MacAuliffe Vikings Trilogy 3 - Lord of the wolves Read Online Free PDF

and dared, and cried out their own victory.
    But she was not victorious.
    He was the victor.
    And she … she was nothing but his prize. No matter the look upon her face.
    He grit down so hard upon his teeth that he heard their grinding. Being this close was suddenly painful. She"s always had the power to compel men—old Ragwald had been no fool, sending her out to lead troops that long ago day.
    Conar was convinced he had seen no woman more beautiful in all Christendom—or outside Christendom, for that matter. She had something greater than beauty. Something that had made him determined to send her to a nunnery when they had first met, something that had made him dream of her by darkness and by day, something that had bolted him from sleep too many times, leaving him bathed in sweat.
    Something that had made him long to take a switch to her when he had learned that she had come here.
    And something that now made raw desire burn in him like wildfire. Perhaps something that had always blazed deep and rich between them, something he had touched once and been damned for ever since in the aching nights that had stretched out since he had seen her.
    Something that made anticipation very, very sweet now.
    Perhaps it was the defiance in her eyes. Perhaps it was something she didn"t see herself, that simmering sensuality that touched her every movement, her gaze, even the hatred within her eyes.
    Perhaps it all had to do with the fact that he had touched her, that he knew every fascinating subtle nuance of the woman. And knowing was a fever, one that lived with him, leaving him hungry all of the time.
    She would never forgive him for being what he was!
    That didn"t matter. Not tonight. Not ever again.
    “Ah, Melisande!” he said softly. “What a warm way to greet me when we have been apart so very long!”
    “ "Tis a pity I did not manage to greet you more warmly still, my lord Viking. There were so many burning arrows about! What a shame we lacked one to heat your cold Norse heart!”
    “I am wounded, Melisande. Deeply wounded.”
    “I only wish it were so!” she whispered.

    “Melisande, one would think you might consider pretending to be courteous!
    After all, think on it, lady! Think on all that you have done. Why, I should not be hesitating here, but rather I should have my fingers wound tight upon you—”
    “There"s been a battle here today!”
    “—baring your sweet flesh to my ever blistering touch. Why, by all my laws, by your laws, I would certainly have the right to do so! Perhaps you"d like to rephrase your greeting?” he suggested.
    She smiled sweetly, but a violet fire continued to rage within her eyes. “I said, „Your every wish shall be our command." ”
    He laughed loudly, leaning upon his sword. “Oh, I don"t think that is what you said, Melisande!” he murmured. His eyes raked over her. “But I do promise you, milady, that it will be so!”
    “Don"t make promises you can"t keep, Viking.”
    “Melisande, when I make a promise, I always keep it. And I might remind you, I was born in Dubhlain.”
    “Your ships are Viking ships—”
    “The very best,” he agreed. His eyes narrowed. His tone became hard. “I understand that you were about to offer yourself to our old enemy Geoffrey.” She stiffened. She didn"t realize how easily her men were willing to speak with him, believing in his power.
    “I—” she paused, seeing his fury. She shook her head. “I didn"t really mean to go. Damn you, can"t you see? I wished to save lives—”
    “Even think of it again, milady, and—”
    “And?”
    “There will be no hesitance. I shall strip you naked and flay you half dead.”
    “You would never dare.”
    “Would you dare tempt me?”
    “And what if Geoffrey had me?” she inquired coolly, her eyes raging still.
    “Ah, well, then I should have to think deeply of what rewards could be gained if I did or did not retrieve you. But then, you are my prize, never his.
    Perhaps I would have to come