The Viking's Captive(51)

But he was kindly, his smile warm, and he took both of Duna’s hands in his as he greeted her, reminding her of an action her father used to do.

The ceremony began.

“Halvor Stein of Gorstein, do you take Duna Terin of…”

“Shet Isles,” she said.

“Duna Terin of Shet Isles, to be your wife in the eyes of God. Protect and care for her through good and harsh times and in all seasons?”

“Aye.” Halvor nodded and took her hands in his.

“You have to say I will.” The reverend raised his bushy eyebrows; several strands were long and gray and curled up toward his forehead.

“Aye, I will.” Halvor nodded solemnly.

“And Duna Terin, do you take this Viking man, Halvor Stein of Gorstein, to be your husband in the eyes of God? To obey and serve him through good and harsh times and in all seasons?”

“I will.”

“Before the witness of God and in his name, I pronounce you man and wife.”

“Husband and wife?” Halvor said with a frown.

“It’s the same.” Duna smiled up at him. He was so handsome, so unique. With his swirling ink around his right eye, his long blond hair, and his square jaw. She’d never seen eyes so blue, or eyes that looked at her with such love.

“Husband and wife,” the reverend said with a smile. “You may kiss your bride, Halvor Stein.”

Halvor didn’t smile; instead he released her hands, dragged her close, and set a kiss on her lips that left no doubt about his unholy intentions.

She gasped and fell into his embrace. He was the only man she’d ever kissed, and the only man she ever would kiss.

Nadir clapped, Asmund laughed.

The reverend chuckled. “I wish you both the best.”

Halvor pulled back, but didn’t release Duna.

The fire in his eyes caused her to tremble. Her new husband was a desirous man with needs—needs he was no longer required to keep in check.

He stooped and slotted his shoulder against her abdomen.

The next thing she knew she was being lifted into the air, the way she had been when he’d stolen her from her village.

Her hair fell forward, several flowers fluttering to the ground, and she reached for his belt as something to hold onto.

Slap.

“Oh!” He’d whacked his hand over her ass, then left it there.

“Thank you, reverend, and you, too, Asmund and Nadir, but it is time for us to leave.”

“What about the wedding meal?” Nadir said. “I have broth on the fire.”

“It’s not food I’m hungry for,” Halvor said. “Though I appreciate your kindness.”

Duna gasped as he spun and began to stride toward Ivan.

“Goodbye, Duna,” Nadir called. “Have fun.”

Fun! She was sure what Halvor had in store for her would be many things, but she wasn’t sure if fun was one of them.

He lifted her onto Ivan and she gripped the horse’s mane, waiting for a wave of dizziness to pass and catching her breath.

“Are you well, wife?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” He leaped on behind her, wrapped one arm around her waist to hold her tight against his chest, and reached for the reins.

“Hy, hy,” he called to Ivan and dug his heels in.

Ivan seemed to gather his energy beneath himself, then sprang forward into a fast canter.

Duna clung tighter to his mane as they raced away from Asmund and Nadir’s longhouse. The wind caught in her hair and she was glad of Halvor’s strong arm around her.

They traveled in the direction of home, passing several pastures, and following the river, but just before they reached their land, Halvor pulled Ivan to a halt.

“What are we doing?” she asked, looking at the elderberry bushes to her right.

“I’m not waiting until we get home,” he said, slipping from Ivan and landing with a thud on the ground.

She gulped when she saw the iron set of his jaw. “Not waiting for what?”

“You know what, Duna.” He gripped her waist and pulled her from Ivan.

She was in his arms again and he was kissing her. This kiss was urgent, his tongue tangling with hers and his hands roaming to her ass and pulling her closer, closer still.

Her heart rate picked up. His erection was prodding her stomach through their clothing. And it was as big as she remembered.

He took several paces away from the horse, then turned and urged her to sit on the long meadow grass. He then kissed her, and his lips didn’t leave hers as he pressed over her until she was lying flat on her back…

“You have my mind spinning and my body aching,” he murmured against her lips. “And now I have to relieve that ache.”

He dragged at her dress, bunching it up around her waist, then pushed at her undergarments.

She helped him and kicked them off. Her cunny trembled. This was it, the moment she’d both feared and longed for.

His breaths were coming hard and fast. His eyes were narrowed, his movements swift and efficient. It was as if he’d become possessed, only one thing existed in his world.

Getting inside her and spilling his seed.

He fumbled with the button on his breeches. “Spread your legs, wife.”

She gulped and did as he’d asked.