The Scarred Viking's Bride (On Temp. Hold)

Eighteen

Sven

My fists clenched in fury as I peered through Jarl Aderick's window from my perch up in a tree, hidden behind the numerous branches to conceal my presence as I watched my dronning kiss that imbecile of a leader.

A growl escaped my throat as I continued watching the pair against the wall, watching her face contort and slacken with pleasure, yet I could not help but feel torn. Anger as he was the one invoking the pleasure, and the becoming of arousal as I imagined myself in his place, making my future bride writhe against the wall with need and desire.

Shivers of excitement and pleasure rolled over my skin like a wave, making me shake with anticipation as the images in my mind continued to flash and evolve into something dark and delicious.

"Sven? Do you wish to continue with the plan? Or change it perchance?"

My head tilted to the side, listening to my second in command as I kept my gaze on the scene through the window.

"Nei. We shall keep it on schedule...for now." I trailed off as I shifted my weight on the thick sturdy branch that I was crouched on. I winced as it groaned from my heavy weight.

Terje only grunted in response.

The wind from the mountains rolled around my fur cloak, making the tops of my ears sting with the cold. I reluctantly pulled my eyes away from the Dahlsten manor towards the mountains. The tips were barely covered with snow, but the breeze held just the slightest flakes of snow.

The gust sent a chill down my spine, the hair on the back of my neck rising as I realized that winter was to come earlier than I had originally thought...that meaning I could attack Aderick sooner and take my beloved to my home as my bride. I smiled maliciously as I closed my eyes, picturing myself thrusting my sword through Aderick's chest...for all the things he had that I craved.

To see the light leave his eyes and watch his chest stop moving from the breath he took in his lungs would satisfy all the hardships and trouble I went through to get here, as Jarl of my own clan.

Once Aderick was dead, I could rule the entire land of Norway. To be King of it all...the gods would bow to me as I entered the halls of Valhalla, a sight unseen as my successes in battle outshined any previous warrior or Jarl to enter.

My eyes opened and snapped back towards the window.

And my prize...my beautiful golden-haired prize made all the hardships these past years well worth it. But, I acknowledged with a harsh grimace, it seems as though I would have to take her away sooner, else she would become pregnant with Aderick's child.

That would be most unfortunate.

I would not let it come to that point...if so, I would have to take drastic measures to ensure the Dahlsten bloodline ends with Aderick.

One of my men in the tree to my left spoke up, tearing me away from my thoughts.

"Jarl Sven, you picked a beautiful bride...by the gods look at the mane on her and her breasts," Björn groaned in delight as he peered through the window at my bride.

Quickly before he could react, I yanked my small knife from my belt and thrust it into his soft throat. Björn's green eyes widened in shock and a tinge of fear as blood spurted out of his artery, spraying on my face, thick rivers of hot liquid running out of his body. His hand weakly raised to touch the knife handle sticking out of his neck, yet he made no move to remove it. I examined the light slowly leaving his eyes, the beast within me roaring with bloodlust as the man who dared to speak of my future dronning that way died before my eyes. I ripped the knife out of his neck, wiping the blood on his shirt carelessly, now bored with him. He let out a choked gurgle before he toppled head first off the limb and towards the ground, where his body landed twistedly with a thud.