"Only myths carried from the lands of the North." He recal ed that the Valkyrie were a type of warrior goddess.

This female expected him to believe she was one among them. And why shouldn't he? What else could explain her glowing skin and smallfangs, or the pink claws that tipped her delicate fingers?

He removed one gauntlet to run the backs of his fingers over her high cheekbones, his lids growing heavy. Her skin was impossibly soft. With each touch he marveled that such a female was in his keeping.

My prize, and an earned one.

His forfeiture of that castle would enrage his king, who had steadily been losing patience with him. I might have a price on my head already. No matter. As Treves gazed down at her, he knew she would be worth any consequence.

And answering to another was a yoke that had never sat easily upon his shoulders anyway. He and his king would come to terms over this. Or I'll pluck that crown from his head.

"You know that I am Treves. What is your name?"

"They cal me Regin the Radiant."

"A fitting name, belle." When he tucked a wild braid behind her ear, his eyes widened. The tip was pointed. "A Valkyrie's ear?" He was captivated by this creature, now taking her hand and smoothing the backs of her little claws over his face. "Why do you seem so familiar?" And how could he feel half in love with her already? As if he'd fal on his sword should they be parted?

"We met, ages ago." She seemed alternately sad and excited, brows drawn one instant, a breathless smile blooming the next. "But if I tell you, you will think me crazed."

"No more than I, to have dreamed of a woman I'd never seen." Ever since he'd come to this castle, he'd been beset with dreams of her.

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"In a past life, you were a berserker, a warrior in Woden's guard. You served my father." She paused, then added, "And you'd planned to wed me."

Wed her? He drew even closer. "I do not know who you believe I am, but I will gladly be this man."

Her eyes searched his expression as she said, "You were cal ed Aidan the Fierce."

Clearly her affections had already been claimed by this Aidan. "Why do you think me him?" She had mistaken Treves for someone else. I cannot surrender her.

I will not.

"Your eyes glowed like a berserker's. And I sense it's you. The fact that you've dreamed of me convinces me beyond doubt." When he cast her a dubious look, she said, "You've been re-embodied, your soul housed in another form."

Could this be true? Could his soul have lived on from another time?

From his earliest memories, nightmares of angels and devils and biting snow had plagued him til he'd thought he'd lose his mind. Always his chest had given him pain. His parents had feared that his aching heart was weak, that he would die young. As a man, he'd warred to escape the turmoil within him-placating his inward black thoughts with outward black deeds.

Now the ache had disappeared. Perhaps his heart had always been strong, yet it would beat for this female alone. "How could I have returned?"

"When you died in my arms centuries ago, you vowed that you would come for me. I do not know how you've done this. Sometimes we're not meant to know all the things that are possible in the Lore."

"The Lore?"

"It's our world. A world of immortals, where myths and legends live."

She is an immortal; I am not. "You will not return to this land, Valkyrie," he commanded, his voice rough from the thought of losing her. "Your place is with me."

Her face brightened even more. "Then remind me why I chose you above all other men."

"I know not how to remind ..." He trailed off when she began unraveling the ties to his armor, her desires clear. He couldn't rip off his chain mail and tunic quickly enough.

Yet even as his manhood swel ed in his trews, he had to admit, "Cher, I've never lain with a woman before."

"You have." She smiled, beginning to divest herself of her own clothing. "You just don't remember yet."

His gaze was riveted to her deft fingers unlacing that leather vest. She shrugged from it, then stepped from her kirtle, leaving her garbed in only her blouse. It was so short he could nearly glimpse the juncture of her thighs-and so transparent he could clearly see her br**sts.

He gaped at the ravishing sight before him, then swal owed audibly. "I've never wanted anything more than you in my entire life." You are my life. Somehow I know this. ...

She stood on her toes to press tender kisses to his neck, his chest. When she murmured, "Take off your boots," they were as good as gone.

"And your trews."

He tore them off his body.

She backed toward his bed, curling her finger, beckoning him to follow.

After drawing off the blouse, she lay back like a radiant offering. So stunningly beautiful, she took his breath away.

The first woman to grace his bed. And the last.

Once he'd lowered himself beside her, she reached for his rampant shaft, cupping her fingers around it. His h*ps bucked uncontrol ably to her silken touch, and a groan was wrenched from his lips.

She began fondling him with languid strokes that made him lightheaded. The pressure within his manhood mounted as she rubbed her thumb over the crown, seeming to revel in the moisture there. "Ah, cher, I grow near-"

Without relinquishing her hold, she guided him to lie back. When she straddled his hips, he was transfixed, scarcely comprehending that he was about to know her ful y.

She positioned his length beneath her, then began to lower her body upon it. With each of her panting inhalations, her br**sts rose and fel so temptingly. His hands covered that supple flesh, kneading with delight.

Her tight sheath nearly robbed him of his seed. Gritting his teeth, he struggled not to shame himself. She lowered herself as far as she could, her curling Valkyrie claws digging into his chest.

- As they should.-

Was he going mad? The thought faded when she rose up and inched back down, her core damp and quivering. Rising up. Slipping down.

-She needs me to master her, to overpower her strength.-

How could Treves know these things? Sensing them to be true, he seized her waist, forcing her to her back. When he spread her thighs and seated himself deep between them, she moaned with pleasure, her br**sts bouncing as he began to thrust.

He dipped down to kiss her. As his mouth slanted over hers, her lips parted, her little tongue seeking. With his first taste, dizziness swept over him.

"So sweet," he groaned against her lips. Like drugging poppies.

At once, memories overwhelmed him. Crimson spatter in snow. Being kept from her when he would slaughter anything that separated them. His savage need to claim her.




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