Chapter Fourteen

His heart lurched as he watched Ulfhild leave the training field. Her shoulders straight. Her strides purposeful, despite the demeaning words her father had spat at her in front of her fellow warriors. Brand had expected her to be formidable, but he had not expected to feel the way he had – fascinated, awed by her ferocity and strength. He had thought to hold back at first, to give her a chance to show off her skills, but as soon as their blades crossed, he realized his mistake. She was coming at him fast, eyes blazing, muscles flexing like a predator, giving no quarter. He felt a surge of adrenaline as he blocked her strikes, giving as good as he got. When their blades had crossed and he had pulled her into him, it was all Brand could do not to throw down his sword, grab her around the waist, and take her mouth right there and then. Magnus' coming had been well-timed.

Brand scented the air around him and fought a shudder of desire. Ulfhild's delectable, one-of-a-kind scent suffused t