Page 6 of Claimed By the Viking

“What happened to me?” He ignored her apology, trying to force his thoughts beyond the blanket of pain within his skull.

“Your ship…” Her voice trailed away as though he should already know the rest. “It was wrecked, sailing past our bay. Yourself and five others survived.”

“Only five?” He could hardly believe it—all those men, strong and skilled upon the sea. Men in their prime, some with families. Men with so much to live for.

Instead of replying, she touched something hard to his lips. By reflex, he batted it away.

“A little water.” She drew in a shaky breath. “You said you were thirsty.”

“Aye, parched.” He leaned forward. Finding where she held the cup, he was struck by the cool softness of her skin. It caught him like a slender arrow in his heart that she did not pull away but let his calloused fingers touch her.

The vessel skimmed his mouth again, and Viggo supped thankfully at the water.

“There is more if you want it, and I’ve prepared a little broth. You’ll feel better when your strength returns.”

Viggo nodded. He’d taken no notice of the aroma of cooking before, but he smelled it now, and his stomach growled. It wouldtake more than broth to cure him of his ills, but he was hungry and infinitely weary. Let the lass feed him if she’d the patience.

“Shall I fetch it for you?” she asked again.

Her prompting made him realize his hand was still pressed over hers. Ashamedly, he released her, but she did not move away. Instead, she brought her palm to one side of his face.

“Don’t be scared anymore.” Her voice was but a whisper. “I’ll look after you… in all things.”

A rough lump lodged in Viggo’s throat.

“Why do you care?” He fought the hitch in his voice. “I’m a stranger. I can mean nothing to you.”

“We won’t be strangers for long, I hope.” Her thumb rubbed lightly upon his cheek.

The tears pricking behind Viggo’s eyes forbade him from answering.

CHAPTER 3

His eyes werethe most dazzling color, bright like the water in the bay when the sun shone directly above and the tide swept the sea over the pale sands. Not blue exactly, nor green, and filled with shifting, shimmering glints, as if illuminated from within.

Eyes vibrantly hued and expressive, yet unseeing.

I cannot imagine how he feels!

Signy’s heart ached for him. It mattered not that she knew nothing of his life, his family, nor of the place he hailed from. Even his nature was a mystery to her—though it was plain, he was a man of great emotions, which he made no effort to hide.

She didn’t even know his name.

Because I haven’t asked.

We’ve been treating him like an injured beast, my mother calling for him to be put out of his misery, but he’s a man, not an animal.

She removed her touch from his cheek, instead seeking out his hand. “I’m Signy, and I promise to protect you.”

He cast his eyes upward, seeking out the face he couldn’t see.

“And your name?” She gave his fingers a light squeeze.

He hesitated, as if needing to search his memory to recall who he might have been before his misfortunes began.

At last, he gave the simple answer. “Viggo.”

“There.” Signy was determined to be cheerful. “Now we’re acquainted, we can’t be strangers. You’ll be here for a while, so you must be a good guest, letting me make you comfortable until you’re well again.”

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