When he saw her, he came to a halt.She felt his leisurely perusal to the bottoms of her feet, and the moment his gaze met hers she breathed a sigh of relief.His expression was full of mirth.
“I see you did not approve of my aunt’s choice.”
Brunhild shrugged.“ ‘Twas not my style.I have altered it as much as I could.”
“I approve,” he said with a delicious rumble in his voice.
She ignored the answering echoes that sound launched in her body.“I care not whether you approve or not.I would never don something so provocatively designed.Garnering the attention of men, or being seen as nothing more than a creature meant to tantalize them, has never been my desire.”
He just shook his head at her vehemence, chuckling softly.“Calm yourself, Fireheart.I did not intend to insult you.I merely meant that the change you wrought in the garment made it a far more suitable display of your thorny nature.”
She had nothing to say in return, because a part of her she resented was immeasurably pleased at the compliment.
He winged his arm in her direction.“Shall we, wife?”
He laughed again as she sighed.
“If I must,” she said as she slipped her hand over his forearm.She was acutely aware of his regard as they descended the staircase.
“What?”She finally asked, not bothering to disguise her annoyance.
“I think there is far more to you than your bloodthirsty reputation.”
“There is,” she agreed.“My unrelenting desire to crush my enemies beneath the heel of my boot and my unmitigated commitment to amassing as much plunder as I can before I die.”
Brunhild vowed he would never be privy to the other wants and desires that consumed her.Her self-doubt was a weakness she shared with no one, not even her closest friend.The guilt that ofttimes plagued her over the blood she’d spilt and the lives she’d destroyed wasn’t something she shared either.She’d done it all to honor Freyja and her mother, and to earn her berth in Valhalla.
The dinner passed uneventfully, and when the crowd finally demanded the king and his new bride retire to their chamber, Brunhild rose reluctantly from her seat.
She allowed her husband to sweep her into his arms, because she knew it was expected.
Brunhild had never been carried in a man’s arms.She was usually just as strong and tall as they were, and it simply wasn’t feasible.But her new husband mounted the steps with ease, one arm curled around her shoulders and the other behind her knees.
After he kicked the heavy door to their shared chamber shut, he swung her about and slid her down the length of his body, until her feet touched the floor.She felt the evidence of his arousal behind his plaid as he lowered her, and heat suffused her cheeks.
When his hands went to the belt that held his plaid in place, she struck.Her cut was fast and vicious, and carved a line of blood down his cheek before he caught her hands in an iron grip.
Toran’s hands fell to her hips, manacling her wrists.
“You dare to strike me?”He hissed in disbelief.
“I’d sooner take a Kraken to my bed.”
“And I’d sooner woo a venomous asp and the Kraken never ask for what they want.They take it and then leave it broken.Be glad your father foisted you on me and not that spawn.”
“As I told you when they bound us together, my poison is warranted.I never wanted this union.”
“It was not of my choosing, either.But necessity demanded it.”He sighed and ran his hand over the shadow of his beard.“I grow weary of fighting.My enemies surround me and I would find a measure of peace in my marriage bed.May I propose a truce?”
Brunhild crossed her arms and glowered.“If your truce involves anything other than you making your bed on the floor and relinquishing the mattress to me, you’ll likely find my dagger in your ribs again.I’ll not be molested by your grimy, saltwater touch.”
“Wife, do not think your dagger will protect you.If you do aught to harm me, you shall waken the beast within.”
She snorted.“A horse, or so I’ve heard.What have I to fear from a horse?Horses can be tamed.”
“I will forgive your ignorance, as you have never seen an each uisge roused by anger or bloodlust.In our full transition, we are not a sight for the faint of heart.”
Her laughter tinkled merrily through the room and she could see her amusement both shocked and irritated her new husband.“Tell me why I should fear this beast you speak of with such reverence.”
