Read Online The Pagan's Prize by Miriam Minger - Free Book Online Page B

disgust. "Are you sure you won't return to the ship, my lord? I'd
trade a pallet on deck for this stinking hovel any day, and the thought of
Kjell and Leif aboard alone, surrounded on every side by our enemies—"
    "Enough, Arne." Rurik's voice was low and
firm. "You know the plan. Leif and Kjell will stay with the ship while we
gather what information we can at the market and deal with our valuable charge."
He glanced at the silent woman holding his arm, then met the warrior's
disgruntled gaze. "Don't forget that our surly welcome committee granted
us a mere four-day trading pass, then we must leave the city. We don't have
time to waste."
    Turning away, Rurik held his lamp higher and pushed
open a door leading to a tiny separate bedchamber. A mouse squeaked and
skittered over his foot into the main room, causing the woman to start.
    "You've nothing to fear, little one," he said
as he led her into the shadowed, windowless chamber. "It's only a mouse—"
    A loud stamping sound came from the other room, followed
by a satisfied grunt. "A dead one," Arne announced.
    Shaking his head, Rurik set the sputtering lamp on the
floor and tossed the large bundle of furs he'd been carrying onto the bed. The
straw-filled mattress appeared somewhat fresh, but he would cover it with soft
skins anyway. This room wasn't the fine bower his wide-eyed beauty was surely
accustomed to, but it was the best available. At least it would offer them more
privacy than the tent aboard ship.
    "My stomach's yowling like the wolves of Hel,"
said Arne, appearing on the threshold. "If you'd like, my lord, I'll set
up a fine feast in the other room." His gaze raked over the woman. "She
looks like she could use a hot meal. She's a bit too skinny for my taste."
    "Better skinny than too fat like you." The
woman's retort had been uttered so softly that Rurik almost believed he had
imagined it. Then he noticed the slight jutting of her chin. Amused by this
little show of temper, he glanced back at Arne, who thankfully had missed the
insult.
    "The wench and I will be eating alone tonight,"
he said, not offering any further explanation.
    Arne stared at him in some confusion. "You will?"
    Rurik nodded meaningfully. Settling his arm around the
woman's shoulders, he felt the tension in her body subside as he drew her
close.
    Arne appeared even more confused. "But, Lord Rurik
. . . you said you weren't keeping the wench for yourself—"
    "I'm not. I have a plan, Arne. Trust me."
    The warrior gaped at them for an instant, then
understanding lit his eyes and his swarthy, bearded face broke into a lusty
grin. "Aye, I'm sure you do, Lord Rurik. When it comes to pleasing the
wenches . . ." Chuckling, he turned to leave.
    "A jug of wine would be nice, my friend, and half
of that fine crusty loaf of bread if you can spare it. And some of that
spit-roasted mutton," Rurik called after him.
    "There's more than enough." Arne gave Rurik a
broad wink over his shoulder. "It'll take me a moment to fetch your meal,
then I'll trouble you no more save for my snoring."
    Rurik smiled wryly, but he sobered when he studied the
woman nestled against him. If she had been affronted a moment ago, he saw no
sign of it now. She seemed perfectly content in his embrace, her eyes large and
luminous in the lamp's golden light.
    Feeling his heart beginning to pound, he hoped Arne
hurried with their meal. He was inclined to slam the door shut so they would
not be disturbed. He could not remember ever having such a pleasurable task
before him, his goal being to drive this woman to such wild distraction that she
screamed out her master's name.
    He couldn't wait to claim her, to quench within her
temptress's body his mounting lust ignited too many long hours ago. Surely when
he was spent and satiated, he would be freed from this ungodly fascination.
Other enchanting women had ceased to intrigue him when he had tasted their
feminine secrets. She would be no different.
    Rurik was relieved when Arne's hulking