Free The Viking Wants Forever by Koko Brown Page B

rounded like saucers.
    Even if she wasn’t too keen on playing a medieval version of Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner , she remained to herself and split open a piece of warm sweet bread. Whistling, she lathered it with butter. She moved to take a bite, and the men seated across from her suddenly jumped up and scurried off in various directions, leaving her alone at the table.
    Albeit disturbed by their behavior, she shrugged her shoulders. It was either eat or pass out from hunger, so she turned her attention back to her plate. She looked down, it was gone!
    “What the—” Reese glanced under and around the table, but nothing. She spun about and her gaze met a pair of pale blue eyes. Blonde, of medium height and rather plump, the woman’s face bore a striking resemblance to Eirik with the addition of red stains marring her complexion. A prickle of apprehension stole down Reese’s spine.
    “What are you doing?” the woman choked out.
    “I was eating breakfast.” Reese held up the piece of bread as evidence.
    The blotches on the woman’s cheeks turned an angry beet red. “Slaves are forbidden from eating at the main hall’s table, even if you are my son’s newest whore.”
    Whore?
    Reese ignored the warning bells in her head. She dropped the sweet bread onto the wooden trencher and then pushed back from the table. Once she was standing, she placed her hands on her hips and faced the other woman. 
    “Let’s get this straight, lady. I’m no man’s slave. And I’m definitely not your son’s whore!” Reese regretted the words the minute they spilled from her lips. With each syllable the woman’s already ruddy complexion turned a shade darker until it bordered on purple.
    “Wh-wh-wh-why, you insolent wench!” she choked out before grabbing Reese’s arm. “As long as I am mistress of my son’s home, I will not stand for disobedience. And neither will he!” Despite her age, the woman was surprisingly strong as she easily pulled Reese behind her.
    Once outside, the woman kept up her vigorous pace until she stopped in front of the barn Reese had slept in only a few days ago. She pushed the wooden doors inward, and the familiar sound of bleating sheep and clucking chickens welcomed them.
    “EIRIK!”
    A thatch of red hair materialized at the top of a stall in the rear. To Reese’s amusement, a hand reached out, grabbed a handful of said hair and hauled the person backward. Unfortunately, they weren’t quick enough, because the woman tightened her grip on Reese’s arm and proceeded to pull her along behind her to an open stall where Eirik, Thoren, and another man stood over a chestnut mare.
    Without looking up, Eirik addressed them. “I don’t have any time for your nagging today, Mother. Vida is about to give birth.”
    Ignoring his cantankerous tone, the woman made her case. “I caught this...wench eating at the common table—”
    “Is that all, Mother?” Eirik interjected. “I told her she had free reign of my hall. However, she was not to go outside without my escort. Since she is with you, she has not disobeyed me.”
    Reese smiled as Brita sputtered, “S-s-so she is correct when she says she is not a slave?”
    Eirik’s gaze swung to her and Reese’s bravado slipped a notch. Surely after what they’d shared
    her position had changed.
    “Is this true, Eirik? Is she not your slave?” Reese looked at the other man who’d spoken, and her mouth fell open in surprise. Bjarni had transformed from an unkempt barbarian to a handsome rogue. He’d combed his wild ebony locks and trimmed the bird’s nest of what had been a shaggy beard into a neat goatee. The changes made him almost as handsome as Eirik. “If she is not your slave, then she is free to choose between us.”
    Bjarni moved toward her, but Eirik stepped in front of him. “The woman is mistaken.”
    “Where is her thrall collar?” Bjarni pointed at Reese’s bare neck. “She would not think thus if she really were in