Viking Claimed (Triad Series Book 4) by Kate Pearce Page A

way Morek’s mind flowed into Aki’s that soothed and comforted him without even seeming to try.
    “I tried to tell her about you, but she was too afraid to ‘complicate things’.” Aki rubbed his chin. “I am not sure what that means, but I decided not to argue with her. All will be sorted out by the Oracle tomorrow, anyway.”
    “Do you think Elli will accept me?” Morek asked slowly.
    “I cannot see why not. You are an honorable and beautiful male.”
    Morek unpinned the elaborate broach on his shoulder and the silk fell away to reveal the rest of his chest. His skin gleamed green. Aki paused to admire the sheen of his muscles as he undressed. Morek unbuckled his belt and allowed the rest of the fabric to fall to the floor. He bent to gather it up and folded it into a square, giving Aki an excellent view of the long, supple line of his spine and his tight arse.
    “Come here,” Aki said.
    Morek turned to him, his expression quizzical. “I thought we had decided to wait until tomorrow?”
    “We have.” He crooked his finger. “Come here and kneel at my feet.”
    Morek carefully placed the silk in his cupboard and then walked over with his usual grace and dropped to his knees in front of Aki.
    “What can I do for you, my Viking?”
    Aki reached for the silk tie that held the end of Morek’s braid and eased it free. Using his fingers he carefully combed through Morek’s long hair until it lay around his shoulders.
    “This is how I picture you,” Aki murmured. “Wild and beautiful and ready to kill.”
    Morek’s mouth twitched. “And bloodied?”
    “Aye—that too.” Aki brushed his finger over Morek’s full lower lip. “But only so that we can tend to each other’s hurts afterward.” He framed Morek’s face with his hands. “You bring me peace.”
    “That is good.” Morek didn’t look away from Aki’s gaze. “As you make sense of everything that I am.”
    “I look forward to fighting alongside you.” Aki paused. “Do you think the Oracle could find a place for me here? I do not wish to return to the city.”
    “But what about your Female? Our Female?”
    Aki went still. “I haven’t asked her. I will endure that place if I must but…” He shook his head. “I fear I will not thrive there.”
    “It is not where I would choose to live either, but perhaps if we are together and it is what our Female requires, we shall be content.” Morek turned his face and kissed Aki’s palm. “You should go.”
    “I should.” Aki reluctantly released Morek and waited until he stood, which brought Morek’s hard cock right to his eye level. He gave a regretful sigh. “I wish I had time to bed you properly and thoroughly.”
    Morek palmed his cock, releasing a thin trail of pre-cum along the length. “I will think of you while I take care of myself.”
    “You will not share this with another?”
    Morek brought his wet fingers to Aki’s mouth and rubbed them against his lips. “I am yours now. I will not fuck anyone without permission from my mates.”
    Aki sucked Morek’s fingers clean, making the other man groan. “Good. Until tomorrow, then.”
    He didn’t dare touch Morek again or he’d be pushing him down onto the bed and rolling with him in the covers.
    “Tomorrow.” Morek moved out of his way. “Sleep well, First Male.”
    Aki glanced down at his aching cock. “I suspect I will sleep as well as you do.”
    Morek’s laughter followed him out of the door and back to the guest quarters. Elli was still sleeping. Einarr and his guests had disappeared and Aki barely managed to crawl into bed before he too was fast asleep.

Chapter Six
    The clothes laid out for Aki and Einarr were more elaborate this time and of similar fabric to the ones the Oracle’s bodyguard wore. The silky white robes were long and tied at the waist with a wide sash. They helped each other get dressed and combed and braided their long hair as if they were going into battle. A servant brought them goblets of