His lips press against her forehead while his fingers thrust to the back of her throat, gagging her. She cannot hold back her release any longer. Her body breaks into an explosion of pleasure. A cadence of gargled moans sounds from her mouth.
A satisfied groan emanates from Sigvid when she finishes. More dark laughter as he buries his seed deep inside of her.
She feels fingers fumbling with the tie of her mask until it falls away. Avina blinks, trying to keep her eyes open, but fails. Her adrenaline crashes down with her exhaustion and hunger.
He undoes her bindings and cradles her in his arms. He settles her onto the bed and perches beside her, watching as sleep drags her under.
“Sleep with the stone, Avina.” He utters the Ridge goodbye with a reverberating laugh. “I always wanted to say that before I killed you.Guess this will have to do.” Sigvid’s lips plant another scratchy kiss on her forehead.
She cannot stop sobbing. Relief douses the fear, the guilt, and the anger has damn near ruined her. How dare Sigvid have subjugated her to this!
Before she can lash out with her frustration, she blacks out.
38
AVINA
November 25th, Year 100, 9th Era
Blackwood Inn, Salt Province
Avina lay on her back, staring into the high-beamed ceiling of one of the guestrooms in Blackwood. Her body aches from the tension of the previous night. She squirms under the thin comforter, recalling the unfathomable terror that gripped her heart and soul as he sank himself into her core. How aroused and how horrified she had felt.
What if it had not been Sigvid?
Gods, she shivers at the notion.
Before dusk graced the tundra, Avina was vaguely aware of Sigvid bundling her body and carrying her into the forest and to his bed. She recalls the gentleness as he covered her in blankets and fur before slumbering at her side.
Still, she could not settle her mind. His peaceful breathing throughout the morning was a constant reminder of this endless game he seemed content to play with her heart like she is a mere toy for his whims.
Is this all for vengeance because of the war and the Arena?
“Avina?” Sigvid’s gruff voice booms through Blackwood.
She ignores his summons.
Instead, she interlaces her fingers over her stomach, grinding her teeth. Meanwhile, his heavy footfalls pound along the floorboards with the occasional command of her name. Judging by the waver in his voice, his fury is growing.
Finally, the steps cease outside her guestroom. It's the only one in this wing closed off. Sigvid bursts inside, the door slamming against the wall.
“What do you think you are doing?” Sigvid stands in only a pair of black trousers with his arms crossed over his bare chest, showcasing his ink canvas. His piercing blue eyes narrow to slits.
He speaks as if I am a piece of furniture in Blackwood that has shifted rooms.
Avina exhales slowly and swings her bare legs over the bed, placing her feet on the cold wooden floor slats.
“Where was I supposed to be?” she coldly asks as she shrugs out of bed, digging through the dusty chest in the corner to find a nightgown. She shimmies the green fabric over her head, avoiding his eye contact.
“You should have stayed in bed. I did not permit you to run about Blackwood.” His tone is wound tighter than she has seen him before.
She crosses her arms and leans against the wall beside a window overlooking the dirt road and the city in the distance. “I thought you would not care where I ventured off.”
Sigvid marches over, grabbing her arm and jerking her closer until the heat from his body envelopes her. “It is not safe for you to wander without me. I care too much about you to lose you now.” His expression remains unwavering as he glowers as if she has caused some great harm.
“Bend over, Avina, you are owed a lesson.”
Instinctively, her hand cuts through the air, striking him across the face. The sound seems to grow in the small space as the strength of her pent-up ire forces his entire head to recoil. While he does not shift his footing, surprise splashes across his features. Ever so slowly, Sigvid pivots toward her with a storm brewing behind his gaze.
