Test of Faith
Left standing alonewith a mouthful of angry words and a raging erection, Tyr took out his frustrations on a pile of logs outside the bathhouse. He swung a heavy axe over and over again until he sank to his knees. This time, the wench had gone too far, unfairly provoked and teased him. After exposing him to her passion, she’d ripped it away before he had a chance to show her what he could do to please her. ’Twas obvious she intended to disgrace him. His words and actions hadn’t been persuasive enough. Anger slithered up his spine. A drop of water on a bone-dry tongue only deepened his thirst.
Damn her.
Her words wielded the same destructive force of a sword. He’d asked for her hand in marriage, only to be dishonored with absolute silence.
Recovering from the physical punishment, he wiped his face on a towel and threw it on the ground. Relief awaited him inside. He staggered into the great hall. Frida brought him a glass of wine, then sat down at a table near the fireplace with him. Was he so inept? How could he have misinterpreted the girl’s signals? Sucking down his drink, he held up the glass. Frida obediently refilled it. Tyr admired her; soft in all the right places and always eager to please. She possessed the physical attributes most men admired in a woman, why shouldn’t he bed her?
She touched his cheek. He didn’t discourage her affection. In fact, he struggled to maintain control. Nothing could stop him from taking her on the tabletop. No oaths existed between them. If Frida was summoned, she came. And when he was satisfied, she left him alone. A perfect arrangement for any man. The Saxon had deserted him, he owed Rachelle nothing. Headstrong, conceited, irresistible, perplexing, heart-stealing bitch… The vision that passed through his mind—killed his raw needs. No matter how much he craved the soft mound between a female’s legs, only one woman would do.
“Leave me.” A muscle twitched in his jaw.
“Milord?” Frida’s big eyes searched his face.
“Go,” he repeated gruffly.
Frida touched him again, shaking her head.
His jaw clenched. Didn’t she understand? After warming his bed for six years, she deserved his respect and he didn’t wish to hurt her. Tucking a stray hair behind her ear, he spoke softly. “Our relationship must change.”
She jerked her hand away from his face. “What are you saying?”
“I cannot share my bed with you any longer.”
She laughed. “You’re confused.”
That was the farthest thing from the truth. “No, I’m not.”
Tears filled her eyes. “That girl doesn’t return your affection. I’ve seen resentment on her face.”
That was about to change if he had anything to say about it. “Don’t mistake fear for hatred. And if I’m wrong about her, I accept that it might be too late to seek your favor again.”
“She’s not suited for life here. So pale and thin—a Saxon witch.”
His lips tightened at the insult, but he kept a grip on his temper. Rachelle possessed more grace and beauty in her fingertips than Frida possessed in her whole body. Not that he’dcompare the two. Frida had given him years of companionship. Good years. And for that he’d be eternally grateful. But men change. And what he wanted now was a wife.
“Imagine what the king will say after he finds out one of the great princes of Norway has fallen in love with a Saxon. You’ll be marked as a traitor.”
If she were a thrall, he’d whip her. But Frida was a freewoman, paid to manage his household. “Go.”
She gestured angrily. “Be careful what you ask for.” Her body convulsed as she stood up. “You’ll change your mind.” Her voice was as unsteady as her body.
“Have you ever known me to regret a decision I’ve made?”
She shook her head.
“I mean you no insult.”
“How else should I take it? You’ve dismissed me as carelessly as a whore.”
“You put words into my mouth.”
“Do I?” she asked morosely. “Amongst other things…”
If he were sensible, he’d ignore that last statement. “I would never deny the pleasure we’ve shared. I made no promises, Frida. Neither did I declare my love for you. If I’ve misled you, tell me now.” No matter what he said or did, his former lover wouldn’t leave satisfied.
With her hands clenched at her sides, she shook her head violently, Tyr accepted this as acknowledgement of his honesty with her.
