The Stolen Valkyrie: Broken Bonds (Part One) (Fantasy Erotic Romance Novelette) Read Online Free PDF Page B

and directed the horse toward the trees. Once they had secured the horses to low-lying branches, they brushed each down and fed them. Always worrying over the care of livestock, Asta urged them to pay special attention to the hooves. She knelt to spread a special poultice to her stallion’s legs before handing it off to Tani.
     
    While they worked, Asta asked, “Did ye offer Nikoli a farewell kiss?”
     
    Tani lowered her head, using her hair to shield her face, as she said, “Grand Mistress, ye focus much on the forbidden.”
     
    Asta almost giggled at her friend’s throaty tone. She could not rid her voice of amusement, “Our Grand Chief would have allowed such. After all, ye put up a ferocious fight with Ziki.”
     
    Tani peeked through her strands of hair at Asta. She did not bother hiding the awe in her voice, “My Great Mistress Chief, the memory stains your cheeks red.”
     
    Asta tried to contain the laughter bubbling inside as she darted a glance toward Kelci. Observant as always, Tani quickly said, “She is aware. All the clan’s eyes and ears enjoyed the act.”
     
    Asta leaned forward, “Tell me what was said.”
     
    “They barely spoke of anything else but the mating feast. The warriors look forward to the next moon phase, waging on which bond mate will be next.” Tani’s voice shook as she asked, “Will the Grand Chief bestow another with his grace, Mistress Asta?”
     
    Asta’s eyes widened. She had no idea whether Johan would continue with any other. She was surprised that the thought held a certain appeal. At the same time, jealousy fired strong. Lifting a shoulder in an attempt to ease her tension, Asta forced a smile and said the only thing that came to mind, “If the Gods will him.”
     
    Tani’s head tilted as she asked, “And what of the Goddesses?”
     
    Standing, Asta offered her a hand, “My friend, the Goddesses surely nag the Gods into doing their bidding.”
     
    Tani gasped at such bold words. Asta’s eyes rose to the sky as she turned away, “For their passion burns hot. Just look at them winking down upon us.”
     
    Tani’s eyes rose to witness the stars as well. Goose bumps flew down her arms but had nothing to do with the chill of night approaching. An uneasy feeling threw a shudder down her spine, “Mistress Gojicia, Great Chieftess of Zajihn, ye must not direct such blaspheme upon the Gods.”
     
    With a heavy sigh, Asta draped an arm across Tani’s shoulders and said, “The Gods would have stricken me long ago, Tani, if they saw issue with my blasphemous nature. Fear not, the Goddesses are surely with us.”
     
    Asta watched Kelci drop to her knees and lower her head in a cowering stance at her words. She could feel Tani trembling but refused to beg forgiveness from the Gods and Goddesses.
     
    Both attendees waited. When Asta said nothing more, they nervously peeked right and left. Such brashness was an invitation for uproar that neither of them appreciated. Tani’s voice, just a whisper, cut through the silence and made Kelci jerk, “I pray to thee, Gods and Goddesses, for an uneventful journey.” 
     
    Their Mistress said nothing. Knowing her boldness had rattled them, she left the two to gather their wits. Even as a child, Asta had been defiant of tradition. This rebelliousness did not stop at the heavens. Warnings from her parents had done nothing to dampen her spirit. On the contrary, their cautions had fired Asta into being even bolder.  
     
    As darkness threatened, Asta hunched her shoulders against the chill and quickly gathered dry brush and wood for a fire. Along the way, she kept a sharp eye out for small game. Retrieving her bow and arrows from the satchel, her mind flew back to Johan taking them from her. Apparently, he had seen fit for Nikoli to restock the arrows.
     
    Although she gave him grief, Asta knew he was a great Master and Chief. She held no ill feelings about Tani and the woman lavishing his cock. After all, his offering