Free Viking Warrior by Connie Mason Page A

streamed into the chamber through the singlewindow, turning Reyna’s hair to pure silver. She was sleeping soundly, her folded hands resting beneath her cheek.
    Wulf had no idea why he was standing over her bed, but somehow looking at her seemed to ease him. He stretched out his hand as if to touch her and then drew it back. If he touched her, he wouldn’t be able to stop until she was stretched out beneath him with his cock buried deep inside her.
    Wulf had to force himself to leave the alcove and return to his own bed. The longer he lingered, the less likely he would be to leave her untouched.

    Reyna had already left the hall when Wulf awakened the following morning. Before going to break his fast at Hagar’s hall, he washed the sleep from his eyes and shaved the stubble from his chin.
    The air had a definite chill to it, Wulf thought as he walked across the yard. Soon he and Hagar would put their ships up for the winter and spend their days and nights chopping wood, hunting and telling rousing Viking sagas around a blazing fire.
    The hall was a beehive of activity. The wounded from yesterday’s battle were up and seated at long tables, breaking their fast. Reyna was nowhere in sight. Wulf greeted his mother and found an empty spot at the table.
    “Where is Hagar?” Wulf asked Thora.
    “He went to fetch your sisters and Eric. You look tired, son. Did you not sleep well?”
    “Ha!” Olga snorted. “He was probably up all night plowing his thrall.”
    “You are wrong, Olga,” Wulf bit out.
    “Show some respect, Olga,” Thora reprimanded. “Reyna saved Olaf’s life.”
    “Where is Reyna?” Wulf asked. “She left my hall before I awakened this morning.”
    “She arrived shortly after dawn to check on the wounded,” Thora explained. “She is with Olaf now, changing the dressing on his wound.”
    “Speak of the devil and there she is,” Olga said, gesturing toward Reyna, who had just left Olaf’s sleeping alcove and was approaching the table.
    “How is my brother?” Wulf asked as Reyna joined them.
    “He is doing very well, considering the gravity of his injury. He was lucky.”
    “We are the lucky ones,” Thora said, “for we have you. Your skill saved Olaf’s life. Please sit down and join us.”
    “Oh, really, Mother Thora,” Olga chided, “Reyna is a thrall and unworthy of praise.”
    Wulf glanced at Reyna’s bowed head and could almost feel the anger emanating from her. Had she been looking up instead of at her plate, he would wager that her heated gaze would turn Olga to cinder.
    Ignoring Olga, Reyna slid into an empty seat beside Thora and helped herself from a platter of eggs. She was too hungry to argue.
    Wulf came to Reyna’s defense. “Mother is right, Olga. Perhaps one day Reyna’s skill will prove useful to you.”
    “I think not,” Olga denied.
    An uneasy silence reigned as everyone concentrated on their food. At length Reyna pushed her empty plate aside and rose. “Please excuse me. I have checked on all the wounded. May I go now to gather herbs and roots to replenish the medicinal chest? It must be done before the ground freezes.” She sent a pointed look at Olga. “If I am lucky, I might find raspberry leaf to aid your labor when you deliver.”
    “I vow you will not touch me when I give birth,” Olga swore.
    Reyna ignored her. “What say you, Wulf the Ruthless? Am I allowed to journey beyond the farmstead for what I need?”
    “You should address Wulf as master,” Olga scolded.
    Reyna glared down her nose at Olga. “I call no man master.”
    Wulf thought it a good time to intervene, before the two came to blows. What was it about Reyna that set Olga on edge? Did she fear Reyna might tempt Hagar to stray?
    “If you wish to gather herbs and roots, I will accompany you,” Wulf said. “Be sure to wear a warm cloak and bring a basket to hold your harvest.”
    “I have an extra cloak you can wear,” Thora offered. “And there are plenty of baskets in yonder