Passion: His Savage Embrace

by Bobbi Smith

  A great sense of relief filled him along with a feeling of great anticipation. On the morrow, before he left the tower with her father, he would declare his love to Dynna. On the morrow, he would ask her to be his wife.

  Finally, Brage was at peace. He lay back down and drifted off to sleep, eagerly awaiting the dawn so he could see Dynna and tell her of his feelings. He would take her home with him for he could not imagine a life without her.

  Dynna tossed and turned in her own bed. After leaving Brage, she had come to realize just how powerful her feelings for him were. She loved him as she had loved no other. Her heart was breaking at the thought of losing him. She had lost Warren to death. But Brage . . . Brage was alive! She had nothing to fear, save him leaving without learning the truth of her love.

  It did not take Dynna long to decide what to do. It would not be easy for her. She had never brazenly proclaimed her love to any man. With Warren there had been no need, but this was not Warren. This was Brage, the man whose very touch set her soul ablaze, the man she wanted to spend the rest of her days loving. She could not bear to see him leave her in the morning. She did not know what he would say when she told him she loved him and did not want him to go, but she could not let the moment pass without speaking of her feelings.

  As she had learned upon Warren’s death, life was too short, and it often had cruel twists and turns. Dynna knew she had to seize what happiness she could, while she could. She would be up before the dawn, and she would tell Brage that she loved him. She could not let him go. So determined, she went to bed. Peaceful sleep claimed her, for at last she knew what she wanted and how she was going to get it.

  * * *

  There was no warning before disaster struck. One moment all was peaceful at the tower, and the next Edmund’s men were surging through the gates. Sir Eaton was slain along with several other of Lord Garman’s men when they tried to block their way.

  “It was as easy as I thought it would be,” Sir Edmund gloated as he led the way into the Great Hall. The entry had been so quick that no alarm had been sounded.

  Sir Thomas managed to stay in control, but he longed to strike down the bloodthirsty man who led him. He had tried to convince Edmund not to force his way into the tower. He had tried to tell him that it would have serious consequences if Dynna and the Viking were not there. But Sir Edmund had been so intent on believing they were there, he had been beyond reasoning. Now, all Sir Thomas could do was keep watch for Dynna and try to keep her out of danger.

  He followed behind as Edmund took the stairs two at a time. It was a simple thing to find the main bedchamber, and they burst into the room, shocking Lady Audrey and Lord Garman from a sound sleep. Lord Garman started to rise, but one of Sir Edmund’s men blocked him, his sword pointed at the center of his chest.

  “Where are they?” Edmund demanded as he stalked to the foot of the bed.

  “Where are who?” Lord Garman asked. “And what is the meaning of this?”

  “Do not play the innocent with me. I want to know where your daughter and the Viking she helped escape are hiding.”

  “I do not know what you are talking about.”

  “Do not lie to me, Lord Garman. It will not go well for you, if you do . . .”

  “Do not threaten me!”

  “I will do more than threaten you,” Edmund snarled, his hand moving to rest on the hilt of his sword. “I want the Viking and Dynna, and I want them now.”

  When Lord Garman did not respond fast enough to satisfy him, he nodded at his man. The man pressed his sword harder against Lord Garman’s chest forcing him flat on the bed.

  Lady Audrey’s eyes were wide with terror. She turned to Sir Edmund “Why are you doing this? We are your father’s ally. Why have you raided our home? All you had to do was ask for permission to enter, and you would have been invited in.”

  “I care not about your invitations. While you would have detained me with ale and wine, the Viking and Dynna could escape by another route. Nay, I know they are here.”

  “I do not know what you are speaking of,” Lord Garman denied.

  Sir Edmund gave him a disbelieving look. “I will take this tower apart stone by stone if I have to until I find them. It would be much simpler should you just tell me where they are.”

  Audrey and Garman shared a look, but did not speak.

  “Search every room.”

  They raced off to do his bidding. Sir Thomas made certain that he went first. If Dynna was to be found he was going to be the one bringing her to Edmund. No other’s hands would touch her.

  They searched only three rooms before they found Dynna. Sir Thomas threw her door wide and confronted her.

  “Sir Thomas!” Dynna sat up in bed clutching her covers to her breast.

  “You must come with me,” he told her sternly, lest the men with him doubt his loyalty.

  “But why? What has happened?”

  “Edmund is here with your parents, and he wants you and the Viking brought before him. You must come with me, or I will have to drag you to him.” He hated saying the words, but had no choice. Better he should take her than the others.

  Dynna nodded and rose from the bed with all the calm she could manage. Her knees were weak as she donned her wrapper and regally walked ahead of Sir Thomas. She knew he would help her as much as he could.

  Sir Edmund was still standing over Garman and Audrey when he heard the loud, triumphant calls of his men in the hall. He watched the door and he smiled broadly when Dynna entered the room, followed by Sir Thomas and the others.

  “So you know nothing of your daughter, Lord Garman? My father will be most interested to learn that you lied to me.

  “How dare you enter my parents’ home this way and abuse us!” Dynna demanded as she was brought to stand before Edmund.

  “As I told you once before, sweet Dynna, I would dare much with you. Where is the Viking?”

  “I do not know.”

  “Somehow, I find that I do not believe you. I want to know where he is. I have no time for riddles. If you value your parents’ lives, you will answer me quickly and with the truth. Once more I ask you, where is the Viking?”

  “He is gone,” she answered tightly, praying that Brage had heard the invaders and had somehow gotten away.

  “Gone? When did he leave?”

  “Tonight. He left just before midnight. I am sure he is well on his way home.”

  “You lie!” Edmund erupted, enraged. He slapped her viciously. “He has to be here!”

  “I tell you he is gone,” she repeated, wanting to convince him, hoping to convince him. Her cheek was stinging from his assault, but she did not cower.

  Edmund’s expression was one of pure hatred. “I still do not believe you.” He turned to his men. “Bring her mother to me.”

  As one of them dragged Audrey from the bed, Edmund drew out his dagger. His man held her while Edmund pressed the sharp-edged dagger to her throat.

  “You go too far!” Lord Garman started to rise to go to his wife’s rescue, but the other man’s sword held him fast on the bed.

  “Now, my lovely betrothed be it known that it will not pain me overmuch to end your mother’s life. I know she is the one you love above all others. Will you watch her die for the Viking? Will you have her death on your hands because you would not return the Black Hawk to me.”

  “You would not . . .” she gasped.

  “Ah, but I would.” He drew blood. “It matters not to me if I must slay everyone within these walls. I will do so and claim it was the act of the Norsemen. Who would be alive to contradict me?” He laughed at his own cunning as he saw the very real distress on her face.

  Audrey whimpered in terror. She had always known that Edmund was crazed but she had never known he could be this barbaric. Lord Garman watched helplessly from the bed He was used to protecting his own. It filled him with fury that he could do nothing to rescue his wife or daughter from Edmund’s vicious possession. He thought perhaps he might try to
move slowly and position himself to make a move against the one who held the sword on him, but as he did so, Edmund saw him.

  “Should you move another inch, Lord Garman, I will see you run through—after you have watched me slit your wife’s throat!” He turned his gaze back to Dynna. “Now, Dynna, where is the Viking.”

  Dynna was helpless. Two people she loved were about to die because she would not reveal Brage’s whereabouts. Yet, if she told where he was hiding, Edmund would eventually see him slain. She clasped her hands together to stop the trembling. How could she sacrifice Brage for her parents? What was she to do?

  “I will tell you what you want to know!” Lord Garman offered knowing there was no way out. As they had gone to bed Audrey had disclosed to him how much Dynna loved Brage and how terrible it was going to be for her to be parted from him in the morning. He could imagine her suffering, having to choose between saving their lives or saving Brage’s life.

  “Ah, a man with good sense. I like that. Perhaps I will spare you, should your daughter tell me where he is. I want the words from Dynna. I want her to be the one to tell me of the Black Hawk. Well, beloved?” he sneered. “Will your parents die or will you tell all?”

  Dynna felt sick under the weight of her decision, but there was nothing else she could do. She told him what he wanted to know.

  Edmund shoved Audrey roughly aside. “Keep watch over them until I return!” he commanded his men.

  He raced from the room, intent on finding the Black Hawk. Audrey was sobbing as she collapsed in her husband’s arms. Dynna ran to join them. Two men remained behind to keep watch over them.

  Sword drawn and ready, Sir Edmund raced to the tower room. Sir Thomas and the rest of the men stayed right with him. They found the room with no difficulty and exchanged powerful, triumphant glances before breaking down that final barrier. Sir Edmund kicked in the door with an explosive crash.

  Sixteen

  As the door burst open, Brage awakened instantly and bolted from the bed. His hand closed around the hilt of his sword he had kept by his side as he prepared to do battle. He saw Edmund coming toward him and was filled with fury. As quickly as he realized they had been found, worries of Dynna consumed him. Was she safe? Had she eluded Edmund?

  Brage attacked, slashing violently at Edmund, but the Saxon held his own against his ferocious assault. Had they been in the open, Brage would have had little trouble slaying him, but trapped as he was in the confines of the small room with more of Edmund’s men pouring in behind him, death looked to be his only escape.

  As he continued to fight, Brage’s thoughts returned to Dynna, and he grew even more determined to kill Edmund before he himself was felled. If he could do nothing else for her, he could save her from Edmund.

  The men who entered the room were armed and ready for this confrontation. They had chased the Viking endlessly and wanted to take him. They looked on as Edmund fought his greatest battle.

  “I want to kill you, Viking!” Edmund growled. He came at Brage another time, slashing and thrusting as he attempted to drive him back and trap him against the wall.

  “Try, Saxon,” Brage challenged, their swords crashing together.

  Sir Thomas stood in the doorway watching them. He saw the bloodlust in their eyes and knew both men would fight to the death. As much as Sir Thomas would have liked to see Brage win, he could not let the battle come to that. There was little time left. They needed to return to Lord Alfrick immediately.

  “Sir Edmund, you forget your purpose! Cease this battle!” Sir Thomas ordered as he stepped into the room, his own sword drawn. He knew Edmund would not appreciate his interference, but he did not care.

  Edmund ground his teeth in frustration at Sir Thomas’s words, for he knew he spoke the truth.

  Brage did not want to end the fight. He was prepared to battle to the death, but Sir Thomas positioned himself before Sir Edmund, his own sword in hand. “Drop your weapon, Viking.”

  Brage clutched it even tighter.

  “Perhaps our friend wants to die,” Sir Edmund remarked. “If so, I will be happy to oblige.”

  “You speak foolishness. We must leave the tower at once to return to your father.”

  Again, Sir Edmund chafed at being so chastened by the older man. Still, he knew he was right. He lowered his sword.

  Sir Thomas turned back to Brage. “Give your weapon to me.

  Brage’s gaze met his, and slowly, cautiously, Brage handed it over.

  Two of Edmund’s men grabbed him from behind then and started to drag him from the room. As they passed by Edmund, Edmund ordered, “Do what you must short of killing him to see that he causes us no trouble.”

  When they had agreed and gone, Edmund stalked toward Sir Thomas, his eyes glowing with an inner fervor, his breathing ragged. “I will only say this once. Never again chastise me before my men!”

  “I only advise you as your father’s counsel,” Sir Thomas responded. He saw the fury in his eyes and had his own sword ready just in case. “Your father told me to be sure that we brought the Viking back alive for the ransom exchange. I was merely following my lord’s orders.”

  Edmund saw the unyielding look in Sir Thomas’s regard and his aggressive posture. There was only one way for him to save face, and he took it. He smiled easily, banking the fire of his fury for another day. “You are right. The Black Hawk is worth far more to us alive than dead. Let us return to my father’s lands and claim the gold.”

  He strode past Sir Thomas without a look. He returned to Dynna’s parents’ bedchamber. Some of the men had gathered outside the door to await his return.

  “Four of you, come with me. The rest of you wait with the horses, we will be leaving soon.” So ordering, he entered the room to find that the two men he had left there were still standing guard over Lady Audrey and Lord Garman.

  “The Viking is ours,” Sir Edmund announced as the four others followed him inside.

  “Is Brage alive?” Dynna asked unable to hide her torment. She awaited news of what had happened with terror in her heart, and she had to know the truth. Tears clouded her vision as she faced Edmund.

  “How is it, sweet, that you are so concerned about the life of one miserable Norseman?” Edmund snarled seeing the truth in her expression and detesting it. Sarcastically, he went on, “Do not fear, my dear, the Black Hawk lives, and I will see that he remains alive long enough to bring us the ransom we have demanded.”

  He turned to his men. “You six stay here and act as guards until I return. Keep the Lord and his Lady locked in here for the day, then release them to the tower grounds. I would have two of you remain with Dynna in her chamber to ‘protect’ her day and night. I do not ever want her to leave that room. I do not want her left alone with just one of you. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Sir Edmund,” they chorused.

  “Good. See that you follow my orders exactly. I will know if you fail to do what I have said. Once our dealings with the Viking have been concluded, I will return to claim Dynna.”

  The men were suitably fearful. They had seen what happened to those who did not obey him, and they were not about to join their ranks.

  “Now, Dynna, come with me. I would speak with you alone.” He did not wait for her to reply, but grabbed her arm in a bruising grip and all but dragged her from the room. He shut the door behind them.

  Dynna controlled her anger and did as he bid, for she did not want to cause her parents any more trouble. When they reached the hall, she finally spoke. “What do you want from me? I ran from the tower because I did not want to marry you. Nothing has changed.”

  “Ah, but everything has changed, and we have much to talk about.”

  “We have nothing to talk about.”

  “Know this, Dynna . . .” His voice was savage as he pulled her closer to him. “You are mine. I own you.” His gaze was cold and threatening as it held hers. “When all is done with the Viking, I will be back for you. But do not think that I will grace you with
my name and my title. Your worries about marrying me are over. I will not take you as my wife. You will now be my slut. You will service my needs and you will cater to my desires. You will be lower than the lowest slave. I will make good use of you, for you do have a lush body, but you will never have the honor of my name or position.”

  “I will die first. I would welcome death before dishonor at your hands,” she replied. Her heart was pounding and her thoughts were racing.

  Edmund struck her, backhanding her as hard as he could and driving her to her knees. “You will have no such pleasure. I will make certain that you suffer as long as it pleases me. Perhaps after I tire of you, I will be the one to give you that surcease you would welcome.” He snarled his words, staring down at her as she knelt unrepentant before him, her gray eyes shining silver, her lips bloodied and swelling. He would have liked to throw her down and take that which he had so long desired from her. He wanted to beat the defiance out of her. He wanted her with a hunger that would not be sated even in a hundred years, but there was no time now to act upon it.

  “Death would be a pleasure compared to sharing your bed.”

  He laughed coldly. “There are many women who would disagree with you . . . many who would gladly trade places with you.”

  “I have known a man’s touch. You are an animal. Brage is ten times the man you could ever hope to be!”

  He grabbed her wrists, dragged her to her feet and crushed her against him. He was beyond fury now that she had affirmed what he had suspected all along. “Pity I do not have time to show you how very wrong you are!”

  Dynna was beyond caring what he might do to her. Her world had been destroyed. “There is not enough time left in your life to prove me wrong!”

  His hands tightened on her even more as he ground himself against her, letting her know just what he intended to do to her when he returned. “No one else could ever have said the things to me you have and lived. You have fought me at every turn, but no more. I will tame you and train you. I will see you docile before me. You are mine. The reprieve you have is only for me to see the Viking brought to my father. Were things otherwise, I would stay and show you that your days of defiance are at an end.”