Free Viking by Connie Mason

the other thralls. You would soon have my warriors fighting among themselves for your favors.”
    He dragged her into the house and through the hall to his bedchamber at the far end of the long building. Fiona hadn’t been to the family section of the house yet and was surprised to see severaldoors, which she supposed led to separate bedchambers. Separate bedchambers were a luxury her own home on Man did not have. She and her father slept in tiny curtained alcoves off the hall and everyone else slept on benches or on the floor.
    Thorne opened a door and pulled her inside the chamber. The windowless room was not large, but it was private and it did have a small hearth. A chest for clothing sat against one wall and a bed of furs rested on the bare floor. A tapestry hanging on one wall added a rich splash of color to the otherwise drab decor.
    “You are fortunate to have a home with a bedchamber all your own,” Fiona said to allay her nervousness. Why had Thorne brought her here? What did he intend to do to her?
    “Father is a rich man and I have amassed a considerable fortune of my own. Father built this house to his own specifications. There are four bedchambers, one for each family member. Bretta has the fourth, until we marry, of course. Then she will share mine.”
    “Why am I here?” Fiona asked. “I wish to return to the hall. It will be time to rise and begin my duties soon.”
    “Your duty is to obey your master,” Thorne said. “Father was right, you are proving to be more trouble than you’re worth. The only reason you’re alive is because your wizard convinced me that killing you would bring all manner of disaster to my family. But mark my words, Fiona, I will free myselffrom your spell. Now lie down on the bed and go to sleep.”
    Fiona glared at him. “I prefer to sleep in the hall.”
    “Nay. I cannot trust you around men.”
    “I won’t be your whore.”
    “I did not ask it of you. I’ve already decided that bedding you is not a good idea. I would be playing right into your hands. You want to steal my soul, Fiona, and possibly my heart, which no woman shall ever own. Women bear children, keep a home, and often bring a rich dowry and land to a marriage, but a Viking’s heart belongs to the gods that rule his life. There is no place in Valhalla for a woman.”
    “There is a place for everyone in Heaven,” Fiona pointed out.
    “I am not a Christian, nor do I intend to become one. Lie down, I need to sleep. I’m going hunting at first light with Rolo and Thorolf.”
    Fiona sat gingerly on the fur pallet, waiting to see what Thorne would do. She turned her head away from the daunting sight of his nudity, refusing to acknowledge it. He did not seem at all embarrassed as he stretched, yawned and lay down beside her. He pulled a fur blanket over them and turned away from her. Minutes later he was asleep, snoring softly. Inching away from the heat of his body, Fiona finally relaxed enough to embrace slumber.
    Thorne awakened at first light with a painful erection. Fiona was flush up against his body. His arms were curled around her, one of his hands cupping a firm breast. The other hand rested on thecurve of her hip. He released her as if she were a flaming brand and scooted away from her. He cursed beneath his breath. Even in sleep she had the power to seduce him. He should send her back to the hall to sleep upon a hard bench with the other thralls, but he enjoyed waking up with her in his arms too much. Odin help him, her spell was getting stronger. Or was he becoming weaker?
    He rose and dressed quickly, then shook Fiona awake. Fiona groaned and opened her eyes. “Get up. ’Tis time to begin the day. Tyra will tell you what to do.”
    Fiona scrambled to her feet and made a hasty exit. The other thralls were already busy preparing the morning meal and setting out the tables, which had been taken up and stored after supper the night before. Tyra took her to a room built at a right angle to the