Enchanted Wish

By Marie Sterbenz

Jana Kelly has just been publically dumped by her fiancé Colm Flynn and as she stomps her way down the street from Nathan’s Pub she wishes for a Viking warrior, like the one in the book she is reading at home, to come and flatten Colm. What she gets is far more than she bargained for in the form of Ragnar Tofa, a Viking from 900 AD.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marie Sterbenz
• Release date: May 10, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476115849

Marie Sterbenz

Lulu Press published my first book, “The Geis”, (a Medieval Romance set in 13th century Ireland). Geis is a Celtic word meaning that which is forbidden. It is the first in the Dair Keep series. The second book in the series “The Magic Stone” has been published by Wild Horse Press. I am currently working on the third book in the series, tentatively titled “Oisin Daughter of the Forest.” I live in West Haven, Utah with my husband. We love to travel and have visited Ireland where I began my research for the Dair Keep series. We have two sons, a daughter and two grandchildren. I am a member of the Utah Romance Writers of America. My hobbies include reading, scrap booking, sewing, jewelry making and stained glass.

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Enchanted Wish

Published by Marie Sterbenz at Smashwords

Copyright 2012 Marie Sterbenz

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Cover Title Font © Levi

Book Description

Jana Kelly has just been publically dumped by her fiancé Colm Flynn and as she stomps her way down the street from Nathan’s Pub in Dublin, she wishes for a Viking warrior, like the one in the book she is reading at home, to come and flatten Colm. What she gets is far more than she bargained for in the form of Ragnar Tofa, a Viking from 900AD

Ragnar Tofa was banished to live only in stories told by others by the Goddess Freya until such time she deemed it appropriate for him to return in human form and redeem himself. In 2010 she sends him to an Irish woman who needs his many and varied skills to make her happy.

DEDICATION

To my husband

....for keeping the faith and

giving me the time to write.

Chapter One

Ragnar Tofa stood amidst the raging battle, swinging his sword in an ever widening arc, ready to lop off the head of a Druid Priest, when he suddenly found himself standing alone in a white mist. The trees receded. He swiveled his head back and forth. The sounds of battle were nonexistent. The ground beneath his feet swelled. The sun had gone out. The clearing in which he stood was now empty and dark.

By Odin, he yelled. Am I on my way to Valhalla?

Only silence greeted him. A glowing white light came from among the trees, and drifted toward him. Out of the mist and light appeared a woman.

Her long flame colored locks floated behind her. A white diaphanous gown trimmed in gold was plastered against her body. She held a spear in one hand, the other hand pressed against her bosom.

Ragnar held his breath, his heart hammering in his chest. Surely this was Valhalla and he was dead. It could be nothing else.

I am the Goddess Freya. I am here to punish you for your deeds. You will hence forth be confined to stories told by others until such time as I deem it prudent for you to return to earthly form. At that time, you will be given one chance to redeem yourself.

What deeds have I done that require such a punishment? He stroked his beard, confident she was wrong. He always took what he wanted, giving no quarter to anyone. In his mind he could do no wrong.

You were about to hack off the head of an unarmed priest. You have seduced, pillaged and plundered more than the average Norseman. You have used and discarded women with no thought to the damage you did to their lives. You have much to learn about being a good human. She pointed her spear at him as if she were going to run him through.

Is that so? I thought you to be the goddess of sex and war not weaklings. I have done nothing others have not done before me. I am strong, a warrior among warriors, a leader of repute. He thumped his chest.

As I said, you have much to learn, and while it is true you have not done anything others have not done, you did much more of it than anyone should, and with a great deal more relish and violence.

Suppose, he said, his mind racing. I promise to change my ways. He could reason with Freya. Promise her anything; after all she was a female. Females always believed whatever he told them. No matter the situation, they granted him his every wish. He was cunning, a warrior who never lost a battle of wits, wills, or strength. I promise not to attack anymore priests.

He made no promises about using women to his advantage.

It is far too late for that. However, because I believe there might be a seed of good in you, your punishment will not be permanent but it may be long. The goddess waved her arm and Ragnar was gone.

****

Ragnar ceased to exist in earthly form for hundreds of years until the Goddess brought him before her once again. This time she appeared to him in her chariot pulled by two large grey cats.

"I have a task for you. One for which you have the talent and ability to complete as an earthly man. I am sending you to a time you do not know and to a young woman who wished for you. If she wishes you gone, then you will have failed the task and will cease to exist even in story.

You must make her fall in love with you. That will be your salvation. Teach her all the pleasures of the flesh in every form you know of. Make her happy.

Is it required that I fall in love with her also?

No, but you will have to stay with her and be faithful to her for the rest of your mortal life.

Suppose I choose not to accept this task?

Why would you not?

One woman for the rest of my life seems like a punishment to me.

Freya folded her arms and cocked her head to one side. Are you telling me you have no wish to return to earthly form, and live out the rest of your life with someone who will love you regardless of your past? She tipped her head forward. This is your only chance.

Ragnar thought about having to be faithful to only one woman. How could he do that when there were so many others with charms to explore? Women with voluptuous curves, willing bodies, beckoning eyes hungry for what he could offer them, no it was impossible.

He closed his eyes against the sight of Freya and made his decision. He would try and if he failed it would be no worse than if he chose not try at all.

I will do it and I will succeed.

A wise choice.

The mist lifted, darkness enveloped him and he had the sensation of falling. With a flash and a clap of thunder he found himself standing in a strange room wearing nothing but a loin cloth. Gone were his leather boots and leggings. Gone were his furs, sword and shield. A sense of insecurity engulfed him. With no weapons or clothing