“No, I know, and I’m saying that you’re right. Without you I would still be in the hands of my sister and her abominable lover. And they would have killed me.”
His hold around her tightened when she started to tremble. “It’s all right, in the end Iwasin your bed. And now you’re free. You won’t die at their hands.”
“No,” she said in a sob. “I don’t know what I would have done without you. It was— Dear God, it was awful, I thought…”
Sven frowned when she started to mumble to herself. She was getting upset, a normal reaction after what she had gone through. It was the shock, inevitable now that everything was over, and realization had sunk in. He rolled her to the side gently, until she was flat on her back.
“Hush. Lie down, sweet. Let me take care of you.”
Eahlswith lifted enormous eyes to him, finally recalled to the present moment, and him, rather than reliving the ordeal of the night. “Yes. Hold me.”
“I will do more than hold you.” Of their own accord, his fingers found their way under her skirt. “Let me pleasure you, Alva. I need to touch you. Please.”
He fully expected to have to beg some more, but she delighted him by agreeing immediately. “Yes. I need you to touch me.”
When his fingers reached the apex of her thighs, they met scorching heat. Ignoring the need pulsing in his own body, Sven started to tease her, running a finger along her seam while his thumb settled on her most sensitive part. She moaned and started to roll her head from side to side. Then she stilled and opened her legs wider. Staring at him straight in the eye, she placed her own hand on top of his and licked her lips.
“Ah, you’re so bloody perfect,” he purred in her ear, before nipping at her lobe gently. “I do feel like one of the gods when you’re in my arms.”
A finger entered her and then two when she arched her back in supplication. Never had he been so attuned to a woman’s reactions. Her body was merely an extension of his, making it easy to know exactly what she needed and when she needed it.
She was so soft he could have stroked her all day, but it didn’t take long to coax her into the release she needed. Her raw cry sent a jolt of pure satisfaction through his veins. Yes. He was made for this, to give this woman what she needed, be it protection, confidence, or pleasure.
“Alva,” he rasped, feeling her sheath contracting with beautiful abandon around his fingers. Her release seemed to last forever and he relished every moment.
Eventually she gave a long exhale and grew limp, like someone drained of all energy.
“You didn’t have to do that.” She sounded dazed and her eyes were glazed with satisfaction. “I just wanted… When I asked you to hold me, I meant?—”
“I know what you meant. And I did as you asked. I held you. But you didn’t say I couldn’t stroke you at the same time.” Thank the gods she hadn’t protested, hadn’t done anything to stop him.
“You’re impossible,” Eahlswith sighed, speaking with her lips at the crook of his neck. He smiled.
“I know I am.”
“I’ve never met anyone else like you.”
“Thank you.”
Another sigh, just as he’d hoped. “I don’t mean it like that and you know it.” Her words were slurred. She was falling asleep fast, which was exactly what she needed, what he’d hoped to achieve by giving her release. “You’re not going to give up, are you?”
This time it sounded like a plea.
“I’m not.” He settled back down and drew her against his flank. “Not when I know I need you in my life.”
There was a silence, so long he thought she had fallen asleep. Then she said, her voice a mere whisper. “Thank you, Sven, for what you did today. For coming after me, for saving me.”
He gave another smile. “Sven, is it now? What happened to Heimdallr?”
She shook her head slowly. Had she not been on the verge of falling asleep, he thought she would have laughed. “Don’t tell me you actually prefer me to call you that?”
“As long as you call me, Alva, I’m happy.” He placed a kiss on her forehead. “Now, sleep.”
The sun had startedto dip below the horizon by the time they were ready to set off again.
“We will never make it to your house tonight,” Sven declared. “I think that when we reach town the gates will be closed.”
Eahlswith agreed. “There is a farm just outside the walls. The family there know me. Their daughter, Gedla, is a good friend. I’m sure they will let us sleep in the hay loft.”
