The Stolen Valkyrie: Broken Bonds (Part One) (Fantasy Erotic Romance Novelette) Read Free

overjoyed at the prospect and nervous over how it may affect her friendship with Asta, Tani’s mind raced to settle on a choice. Having never mated, she was clueless but had been privy to Asta’s awe over Johan’s size.
     
    Knowing that every female wanted to be THE chosen one , Tani glanced at Asta repeatedly and yearned for some advice. Unfortunately, in this matter, gaining advice from a bonded partner was forbidden. A few times, she locked eye contact with Asta who immediately lowered her gaze.
     
    This did nothing for Tani’s confidence. She knew the Chief Mistress well enough. Johan’s unexpected offer to a close friend had pained her more than Tani could ever know. Throughout the celebrations, Asta kept a discreet eye on Tani while Johan watched Asta monitor every move her young friend made.
     
    When Asta’s gaze crept toward him, Johan occupied himself with other business. Although he loved Asta deeply and really held no desire for others, he refused to let her recent defiance go unchecked. By the end of the ceremony, Tani had chosen a newly bonded female named Ziki.
     
    The remaining clanswomen drew them both aside, pampering them while hoping the handsome Grand Master would pick them next. This awareness traveled through the clan. The clansmen retired alone to their respective abodes, optimistic that Johan’s sexual appetite would linger and grace their own mates.
     
    Deep murmurs over who would be next created an excited undertone. The women fawned over Tani and Ziki, treating them like royalty. When the fire burned hot and the antelope was cooked, they settled around the pair of chosen women and fed them. In her royal moment, Tani glanced at the woman feeding Asta and her nervousness increased.
     
    Since no other woman had shared Johan and she was forbidden to ask the Grand Mistress, Tani leaned toward Ziki and breathed, “Will it hurt?”
     
    The woman nodded but, seeing the fear flood Tani’s face, quickly added, “Only for a minute. I hear that our chief is built like a bull.”
     
    For a moment, Tani thought she would be ill. Another older woman slapped Ziki’s arm and said, “Do not scare her.” She soothed Tani’s hair, urging her to eat and said, “Ye are not yet bonded. Chief Johan will not ask that of ye. He will ask for ye to lavish him.”
     
    Both of the women’s eyes widened. Neither had a clue what that meant. Blinking in confusion, Ziki started to ask but her bond mate growled nearby, “Taste of him, my mate, taste him well. A phoenix descendant’s seed is precious brew indeed.”
     
    Tani swallowed the lump in her throat at the lust on the warrior’s face. He grinned, “Afterward, I will surely plant a babe in ye.”
     
    Blushing furiously, Tani’s eyes rose to find Nikoli studying her with similar lust on his face. She squirmed and jerked her eyes back to the fire. A shiver ran down her spine. The women attending them giggled and said, “We must bathe ye but not before the marking. Watch how the new warriors gleam in the firelight. They cannot wait to bear the Jihn mark.”
     
    They spoke the truth. The two warriors had a glow about them, beaming over their kill and chance to wear such a sacred symbol. Tani could not tear her eyes off them. Fantasies of Nikoli in the future and how handsome he would be with the same glow sent goose bumps over her flesh. Her attention was ripped back to the present when Johan stood.
     
    He beckoned the new warrior’s chosen mates to his side without looking at them. The women knelt and rubbed the colorful ochre over both of Johan’s feet. Raising his fist in the sky, he said in a booming voice, “I, Grand Chief Johan of Clan Zajihn, pronounce ye warriors. Wear my Jihn mark proudly for the night and may the Gods and Goddesses bless many kills upon ye.”
     
    All the warriors cheered, standing in unison. The women rose on their knees, heads bowed with respect. The two new warriors stepped forward. Johan signaled for their