VIKING THRALL (Historical Romance, Medieval, Viking) by Joanna Davis Page B

barked out a surprised laugh. The maid was brazenly admonishing them for not helping her. The other warriors were silent, apparently as astonished as Magnus himself.
                  She was a spit fire that much was certain.
                  No one moved to help her so she shrugged and continued rolling the barrel towards them.
                  "By Odin what a beauty!"
                  "Aye, look at those tits!"
                  He glanced sideways at his men. The girl was about to be eaten alive. For some reason this bothered him. He glanced at her and frowned. It's not that he ever stopped his men from having their fun with a girl, but this one was special.
                  Magnus himself never felt the need to force a woman. But for once, he was thinking about making an exception.               With her.
                  "Mine."
                  The softly spoken word brought utter silence to the group. They might grumble later, but that would be the last of it. The girl hadn't heard him but that was alright.
                  She'd find out that she belonged to him soon enough.
                  Most likely when he tossed her over his horse.
                  She rolled the barrel closer, nearly bumping into his feet. Then she looked up at him slowly. He saw the fear dawn in her beautiful eyes as she realized her mistake. She was too far from the gate to run.
                  He almost laughed as he watched her attempt to compose herself. She stood up as tall as she could and managed to look down her nose at him, even though she barely came up to his chest. Such a tiny, fiery little thing she was.
                  She'd make good sons.
                  His loins tightened at the thought.
                  He smiled at her to put her at ease.
                  "Thank you for your gift. Olric."
                  He jerked his head and Olric and two other men ran through the gate and inside. The maid's eyes widened in disbelief.
                  "But you said-"
                  "I said nothing. They will harm no one. But they will take anything worth the trouble."
                  He leaned forward and whispered to her.
                  "We are Vikings after all."
                  Her sweet little mouth dropped open in surprise. He had the sudden urge to kiss the pink rosebud. And more. But not in front of his men.
                  "Including you."
                  "What?!?"
                  She looked horrified as he smiled down at her benignly.
                  "No one will hurt you. But you'll make a fine slave."
                  "A- slave?"
                  He nodded slowly.
                  "My slave in fact. Come."
                  He took her arm and pulled her away from the gate towards their horses, partially hidden in the woods. They had little reprisal to fear from the locals but Magnus always practiced common sense. It's why he was an excellent leader.
                  And very efficient in a raid.
                  The girl was fighting him now but he paid her no mind. She was his and would come with him. He scooped her up and over his shoulder.
                  "Put me down."
                  He ignored her.
                  "Please! I'm going to throw up!"
                  He put her down and stared at her in consternation.
                  "Please, if you take me away the children will be very upset."
                  He grunted and grabbed her arm again.
                  "They will wail and refuse to eat! And- I'd be a terrible slave anyway. I'm an awful cook, I can't grow crops