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But it wasn't the threat of conquest that shook Sela to the core. It was the way her heart responded to the proud face and chiseled body of Vikar Hrutson, jaarl, leader of the invading force—and Sela's ex-husband!
Prepare shields! Raise spears! Unsheathe swords! The gables of Bose the Dark's stronghold are on the horizon,' Vikar Hrutson, jaarl of Viken, shouted to his men.
'It is a serious step you take, Vikar,' Ivar said in an undertone. 'What if you are wrong? What if Bose desires peace with Viken?'
Vikar turned from where he studied the headland with its inlets and rocky islands towards Ivar, his fellow jaarl and co-leader of the felag. His dark green eyes regarded his friend and comrade. 'The time Bose is at peace is when he sleeps. The raid on Rogaland was only the beginning. He has broken the truce and declared war.'
'But will Thorkell agree?' Ivar shifted uneasily. 'It was pure good fortune we had stopped at Rogaland. My sister and her husband could never have withstood the raid alone.'
'It was a victory for the felag, for Viken.'
'It was your sword and shield that brought down Hafdan. He could have been acting alone. He sailed under his own standard.'
'Only one man could have ordered that raid and he still breathes with his lands intact.' Vikar tightened his grip on the railing, and looked towards where the dark walls of the great hall rose from the fjord. 'Bose the Dark ordered that raid, that destruction. Hafdan would never dare draw a breath, let alone attack a Viken jaarl's main hall without his express order. I warned Thorkell that Bose would strike again. It gives me no pleasure to be right.'
Ivar banged his fist against the railing. 'Thorkell should never have spared Bose. What he nearly did to Haakon was unthinkable! He should have known that Bose would not be content in the north.'
'I am not a soothsayer. I have no great insight into the king's mind. Haakon lives and thrives. Our friend is very happy with his new wife and child.' Vikar gave a slight shrug. 'Bose twists words to suit his purpose. The only thing he understands is deeds. This time, he will lose… everything.'
'And Thorkell—what will he do when he discovers that you have led a raid on Bose's stronghold?'
'He will reward me. Bose broke the truce. This time I administer the punishment.' The breeze whipped Vikar's blond hair back from his forehead. 'The battle will be long and bloody, old friend, but Thor and Tyr will be with us. Underestimate Bose at your peril. The man is a master strategist, slipperier than Loki.'
'If you say such things, I believe them.' Ivar tapped the side of his nose. 'You were once married to his daughter.'
'Thankfully it was a short alliance.' Vikar refused to think about his former wife today. Was she there with her long blonde hair, tempting curves and pig-headed temper? Or had she married again? Someone who was more willing to be Bose's lapdog? Vikar stared at the intricately carved gables. It no longer mattered. She was the symbol of all that was wrong with women, why he would never marry again.
'Is it true Bose's daughter never appeared in Thorkell's court after the divorce? And that the hall was built on the bones of wild men who will rise up and fight any invader?'
'Men at oars tell too many tales.' Vikar pushed off from the railing and strode towards the prow of the boat. There he could catch a glimpse of how his new, red sail fared in the wind. A sail fit for one of the leading jaarls in Viken, a man who had made a fortune through one single raid last summer, a man whose exploits were lauded by the skalds in the latest poems.
A low horn sounded across the water of the fjord. Their boats had been spotted. The battle would begin when he set foot on the shore.
'Exactly what are you planning, Bose the Dark, up there in your splendid hall? I cannot help but think you expected this. You longed for it.' Vikar's jaw tightened and his hand felt for his sword's hilt. 'I have ceased being the gullible warrior who married your daughter a long time ago. We will meet, and this time, this time, Bose, there will be only one victor.'
'Sails round the headland. One dragon ship, maybe more.' Sela forced her voice to remain calm as she entered her father's bedchamber.
Unlike the hall, the bedchamber was resplendent with furs and tapestries, and, in the centre, a gigantic bed where her father, Bose the Dark, lay. She winced as her father struggled to sit up right, each movement an effort with his paralysed side.
He had been such a vigorous man a few months ago. Then the affliction had struck. Cursed, some muttered in the shadowy corners of the hall. His fabled luck gone. Sela ignored such doom-mongers. Her father had suffered enough.
'Friendly?' he croaked out of the side of his mouth.
'Impossible to say. It is far too soon to see if they will lift their shields or leave them hanging.' Sela smoothed a stray strand of honey-blonde hair from her forehead, a nervous gesture from her girlhood, one she was positive he'd know. She hid her hands in the folds of her apron-dress and concentrated on the bedstead. How much dared she reveal?
'What is the lead ship's sail pattern?' Her father's eyes suddenly focused and he plucked restlessly at the furs. 'You are keeping things from me, Daughter, but I remain the master of this hall. I deserve to know the worst.'
'The sail pattern is not one I recognise.' She paused, and watched her father's face become grave. He made a small gesture with his hand, telling her to continue. 'Maybe if Hafdan were here, he would know the answer.'
'We had to find new markets for our goods. Kaupang is closed to us now.' Her father's face reddened. 'The East offers the best hope. Thorkell must allow me to feed my people. Hafdan will return and once again our coffers will cascade with gold.'
'Did I say a word? Hafdan has departed to find new markets.' Sela pressed her lips into a firm line. 'And you remain jaarl of Northern Viken.'
Her father gave his crooked smile and held out his good hand. 'I want your inheritance to overflow with wealth, Daughter, not be a silver arm-ring and a much-mended sword like mine was. It was right to send Hafdan. You will see in time.'
'Hafdan wants his own glory. He could do anything.' Sela crossed her arms, and glared at her father.
'Hafdan has ambition, but he will return.' Her father's eyes twinkled. 'I have seen how he looks at you. He has much to recommend him. Once I am gone, you must have a strong man…'
'I tried marriage once, thank you.' Sela snapped her mouth shut to prevent more words from tumbling out. Her former husband had been a man of ambition as well. She had no wish to relive the memories or the bitter taste they left.
'You were younger then.' Her father waved a dismissive hand. 'Vikar Hrutson was a poor choice. He did not like to listen to my counsel. I sincerely regret that I did not see my mistake until it was far too late to prevent you getting hurt.'
'It was nearly four years ago. You weren't to know.' Sela touched her father's withered cheek. When her father had discovered the situation, he had moved swiftly, rescuing her and her unborn child, rather than letting her face the humiliation of a woman scorned.
'Four years? Sela, it is time you laid your ghosts to rest. Other men…'
'I have no ghosts in my life, Father, far from it. If I remarried, who would look after you?'
'Hafdan is different.' Her father gave a crooked smile. 'He is loyal. You will see… in time.'
'We have these unexpected visitors, and few men to protect the hall.'
'We shall have to be wary—wait and see.' Her father gestured towards the iron-bound chest. 'Send someone to dress me. My mail shirt, and the sword Thorkell gave me in happier days. I am not without pride. I want to give the ships a proper welcome, one that shows Bose the Dark remains jaarl of the north. They will not find easy pickings here.'
'Far, you cannot fight. I forbid it,' Sela said, positioning her body between her father and the chest. 'Your legs may hold you upright, but your sword arm is useless. How long do you think you would last in a fight? You would be a danger to the men.'
'Do you think you are telling me something I don't know, Daughter?' Her father attempted to move his arm and nothing happened. He set his jaw and managed with difficulty to shift it slightly. 'I am the one who has to live with it. With the arm and the face. May Odin send curses on the witch who caused this.'
'Stay here, in this chamber.' Sela caught his hand. 'Let me greet them in the correct manner. I will hide your infirmity as best I can.'
'Daughter, you are the best daughter a man could hope for,' her father said, holding out his good hand, tears forming in his eyes.
Sela straightened her back. She understood her father's wordless plea. 'I will handle our unwelcome callers, come what may.'
'I know you will.'
'Morfar, Morfar.' A blond boy rushed in, holding a bird's nest. 'See what I have found. The nest had fallen down on the ground. Thorgerd says that there will have been starlings in it.'
'Kjartan, how many times must I tell you not to burst in on your grandfather like that?' Sela looked at her son and saw his shining face fall, his deep-green eyes became less bright. Instantly she regretted her harsh words, but Kjartan had to learn the proper respect. If he was eventually to be a jaarl, he had to have proper training. But with whom?
'Sela, Sela, he is only three. Time enough for ceremony later.' Her father patted the side of his bed. 'Kjartan, come here and greet your grandfather properly.'
'You were never like that with Erik or me.'
'Grandchildren are different. You will understand in time, Sela.'
'Mor, I want to show Morfar my bird's nest.' Kjartan held out a jumble of sticks and mud. He wore a serious expression on his face. 'I found it by the barns. I'm a good warrior. Someday I'll be great like Morfar, and like my father.'
'Your face is dirty and you have torn the knee of your trousers. Even great warriors wash their faces before they greet their jaarl,' Sela said with a smile as Kjartan immediately started to scrub his cheeks with his filthy hands. Her heart expanded. She had never thought that she could love one scrap of humanity so much.
'Thorgerd says a dragon ship is coming. M...
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
4.5 blue ribbons from Romance Junkies,
By C. Dionne "Chrissy Dionne" (Cloverdale, OREGON USA) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE) (TOP 1000 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Viking Warrior, Unwilling Wife (Harlequin Historical) (Mass Market Paperback)
AD 794, Central NorwayVikar Hrutson, jaarl of Viken, has declared war against Bose the Dark in retaliation of the recent raid on Rogaland. The only thing that truly complicates his taking over Bose's lands is the simple fact that his ex-wife is Bose's daughter and he still has feelings for her. Sela has no regrets over leaving Vikar. His interests laid elsewhere and she wasn't about to live in the shadows of another woman. The last thing she expects or needs is to have him reenter her life in such a dramatic fashion. The moment Sela hears the news about the approaching dragon ships she flies into action. Immediately she goes to her father to inform him of the situation and reiterate the plans for him to take her son and flee the hall for a hut in the woods. Since her father's sword arm remains useless and he's obviously ailing it's up to Sela and the few men available to protect the hall. Unfortunately the men are all young and inexperienced and they quickly fall under the Vikings swords. As the leader, Sela is forced to yield to Vikar and right away their past relationship is brought to the forefront. According to Vikar, everything that had belonged to Bose the Dark now belongs to him - including Sela. Remarriage is out of the question as far as Sela's concerned but Vikar's suggestion that she take a position of a mistress instead is far more insulting and hurtful than she anticipated. Vikar insists on hearing the words of surrender from Bose the Dark himself, only Bose has escaped and Vikar is positive that Sela knows where he's gone. All he has to do is give her an opportunity to escape the hall and then follow her and she'll lead him straight to her father. What he discovers is completely unexpected and will change life as he knows it but first they'll struggle through unknown territory and learn to trust each other with their lives. How will Vikar respond when he discovers that big secret that Sela's kept from him all this time? VIKING WARRIOR, UNWILLING WIFE sparked my curiosity about Viking customs about divorces and separations - as Ms. Styles' points out in her author note there really isn't much information regarding such situations. It's easy to understand how Vikar and Sela's situation escalated to the point of divorce and as a reader I realize that relationship problems haven't changed much over all this time. Ms. Styles' storyline depicts much of the lifestyle present during this particular time period including some folklore and Viking laws. Incidentally, the laws regarding children brought tears to my eyes - but I'm sure you'll understand why when you read this book. VIKING WARRIOR, UNWILLING WIFE is a book I'd highly recommend for fans of historical tales - especially if you enjoy reading about Vikings. Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Powerful, passionate Viking romance full of intrigue!,
By
This review is from: Viking Warrior, Unwilling Wife (Harlequin Historical) (Mass Market Paperback)
Vikar Hrutson, jaarl and leader of the invasion, has tangled with Bose the Dark many times. He knows the truth behind the Lidisfarne raid. Vikar has sworn vengeance and this time he will mete out the punishment and get his reward. Nothing will stop him. Bose the Dark may be trickier than Loki himself, but this time Vikar will be a wiser man. This time he will outwit the master games man himself. Sela sees the ominous dragon ships coming to invade. Although her father might be jaarl of the Northern Viken, he now lies weak and sick in bed. Sela herself will have to stand in his place. When the ships come ashore, Sela comes face to face with her worst nightmare --- her ex-husband! Under Viken law, custody of a child goes automatically to the father. Can she keep her son hidden? Determined as she is to keep her secret from Vikar, she cannot deny the way her body responds to this handsome, proud warrior. Thrust together and at cross purposes with him in his hunt to find Bose the Dark and claim the Hall as his own, will these two rediscover the passion that once kindled their hearts?Michelle Styles' VIKING WARRIOR, UNWILLING WIFE is a stunning sequel to TAKEN BY THE VIKING. Although this second book can be read as a stand-alone, readers of the first book will discover more intriguing details behind the mysterious raid at Lindisfarne. In the first book, Michelle Styles' takes the reader into the heart of the Viken village. Here, she takes the reader into the heart of the family and the conflicts within and outside the family. Michelle Styles raises the emotional level several notches through her characters, all who have inner passions that bring their loyalties and motives into conflict. Vikar is a man as ambitious as he is stunning to behold. When he wants something, he knows how to get it. Sela is a woman loyal to her family, a woman whose pride will not allow her to be a doormat to any man. She stood up to Vikar once and she will again. She is older and wiser now than when she left Vikar. This time she will not be fooled by his charm because she has something more valuable than her own pride at stake ---her son. The enigmatic Bose the Dark and the elusive figure of Asa adds a richness and a delightful twist to this Viking romance. The vivid characters in VIKING WARRIOR, UNWILLING WIFE draw the reader right into the heart of this story. Michelle Styles' VIKING WARRIOR, UNWILLING WIFE is a powerful, passionate romance full of intrigue as the hunt for Bose the Dark takes them into uncharted, wild terrain that puts her characters to the test. As their passions flame, a certain softer side also shines through in intimate moments that allow the reader to see the depth of her characters. Vikar's tough exterior gives way to a deeper look into a man's inner moments and desires. Michelle Styles' gives a beautiful, moving portrait of the Norse sagas and the role they play in the memory and hearts of Norse families. VIKING WARRIOR, UNWILLING WIFE has a perfect combination of highly-charged tension and tender intimate moments amidst the political maneuverings of outside forces. Michelle Styles gives readers a beautiful portrait of a second chance romance, a more mature love in which a man and a woman learn to trust each other and themselves more intimately than ever before. A striking romance!
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
had potemtial,
By Renita Morrow (Phoenix) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Viking Warrior, Unwilling Wife (Harlequin Historical) (Kindle Edition)
I found that the story had potential but the writting was horrible. I'm usually not critical about honest literary efforts, but this was almost painful to read. The characters weren't well developed and were shallow and conflicting. There wasn't much substance to the story and it seemed to be missing parts of the story. Seems like the author tried too hard to incorporate certain real aspects.
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