Viking Warrior (7 page)

“I do not fear you, Wulf the Ruthless. I may have at one time but no longer. That does not mean, however, that I wish to become your bed slave.”

“Let me touch you, Reyna. I promise to do naught you do not wish me to do.”

He was determined in this, Reyna realized, but in her heart she feared the pain and the degradation of being forced to a man’s will. Yet some small part of her wondered what a sexual experience would feel like if she were a willing participant.

“What are you thinking, Reyna?”

She stared at his mouth, recalling the pleasure his lips were capable of giving. She had suffered so much pain, why shouldn’t she allow herself a brief taste of pleasure?

“Kiss me, Wulf.”

He inhaled sharply. “I might not be able to stop with just a kiss. Are you willing to accept my loving if I promise not to hurt you?”

Before Reyna could think about what she had agreed to, she nodded her head.

“Thank Odin,” Wulf breathed. “It would have killed me to walk away from you. You won’t be sorry, Reyna, I promise.”

Reyna couldn’t deny she wanted Wulf, wanted to know what it felt like to be made love to instead of being ruthlessly ravished. Dragging in a deep breath, she waited for the pleasure to begin.

Wulf seized her mouth, claiming her with a passion that made her flinch, but then his mouth softened,
coaxing her lips open and thrusting his tongue between her teeth. The kiss went on and on, softening at times then turning wildly savage as he took her deeply with his tongue.

She felt his hands working on the ties of her tunic, easing it down her shoulders along with her undertunic. His mouth never left hers as he lifted her and skillfully swept away her clothing, tossing it on the floor. Her heavy woolen stockings and shoes followed. Before the rush of air could cool her body, he covered her with his own.

“Wulf…” She trembled as he took a nipple into his mouth and suckled her. A wave of pleasure hit her. She arched upward, pushing more of her breast into his mouth.

What she did next shocked her. She tugged at his leather jerkin, wanting, needing to feel his naked body against hers. One swift movement brought Wulf to his feet. He undressed swiftly, his clothing flying hither and yon. Then he stood naked before her, his body a flagrant statement of his masculinity. Reyna’s avid gaze swept over him, gasping when she saw his swollen sex bursting from the thick blond forest between his thighs.

She gulped audibly. He would kill her if he tried to put
that
inside her. “Wulf, I do not think…You are so big…I am not sure.”

Wulf dropped down beside her. “Don’t think, Reyna. Our bodies are made to fit together.”

Then he kissed her. Despite her frayed nerves, Reyna returned his kiss, and soon she was drowning in a sea of bliss. Her fears floated away as if they had never existed as Wulf’s mouth found her breasts, his white teeth tugging on the succulent tips. A small cry of protest erupted from her throat when his mouth left her nipples and nibbled a path down to her abdomen. When his big
hand sifted through the soft curls above her sex, a lance of liquid heat pierced through her.

He palmed her mound, separating the damp petals of her sex and stroking her with his fingers. Raw, incomprehensible need flamed through her, and a yearning so intense she cried out his name. She began to tremble. This desperate woman she had become could not be her. The sex act was abhorrent to her. Then she gazed into Wulf’s expressive silver eyes and knew she had nothing to fear from him.

She yelped in surprise when his mouth clamped on that tender place where his hands had worked their magic just moments before. “Wulf, what are you doing?”

Wulf lifted his head and grinned at her. “You will like this, I promise.”

She didn’t believe him. When his mouth returned to his succulent feast, she tried to push him away, but he was an immovable force, determined to have his way.

Then his tongue came into play, stroking her tender folds and dipping inside her melting center. Reyna felt something loosen inside her, felt fire lick over her body, and making him stop was the last thing she wanted.

She wanted…She wanted…Sweet Freya, she wanted something that had no name. “Wulf?” she cried out. “What is happening to me?”

He raised his head. “Let it come, Reyna. Don’t hold back.”

Her body burned, her skin felt as if it was stretched too tight over her bones. She arched and twisted, trying to escape the pleasure/pain of the unknown. Wulf’s hands held her hips in place as he continued to torment her.

She was dying.

And then life poured through her in an explosion of sensation so intense she would swear later that she had glimpsed Valhalla. Wulf waited until her tremors ceased,
and then he parted her legs with his knees and came up over her. His engorged sex stroked her wet cleft before easing inside her, inch by excruciating inch.

“Am I hurting you?” he asked in a strangled voice.

She wrapped her arms and legs around him, holding him in place. “Nay, if you stop I could not bear it.”

With a relieved groan he surged forward, driving his thick cock deep inside her. Reyna had prepared herself for the pain she knew would come, and when it didn’t arrive she embraced the pleasure, shifting to accommodate the weight and size of him.

Wulf’s massive body surged forward, driving him deep, his hips flexing, pumping his engorged staff in and out. Reyna felt herself stretching to accommodate his rigid length and reveled in the sensation he created inside her. Her nipples rubbing against the soft hair on his chest sent tongues of flame racing along her nerve endings, and a sweet fire began in that place where they were joined.

Caught up in the fierce sensations, Reyna met his pounding hips with wild abandon, each thrust bringing a delicious tightening to the very core of her being.

“Wulf, please!”

He grunted something unintelligible and picked up the tempo, driving her further and further into a kind of madness. And then something sweet and fierce gripped her insides, spreading liquid fire through her limbs. Tiny points of light burst behind her eyes. Powerful shock waves of pleasure shook her and she cried out his name.

She felt Wulf’s muscles tense, heard his teeth gnash and felt his control slipping away seconds before the hot splash of his seed filled her womb. Moments later he collapsed against her, his breathing harsh against her ear. Replete, Reyna held him in place, but Wulf, mindful of his weight, lifted himself away from her and flopped
down beside her. Long seconds passed. Her heart was still pounding madly as his arms came around her. She could hear his pulse thumping in rhythm with her own.

“Are you all right?” he rasped.

“I…I had no idea it could be like that.”

“It is when you are not being forced. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.”

“It was…um…not what I expected.”

“Was it better or worse?”

“I believe you know the answer to that.”

“Go to sleep, Reyna. You have earned your rest.”

Reyna tried to rise but Wulf’s arm held her in place. “Where are you going?”

“To my own bed.”

“This is where you will sleep from now on. In my bed and in my arms.”

“Is that wise, Wulf? What will Uma think?”

“ ’tis not her place to think.”

“Everyone will assume I am your bed slave.”

“Everyone will be right.” When Reyna objected, Wulf rolled on top of her, spread her legs and slid inside.

Wulf woke the following morning to the sound of voices coming from somewhere beyond his sleeping alcove. Glancing down at Reyna, he saw that she was still sleeping and he eased out of bed so as not to awaken her. Quietly he donned breeches and jerkin, parted the curtains and stepped into the hall. He was surprised to see Rannulf seated at the table, sipping a mug of ale.

“There you are,” Rannulf greeted. “I have been waiting for you to wake up. We need to talk.”

“Join me in the steam hut,” Wulf invited. “We can talk in private there.”

Rannulf accepted Wulf’s invitation with a nod of his head and rose. Uma ran to fetch soap and drying cloths,
handing them to Wulf as he and Rannulf walked out the door.

“Master!” Uma called after Wulf, “shall I awaken Reyna and put her to work?”

Wulf stopped and turned slowly. “No one tells Reyna what to do but me. Let her sleep.”

The steam hut was empty when they arrived, though someone must have used it earlier for steam rose thick and hot inside the small enclosure. Wulf undressed, then dumped a bucket of water on the hot rocks. When a hiss of steam curled around him, he lowered himself onto a bench beside Rannulf.

“What is this about, Rannulf?” Wulf asked.

“Reyna, of course. I did not recognize her at first. You know how it is when a man is blinded by bloodlust. You can imagine my profound shock when comprehension dawned. I think she knew me too.” He paused, staring thoughtfully into the rising steam. “If I’d had the sense to recognize her beauty and value, I would have claimed her for myself before you carried her off.”

“Did Hagar or Olga explain what happened? How she came to be my thrall?”

“Olga told me. My sister wants Reyna gone. She fears Hagar is too fond of her.”

“Olga is wrong. Hagar bought Reyna for me; he never wanted her for himself. Your sister’s jealousy is unwarranted.”

Sweat poured off each man in rivulets. When the steam started to dissipate, Wulf dumped another bucket of cold water over the hot rocks and returned to the bench.

“Olga should not have to suffer Reyna’s presence if it makes her uncomfortable,” Rannulf said. “I am confident Hagar will agree with me. He has waited a long time for an heir.”

Wulf slanted Rannulf a curious look. “What are you suggesting, Rannulf?”

“I wish to purchase Reyna from you. Name your price.”

Wulf hissed out a breath. “I thought you wanted to wed Helga.”

“I did…I do. I understand Helga and Reyna are friends. Doubtless my new wife would welcome Reyna in our hall.”

Wulf fought hard to control his rage. “If I sell Reyna to you, do you intend to bed both my sister and Reyna?”

Rannulf shrugged. “Why should that bother you?”

“It bothers me that you intend to bed another woman under my sister’s nose and feel no guilt about it.”

“Hmmm, I suppose you are right. If you will allow me to purchase your thrall, I will wed her instead of Helga. After all, I was the first to have her. Did I ever tell you she was a virgin? Tight and hot as anything I’ve…”

Without warning, Wulf lunged. He picked up Rannulf and tossed him out the door.

Red dots of rage formed behind Wulf’s eyes as he pulled on his leggings and stormed from the steam hut, stepping over Rannulf, who was still lying in the dirt.

“Wulf, wait!”

Wulf whirled at the sound of his name. He cursed beneath his breath when he saw Hagar hurrying toward him.

“What happened here?” Hagar asked, gesturing to Rannulf, who had apparently regained his wits and had staggered to his feet.

“Put some clothes on,” Hagar ordered the dazed warrior. Rannulf returned to the steam hut while Wulf and Hagar continued their conversation.

“I hope you are not considering Rannulf as a brother-in-law,” Wulf said.

“Why not? What has Rannulf done to offend you? I could not believe my eyes when I saw him staggering before the steam hut.”

“The bastard wanted to buy Reyna.”

Hagar’s brow furrowed. “What is so unusual about that? Thralls are bought and sold every day.”

“He wants Helga
and
Reyna, with the intention of bedding both women. When I flatly refused, he offered to wed Reyna.”

Both men stared at Rannulf as he exited from the steam hut. Hagar motioned for him to join them.

“I brought your jerkin,” Rannulf said, handing Wulf the rest of his clothing. Wulf snatched it from his hand. “I did not mean to upset you, Wulf. We have been a-Viking together too often. And you, Hagar, are my sister’s husband. I meant no disrespect.”

Hagar shook his head. “No disrespect? Did you truly intend to wed Helga, buy Reyna, and bed both of them?”

Rannulf shrugged. “I spoke without thinking. Helga deserves better from me.”

“Wulf said you offered to wed Reyna instead of Helga.”

Rannulf shot Wulf an exasperated look. “I thought it no more than right since I took her virginity during the raid on her farmstead.”

Hagar held Wulf back when Wulf made a menacing move toward Rannulf. “I was not aware you were the man who assaulted Reyna during that raid. Now I understand why she avoids you.”

“It took awhile, but Reyna finally recognized Rannulf as the man who had hurt her.” Wulf glared at Rannulf. “Until she saw you, she held me responsible.”

Rannulf huffed out a breath. “You are not entirely guiltless. You sold her to a slave master.”

“I am well aware of that,” Wulf replied.

“I see no reason to fall out because of a thrall. What say you, Wulf? I but tried to do the right thing, for I understand you and your family value Reyna. If you allow it, I would still like to court Helga.”

“Over my dead body!” Wulf raged.

“Calm yourself, brother,” Hagar soothed, then turned to Rannulf. “If we allow you to court and wed Helga, Rannulf, we will expect you to give up raiding and rapine and turn to trading, just as we did.”

Stroking his chin, Rannulf considered Hagar’s stipulations.
“You would still let me court Helga if I agree to your terms?”

“Hold on,” Wulf injected. “We would also require you to remain faithful to my sister, promise that you will take no other woman to your bed during your marriage.”

Rannulf’s gaze shifted to Hagar. “You are the elder brother, what say you? Are you a faithful husband? Was Wulf faithful to his wife while she lived?”

“Aye, to both your questions. The only way we will allow you to court Helga is if you agree to our terms. If you refuse, you had best seek a wife elsewhere.”

“Let me add to that another condition,” Wulf said. “You are to keep your hands and eyes away from Reyna. She is mine.”

Rannulf sent Wulf a puzzled look. “I have never known you to be so possessive of a woman.”

“Nor I,” Hagar said, grinning. “Nevertheless, Reyna belongs to Wulf, and I confirm his final condition. If you do not agree to the terms put forth by us, I suggest you return to your farmstead.”

“I agree,” Rannulf said without hesitation. “Helga is worth any sacrifice.”

“So be it,” Hagar replied.

They clasped arms. But when Rannulf turned to Wulf, it took a good deal of prodding from Hagar before Wulf offered his hand to Rannulf.

Reyna was still sleeping when Wulf returned to his hall. He knew because Uma made it a point to mention Reyna’s laziness.

“I am famished,” Wulf said. “I will wake Reyna while you fix us something to eat. Where is Lorne?” he asked when he noted the thrall’s absence.

“Gathering firewood,” Uma replied.

Wulf nodded as he strode toward his sleeping alcove
and slipped through the curtain. He was surprised to see that Reyna was up, dressed, and sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at her hands.

“I was hoping you’d still be abed,” Wulf rasped, his expressive silver eyes hinting at his reason for wanting her in bed again. “Disrobe for me.”

Reyna’s eyes widened and she glared up at him. “No, I refuse to become your whore.” She rose and swept past him. She had almost reached the curtain when Wulf grabbed her arm.

“When I give you an order, I expect you to obey.”

“I will obey when it pleases me to do so. You cannot force me to your bed.”

Wulf scratched his head. “What has gotten into you, woman? You were amenable last night.”

“Last night was an aberration. You caught me at a weak moment. ’tis bad enough that I am a slave. The only way you will bed me again is by force. That will make you no better than Rannulf. Is that what you want?”

Wulf scowled. He hadn’t anticipated this kind of defiance from Reyna, though he should have expected it. But after her passionate response to his lovemaking last night, he’d thought they would move forward, not backward. What had changed in the span of a few hours?

“I want you in my bed willingly,” Wulf said tersely. “But if you continue to resist me, I may change my mind.” He held the curtain open for her. “Come, we will break our fast together and discuss this later. I am starving.”

Though Reyna doubted Wulf would accept her refusal easily, she swept past him into the hall. Wulf wasn’t the only one who was hungry.

Reyna had thought long and hard this morning about the passion they had shared last night. Her first thought had been that she had willingly bedded the man who
had sold her for profit. She supposed she’d been so grateful that Wulf hadn’t been the man who had taken her on the hard ground the day of the raid that she had lost control of her emotions.

But upon awakening this morning, Reyna had realized Wulf wasn’t guiltless. In the space of two summers, terrible things had happened to her. Wulf had led the raid on her farmstead, and for all she knew he had slain her entire family save for her brothers, who had been off on a trading voyage. And she laid the blame for those deaths at Wulf’s feet.

Reyna still had a modicum of pride left, and that pride was telling her not to add insult to injury.

Clasping her elbow, Wulf led Reyna to the table. She sat on a bench, trying to ignore the sullen glances Uma slanted her. When Uma slammed trenchers of eggs, bacon and thick slices of toasted bread down on the table, Reyna dug in, ignoring the thrall’s obvious hatred.

“Ale for me and buttermilk for Reyna,” Wulf ordered as he filled his plate. The ale and buttermilk appeared almost immediately.

“Is there anything else you desire, master?” Uma asked with a hint of sarcasm.

“Not right now,” Wulf replied curtly, “though it would serve you well to change your manner. I do not find it pleasing. Mother, Olga and my sisters plan to smoke meat and fish today. I give you permission to join them. You may leave now.”

Uma stormed off, grabbing her cloak from a hook beside the door before leaving the hall and slamming the door behind her.

“Uma is in a bad mood this morning,” Reyna ventured.

“Aye,” Wulf agreed. “She has no reason to be jealous,
but she hates you for my attention to you. I plan to sell her to a new master soon.”

Reyna continued eating. Though she shouldn’t care about Uma’s fate, she did. They were both in the same situation, thralls dependent upon their master’s whim.

Reyna swallowed and cleared her throat. “I hope you don’t sell her to a cruel master.”

“Forget Uma. She does not deserve your consideration. She has been cruel to you since the day you arrived. I would rather talk about your duty to your master.”

Reyna pushed her empty plate away. “Not everyone is rich enough to eat off of pottery plates and bowls,” she said, abruptly changing the subject.

“We are not talking about pottery and such,” Wulf growled. “We were discussing your disobedience.”

“You were discussing it, not I. If you will excuse me, I promised to help Lady Thora today. There is a great deal of preparation necessary for the long winter months ahead.”

Reyna pushed her chair from the table. She didn’t like the expression on Wulf’s face; he looked like a child deprived of a favorite toy. But her hopes of escape evaporated when he grasped her arm and pulled her hard against him.

“You are not getting away that easily.”

Reyna watched his eyes kindle and burst into silver flame as he lowered his head, claiming her mouth with hungry thoroughness. Relentlessly his tongue probed against her lips, forcing them to open beneath his. His tongue searched for hers, found it and sucked it into his mouth. Reyna felt her insides melting, felt heat infuse her bones.

Stiffening her spine, she fought her own body’s response to Wulf’s sensual attack. Her body was betraying
her in the worst possible way and she vowed to resist. When Wulf’s hands found her breasts with unerring accuracy, Reyna knew she had to put a stop to this or end up in his bed, enjoying every minute of his attentions.

Hardening her heart, Reyna bit down on Wulf’s tongue, wringing a yelp of pain from him. He lifted his head and glared at her. “Why did you do that?”

“I know where your kisses will lead. I succumbed to your seduction once, Wulf, but never again. Just because your family is kind to me it does not mean I have forgiven you for what you did to me and my family. The boundaries between right and wrong became blurred for a time, but after Rannulf arrived and I had time to think, I still hold you responsible for destroying my life.

“I no longer know if I have a father or mother, or if my farmstead is still standing. I am a slave to a ruthless Norseman with no possibility of freedom or escape.”

Her chin went up. “You can order me to your bed, but you will have to use force to get me there.”

Spinning on her heel, she stormed off.

Wulf stared after her. Most thralls would be shaking in their boots at the thought of defying Wulf the Ruthless. But not Reyna the Dane. He couldn’t decide whether she was ridiculously foolish or excessively brave. Wulf was utterly befuddled by Reyna. Should he force her to obey him or let her have her way? Either course had its drawbacks. Forcing Reyna to his bed would not be a pleasant experience, despite his newfound knowledge of her passionate nature. On the other hand, if he let her have her way, he would become the thrall and Reyna the master, leading him around by his cock.

Wulf’s resolve hardened. Reyna was his thrall and she had to obey him. Mayhap not today, or tomorrow, or the next day, but he vowed that soon she would
come willingly to his bed. Confident of his ability to manage his thrall, Wulf left the hall.

He strode with purpose toward his brother’s hall to speak to Hagar about preparing and storing their ships for the winter months. They would still have two small rowboats available for fishing when weather permitted. Norsemen were born sailors. The sea was their life; it held no fear for them, and Wulf was more competent than most.

As Wulf reached the front entrance, the door opened and Reyna dashed out, straight into his arms. Wulf’s protective nature roared to life. “What is wrong? Has someone hurt you?”

Reyna’s face was colorless, her mouth open in a mute scream. Wulf glanced behind her and saw Rannulf standing in the open doorway. “What did you do to her?”

Rannulf shrugged, his expression inscrutable. “I merely wished your thrall a good morning. Reyna has no reason to fear me. I will not harm her.”

Wulf grasped Reyna’s shoulders. “Look at me, Reyna.” She raised her eyes to his. “Is Rannulf telling the truth? Did he merely wish you a good morning?”

“I cannot be in the same room with him. Every time I see him, I want to kill him.”

Her words were spoken so fiercely Wulf did not doubt her sincerity. “If Rannulf hurts you again,
I
will kill him. Do you believe me?”

Reyna stared into his eyes with such intensity that Wulf wondered what was going through her mind. Did she hate him with the same intensity that she hated Rannulf? He could scarcely credit it after their passionate night together. With Reyna, however, anything was possible.

“Do you believe me?” Wulf repeated harshly.

After several interminable moments, Reyna gave an affirmative nod.

“Then listen to me. No one here is going to hurt you. You belong to me, I am the only one who can punish you, and right now punishment is the last thing on my mind.” His silver eyes burned into the green depths of hers. “You do understand what I want, do you not?”

Reyna gave a jerky nod.

“Return to what you were doing.”

Reyna turned and sidled past Rannulf. When Rannulf started to follow her inside, Wulf stayed him with a hand on his shoulder. “What did you do to frighten her?”

“I neither threatened nor hurt your thrall, Wulf,” Rannulf denied. “I am determined to obey your brother’s rules and court Helga. She is old enough to be a bride, and I truly want to wed her.”

“Do you swear you have no designs on Reyna?”

“Aye, my sights are set on Helga and no other. I will not poach on your territory. Even a blind man can see you have feelings for Reyna beyond those of thrall and master.”

Wulf went still. “You are wrong, Rannulf. Reyna is a Dane; her people killed my wife and unborn son. Any feelings I have for Reyna are centered below the belt. You above anyone should know about lust. Dane, Swede or Finn, my cock makes no distinction when it comes to pleasure.”

Laughing, Rannulf slapped Wulf on the back. “Fear not, I consider Reyna beyond my reach.”

Eyes narrowed, Wulf watched Rannulf stroll off. Mulling over Rannulf’s words, Wulf wondered if what he felt for Reyna was lust and naught more. When had his attitude toward her changed? When had Reyna the Dane ceased to be the enemy? The day she saved his life or the day she had stepped off his brother’s dragon-ship, faced him defiantly and spat at his feet? Confusion
muddled his brain. Did his entire family know he yearned so intensely for his thrall?