Page 16 of Highland Secret
Color instantly vanished from the forest, all but for the 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 lethal retribution.
Chapter 11
Evelyn struggled for breath as the golden-haired Norseman squeezed her throat, cutting off her warning. Drawing his sword, he pinned her against his armor, creating a shield with her trembling body. She had no choice but to watch helplessly as her lover lunged toward them from across the small clearing, the promise of swift and brutal death etched in his unnatural black eyes.
She couldn’t bear to watch. Squeezing her eyes shut, she searched for her knowledge.
Nothing. Blackness. She’d never been able to see her own fate.
This was all her fault. She was going to be the cause of Roderick’s death.
Despairing, Evelyn fought back tears as her captor unexpectedly shifted her position, jerking her eyes open.
As if blocked by an invisible barricade, Roderick paced in front of them, panting and raging, his movements wild, threatening and predatory.
Evelyn took in the blood splattered across his armor and face. He was filled with the killing rage. Why, then, was he not coming for her?
“See that?” The malevolent, foreign accent chilled 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 the mouth?” His fingers tightened painfully. “Have you already seen him like this?”
Unable to speak, she nodded her head.
“His berserker has chosen you as its mate. Had he 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 eyes and saw the stark anguish of the man inside.
Her…mate?
Oh God! She hadn’t known what she was asking when she’d begged for his kiss, hadn’t understood the significance of his tenderness when controlled by his berserker. How perfect. This extraordinary manwouldhave embraced her own unnatural ability, would have allowed her to be herself and never exploited her. This sheknew.Tears welled as the knowledge that she could love him overwhelmed her. She’d never known anything like that before. Not about her own future.
“I want you to understand, the name of your mate is now Alrik the Blue, should my berserker accept you, of course.” His sword flashed as he nicked her arm, drawing a tiny bit of blood. She whimpered before she could stop herself.
Roaring, Roderick drew his own blade. Desperate sounds burst from him now. He stalked them, seeking access to Alrik who kept her firmly between them no matter how she struggled.
“I possess his voice. I never thought he would be able 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 candles extinguishing by themselves. A cry burst from her as he punctuated with another slash of his sword across her skin, this time a deep gash opened on her thigh, drawing an alarming well of blood.
Roderick’s unholy scream terrified her. He lashed out. The older berserker dodged and thrust her in front of the blow, pulling Roderick up 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 increase his power tenfold.”
Evelyn’s teeth clattered together as he shook her for emphasis.
“I am the oldest and most potent of Freya’s Warriors.Iwear the color of the Goddess. There is no way that aCelt, the latest born of the Berserkers is going to rivalme!I challenge you, Gael, for your chosen mate and don’t think for asecondthat she won’t accept me.”
“Never.”she vowed. “And you’re a coward for holding a woman as a shield. Youshameyour warrior Goddess!”
He didn’t strike her as she feared. His lips drew sickeningly close to her ear. Serpentine fingers of evil caused her blood to run cold as his breath brushed her neck. “There are things I could do to you that would ensure your acceptance and, mark me, I would enjoyeverymoment.”
