The Stolen Valkyrie: Broken Bonds (Part One) (Fantasy Erotic Romance Novelette) by Ana Meadows

The Stolen Valkyrie: Broken Bonds
    Part One
     
    Ana Meadows
     

Copyright 2014 by Forbidden Fruit Press
     
    All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part by any means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the explicit written permission of the author.
     
    Published by Forbidden Fruit Press
     
    All characters depicted in this fictional work are consenting adults. Any resemblance to persons living or deceased, particular businesses, events, or exact locations are entirely coincidental.
     
     
    ***
    A taste of things to come:
     
    Tani’s awed gaze remained on his face. He looked at Asta once again, “Perhaps an innocent one could teach a rebellious Grand Mistress a thing or two about disobedience and pleasing her Master.”
     
    Asta had never seen him this passionate. Johan was normally a peacekeeper, wisely advising his clan on various matters instead of letting his emotions get the best of him. Gazing upon him now, she grew aroused in spite of her hurt pride. With hands still thrust into their hair, he turned them toward Asta, which perfectly aligned the females’ mouths for his pleasure.
     
    ***

     
    Chapter One
     
     
    D efiantly jabbing a finger in her bond mate’s chest, Asta proudly raised her chin, “Ye know I, Asta Najihn, am a superior hunter to most men. Why must I stay here, Johan?”
     
    Squaring broad shoulders, Johan adjusted the bow slung across his back. Lowering his gaze to the offensive finger at his birthmark, which appeared to be a phoenix spreading its wings across his chest, Johan’s tone held patience but his expression said otherwise, “Ye must stop this defiance. Address me as Master Johan and learn your place as my wife, Mistress Asta Gojicia-Zajihn . The sooner that ye adopt Zajihn as your clan name and drop Najihn, the faster your fellow clanswomen will respect our bond.”
     
    Her teeth clenched but she lowered her finger from his chest. Controlling her fiery nature was always on his mind. Asta loudly declared, “I am the last of the Najihn Clan, Master Johan . Why would ye rob me of that title? All women of Clan Zajihn know that I am your bonded Mistress.”
     
    She wanted to stomp her foot in the dry dirt when a familiar expression settled onto his face. Knowing a childish foot stomping would not benefit her in Clan Zajihn’s eyes, she made her mind up to do something that would.
     
    With chin held high, she proudly promised, “I will defend Clan Zajihn while ye are away. Tell the guard I will relieve him.”
     
    Johan’s patience almost fled. His father had spoken of willful women across vast waters from long ago times when felines were cocooned and thought to be gods. As a child, Johan had thought the legends of women rulers preposterous. He now frequently wondered if Asta was not a direct descendent of one such ruler. Her feline grace certainly spoke of such.
     
    He growled, “Ye will finish your wifely duties and help prepare the village for tonight like a Grand Mistress should.”
     
    Furious over his denial of her obvious equality to men, Asta spun around and stomped off toward the women. Taking a deep breath, Johan turned to join the warriors who awaited the hunt. He had never met a woman so bent on rebelling against him. Asta was his perfect Mistress, revered by all the clan, but she needed something that escaped him. Frowning, Johan signaled for his men to follow while reflecting on how he could make her happy.
     
    Mayhap a babe will slow her down.
     
    When he looked her way again, Asta’s back was to him. A couple of the clansmen, with joyous mates wishing them well, glimpsed at her with curiosity too. Lately, she seemed even more defiant than usual.
     
    Even though everyone adored her, any clansperson could see that she was forever restless where duties fitting a