He took everything from her. Now he wants her too. Astrid never wanted to be a bride—especially not to the ruthless Viking warlord who destroyed her village and killed her father. But when Ragnor Bloodaxe arrives to collect his due, she has no choice. Marry him or watch her people starve. It's not really a choice at all. Ragnor doesn't expect his new wife to be beautiful. Or brave. Or completely impossible to control. She's supposed to be meek. Obedient. Grateful he didn't burn her village to the ground. Instead, she glares at him across the dinner table, refuses to share his bed, and somehow makes him feel like the villain in his own story. He should have known a healer would be dangerous. She sees too much. Feels too much. And gods help him, he's starting to care what she thinks. But when enemies strike and Astrid walks into enemy hands to save his fortress, Ragnor realizes the brutal truth— Losing her would destroy him more than any battle ever could. She was supposed to be his captive. She became his everything. Now a deadly conspiracy threatens the entire kingdom, and only Astrid's forbidden gifts can stop it. But using that power might cost her life. And Ragnor will burn the world before he lets that happen.
