by T S Florence
“This wouldn’t be because of a woman, would it?” Ivar looked at him, a smirk on his face.
Skald’s cold eyes glistened, just for a moment. His jaw twitched. Skald was clever. But not as clever as Ivar. He was, however, more ruthless.
“It would be to avenge Magnus’ death,” Skald looked at him, expressionless. “I believe it necessary, and so do the men,”
Isla put her hand on Ivar’s arm, whispering into his ear “Say yes, Ivar,”.
Ivar gave her a perplexed look. He may be clever, but he still had not figured out what went through that blond princess’s head.
“Say yes, and ask him to bring my friend Jack Ashborn back,” Isla said, pleading on her face.
Ivar rolled his eyes. He could never say no to Isla. But he could not help but feel a little jealous of this man who was so lucky to know Isla for her whole life; the memories he must have.
“I grant you permission to take my army, however, on two conditions,” Ivar said.
“Yes?” Skald responded.
“You take Ragnar with you, and you bring back her English friend, Jack Ashborn,” Ivar said.
Ivar watched the corner of Skald’s lips twitch.
“And what do you plan to do with Freya?” Ivar asked.
“That is for the Gods to decide,” Skald said, though Ivar knew, this wasn’t a journey for revenge. This was something else.
“Bring me back gold, brother.” Ivar said.
“Yes, Duke Ivar,” Skald said, turning on his heels.
Skald
The beauty of the famous shield made had captivated Skald before he had ever laid eyes on her. The mere stories. The painting he had seen in a hall. She was truly a goddess, that was for certain. But did she feel like a human? Did she have a heart like a human? Or was she cold, emotionless and calculating, like Skald?
He thought he knew, that was, until he saw the worry on her face when they slaughtered her men. When he saw her risk her own life to free the princess’ English friend. Whatever the case may be, Skald knew one thing for sure. He would find out, if it meant tearing through ever highlander in Scotland.
Freya
People have called me the Goddess of Death. I hate this name. I truly haven’t killed as many people as the stories say. My whole life I have wanted nothing more than to mother children, and have place to grow grey and old. But I have not yet found the man who I would trust to take me as is wife. Weak women attract weak men, and I want a strong man. So I must be strong. But how much longer can I stay strong?
Next book, mailing list and arc readers
In the next book, Skald will go on a journey to find and capture Freya, and deliver retribution for Magnus. Will he succeed, or will it be his ice-cold killer’s heart that is captured by the famous shield made, Freya the Goddess of Death? If this sounds like a book you’d like to read, sign up to my mailing list to be notified when I release that book here.
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