Chapter 11 Queen Emeline
Eleven
Queen Emeline
Benedict rides ahead, but I’ve not let him out of my sight. Regardless of what he says, I don’t trust him.
He offered to ride to Northumbria to protect my mother until my return if I wished to ride to Mercia to inform King Beornwulf of my news.
But I kindly refused.
Although I am giving him the benefit of the doubt, that does not mean I’m going to be stupid.
Benedict is still my brother’s spawn. And he has been locked away from society for most of his life, thanks to me.
The odds are not in my favor, but I would rather have him in my sight than out so I can watch him.
Ulf hasn’t spoken a word, which, although the quiet has been nice, I know he’s upset that Skarth and I rekindled.
Guilt riddles me because all I seem to do is hurt him when all he seems to do is protect me.
Skarth rides in front, Ulf at the back, and I in the middle—a perfect metaphor of how our relationship stands.
Change must come, and this time, it’s for good.
Everyone wants my kingdom and me; all I want is to give it away.
I am done with all of this, and some five minutes ago, I decided that I don’t wish to be queen any longer.
Once I find my children, I will relinquish my title and hand over the duties to someone else.
Who that person is, however, I do not know because this isn’t a gift. It’s a curse.
“We’re stopping to feed and rest,” Skarth suddenly says, surprising me.
I don’t bother arguing because by the hard set of his jaw, it’s apparent this isn’t optional.
Ulf doesn’t stop and rides off with haste.
I know he won’t be far away, but it seems he can’t bear to be near me.
Everything is just too much.
“Emeline, take a walk with me.”
Skarth dismounts his horse and offers me his hand.
Again, this isn’t optional.
The moment I slip my hand into his, a calm overcomes me that warrants my decision.
We walk in silence toward a heavily wooded area. Skarth wants privacy and to be away from prying ears.
He doesn’t let go of my hand as he turns to me once we are far enough away. “What’s the matter, hugrekki?”
“I did not realize my thoughts were that loud.” I try to make light of our dire circumstances, but Skarth isn’t having it.
“Emeline, what troubles you? Apart from the obvious,” he adds. “Our sons are okay.”
“Your faith is far stronger than mine.”
He gently draws me into his arms. “Our paths are set before we’re born. We are merely passengers.”
His words remind me of our meeting. It’s the clearest memory I have. I never anticipated how that encounter would change my life forevermore. We were fated from the moment we met.
And that is why I place my hand over his heart. “When this is done and over…I plan on abdicating. Nothing but heartache has followed us, my love, and for what? We find ourselves chasing our tails.”
“Emeline, you have fought so hard—”
“And that is why I chose this path. I’m sick of fighting. I do not want to live a life half lived, and without you, without our sons, that is what my life is.”
“Who will you bestow such responsibilities on?”
“That, I do not know yet,” I confess with a sigh. “I wish to live a simple life, one without pain or fear. I do not wish that for our children.”
“I suspect we will not have a say in our children’s decisions, for you are their mother after all.”
I cannot help but smile.
“The only way for them to live is for them to make mistakes. We cannot keep them locked away in fear of the world, for we know how cruel it can be. But that is because we have experienced it.”
He’s right.
“So you do not think my decision is the right one?”
“Only you can make that choice, my beloved. I know better than to tell you what to do.” A mischievous smirk tugs at those sinful lips. “However, in some circumstances, I suppose you do enjoy being told what to do.”
He places his hand over mine, his eyes smoldering under the full moon.
“As long as you are by my side, I will accept whatever wicked comes our way. I love you so very much,” I say, lost to the man who continues to steal my heart every single day.
“As I love you.”
I wrap my arms around his nape and stand on tippy-toes to kiss him.
But Skarth doesn’t just kiss. He devours.
He slams his mouth to mine, parting my lips open with that sinful tongue. I suck it hungrily, before we kiss like starved animals.
My sex is wet and throbbing.
I need a release, and I need it now.
Skarth lifts my skirt and runs two fingers along the outside of my womanhood.
He hisses when his fingers are coated with my arousal. “You are insatiable.”
“When it comes to you? Yes, I am,” I confirm because I am always ready for him. “And it appears the same can be said about you.”
His rock-hard erection pressing into me is confirmation of this.
“And in no way do I make apologies for that fact…so get on your knees. Now.” He unfastens his trousers.
He doesn’t have to ask again.
The moment my knees hit the ground, he thrusts his cock into my mouth and holds the back of my head so I cannot move as he hits the back of my throat. He doesn’t move. He simply allows me to adjust to his size. He is always more than a mouthful, so I grip his shaft in my hand and stroke him.
He releases me, and I work my hand and mouth in unison.
Peering up at him, I suck him deeply, curling my tongue to stroke the underside of his enormous cock. We never break eye contact as I pleasure him, which makes this act so much more intimate, as I can see the love as well as the desire in his eyes.
How can it be that my longing for him only grows?
Saliva drips from the corners of my mouth down my chin, such a carnal response to a lustful act.
Skarth fucks my mouth, making me gag. I try to pull back, but he holds the back of my head. I relax my throat as he slides down it, uttering Norse to me, only making me wetter. He finally releases me, and I pull back, gasping for air.
He roughly runs his thumb over my swollen bottom lip, eyes consuming my very soul.
He yanks me up by the arms and spins me, pressing my front to the trunk of a tree. He doesn’t hesitate to lift my dress. In one smooth movement, he thrusts into me.
Gripping my hips, he fucks me without apology.
He is in total control. I have close to no slack being pressed to the tree this way, but the bindings only provoke the desire more so.
His movements are hard and deep, and when he wraps his fingers around my throat and squeezes, I feel my climax steadily approaching.
“Harder?” he huskily asks.
I nod.
He eagerly complies, fucking me with ferocity as he arches my head back and kisses me passionately with his fingers still wrapped around my throat. He is imprinted all over me, and I never want it to end.
“Scream for me, hugrekki.”
He suddenly pulls out and drops to his knees. He spreads my arse cheeks wide open and buries his face between them. His mouth and tongue leave no part of me untouched, and as he is eating me out from behind, he inserts two fingers into my sex whilst rubbing over my swollen bud.
He is relentless and coaxes me to bow backward, granting him deeper access to my behind. He tunnels his tongue into me and matches the rhythm with his fingers. It’s a new torture which I happily surrender to, and I do as he demands and scream as my climax tackles me low.
Tremors rock my body, and they don’t stop because Skarth ensures he pleases me until I am done.
He stands, his hand around my waist to steady me. With the other, he slips the fingers that were inside me seconds ago into my mouth. I suck, tasting myself on his flesh.
“Your honey is forever my poison.”
“Then let us both die a thousand deaths,” I reply breathlessly.
“I will follow you in life and death, Emeline, for you are my life and forever it will remain so.”
This moment is perfect.
However, a stillness suddenly overcomes Skarth, and when I turn over my shoulder to uncover why, I see that his chin is upturned as he peers into the night sky.
I see two ravens circling above us.
An omen of things to come, because moments later, we hear the galloping of hooves.
Skarth instantly stands in front of me, withdrawing his sword to protect me. When I see it’s Aric, I lower Skarth’s arm.
“He is a friend, not a foe.” From the desolate look on his face, I realize the news he bears is not good. “What news do you bring?”
“Milady, it is not in your favor. Northumbria is under attack, and the perpetrator is Lord Aethelbald. Most of your soldiers have surrendered in fear for their lives and the lives of their loved ones. He has made an example of your mother.”
My stomach drops, for I know what he is about to reveal.
“Your mother is dead. I am so sorry to have to deliver this news. Catherine is next. He sent me to find you and bring you back without an army, for if you fight, he—”
“He what?” Skarth demands when Aric wavers.
“He will hold a public execution of your children. As reassurance that he speaks the truth, he sent this.” Aric retrieves a cloth from his pocket and offers it to me.
I shakily accept, and when I unravel the material, my entire world comes crashing down before me.
“No!” I painfully cry, dropping the cloth and the blue eye it contains onto the ground, for that eye belongs to Loki.
“He said an eye for an eye.”
And this punishment is fit, for Skarth took Aethelwulf’s eye. And now, his son takes our son Loki’s.
Skarth drops to his knees, his chin drooping in defeat. “Is that why you sent Huginn and Muninn? They are here as Odin’s ears and eyes to show me what fate befalls my son. Why? Take what you will from me, but leave my family be!”
Skarth claws at the dirt, digging a hole whilst mumbling Norse under his breath.
Aric ventures into the woods, only to bring back a white flower. He offers it to Skarth.