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

honorably buried. They used modern weaponry against a peaceful village without just cause.”
    “I agree with you, my brother.” Aki patted Einarr’s tense shoulder. “When will we leave for Quoxor?”
    “When Morek and Ungar are ready to travel.” Einarr lowered his voice even more and spoke their own language. “Ungar fights well.”
    “As does Morek.” Aki paused. “He kisses well, too.”
    Einarr’s gaze met his. “Ungar wants me to share his bed tonight.”
    “And do you wish to do that?”
    “Aye. Very much.”
    The simplicity of Einarr’s answer made Aki want to smile.
    “I asked Frey, and she told me it was all right to proceed,” Einarr added.
    “Morek hasn’t asked me, but he did mention something about the Oracle having foretold our arrival.”
    “So Ungar said.” Einarr nodded. “Perhaps these males are meant to be ours.”
    Aki slung an arm around his twin’s shoulder. “All the more reason for us to reach Quoxor and meet this famous Oracle. A lot seems to hang on her word.”
    Even as he turned back, he noticed Ungar and Morek entering the hall. They both looked rather somber. For a moment, Aki was ashamed of the carnal nature of his thoughts.
    Morek met his stare and after a last kiss on his brother’s forehead, he made his way over to Aki.
    “Did you see the healer?” Aki asked him.
    “Not yet.” Morek sighed. “There were many of my family to be laid to rest. The flow of my blood, my tears and my pain seemed a fitting way to mourn them.”
    Aki patted the bench beside him. “Sit. I will tend to you.” He went to one of the women managing the injured and came back with a bowl of warm water, a soft cloth and some healing ointment.
    Morek turned to sit with his legs facing outward and Aki stood in front of him. With gentle fingers he cleaned out the gouge on the other male’s cheek and patted on some of the thick, creamy balm. He continued his ministrations, washing away the dirt and blood to expose each hurt and then tending to it as carefully as he could. Despite everything that had occurred that day, a great sense of peace descended upon him as he worked his way down Morek’s muscled body.
    It took him a while to realize that the calming sensations flowed effortlessly from Morek’s mind and had enveloped his completely. For the first time since arriving in this foreign world, he felt whole again.
    “There. That is better.” Aki murmured.
    Aiding Morek gave Aki his first chance to really look at the Hakron male—his gleaming green skin, long dark hair and sensuously curved lips. When Morek opened his grey eyes, and stared right back at him Aki didn’t look away.
    “Will you come to my bed, Viking?”
    “Aye, if you want me.”
    After the increasing incursion of the new religions in his home village, it was refreshing to find a culture that accepted a man might desire both sexes without being considered a godless sinner. And Morek’s desire for him was as straightforward as the man himself. Aki could no more have denied him than he could Elli.
    Morek rose in one fluid motion. “I want you more than I want to breathe.”
    Aki followed the other male out of the Great Hall and down several narrow streets until they came to a small thatched hut at the very end of the row. Morek opened the door and bowed.
    “We will be safe here until morning. The first scouts of the Pavlovan army are already within our boundaries and have sworn to protect us from further attack.”
    There was a fire built into a stone fireplace on one wall, a small table and chairs, and on the other side a large bed covered in furs and animal skins in colors Aki didn’t recognize.
    “My main home is at the Temple.” Morek took off his cloak, wincing as he flexed his bruised shoulder. “This is where Ungar and I grew up. It is a simple place.”
    “It reminds me of my own home,” Aki said hoarsely. “I hated the Pavlovan city. This feels more… real to me.”
    “You wouldn’t find me in one of