Heart of a Viking Read Online Free

forged in the flames of betrayal and survival.
    Neinn, he wanted her here, alone, so he could find out more about Ragni. There was only so much Anki could know. Keita had been at Ragni’s side—in his home—for long enough to hear whispers that no outcast could.
    Keeping her away from the thrall that had hit her would not hurt either. Perhaps if he gained the slave girl’s trust, he could count her as an ally. It was certainly worth considering.
    While she filled the circular wooden tub, Thorarin divested himself of his few bits of jewellery—pieces he had created himself during his banishment. He found himself watching her movements as she filled the bucket and poured the water. Small droplets of water clung to her pale skin and the steam made her face glisten. Keita swung a sideways look his way and he realised he was still standing there while the bath was nearly full.
    Jolting into action, he undressed and cast aside his clothing. He nodded in the direction of the pile of clothes. “Those will need washing.”
    A tiny sound escaped her. Something like that of a vulnerable wild creature—a mouse perhaps or a new-born kitten.
    He glanced over his shoulder to find her frozen to the spot. Her eyes were rounded, her lips parted. It was not possible she had not seen a naked man before, not after her time as Ragni’s slave. Washing a man would have been part of her duties and his fellow Norsemen were hardly shy when it came to their naked bodies.
    “I will not touch you,” he assured her. “You are not to be touched, já ?”
    “I...” Her lips moved wordlessly.
    Thorarin lifted a shoulder and shook his head to himself. He strode over to the bath and stepped in. Warmth enclosed his calves and he let out a groan of appreciation as he sank into the tub. Every one of his muscles seemed to loosen instantly.
    He ducked under the water and scrubbed his hair and beard before emerging. He did not need to look to know she remained in the corner, still rooted to the spot.
    “Come wash my hair. My comb is there.” Thorarin motioned to the folded comb atop his discarded clothes.
    Keita scurried forward and he leaned back against the wood to inhale the steam and closed his eyes. Hesitant fingers touched his scalp. A sensation akin to a cold breeze whipping across his skin traversed his body. He tensed when those fingers grew bolder. She worked soap into his damp hair and he drew in a long breath.
    This should have been relaxing. However, the intense awareness that her breasts were not far from him and the way her hair brushed his skin briefly set him on edge. He clamped his teeth together and forced his thoughts away from her breasts. She would not be the first woman to see him aroused but he had little intention of desiring an untouchable slave girl.
    Nimble fingers worked in the soap. Thorarin breathed deeply through his nostrils and concentrated on the warm water licking around him. He smoothed his palms over his chest, using the remnants of soap to scrub his body. He could put her fingers to work on the rest of him but with the increasing sensation of hot, spiking desire working through him, he could not risk it.
    Bringing her out here had been a mistake. A beautiful, exotic, untouchable slave girl. What had he been thinking?
    Information. He jerked upright a little, making her spill back. He settled back against the tub. “Continue,” he commanded.
    Já , information. That had been his goal. Not to enjoy her fingers upon him or imagine them stroking lower beneath the water, cupping him and working him until he was spent.
    “How long have you been Ragni’s thrall ?”
    She cleared her throat. He had to strain to listen to her. “ Six sennights.” [Ss1]  
    “You are a princess?”
    “I was.”
    “How were you captured?”
    “I was given up by my people.” She gave a huff. “Like treasure, I was handed over as payment.”
    Treasure? Já , he could see the value in her. Beautiful, delicate...and there was a hint