His fingers smash down on her clit, and she screams. Her walls collapse in the most explosive orgasm of her life. Convulsions take her entire body, and she seems to float in an out-of-body experience. Her lips utter his name in a jumbled mess of Sigvids.
“Such a good slut responding to your master. Fuck, Avina, you make a perfect whore.”
She collapses onto the cot, barely coherent, while he unties and dresses her in a fresh oversized tunic and trousers closer to her size.
In her hazy daze, she is vaguely aware of him cleaning her woundand wrapping it in fresh cloth. Finally, he walks her into the moonless night.
“Sit on the log, there, by the fire.” He commands.
“Queen Avina,” Grim bows to her while she settles, adjusting the cloak around her shoulders.
Sigvid takes a bowl and spoons and then heaps helpings of stew from the cauldron suspended over the smoldering embers.
“Here,” a large wooden bowl, warm with soup, settles in her hands. “I need you to eat more than your fill. The winters in Salt are more brutal than me.”
Sigvid’s domineering form towers over her with his arms crossed. Only after her second bite does she truly dig in.
This stew is the best meal I have ever tasted.
Her meal is interrupted when Sigvid grabs Grim by the shoulder and jerks him away. She shifts seats and continues to shovel spoonfuls while she listens.
“... she possesses the ability of invisibility.”
“What?” Grim yells.
Sigvid shushes him in time for Avina to spill a spoonful of broth down her front.
“How could she have received anything when the Salt Province destroyed the Ridge stone?” Grim’s whisper is incredulous.
Sigvid shakes his head. “No, it is very much alive. She is Ridge-born and can receive the stone’s gifts regardless of location.”
“I thought their powers are wisdom-based?” Grim looks over at her as she makes a point to slurp her soup loudly, avoiding their stares.
She must look undignified.
“They are. I once thought her powers were extinct. I still have my theories, but do not let her out of your sight or allow her to remove her clothes. I need to meet with my Inner Circle. Please watch her until I return.”
“Of course.” Grim nods.
Sigvid sweeps past the fire.
At first, Avina wonders if he will leave her without another word until he lingers by her log. He appears utterly unmoved by anything that has transpired.
“Do not mistake my relief for your life as tolerance of your actions in trying to die. You will taste the lick of my belt when we reach my home in Toftlund.”
“Why not now?” She tilts her head so her curls cascade over her shoulder.
“I am overdue for a reunion with my Inner Circle-”
“Inner Circle?” Is that like her Council?
“They are those I trust explicitly for their judgment, even if it differs from mine. But that is not the point, Avina! If you decide on another romp through the forest, know this,” he leans down, his breath raising goosebumps along her neck. “I will carve my name into every crevice of your body until you cannot move without feeling the effects of my blade on that delicate skin. Do I make myself fucking clear?”
“Crystal.” She whispers.
24
SIGVID
