Van, Becca - Her Norland Warriors (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read Online Free Page B

them, but do not yell them at us. You would do well to learn to have a bit of respect for your bond mates,” Dagr stated firmly.
    “Well, excuse me. Of course I’m going to be happy with the men who brought me to a strange planet, claiming I am their mate,” Jess said petulantly. “What’s empathic mean?”
    “Being an empath means we can feel everything you are feeling. We have the ability to calm you if we deem it necessary,” Hakon replied.
    “You can feel everything? You mean when I’m scared, you feel it?” Jess asked incredulously.
    “Yes,” Loki answered, leaning toward her so she could hear him. “We also feel when you are aroused.”
    “Shit,” Jess screeched, standing again, and then struggled against the men’s hands when she was pulled back down to her seat.
    “You cannot escape what you feel for us, little one, so don’t even bother trying,” Hakon said with a gentle smile.
    Jess felt tears of frustration prick the back of her eyes. What the hell had she gotten herself into? All she ever wanted was to have one decent vacation. Look where that had gotten her. She blinked rapidly, determined not to let her tears fall. She sat with her head lowered, her eyes on the white, brocaded tablecloth. At least you’re alive, Jess. Oh God. What am I going to do? How can I want them to touch me and love me when I don’t even know them?
    Jess flinched when Dagr reached for her plate, and she watched with dismay as he began to load it with food. There was no way in hell she was going to eat it. She had no idea if it was even safe to eat. Her stomach growled loud enough for Hakon and Dagr to hear, because they turned to her and gave her a smile. She felt her cheeks heat and knew they were tinged red with embarrassment. She looked down at the plate Dagr placed in front of her, studying the food. The smells were tantalizing her nostrils as she inhaled. Her mouth began to salivate, her body preparing to consume the fuel it needed. Jess gave a mental shrug. If she was going to keep them at arm’s length, she would need to keep her strength up.
    She picked up the shiny prong-like utensil, obviously their imitation of a fork, and stabbed a purple rose-looking piece. She lifted it to her nose, sniffed delicately, and placed the small morsel in her mouth. Ambrosia. That was the only word which came to mind. She sniffed at the next morsel as she chewed, only vaguely aware of the moans she made as she ate. She placed piece after piece of food in her mouth, totally oblivious to her surroundings. She ate until she was satisfied—only a quarter of the food gone from her plate—placed the fork on her plate, wiped her mouth with the napkin, and sat back, totally sated.
    Jess lifted her eyes to see the three Sigmund brothers staring at her. She shifted in her seat, uncomfortable with the attention, raised her chin, gave each of them a glare, and said, “What?”
    She sighed when none of them answered her. They just gave her smiles and shrugs then concentrated on their own food.

Chapter Four

    Jess followed behind Loki as he led the way back through the long corridors, Hakon and Dagr on either side of her. The feasting had gone on for hours and Jess was so tired, she knew she would fall asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. But what she wanted most of all was to have a shower. She felt grungy, and she would kill for a change of clothes. She lifted her arm and sniffed. She wasn’t too bad, but she definitely needed to clean up.
    She stopped when Loki came to a halt outside a pair of large, ornate double doors. The pattern of runes on the door was so beautiful she couldn’t prevent herself from moving closer and reaching out to trace the indentations. She looked so far up and got a crick in her neck to see Loki smiling down at her.
    “Did you do this, too?” Jess asked.
    “No, I did not. These were done by the ancient elders long passed from this realm,” Loki replied.
    Jess reached out and took Loki’s hand in