Heart of a Viking Read Online Free Page B

unwilling woman.”
    She sagged in his hold. “Oh.” That enchanting gaze lifted to his, her pale lashes fanning upwards. “You are different to the others.”
    “They desire you also.”
    “Aye, but they are controlled only by Ragni. Should he lose control, I will be lost too.”
    Thorarin forced down the uncomfortable sensation in his stomach. Ragni would lose control. He would fragment it away until it crumbled from beneath him. And Keita could end up in a vulnerable position before he was able to complete his revenge and offer any kind of protection.
    But that was the cost of revenge, was it not? Keita was a mere slave girl. No one of import. If she had to give up her innocence because of him, so be it. It was not his problem.
    He looked into her eyes and his gut twisted. So why did he suspect he’d already made this slave girl his problem?

Chapter Four
    The Viking’s declaration rang in her mind even after noon as she ground the corn. No man commands me. She shook her head to herself, unable to forget his sincere gaze. Desire lingered behind those haunting eyes.
    But she couldn’t doubt his words. He had proven he could control himself. Alone in the bathhouse, he could have taken her with ease. He was stronger than her and no one would have heard or seen. Yet he proved himself different to all others.
    She had witnessed stomach churning deeds. The violence and brutality of it. A heavy weight constantly sat upon her shoulders with the knowledge that it would take but a moment for her protection position to be destroyed.
    Thorarin could have taken that chance and he did not.
    Now she couldn’t forget him.
    Keita pounded the corn vigorously, clouds of flour puffing up around her. Her fingers were white and it clung to her already pale hair and coarse clothing. She stopped to run a finger around the collar before dropping down and touching the necklace beneath it. She curled her fingers around the stone and felt its power. If she concentrated hard, she could feel her mother’s energy in the stone. Perhaps if she closed her eyes she might be able to feel that connection to her homeland that she so needed. These sennights of work, terror and uncertainty had almost made her forget her people, her land. That Viking—somehow—had made her remember it.
    She stiffened and set back to work when Fina, a fellow Pict, entered. Her cheek throbbed as if to remind her of how she’d struck her.
    “Why are you not finished?”
    Keita didn’t look at her. “I am almost done.”
    “Your Viking isn’t here to protect you now.”
    She braved a look at the woman. Fina had been a slave for several summers and considered herself the highest ranking slave, in spite of the fact they had no ranks. It had been said that Fina was once a bed slave for Ragni but had been cast aside. Now her resentment focused on Keita and her elevated status.
    “I will have this done in but a moment.”
    She turned her attention back to the grinding and prayed for the woman to go away. Keita could tolerate physical brutality. Her body often hurt. She wasn’t used to labour or being on her feet constantly. She might have been an unwanted princess, but her life at home had not been hard.
    Bitterness and vile words jabbed deep in her heart. How was it even her own people could turn against her? Many of the slaves were Picts like her and yet none showed any care. Being a slave had made them bitter and heartless. She would find no charity or help in them.
    Which meant it would be up to her to find her own way out of this situation.
    “Did he rape you?”
    Keita jerked her attention to the dark-haired woman. Like the other slaves, her hair was cut short. Years of poor food had left her skinny and angular. She had likely once been an attractive woman but she could see why Ragni had cast her out of his bed.
    “Nay.”
    “If he had, you would not say.”
    “He did not touch me,” she said firmly.
    Fina snorted. “You think you are special now, untouched