“Forget about Shannon,” Magnus whispered in his ear, “She is no more. We are Vikings. We take what we want, when we want it.”
Each word echoed through the dark corners of Ravenshield’s mind calling to him, tempting him. He felt Magnus’ breath on his skin—soft lips grazed against his earlobe. There was no way to fight this, he thought, feeling numerous hands caress his body.
“I won’t forget her,” he groaned as he looked down and saw the two women lick his shaft.
“You have no choice,” Magnus hissed, “You belong to her now.”
Ravenshield glanced up to see a beauty clad in a sheer tunic drift through the mists. A veil covered her face showing nothing but almond-shaped eyes that were focused on him. Her blonde hair fell around her shoulders like a waterfall that washed his fears away.
Dazed and confused, Ravenshield watched as she danced slowly, moving her hips back and forth. The sheer material clung to her body with each seductive move. Her nipples jutted from underneath, begging him to touch them, to kiss them. She skimmed her hands along each curve resting her palms on her belly. Her movements were fluid and sensual.
“Who is she?” Ravenshield slurred, feeling the ache between his legs.
“The one who owns you,” Magnus whispered.
Ravenshield rested on a blanket of animal fur and watched her glide closer to him. His heart pounded harder. Sweat drenched his skin. Lust flowed through his veins as he watched the tunic fall from her body and drift to the floor.
“Move,” she said, crawling between the two women that had draped themselves over Ravenshield’s body.
She ripped the veil from her face and devoured Gunnar’s shaft inch by inch. He moaned as the pressure started to build inside his loins. Sucking. Tugging. His hips thrust back and forth, feeling her teeth graze his skin. It felt incredible. Tempting. Each pull of her lips drew him closer to climax.
Resist, he said to himself, but it was no use. She had complete control over him, rendering him defenseless. He looked down at her and watched as she met his gaze. Her eyes locked with his as a menacing smile curled her lips.
“Kiera,” he gasped, watching her hands skim over his body. Something was on her fingers. Red. A red stain. It covered her palms.
He tried to move, but his limbs were lifeless. There was nothing he could do to stop her, she had him where she wanted him.
“You are mine now,” Kiera growled, lowering her head, “Forever and always.”
Ravenshield arched his neck and stared at the rafters. He gasped and listened to the drumbeats drone faster, louder. The grey haze that floated above him started to thicken and swirl, spinning out of control. It soon changed to black then orange. Orange slowly melted into red. Red as blood.
Thunder roared, shaking the longhouse violently as a powerful wind blew the door open. Gunnar sucked in a deep breath and bellowed a battle cry. “Shannon!”
Ravenshield grabbed Kiera’s wrist and wrestled with her. Kicking and screaming, she slammed her knee into his gut and tried to scramble away. He reached out and latched onto her ankle, pulling her closer. Twisting and scratching, she fought like an animal, but he was too strong for her.
“You’re not getting away this time, Kiera!” He rolled over and pinned her to the ground.
“Get off of me!” she howled, wriggling beneath him.
“You did it! You are the one who tried to kill me!” he yelled.
“Let go!” Kiera screamed, buckling under his weight.
“Get up.” He rolled off and pulled her to her feet.
Kiera screamed as he dragged her to the center of the room. The cool blast from outside had cleared the smoky haze, and she could see a crowd of people staring at her. Heat flushed her cheeks. Panic filled her. This was not supposed to end this way. Did her plan fail? No. Gunnar needed to pay for what he had put her through, and she was not going to give up.
“This is not over, Ravenshield!”
“Yes, it is,” he declared, raising her hands in the air. Gunnar turned to the crowd and shouted, “Viking brethren, hear me! I found the one who tried to poison me. Look and see for yourself. Kiera bears the stains of her guilt on her hands.”
They gasped.
“Yes!” Kiera confessed, wriggling free, “I did it! You are mine, Gunnar Ravenshield! If I cannot have you, then no one will!”
Kiera grabbed a dagger from the floor and slashed at him. He was not going to get away with hurting her anymore. Slicing. Jabbing. She gritted her teeth, whipping the blade back and forth. He deserved to die, she thought.
“No!” Ravenshield gasped, feeling the wind from the blade graze his stomach. With a quick turn, he seized her arm and spun her around, crushing her body against his. Something warm spilled on to his hand. The room fell silent. Time stood still.
“Ravenshield,” Kiera whispered, looking into his eyes.
She collapsed in Gunnar’s arms, and he watched the light fade from her eyes. He felt her body slide from his grasp, lifeless and still. The knife was buried in her chest, piercing her heart. She was gone. Dead. It was over, he thought, lowering her body to the floor. Gorm’s death had been avenged, and Shannon could go free.
“Where are you going?” Magnus asked as Ravenshield fastened his trews.
“To get Shannon,” he replied, stumbling toward the door.
Ravenshield staggered outside the longhouse and felt a chill envelop his skin. He inhaled deeply, clearing the fog from his mind. His vision grew sharper. The ringing in his ears had disappeared. Breathe, he thought, gulping in the crisp air. He had to purge the last of the fertility herb out of his body.
His lungs heaved and lurched as he held his hand to his stomach. Ravenshield ran to the well and drew water from a bucket. He poured the water over his head, trying to clear his mind. The sun was about the rise, he thought, watching streaks of red and orange splash across the sky.
“Shannon,” he whispered. He dropped the bucket and tore down the path toward the gates.
He had to get there before Magnus did, or Shannon would be lost forever. The Althing would uphold Viking law, and he was not about to lose her now. Pumping his legs, he dashed down the trail and turned down by the bakehouse. Stone crunched under his feet. His breath floated in the air. Every muscle in his body tensed. He was just seconds away from losing the woman he loved.
There it is, he thought, running toward the door. He snatched the keys from the iron wall and fumbled with the lock. Come on! Open!
“Shannon!” he yelled, turning the key and hearing the iron click. “I’m here!”
Ravenshield threw open the door and raced inside. His heart stopped. Panic swept over him.
“Shannon!” he yelled, “Where are you?”
No answer. Where could she be?
“Shannon!”
“Ravenshield,” a voice whispered from behind him.
He turned and saw Gerta standing at the threshold, “Where is she?”
“Shannon isnae here,” Gerta cried, “She’s gone.”
“What?” he breathed, “I do not understand.”
“I let her go,” Gerta sobbed, “I couldnae bear to see her with Magnus. I let them go.”
“Them?” he asked, stepping forward, “There’s something you are not telling me, Gerta.”
“I gave my word not to say anythin’ to ye,” she whispered.
“Out with it!” he shouted, grabbing her shoulders.
“Shannon’s carryin’ yer bairn,” she cried, “I wasnae gonna let Magnus have both of them!”
Ravenshield froze. Shannon was carrying his child? His knees started to shake. She was out there in the forest with no place to go, nowhere to run. Dark thoughts cluttered his mind, thinking of the dangers she could face. Wolves. Thieves. He swallowed the lump that had formed in the back of his throat. Each minute that passed put her in more peril.
“Gerta,” he said as panic filled his voice.
“Forgive me,” she sobbed, “I didnae think ye would get here in time.”
&n
bsp; “Listen to me,” he breathed, “We’ve no time to lose.”
“But it’s already to late.”
“Go to the bakehouse and look on the table. You will find proof of Shannon’s innocence. Take it to King Olaf and it to him. Kiera is the one who poisoned Gorm, and she is dead.”
“But what about Magnus?”
“Do not worry about Magnus,” he said, marching toward the door, “I will find Shannon before he does. I swear it.”
Chapter 23
Shannon wrapped the wool cloak around her body and watched her breath hang in the air like a veil. It had been a chilly night, much colder than she had expected. After traveling on foot for hours, she had grown weary and bedded down in a mound of leaves near an oak tree. She had no idea how long she had slept or how far she had traveled, but one thing was for certain—time was running out. Morning had broken, and Magnus would be on the hunt for her.
She closed her eyes and shivered as thoughts of Magnus’ rage consumed her. Once he discovered her missing, vengeance would fuel him, driving him deeper into madness. She rubbed her palms nervously thinking of the horrible things he would do if he caught her. Torture. Rape. Humiliation. It was more than what she could endure.
Stop thinking about it and keep moving, Shannon said to herself as she scrambled to her feet. Fear only led to weakness, and this was not the time to falter. Magnus would start the search at first light. Keep going, she breathed. Each minute that went by brought him closer to her, narrowing the gap between them.
Snap!
Shannon spun around in the direction the noise came from. It was still too dark to see anything. Leaves rustle in the distance. The forest seemed to come alive.
Swish. Swish. The steady shuffle of footsteps grew louder. Someone was coming. And they were coming for her.
They’re getting closer, she thought, taking a few steps back. Her hands trembled. The sound of her heartbeat pounded in her ears. Shannon swallowed hard and molded her body against the oak, hoping to hide. She reached into the leather pouch and pulled out the dagger that Gerta had given her.
“Shannon.”
She craned her neck. “Gunnar?”
“Where are you?”
Shannon’s throat tightened—that was not Gunnar. She recognized the raspy voice, the growl of a predator. Magnus. Fear washed over her. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Every muscle in her body tensed as she clutched the dagger tightly.
“You are all alone.”
“No,” she whimpered.
“Ravenshield is not coming for you.”
She sank into despair. Would could she do? Magnus must have killed Gunnar out of revenge, and now she was alone. Truly alone.
“Shannon...”
Enough was enough. He was toying with her, trying to shatter her courage. She had to do something, she could not hide in the forest forever. With nothing left to lose, she decided to take a stand instead of cowling down. It was time to face all fear, battle him head on.
A powerful force swept over her, filling her with strength so intense that it almost took her breath away. Bravery. She had the will to survive, but would it be enough to conquer Magnus?
Shannon knew she could not defeat him physically, but she had no other choice. She was tired of running. If her destiny were to die, then she prayed to die well—just like a Viking. Tucking the dagger behind her back, she sucked in a deep breath and stepped into the clearing.
“Show yerself, Magnus.”
He stepped out from the brush and growled, “As you wish.”
Shannon gasped, feeling her courage waver. He stood just a few feet from her, smiling broadly. The lust in his eyes turned her stomach, sickened her to the core. His face contorted in the shadows as he glared at her.
“You are mine, Shannon,” he declared, “and there is nothing you can do about it.”
“I belong to no one,” she stated, taking a step back.
“It is no use fighting. I own you, and I intend to claim you.” He lunged for her. “Now.”
She whipped out the dagger from behind her back and waved it in front of her. “Stay away.”
Magnus dropped his axe and raised his hands. If she wanted to play games, he thought, then so be it. “Let’s make this a fair fight, my lady. I dropped my weapon. Now, how about dropping yours?”
“Over my dead body.”
“Come now, Shannon. You know you cannot win this. Think of the child you are carrying.”
Shannon’s heart leapt out of her chest. Sweat slicked her palms. “How’d ye know?”
“I have been watching your every move since you came to Dublin,” he laughed, “You are the Valkyrie of Fire. The man who claims you is destined for greatness. Submit now, and I will let your child live.”
Shannon knew he was lying. Magnus would not allow the bairn to live because it belonged to Ravenshield, his enemy. “Never.”
“You have no choice.”
“Yes I do!” She swiped the dagger from side to side, daring him to come near.
“Fight all you want,” he laughed, circling her like a wolf, “but you cannot deny your destiny.”
“I’ll cut ye if ye come near me,” she spat.
“Go on and wear yourself out.” Magnus jumped toward her then backed away. “It will not be long before you are too weak to fight me.”
Shannon swiped the blade at his midsection, slicing his linen shirt. He took a few steps back as she continued to advance. She lashed out with a flurry of jabs, trying to hurt him, fighting for survival.
“Your will may be strong, but mine is stronger,” he said, stepping to the side.
Suddenly, he spun around and wrapped both arms around her, trapping her limbs against her body. She felt the dagger slip through her fingers, heard it hit the ground.
“Let go of me!” She struggled to break free, but his grip was too strong.
“Submit, Shannon,” Magnus said, “Submit to me.”
“No!” she screamed.
He forced her to the ground, pushing up her dress. Shannon kicked and screamed, but he was too tough to fight off. Rocks grated into her back, scratching her flesh. His breath scorched her neck. Sweat covered her skin as he groped her body, sliding his hand between her legs. She clawed at him tearing at his flesh, but it just fueled him more. Suddenly, she drew back her fist and punched him in the face.
“Wench!” Magnus recoiled, holding his jaw.
Suddenly, a screech pierced the air. Shannon looked up and saw a falcon circling in the sky.
“Andor,” she whispered.
Shannon watched the falcon dive out of the sky, talons extended. He darted for Magnus, attacking fiercely. Feathers flew. Wings whipped the air. Claws slashed at the Viking slicing through leather and flesh.
“Get away!” Magnus screamed and swung his arm, knocking the bird aside.
Shannon scrambled to her feet and tore off down the path, running for her life. Branches whipped her face. Leaves and sticks crunched under her feet. She looked back and saw Magnus trampling down the path after her.
“Shannon!” he roared, swinging his axe back and forth.
She cut through the underbrush and raced into a field. There was no place to hide. Sweat poured from her forehead. Pain spread through her chest as she gasped for air. Her muscles tightened from the strain.
“God, help me,” she whispered.
“Shannon!”
Shannon spun around and saw Ravenshield spring from the woods. He ran straight for her, barreling down the trail, wielding his broadsword and buckler. “Gunnar!”
Magnus charged out from the forest toward them.
“Get behind me,” he ordered, jumping in front of her.
Ravenshield thwarted a strike from Magnus’ axe, countering with his broadsword. Metal against metal, he fought on. He checked two more blows and jumped back. “Gunnar, look out!”
He blocked another blow with his buckler. Crack! The wooden shield splintered from the impact. The edge of the axe
split the timber in two, rendering it useless. Sweat dripped down Ravenshield’s temples. The sharp metal was just inches from his nose.
“I’m going to kill you,” he groaned, bracing himself against the weight.
“You first,” Magnus growled, pushing harder.
With one swift move, Ravenshield threw Magnus off and raised his broadsword. “It’s over!”
Before the blade made contact, Magnus had rolled away, springing to his feet. He smashed into Ravenshied shoulder, knocking the broadsword out of his enemy’s hand. It was time to prove his strength, Magnus thought, glancing over to Shannon. From out of the corner of his eye, he saw King Olaf and a band of Viking warriors riding toward her.
“Do something!” Shannon cried.
“This is a matter between the two of them,” King Olaf said, “Only one will be champion.”
Blow by blow, Shannon watched the two men pummel each other fighting for control. Magnus’ fist connected with Ravenshield’s face. The sound of the punch echoed in the air.
She held her breath and looked into the sky. It was too painful to watch. Andor darted in and out of the clouds that blocked the sun’s rays. Someone was going to die, she thought, watching blue sky peek out from the fluffy puffs of grey.
“Dear God,” she prayed, “Please protect Ravenshield.”
King Olaf heard her praying and turned around. Before he could speak, he noticed something strange happening, something he had not witnessed before. “Shannon, your amulet. It’s shining.”
Shannon saw Magnus pull out a knife from the side of his boot. Her heart pounded wildly. “Gunnar! Watch out!”
Ravenshield felt a sharp pain sheared through his body as the blade plunged into his stomach. Time stood still. He looked into Magnus’ eyes and saw his own reflection staring back at him. Something warm and wet saturated his tunic. He looked down at his blood-covered hands and knew that life was quickly draining from his body.
“No!” Shannon cried, covering her eyes. Tears streamed down, spilling over the necklace. She looked down and saw a shimmering light splash from the amulet.
...use the light of fire to conquer your enemy.
Shannon took a step forward, watching Gunnar stagger toward his broadsword. The moonstone and blue amber on the crossguard began to shimmer and sparkle like flames.
Conquered Shores Page 16
