You’re supposed to be healing, brother. Not tricking our mate into bed. Ulf sounded disapproving, but he raised his head to sniff the air, his eyes sparked gold. The woman’s warm, floral scent rose in waves, stronger with every passing moment. Her bosom filled my vision. Pale and heaving. She blinked rapidly, her plump lips slightly parted.

Her heat is almost upon her, I reported. She responds to us.

Enough, Haakon. You must rest.

Spoiling my fun already? But he was right. I needed to sleep, though I did not look forward to it. The magic curled around my bones, knitting them together in the most efficient, if painful, way. My dreams would be of torment. I’d rather stay awake, with the raven-haired vision before me. Even in a torn and dirty shift, my little nursemaid inspired the most delightful stirrings in my—

“Laurel,” Ulf interrupted again. “I’m leaving on the hunt. Can I trust you with my brother?”

“Yes,” she raised her chin. “You did so before.”

“I want your word.”

“I want him to live.” Her voice softened as she turned to me. “You saved my life. I owe you and will repay the debt.”

“An orphan with a sense of honor?” Ulf raised his brow. Laurel didn’t appreciate his mocking.

“More than I can say of you, barging in to steal me away in the middle of the night,” she snapped, and flushed when she realized how she had challenged her captors. Before she could cringe, I caught her wrist.

“Did not still your tongue,” I grinned. “I like it.”

“I’ll fetch more water before I go,” Ulf said. She should not abandon you now.

Was there a chance she would?

She looks longingly at the forest.

She’s looks with more longing on me. I stretched gingerly, spreading my legs a little. It hurt, but Laurel’s blush when her eyes fell at the apex of my legs was worth it.

So you say, Ulf returned and flung the waterskins down, narrowly missing my head. Too late I remembered he was sensitive about his scars.

She looks at you, too, brother, I told him too late. He’d already strode off, disappearing into the forest, leaving me with the pale, sweet miss.

“Are we safe here?” she blurted out.

“Safe enough. Ulf will see we remain so.” I forced a smile to my lips. I hated being so weak.

Laurel shivered and tucked her knees to her chest. It was the darkest part of the night, and even the fire couldn’t keep the terror of the darkness away.

“Come to me, lass,” I breathed, reaching for her. She shrank from me before she remembered herself. “I won’t hurt you.”

“You are ill. You cannot hurt me.”

Even with a broken back, I could still overpower her, but I didn’t mention it.

“Lie here,” I patted the ground at my side.

She bit her lip, looking tired and miserable.

“I offer my warmth and nothing more. I won’t take anything you don’t want to give.”

With a jerky nod, she moved to settle close by. She lay stiff at my side.

With a groan, I slid my arm around her shoulders.

“Haakon, no, you should not—”

“Hush.” I squeezed her to my side. After a bit she relaxed.

“Sleep, little one. It’s been a trying night.”

“I don’t think I can,” she whispered. I tightened my hold, wishing I could roll atop her and lick and suck her curves and secret places, wearing her out with pleasure. She’d sleep then, and have good dreams. As if she could read my thoughts, her scent, which had mellowed, grew pungent again. She shivered, but her face was flushed. When she tried to pull away, I caught her close.

“What’s wrong, lass?”

“I do not feel well,” she muttered.

“Have you felt this way before?”

“No,” came her soft answer. Her legs moved restlessly, but I didn’t let her go. “I’m sure it’ll pass.”

My fingers slipped from her arm to the curve of her chest. As I stroked the smooth skin of her arm, she sucked in a breath but didn’t stop me.

“You enjoy laying here with me.”

“No,” she huffed.

“You are lying, little love. Do not try deceive me.” I said firmly, then lowered my voice. “Now tell me, what do you feel?”

Her voice came very small. “I don’t know.”

“You are hungry for your mates.”

“No,” she protested, and I moved my hand up to collar her neck.

“Another lie. I warned you, little love. Speak false again, and you will be punished.”

Her pulse jumped under my fingers, but the air filled with her sweet scent.

“You are not afraid of me. You are afraid of how you feel.”

“You don’t understand,” she whispered. “I’m a good girl. I should not feel such things.”

I clasped her chin and brushed a thumb over her lips.

“You are our mate. You respond as you should.” My hand slid down her chest, tracing the pale hills of her cleavage.

“I don’t know what’s happening to me.” Her voice was so broken, I stopped my teasing fingers.

“Calm yourself, little love. You have nothing to fear. We took you from the abbey for this purpose. You will serve as our mate, and we will cherish you always.”

A little whimper escaped her throat, but she clung to me.

“Soon you will understand.” I stroked her hair until her body melted into mine, her breathing growing even as she slipped into her dreams.

Wishing I could hold her properly, I followed her into sleep. It had been a century since I’d held a woman safely in my arms. I looked forward to a new day with my blushing, virginal mate and her honeyed scent.

But when I woke, she was gone.