As the stars filled the sky, Breena began to tell stories of Osborn’s bravery, and the Eldens were thrilled to have a legendary berserker join them in the upcoming battle. They laughed as she relayed his skills at dancing and he found himself smiling.
Osborn had hated these people of Elden for most of his life, wanted to annihilate them like his own people had been by the Blood Sorcerer. Now, for the first time in his life, Osborn found he was content. But not so content he didn’t wonder how long they would be obligated to sit around the fire. He wanted nothing more than to draw Breena into the darkness of the night. To seal his life to hers as she’d promised. To lay his cloak on the ground and draw her down beside him and make love to her beneath the stars. He wanted nothing more than to hear her cries of pleasure.
Earlier today he’d thought he’d never see her again, or hear her sweet voice again. Feel her touch. Sleep in his arms.
Rolfe moved to stand behind Breena. His steely gaze challenging as he crossed his arms over his chest. The message was clear. There’d be no sneaking away this night, or any night, until they were wed.
He gave the older warrior a nod of understanding, his intentions were honorable—marriage-wise that was. What he wanted to do to Breena’s body was wicked.
Even though their most dangerous days lay ahead of them, Osborn looked forward to the future. For the first time since he was a young boy of fifteen. Breena had given that to him.
Thankfully, Breena had moved away from stories of him and on toward tales of her training with the sword. Laughter settled around him, and he saw it took a moment for her people to wrap their minds around the changing image of her from sweet heir of Elden to warrior princess.
Two more men joined the circle around the fire, and he heard Breena gasp. His hand was instantly at his side, his fingers curling around the hilt of his sword.
Bernt and Torben stood there.
He raised to his feet. “How did—?”
Breena rushed to his brothers, kissing each one on the cheek. “Magic. I left clues only they could follow.”
Osborn didn’t like the idea of them joining the fight, but they were almost men now. It was time he began accepting them that way. The Blood Sorcerer was responsible for taking away their childhood, and they had a right to the fight. His brothers settled around the fire, two more berserkers quickly welcomed. The people would entertain themselves long into the night.
“I can do more than just leave clues. I don’t know if it’s that I’m on Elden land again or that the battle with Leyek released something, but I can feel my power growing. Look.”
Breena brought her hands together and he felt the change in her. Something powerful and elusive formed between her hands. Grew. Light pooled between her hands. “I can fully control my magic now. I don’t have to rely on intense emotion.”
His mind strayed to the intense emotion they’d used to mask the trace magic from the blood scouts at the lake and he nearly groaned.
The ball of light grew and she tossed it up into the air above her head where it separated into three distinct spheres. With a wave of her hand the spheres zipped across the sky, and he surveyed their progress until the light faded into the horizon. “I’m sending that out to my brothers.” A smile spread across her face. “I sense they are alive. I know it.”
He’d been gifted with this incredible woman. He’d stay by her side until his last breath.
“The moon is full overhead,” she whispered.
His heart pounded and his body hardened. In a few moments she’d be his forever. With a laugh, she lifted her skirts and took off at a run. “I’ll be yours, but only if you catch me.”
Osborn was too quick for her and reached for her hands. “Just try to get away.”
LIKE MOST LITTLE GIRLS, Breena had often dreamed of her wedding day. She’d wear a stunning dress, formal and beaded with a long train the colors of Elden. Her husband would, of course, be courtly and handsome, and he’d take her to his palace after the wedding feast and the dancing.
Never once had she expected the man who’d one day be her husband would be more inclined to growl than to dance. And tonight, she wore the sage dress her future husband had bought for her, the golden snake armband securely in place. Better than any imagined wedding finery.
Instead of a great hall filled with a long list of aristocratic and highborn guests to view the royal proceedings, they walked hand in hand, just the two of them, surrounded by the trees and under a canopy of stars. The reality of Osborn was more perfect than anything she’d ever dreamed or imagined.
Osborn, her wild berserker of a man, loved her.
Once they’d reached a small clearing, he stopped and turned toward her, twining his fingers with hers.
Glancing up, she gasped when she saw his appearance. “What happened to your hair?” she asked. All of Osborn’s long brown locks were gone, his hair cut close to his head.
“Another tradition of my people. On his wedding day, a man cuts his hair. A taming, if you will.”
Breena laughed. She doubted there would be much taming where this man was concerned. His new look would take a little getting used to, but she liked it.
The lines crinkling at the corners of his eyes smoothed, and his expression turned serious. “Breena, my love. I seal my life with yours.”
Such simple words. No elaborate vows or flourishes. Just a man taking the woman he wanted out into nature and declaring himself as hers before the stars and under the moon. A swell of love and emotion made her eyes tear. But she would not cry. Her warrior deserved a warrioress.
“Osborn, my love,” she told him in a clear, strong voice. She met his brown eyes and smiled. “I seal my life with yours.”
PRIMAL INSTINCTS
Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess who only really lived when she dreamed. Then one day she woke up surrounded by three glowering bears. With patience and love she tamed the fiercest, and with a kiss transformed the beast into a prince.
This book is dedicated to my husband and daughters—I love you all!
Thanks so much to Gena Showalter, Jessica Andersen and Nalini Singh—you were so much fun to work with from beginning to end!
A special thanks goes to Tara Gavin for making it all happen.
A shout out goes to Deirdre Knight, and everyone at TKA, whose support is invaluable.
And a trip down memory lane—thank you to Missi Jay, who first introduced me to berserkers back in school when we played the game on her Atari 2600 instead of studying.
As always, thanks go to my husband and family, who are always patient. I love you, Pink!
To Gnomey, may you someday find your way back to me. To Lobby, may the day come soon when I can give your brother to Gena. But never you.
You I’m keeping.
Thanks always goes to Gena Showalter, Sheila Fields, Donnell Epperson, Kassia Krozser, and Betty Sanders. Kassia—I put the serial comma in there just for you.
To Jeff Z, my BFF and all my friends from PCHS—you rock!
CHAPTER ONE
Middle of Nowhere, Oklahoma
WHAT WAS SHE DOING? Or had just done? Miriam Cole sucked in a breath and squeezed her eyes tight. It didn’t change a thing. He was still there.
Miriam peeked over her shoulder at the man smushed up against her body. His legs were tangled over hers and his hand gently gripped her breast. The angle was awkward, but she could make him out perfectly in the morning light.