“I know you will.” He kisses her again, letting his lips linger on hers, unmoving, absorbing her warmth. He hates having to do this, but his enemies will only grow stronger the longer he waits to enact revenge for her kidnapping and his father’s death. Kissing her forehead, he releases her and boards the lead boat with his brothers.
The oars are out and he commands everyone to start rowing, heading up further inland to sneak up on Lograh’s village. Grasping onto the sail rope, he stands up on the railing, facing the dock once more and his beautiful wife. He thanks the Gods for sending him in the right direction to marry her for she is the best thing that has happened to him. He will stop at nothing to punish those who would try and take her from him. Raising his hand up, he places a kiss to it and sends it her way with a smile, knowing it will make her laugh.
Freya sees the gesture and waves back, bringing her hand to her heart to try and hold in the light feeling of the sorrowful moment. He will be back. She keeps telling herself, knowing his promises are true to return. She knows that his heart will forever roam the sea; but she knows that her love will bring him back to her, no matter the wait.
***
“Are we just going to let them sail away?” Callen’s harsh whisper rings in the Chief’s ear, causing him to give the young man a sharp look. The fire-born man was an impatient sort, but Quinlan knows better than to rush things.
“Yes, we are going to let them sail away. They are taking their best warriors to fight someone who is not us, why should I worry?” The rugged, weather worn man rakes his eyes over the occupants of the dock, landing on one woman he leans over and asks, “Who is that one?”
Grinding his teeth, Callen can see the obvious interest roll over the barbarian man and he spits out, “That is Freya. She is the Lady of the village now.”
“Ahh, the fire-born lass of Shetland. They speak of her beauty all the way to Scotland. Is it true? Can her eyes bring a mighty King to his knees?” Quinlan’s interest shifts from purely conquest to conquest and capture with the sight of the fair woman before him. She is far away, Quinlan and his men being hidden in the woods on the far side of the bay, but even from here he can still feel the weight of her beauty.
“Yes, she is beautiful.” Callen sighs; mourning the moment he lost his chance to have Freya. His hatred for Asgar runs deeper than ever, having seen the way his brother was treated like a dog in their presence. Callen had spotted the boats hidden on the far side of the bay, out of sight of the village, and he had come to Qunlan’s camp naked and looking for an aide.
“When will we strike? We can’t possibly wait for long.” He wants to get this over with, the inkling feeling that Asgar is taking his warriors toward his father’s land settling in his heart. He wants there to be nothing left of his village should Asgar return and he wants Freya all for his own.
“We will wait, boy.” Quinlan chides, giving Callen a harsh look before turning back to his camp. “My men and I have enough supplies to wait out an entire winter. We will bide our time and make sure they feel safe before we take them by surprise. My men will take pleasure in all those fine women they are leaving behind.”
Some of Quinlan’s men laugh and agree with him as they dine on a deer they had cooked over a fire and Callen scoffs at him, getting the Chief to turn on him. “You know not the women you will face. They are not house maidens. They are trained in fighting and will just as soon bite off your worm than lay down for it.”
Quinlan takes Callen by the collar, pulling his face close and bathing him in a musky, unwashed smell that makes him cringe. The man’s unruly brown hair is braided and kept back with beeswax, his face covered in a thick beard and streaked with black symbols that have been pushed into his skin with pins.
“They will do as I tell them, or they will all die.” Quinlan’s deep, threatening promise resonates with Callen, knowing the command is meant for him as well and he nods.
Quinlan laughs at the boy, releasing him with a shove. “That Freya, she will be mine to have. Mark my words, boy. Don’t think you will win if you challenge me.”
Cheers and laughs roll through the camp, his men numbering over a hundred spread out through the thick pines. They will follow him into anything, even his pointless raids along the Scottish coast. They are loyal and fierce, just the way he likes them. He has a feeling he will need all the loyalty he can get, facing the unknown time before he feels it is right to capture his new bride and demolish a village.
THE END
Coming soon!
Book 2
A Rose in Winter
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About the Author
TMH is a very laid back person; enjoying the simpler things in life more than most sometimes. She grew up in a very, VERY small town in Central New York and she will always be a Redneck Woman. She loves reading, writing, taking long pointless drives and long dusk time walks. Fall and winter are her favorite times of year and she spends more time outside then than in the summer. She loves hearing from fans and isn’t above fan-girling on those that show her tons of support.
Other titles By This Author:
Paranormal Romance:
The Broadus Supernatural Society Series
Book 1: Siofra’s Song
Book 2: Siofra’s Nightmare
Book 3: Siofra’s Change
Book 4: Siofra’s Fight
Book 5: Rowena’s Revenge--Coming Soon
Contemporary/Military Romance
The Wakefield Romance Series
Book 1: Two Weeks With a SEAL
Book 2: Coming Home
Book 3: I Never Asked You To Save Me
Book 4: Title to be announce--Coming Soon
Historical Romance
The Viking Dreams Series
Book 1: We Roam The Seas
Book 2: A Rose in Winter
Adult Contemporary
Desert Ghosts Series
Book 1: Title to be announced---Coming Soon
We Roam The Seas Page 18
