The Lure of Water and Wood

Nikolaos was not human. He was Näcken, tethered to the river and cursed by an uncontrollable passion that drowned those who came near. Guised as a young man but older than anyone knew, he hid his torment over who he was. Näcken. Most knew him by that name. They heard his bewitching violin calling them from the waterways. It was too late then; there was nothing either he or they could do.

Rå was ancient. She had walked among the worshippers of Odin, Thor, and Freya. Caring for the trees and t...