Read Online To Tempt A Viking by Michelle Willingham - Free Book Online

were staring at Elena, something had caught their attention.
    They’d gone white with fear.
    ‘Leave us,’ Ragnar ordered once again. Alfarr stared at him as if wanting to refuse, but he left the fallen body of his kinsman and drew his horse back.
    ‘Honour your word,’ Elena said. ‘The gods command it of you.’ Her voice held a low pitch and one of the men raised his hand as if to ward her off. Her command was underscored when lightning flashed in the sky, followed by a low rumble of thunder.
    One by one, they turned to leave.
    When Ragnar turned at last to see her, there was a black serpent coiled around Elena’s throat. In each hand she held an apple. The creatures were symbols of the gods, in animal form, while the apples were sacred.
    No wonder the men had fled. With her reddish-gold hair unbound, spilling over her shoulders, and the serpent twining upon her flesh, she looked otherworldly.
    Slowly, she lifted the snake from her throat and set it upon the ground, watching as it slithered away. Only when it was gone did she begin to tremble. Her footsteps came closer until she threw herself into his arms and buried her face against his chest. She gripped him hard. ‘Thank the gods, they’re gone. We’re safe.’
    Instinct warned him to stand in place and do nothing. But he couldn’t stop himself from holding her close, inhaling the scent of her skin. Her act of bravery had saved them, though he’d been ready to fight.
    He wished that she belonged to him. If she had, he’d have tilted her head back, claiming her mouth in a kiss. Fighting always kindled another flare within him, the desire to take a woman.
    And he’d wanted this one for years.
    Ragnar held her in his arms, feeling the soft press of her breasts against him. His body ached from the fight and he was weary. But this moment was a reward of its own. He savoured the forbidden embrace, knowing it had to end.
    The Irish were staring at them and finally, he broke away from Elena. She took his hand and one of the maidens approached. In broken Norse, she said, ‘You...safe...saved us.’
    Ragnar looked past her to the leader, who sent him an approving nod. Though he knew no Irish, he opened both of his hands to show that he meant no harm to them.
    ‘You...eat now?’ the maiden asked.
    ‘I am hungry,’ Elena admitted. ‘I think we should join them.’ Her gaze passed over him and she asked, ‘What about you?’
    Oh, he was hungry indeed. He wanted to take her back to their tiny shelter and claim her mouth, sating himself upon her sweet flesh. But he would never admit it; not in this lifetime.
    ‘We should go with them, ja .’ He limped slightly as she clasped his hand and moved forwards. The women smiled at Elena, as if they recognised what she’d done to save them.
    ‘I hate snakes,’ she admitted. ‘I still feel as if my skin is crawling.’
    ‘I don’t know how you found one. I thought there were no serpents here.’
    She squeezed his hand. ‘I saw it after I voiced a prayer. I don’t know how, but it was here when I needed it. Perhaps the gods did favour us.’
    * * *
    The sky was growing darker and rain was inevitable. The Irish had set up several fires, the women hurrying to cook a meal before the downpour. ‘For you and your mate,’ the Irish maiden said, offering Elena the choicest piece of venison. She didn’t know where the roast had come from, but after an hour of warming themselves by the fire, the scent of meat was wonderful. She lacked the words to correct the woman, that Ragnar was not her husband, but what did it matter? In a few days, she’d never see these people again.
    There was an air of rejoicing, in spite of the impending weather. While she and Ragnar ate, the children ran around with the dogs, laughing. One of the older men began to tell stories and though she could not understand him, Elena was caught by the deep tone of his voice. He used his hands to weave the tale and Ragnar’s palm came over to her spine.