Chapter 20
Freydis
"I need to speak to my mother," I said. "Only she can give me the answers I seek."
I stood upright, heart thumping.
"Lagertha would grow suspicious... She'll think ye bear the mark."
"You are right," I said. "But I also need to know what happened. If she really laid with a god that night….."
"If she forces the truth from ye, what do ye think will become of ye?"
"Ragnar—"
"Ye'll meet the same fate as the others who've been killed."
I thought about Ragnar's words. It would rile Lagertha if i mentioned the night she shared with Harald.
Twisting away, I headed for the longhouse. Passing through the tunnel, I went straight to my room and was surprised to find Siggy there.
"Freydis," she called, staring at me intently. "I was searching for you. Where have you been?"
"In the woods," I replied, walking toward the skin of water and pouring some into a horn.
"In the woods?"
"Aye."
"You visit the woods more than the Church lately," she said.
"Aye. Is there a problem with that?"
She dropped the cloth she was folding and moved closer to me. "I know that you are seeing him."
My body stiffened, blood draining from my face as I realized Siggy knew. But I tried to feign confusion and ignorance. I frowned deeply.
"What?"
"Drop the act, Freydis. I'm not a fool," she said. "You look like a woman in love."
I drank the water.
"It's not that I'm worried about you but the rumors going around the house," she said.
"Rumors?" My brows furrowed.
"Rumors about you and Ragnar. It's been the talk of the maids lately. They think the two of you are having a secret affair."
The horn trembled as I set it down on the table. Goosebumps lined my skin.
Panic crossed my eyes, and I quickly turned away from Siggy. Heat rushed to my cheeks, betraying me.
"Freydis?"
"It's true," I said at last, the heavy weight falling from my shoulders.
"It's not my place to judge who you want to love but you're betrothed to Brok, and your marriage is in a few days."
"I know."
"If the King finds out about this, he'll be furious," she said, the seriousness slipping from her face.
I looked at her, and she smiled, dragging a chair to sit.
"Now tell me everything that happened. How you fell in love with him. Don't leave out any details."
...
The next morning, I was on the mountain again. I broke the bread and took a bite, enjoying the view. The wind was strong today, whipping against my face and hair.
Just as I turned my head back to the bread, it was gone. I found Ragnar sitting next to me, taking a bite from it. I frowned slightly, raising my hand to hit him, but he moved away quickly, causing me to hit a tree instead.
Ragnar leaned against a tree, laughing, and I frowned deeply.
"You thief," I murmured, eyeing him.
Ragnar approached, leaning closer, and kissed my neck. He drew a trembling breath as he sucked my skin, bringing a hand to my face.
I gently arched my neck as he kissed me deeply, nipping at my skin, and I moaned. I melted into his chest, a shallow breath spilling from my lips. He held me tight, his warm body against my cold one.
I pulled him in, kissing his mouth desperately. He sucked on my lip hard, pressed a hand to my chest, and cupped my breast. My body lit up with heat under his hands.
Then, a drop of water fell on my head. And within the blink of an eye, it was raining.
Thunder roared in the sky, and the rain fell heavily.
I laughed, rising to my feet, and the both of us hurried back to the longhouse. We went straight to his room afterward, and my clothes were completely soaked.
"I should have gone to my room instead," I said, shaking with cold.
"Off with your clothes," he said, turning to the chest of clothes.
He handed me one of his tunics, which was very long; I knew it would reach my knees.
"Wear this," he said, turning to the window.
I smiled, slowly peeling the wet gown from my body. Once I was completely naked, I took a step toward Ragnar.
"Do ye need anything?" he questioned.
"I want you to turn around and see all of me," I muttered.
"What?"
"If I turn around—"
"Do it."
"I hadn't finished speaking. Ye might want to hear me first," he said.
I went quiet.
"Your scent is overwhelming.... If I look at ye, I won't have the will to control myself."
"But you could control yourself in the woods when I asked you to have me," I said. My wedding to Brok is coming soon, and I want Ragnar to be my first. I'm angry and frustrated that he doesn't understand me.
"Ye were clothed," he said. "Freyja..."
I didn't let him finish. I stepped closer, naked and unashamed. His lips parted at the sight of me. His eyes darkened as he continued to stare.
"I am standing right in front of you naked. Don't you want me?"
He breathed out, trying to control himself. Staring at his trousers, I saw his erection stiffen and twitch under the fabric.
We both knew he wanted me just as much as I wanted him.
"Ye do this because of your wedding to Brok. The day draws near."
I pursed my lips. "Then at least touch me. You act as if you do not want any part of me."
"On the bed then... But I won't be your first. Not until ye agree to come with me to the North," he said.
I stared at him in frustration but slowly went to the bed and lay down. Arousal had already taken hold of me. I felt wetness gathering at my core.
Ragnar trailed his fingers down my lower stomach. I opened my thighs wider as he dragged his fingers lower. His fingers slid between my folds, and I moaned in pleasure. I tried to trap his hand between my thighs, but he held my legs firmly.
Slowly, I closed my eyes as I felt him drag his fingers along my core. I moaned, my hips moving against his hand, pleasure consuming every inch of me.
"Don't stop... Please don't stop."
His fingers moved in slow circles, teasing me until I couldn't stay still.
My body tensed, spine arching, nails digging into his arm. He thrust one finger inside me, and I moaned as he drove it deep, moving fast. He slid in and out, his eyes never leaving mine, until I felt myself reaching the edge. When I came, I cried out in relief, melting into the bed.
But Ragnar didn't stop. He continued moving his finger in and out of me.
"Freyja," he murmured.
I lifted myself from the bed, his finger still inside me, and kissed him. I moved closer, deepening the kiss. He continued to stroke me gently, and I wrapped my legs around his waist. His cock had slipped out of his trousers and was pressing between my folds.
He growled, gripping my hip as I moved against him.
"Freyja, please," he whispered. "I cannot claim ye. Not like this. Ye belong not to me."
"I don't belong to anyone," I hissed, nipping at his lips. "Not to Brok."
"Ye don't understand, do ye?" he asked. "If we do this, I'll lose all control. There's a side of me... a side I'd never want ye to witness."
I pressed against his hips, grinding for friction, needing more.
Ragnar kissed me deeply, drawing moans from my lips.
"I'm not having ye," he said, laying me back on the bed.
He lowered himself and the moment his tongue brushed my entrance, a cry came from my lips.