His Captive Bride Read Online Free PDF

down—“impossible. I would—”
    “Remember you,” they both said at the same time.
    The lady shook her head abruptly, as if awakening from a dream. Looking down, she held out her palm once more. “I-I would like that back, please.”
    When he did not comply, she shifted her other hand in a subtle movement, resting it on the lush curve of her hip—near a knife she wore sheathed at her waist.
    Hauk blinked down at her, bemusement cutting through the other feelings crowding his senses. Did she actually think to threaten him? The idea that this slip of a female, who barely came to his chin, who could be no more than two and twenty, thought to pose any danger to a man of his size... What a bold little Valkyrie!
    Opening his fingers, he glanced down at the object in his hand: a small toy. A brightly colored spinning top.
    His brow knit in puzzlement, he held it out toward her. She plucked it from his palm, her fingertips just grazing his skin this time.
    “Th-thank you,” she said uneasily, stepping back another pace, her eyes searching his once more. “I am sorry for the trouble.” Tucking the little toy into the coin purse on her belt, she hurried past him into the crowd.
    Keldan, who had remained silent through the entire exchange, started to chuckle. “I believe we have room in the longboat for her, Hauk. For that one, we could most assuredly make room—”
    “ Nei .” Surprised to find himself speaking in a whisper, Hauk repeated the word more firmly. “ Nei . I have no need... I do not want...” Someone brushing past them dropped a coin in his upturned palm, and he abruptly realized he was still holding his hand out in front of him.
    Annoyed with himself, he tossed the coin aside and clenched his fist. “I told you before, I am only here to watch over you and the others—”
    “ Ja , that is what you said. But a man does not trip over a lady like that every day. Sparks, liveliness, intelligence... I think she merits a second look. Hurry, before she gets away from you.”
    Before Hauk could gather his scattered wits, Keldan was running off in the direction the green-eyed demoiselle had gone.
    Spitting curses, Hauk chased after him, catching up at the end of a broad lane full of merchants. The crowds were thinning as the tradesmen closed their stalls for the day, folding down awnings and fastening shutters while the sun’s light began fading in a blaze of twilight.
    His friend stood staring at a booth on the opposite side of the street, an awestruck smile on his face. “Look at her, Hauk. Just look at her.”
    “I have already seen her close enough. I have the bruises to prove it. You—”
    “ Nei , not that one. That one.”
    Hauk turned to see what had so captivated his friend: a petite brunette standing at one of the merchant’s stalls, her hands moving animatedly as she chatted with the proprietor and her fellow customers. The girl’s sparkling laugh carried over the noise of the crowd.
    “A voice like music and the body of a goddess,” Keldan whispered as if barely daring to say the words aloud for fear she would vanish. “And her laughter... her sweet face. She is charming. She is perfect.”
    “She is well protected. Or did you not notice the armed guard beside her? Trying to carry that lady off would only win you a blade in the belly.”
    Keldan blinked at the guard as if he truly had not noticed before. Frowning, he set his many souvenirs at his feet. “There must be a way... but wait. What is this?”
    He elbowed Hauk in the ribs as the green-eyed demoiselle came into view, appearing beside the brunette.
    “Look! It appears that my lady and yours are friends.” Keldan’s smile returned. “Do you not agree now that we must have them? Surely Odin himself has guided us here.” He glanced up at the deepening sky. “The sun is almost down. We could take them both and—”
    “I do not want that demoiselle or any other. Have you not heard a word I have said? You have never seen what a