Her Viking Lovers Read Online Free PDF Page A

his leg. He suspected even the halls
of Valhalla could not compare to being between Esa’s legs but he would surely
favour it over the torture of having had her once while knowing he could not
continue down that path.
    “I
should never have asked you to lie with me,” she whispered.
    Pain
stabbed his thumping heart. She regretted it. “ Neinn , perhaps you should
not have,” he answered coldly.
    Unshed
tears shone in her eyes—eyes that pleaded with him for something, but he could not
fathom what. Esa loved Rennir. He would never live up to such a man. But while
she might regret their lovemaking, he could not.
    “Return
home and rest, Esa. It is late.”
    She hesitated,
thrust up her chin and spun on her heel. Alrek let out a deep, bone-weary sigh.
Her shame hurt him, far more than the wound to his leg. How could he look on
her again knowing she did not view their lovemaking as he did? How could he
continue to watch the woman he loved from afar? If it weren’t for his duty to
the village, he would leave, but even if she did not love him, Esa tied him
here for he would never leave her to harm.

Chapter Four
    After
a sleepless night, Esa was glad to be distracted by Sibba, Rennir’s mother. The
old woman had been sick for some time now and the women of the village all
helped nurse her. Esa enjoyed her company and found that though her body failed
her, her mind did not. Sibba had been a woman of great bravery in her time.
Their settlement had been new and a nearby village thought them weak and easy
prey. Tales of how Sibba had fought of many attackers were still told to the
children. There had been little need for Esa to fight but she knew that if
needs be, she could slice down a man. All the women of the village knew better
than to depend wholly on a man.
    Once
she had dreamed of being a bold warrior and fighting alongside the men. That
part of her had died with Rennir. Now she longed to live a quiet life and raise
many children. It seemed neither dream would come true. No man had interested
her since Rennir with the exception of Alrek and few approached her. None
wished to live in the shadow of Rennir. Not even Alrek it seemed. Or mayhap he
did not care for her as she did him. Though she knew Alrek had not touched her
before out of respect for Rennir, she had not realised his hurts sat so deeply.
    He
wished for death! Oh, how that hurt. To think of never seeing Alrek again
caused her physical pain. But to look on him again would also break her heart.
It would not be long until she had to face him but the shelter of Sibba’s hut
provided her some respite. His callous words still lingered in her mind. Their
time together had meant so much. She could not even bring herself to feel
guilty for it. Rennir was long dead and she needed to move forward. Alrek’s loving
had awakened a part of her that had been hidden for so long. A small part of a
warrior remained in her and it wanted to love and be loved again.
    Sibba
greeted her with a small smile and motioned for her to sit.
    “I
have brought you some herbs and bread.” Esa lifted her basket and put it to one
side before taking a seat. Sibba reached out and Esa took her hand, cradling
the cold, bony fingers in her own.
    “How
are you, Esa?”
    “I
am well, móðir .”
    “You
look tired.”
    “I
did not sleep well.”
    “Yrsa
says Alrek visited with you.”
    Esa
narrowed her eyes at the woman. Trust Yrsa to be speaking of their time together.
Did she speak out of jealousy? Yrsa had not seemed territorial over Alrek and
she considered her a good woman, not the kind to speak out of anger.
    “He
fixed my roof.”
    “Yrsa
said you are lovers.”
    “Yrsa
has said a lot,” Esa replied tightly.
    “She
speaks out of kindness, Esa.” The old woman gave a gappy smile. “As do I.”
    “What
kindness is this? Talking of my personal matters?”
    “I
am old and wise. Yrsa is young and destined to take my place one day. We see
much and understand more. You, my dear, are