Valkyrie Heat (12 page)

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Sky watched later that day as Rolf and Brandr trained with the

other men in a huge trampled field behind the village. They were

all magnificent. Some were blond, others red-haired, a few dark-

haired. Some had shaggy beards but many were clean-shaven.

During a battle, one clean-shaven man reached out and yanked

another man’s beard. The man’s eyes watered involuntarily and he

howled in surprise, giving the attacker a slight edge. The other

men laughed good-naturedly at the teasing. A few tugged on other

opponents’ beards. Sky could see the advantage to being clean-

shaven. Almost all of the men had shoulder-length hair. All were

incredibly powerful. It was apparent they spent many hours

training.

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She winced as steel clashed with steel while they struck with

mighty force. Their muscles bunched and strained and Sky became

convinced there was a reason for their heated vigor. It must have

something to do with the destroyed village. They battled

mercilessly with each other until sweat poured from their bodies.

All were well-matched, but none seemed to best Brandr or Rolf,

although one huge dark-haired man came close. He was a man all

offered deference to and she guessed he was their leader. Eirik,

Rolf called him as the two men faced off. She saw the hulking man

cast an interested glance to her many times. Rolf took advantage of

the man’s absent gaze and struck his sword from his hand to much

boisterous laughter. Eirik shrugged, grinned and dove for his

sword. The battle began anew. Sky was awestruck with both men.

Later that evening, she went back to the huge main cabin with

Rolf and Brandr after they washed in the river. Sky was pressed

between Rolf and Brandr who protectively flanked either side of

her. She was the only woman dressed in the captive attire who was

permitted to eat with the others. That alone confirmed to her what

the man Biorn had said. No one was allowed to touch her or treat

her as a slave. The notion was more comforting than she cared to

admit. Her thoughts wandered to what else Biorn had said. Brandr

and Rolf expected her to marry them. Two husbands? She wasn’t

certain she could handle one—or for that matter wanted one.

What of the time she was in? Would she ever be happy here?

Everything was so primitive.

Her gaze shifted around the table. There was much hearty

laughter from both the men and the women. The women seated

around her didn’t appear timid or frightened. They looked pleased

and happy, so too did the children. It looked like a normal family

gathered for a reunion or feast. The men shouted to one another

across the table making for heated conversation. The women were

just as loud. Sky couldn’t see one fork in sight, though all possessed

eating knives, except for the youngest of children. A few bowls had

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long wooden spoons for serving. All in all, it was a homey

atmosphere and not unpleasant. Quaint. Unthreatening. She

supposed she could get used to this part.

Sky turned her attention to the people. Like the men, the

women were blond, red-haired and brunettes. Some wore their

hair down, others coiled or braided. It was apparent to her why

Brandr and Rolf had been surprised her hair was so short. All of

these woman looked as though their locks had never been cut.

Many were beautiful; some were missing teeth. They ranged in

ages, though not one appeared older than fifty. There were many

children. No babies. The boys outnumbered the girls. Some of the

men were even more massive than Rolf. All were bare-chested.

Their dress was similar to Rolf’s and Brandr’s though some had

silky tails that hung from their clothing. They were an impressive

group. She smiled and thought how envious Brody would be to see

this.

As she continued to gaze at her surroundings, a man’s hand

shot out to grope at one of the captive women’s behinds when she

served him. Though she hadn’t seen the face of the slave who had

been in the dark corner, she instinctively guessed this woman was

not her. The striking blond, very buxom captive woman didn’t

pull away, nor did she seem afraid; she smiled and flirted with him.

The brute was more massive than any man Sky had ever seen and

she was impressed the woman held not one ounce of fear when she

interacted with him. He kissed her and fondled her, calling her

Isibel, then handed her a large leg of something, perhaps turkey.

The woman looked well-pleased when he sat her on his lap and she

was able to eat what he had given her without interruption.

Another captive picked up the woman’s tray, looking annoyed. It

appeared she was also trying to gain the attention of some man and

a meal.

When the trays of meat were passed to Rolf and Brandr, the

men took huge helpings on wooden plates. Others used plates that

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looked to be made of the pelvic or shoulder bone of a deer. Bread

and cheese followed as well as vegetables. Both Rolf and Brandr

handed her choice morsels which she ate with exuberance. She was

starving. The men laughed at her enthusiasm and chose more

things, making her smile in delight. Sky realized she didn’t need to

get their attention like the hungry captive woman who was still

holding her tray and pouting; she already had their attention.

Because she belonged to them, and they wanted her to wed with

them, she was protected from the other men. Only, she had twice

the protection. Sky was beginning to think if she were stuck here,

it wouldn’t be so bad to have such security.

The food was wonderful and she partook of many things she

had never tried. Rolf caressed her face and she smiled when he

gave her a full mug of a sweet fermented brew. She was thirsty and

guzzled it down. Her cup was refilled without her even having to

ask. Brandr wrapped a snug arm around her waist and she opened

her mouth for the seafood tidbit he handed her dripping in butter;

she sucked at his fingers. When a large, well-built captive woman

passed by, she scowled at Sky hatefully and Sky wondered why.

She cast a curious glance to Biorn who sat near her.

“She is angry you are not a captive. You are dressed as one,

but sit and eat under protection,” Biorn explained around a

mouthful of food.

He was using words he obviously thought she would

understand in his language with his broken English to fill in the

blanks.

“You are beautiful, dainty, new, take attention from her. She

would not be used as often. Many men here look at you but cannot

touch.”

Sky shuddered with the thought. “I wouldn’t wish that on

anyone,” she muttered. It saddened her to know she had made an

enemy already.

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“Woman from bad village. They kill many, take many more,

toy with them, murder later. Senseless killing, disgusting cruelty.

They not fear Odin’s anger in past…they do now,” Biorn said.

“Are you at war?” Sky asked. She mimicked a fight and after

he told her the word for war, she repeated it.

Biorn nodded. “Much unrest. No wander, you would not

want to be stolen. Stay close. No leaving village.”

Sky nodded. She didn’t want to end up as someone’s captive

slave.

“It would be best if you stay away from the mean captive

woman,” Biorn continued. “All our women stay away except for

other captives when they must work with her. She is watched

around them as well.”

As Sky watched, the pretty blond captive woman, Isibel, who

had been sitting on the massive warrior’s lap gave a wide berth

around the angry slave who bared her teeth at her. None of the

other captive women went anywhere near her.

Sky’s eyes flickered to the angry woman. “Would she hurt

me?” Sky asked with some concern. The woman was a great deal

larger than her. She was well built with solid muscular arms.

Under normal circumstances, Sky didn’t fear much, but this

woman was as much a warrior as the men.

“No one would let her. But she can be cruel,” Biorn replied

distastefully. “That is why she is kept tied and away from view in a

dark corner.”

Sky realized this was the woman she had wanted to aid. Cruel

or not, Sky’s heart hurt for her. She could understand why the

woman was so angry. Sky looked around at the other seated

women who ate with the men and children. She asked Biorn if the

six women dressed like her who served everyone were all captives.

“Yes and slaves. Not all for every man. Some are protected by

their captor. Women here are wanted; I think your word is

coveted. The woman who is so angry has no protection. She was

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wife to very bad man. He kill many; she kill many. She is

watched.”

Sky still felt sorry for her. “It’s cruel to use repeated assault to

punish a woman.”

“She not lashed or beaten,” Biorn said with surprise. “No

bones broken. She has food when the men choose to feed her; if

she begs prettily enough, clothes. She not like beg, hungry often,

foolish woman.”

Sky raised her eyes at his insensitivity. “You think it’s okay

what they do?”

He shrugged. “Yes and no. I not want. Why have cruel

woman? Other women here eager for me; they are more fun. She

keeps lusty young men who are full of themselves away from good

women who don’t kill. When men have release, there are fewer

fights. We not know what to do with her. Can’t let go; she kill

again. Not all men in village happy with situation. Very few touch

her, mostly young with no sense.”

Sky lost her appetite. She refused a leg of duck when Rolf

handed it to her. Rolf’s finger under her chin tilted her head to

look into his eyes and he asked her something.

Biorn replied instead. Rolf nodded.

When the captive came by with a bowl of berries, Rolf

handed her the duck leg.

The woman looked surprised and hesitant at first to take it,

but when she realized he was serious, she grabbed it and headed to

a corner where she made short work of it.

Sky thanked Rolf.

Rolf handed Sky some bread and told her to eat. Sky did.

She noted the captive creeping closer slowly, head bowed.

Rolf gave the woman some bread and cheese. Again, she ventured

to a corner where she ate undisturbed.

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It grew late and Sky yawned. She smiled at Rolf gratefully as

he continued to offer the captive woman food until she stopped

coming to him. Sky felt the woman must be full. So was she.

Sky was pulled into Brandr’s arms and led from the cabin. The

night air was chilly and Brandr snuggled her closer when she

shivered. The hut was warm and Sky was feeling the effects of the

fermented brew she had downed with her dinner, and she knew

she was a lightweight when it came to alcohol. She felt Rolf’s hands

at her waist undoing her hip wrap. Her breasts were then exposed

and Rolf wasted no time kneading them and rolling the buds in his

fingertips. His hands felt so wonderful on her flesh.

The three fell in a heap onto the furs and both men kissed her

skin in so many places. No area went unexplored. Sky was feeling

brazen. If they were going to wed with her, she should know

them, too. Her hands trailed over Rolf’s broad chest. She licked his

nipple and tasted his salty flesh. Her teeth grazed the tip of his

hardened buds. She could feel Brandr’s hands cup her bottom and

rub with care. Who should she touch now? Both hands gripped a

large penis and began stroking. Up and down her hands traveled

their lengths. Rolf was on his knees before her and she guided him

into her mouth. She lapped at the droplets of cum; his taste was so

sweet. He was panting hard when she moved to do the same thing

to Brandr. Brandr was hard and hot as she licked him and she knew

he couldn’t wait much longer. It appeared neither could Rolf. She

was gripped by her shoulders and thrust back. She moaned when

Rolf settled himself between her thighs, then his lips tasted her

while Brandr suckled her breasts. Both men were demanding yet

gentle. Her knees rose and her hand settled onto Rolf’s head as he

licked her, tonguing her bud while she wiggled. His hair was silky

and so pleasant to touch. Her other hand caressed Brandr’s chest.

He was so incredibly powerful, the thought made her shudder.

Sky was ready when Rolf thrust himself into her heat. Her

hips moved to meet his wanting all of him. Brandr continued to

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ravish her breasts with his mouth. Rolf’s body rocked against her,

his arm wrapped under her hips to keep her behind from rubbing

against the furs. Brandr went behind her and gripped her wrists