The Barbarian's Stolen Bride (Northmen Barbarians 1)

My jealousy where Prima was concerned knew no bounds.

I wanted her to be as consumed with me as I was with her. I supposed I felt off-center and unsure for the first time in my life, because I hadn’t given her a choice to be mine.

I should have done things right and courted her, wooed her. I should have done things differently, but I wanted her too badly. I was a selfish bastard and sadly… felt no remorse over my actions, because she was here with me now.

She is mine.

I exhaled wearily and scrubbed a hand over my face. The days-worth of scruff that lined my cheeks and jaw scraped along my palm. All I wanted to do was go back to Prima, to fulfill that promise I’d given her as I devoured her mouth after we shared our afternoon meal together.

I could still feel her lips, taste her flavor as she moved her tiny tongue against mine. She’d had strawberries and cream moments before I kissed her, and that flavor still invaded my mouth, mixing with everything that was Prima.

I was tired, exhausted mentally, but I knew as soon as I saw my sweet wife, I’d get a second wind, a renewed strength. Even thinking about her gave me more energy.

“Are we finished for this evening?” I asked, and Marric gave a grunt.

I stared at my hersir—my war general, my second-in-command, and the only male I knew would never betray me. He was like blood, like a brother.

Despite all that, I was still aggravated with him after he’d spoken with Prima. I understood that his social skills were severely lacking. He didn’t have a gentle side for the fairer sex. In fact, he didn’t have that side for anyone. But it wasn’t his fault, not with the life he’d led, not with the horrors he’d endured.

But as I stared at my most trusted friend, my strongest warrior, the very idea of him looking or even speaking with Prima set me on edge. He’d frightened her, even if he hadn’t meant to. But it had been obvious she’d been afraid. He was gruff, his voice naturally coarse and serrated. And every protective male instinct in me rose up savagely.

“You are still displeased with me after speaking with the queen,” Marric said matter-of-factly, but I was pretty sure he couldn’t feel emotions, not in the same way I did, and certainly not like my softhearted wife did.

He could simply tell I was still on the edge.

I made a deep sound, my only acknowledgment of his words. I rose from my seat, not about to get into this with him. It was my own possessive jealousy that was making me feel this way, but it wouldn’t be ignored. But ignoring it went against every essential part of me to protect and provide for her.

I trusted Marric above all others in the guard. We’d been in many battles together, seen much violence at each other’s side. He would lay down his life before he ever betrayed me. So logically I knew he would never think disrespectful thoughts about my female. But that still didn’t stop me from growling low at the very thought.

Marric grunted again, as close to a chuckle as he’d ever give. “Yes, you are still displeased.” He brought his horn to his mouth and took a long drink as he stared into the fire. Once he pulled away, he was silent for a long while. I could practically see the thoughts moving through his head. “But it was not safe for her to be there. I know you trust all the men in your guard, the staff in this castle, but the truth remains that one as innocent and vulnerable as the queen is there for the plucking.” He looked at me. “Sometimes desire far outweighs loyalty.”

I wanted to argue the point that I’d hand selected each and every person who was in my guard and employed in this castle, but the fact remained Marric was right. Sometimes men had evil lurking underneath them, a darkness they didn’t even know about.

“I will not forbid her from going anywhere.”

Marric turned a face to me then, finishing off his mead as he looked at me over the rim of his horn goblet. He walked to the table and set the horn down before speaking once more. “Then I shall make sure when you are not there, she’s watched over.”

A part of me bristled at that. I would be the only one who would look after my woman, but logically I knew I could not be there at every second. “If she decides to go into far more dangerous places, such as the training section, I will always make sure someone is with her. If not me, perhaps her thralla.”

Marric inclined his head, my answer good enough for him. I knew he meant well, but I was protective of my little wife, and I wanted to be the one to keep her safe. Because even if Kaldir was safer than it had ever been once I became ruler, that didn’t mean there weren't those who wished to break my rules within the village walls.