Chapter Ten #2
Sitting in front of the fire, Freya poured us ale and grinned at me before downing half of it. When she smiled again, my heart warmed at her happiness.
“Yet again, I find myself grateful to you for all the kindness you have shown me.” Freya shook her head, seeming to marvel at it.
“’Twas so much more than I anticipated and it has…
” She seemed to struggle with finding the right words to express what was in her heart.
“It’s made me so pleased that you sought me to be your wife.
” Her eyes lingered on mine. “That you never gave up on me.”
“Nor would I ever,” I vowed, meaning every word. “You make me very proud, Freya. Not just years ago or today but always.”
“As do you, me,” she said softly, her gaze faltering a moment before she drank down the rest of her ale in one long swig and set her mug down. “So, I want you to know more about why I’ve feared lying with you thus far. You have earned the truth.”
Setting aside my ale without drinking it, I nodded for her to continue.
Even though she hesitated as if she might not go on, rallied her courage, and spoke.
“’Twas a night much like this with a storm brewing.
” She swallowed hard. “Mother had already died, and Father was away. Warriors from another tribe were passing through, and whilst most were good men, it turned out one was not and cornered me behind a lodge during celebrations.”
I tensed at the mix of frustration and sadness saturating her eyes.
“Though a good warrior, I was without my blade and caught unaware and…” She trailed off, clearly struggling with what had happened.
“’Twas terrifying and fast, and he would have taken my virtue against that wall had my sister, Astrid, not appeared and whipped a dagger into his leg.
” Releasing a strained chuckle, she shook her head.
“The sister who, while a warrior, would choose words over violence, saved me in ways she will never truly understand because he staggered off without accomplishing what he hoped.”
Wishing I could strangle this stranger with my bare hands, I clenched my fists. “And what happened to this man?”
“He left shortly thereafter with his fellow warriors and died months later in battle,” she managed, her gaze on the flames. “So, I never had my revenge, yet I walked away unscathed.”
Not nearly, but I didn’t point that out right now. “Did you not tell your father? Surely Bj?rn would have sought justice.”
“I was going to, but the bear attacked him whilst he was away, and when he returned the next day…” She shook her head.
“’Twas no time to tell him such a thing, for his recovery was long and difficult, and his disposition much changed.
Even if I had wanted to pursue my attacker with a blade in hand and cut off his ballocks, I had to stay.
Had to help my father back to health and then become the daughter he insisted I be after that. ”
Sad for the path the Norns had led her down, I set aside my quiet rage and need for revenge on a man who was no more and did all I could for now.
I crouched in front of her, wrapped my fingers with hers, and gazed into her eyes with all the tenderness I felt for her.
“I cannot tell you how sorry I am for what you suffered, Freya. Even though you kept your virtue, ’twas undoubtedly terrifying and you deserved your revenge,” I said solemnly, understanding her warrior’s soul enough to know how crucial that was.
How helpless that man had made her feel when she was the most capable woman I had ever met.
“What I can vow, however, is that I will never make you feel that way. Your virtue is yours until you willingly give it, and no sooner, ja?”
“Ja,” Freya whispered, her eyes welling with tears. “And for that, I thank you, Soren.” She cupped my cheek. “More than you could ever know.”
Leaning my cheek into her soft touch, I was about to say more when a soft rap came at the door.
“’Tis food,” I murmured. “But it can wait if—”
“No, answer it.” She pulled her hand away. “Please. They prepared it and delivered it, so we should be grateful.”
Loving her for not just her fierce but soft heart, I nodded and went to the door, allowing the food to be brought in before sitting to eat, only for Freya to surprise me once more.
Instead of joining me, she stood, met my eyes, and began undressing not in an adjoining room as she had done thus far but right in front of me.
“I thought, mayhap, before we ate, we might bathe, husband,” she said softly, her gaze unafraid as it lingered on me. She removed her boots and trousers, then pulled her tunic off and tossed it aside.
Despite trying to keep my gaze locked on her face, I was helpless to resist taking in all she unveiled, because she was beautiful.
Beyond tempting. From the plump roundness of her breasts to the cinch of her waist to the flair of her hips to her long, shapely legs.
If that were not arousing enough, she turned and made her way to the tub, allowing me to appreciate her perfectly formed backside before glancing back at me.
“Are you joining me, then?”
Having never heard sweeter words, I followed, shedding my clothing as I went, while she sank into the tub and watched me, not with alarm but with what appeared to be appreciation.
Although her cheeks pinkened and her gaze widened ever so slightly when she took in my cock, which was well on its way to being fully aroused, she scooted forward, allowing me to sink into the water behind her.
“Might you unbraid my hair?” she asked, her voice whisper-soft as if she struggled to breathe every bit as much as I did.
“Ja,” I said, eager to see her hair down once again.
To run my fingers through its silky lengths.
So, I made swift work of it, captivated by its heavy, vibrant weight in my hands before she dipped beneath the water, then surfaced.
After I did the same, she settled back between my thighs and said words I had long wanted to hear.
“I’m not wary of your touch, Soren,” she murmured, meeting my eyes over her shoulder. “Not anymore.”