Passion's Fury (Viking's Fury Book 3) Read online

  A bridal chamber had been prepared for them on the other side of the sanctuary. He carried his precious bride out of the longhouse and across the way, entering the sanctuary and not giving a damn if the gods expected him to stop and give thanks. Tonight belonged to him, to them. His body hummed with desire and lust as he got closer to their room.

  Once inside, he bolted the door, locking the world out.

  Though small, the space was luxurious, complete with a wide bed and a large brazier to keep warm by. A small feast of wine, cheese, bread, and smoked fish had been prepared and set out on the table. And Runa’s trunks had been moved over from the temple maidens’ house. He set her on her feet, giving her a moment to get accustomed to their new surroundings.

  She sidled up to the bed, running her fingers over the linens and furs. “Where did all of this come from?” She looked over at him. “I’m sure the priests can afford such rich things, but to provide them for their guests?”

  “I purchased them for you.”

  “How?”

  “From the gold I’ve saved over the years, Runa. I’m a man of simple needs.”

  “Your generosity leaves me speechless. Thank you, Thorolf.”

  He went to her, hugging her from behind, his hungry fingers tracing her lush curves, claiming her full breasts. She leaned into him, his erection poking her in the back. There’d be no hiding his excitement, not that he needed to anymore. She belonged to him. His very own wife. His queen and lover.

  “Do you know how long I loved you from a distance? How many times I wanted to grab you up and kiss you? Spank you for being insolent?” he asked, massaging her shoulders.

  “Did you know I felt the same? That every man I met failed to impress me because I always compared them to you? They weren’t tall enough or muscular enough. Their eyes were too close together or the wrong color. They weren’t honorable and kind like you’ve always been.” She turned in his arms, reaching up and locking her fingers behind his neck. “You are the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.”

  “Am I now?” he teased.

  “And the biggest.” Her hand slid between his legs and cupped the painful lump in his braies.

  He groaned, wanting to get her naked. “Runa…”

  “Shhh.” She held a finger to his lips. “I know what you want, Husband.”

  She retreated a couple steps and started to untie the laces at her back. He watched in silent fascination as she slid out of her gown and removed her veil and slippers. She stood before him as proud as any queen should be and Thorolf loved her more in that moment than ever before. Though innocent, she possessed the uninhibited confidence of an experienced woman. The kind of woman made to please him forever.

  “Will you do the same for me?” she asked.

  “You want me to strip for you?”

  “Aye,” she said. “I want to see your body, to enjoy it as much as you have mine.”

  Seconds later, he gave her what she wanted, standing naked in the soft candlelight, waiting for her to finish exploring his body with her hungry eyes. “Do I please you, Runa?’

  “You are truly magnificent, Thorolf. May I see your backside?”

  He held in the laugh that threatened to escape as he turned around. In no way did he want to discourage her. This boldness would see her through the pinch of pain she’d feel when he first entered her. Then he’d make passionate love to her all night.

  He shivered when her cool hands ran up his back. “Why are you so firm and I am soft?”

  “Allfather intended it that way,” he answered.

  Continuing her close scrutiny of his form, Thorolf nearly yelped when she ran a finger up the crack of his arse. He spun around. “Are you satisfied, my love?”

  “No,” she said softly. “But I am willing to wait.”

  “I’m not.” He took hold of her wrist and tugged her to the bed. They fell onto the mattress together, laughing and touching each other in earnest. Thorolf pinched one of her pebble-hard nipples, flicking his tongue over it again and again. She stiffened, letting out a small moan. “Aye,” he sang out, lost in her softness and beauty. “Roll onto your back for me.”

  He climbed on top of her, his knees positioned on either side of her hips. With tender admiration, he cupped her breasts, lifting and squeezing them together, forming a tunnel where his face could fit perfectly. The ache in his groin increased tenfold as he licked and caressed her.

  Then he brushed his thumb lightly over her lips, enjoying the way her pink tongue circled around his fingers, tasting and tempting him. Leaving him more vulnerable than he’d ever been on a battlefield, his heart wide open and receptive for the first time in ten years.

  He moved up her body and lifted her arms above her head, dipping down so he could capture that sweet mouth, inhaling her lips and tongue. She writhed beneath him, as restless and desperate as he was. Perhaps it was time. He’d prepared her for this moment. Spoke frankly with her about what to expect.

  “Do you want me inside you, Runa?” He released her hands.

  She smiled.

  “Do you know what you were made for?” he asked, positioning his manhood at her entrance, feeling the heat and wetness with his fingers. “For me, my love. You were made for me.”

  He thrust, her tight muscles gripping his length. Arching his back, he closed his eyes and waited for the initial shock of being inside her to pass. She whimpered and clawed at his shoulders, urging him to continue. But Thorolf questioned his stamina for a few heartbeats. The reality of where he was, married to the woman he’d loved for so long—fantasized about bedding and possessing threatened to make him explode inside her.

  “What is it?” she whispered, cupping his cheek.

  He stared into her green eyes, wide and expressive, filled with awe and love for him.

  “I-I needed a moment to recover, sweetling, nothing more.” He lowered himself completely, skin-to-skin with her.

  She wiggled her hips and Thorolf moved with renewed confidence, sliding in and out of her, loving the way her expressions changed with each thrust. He’d finally marked her, claimed her, loved her with everything he had to give.

  When he could no longer control himself, they whispered each other’s names as pleasure mutually rolled over them—the night still very young and their desire only momentarily satisfied.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Three days later, Runa trekked outside in the fresh snow, dressed in new furs and boots, ready to make the journey to her new home in Borg. Thorolf had kept his word, Haldana and her lover had been released from service to the high priest for a generous donation to the temple coffers. Already settled on her mount, Haldana grinned as Runa approached the horse, waiting for her.

  “Tis a beautiful morning,” the maid said.

  “Aye,” Runa agreed. “How many days’ ride is it to Borg?”

  “Three,” Haldana answered. “It is worth the effort. You will see some of the most beautiful sights on the way.”

  Runa handed her maid a couple packages to tuck in her saddle bags and then went to search for her brother among the many soldiers packing their gear. She passed by Captain Harald and his family, yet another joyous ending. They gladly accepted Thorolf’s offer to relocate.

  Finding Roald a few yards away, she called out to him. “Jarl Roald. Were you going to leave without saying goodbye to your sister?”

  He chuckled. “And miss kissing the only queen I personally know?”

  The title would take some getting used to. “I would have sent my army after you.”

  He finished securing his weapons on his horse and faced her. “You have an army at your disposal now? How quickly you’ve adapted to your new life, Runa. I am happy for you. Proud and maybe a little bit envious of the great adventure you are about to embark on.”

  “Truly?” Runa couldn’t imagine her brother being jealous of her. But even if he was just teasing, she liked this new side of Roald.

  He stepped in front of her and gripped her arms.
“Our mother and father would praise your courage, Runa. You’ve done your duty—married a man of high morals and rank. Secured an alliance for our family. And most important, fallen in love. A rare accomplishment for any young woman.”

  “I only followed your example, Brother. Accepted a man who I thought didn’t have anything in this world to offer but his heart. Look how generously the gods have rewarded us for taking a leap of faith. You have Eva and the twins. Konal has Silvia and their son. And now I have King Thorolf—the only man I could ever love.”

  “And he has you, Runa. Never doubt your value. I know you were very young when Mother died, but you are so much like her. Intelligent, generous, and beautiful.”

  Runa tried to blink the tears away. Why hadn’t they made peace like this before? “Your kind words will stay with me forever.”

  “As should this.” He reached inside his cloak and revealed the gold choker Runa had given to Thorolf to purchase Haldana’s freedom.

  “Where did you get it?”

  “Thorolf gave it to me.”

  Runa bowed her head, afraid Roald would be angry that she was willing to give away a treasure their mother had bequeathed to her.

  “Why hang your head, Queen Runa? You chose to value a human life over a piece of jewelry. For that, I wish to return the necklace. Keep it close to your heart. Our mother often said a family is what you make it. I believe you will rise to that challenge more than any of us could. Look about, Runa, you’ve already started to gather loyal subjects. Captain Harald and his family love you. Haldana and her captain would die for you. Thorolf’s men worship you. Stand tall and proud.”

  She threw herself at Roald and he caught her. “I love you, Roald.”

  “What is this?” He held her away from him and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “I will see you in early spring. Together, Thorolf and I will hunt Skrymir down and kill him. If Prince Axel and your maid yet live, they will be freed.”

  “Aye,” she said. “But will you set me free, too?”

  Roald had fire in his eyes, like she’d shattered the moment of happiness between them. “The fate-binding?”

  “Please,” she begged. “I will never be completely at peace unless you remove it. Konal’s future should not depend on me.” Truth hit her hard. The fate-binding had never been about her at all. Roald didn’t want Konal to leave home, to establish his own steading, and become a jarl. “You cannot make him stay, Roald. Let us all go. We will love you that much more for it, believe me.”

  Thorolf joined them. “It is time, Runa.”

  “Wait,” she said. “Roald isn’t finished with me yet.”

  “There isn’t a better place to remove the fate-binding,” he commented. “Odin will stand as my witness. I free you, Queen Runa. I absolve any responsibility you have for the wellbeing of our brother, Konal the Red. Let his fate be separate. And may you live a long and happy life.” He kissed the top of her head, turned, and trudged away.

  “He is a complicated man,” Runa mumbled.

  “Tis a family trait,” Thorolf said. “I sympathize with him. He’s lost as much as you. Maybe more because he is the eldest and responsible for all of you. He’ll recover in time. Now, come with me. I am anxious to leave this place and see our home.”

  Runa took her husband’s hand and faced the temple one last time. “I never thought the night I came here seeking aid that I’d end up here with you. I honestly thought you were dead and my only hope was to join the maidens.”

  He tucked Runa in his arms, holding her close. “The gods had other plans, my love.”

  “Aye,” she said, hoping those plans included many healthy children and a long life with her beloved husband. “Praise great Odin. Creator and master of all things.”

  “Hail great Odin,” Thorolf said with a wicked smile. “Trickster and womanizer. A god with a heart the size of all of Scandinavia, because he gave you to me.”

  They walked to their horses and Thorolf helped her up, giving her hand a little squeeze before he left her and climbed atop his own mount. He twisted in the saddle and gazed at the large company of people waiting for his command. “To Borg,” he said, then tapped his horse’s sides with his heels, more than ready to go home.

  THE END