Northman’s Brides 2
Historical Romance
Date Published: 03-02-2024
Stories say that in the heat of battle, Grim Hammerhand becomes a
two-legged wolf. His prowess prompts the king to send Grim after his
daughter Asgerd who has been captured by the brutal warrior Stein. In
return, the king offers Grim Stein’s land as well as Asgerd’s hand in
marriage. Mistrusting of all women, Grim vows never to marry. He reserves
his passion for battle and the forge.
Asgerd has loved Grim for years, but the handsome red-haired warrior has
never noticed her. Defiled by Stein, Asgerd doubts she could ever desire any
man again, but when Grim defeats Stein and claims Asgerd as his wife, she
realizes her feelings for Grim are stronger than ever, but can she win the
trust and heart of her reluctant husband?
Excerpt
“Come face your destiny,” Grim bellowed. “I grow tired of
waiting.”
A moment later, Stein and Asgerd emerged from the longhouse. She was more
beautiful than ever. Even her worn tunic couldn’t hide her generous
curves. What impressed him most was that her eyes shone with rage instead of
fear despite the rough hold Stein had on her and the threat of his blade
against her throat. She had always been an uncommonly beautiful woman. Now
he saw that she had courage as well.
“You know why I’m here, Stein.” Grim tightened his hold
on his sword. “You have cheated the king and abducted his daughter.
Now you’ll pay your debt.”
“If you want to kill me, Grim, you’ll have to go through
her—the king’s daughter.”
Stein’s attraction to a woman as luscious as Asgerd was
understandable, but it was no reason to abduct her, and nothing could excuse
his behavior at this moment.
Grim had once fought alongside Stein years ago, but the man who stood
before him was a shadow of that young warrior. Dressed in filthy clothes,
his hair and beard matted, he stared at Grim with eyes glazed from too much
drink. What had happened to him over the years Grim couldn’t say, and
he had no time to ponder it. Asgerd’s safety mattered more than
figuring out the reason for Stein’s downfall, as did reclaiming this
land that the king had given to Stein when he’d been in favor. Clearly
the king hadn’t realized how low Stein had sunk over the years.
“You call yourself a warrior?” Grim curled his lip in disgust.
“What manner of man hides behind a woman? It seems you haven’t
lived with dignity, Stein, but perhaps you can die with it. Release her and
face me.”
A look of defeat and terror passed across Stein’s face. A bit of
reality must have penetrated his madness and made him realize that no matter
what he did there was no escaping Grim’s blade.
Surprisingly, Asgerd took advantage of her captor’s moment of doubt.
With a mighty effort against the hold of Stein’s burly arms, she
managed to thrust all her weight to one side and slam her fist between his
legs.
Grunting in pain, he loosened his grip. She tried to flee, but only managed
a few awkward steps before tumbling to the ground.
Grim howled, a battle cry that never failed to instill fear in his enemies.
He raced for Stein who managed to deflect several blows before Grim’s
blade rammed his gut.
The defeated warrior’s eyes bulged. He dropped his weapon and sank to
his knees.
With a fierce tug, Grim withdrew his bloodied weapon from its cocoon of
flesh and bone. Stein fell to the ground, dead.
Grim turned to the crowd of villagers who had gathered to watch the
spectacle.
“By order of the king I lay claim to this house and lands,” he
said in his most resonant voice. “Obey me and we will live in peace.
Cross me and suffer Stein’s fate. Now go about your
business.”
The crowd dispersed, and his men went about interrogating Stein’s
warriors, deciding who would take orders and who might cause problems.
Grim turned to Asgerd who had risen awkwardly to her feet, her face and
tunic stained with dirt from her fall. She stared at him warily. The
delicate tip of her tongue moistened her full pink lips and her blue eyes
gazed into his.
For years he had tried to ignore her. Grim wouldn’t allow a
woman’s claws to sink into his heart. Bedding them was one thing, but
caring for them was another. Something about Asgerd had always tempted him
far too much, which was why he paid so little attention to her. She was
almost irresistible, and that made her dangerous.
Now he realized her beauty was only a small part of her charm. The way
she’d used her wits and meager strength against Stein inspired his
admiration, and he wasn’t easily impressed. Still she was a woman and
they were crafty.
“Are you hurt?” he asked.
“No,” she replied.
“Then we should go inside and talk.”
Asgerd nodded and took a few awkward steps. It was then that he noticed the
chains on her ankles.
“Wait,” he ordered, placing a hand on her shoulder. When she
stopped, he squatted in front of her. His hand curled around her slender
ankle that was luckily protected by a boot. The soft leather was worn from
the shackle. He checked the strength of the chain and realized he would need
tools to free her.
Grim lifted his gaze to her face. “He kept you like
this?”
She nodded, staring at him. He imagined looking into her large blue eyes
while coupling with her. Those beautiful eyes looked wary, but deep inside
he saw a spark of desire. No doubt Stein had used her badly, but he
hadn’t killed her passion.
Grunting softly, he stood again and swept her into his arms.
About the Author
Kate Hill is a vegetarian New Englander who loves writing romantic
fantasies. When she’s not working on her books, Kate enjoys reading, working
out, watching horror movies, and researching vampires and Viking history.
She runs the Compelling Beasts Blog that is dedicated to antagonists,
antiheroes, and paranormal creatures. Kate also writes as Saloni
Quinby
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