“I gather that’s a no. Never mind it. You can continue to cavort about, while Sigrún, Gunnar and I?—”
“You willnotgo back in those woods.” Eyvind raked a hand down his face. It was a boyish gesture, one that, much to her chagrin, dampened Hekla’s anger just a touch. “I cannot have you defying my orders. Our duty is to complete this job while honoring Loftur’s?—”
“Ourdutyis to the people of Istré.”
“Precisely! And it’s a miracle I was able to keep your insolent actfrom Loftur. Next time, I mightn’t be so fortunate. But Konal and some of my warriors...” Eyvind laughed, though it was far from amused. “Your defiance weakens me in my men’s eyes. If it were anyone else, they’d be cast out from my retinue.”
Hekla folded her arms over her chest, daring him to say what he was dancing around.
“But as a favor to you,” Eyvind continued, “I’ll allow you a second chance.”
The laugh that fell from her was far from amused. “A second chance,” she repeated numbly. Of all the words he might have chosen...
“Hekla,” Eyvind whispered, his hand sliding behind her left elbow in a move that seemed meant to steady her. For a moment, Hekla forgot. Swayed toward him. Then her senses swarmed back, and she yanked her arm free.
Eyvind blinked, as though he, too, had forgotten. He cleared his throat, but when he next spoke, his voice was still a little rough. “I can only give you one more chance, Hekla. If you disobey me again, I’ll have you carted back to Kopa.”
Her former husband’s voice invaded her mind, his words still fresh despite the years gone by.
I’ll cart you back to the house. Cuff you to the post. Then you’ll learn not to disobey your husband.
Hekla’s anger erupted like hot lava, eager to scorch and destroy. She pushed off the wall. Brought her face level with Eyvind’s. “Try to cart me anywhere, golden boy, and I’ll tear the guts from your body.”
And with that, she spun on her heel. Ignoring the stars dancing in her vision, Hekla stormed back into the mead hall in search of Sigrún.
ELEVEN
DAYS BEFORE
Hekla moaned so loudly she was certain they could hear her in the stars high above. Yet she couldn’t bring herself to care—not when she straddled the Fox’s face. Not when he gripped her trembling thighs, holding her to his mouth as he worked her sensitive flesh. And as the pleasure that had been coiling ever tighter in her belly burst at last, nothing else mattered. Magenta and saffron bloomed in her vision, a kaleidoscope of spinning, melting shapes, as her palate was coated with the taste of sweet angelica and honey.
Utterly wrung out, Hekla half rolled, half tumbled off the Fox. They’d started end to end, yet at some point, she’d abandoned his cock entirely. Panting on the blanket, the world seemed to swell around her. But as a stinging slap landed on her arse, she was yanked back into reality.
Hekla scowled up at the Fox. Propped on an elbow, he grinned back at her with pure male arrogance. But as his gaze roamed over the curves of her body, it shifted to something intense and unreadable. As it skimmed over her residual limb, she braced herself for the questions. But he only said, “You look beautiful like this.”
She frowned. “You’re mocking me.”
The Fox’s brows dipped low. “I’m not.”
Hekla searched his face for amusement or mockery but was startled to find genuine confusion.
“Let us try this again,” he said, sliding a finger along her lower lip. “I’ll tell you you’re beautiful like this, bathed in moonlight with your cheeks flushed, and you’ll accept the compliment.” The Fox leaned down and pressed his lips against hers, the kiss quickly devolving into a deep, lush thing. Much to her chagrin, Hekla found her left hand hooking around the Fox’s nape, pulling him closer. She was dimly aware that this man had far too much power over her—that he was the kind of danger she’d worked so hard to avoid.
But the needy sound from deep in his throat wiped all such thoughts aside. His desire for her was clear as daylight. And as he drew back, he rested his forehead against hers, his eyes filled with that same intensity.
“You understand now, don’t you?” The Fox’s breaths were ragged, a sharp edge to his words. “I would never jest about such a thing.”
And with that, he rolled away, leaving Hekla blinking up at the star-filled skies. Who in the gods’ sacred ashes was this man?
She struggled to a sitting position, glad to see that all intensity had faded from the Fox’s eyes. He puffed his chest out and loudly proclaimed, “Another round to the fox!” His smile only widened as he took in Hekla’s expression. “Oh, don’t be so grim. It’s not as though you, too, didn’t win a prize.”
“Gods. How did I find the largest of all man-babies in the realm?”
He snorted. “Do not lament the fact that you are so sensitive to my touch, Lynx. I like this about you. A weakness in your tough armor.”
Hekla looked away to conceal her discomfort, but the Fox did not miss the shiver that rolled down her spine.
“You’re cold.” He found the spare blanket and bundled it aroundtheir shoulders. He arranged himself beside her, and they sat side by side, staring at the rushing river. It was impossible to miss that the warrior had not found his own release, but when he caught her looking, he smirked. “You can try again when you’re warmed.”
