, as I always have!

Rolling up her sleeves, she knocked abruptly.

‘Tis outrageous that I should need to knock on my own door!

“Viggo?”

The oaf looked up from the stool he was perched on. “Aye?”

“‘Tis Ulva.” She moved into the living space. “Signy has asked that I bring you to her.”

“Where is she?” The fool’s brows knitted as though he were actually concerned with her daughter’s wellbeing. If that were true, he’d have long abandoned his irrational pursuit of her.

“The hillside.” Ulva was glad he couldn’t see her snide smile. “She has something to show you there.”

The only thing the idiot would be shown was his timely demise—not that he would ‘see’ that coming. The gods were wise to have deprived him of his vision, to make his end so easy.

“I know the place.” The relaxing of his brow suggested he believed her ruse.

Ha! ‘Tis as I suspected. He’s as dim as he’s useless.

“Let us go, then.” She grabbed his hand as he rose to his feet. “You’ll be there, together again, soon.”

She’d no desire to trek the steep camber, but she was resolved to do all that was necessary.

Fooling the imbecile was an act of kindness.

They’d been climbing for some time, Ulva’s joints aching as she pushed against the rising wind. She needed a spot high enough to encounter the cliff edge yet far enough away that no one might witness what happened next.

As a gust whipped past them, she gauged they were close to achieving both desires. Viggo said little, which was fine with Ulva, though she did wonder what he brooded on as she steered him upward.

Likely not much if he’s as simple as he seems!

With effort, she held back her mirth as he tripped over a protruding tree root.

Such clumsiness!

The sooner I get Signy married to that jarl of theirs, the better.

“How much farther?” He hesitated. “The call of gulls is louder than I remember from before.”

Ulva released his hand, her heart speeding as the fruition of her plan neared. “Not far now.”

He looked around like a small child, helpless without supervision. “Where’s Signy?”

Ulva laughed. “You won’t be seeing her again! Not that you ever did lay eyes upon her beauty.”

His head jerked around as though she’d slapped him.

“Why have you brought me here?” He spoke quietly and with resignation that suggested he knew the answer. He couldn’t really be so dim-witted that he hadn’t yet deciphered her ploy.

“You know why.”

The breeze was strengthening, tugging at her shawl as she circled him. With luck, the sound of her voice from all directions would help disorient the brute. He might stumble and dive over the edge himself.

If not, she was prepared to offer him the final push.

Dark clouds were rolling in from the sea, approaching fast, indicating a storm to come. It wouldn’t do to be up here, so exposed, when the tempest made land.

There was no time to waste.

“I’ve taken you to the brink of the island so you can do what’s right by Signy.” She moved intentionally toward the precipice, smiling as her voice guided him closer to his end. “She’ll be better off without you. You know that, don’t you?”

“She says not.” Tears brimmed in the fool’s eyes. “She loves me and says we can build a life together.”

“She’s too young to know anything!” Ulva retaliated.

It was one thing for Signy to be stupid—she’d never lain with a man before—but surely the oaf before her was not so heart-soft.

He should know better.

“Keep walking.” She slowed her words, luring him onward. “A few more paces, Viggo, and all of this will be over.”

A stronger gust whipped her plait around so that it stung her cheek. Cursing, she grabbed hold of it and planted her feet firmly, swaying as the wind pushed against her skirts.

She held her breath.

The simpleton was doing as she bade, approaching the edge. Excitement crept throughout her body as, little by little, he stepped toward his fate.

So, this was the end?

The darkness had never seemed so black, as if the shadows raged with the wind, dragging at his body and mind. Another gust pulled at him. A gull screeched close.

He’d merely to surrender, to let himself be taken and hurtle to his demise. Viggo had long hoped for death, but he’d never foreseen that it would wear the face of Signy’s mother.

What difference does it make? Misery stabbed at his heart. I sought this, and Ulva offers it to me.

But deep down, he acknowledged that it did matter.

He’d made a promise to himself and a vow to Signy that he’d protect her. He’d heard the way she’d spoken about her mother, and given where he stood at this moment, her suspicions were well-founded. He could not trust that Ulva had Signy’s best interests at heart nor what would become of the woman he loved if he toppled to his doom.

His heart swelled with love.

He would not abandon Signy, nor his child, to such an uncertain fate.

“Come on, you fool!” Ulva’s voice was cruel. “Are you so weak that you cannot do this one thing for Signy?”

It was difficult for Viggo to know where Ulva’s voice came from. The blasting wind swirled on all sides.

“She doesn’t want this. She’s told me so!”

“Then be the man she needs, not the one she wants,” Ulva shouted louder. “For once in your sorry life, do the right thing!”

Her hands shoved at his chest.

She lacked strength to topple him, but a new fear gripped him.

So, this was her plan—to coax him to his death but, if all else failed, to enact the deed herself.

I don’t want to die!

The thought came with the force of a hammer blow. He had to stop her!

“ Móeir! ”

Was that Signy’s voice or only his imagination?

“ Móeir , stop this!”

Fresh hope bloomed. It was definitely Signy!

Thank the gods!

“Always meddling!” Ulva snorted. “Away with you, girl, and let me do what must be done.”

“You’ll do no such thing!” Signy was closer now, her voice frantic. “Leave the man I love alone!”

“What do you know of love?” Ulva sneered.

“Not much,” Signy replied. “You’ve shown me little over the years!”

“Thankless brat!”

It seemed the two had moved away, or the damn wind had changed direction.

Viggo didn’t need his sight to sense Ulva’s anger nor to hear the thwack as one woman hit the other. His chest tightened.

A new terror took hold as Signy’s sobs filled his ears.

Was she hurt?

How close were they to the precipice?

“Signy!” Incensed by Ulva’s spite, he hurled himself into the fray, knowing not whether he’d find himself in the arms of his lover or plummeting to his fate.

In that instant, he didn’t care.

He did want to live, but she was more important than even his life.

He might not have his sight, but he’d finally seen the light and realized what Signy meant to him. She would no longer be a victim to her parent’s brutality—not while he was around.

All he could do was trust the gods to guide him.

Clawing fingers scratched his neck. He recognized Ulva’s voice, hissing the foulest of oaths.

A shove threw him off balance.

“Viggo, no!” Signy’s shrill cry was a warning.

A rush of wind, ferocious in its suddenness, sent him tumbling to the ground, and he was brought up sharply by a splintering pain. His head had struck something hard.

He felt wetness above his brow. He was bleeding but alive. The gods had saved him. Their verdict was clear—they saw reason for him to live.

Signy’s cool fingers brushed back his hair. “I’m here. Don’t move!”

Blood dripped through his lashes, and he smeared it away, blinking.

Something was different.

Where once there had been black, there were now shades of gray—both darkness and light. Vague shapes shifted before his eyes. His heart leapt at the realization.

My vision! Am I to see again?

“Viggo!” A soft palm cupped his face.

He could not discern her features but there was no doubt it was Signy.

He struggled to regain his feet. Where was Ulva? Signy wouldn’t be safe until he’d gotten her away.

“Beware! Your mother lured me here to push me to my death.”

“I saw her.” Signy gave him her arm. “Be careful. You’re close to the edge… and this wind! It’s dangerous.”

Never had he heard such sadness in Signy’s voice. He yearned to wrap her close.

“How could you, Móeir?” Signy shot the accusation at Ulva, who, he assumed, was the other blurred shape coming into view.

“Foolish child!” Ulva reeled toward them, her arms raised.

Signy’s entreaties pounded in Viggo’s ears as she fought off more blows from her mother.

Viggo thrashed out wildly, intent on stopping Ulva, but the wind whirled stronger than ever—a maelstrom that threw him once more to the ground.

With a gasping whimper, Signy landed beside him.

Ulva, a swift-moving shadow that passed across his vision, let out a shriek, then there was silence… until Signy’s scream charged the air.