Read Online Viking Claimed (Triad Series Book 4) by Kate Pearce - Free Book Online

gun. Aki followed him down with his axe and made short work of ending the coward’s pitiful existence.
    He pulled the last dead Etruscan off Morek and threw him to one side. His Hakron companion lay still, his eyes closed and a bloody track across his cheek. Aki went down on his knees and felt frantically for a pulse.
    Morek opened one eye. “I’m not dead.”
    “Thank the Gods.”
    “I knew I wouldn’t die today.”
    Aki glared at him as his heart settled into a more comfortable rhythm. “You might have told me that.”
    Morek had the audacity to grin. “The Oracle would not have made me wait so long for you if I were to die on this, our first meeting.”
    The door of the hall burst open and Roberts came out. “All clear. Come and get cleaned up.”
    Aki cupped Morek’s chin and kissed his bloodied mouth. “It seems your Oracle has a lot to answer for.”

Chapter Four
    Morek knelt by the pyre and threw fresh flowers into the flames before finding his twin, who stood watching in the shadows of the hut. Ungar’s cheeks were stained with tears, earth and blood, as were Morek’s.
    “For the first time in my life I feel no sorrow for those I have killed,” Morek murmured. “They deserve no respect or prayers to send them on their way.”
    “I agree with you, brother.” Ungar patted his back. “Do you wish to stay here tonight with what remains of our family?”
    “I should do so. Yet my thoughts turn to the Viking.” Morek grimaced. “I am ashamed of myself.”
    “I, too, think of Einarr.” Ungar cleared his throat. “He told me he would be willing to share my bed.”
    “You asked him?”
    “I’ve waited over ten years for this day. I was impatient to begin.” Ungar drew Morek closer. “I have already spoken with the Elders. They understand that we have a duty to meet our mates. They wish something good to come out of this night and give us both permission to leave.”
    “You are certain of this?” Morek looked over at the inhabitants of the hut and received a nod and a smile from the oldest female.
    “Go with out blessing, Morek and Ungar. We thank you for saving us tonight and wish you well with your new mates.”
    Morek went over to the Elders and bowed. “Thank you.”
    “Go in peace.”
    He nodded and walked with Ungar toward the Great Hall.
    “Are you nervous, my twin?”
    “Aye. But Einarr has already spoken with his female, and she is more than willing to accept that I might be their third.”
    Morek stopped walking. “Einarr has a female ? Does Aki?”
    “I don’t know, brother. Perhaps you should ask him when you offer him a place in your bed tonight.” Ungar rolled his eyes. “Does it matter?”
    “I… never thought I’d be in a Triad with a female.”
    “It is the most usual kind.”
    “Mayhap Aki is not yet mated at all,” Morek said hopefully.
    “As I said. You should ask him.”
    “I’m not as direct as you are. You have always been my mouthpiece.”
    Ungar smiled at him. “On this occasion, I suspect you will have to speak up for yourself. We have waited a long time for these Vikings, Morek. We deserve the truth.”
    Einarr drew Aki to one end of the great hall where they could be alone.
    “Frey said Ash is recovering nicely and is being transported back to the city for further treatment. Esca is going with him. She and Elli will meet us at the Temple of Quoxor as arranged.”
    “Good.” Aki glanced around the hall where the Hakron villagers were laying out the injured on pallets on the floor. It was now nighttime. The air was heavy with sorrow, and Morek and Ungar had disappeared to help their family mourn their losses and bury the dead. The night sky was lit up by the red glow of several funeral pyres. In his thoughts, Aki added his own prayers for the dead.
    “What will happen to these people?”
    “The Pavlovan army is on their way to protect this place. They’ll also take away the Etruscans.” Einarr spat into the rushes. “They do not deserve to be