Her Viking Lovers Read Online Free PDF

not blessed with such
understanding. Alrek turned Yrsa away. It was then we knew that he had come to
realise something we have all thought for a long time. Alrek loves you.”
    “Loves
me?” Esa spluttered. “But what of Rennir?”
    “What
of him? I miss him more with each passing day but I know he is where he belongs
in the halls of Valhalla and he would not wish you to live such a life. Rennir
embraced life.”
    “He
did,” Esa agreed.
    “And
he would want the same for you. Become his warrior woman once more and take
Alrek as your man. Fight for his love.”
    “I
do not think he really loves me. He was angered after our time together.”
    “Alrek
harbours many hurts.” Asla squeezed her hand. “As do you. You have suffered
your grief for Rennir together but you need to let each other heal. Be bold. Do
not let him hide behind his wound or his duty. I give you my blessing, child,
as Rennir’s mother. I share his blood and I tell you this is what he would have
wanted. There was no man he trusted more than Alrek. You just need to convince
Alrek he is worthy.”
    Esa
blinked, trying to absorb all she had said. “But how do I do such a thing?”
    “You
will think of something, Esa. You may not be wise but you are smart and
courageous.”
    ***
    When
Alrek returned to his hut that night, he bit back a groan at the sight of an
orange glow seeping from the wood. Someone had lit a fire. It couldn’t be Yrsa.
The woman had discovered his deeply buried secrets somehow so it had to be
another woman seeking pleasure. How could he bed another when he knew how sweet
and tight Esa’s heat was? None would compare.
    He
pushed open the door and readied himself for confrontation. Instead he found Esa
kneeling before him, naked and golden in the light of the fire. She kept her
head dropped, her thighs slightly parted. She shivered as he stood in front of
her. Lust rolled through him at the sight of those thrust out breasts and
slender thighs. He recalled how wet and delicious she’d been between them. The
fragrance of her arousal teased his senses.
    “Esa,
what are you doing?” He slammed shut the door.
    “I
am offering myself to you.” The slight tremor of her voice gave away her
nervousness.
    “Offering?
What do you mean?”
    She
lifted her head and met his gaze. “You are the boldest warrior in the village,
Alrek, and I am offering myself fully to you. My heart and my body. You can do
with me as you wish.”
    Her
offer staggered him. He was used to women coming to him but it was about their
pleasure for the most part. He always gave. Pleasure, protection, aid. Now Esa
offered herself up to him. What did it mean? Her heart? Did she love him? While
Esa had grown quieter after Rennir’s death, he still saw the spark of a Viking
warrior in her. For a Viking woman to put herself on her knees for a man was
unheard of. But part of him wondered if that was not a greater show of strength
than wielding a sword.
    “Esa,
I do not deserve this.”
    “You
do, Alrek. You work harder than any other man here. We depend on you and you
never fail us. Our village thrives thanks to you. I am being selfish in taking
you from the other women, but I must, for I love you, Alrek.”
    “You
love Rennir.”
    “I
do.” Her gaze softened. “I always will. But you do not have to take his place,
Alrek. Am I not a caring woman? There is room in my heart for both of you. You
have proved yourself worthy over and over again and now it is up to me to prove
my worth for you.”
    “Esa—”
    She
trembled. “Will you not take what is offered?”
    His
mind raged, fighting a battle with itself. She loved him. And thought him
worthy. But he still could not believe it. How could he be worthy of this
goddess in front of him? He gritted his jaw. She parted her legs further,
displaying her vulnerability.
    “I
can deny you nothing, Esa.” He wrapped his hands around her arms and drew her
to her feet.
    “I
wish for you to take this night, Alrek. Take and do