‘You need to get out of these damp clothes,’ he told her, lifting himself up just when she thought she couldn’t bear the tension any longer. ‘Here, let me help.’ He drew her tunic up over her head. ‘There. Much better.’
‘But it’s cold.’
‘Not for long.’ He grinned, tearing his own clothes away faster than she would have imagined possible. ‘Trust me.’
‘I do.’ She sighed with satisfaction, relishing the warmth of his body as he lay down over her again, wrapping her legs around his waist to draw him even closer.
‘Sissa...’ He slid one hand behind her back while the other moved between them, stroking gently into the curls between her legs. ‘I want you to be ready.’
‘I’m ready.’ She pressed her hands against his chest, tracing the shape of every corded muscle. ‘I’ve had to wait, too.’
He gave a low growl, skimming his lips against the side of her throat as he lowered himself against her, pushing gently but insistently at the entrance to her body. Instinctively, she tilted her hips, adjusting the angle and then... She gasped as he entered her, holding completely still as her inner muscles protested. There was a sensation of pain, so much so that she almost changed her mind, and then pleasure gradually returned again, more intense than before. She was aware of him holding still, too, waiting for her to give permission to continue, and she lifted her head, letting her tongue twine with his as she rocked her hips back and forth. They started to both move together, almost leisurely at first, then in a longer, deeper rhythm, a series of smooth glides that made her feel relaxed and tense at the same time. As the pace increased, the tension built even further until all her muscles seemed to clench simultaneously, her stomach contracting to a single coiled point that was both pain and pleasure at the same time. Then heat overwhelmed her, a bursting, blissful feeling accompanied by a trembling sensation that swept away all rational thought and pulsed in hot waves through her body, tearing a cry of release from her throat.
‘Danr,’ she called out and he gave an echoing cry, not quite distinguishable as a name, more like a guttural moan as he stiffened and then shuddered against her.
She closed her eyes, gasping for air and letting her racing heartbeat return to normal as he lay on top of her. He’d been right about one thing. She definitely wasn’t cold any longer. On the contrary, her body was covered with a thin sheen of perspiration.
‘That was worth waiting for.’ Danr’s voice was muffled against her shoulder. ‘Did it hurt you?’
He started to move away, but she tightened her arms and legs around him, holding him in place as she stroked her fingers across his back.
‘Sissa?’
She opened one eye to find his face just above hers, his expression so anxious that she almost laughed.
‘Why are you still talking, Norseman?’ She smiled lazily instead.
‘Because there are some things a man needs to know, especially from the woman he’s just made love to. For the first time.’
‘There was some pain at first.’ She sighed contentedly. ‘But it passed.’
‘And the rest?’
‘What do you think? The rest was everything I could have imagined.’ She gave him an arch look. ‘And I imagined a lot after our wedding night. But it was even better than that.’
‘It was?’ He grinned and rolled on to his back, pulling her with him. ‘Good. Because I had a hard time restraining myself just now.’
‘That was you restraining yourself?’
‘You have no idea. Next time you won’t be so fortunate.’
‘When will that be?’
‘Ideally, I’d ask you to give me a few minutes, but you might be sore for a little while.’
‘And your brother will be coming back soon...’
‘That, too. In that case, I’ll try to contain myself, but soon. Very soon. I have three years of catching up to do and we’re just getting started.’
Chapter Twenty-Five
‘Farewell, Brother. Good luck.’ Danr enveloped Brandt in a bear hug as they stood on the wooden jetty of the sea loch. It had been two days since they’d returned with Sissa from the other side of the island, bedraggled but unharmed, to the immense relief of everyone in the village, but Hilda especially. Now Knut’s longship was manned and waiting to carry Brandt north to Katanes and the mainland. ‘Try not to lose your temper.’
‘I can’t promise anything.’ Brandt’s expression hardened. Danr had the distinct impression that his mind was already elsewhere, travelling ahead of him to Alba, seeking out ways to gain justice for Ingrid. ‘But I’ll try.’
‘Are you absolutely certain about this? I still don’t like you going alone. If you need me...’
‘I know, I know, send for you and you’ll come. You’ve told me a hundred times already, but I’m glad to hear it. I might have spent most of our lives telling you to be quiet, but I missed your voice when it was gone. It’s good have the old Danr back again.’
‘Not quite the old Danr.’
‘A better version, then.’ The hardness in Brandt’s face softened slightly, an almost-smile hovering about his lips. ‘And if ever a...mate could keep a man on the straight and narrow, I think you’ve found her. She suits you well, Brother.’
‘I know.’ Danr grinned. ‘I think I suit her, too. Trust me, I won’t be wandering away anywhere.’
‘I’m glad to hear it.’ Brandt inclined his head as Sissa walked along the jetty towards them. ‘I’d tell him to take care of you, but I don’t suppose I need to, just as long as you keep out of ruins from now on.’
‘We’ll take care of each other.’ She smiled between the two of them.
‘That’s as it should be. You both need to look to the future now. Leave the past to me.’
‘Brandt...’ Danr felt a lump swell in his throat.
‘No more talk.’ Brandt’s own voice sounded suspiciously tight. ‘I’ve forgiven you and I’ve told you to be happy. That’s a demand, not a request. Remember that, no matter what happens to me.’
‘Thank you, Brother.’
‘And do one more thing for me?’
‘Anything.’
Brandt glanced towards the end of the jetty, where Hilda was standing beside Joarr. ‘Look after my mother. From a safe distance, obviously.’
‘Are the two of you reconciled?’
‘In a manner of speaking. We talked and I wished her and Joarr well. At least we know he’ll treat her better than Father ever did.’
‘That won’t be hard.’
‘No, but this island might not be big enough for the pair of you either. Try not to tear each other’s throats out.’
‘I’ll make sure of it.’ Sissa poked Danr in the ribs.
‘I’ll do my best.’ He laughed. ‘Safe travels, Brother.’
They embraced one last time before Brandt lifted a hand to Hilda and clambered over the side of the longship.
‘Well, then...’ Sissa curled an arm around Danr’s waist, tipping her head against his shoulder as a dozen oars dipped into the water and the longboat pulled slowly away. ‘Shall we do what he said?’
‘You mean get on with our lives and be happy? That sounds like a good idea to me.’ He raised her other hand to his lips, pressing a kiss against the knuckles. ‘It’s you and me now. Whatever we do, wherever we go, from now on we do it together.’
‘Together.’ She snuggled closer and then looked up at him quizzically. ‘Why didn’t you tell him about our plans for the new village?’
‘Tell him I’m planning to live in the same place as Hilda?’ Danr snorted. ‘I’d never live it down. He’d never believe it could work either. I’m not even sure it can work.’ He shook his head. ‘I must be mad, but then I always thought love was a kind of madness.’
‘And now?’
‘Now I know it is, but I also know it’s worth
it.’
‘We won’t be building anything until the spring anyway.’ She squeezed his waist. ‘That means we have the whole winter ahead with just the two of us. We could be stranded in the forest for months.’
‘If you’re waiting for me to object, then you’ll be waiting a long time. It sounds perfect.’ He slid a hand over her lower back. ‘I’m sure we can think of a few ways to pass the time and stay warm.’
‘I’m relying on it. If I remember correctly, you told me once that your hands were famous in Maerr. Not to mention your tongue.’
‘And if I remember correctly, you almost stabbed me because of it.’
‘Things have changed. Now I expect you to live up to your reputation.’ She gave him an arch look. ‘When can we go back to the forest?’
‘Tomorrow, if you like. Then it’ll be just you, me and one extremely cosy roundhouse.’ He led her back along the jetty. ‘And a couple of wolves.’
‘You know, when I went back to the clearing after two weeks, Tove and Halvar were both still there. I don’t think they’re going to leave us, after all.’
‘Good.’ Danr smiled at the thought. ‘That makes us a family.’
‘I’d hoped Brandt would stay for longer.’ Hilda gave them a mournful look as they approached.
‘He wants to reach Katanes before winter sets in.’ Danr glanced back over his shoulder to where the longboat was just sailing around the edge of the sea loch. ‘You know it was now or wait until spring.’
‘Did he sleep at all last night? The two of you were up late talking.’
‘Too late.’ Danr yawned. ‘I don’t think he sleeps much any more.’
‘No. I wish there was something I could have said or done to comfort him, but he seems so weighed down with burdens.’
‘Who can blame him after what happened?’ Joarr sounded sombre. ‘He lost the woman he loved as well as his birthright. I hope he finds a way to reclaim his kingdom, but I don’t see how.’
‘I hope so, too.’ Sissa nodded. ‘He needs to find peace again.’
‘If anyone can do it, it’s Brandt. You know he was always as stubborn as an ox.’ Danr glanced slyly at Hilda, trying to lighten the mood. ‘I can’t imagine where he gets it from.’
‘Mmm...’ She gave him a suspicious look. ‘Your father was always pig-headed. And you’re not immune to the fault, Danr Sigurdsson.’
‘True.’ He waited a couple of seconds before adopting a deliberately casual tone. ‘By the way, Brandt asked me to look after you.’
‘What?’ Her eyes widened. ‘But I have Joarr to do that!’
‘None the less...’ Danr shrugged ‘...I promised. Which means from now on, I’ll be like your shadow. Always following. Always watching. Any time you as much as trip or stumble, I’ll be there to catch you...’
‘You will not. As if I need you!’
‘A promise is a promise, Stepmother.’ Danr gave her a wicked grin, eliciting a weary groan from Joarr.
‘Is this what we have to look forward to, the two of you bickering constantly? Because if it is then we should build two villages. As far away from each other as possible.’
‘We’re not bickering.’ To Danr’s amazement, Hilda gave him what looked like a conspiratorial smile. ‘We’re enjoying ourselves.’
‘Stars help me.’
‘Don’t worry.’ Danr slipped his hand into Sissa’s. ‘We’re going back to the forest for the winter anyway. You won’t have to put up with me for a while, but if you do need me...’ He paused, hardly able to believe he was actually saying the words. ‘You know where to find me.’
‘Thank you.’ Hilda looked as surprised as he felt. ‘Well, then, when do you intend to leave?’
‘Tomorrow.’
‘Tomorrow? In that case we should start making plans for the village today. I want to visit this site you’ve found and Knut’s already promised to help us. Now, we’ll need several longhouses, a blacksmith’s, a drying hut, stables, a palisade, naturally—’
‘Later.’ Danr protested before she got carried away. ‘I’m too tired to discuss anything sensibly. Right now, I’m going back to bed. Brandt may be able to survive with no sleep, but I can’t.’ He tugged on Sissa’s hand. ‘Come on.’
‘Do you want to mate again?’ She looked at him curiously. ‘After this morning?’
‘That wasn’t what I was suggesting.’ Danr stifled a smile as Hilda started coughing. ‘But now that you mention it...’
‘You do both look tired.’ Joarr came to the rescue, his own eyes bright with amusement. ‘You should probably both go back to bed.’
‘Good idea.’ Danr gave him a swift grin. ‘If you’ll excuse us, Stepmother?’
‘Are we going to mate?’ Sissa asked again as they made their way back through the village and into the hall.
‘Yes!’ He couldn’t stop himself from laughing this time. ‘Although you should probably stop calling it that or Hilda is going to have a fit. Yesterday I wouldn’t have cared, but I’ve made a promise to look after her now.’
‘Oh.’ She looked perplexed. ‘What should I call it instead?’
‘Perhaps we need some kind of secret code.’ He drew her into their private chamber and closed the door firmly behind them. ‘Maybe...’
‘Playing tafl?’
‘Perfect.’ He placed his hands on her hips, leaving not the tiniest sliver of air between them. ‘In that case, when we get back to the forest we’re going to play tafl every night. Repeatedly. At length. In every variation I can think of. When we’re not actually playing tafl, that is.’ He frowned. ‘Actually, this could get confusing. Maybe we should call it—’
‘You talk too much, Norseman.’ She laid a finger against his mouth. ‘You always did.’
‘There’s only one way to shut me up.’
‘I know.’ She replaced her finger with her lips. ‘And I don’t want to hear another word from you for at least an hour...’
Epilogue
Spring, ad 878
‘Danr!’ Sissa stood at the entrance to the cave, waving frantically as he emerged from the trees.
‘What is it? What’s happened?’ He came running at once. ‘I was helping Joarr with one of the roofs and it took longer than I intended. Has it started?’
‘Yes!’ She wrung her hands at the sound of a low howl from within. ‘I don’t know what to do!’
‘She knows what to do, don’t worry. Just be with her.’ Danr glanced over to where Halvar was trotting up and down and whining. ‘In the meantime, I’ll stay with him.’
‘Yes, good.’ She pressed her forehead briefly against his and then hurried back inside the cave, crouching down on her haunches at a far enough distance for Tove to see, but not be disturbed by, her. The female wolf was turning around and writhing in circles, in obvious discomfort though the only sounds she made were occasional whimpers.
The passing minutes were interminable, drifting on into what felt like hours, but eventually there were four cubs, their small pink bodies all nestled against Tove’s side.
‘Four!’ Sissa declared, going back outside, feeling drained but triumphant.
‘Male or female?’ Danr stood up from where he was sitting on a rock.
‘Two of each, as far as I can tell. Their eyes are still closed, but they’re all moving and they look healthy.’
‘Two of each...’ He ran a hand over his chin thoughtfully. ‘Well, Erika and Bersa, obviously.’
‘We’re naming them?’
‘Of course. Are you honestly telling me you haven’t been thinking about names?’ He lifted an eyebrow. ‘One of the males could be Rurik. I’d love to see my brother’s face when I tell him.’
‘All right, and the other can be Frode.’
‘Frode?’
‘It was my father’s name.’
‘Then Frode it is. If
you’re certain?’
‘I am. You’re my new family, but I never want to forget my old one.’
‘Erika, Bersa, Rurik and Frode.’ Danr smiled lovingly. ‘I feel like a proud father.’
She laughed and rolled her eyes. ‘Don’t tell Hilda or she’ll start getting ideas. She already looks at my stomach every time she sees me.’
‘Really?’ He glanced downwards.
‘Don’t you start! I’m not sure how I feel about going through childbirth after watching that.’
‘Ah, but you’d have me with you, holding your hand and talking the whole time.’
‘Exactly! There’s no hurry anyway.’ She stretched her arms above her head and sighed. ‘Much as I enjoy playing tafl, I’m happy with things as they are for a while longer.’
‘About that...’ He drew his brows together. ‘Joarr said there was a message from Brandt this morning.’
‘Oh!’ She caught her breath. ‘What’s happened?’
‘To be honest, it was more of a summons.’
‘A summons?’ She folded her arms determinedly. ‘You’re not going anywhere without me, Danr Sigurdsson.’
‘I had a feeling you might say that.’ He slid his arms around her waist, pulling their bodies together and gazing deep into her eyes. ‘In that case, it looks like we’re going to Maerr.’
* * *
If you enjoyed this story, be sure to read the first three books in the Sons of Sigurd miniseries
Stolen by the Viking
by Michelle Willingham
Falling for Her Viking Captive
by Harper St. George
Conveniently Wed to the Viking
by Michelle Styles
And don’t miss the next story in the
Sons of Sigurd miniseries, coming soon!
Tempted by Her Viking Enemy
by Terri Brisbin
Historical Note
The Isle of Skye is the second-largest of Scotland’s islands, located off the north-west coast and home to some of the most striking geological formations in the world. It was known to the Vikings as Skíð—misty isle—or Skýey—cloudy isle—probably in reference to the weather that surrounds the famous Black and Red Cuillin mountain ranges that dominate the landscape.
Redeeming Her Viking Warrior Page 21
