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Warriors Book 3: Valkyrie Heat

    massive pile, but Brandr kept instructing her to get more. She
    knew they wouldn’t possibly use it all, but when she had argued
    with him, he had raised his hand as though to strike her. Sky had
    raced into the woods from the little clearing to do his bidding with
    the men laughing behind her. She was cautious not to stray too far.
    Because she hadn’t been killed, her anxiety had lowered,
    somewhat. She was still unsure and fearful, yet she felt if they were
    going to cause her undue harm they would have already. Though
    they seemed to take pleasure in ordering her to do menial tasks
    repetitively. She had come to the conclusion they were bullies. She
    didn’t think they were responsible for the brutal murders. If they
    had been, no doubt she would be dead. Bullies or not, she felt she
    was safer with them than alone.
    Next Brandr had her hauling large rocks from the riverbank to
    place around the fire, containing it. Each time Brandr sent her back
    for larger rocks until she was gasping for breath lugging
    cantaloupe-sized miniboulders. She filled each man’s leather flask
    with water. She shook out Brandr’s large fur and placed it over soft
    pine boughs she collected, yanking them from trees or using a
    sharp rock to cut them down. Her arms and legs were aching and
    her feet were sore. Her hands shook from all the cutting and
    tugging she had done. When her body trembled she stopped and
    stood still for a moment, feeling woozy from lack of sleep and little
    food. They had allowed her to drink water from her hands at the
    river but had given her nothing else. Tears burned the back of her
    eyes.
    Brandr approached. She didn’t argue this time, just gazed up
    at him solemnly. She wasn’t certain she could run if he lifted his
    hand to her. She couldn’t go on. Brandr studied her for a moment
    and looked at her huge pile of wood; he checked the rocks at the
    fire and hefted his full flask. Finally, he nodded his approval and
    Sky collapsed at his feet in relief. He gripped her arm and dragged
    her up then he propelled her to his large fur under the tree,
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    Viking Warriors Book 3: Valkyrie Heat

    shoving her onto it. Terrified, she thought he meant to rape her.
    But he walked away. Sky curled into a small ball with weariness.
    Before long, she slept.
    Sky was awakened when Brandr kicked her belly. It wasn’t a
    cruel blow, but enough to have her on her feet. It was growing
    dark and he led her to the fire. She sat down beside him, trying to
    make herself smaller. A large roast of meat was spitted near the
    flames and her belly rumbled. The other men were watching her.
    One was eying her intently. Sky could tell by the look on his face
    what he wanted and moved even closer to Brandr.
    The man said something to Brandr that made him scowl.
    Brandr snapped a few words at him and the man shrugged. Feeling
    her hand nudged, she was handed some flatbread that she accepted
    gratefully. Brandr said a word to her and she repeated it. When he
    handed her a skewered chunk of the heavenly smelling meat, he
    said the same word which had her to believe she was thanking him
    for what he was giving her. When he offered her a drink from his
    leather flask, she said the word without prompting and he nodded
    in approval.
    Sky dove hungrily into the meat, practically pouncing into it.
    The juices slipped down her chin. Eyes squeezed closed in delight,
    she hadn’t thought there was a more wonderful flavor. When she
    was done she sucked on her fingers enthusiastically. She looked at
    Brandr with hope, still famished from days of going without. He
    shook his head with his eyes raised, but handed her more meat. Sky
    wolfed down that as well as more flatbread until finally her hunger
    was satisfied.
    When they were finished eating, Brandr looked her over, then
    looked at the man who had been watching her so intently
    throughout the meal. He was motioning toward Brandr
    enthusiastically. The man held up a