Page 5 of Storm of Fury
The woman strode to the bar, where she engaged in a swift conversation with the innkeeper. Tormund pushed to his feet, as if drawn by an invisible tether.
“No.” Haakon grabbed his wrist. “We don’t have time for this.”
“You would stand in the path of destiny?”
“I think destiny is about to hand you your teeth.”
“There she is.” Sirius returned with a swirl of his dark cloak, his gaze turning narrow with predatory intent.
“Who?” A breathless sensation filled Tormund, for thedreki’sfocus was based behind him.
On the bar.
On the woman.
“Our informant.” Sirius lifted a chin as the woman looked around, giving an imperious nod.
She strode toward them, one hand resting idly on the hilt of the sword at her hip.
“Jesus.” Tormund could barely breathe.
She was pure, utter perfection.
Handfuls of soft flesh molded over hard muscle. Powerful thighs were barely contained by tight leather trousers, and as she slipped sideways between two old men, he caught a glimpse of an ass a man could grasp with two hands as he buried his face between those thighs.
And the way she stared at them as if she was seemingly fearless made his cock harden.
“You have gold?” she demanded, in a voice both soft and husky, as she reached their table. The lamplight behind her softened her features, and he could just make out a set of pillowy lips.
Fuck.
Haakon kicked his chair under the table, then straightened. “Maybe. For the right kind of information.”
The woman placed both hands on their table, leaning forward with a predatory gaze. “You wanted to speak to the blacksmith’s wife.”
“Are you the blacksmith’s wife?” Tormund asked, leaning back in his chair as his heart sank like lead. It was plausible. She looked like she could swing a hammer more ferociously than any blacksmith he’d ever encountered.
Those green eyes met his. “No. Though I represent her interests.”
Thank all the gods.
“What’s your name, sweetheart?” Tormund offered a friendly smile.
“My name is Bryn. And I’m not your sweet anything.”
“Tormund,” he said, resting all four feet of the chair on the ground again. “And this is my cousin, Haakon, and our… um, friend, Sirius. Would you like an ale?”
“I’m here to offer information, and that’sallI’m interested in.”
Sirius snickered into his mug. Haakon splayed a hand over his mouth as though trying to hide a laugh.
Bastards.
“Then sit,” Haakon directed, gesturing to the chair in front of her.
“The blacksmith indicated there was coin in this job.”
Haakon drew a small pouch from his belt and let it fall on the table, where it chinked. “There is. Provided the information is worth the coin offered.”
