Gunnar nodded then sat back again staring at the door. Magnus didn’t like being out of the company of the woman he loved for even a few moments, so he couldn’t imagine how difficult Freydis’ absence was for Gunnar. The problem was, Gunnar had only realized the extent of his feelings apparently, after she left. The lesson was to be acknowledged that no moment was more appropriate to tell someone you love them than the present.
* * *
Their marriage was now blessed by her god and his gods. Elspeth sat beside her husband and viewed the crowd gathered to celebrate with them. Her own wedding feast had been cut short at her home so she was bent on enjoying this one. When Gunnar had asked her what she preferred in meat she had said rabbit, thinking perhaps he would have a little as part of the feast. Instead there were several different ways the meat was prepared and she thoroughly loved trying each and every one of them.
Mostly, she loved the glances she stole at her husband who seemed more relaxed and happier than she’d seen him since their time in the tower. For all of the strife and challenge they’d endured, the respite right now was enough to make her intoxicated though she’d not consumed any mead or ale.
The change in Gunnar was incredible. The man was now jovial and enjoying the antics of the men and women gathered who appeared to thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to celebrate. And how they’d all embraced her. Never in her wildest dreams could she have imagined herself in such a place in such a circumstance.
“You seem lost in thought,” Magnus said.
“Aye, I am lost in pleasant thoughts.”
“Am I in them?”
She chuckled. “Always.”
Magnus reached under the table and stroked her thigh. “You know there’s no expectation for us to stay here all evening.”
“You mean we can go whenever we like?”
“We can,” he said as his gaze flicked to the square neckline of her gown. She’d chosen the red one she’d worn when she married him the first time. She recalled how he’d gotten her out of it and now longed for him to remove it again.
“Your guests will not think less of me for being a wanton woman who is driven to distraction with thoughts of the pleasure she shares with her husband?”
Magnus stood and held out his hand for hers. She looked around as the hall fell silent; all eyes then directed toward them.
“I thank you, Gunnar, for preparing a feast fit for a king. I am honoured by your hospitality,” Elspeth said.
Gunnar stood. “The honour is mine. I am proud to welcome you into this family and I speak for the entire clan when I say we are pleased you have chosen to turn my brother into an honourable married man.”
She was well aware of the jest, but Magnus seemed a little put off by the remark. She decided to turn it around. “It is he who honours me.”
Magnus picked her up and flung her over his shoulder then walked to the back of the hall and to the chamber. At her home, she would be mortified by such behaviour, however here she could only laugh in delight as the crowd cheered and yelledSKOL!
Once inside the chamber, Magnus closed the door. There was no need to bolt it. No one would bother them for the rest of the night. It had only been a few hours since she’d left for the blot, but somehow the servants had organized all her gowns and pushed her trunks back to the edge of the chamber out of the way.
The fire burned brightly and several candles were lit around the chamber. Several furs were stacked upon the bed and a table near the hearth was topped with a pitcher, goblets, and a tray of meats and bread.
Strong arms encircled her as Magnus pressed his hands onto her belly and pulled her back to him. She’d kept her hair down for this ceremony and the servants had added some braids to keep it away from her face. Magnus pulled the hair away from her neck and kissed her softly.
“I could hold you like this forever.”
“And I could let you.”
He pulled on the ties that held her bodice to her skirts, this time being far more deft than the first time. Sliding his hands under the bodice, he lifted it over her head and placed it on one of the trunks. She shimmied out of her skirt and turned around to face him. He was working his way out of his tunic and she was happy that this time, he wasn’t wearing his trews.
Standing naked before her, his gaze trailed down the length of her.
“Take it off,” he said.
She watched the heat in his eyes as she drew the garment up over her legs and higher up, then let it fall, only to draw it up a little farther each time.
The air hissed through his teeth when she pulled it all the way up over her head and dropped it to the floor.
He took the steps to reach her then lifted her up so her legs could wrap around his waist. He kissed her then. A deep, penetrating kiss that was seared onto her soul. Nothing that was happening outside the chamber mattered any longer. Only the two of them and the unbreakable bond they’d built.
Magnus walked forward until they reached the bed then dropped her on it and jumped on top of her. She laughed and tried to scooch away, but he was having none of it.
