Free Kathleen Kirkwood & Anita Gordon - Heart series by The Defiant Heart Page B

room. Like a great, raging bear he set upon Hakon. Dragging him to his feet, he slogged him in stomach and jaw, then backhanded him across the face.
    Hakon hurtled backward against the side-floor, yelling out as his ribs struck against the edge of board. Mouth and nose bleeding, a cut above his eye, he stirred to gain some advantage.
    But Skallagrim ’s fury stormed unabated. Grabbing an ax down from the wall, he clutched the shaft at each end then started once more for Hakon. As Hakon recovered his footage, Skallagrim caught him straight on with the ax handle. Ramming it across Hakon’s throat, he shoved him up against one of the hall’s stout posts, nearly lifting him from his feet.
    »«
    “Cease, Uncle!” Hakon rasped beneath the wood. “Would you kill me for a mere kiss of your slave? I did but seek a taste of her lips and pleasure my hand with her breasts.”
    “ You lie,” Skallagrim snarled in his face.
    “ Nei ,” Hakon spat with disdain. “I would not spoil your prized gift to the Byzantine. I have not forgotten her usefulness to you.”
    Skallagrim eyed him with a hard, incisi ve gaze. “See that you remember,” he bit out. “ ‘Twill be a long journey, Hakon. Take what slavewomen you will to satisfy your lusts for the duration. But be assured, touch this one and I shall personally cut your throat, nephew or not.”
    At that, Skallagrim released Hakon. Angrily Hakon snatched up his tunic from the side-floor and stalked from the hall.
    »«
    Ailinn gripped the wreckage of fabric to her breast. Eyes wide and nerves racked raw, she trembled violently as her grim-faced master approached.
    The chieftain looked down on her, ma rked her ruined dress, the fear in her eyes, and then examined her for bruises. Freeing the chain from the post, he led Ailinn to the back of the hall, where he secured her, as the night before, to the foot of his bed.
    As Ailinn huddled upon the pallet, Skallagrim positioned his great chair to face the door, then took up his seat. Placing his ax across his lap, he kept wat ch, prepared for anyone who would give challenge or dare to thwart his plans.

Chapter 4
     
    The twins trotted happily along the lane ahead of their uncle, their little mouths puckered around a piece of honeycomb.
    As they approached the hús , Lyting lengthened his stride to catch up with them, then pushed open the door before sticky little hands could touch it.
    Aleth greeted them with a smile and shake of her head as the three entered, licking their fingers and lips.
    “ Lyting, how you do spoil the children!” She laughed, catching up a damp cloth and coming forward.
    Her smile widened as, one after the other, Richard and Kylan offered up their portions of the waxy comb for her to taste.
    “Merci. Mais non, mes petits. Though, mayhap we best tidy you up before you give your maman and papa a big hug.” Aleth swept a glance to Lyting. “You as well.” She raised on tiptoe to wipe a trace of honey from his chin.
    Lyting chuckled at her motherly attentions and shifted the small crock of golden nectar from beneath his arm.
    “For you, my lady. A small token. How would men such as we fare without your tender ministrations?” He winked at the boys.
    “ You could use a little fussing over,” she chided, tugging at one of the long, pale locks that reached low on Lyting’s chest. “When you are of a mind to part with some of this bountiful mane, come to me. I shall see that you have a fine cut.”
    “ Soon, Aleth.” He flashed her a smile, the creases deepening in his cheeks. “I confess, I do not look forward to the tonsure and have been enjoying the full wealth and measure of my hair these months past. But ‘tis yours for the shearing when the time comes.”
    Lyting gave over the jar to Aleth, then glanced toward the door at the rear of the skali .
    “ They are in the yard,” Aleth offered as she set the crockery on the side floor. Kneeling to the boys’ height, she began wiping Kylan’s face.