Chapter Eleven #2
Despite my nagging worry, the next day dawned bright and clear, and my new life resumed as usual, only better now that I knew what it felt like to lie with my husband.
Moreover, I knew we would do it often once I had healed, and we did.
Every chance we got as the days rolled by.
Sometimes it was slow and romantic, while at other times it was frenzied and out of control.
And I enjoyed it all every bit as much as he did.
“You are insatiable, wife,” he teased one such time when we simultaneously happened by our lodge during the day. Having been desperate for him since the last time we lay together, I yanked him to me the moment the door closed.
“Should I stop, then, husband?” I murmured against his lips as he hoisted me against the door.
“I think the time for asking is past.” Just as desperate, he freed himself. “Long past, might it never be asked again.”
When he thrust deep, driving me up the door, I nearly howled in pleasure.
After that, I was awash in one long, outstanding, never-ending release as he rode me so hard we sailed off the edge together mere minutes later.
In fact, it was so intense this time, I swore horns blared in triumph from the great halls of Valhalla.
Unfortunately, I soon realized it wasn’t just in my head.
“Hell,” he muttered, spilling the last of his seed in me before we adjusted our clothing and he opened the door.
“Who are they?” I asked, dread rolling through me when we spied several ships approaching from the south.
“I could not say from this distance.” He pulled a battle axe from the wall and sheathed it at his side. “Grab your shield and blade, and we’ll go find out.”
Pleased that he wanted me with him, and armed no less, I did as he asked, and we made our way down to the shore, where Ivar stood with several warriors waiting for the ships to get closer.
“’Tis the king’s flag flying on one of them,” a man called out, and my stomach sank.
They were coming for Soren and his warriors.
I was never so sure of anything. Yet I had no choice but to stand with him as they docked and met, who turned out not to be King Hákon himself but one of his top warriors.
A man by the name of Leif Olander, who was cordial if not blatant in his admiration of me.
“You are every bit as beautiful as ’tis said, Freya,” Leif praised, smiling broadly when Soren introduced us to each other on the pier. “If not younger than I anticipated, given the stories of your battle prowess years ago.”
Although slighter in stature than Soren, he was not unhandsome but pleasing enough to look upon, with light blond hair braided back and sharp sea-green eyes.
It seems he had met Soren years before, but rarely saw him.
There was no missing the cross hanging around his neck, marking him as a Christian.
“How lucky for you, my friend.” Leif clasped Soren on the shoulder. “To marry the likes of someone of your wife’s ilk, for she is of the bear and a legend along with her sisters, is she not?”
“She is that and so much more.” A twinkle lit Soren’s gaze when he looked at me, subtly reminding Leif I was his.
“She is now trainer to my warriors, the woman who holds my heart, and hopefully soon mother to our strong sons and daughters.” He eyed Leif’s three ships.
“What brings you this way on the king’s behest, my friend? ”
“’Tis best shared over an ale before a warm fire,” Leif said. “It’s been a long journey and ’twill be longer still after we leave this stronghold, so good food and company whilst we discuss things would be most welcome, Earl Soren Dahl.”
The use of his formal title made me tense. It meant Leif was very much here on behalf of the king rather than for pleasure in passing.
“But of course, Leif,” Soren assured, giving orders to his men that they help see the ships properly moored for the eve and that Leif’s men were given quarters before joining everyone in the great lodge for food and drinks.
“Very good.” Unease flashed in Leif’s eyes when he glanced at Sten stalking along beside us. “I see your wolf remains ever faithful, Soren.”
“Ja.” Lest any of Leif’s men admire me overly much, Soren made clear how esteemed I was in these parts, to men and wolves alike.
“Ever faithful to both me and Freya, as it turns out, for he rarely leaves her side any more than I tend to these days.” He gestured at a lodge just inside the gates used for meetings with those from other tribes to settle business before everyone partook in pleasure.
“Come, my friend. Let us speak in there so that I might better understand your arrival.”
Leif stopped at the entrance after I followed Ivar and a warrior who was clearly Leif’s second-in-command inside, and looked at Soren in confusion. “Surely you don’t want your wife here whilst we speak of what I can assure you are important matters of the crown, Earl Soren.”
“Of course I want her here,” Soren said, making me love him all the more despite having yet said the actual words to him. “We are partners in all things, and I respect her opinion.”
Even if it was acceptable to argue my presence, Leif saw as clearly as I that Soren’s tone and expression broached no room for argument. So we sat at a table before a crackling fire, and Soren poured everyone ale, urging Leif to share why he was here, and it was just as I had suspected.
Not good at all.
“As you know, King Hákon was most upset by the Scottish invasion of the Isle of Skye last year,” he began.
“Since then, he’s been determined to have his revenge and reclaim more of a Norwegian presence on the mainland.
Land that was rightfully ours for years, claimed and established by our Viking ancestors.
” He gestured at me, smart enough to include me now.
“By shield-maidens of old, such as your lovely wife.”
“And how does King Hákon plan to execute this revenge?” Soren perked an eyebrow at Leif. “Better still, where is he now?”
His answer did not surprise me.
It did, however, confirm my fear of the crack in my bow and my sister Astrid’s warning from the distant shores of Scotland.