Chapter Twenty-Three
The following afternoon they arrived at the summer lodge, but Hans was nowhere to be seen and hadn’t come out to greet them—not surprising, considering their decision to come was so last minute.
Selina suspected the palace servants had been in a frenzy of packing and preparation since Magnus had announced their trip yesterday. But with incredible efficiency they’d capably managed to ready several carts and the royal carriage in time to transport them up the forested mountain.
The so-called lodge was a magnificent wooden structure that reminded her of the stave church in design, although it was far more modern and luxurious inside. The architect had clearly been inspired by the church but had taken many liberties in its construction to ensure the comfort of its guests.
‘Would you like to go to the bath house first? Hans is out riding and will not be back until later,’ Magnus said after speaking with the steward.
‘The bath house?’ she asked a little confused.
Magnus grinned, in that charmingly boyish way of his that she loved and was glad to see more of.
‘There is a hot spring from the mountain. We have channelled it into a pool within the lodge. Bathing in it has many health benefits, much like the waters you have in Bath. We can go there now if you wish.’
Selina couldn’t contain her excitement and clapped enthusiastically. ‘I would love that!’
‘Come,’ he said taking her hand and leading her through the magnificent building.
Unlike the elegant palace, the decorations and furnishings had a more rustic and relaxed feel.
Furs, reindeer antlers, and folk-style tapestries decorated the walls.
She caught glimpses of some of the rooms as they passed them, filled with large leather chairs and sofas, as well as sturdy yet beautifully carved furniture.
Stone fireplaces warmed each room. Cosy and practical, she could see why he’d agreed to the visit.
Magnus explained the layout as they walked. ‘The royal chambers are on the ground floor, while the entertaining spaces and guest rooms are on the second and third. It means there are pleasant views over Thrudheim for visitors, and the royal family can have easy access to the bath house.’
‘I see,’ she said laughing, almost having to run to keep up with him.
They made their way down a wrought-iron corridor that was warm and surrounded by glass on all sides like a hot house. The forest was visible through the glass, and citrus trees lined the inside of the passage in large terracotta pots, perfuming the air with a zesty tang.
Large oak doors awaited them at the end of the corridor, and Magnus nodded to the servants who immediately opened them. A wave of herb-infused steam billowed out from the chamber beyond, and Selina inhaled a deep breath of the sweet and woody scent.
They entered, and the doors closed behind them. ‘I thought you might prefer to enjoy the bath house with me. No one will bother us while we are here, and I arranged for some refreshments. I hope you do not mind.’
‘Not at all.’ Selina was gaping at the inside of the circular bath house in complete wonder. She had never seen anything like it. It was double the size of most drawing rooms.
Marble columns surrounded the turquoise pool, and wooden daybeds were draped in white linens and placed around the back curve of floor-to-ceiling windows.
The view was wonderfully tranquil, with the wall of forest only a few feet away from the glass.
White intricately carved screens were placed at regular intervals beside the recliners, presumably to provide shade if the light from the windows became too much.
Steam drifted lazily up from the pool to the glass dome and the golden sun above.
She fanned her face, suddenly aware of the dramatic change in temperature, which had caused perspiration to dampen the short curls around her face.
Magnus pointed to a wooden cabin with a swing door. ‘There is a robe for you to change into in that cubicle. Will you be all right changing alone? Or should I send for Margarite?’
‘Oh, I am sure I will manage,’ she said, wondering if there would be anything provided to wear beneath the robe. A wicked part of her hoped not. After all, they were married and alone.
‘I will also change,’ he said, clearing his throat before heading to another cabin on the opposite side of the room.
In the cubicle she found a small bench and a peg attached above it, with a long linen shift and robe hanging from it. As she undressed and put on the shift and robe, she imagined the fabric would hide very little when wet.
Magnus was waiting for her when she stepped out.
He wore a robe and long white drawers that she could clearly see as his robe remained open, showing off his impressive chest—to her delight.
It was nice to see his body in the bright light of day.
Their encounters at night were always in the dim light of a candle, and she hadn’t realised how hungry she was to see him clearly until he stood in front of her as he did now.
‘Would you like to bathe first or relax on one of the daybeds?’ he asked, and she reluctantly dragged her eyes away from his impressive physique.
She knew he spent every morning doing a variety of vigorous activities as part of his routine, and she decided that she didn’t mind his rigid schedules quite so much anymore—not when she could enjoy the fruits of his labours.
‘Bathe, I think, as there’s very little to do on the beds but dry off.’
He nodded, glancing over at a nearby table which had a covered silver dish and two large jugs of lemonade. ‘I should have requested some books or games as well as refreshments.’
‘Did you pack the book for tonight?’ she asked with a teasing half smile.
‘Of course, but I suspect we will finish it soon, anyway. What shall I read to you next?’ he asked taking her arm and leading her around the pool to the steps that sank into the water.
‘Please tell me there isn’t a long history of Thrudheim.’
‘No, sadly not,’ he said gravely, although there was a twinkle in his eye.
‘Then, something more jolly next time, please. A romance or a comedy.’
Magnus stopped, shrugged off his robe and tossed it onto a nearby lounger. ‘If it pleases you to hear me read, then I will read whatever you wish.’
‘It does please me,’ she said, peeling off her own robe and tossing it in the same spot as Magnus’s robe. She was feeling more carefree and confident with every passing second. ‘Besides, I need to finish the blanket for your sister’s baby.’
‘That’s what you’ve been making—a baby blanket for my sister?’
Selina nodded. ‘While rehearsing my speech. I made a couple of cardigans for the baby too.’
‘That is kind of you, thank you.’ Magnus seemed genuinely touched by her gifts. ‘I only hope my sister accepts them.’
‘I am sure she will,’ she said brightly. ‘I wrote to her before we left. Introduced myself and wished her well from both of us.’
The muscle in his jaw flexed.
‘I was right to do that, wasn’t I?’
‘Do as you wish, I do not mind either way.’ Magnus took her hand and led her down the marble steps and into the pleasantly hot water below.
They both laughed and sighed with relief as the heated water enveloped them, and they walked into the centre of the pool, the water lapping around their chests.
‘Magnus?’ She turned to face him and reached up to drape her wrists around his neck and shoulders. ‘I wish only for you to be happy.’
Gently brushing a damp curl from her face, he lowered his head and lightly brushed his lips against her mouth. ‘You make me happy.’
The light and heat of the hothouse was nothing compared to the warmth that spread through her body at his words, and when he kissed her again, so tenderly, she thought she might weep from the joy of him.
Desire pooled in her belly as their kiss transformed into something more needy and primal.
The hardness of his erection pressed against her stomach and pulled the fabric of her shift tight against her nipples.
She groaned, and he cupped and lifted her by her bottom so that they were face-to-face.
Instinctively she wrapped her legs around his waist, the water dripping off them in sparkling rivers as he carried her to the side of the pool.
Would he take her to one of the recliners and make love to her?
She hoped so and whimpered as he sat her on the edge, continuing to kiss her with greediness that only enflamed her further.
His head lowered, and he sucked on her tight nipple through the fabric of her shift, and she gasped, throwing back her head and clutching handfuls of his silky hair, desperately drowning in a hundred sensations.
When he raised his head, his eyes were dark with desire. ‘The waters here are meant to grant fertility to all who bathe in them. Shall I make love to you now? Perhaps the waters will give us our first child. Would you like that?’
Selina gripped the wet fabric of her skirt, pulling it up her legs eagerly, desperate for him to touch her in all the ways that he had shown her since their wedding. ‘I do not care if it gives me a child or eternal youth, just make love to me, now!’
With a deep and satisfied chuckle, he scooped her off the side and lowered her back into the water, kissing her thoroughly, as they both pulled up the fabric of her shift.
When it was gathered around her waist, he turned her around to face away from him.
She was a little confused until one of his hands reached around her and began to rub between her parted legs.
She cried out with relief and pleasure, leaning against the side of the pool for balance, her gathered skirt in one fist and her other hand gripping the ledge.
His chest rubbed against her back and she could feel his length between the curves of her bottom, so close to her entrance that she bit her lip in pained anticipation.
Magnus was kissing her bare neck, her hair still up in a bun, and although it probably looked a mess from all the heat, she didn’t care.
He shifted and lifted her slightly so that he could thrust into her, and she cried out his name.
He began to move, and she let go of her skirt, so that she could lean on and grip the sides of the pool with both hands.
The fabric floated around her, grazing against her fevered body with a feather-light touch.
Magnus began to groan out words in his own language.
‘Tell me what you are saying,’ she begged through panting moans.
‘My beautiful wife… You drive me mad… You are so wet… So responsive… So good… So kind… So passionate…’ he hissed through clenched teeth against the pulse of her neck.
Continuing to pound into her with each gasped sentence, complimenting every part of her body and mind.
The water splashed around them with each pulse of his hips, praising her with each thrust in ways that would make her blush when she recalled them later.
She climaxed when through clenched teeth he groaned the word Perfect. The ripples of throbbing pleasure washed through her in hot, delirious waves. He followed soon after, gripping her hips tightly and burying his face in her neck.
Afterwards they relaxed on a daybed together to dry off, wrapped in each other’s arms.
Selina finally felt confident enough to ask, ‘Will you tell me what happened between you and your sister? I know it makes you sad, and I want to help.’