Prologue
RUNA—15 YEARS EARLIER
NEW ENGLAND, USA
As the fire crackles and dances in the fireplace, I hop into my bed and await the telling of my absolute favorite bedtime story. Grandma Naynay tells the best stories ever, but the one about the Viking Queen is the best.
“Tell me more about the kings and their queen, Grandma!” I bounce excitedly in my bed, grabbing her attention.
With a small laugh and warm smile, Grandma walks over and sits on the edge of my bed. She smells like cookies and sugar—two of my favorite foods. The front of her glasses catches the reflection of the flames, making her look almost scary, but I know it’s still her.
Staying at Grandma’s is my all-time favorite thing to do. She tells me all kinds of stories from her motherland, and I get to sleep in this room. It’s full of books and artifacts from the Viking Era. I told Grandma I was going to study this stuff when I get older. She always chuckled but I’m telling the truth. <...
