Defiant in the Viking's Bed

from myself. Thank you, Paul.

I couldn’t have done it without you.

Contents

Chapter One (#u2655d32b-0044-57a0-b7b8-0ed8fc8d7704)

Chapter Two (#ud4f00ff4-cbc9-5ca8-ab84-21a1e36abd36)

Chapter Three (#u294677b3-c809-5cd8-86d0-41fb8e4fd5dc)

Chapter Four (#ue9e3aaa3-4764-5849-a973-584ec255bc46)

Chapter Five (#u0b3bcae4-ca9d-5c1b-aad5-7e383e6327e8)

Chapter Six (#u5792903a-87d9-5815-89bf-4bbd2973d098)

Chapter Seven (#u3dfdfc0f-4870-5dfb-9eaf-d175252d3227)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nineteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty-One (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty-Two (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty-Three (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty-Four (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty-Five (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty-Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One

Leif Egilsson pulled his dagger free and silently lowered the body of the dead guard. Across the wide clearing in front of him he could see a large camp fire around which a dozen men lounged at their ease, laughing and talking among themselves. Their war gear was piled a few yards off. Behind them was pitched an imposing tent, no doubt sheltering the prince and his closest henchmen. Hard by was a smaller shelter with two guards posted at the entrance. Leif noted their presence with satisfaction.

‘That’s where Hakke will be holding her, my lord,’ he murmured.

Halfdan Svarti nodded. ‘We’ll go in fast and hit them before they know what’s happened. In the meantime, you and your men find Lady Ragnhild and keep her safe.’

‘Depend on it.’

The two men retraced their steps into the trees a little way to where fifty armed warriors waited. Halfdan surveyed them keenly.

‘Take no prisoners. This time we end it once and for all.’

They heard him in wolfish anticipation.

Leif met his brother’s gaze. ‘Ready?’

Finn smiled. ‘Does Thor hurl thunderbolts?’

‘He does today.’

‘I’m glad to hear it, Cousin,’ said Erik. ‘Life has grown dull of late.’

Beside them a grizzled campaigner stroked the haft of an axe. ‘You speak true. There hasn’t been so much as a skirmish for weeks. Skull Cleaver is thirsty.’

‘She shall drink her fill, Thorvald,’ said Leif.

The older man laughed softly. It drew answering grins from those who stood nearby. There followed the muted chink of mail and the sinister whisper of blades unsheathed. Leif smiled, tightening his grip on Foe Bane’s hilt, and then briefly touched the amulet that he wore around his neck.

‘Let’s do it.’

They moved forwards to the edge of the thicket. Halfdan raised his sword aloft and then, with a deafening roar, the whole force broke from cover and hurtled upon the enemy.

* * *

Astrid sat bolt upright, her startled gaze meeting Ragnhild’s. ‘What was that?’

‘I’m not sure. It sounded like...’