“It is possible in my slumber I was looking for him,” she said with a grin, but the air in the chamber shifted.
Magnus’ pulse picked up a notch, his heart beating loud enough he was sure she could hear.
“Elspeth,” he whispered. “I am trying to be proper here.”
She moved to him and placed her hands on his chest then looked into her eyes. “I do not know what is happening to me,” she said. “There are thoughts in my head and sensations in my body I do not understand. And they only happen when I’m with you.”
She should have said something else—anything else than to admit her attraction. His strength to quell the intensity of his desire waned. He had no doubt she fought it too, though she may not fully understand the extent of her admission.
“They are in my mind and body as well.”
“Is this the way of husbands and wives?”
“For some. The lucky ones. But Lady Elspeth, we are not married and I will not bring shame upon you.”
She laughed then. The sound resonated through him and made his loins tighten as if she’d stroked him.
“Why do you find that humorous?”
Her smile was warm enough to melt the ice in the North sea.
“I just recalled something I saw in Freydis’ mind when we shared our thoughts.”
“And what was that?”
“She is convinced you and I are already wed. That God and your Odin have made an accord where you and I are concerned. We need not perform a ceremony. In their eyes, ’tis already done.”
“She said as much to me as well.”
Elspeth moved closer to him, her gaze tracing the outline of his face then locking with his. She placed her hand on his face. Magnus held his breath, he really didn’t know what to do next.
“Do not worry, my Viking protector. I do not believe her either.”
She patted his cheek and moved past him to the chamber door then opened it and moved out into the hall. Her soft footfalls a gentle echo off the stone walls.
Wait. She thought he didn’t want her? He’d been holding onto his desire so tightly he was about to burst into flames. Perhaps it was best to let her think so. That might make it easier to be in her presence without wanting to rid her of her clothes and spend the next year in this place learning every inch of her body and her mind.
He grinned as he finished with the fire and left the chamber. How would she react if she saw into his mind? Would she be afraid of the images she saw there of the carnal things he wanted to do to her body, of the many positions in which he’d have her, and the powerful release he would ensure came over her as many times as she could stand?
Magnus shook his head as he descended the stairs to the main floor of the tower house. Today he would push his lustful thoughts aside and focus on exploring the remainder of the area, ensuring they were fully capable of defending themselves should danger present itself, and begin Elspeth’s training. She needed to learn how to best use the dagger and she needed to learn how to use a sword.
He found her in the kitchen stacking splits to start the fire there and so he left her to it and went to do the same in the hall. Before long both fires were roaring and Magnus went to the kitchen to help prepare the morning meal. Elspeth had already laid out bread, meat, and cheese and something was starting to bubble in a small pot over the fire. He watched her from the doorway and admired the ease with which she went about her tasks. She’d said something at one point about stitching pillows. Nay, this was not a gentlewoman meant to be stowed away and protected. He entered the kitchen and grabbed a platter to bring into the hall. She nodded and followed with a second and a pitcher. The more he thought about it, the more he was sure she was meant to possess all the gifts she had and more. They’d find out soon enough if those gifts extended to defending herself as well.
* * *
Elspeth ate as much as her belly could handle. She worked hard to ignore the raging ache in her body brought on by the man sitting across from her. There were things in her head and her body that did not match up with what Freydis was so convinced to be true. And there were times she was sure Magnus shared her desires, but this morning’s revelation was quite in contrast.
Nevertheless, she had been guided here for a reason and if he was not it, she would not rest until she discovered why.
“You are hungry this morning,” he said, sitting back in his chair and wiping his mouth with a cloth. She’d found some neatly stacked by the plates. She’d never seen anything like that before and so thought it could be used practically in the absence of a cloth for the table.
“Aye. I am looking forward to training today. How shall we begin?”
Magnus leaned forward and clasped his hands together on the table. “I think we will begin with that dagger of yours. Many of the same principles of attack and defend apply whether your weapon is a knife, sword, or axe. The difference is in the person’s agility, strength of mind and body, and intent.
“I have little strength, but I think I am agile and I am not certain what you mean by intent.” Elspeth was fascinated by the thought of there being more to battle than just, well battling. She’d hoped to broach this topic with Saga. Truth be told, she wanted to know everything that woman knew and develop skills in the same manner. It was not enough for her to expect someone else to protect her. She wanted to be an active participant. Her pulse picked up a little at the thought of battle training with Magnus. She would have no difficulty focusing on his every word and move. Nay, it would be impossible for her to do otherwise.
“You have more power than you think,” he said.
