Tamed by the Viking: A Dark Viking Romance (Bound and Betrothed Book 1) by Felicity Brandon & Anna Quinn

Author:Felicity Brandon & Anna Quinn [Brandon, Felicity & Quinn, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-01T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

The ninth day of the men’s sojourn on the island

The pale beams filtering through the window dimmed as the hours passed. At last, silver turned to a golden hue. Eldberg slept fitfully, waking several times with a start, surprised to find himself no longer on the floor but lying upon soft furs. The comfort went further than that, of course, for Hedda lay beside him—soft and warm. Her rhythmic breathing told him she had not yet stirred.

Of what was she dreaming? He couldn’t begin to guess. So much about her was a mystery, though he often felt he understood her unspoken thoughts.

He studied the small movements of her closed lids and how the changing light fell upon her cheek. His mind was made up that he would take her when he and his men were able to sail from this place. He was determined upon it, even if it meant using force—though he’d rather she came of her own will. If she was to belong to him, it was preferable for her to be willing.

And if she is not?

His pride told him that was impossible—for what man was more powerful than he? And she was a woman who needed a man, for all she might spit and hiss to the contrary.

Another corner of his mind whispered that perhaps she saw beyond his outward strength, to the scarred creature he truly was—marked not just by visible burns but those that existed beneath skin healed red and rough. He’d learned to wear those scars with as much pride as the elaborate markings upon his body for he’d endured deeper pain than most men ever knew.

He would never again let down his guard. Even a seemingly steadfast sworn-man could be tempted to betray his jarl, as Eldberg had found to his cost. Misplaced trust had cost him the one woman who’d truly loved him, and there would be no other to replace her.

Hedda turned, curling toward him and with a sigh, came awake. He waited for her to push away, to show displeasure at his proximity. Instead, she reached for him. Her palm lay where the symbols of Fenrir and Thor met fire-scorched flesh.

“Our men never bothered much with these.” She traced over the curving contours of the wolf’s head with its bared fangs, then to the more angular depiction of Mjöllnir, the hammer of the thunder god.

Eldberg was surprised at that for what man of Norse blood would wish to be without them? The symbols were more than adornments. They warded off evil, helping a man face down his fears.

“Where are they, these men of yours, who cared not for the protection of the gods upon their skin?”

Gunnar had told him there were no men here at present, but Eldberg had been led to believe they were merely journeying. It had not escaped his notice that Hedda spoke of them as in the past.

She kept her eyes fixed upon the place where her hand rested.

“I told you, they’re dead.”

Eldberg knew a lie when he heard it.

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