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Gunnar looked at Erik thoughtfully. “You know that if I do this, Ivar is not going to be able to overlook it. If he should get word that I helped you flee the land, he might well send his army after me to set an example. I have worked hard to protect my clan from him for this long. It is a big risk, so I would ask something of you in return, young Erik.”

Erik arched his eyebrows. Sigrid wondered if he was going to ask something of them that they couldn’t give.

“I would ask for your protection from any attacks. We are a mighty clan but small, and I would hope that Ragnar would favor me for helping his son.”

“Of course he would,” Erik said. “We don’t want anyone to be threatened by Ivar. Vikings should not live in fear of other Vikings, especially one who has no honor like Ivar.”

Gunnar nodded in agreement. “Stay here tonight. Sleep and rest, and tomorrow you can sail away with a fair wind. Is that agreeable?”

Erik glanced at Sigrid. She thought about the matter for a moment and then nodded.

“Very well. You have an agreement.” Erik reached out his hand across the table. Gunnar clasped it and shook. He held his hand there and looked at Sigrid. She was a little taken aback that he would want to clasp hands with her as well, as she had always been seen as nothing more than a woman. She straightened with pride and took his hand, shaking it firmly.

They ate and drank for a while longer. Gunnar told Erik tales about his family in their youth, and when Sigrid looked around, she knew that this is what life could be like. This was how she always pictured a Viking village. There was no undercurrent of fear lingering in the air. Everyone trusted everybody else, and it was a fine thing to be able to enjoy herself in a place like this until, eventually, it was time for them to retire and rest.

As before in Elof’s village, Erik and Sigrid were taken to a room. Once again, they were faced with the prospect of having to share out a single bed.

“I don’t mind taking the floor again,” Erik asked.

Sigrid smiled. Her skin was flushed with the warm glow of ale, and her head felt light—not enough to lose control, but just enough to soften her inhibitions. She sauntered around to the other side of the bed and perched on the side.

“I think this one is a little bigger than the other. We should both be able to fit. We both deserve a good night’s sleep, Erik,” she said, and patted the empty side of the bed.

She crept under the blankets and turned her back to him, waiting for him to join her. It took him a few moments, but he did so. Candlelight glowed, and the bed creaked under his weight as he pulled off his top. She twisted her neck and was awed by the way the flickering flame illuminated the angles of his physique. She inhaled deeply and felt a rush of warmth surge through her. She turned and looked at him, feeling like she did at sea, as though when they were alone together, the usual rules did not apply.

“I’m glad that Gunnar is going to help us,” she said.

“I am as well,” Erik said, relieved.

“Thank you for checking with me before you made the final plan as well.”

“Of course. It’s because of you that we’re here, after all. This is your plan, Sigrid.”

“It is not often that I am given responsibility.”

“You should. You’re a smart girl, a fine warrior. You’re stronger and more beautiful than any other I have known before.” The words slipped out of him so easily, and for a moment, she wondered if she had heard him correctly.

“You think I’m beautiful?” she asked in a whispered voice. Erik looked down. Their eyes met, and something strong lanced through her. The corners of his lips twitched into a smile, and he looked sheepish.

“I think I’ve had a little too much ale to drink, but yes, of course you’re beautiful,” he said, as though it was a matter of fact that she should never have doubted.

She smiled and felt her cheeks warm. She held his gaze and decided that the memory of a kiss wasn’t enough to nourish her. She wanted to feel his lips again, to taste all that she had tasted before. She closed her eyes and leaned forward. He responded, and once again, her mind was filled with the sweetest song. This time, he tasted of meat and ale, but underneath that was the essence of him, and it was this that she gorged upon. His hand rested on her hip as she pressed into him, feeling the large bulk of his body and the way she fit so neatly against him. Hair fell across her face, which he brushed away with a gentle touch. He kissed her again, this time more sweetly.

She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Erik, I…have never been with a man before, but I…”

The smile faded from Erik’s face. He brushed her lips with his thumb. She could feel the intensity radiating out of his body and all the pressure that was contained within his clothes. Every inch of him was hard, and for the first time in her life, Sigrid was starting to understand what it was to be a woman.

“Sigrid, we can’t. If we did, you would no longer be a maiden, and you would never be able to get married. I know you don’t think of yourself as a typical woman. I know that you feel as though that life has been taken from you. But that doesn’t have to be true. There’s still hope for you yet, and I would not wish to ruin your chances. You can be someone’s wife someday. I don’t want you to look back on this night and regret it,” he said.

He was so sweet and caring that it was maddening. All she wanted was for him to take her. Desire bloomed in her body like a spring flower, and all of her senses were primed to feel this overwhelming, intoxicating lust. And he was there, every inch of him exuding manliness, driving her crazy, yet withholding himself. And all she could think was that one day, she might like to marry him, and if she did, would it make them sharing a bed wrong? But she couldn’t bring herself to say this, so instead, she kissed him again, this time even more deeply than before. Their tongues danced, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, running her fingers down his spine. When she pressed her body against his, she felt something pressing back, and the breaths that left her mouth were more like deep moans.

His grip tightened against her waist. His fingers dug into her, and his kiss was just as passionate as hers in reply.

“There are…other ways to feel good,” she said, taking his hand and plunging it down the middle of her body.

She had learned long ago how to release frustration and dull the ache that occasionally came into her body. Because of it, she often wondered what she ever needed a man for, but as soon as Erik’s hand thrust down to the depth of her body, she knew. Her mouth formed an O, and a rippling breath rushed out as his fingers pressed against the warm dampness that made her thighs slick. He started to rub and caress her, gentle movements that sent tremors through her soul. Her eyes clamped shut as she pressed her head against his, occasionally kissing him through the moans. Her trembling hand reached out to him, searching for his hardness. Then she found him and gulped at the size of him. Her fingers curled around and caressed the smooth tip, while he rumbled with passion. Their lips continued to lock together as they played with each other, learning how to pleasure each other. Erik already seemed like an expert. His fingers moved deftly and assuredly, exploring deeper and deeper with every curling movement.

It felt as though he was reaching into her soul.

Sigrid stroked gently, feeling the taut skin being pulled up and down, enjoying the shuddering breaths that poured out of him. The air simmered with heat. It was thick with tension. Sweat glistened at the base of their necks. His beard tickled her. Her body invigorated him. They found each other’s sweet spots, and the air was alive with soaring moans. Her hand was scorched with his warmth, and as she twisted her wrist and changed the rhythm, he became even more excited. He did the same, thrusting his fingers back and forth inside her, melting her insides. It was more intense than anything she had ever experienced before, and she felt as though a whole new world was making itself known to her. What else awaited her? What else could she not sense?

Sigrid could feel beads of sweat trickling down her body. Erik’s other hand was all over her. His kisses became harder. His grunts became more intense. Her breaths deepened, and her skin flushed as she felt the pleasure rising and rising like a huge wave that came crashing down with a cracked moan and a shudder and then bliss settled upon her. As she felt the climax seize her, her grip tightened, and Erik, too, shared her pleasure. A warm shadow spilled out of him, and his body was tight and rigid. His lips brushed hers again, and then he turned away from her. The candle was blown out, and she lay there in darkness, feeling as though she was glowing, wondering if this was what love was made of.

The following morning, Sigrid awoke with a smile on her face and an ache in her head. The moment she opened her eyes, she was suddenly self-conscious about what had happened the previous night. She pulled the blanket more tightly around her as the echoes of pleasure surged through her. She reached out, expecting to find Erik beside her, but her bed was empty again. This time, however, he hadn’t left her to wake up alone. He stood by the window and gazed out at the world. Sigrid brushed hair away from her face and sat up.

“Good morning,” she said.

He turned to her and looked back, smiling. She blushed, unsure of what to say or how to act around him after what they had shared. He had made it clear that he didn’t want to sleep with her; perhaps that meant he did not see her becoming his wife. But after touching her like that…after she had touched him…she wondered what it all meant. How she wished they could simply fight and be done with it. She even wished that Kari could be with her now. At least she might have been able to provide some insight into what was supposed to happen next.

“Good morning, Sigrid. I was just standing here thinking that I’m going to be home again soon. This is the longest I’ve ever been away. I can’t wait to see my family again,” he said, turning back to the window.

A shadow fell across her face as she was reminded of all the differences between them. He had a family to return to. He had a home, a place where he belonged. She had none of these. Perhaps it had been churlish of her to think that she would be able to fit in with his life. He might have praised her, he might even have liked her, but that was a far cry from being a suitable wife. She told herself to focus again and remember why she was doing this. Once she was done with Ivar, then she could think about other things in the future, but all that mattered now was Ivar.

She and Erik left the room and went downstairs, where they were greeted with breakfast. This time, there was no hesitation in receiving good news. Gunnar had already prepared the ship and a crew of fifteen men to accompany them to the Highlands.

After they had eaten, Gunnar prayed that the gods would bless them and hoped that they had a fair wind, and then they were departing the shore. For the first time in her life, Sigrid was leaving the embrace of Norway, and hopefully, it was the next step in the journey to get revenge against the man who had killed her parents.