A smoking hot historical romance set in a time of passion and danger. THE PAGAN KING is a Viking adventure...see just how savage love can be!
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A week passed and Redtooth spent the majority of his days with his men, awaiting word from Prüm. No messengers arrived, which led him to believe the ocean was unkind or they feared being outnumbered and decided to keep their forces together.
With no ships appearing on the horizon, he decided to shoo his son aside and escort Tapia for a walk. Their days were spent apart and the nights were not long enough. Twice he'd found her already asleep in her bed and could not bear to disturb her. She looked perfect with her hair spread out on her pillow and a peaceful expression on her face.
"My lord?" she murmured.
"Sleep." He kissed her on the forehead and promised her they'd spend the afternoon together.
The following day Redtooth exited the keep with Hwindar and several of his men following close behind. He excused them once he spotted Tapia with a basket of flowers and Murka standing guard at her side.
"I did not think you would come." She smiled, twisting flowers into a bracelet before she brushed her green-stained hands on her skirt.
"I would not lie to you." He showed her the blanket he'd taken from his chamber and offered his arm. "Shall we?" he questioned.
She glanced at Murka, who issued his father a stern gaze and crossed his arms. "Treat her well," he said, before he answered Grusella's shrill call.
"He is my guardian," she cooed as she watched the youth lumber away. "He practices his swordplay with his left hand so he may protect me."
"Aye, one venture at sea and he believes he can conquer the world."
"His first?"
Redtooth nodded. "Three months aboard a vessel, sleeping beneath the sail at night, fighting off the wind and rain..." He shook his head. "He will never admit it, but he was miserable."
"He says he wishes to travel with you again, to the abbey."
His gut tightened. "There is no need to strengthen our forces in Prüm."
They walked in silence until they crested the first of several knolls. A rabbit hopped out of the tall grass and darted into the shadows, which reminded him of the speed in which he'd been attacked and wounded.
"May I ask for whom they are searching?" Tapia spread the deep red blanket on the moss-covered ground and seated herself.
The sun was setting over the distant hills, a clash of bright pink sky and indigo landscape. Wisps of fog danced along the ground and eventually melded with thick, dark smoke from the longhouses.
"A monk," Redtooth answered at last. He sat beside her and moved her hair away from her shoulder, longing to enjoy her warmth and soft body. Every inch of her seemed molded for his caress alone. Her breast fit into his cupped hand, fingers laced perfectly with his. The thoughts garnered a familiar ache in his balls and he wondered if she'd fit around him when he was inside of her hot, tight body.
"For what purpose?"
"To kill a king."
Her eyes widened and she searched his face. "You wish to start a war?"
Mothers shouted to their children in the distance, and he wanly smiled to himself. Like smoke and fog, the memories of his childhood and the lives of his own sons intermingled.
"Nay, I have no desire to start a war. I wish to end one with the Christians who have long since threatened my people."
Confusion flashed through her gaze and he placed his hand over hers. It came as a surprise that she didn't pull away from him.
"A war against my people and our religion has brewed for decades and I fear it will only grow worse as time passes."
"You do intend to commence a war in order to stop a far worse one."
"Aye. Our numbers diminish beneath a bloodied sword. Men are asked to believe in faith--to relinquish their old ways and succumb to the new ones or die. We are heathens, pagans, soulless bastards who deserve to burn."
"Yet, you burn villages as well."
"Aye, we do. But not in the name of our gods."
"Then you believe your actions are noble?"
"I never said our actions were noble, but no less acceptable than a man who wears a cross around his neck and impales a woman with his sword, then rapes her child daughter. We gain land and gold with our actions, Tapia. Your bishops and priests have similar gains, though they hide behind their god."
Her gaze lowered and she nodded.
"If I do not start this battle, my sons will shed first blood. Better to have it fall upon the father and hope it ends before his children take up arms."
"Where will you attack?"
"If all goes well, only one man will die."
"The monk?"
"The monk's life is unimportant. It is his father and his Christian beliefs that interest me. As long as he lives, he bloodies his sword in the name of his god. He may worship as he desires, but he shall not do so on my land."
Her lips parted. "You wish to murder Charlemagne?"
"Murder? Nay, it is not murder. It is saving my people."
