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even live?
    Aidan.
The bear of a warrior she could never allow herself to love, but the one she
wanted
above all others.
    Even though she was a full immortal now—her appetite for food had disappeared, her need for war burgeoning—she lingered with him here at his camp.
    I am better for being here, for being with him.
She was a better swordswoman—though he hadn’t deemed her ready for war yet, and she secretly feared he never would.
    She was a better lover. Though he hadn’t coupled with her.
    Seven months ago, she had tried repeatedly to seduce him, coaxing him to take her completely. Yet in time she’d come to want more of him, too. No, he couldn’t win her heart, but he’d won her desires. He’d pleasured her relentlessly, teaching her to slake him as well.
    Each time he set off to battle, she demanded, “Take me with you, warrior.” His ploy to keep her in camp? He left her sexually sated and sprawled on the furs,exhausted but glowing with bliss. Already pining for him to return.
    As he’d done so long ago, Regin had begun to ask herself, why
not
him?
    Because once she’d learned how to handle her stormy berserker—knowing when to tease him, when to claw him, when to draw him into her arms and murmur,
“Shh, be at ease, warlord”—
life with him had been surprisingly gratifying.
    He treated her like a goddess, spoiling her with gifts and surprises. And they laughed constantly. She savored the sound of his laughter coming from his big barrel chest—as well as his gruff words of affection: “Remember those years ago when I vowed I would love you one day? I told you true.”
    Could any male make her feel as he had the night he’d lightly rasped his blond stubble over her stomach and murmured, “I want babes with you—berserker sons and Valkyrie daughters.” He’d raised his head, gazing at her with clear gray eyes. “Give them to me one day?”
    Having a Valkyrie for his mate had done nothing to curb his arrogance. He behaved like an immortal already—even more arrogant and lordly—thrilling her. “Wóden will look upon me with favor,” he’d told her. “No male could treasure his daughter more than I do you.”
    ’Twas simple enough. Regin desired him above all males and knew she always would, which meant two decades was far too short—
    He stumbled through the door.
    She gave a cry, leaping to her feet. “Thank gods, you’ve returned! Where have you …” She trailed off at the wild look on his face. “Aidan?”
    His eyes ablaze, he dropped his bloody ax, then ripped off his sword belt and crimson-stained tunic. His tattooed chest heaved as he stalked toward her, his expression warning her to take a step back. Then another.
    “Aidan, say something.”
    “They tried to keep me from you.” He backed her into the table, cornering her, predatory.
    “Who? The vampires?”
    “
No one
keeps me from you. Not immortals, not men, not a god.
Nothing
can keep me from you.”
    “Aidan, wh-what are you doing? You’re on the very edge. You must calm yourself.”
    “My life passed before me, Reginleit. I’d rushed to battle because I want you forever—only to fall without a single night inside you? The idea sent me into a frenzy!”
    She’d never seen him this far gone when not fighting. They both worked to keep him from reaching his berserkrage, knowing he’d lose control to the beast within.
    The beast that roared inside him to claim its mate.
    “I left a wake of death to return to you”—his hand shot out to cup her nape, yanking her close—“to make you mine in all ways.” He dipped his head to nip her breast, making her gasp. “Tonight I’ll ride your little body till you scream with pleasure.”
    “Have you fever? Are you maddened?” She shoved him away, but again, he stalked closer. “You know why we can’t!”
    “We can! You are
mine
to claim. Ohalla is mine to take! I demand it all—mine by right.”
    “This is the berserkrage speaking … speaking
nonsense
. Think