For a Viking’s Heart (Ancient Songs #4)

Prologue

At the hall of a Scottish chief deep in the western Highlands, a bard entertains those gathered, singing and telling tales while accompanying himself on the harp.

He weaves his tales in praise of his host’s ancestors, with a rare talent that keeps his listeners enthralled from the highest to the lowest. Amid the leaping torches and the flickering candles, there is magic encircling the great chamber this night.

Now the hour grows late. Already the bard has told three stories to great effect, holding his audience captive with a combination of bright notes from his harp and singing words from his throat.

He glances at the chief at the head of the hall, seeking a sign that he should draw this entertainment to an end.

The chief makes a gesture. More, he signals. The audience has not tired of the bard’s phrases, and the spell he has woven still holds strong.

A gleam of green flickers in the bard’s eyes as he returns his gaze to the face of one young woman in the hall, she to whom, above all others, his heart speaks.

Has she heard what he had to tell her? Has she understood?

He smiles, smiles only for her, and his fingers wring beauty from the strings of his harp. Once long ago, he tells them, when danger did come from the sea, there was a woman so strong she would let no man do for her…save one. List again while I sing for you now a song for a viking’s heart.