The Viking's Chosen by Quinn Loftis

Author:Quinn Loftis [Loftis, Quinn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Clean Teen Publishing, Inc.
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“We are born into this world to parents who are full of hope. They want to see us succeed at anything and everything. They want us safe, healthy, and happy. But no matter how strongly they may want a thing, desire is not enough to make it so. Each of us must decide for ourselves what we want in this life. We have to choose to pursue our happiness, not just hope that what our mothers and fathers want for us will suddenly happen.”

* * *

~Torben.

Torben—my personal guardsman—who I now knew was so much more than that, was brushing my hair while I wore nothing but a sheet. It sounded terrible when I thought about it. And it would certainly look terrible to an outsider. But the gesture was completely innocent on both of our parts. Regardless, I would never be able to admit that it had happened to anyone. I was sure my mother would faint where she stood if she happened upon us, and my sister Dayna would start singing a halleluiah chorus.

I myself was about to curl up in a ball and purr like a well-loved kitten. After having had Cathal’s repugnant hands and mouth on me, Torben’s hands were like a cleansing rain, washing away the filth of the memories that were attempting to overwhelm me. I had been sinking into the pit of my mind, sure that nothing would ever be the same again. Then he had come. Torben had come and rescued me, pulling me from the mire of my thoughts.

“What are you thinking about?” Torben asked as he stood and retrieved the pitcher he’d left heating in the fires’ embers. He poured the steaming water into a small wash basin and picked up a hand towel that was resting on the table beside my bed.

“I am thinking about how my mother would wilt like a dying flower, and my youngest sister would be planning the arrival of our first child if either were to walk into my chambers and see us in such a state,” I admitted.

He paused after wringing the water from the towel. “Yes, I imagine this would look rather damning, considering that under that flimsy fabric, you are as naked as the day you were born.”

The left-over tears that had been in my eyes were completely dry now. All it took to stop my sobbing, apparently, was a handsome warrior pointing out how unclothed I was beneath a sheet.

Torben sat down in front of me this time and reached up with the warm cloth. He pressed it to my face, and my eyes closed of their own accord as he began to wipe away the evidence of my break from reality. His touch was surprisingly gentle for such a large man. His hands were probably more familiar with handling a sword than a woman’s skin. But his movements were slow and confident. His face held a level of concentration that I knew from experience was not needed to accomplish such a simple task as wiping a face clean.

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