Dreams of a Dark Warrior (Immortals After Dark #11)(42)
Author: Kresley Cole

"Only myths carried from the lands of the North." He recal ed that the Valkyrie were a type of warrior goddess.

This female expected him to believe she was one among them. And why shouldn’t he? What else could explain her glowing skin and smallfangs, or the pink claws that tipped her delicate fingers?

He removed one gauntlet to run the backs of his fingers over her high cheekbones, his lids growing heavy. Her skin was impossibly soft. With each touch he marveled that such a female was in his keeping.

My prize, and an earned one.

His forfeiture of that castle would enrage his king, who had steadily been losing patience with him. I might have a price on my head already. No matter. As Treves gazed down at her, he knew she would be worth any consequence.

And answering to another was a yoke that had never sat easily upon his shoulders anyway. He and his king would come to terms over this. Or I’ll pluck that crown from his head.

"You know that I am Treves. What is your name?"

"They cal me Regin the Radiant."

"A fitting name, belle." When he tucked a wild braid behind her ear, his eyes widened. The tip was pointed. "A Valkyrie’s ear?" He was captivated by this creature, now taking her hand and smoothing the backs of her little claws over his face. "Why do you seem so familiar?" And how could he feel half in love with her already? As if he’d fal on his sword should they be parted?

"We met, ages ago." She seemed alternately sad and excited, brows drawn one instant, a breathless smile blooming the next. "But if I tell you, you will think me crazed."

"No more than I, to have dreamed of a woman I’d never seen." Ever since he’d come to this castle, he’d been beset with dreams of her.

"In a past life, you were a berserker, a warrior in Woden’s guard. You served my father." She paused, then added, "And you’d planned to wed me."

Wed her? He drew even closer. "I do not know who you believe I am, but I will gladly be this man."

Her eyes searched his expression as she said, "You were cal ed Aidan the Fierce."

Clearly her affections had already been claimed by this Aidan. "Why do you think me him?" She had mistaken Treves for someone else. I cannot surrender her.

I will not.

"Your eyes glowed like a berserker’s. And I sense it’s you. The fact that you’ve dreamed of me convinces me beyond doubt." When he cast her a dubious look, she said, "You’ve been re-embodied, your soul housed in another form."

Could this be true? Could his soul have lived on from another time?

From his earliest memories, nightmares of angels and devils and biting snow had plagued him til he’d thought he’d lose his mind. Always his chest had given him pain. His parents had feared that his aching heart was weak, that he would die young. As a man, he’d warred to escape the turmoil within him-placating his inward black thoughts with outward black deeds.

Now the ache had disappeared. Perhaps his heart had always been strong, yet it would beat for this female alone. "How could I have returned?"

"When you died in my arms centuries ago, you vowed that you would come for me. I do not know how you’ve done this. Sometimes we’re not meant to know all the things that are possible in the Lore."

"The Lore?"

"It’s our world. A world of immortals, where myths and legends live."

She is an immortal; I am not. "You will not return to this land, Valkyrie," he commanded, his voice rough from the thought of losing her. "Your place is with me."

Her face brightened even more. "Then remind me why I chose you above all other men."

"I know not how to remind …" He trailed off when she began unraveling the ties to his armor, her desires clear. H