Wild Viking Princess by Anna Markland

Author:Anna Markland [Markland, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, historical, Historical Romance, Vikings, Love Story, Medieval Romance, cookie429, Extratorrents, Kat
Amazon: B0098LSLLC
Goodreads: 16060328
Publisher: BleuBelle Press
Published: 2011-12-31T14:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Fear gnawed at Gorm as he paced his chamber. Where was Reider? He had been confident that the raiding party he sent to Husembro would locate and kill his rival. Wherever his hated step-brother was, Gorm did not doubt he plotted revenge and must be disposed of before he convinced Dagfinn Alfredsen to join the conflict.

Thanks to Kjartan Eldarsen, Strand’s legitimate heir had escaped. Gorm’s inept henchmen had been incapable of carrying out an assassination. He had taken care of Torfinn, but his men had let Reider slip through their fingers. Margit had harangued him incessantly about it. The woman had such a bloodlust. It sickened him. He dared not fall asleep in her presence. How could he have believed her avowals of undying love? She had used him.

Loud shouts interrupted his thoughts. He threw open the door and strode into the hallway. Sounds of conflict reached his ears from the Great Hall, yet there had been no alarm sounded from the docks. He gripped the hilt of his dagger and commanded his guards to accompany him.

When he reached the Hall, his question was finally answered. Reider, armed with a stridsøkse, fought with Roar Knutsen. The older man was flagging under the onslaught of Reider’s axe. Gorm thought to turn and run. But to where? If Reider had not attacked by sea, he had come overland—no chance of escape there. Gorm had not foreseen the necessity of protecting his flank.

Dagfinn had indeed come to the aid of his old ally, bringing a large force with him. Gorm espied Kjartan Eldarsen retrieving a dagger from the body at his feet. Frustration choked him. Here was the source of many of his problems. He drew his own blade and rushed towards the man who had foiled his plans. Kjartan turned to face him and smirked, infuriating Gorm.

Suddenly, Reider was beside Kjartan. “He is mine, old friend.”

Gorm swiveled his head. Roar’s bloodied body lay slumped against the wall. Reider was a formidable force with an axe, but Gorm would hold the advantage if he rattled his step-brother’s temper, set him on edge. He returned his glare to Reider. “So, brother, it comes down to you and me.”

To his dismay, Reider remained calm. “You are no brother of mine, Gorm. Do you intend to fight me alone, or will you need your guards to help you?”

Irritated, Gorm waved off his henchmen who were soon fending off other attackers. Reider and Gorm circled warily, assessing each other’s weaknesses. Gorm wished he had thought to grab his axe.

~~~

Margit heard the commotion in the Great Hall. Reider had come and would seek to kill her. Dread filled her heart, but the conflict drew her like a moth to the flame. She crept into the Hall and pressed close to the rough wooden wall. Keeping to the shadows, she grasped the stolen dagger firmly behind her back. If she had to die on this godforsaken island, she would not die alone.

Reider’s invading force had overwhelmed Gorm’s men.

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