Page 16 of Unspoken
He mentally shrugged, if she wished it, he wouldgather threads of the richest colors and finest silks for her. He would takeher to exotic markets and let her have her pick of the loveliest shells,pearls, beads, and gems. His clan was prosperous, and he’d been handsomelypaid as a mercenary for many years. She would want for nothing.
His blood quickened at the thought of plantingbabes inside of her, as many as she wanted, a half dozen at least! Another Berserkerto carry the line, of course, and many doe-eyed cherubs with honey-colored hairto fill his family’s silent castle with happy chaos. Mayhap she was already—.
“Roderick!” He pivoted at her breathless cry.
Color instantly vanished from the forest, all but forthe cast of blue, which meant—
Berserker.
No gradual welling of hot rage, not this time,no thrill of power coursing through his veins.
Only Icy wrath. Bleak fear. Certain and lethalretribution.
ChapterEleven
Evelyn struggled for breath as the golden-haired Norsemansqueezed her throat, cutting off her warning. Drawing his sword, he pinned heragainst his armor, creating a shield with her trembling body. She had nochoice but to watch helplessly as her lover lunged toward them from across thesmall clearing, the promise of swift and brutal death etched in his unnaturalblack eyes.
She couldn’t bear to watch. Squeezing her eyesshut, she searched for her knowledge.
Nothing. Blackness. She’d never been able to seeher own fate.
This was all her fault. She was going to be thecause of Roderick’s death.
Despairing, Evelyn fought back tears as her captorunexpectedly shifted her position, jerking her eyes open.
As if blocked by an invisible barricade, Roderickpaced in front of them, panting and raging, his movements wild, threatening andpredatory.
Evelyn took in the blood splattered across hisarmor and face. He was filled with the killing rage. Why, then, was he notcoming for her?
“See that?” The malevolent, foreign accentchilled her. “He can’t do anything that might put you in danger.Youare his mate.”
“I- I don’t know what you mean,” she stammered,unable to look away from her growling berserker.
“Did he claim you, woman? Did he kiss you on themouth?” His fingers tightened painfully. “Have you already seen him likethis?”
Unable to speak, she nodded her head.
“His berserker has chosen you as its mate. Hadhe not, you would have been instantly killed.” His dark chuckle repulsed her,“I can smell hisstenchall over you...”
Dumbfounded, she stared into Roderick’s onyx eyesand saw the stark anguish of the man inside.
Her…mate?
Oh God! She hadn’t known what she was asking whenshe’d begged for his kiss, hadn’t understood the significance of his tendernesswhen controlled by his berserker. How perfect. This extraordinary manwouldhave embraced her own unnatural ability, would have allowed her to be herselfand never exploited her. This sheknew. Tears welled as the knowledgethat she could love him overwhelmed her. She’d never known anything like thatbefore. Not about her own future.
“I want you to understand, the name of your mateis now Alrik the Blue, should my berserker accept you, of course.” His sword flashedas he nicked her arm, drawing a tiny bit of blood. She whimpered before shecould stop herself.
Roaring, Roderick drew his own blade. Desperatesounds burst from him now. He stalked them, seeking access to Alrik who kepther firmly between them no matter how she struggled.
“I possess his voice. I never thought he would beable to find a mate without it. Look at him. Roderick the Black,” he spat thetitle as if it tasted sour on his tongue. “Too young to even control the blood-rage.Wields only fledgling magic. Pathetic!”
Evelyn remembered the night before, the candlesextinguishing by themselves. A cry burst from her as he punctuated withanother slash of his sword across her skin, this time a deep gash opened on herthigh, drawing an alarming well of blood.
Roderick’s unholy scream terrified her. He lashedout. The older berserker dodged and thrust her in front of the blow, pulling Roderickup short.
“He is favored by Freya, even after I cursed him!And now, the first among what remains of us to find a mate, which will increasehis power tenfold.”
Evelyn’s teeth clattered together as he shook herfor emphasis.
