Love's Fury (Viking's Fury #1) Read Free Page A

He deepened the kiss, flicking his tongue along the roof of her mouth, teasing and taunting. She went limp in his arms.
    Then, as if something had changed her mind, she thrust her hands into his long hair. Konal took a chance, allowing his fingers to circle her breasts while he continued to possess her mouth. It didn’t take long to find pert little nipples underneath the material of her dress. She moaned. It amused him to hear something other than a curse escape her. He cupped her breasts, which fit perfectly in his palms. Hands weary from battle, but fingers itching for pleasure. He preferred a generous bosom, the more to put in his mouth…
    Whatever doubts he had before, disintegrated. He’d keep Silvia and ride her until he didn’t have anything left to give. Then he’d get rid of her before he sailed home. Breaking the kiss, he rested on one elbow while running his finger lazily up the center of her body. He suspected she was covered in soft, pearly skin, honeyed to taste.
    Konal suspected the sudden change in temperament was an act. No wildcat could be tamed by a kiss. His heart raced in his chest as he leaned forward and plundered her mouth again.

Chapter Two
    H oly Mother—save me. Fear and something else rendered her helpless when Konal kissed her. She desperately wanted to bite down on his tongue, but if she did, he’d kill her and she’d never recover the scrolls. Her only duty lie with fulfilling her oath to her father. Nothing else mattered. So she’d chosen to let the Viking do what he must.
    A kiss was the last thing she’d expected, though.
    After she regained her senses, she cringed. Violence hadn’t stopped him. Angry words only encouraged him. She must try something else to escape his touch. “I need to relieve myself,” she blurted.
    Konal ceased touching her. “Aye,” he said. “So must I.” The desperation in his voice was unmistakable.
    Did all men think this way? “I cannot provide what you need, sir.”
    “You are gravely mistaken, Silvia.”
    She rolled her eyes in annoyance. “Are you arrogant enough to think I’d willingly bed the man who axed my beloved father in the back?”
    His hand fastened on her wrist angrily. “Your father?”
    Now he played innocent? “You soulless bastard. I saw you in the scriptorium.” Tears streamed down her cheeks.
    He hauled her to her feet. His dilated pupils made his blue eyes appear black. “Accusing me of burying my weapon in a man’s back is equivalent to calling me a coward. I’ve never killed a man I wasn’t facing. Enough bloody diversions, woman. You belong to me. And if I want you, I’ll have you, willing or not.”
    She prayed her father had gone to Heaven, because she was sure she was headed for Hades now. “Cowards are tolerable creatures, they don’t deny what they are,” she said. “It’s liars I hate.”
    He edged closer, his nose nearly brushing against her forehead. “So you’ve found another way to insult me?” He raised his hand midair.
    Silvia squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for a blow that never came.
    “Look at me, girl.” He clutched her shoulders and gave her a shake.
    Her eyes snapped open. “There’s nothing for us to say to each other.”
    “Give thanks to whatever gods you pray to. If you were a man, I’d break your neck.”
    “While facing me or from behind?”
    His explosive snarl made her legs tremble. She’d never seen an expression so menacing on a man’s face before. But he wasn’t a man, only a baseborn animal with enough intelligence to speak.
    “You’ll leave this house with me. But I give you fair warning—consider how you’ll go. Upright or flung over my shoulder.”
    She felt stupid. Afraid. Weak. Whether he swung the weapon that killed her father or not, he was equally responsible for his death. Hatred swelled inside her. “ Dra til helvete .”
    “Accepted—only this time, you’ll show me the way.” In one swift move, Konal hoisted her over his shoulder.
    Her screams