East

I hurt too much to take a chance on anyone ever again. A familiar sense hit me, one I hadn't yet experienced traveling back in time.

Scooting over, I leaned over the side of the boat and threw up. I wasn't able to see if it was black like my vomit was when I went forward in time. I had the headache of traveling to the past but had yet to throw up. My stomach was empty, and I dry heaved for a few minutes.

Jorgensen grunted as he sat on the bench nearest me. "Olaf, take us back to the village. Our wayward swimmer needs warmth." His gaze fell to me.

I pushed myself up from the edge of the boat.

"Do you have your own hearth or are you in need of one?" he asked.

"In need of one."

"You are recently widowed then." He was studying me. "I know a man who will want to speak to you."

Oh, god. Here we go. I sighed and turned my gaze to the sky. Bring it, Carter and the universe. I had no choice but to find a way to deal with whatever mess I'd been dropped into.

I missed Batu already. Fighting back tears, I did what he had taught me and practiced grounding my senses in the present. Lanterns glowed in the windows of wooden homes with thatched roofs lining the bay of a small port. The sea air smelled of fish and salt, and the gentle rocking of waves bumping the boat helped ease some of my fear. Carter swore he'd put me somewhere safe. I didn't quite know for certain where I was or how I was going to be safe around Vikings known for pillaging and burning down whole villages, but I had learned a few things about surviving over the past two adventures.

I was going to make it through this, if not with Carter's help, then because if I had learned anything, it was that I was strong enough to do it. Although … I'd trade everything I'd done and everything I was to return to the steppes and spend my life with Batu.

Whenever you are, I love you, Batu. Raw and hurting once more, I willed the words into the universe and hoped they'd find him.

The men rowed to a dock, and I prepared myself mentally for my next challenge as much as I could. No matter what, I had to survive. I had to discover what Carter's end game was.

It was all that mattered now that he had taken everyone else from me.

That and finding a way to beat him at this twisted game.