Valkyrie Heat (19 page)

charged months ago was at fault but she had only a son, a young

warrior-in-training. Eirik and another council member were on a

hunting exhibition. The vote was two to one, in favor of no

punishment. His mother agreed to be a captive for the day to spare

her son an assault; he couldn’t possibly face Thorvald when

Thorvald challenged the ruling. The only ones to work her and

118

Viking Warriors Book 3: Valkyrie Heat

take her were Thorvald and a few men who follow him. It caused

great unrest in Rolf.”

When Brandr asked her to trust him, Sky nodded.

* * * *

“How did you know the way to help the boy?” Eirik asked

Sky.

Sky was standing tall, with her head held high. She trusted

Brandr. “I said before hat I watched children sometimes. Children

choke, as had Leif with the rock in his throat. But Leif was

unconscious, this boy was not. Anyone can learn what I did.”

“Who taught you?” Thorvald asked.

Sky looked directly into his vile eyes. “Many people where I

come from know how to do what I did. I have been shown by

many people over time.”

“It seems strange to me that you showed up right when those

boys needed saving. How do we know this wasn’t your fault?”

Thorvald asked. “Perhaps you weren’t sent by Odin, but by Loki to

play tricks. Did you help the captive escape?”

Many in the cabin gasped.

“She was with me!” Brandr roared in outrage.

“She is deceptive. You said yourself that she hid in boys’

clothing. Perhaps she ran with those stolen coins from a master

who would punish her. Give her to me to keep an eye on for a few

days,” Thorvald said.

“You are cruel!” a woman screamed. “You only want Sky to

be a captive and under your control so you can rape her like you

did me with your false accusations.”

Sky felt sick. It was Esa. A friend. This was the woman Brandr

had said was named a captive months ago for a day, for a crime she

didn’t commit.

A commotion broke out as many in the cabin agreed with the

woman who began sobbing.

119

Viking Warriors Book 3: Valkyrie Heat

Thorvald’s face went red with rage. “Insolent woman. You

dare challenge my authority?” he bellowed.

“You should have no authority!” Esa screamed back. “If I could

lift a sword, I would battle you, as would many women. It is time

someone challenged you.”

“She is right,” came a voice from the doorway.

All turned as Rolf strode in followed by the other hunters. His

face was a mask of fury. He held his sword tightly in his hands. His

muscles flexed menacingly.

The people in the room parted to let him through until Rolf

stood before the council.

“Someone should have said something when Thorvald

demanded Esa be punished. If you recall, the only ones who felt

she needed to pay for a crime were Thorvald and his few friends.

We never should have allowed her to be harmed. Punishing a

woman by calling her captive was a law made long ago so a woman

could work off her crime—on her feet. A law made almost a

century ago because we were shown that a woman should never be

beaten. Somehow a man or men took it upon themselves to use a

woman in other ways.” Rolf’s glare settled onto Thorvald. “It is

wrong. We know it is wrong and yet the practice continues with

many turning a blind eye. Especially when the woman has no

protection. That’s why it’s done in the shadows; what you can’t

see doesn’t exist. Is this how you keep our village women safe?”

Rolf demanded.

All were shocked when he then cast a furious glare at Eirik.

“Do you challenge me?” Eirik said calmly.

“I will challenge any who would touch Sky.”

“As would I,” Brandr declared.

Both men had their swords drawn before the council.

“Rolf is right…to a degree!” shouted Unr. “Our women are

not slaves and should be left alone when considered a captive. They

are to work and only work, nothing more. The law has been

120

Viking Warriors Book 3: Valkyrie Heat

twisted to accommodate lusty men. It’s wrong. But a slave is a

slave, free for use. We have all grown up with things this way.”

Sky could see a few nod and few shake their heads. Much

more shouting was heard. Soon the cabin was echoing with heated

conversation. Sky knew it would take time. After all, how long did

it take for the Civil War to occur?

“Sky is a witch and has turned us against one another! Look at

how we argue amongst ourselves!” Thorvald shouted. “She should

be made a captive for the rest of her life so we can keep an eye on

her. Again I demand she be handed over to me before any more

damage occurs.”

“How can saving two lives be damage?” Brandr bellowed in

outrage. “What is it you seek, Thorvald? You have an ulterior

motive, I can see it. You reek of deception. You want Sky and you

can’t have her; she is mine and Rolf’s alone.”

Rolf pointed his sword at Thorvald. “I challenge you.”

Dead silence met his declaration.

“The council needs to vote,” Thorvald stammered.

“There will be no vote,” Eirik said, his eyes narrowed onto the

man in open disgust. “Thorvald, you go too far. Do you have a

need to possess a Valkyrie? For what purpose? I believe Brandr

could be right.”

“She has bewitched you!” Thorvald bellowed.

“Accept my challenge or step down,” Rolf demanded.

“I will do neither,” Thorvald said calmly, though a blue vein in

his neck was standing out. “If there is no vote, there can be no

challenge.”

“And you will make certain there will be another accusation

against Sky,” Rolf snarled. “Whose woman will be next? Since the

captive has escaped, you will need someone to toy with.” Rolf

looked at Eirik. “Will it be your wife he accuses of an injustice if

you become incapacitated? Though she cannot be a captive for a

crime until the babe comes, what of after? Will someone’s

121

Viking Warriors Book 3: Valkyrie Heat

daughter be chosen? A petty thief when no explanation can be

found can be blamed on a defenseless girl who loses her father and

only protection.”

Many a man with a daughter moved to stand protectively

close to their girls. Many more swords were drawn. Many backed

up Rolf. Many shouted their support.

“This ends now,” Rolf snarled.

Sky’s heart was pounding. She had known one day Rolf would

stay silent no longer. He was a man of great character. Perhaps all

he needed to take a stand was someone to stand up for. It appeared

the dam had burst within him. Sky filled with pride.

“Accept his challenge, coward!” Brandr yelled. “We cannot

have a coward on council.”

Many more were voicing the word coward as time elapsed.

Eirik turned to Thorvald. “You have been challenged by Rolf

the Hammer. You will not stain the reputation of this council by

refusing,” he snapped.

Sky’s eyes widened in stunned surprise. Rolf Hammer?
Oh my

God
.
This
is
my Rolf!
This has always been my Rolf. Does that mean
Brandr is my Brody?
Had they found each other after centuries to be

reunited back in time?

“When I win your challenge, the woman will be mine,”

Thorvald snarled.

“If you then battle again and win her from me,” Brandr said.

His look was as intense as Rolf’s.

“It is not a fair fight,” Thorvald raged. “I am older and there is

only one of me.”

“Choose a second,” Rolf demanded.

Thorvald cast his gaze about the room. “Who will stand with

me?” he yelled.

No one answered. Even the few men who followed Thorvald

looked to the ground, refusing to meet his eye.

122

Viking Warriors Book 3: Valkyrie Heat

Sky didn’t blame them. She had seen Rolf and Brandr in

action. Both were vicious on the battlefield. She did not envy

Thorvald. Rolf would cut him to pieces. It soon became apparent

Thorvald thought the same.

“You will all be sorry!” Thorvald screeched. “The woman has

done this!”

“Leave or accept my challenge,” Rolf said quietly through

clenched teeth.

Thorvald rose from his chair. He balled his fists, but his sword

remained sheathed. He glared evilly at Sky and she hid behind

Brandr. Brandr’s arm moved back to pull her snuggly against him.

Again a path cleared, but it was to let Thorvald pass. The

humiliated man walked with a stilted gait. He left the cabin.

“Rolf, take your place at council,” Eirik said.

Rolf sheathed his sword. He moved to sit in Thorvald’s

vacated seat. He looked at the people who gathered around.

“My first act of council is to offer protection to Esa and any

other woman who loses their protector,” Rolf began. “I will speak

for you. If punishment is in fact warranted, I will make certain that

woman has protection. Work and only work as the law was

deemed before is what will occur. Eirik is one man; it is time

council steps up and aids him as they are supposed to instead of

doing nothing.”

Many nodded in approval.

His eyes softened as he looked at the shaking woman. “I’m

sorry, Esa. I should have said something then. Never again will I

turn a blind eye at an injustice.”

Tears rolled down the woman’s face and she was comforted

by her son.

“My second act is for the council and all the village people.”

Rolf stood and spread his arms wide. “If Sky is evil and I have done

wrong, may Odin strike me dead.”

123

Viking Warriors Book 3: Valkyrie Heat

Eyes rose in surprise. People gaped. No one moved and each

person held their breath in anticipation.

Rolf stood for long moments. Nothing happened.

“Sit, Rolf. You have made your point,” Eirik said. “We will all

agree Sky is supposed to be here.”

Everyone, including Sky, breathed a sigh of relief.

124

Viking Warriors Book 3: Valkyrie Heat

Chapter 6

“Why are you back so soon?” Brandr asked Rolf when they

entered the hut.

A melody of crickets played in the surrounding area. The

heavy wooden door closed to the sight of a million stars overhead.

Many were staying at the cabin until the threat of the captive

woman had passed. Rolf wanted Sky and Brandr alone. Brandr had

agreed with him that they were more than capable of taking care of

Sky together.

“I was worried about Sky. I thought perhaps one night would

be best. The next time I go it will be two nights,” Rolf replied.

Rolf went to Sky and looked her over. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” she replied. “Brandr took good care of me.”

“I’m sorry about Thorvald. Something told me to watch out

for him. The way he looks at you is so odd,” Rolf said. “And I

noticed he seemed more interested in you than any of the other

women. Not that I blame him. It was just a different kind of odd

fascination.”

“Brandr said he wouldn’t let him touch me. I believed him,”

she said.

Her light silky hair had grown a wee bit longer and dropped

across her forehead, giving her an impish look. Her big brown eyes

centered on him in a way that made his heart melt. In truth, one of

the reasons he had come back early was because he just couldn’t

stand to be apart from her. He had also worried she might have

125

Viking Warriors Book 3: Valkyrie Heat

been a bit frightened of Brandr and she might need him. He should

have trusted Brandr a bit more.

Rolf grinned. “Did Brandr touch you?”

Sky flamed red and Rolf knew Brandr had indeed done more

than touch her. He lifted her chin to gaze into her beautiful eyes.

His thumb stroked her sun-kissed cheek. She was so irresistible.

“I let him…” she stammered.

“And now you are not afraid?” Rolf asked.

“No,” she said.

He knew she was serious, but her chin quivered ever so

slightly. Rolf felt his heart fill with relief; she was still getting used

to the idea, but it would take a bit more coaxing.

He took Sky to the furs and removed her clothes. Brandr soon

joined them. Rolf stripped and could feel his hard cock throb to be

inside her. He had missed her, worried about her. He pushed her

back onto the furs. His hand searched lower and a finger slipped

into her moist heat. She was already wet; the thought made him

deliriously happy. Sky had told him once she always wanted him

when he wanted her. She had claimed just one look into his eyes

made her feel like a puddle of desire. Here was his proof. By the

Gods, he loved her. He thrust himself deeply within her. Sky cried

out, as Rolf continued his heated eager thrusts. Her hips met his.

He wanted to make certain Sky was no longer afraid. He had to see

it for himself. It was important to him. He pulled her up and

demanded Brandr tie her hands.

Sky whimpered when Brandr complied.

“Easy,” Rolf soothed. “I want to see the acceptance in your