Dreams of a Dark Warrior

let you have her, friend—”
    Chase launched a punch; his fist connected with Brandr’s face like a cannonball. Brandr’s head whipped around, his body lifted off the ground before it dropped. Limp.
    When Chase narrowed his gaze at the others, Natalya and Thad both held up their hands.
    “We’ll let you two work this out between yourselves,” Natalya muttered. “See you back at the boat.” They each grabbed one of Brandr’s arms and started dragging the man away.
    Lothaire said, “No hard feelings, then, Blademan? Everyone makes a bad day trade now and again. … ” He trailed off at Chase’s look. “Very well, I’ll be at the boat. We’ll talk then.”
    It’s left to me. Have to escape Chase.
“Ah, gods, I don’t want to do this.” When he turned to her, she brought her sword hilt crashing into his temple.

FIFTY-THREE

    “
R egin!”
Declan roared, his mind mired in confusion as he pursued her through a rain-swept forest.
    With each step, his body quickened for her, while memories of a far-distant past bombarded him.
    Kissing Regin’s sweet lips by the light of a fire while a blizzard howled outside. Laughing with her upon a bed of furs. Teaching her about pleasure.
    But those memories were dim compared to the last five days.
    Kissing Regin’s body under the blaze of her lightning while the wind gusted over them. Lying side by side, talking in murmurs. Learning how to pleasure her. …
    She was his. She owned his heart and commanded his soul and would forever.
    Why would she flee him now? When he needed her more than he ever had?
    He swiftly caught up to her as she tore along a streambed, farther and farther into a narrowing canyon. Until it dead-ended with high walls all around. “Nowhere to run, Valkyrie.”
    She dashed across the stream and back, searching for a way out. “Damn it!” She raised her sword. “I’ll use this.”
    He stalked closer. “Nothing comes between us.”Not time, not death. He lunged forward, snatching the sword from her grip, tossing it away. “Why would you deny me?”
    “I have to—you can’t do this!”
    “I can and I will.” His hand shot out to loop around her waist, dragging her close. “I need you so badly, Regin.”
    Her eyes went silver. Yet then her expression hardened. “If you take me tonight, it won’t be without a fight.”
    “So long as I take you.”
    When Chase dipped down to kiss her again, Regin punched him with all her strength.
    He drew back with his brows drawn, not in pain, but in confusion. The hit hadn’t even fazed him. He was stronger than he’d ever been, faster too. And she wore the torque.
    Utterly impossible to best him.
    It was her nature to fight, to rail—but she’d fought Aidan in the past.
And look where that got me.
    No more.
    Maybe if she stayed calm, she could bring him back from the brink? Steeling her resolve, she raised her hand to cup his cheek. “I need your help.”
    He frowned down at her.
    “I have to talk to you. And I need you to be calm.” She brushed his wet hair from his forehead. “That’s it. Be at ease.”
    When the mad light in his eyes ebbed somewhat, she continued, “I want to be with you for longer than one night. And to do that, we’ve got to stop this. We’ve got to pull back.”
    “Nothing will stop me from claiming you this night.
Nothing
.”
    “Then you’re going to widow me again? Don’t you care about me?”
    He gripped her nape. “I fuckin’ love you, Regin!” Rain spiked his lashes as he gazed down at her, commanding her, “Love me back!”
    Can’t lose him.
“J-just wait, Aidan!”
    His eyes went wild again; he threw back his head and roared, his neck straining.
    “Please, Aidan, be calm!”
    When he faced her again, he bellowed, “I am
no’
goddamned Aidan! You’re talkin’ to
Declan
. Do you no’ see
me,
woman?”
    “N-not Aidan?” She blinked against the rain. “What? How?”
    He gave his head a harsh shake, clearly struggling to gain control of his emotions. “I’ve got his memories. No’ the other way around. He’s a part of me. That’s all.”
    “You’re still … Declan?” This had never happened before! Maybe the outcome could be changed as well?
Or maybe you’re grasping at straws.
    Voice hoarse, he said, “Aye, it’s me. I will never be your perfect Viking, Regin! I’ve made unforgivable mistakes. I’ve no family or friends, and my men hold no love for me. I’m scarred inside and out. And I’m bloody askin’ for you