Page 49 of Claimed By the Viking

“She doesn’t want this. She’s told me so!”

“Then be the man she needs, not the one she wants,” Ulva shouted louder. “For once in your sorry life, do the right thing!”

Her hands shoved at his chest.

She lacked strength to topple him, but a new fear gripped him.

So, this was her plan—to coax him to his death but, if all else failed, to enact the deed herself.

I don’t want to die!

The thought came with the force of a hammer blow. He had to stop her!

“Móðir!”

Was that Signy’s voice or only his imagination?

“Móðir, stop this!”

Fresh hope bloomed. It wasdefinitelySigny!

Thank the gods!

“Always meddling!” Ulva snorted. “Away with you, girl, and let me do what must be done.”

“You’ll do no such thing!” Signy was closer now, her voice frantic. “Leave the man I love alone!”

“What do you know of love?” Ulva sneered.

“Not much,” Signy replied. “You’ve shown me little over the years!”

“Thankless brat!”

It seemed the two had moved away, or the damn wind had changed direction.

Viggo didn’t need his sight to sense Ulva’s anger nor to hear the thwack as one woman hit the other. His chest tightened.

A new terror took hold as Signy’s sobs filled his ears.

Was she hurt?

How close were they to the precipice?

“Signy!” Incensed by Ulva’s spite, he hurled himself into the fray, knowing not whether he’d find himself in the arms of his lover or plummeting to his fate.

In that instant, he didn’t care.

Hedidwant to live, but she was more important than even his life.

He might not have his sight, but he’d finally seen the light and realized what Signy meant to him. She would no longer be a victim to her parent’s brutality—not while he was around.

All he could do was trust the gods to guide him.

Clawing fingers scratched his neck. He recognized Ulva’s voice, hissing the foulest of oaths.

A shove threw him off balance.

“Viggo, no!” Signy’s shrill cry was a warning.

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