Captured by the Berserkers

Willow-1

Willow

The abbey lay on the hip of the curving road. I followed the path, hurrying to be sure I reached its large oak doors before the bell tolled for evening prayers. Whenever the friar sent me on an errand to the village, he gave me strict warnings to return before sunset. Tonight, I hurried not only to escape his punishment, but to outrun the almost-full moon. I needed to be hidden well away before it rose and brought the sickness upon me.

Lost in my thoughts, I startled when a shadow fell across my path.

“Good evening,” a deep voice murmured, right at my back. I let out a shriek and dropped my basket.

Two large men stood on the edge of the path. Warriors, though they bore no weapons I could see. Both massive, with broad shoulders and great muscled arms, but, somehow, I hadn’t noticed them standing there until they spoke. Even now, they seemed to blend with the sun-dappled forest as they loomed over me.

“Calm yourself, lass. I did not mean to scare you.” One of them, a redhead with hair to his shoulders, stooped and picked up my basket.

“You don’t need to try to scare women, Leif,” the second warrior grunted. “Your face scares them enough.”

The redhead, Leif, didn’t take his eyes from me.

“My apologies, lass.” He spoke with a strange accent but a bit of a lilt I recognized from the Highlands, a mountainous area many leagues from the abbey.

Hands trembling, I took the basket and clutched it to my chest. The warriors’ gaze swept up and down my form, lingering on my breasts. They kept their distance. If they made any move, I would drop my burden again and run to the abbey doors, a race no doubt I would lose.

“You’re not too frightened?” Leif c****d his head to the side. He had an open, honest face, a scar marking his chin, and a full, lush mouth.

When I shook my head, he flashed an arrogant smile. “See, Brokk? She’s a brave little thing. I wager it’s your ugly face tying her tongue.” He gave me a wink.

My cheeks heated.

“Don’t embarrass her,” Brokk muttered, the stern set of his mouth in contrast to his partner’s cocky grin.

“And miss the pretty color in her cheeks? Like the bloom of a rose.” When Leif smirked again, I caught a quick flash of fang. His canines curved over his lower teeth. “You’re lovely, lass.”

My lips parted. My heart fluttered like a bird caught in a briar.

The second warrior cleared his throat. He wasn’t as handsome as his companion, but his blunt features and glowering brow had their own arresting charm. “Leif thinks he has a way with women. I will not let him keep you long,” Brokk assured me, though at the word “keep” I took a step back.

With a low, soothing sound, the warriors hemmed me in. My head craned upwards to take in one stern, one smiling face.

I clutched my basket tighter. The warriors blocked my escape, but for some reason, I felt no fear. My body warmed further still, responding to the heat emanating from them.

“Can I help you, sirs?” I rasped. My dry throat worked to get the words out. Maybe, if I stayed polite, they would let me go.

“Do you live yonder?” Brokk nodded to the abbey, his voice gruff but kind.

“Yes, sir.”

“What’s your name?” Leif asked.

“It’s Willow,” I whispered.

“Willow.” Leif rolled my name on his tongue, and I felt a prickle between my legs. My n*****s throbbed.

“Willow,” Brokk echoed, and his face softened a little.

The ache in my breasts increased, and wetness trickled from my nether lips.

Leif raised his head and drew in a deep breath. Both warriors pierced me with the look of a predator fixing on its intended prey. I swayed between them, caught in their bright-yellow gaze.

My desire blazed to life, followed by fear.

“I should not be here,” I blurted. “I should not be talking to you.” The friar warned me and my sister orphans against strange men. Whenever he caught one of us speaking to any in the village, all of us bore the punishment.

It would be night soon, complete with the dreaded full moon.

“I need to go,” I whispered. “Please.”

For a moment, I thought they would not let me leave, but then Leif stepped away, giving me a clear path to the abbey.

“Take care, Willow,” Brokk said in his gentle rumble.

“We’ll watch over you,” Leif added. “Make sure you get safely to the door. After all, there are dangerous men about.”

My heart dropped to my feet, and he winked at me again.

For a second, his eyes seem to pulse with a golden light. It faded, leaving an ordinary man. Ordinary except for the handsome face, the strapping neck, the fine muscles stretching the leather jerkin he wore.

With a small nod, I scrambled the rest of the way home.