Viking Warrior Read Free

do.”
    For the first time in his life, Wulf wished he were the older brother instead of the younger.
    Thora looked at Reyna. “What skills do you have? Can you cook? Do you weave? Are you skilled at brewing ale or mead?”
    Reyna squared her shoulders. “I cannot cook. Nor can I weave or brew ale or mead. I am a skilled healer and knowledgeable in herbal medicines.”
    “At least that’s a skill we can use,” Thora said, nodding. “But you must deal with Wulf yourself—I cannot help you.”
    Reyna spared Wulf a withering glance. “I do not wish to belong to you, Wulf the Ruthless. Think you I don’t remember the pain and degradation I suffered at your hands? Sagas of your nefarious exploits are sung far andwide. You are a berserker. Your sword drinks innocent blood.”
    Thora threw up her hands. “She is a bold one, Wulf. Punish her, put her to work or sell her. The decision is yours to make. But before you take her to your hall, I will provide her with a garment more fitting to her station. The silk tunic she wears is too good for a thrall.”
    Turning, Thora strode away. Reyna folded her arms across her breasts. Her former master had provided her with the white tunic and silver girdle to display her assets while on the auction block. She loved the sensual feel of the silk against her tender skin despite the way it revealed her womanly curves.
    “What is my fate to be, Wulf the Ruthless?” Reyna asked, chin jutting in defiance. “Will you ravish me again, sell me or punish me?”
    Wulf surprised her by looking directly into her eyes. Their gazes locked, held. What Reyna saw in his eyes stunned her. She had expected an icy flash of hatred, or even lust; not the tiny flame of heat emanating from their frozen depths. Wulf was the first to look away.
    “This should do,” Thora said, her voice shattering the sexual tension building between them. She thrust a rough woolen garment at Reyna.
    The garment felt coarse and unevenly woven. Reyna knew its rough surface would abrade her fair skin and hoped she could keep her silken tunic to wear beneath it.
    Thora dismissed Wulf with a wave of her hand. “I have no more time for your problems, Wulf. I will see you to night at the evening meal.”
    Thora turned her back on Wulf’s pleading look. She had left him no choice but to install Reyna in his hall. “Come with me,” he said gruffly.
    “If you touch me, I will kill you.”
    “Go ahead if you think you can.”
    Turning on his heel, Wulf walked away. He walked so fast Reyna had trouble keeping up with him. He led her through the compound to a smaller version of Hagar’s long house and stormed inside. Reyna followed. Her first glance revealed a modest hall richly decorated. Two thralls, a man and a young woman, looked up from their chores as Reyna trailed behind Wulf.
    Wulf summoned the thralls and they came to him immediately.
    “Uma and Lorne are Normans,” Wulf explained. “Though their native tongue is English, they speak and understand our language well enough. Uma will show you where to change your tunic and assign chores to you.”
    Reyna shuddered. “Have you decided to keep me, then?”
    “I have decided nothing.” His gaze swept over her, settling on her breasts. “Perhaps,” he mused, “I will make you my bed slave. You seem useless for anything else.”
    Reyna drew herself up to her full impressive height. “Hear me, Wulf the Ruthless. Touch me in that way again and you will find a dagger in your heart when you least expect it. I do not make idle threats. My former owner was smart enough to believe me; for your sake I hope you are too.”
    Wulf threw back his head and laughed. “Are you, a mere female, threatening me, a Viking warrior? I am called Wulf the Ruthless with good reason.”
    “I know that better than anyone.” She drew back her hand as if to strike him. He caught her fist and pulled her against him. The allure of her femininity and her soft body made his cock harden. He released