Valkyrie Heat (13 page)

above her head with one hand, pressing her hands into the fur. The

other alternated squeezing from one breast to the other. Her legs

were lifted onto Rolf’s shoulders.

Sky cried out Rolf’s name as he moved faster and harder. He

was so big and she felt so small under both men. It was scary and

thrilling and she tried hard to meet each thrust. Rolf roared when

he came. Brandr took his place. Rolf held her wrists and Brandr

pumped furiously within her wasting no time. She had known he

was ready. Sky gasped as his hips collided with hers, making huge

thumping noises. She whimpered and groaned; he was always so

demanding and rough. It seemed each time he had her, he took her

harder than the last, but she was growing accustomed to it. She

cried out when his hips slammed then ground against hers, both

men holding her in place. She came when Brandr did. She gasped

and her body shuddered. Brandr’s look was intense and he seemed

pleased he had given her release. She knew she was pleased. Brandr

collapsed onto his side. She snuggled into the furs between both

men, warmed by their heat. It had been a long day.

* * * *

Rolf watched as Sky joined the women in the cabin to work

with them a few days later. Though she was still mostly uncertain

of their language, she had made a few friends. She was sweet and

caring and tried hard to do what the other women did. It was hard

to resist her appeal and innocence. Already, she had charmed

many. Her impish looks were charming and unthreatening. The

village children adored her as most often she tried inventing new

games for them to play.

Haunches of meat cooked slowly over many hearths. The last

of the winter supplies were bubbling in pots. Room was being

made with the spring bounty that would soon be upon them. A

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huge feast was prepared for the evening. The hunters had been

lucky on their hunt and had many elk to show for their hard work.

As always, spring fever was in the air and many young men were

feeling full of themselves.

Rolf watched as Sky occasionally glanced toward the dark

secluded area where the captive was being used by the eager young

men. The situation didn’t sit well with Rolf, even though he had

grown up surrounded by slaves. In the back of his mind, a thought

nagged—had nagged for a long time. What was done was done

under the cover of darkness, hidden yet not. He knew the scene

frightened Sky. She had even tried to plead the woman’s case.

Rolf had listened to her patiently. He could tell how

passionate she felt when she tried so hard to be understood; she

was smart and was picking up on their language quickly. He even

agreed with her. But Rolf wasn’t on the council; he wasn’t in

charge of the woman’s fate. She belonged to a man, a cruel man in

his opinion, who wasn’t interested in offering her any protection.

The men could be forbidden to touch her, but everyone knew

some would corner her eventually. How was he to explain to Sky

that the woman was safer in view rather than being dragged into a

forest away from any who would stop an even harsher physical

assault? This way she was doubly watched and kept from harming

others, and in turn, others wanting revenge were stopped from

breaking her bones. There was much hatred toward the woman.

Rolf felt she never should have been brought here. Their women

were never allowed to be beaten. It was unfortunate there was so

much animosity toward the captive that a few would be willing to

make an exception to their law and risk Odin’s wrath.

Sky didn’t understand that the woman was a cold-hearted

killer. Relatives from their neighboring villages had been killed,

maimed or stolen by her people. The men in the village wouldn’t

kill her for her crimes. But it was their way to keep her as a slave.

When she wasn’t needed for work, she was tied. Everyone was

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safer when she was retrained. What the men did while she was

restrained was up to them. No one saw fit to offer the woman

protection. He didn’t know how to explain to Sky that no man

would take the woman into his home—she would kill if given a

chance; she wasn’t given that chance.

Brandr joined him. He also looked at the captive. “I see Sky

look every once in a while. She looks horrified and I can see she

wants desperately to interfere. Valkyries are protective of women.

I know what those men are doing the woman doesn’t want, but

some men like rough sex. So do some women, when they’re

willing,” Brandr said.

“Sky thinks the captive should be shown mercy, not abused. If

you are rough with the woman, Sky might be angry with you.”

“I wasn’t planning on having the captive,” Brandr said and

sighed.

“We will introduce Sky slowly to be more open toward more,

uh, vigorous sex with you. Have patience, my friend.”

Rolf broached a subject he had been dreading.

“Have you taken the captive?”

Brandr scowled. “I don’t want her. Since I found Sky, I

haven’t wanted anyone else. You’re right about Sky’s feelings

toward the woman. You’re not the only one she’s cornered and

pled with. Sky has no idea how hated the woman is. Seeing what is

happening from a fresh pair of eyes, I can see it must make her

think we’re all cruel. I don’t want her to be afraid to stay here. She

has such odd ideas about slaves.

“We have grown up surrounded by slaves or captives. She

insists her people have no slaves and some word she called ‘jail’ for

captives is to me horrifying. If I understood her correctly, people

are caged in small metal containers with bars for years, men and

women. At least the captive can wander outside in the fresh air. At

any time, she can ask to feel the sunshine on her face. She

accompanies us to the ocean. She can bathe in the stream. When I

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asked Sky if these caged prisoners were abused, she remained

stubbornly silent. Her ideas confuse me as much as she says mine

confuse her.”

Rolf shook his head. Brandr and he had taken many women

together. To Rolf’s knowledge, any woman he had ever touched

had been willing. Brandr wasn’t cruel, just more controlling. Rolf

had no idea why his friend had such an insatiable appetite for rough

sex. Perhaps it was just the control he sought. He had been told

many times he was just like his great-grandfather, Ulfr. Many

stories Rolf’s mother had told him involved Ulfr and a warrior

woman who could battle like a man. Although lately, the story was

disputed when recalled and told by other men. The story had

become distorted over the years and some were uncertain as to

who was the wolf. Not many men wanted to believe a woman had

saved a warrior. Rolf knew that soon in time it would be said the

warrior tamed a she-wolf. Brandr was related to Biorn. It was

rumored both men had Valkyries for great-grandmothers.

“Sky will get used to what you want in time, but you are not

to push. No frightening her,” Rolf warned.

Brandr rolled his eyes and Rolf laughed.

“I don’t ever want to make her cry again,” Brandr said

seriously.

“I know, my friend,” Rolf said sympathetically. “She doesn’t

fear you. She is strong. Even though you bruised her and made her

cry, she still comes to you. You make her feel safe in this

frightening new time and place. Give her time to trust you, love

you. She will.”

Brandr smiled, then leaped to his feet when a young man

squeezed Sky’s behind and she yelped in pain. The bowl she had

been holding clattered to the ground.

Rolf shook his head when Brandr smashed the young man into

a wall.

A few of the women screamed. Sky stood wide-eyed.

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“She is bruised, you idiot!” Brandr howled.

“I’m sorry, Brandr,” the young man who wasn’t really more

than a boy, howled in fear.

Rolf chuckled. Most warriors were lenient with the lusty new

younger warriors like Dagr, who tested their limits and strutted

about like proud cocks, trying to look powerful for the women.

Normally Brandr would be lenient, too, but not with his own

woman. Brandr dragged Dagr to Sky. Her face flamed red when

Brandr pulled her leather wrap aside at her hips and showed the

man her bottom. Dagr looked horrified when he saw her bruising.

He stammered an apology.

“Who would be so cruel to such a tiny woman?” Dagr uttered

with true concern.

Now it was Brandr who flamed red. “Just leave her be,” he

demanded.

Dagr nodded and was soon surrounded with other young men

who began whispering.

Brandr crushed Sky to his chest and stroked her behind. Sky

wiggled free and scowled at him.

Rolf heard her snap a few words. She was obviously

embarrassed for being exposed in public. Many more were looking

at her and pointing in sympathy. Rolf felt it was for the best. There

would be no further punishment for her wearing a warrior’s

clothing.

Rolf rose to his feet, preparing to take Sky home for awhile to

let her calm down when he was approached by Eirik, their chief.

The man looked grim. Rolf frowned wondering what was wrong.

It was apparent when Eirik went to Sky and pulled her wrap aside

to assess her bruising.

“Who did this?” he demanded.

“I did,” Brandr said.

Many gasped in surprise including the young man who had

accosted her.

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“Why was she beaten?” Eirik asked.

“She was wearing a training warrior’s clothing when we found

her; we thought her to be a boy. We settled the matter,” Lud said,

coming forward.

“We do not beat women here,” Eirik said angrily. “We will

not anger Odin. Have you learned nothing from the legends? What

was used on her?”

“She wasn’t beaten, Eirik. Brandr used only his hand to simply

spank her,” Lud said.

Rolf took note the man seemed extremely offended.

Eirik looked skeptical.

Rolf admitted he had been as well when he had first seen Sky’s

black-and-blue bruising. But after only a small bump on her hip to

their table earlier that morning, the resulting discoloration had

strengthened Brandr’s tale. Brandr had never lied to Rolf

regardless, but it was short of amazing to see a woman bruise so

easily.

Eirik crossed his arms over his chest. “Perhaps you had best

explain what happened.”

“I didn’t know the full story of how she came to be wearing

the clothes,” Brandr began. “I couldn’t understand her words. But I

saw her fear mounting, especially when her clothing was removed.

Whatever we decided needed to be done fast before she expired in

terror. She couldn’t have been worked as a captive female for

punishment until we got here.

“She was already so bruised from work, I just couldn’t have

her hauling more rocks or wood like a man or boy. She absolutely

couldn’t be lashed; it would have damaged her too badly and we

don’t lash women. You know how a captive is sometimes

punished. But I claimed her; she is not a captive, none may touch

her vaginally. She had never had her behind taken. Cull was

demanding we punish her swiftly before Odin became angry at

what might have transpired,” Brandr argued.

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Rolf could hear the fury and frustration mounting in his voice.

“I told Cull I’ll kill anyone who touches her. Cull would have

caused more damage than a spanking. Lud was in agreement with

me and he sits on the council. I hadn’t thought I hit her so hard, or

a simple spanking would cause such damage until I saw her welts

and discoloration the next morning. Eirik, you know I have never

beaten a woman. I never intended to do this to her. It’s shameful, I

admit that.”

“You should have brought her to me. The council would not

have let Cull harm her, as Lud proved. Lud, I’m surprised with

you. I have heard a rumor that she is a Valkyrie. It has been a

hundred years since we have seen one. If a punishment was

warranted, I would have taken care with my decision. She is very

small. I am not without compassion,” Eirik argued. The huge dark-

haired man was obviously angry. His eyes were narrowed onto

Brandr in disapproval. Lud shifted uncomfortably.

“I’m sorry, Eirik,” Brandr stammered. “She was so terrified of

being taken that way, I thought a spanking more merciful.”

Eirik pointed to her bruising. “Does this look merciful to

you!” he roared. Eirik was then studying her arms; his anger

seemed to be rising higher with his inspection.

Rolf placed his hand on Sky’s shoulder; she was gazing up at

Eirik in terror.

“Eirik,” Rolf said quietly. “You are frightening her. She

doesn’t understand your words. She thinks your anger is directed