“We needed to buy time,” I informed him.
“As it works out, love, you didn’t,” he informed me.
“Well we didn’t know that!” I shot back.
“You waited an hour, you would,” he retorted.
I glared at him and then scooted my chair around to face him.
“Listen, Frey, we were in a situation. They weren’t falling in with our efforts to stall. And you were out there,” I swung out an arm, “doing something I didn’t want you to get caught doing. We thought you wouldn’t return for days, not hours and, for God’s sake, I couldn’t huddle in your cabin biting my nails and hoping for a miracle rescue!”
“Finnie –” he started but I talked over him, leaning toward him to do it.
“You know, marriage is marriage, a partnership. You aren’t the only one who needs to step up and keep one of us safe. It’s my job as your wife to do the same if a time comes when I have to and it’s my job to do it however that might need to come about. We were exposed and I didn’t want you to be exposed so I did what I did in an effort to keep you safe. It was dangerous, yes, I’ll grant that. But we had no choice.”
“Fin –” he tried to get my name out but I kept right on going.
“You’re angry because I was in danger, again, well, you were in danger too! You rode right up to those tents and came charging in to keep me safe. What? I don’t get to do what I have to do to return the favor?”
“Love –” Frey began but yep, I kept right on talking.
“I get you’re angry because it was dangerous and you’re concerned. I’m sorry about that. But I’ll tell you this, given the chance, I’d do it again, no joke. I’d do it in a heartbeat.”
Frey was silent after that and I was too but I was communicating through my angry glare. Frey, on the other hand, was not communicating; he was simply holding my glare.
Then he asked, “Are you finished?”
“I don’t know. Do I need to go on?” I asked back.
His tone was quiet when he said, “I think you’ve stated your case, wee one.”
“Told you she had a sharp wit,” Kell put in and Frey and I looked at him to see him gnaw a piece of meat in half and start chewing. Then, with mouth full, he went on, “And she’s got nerve, head-to-head with you?” he shook his head and shoved the rest of the meat in his mouth even though he wasn’t done with the last. Then, still with mouth full, but his voice was different he said, “But you know that, don’t you? Was you told me she had the spirit and, by the gods, man, we learned today you were not wrong.”
I was interested in this spirit business and I was feeling all warm inside because I’d obviously earned Kell’s respect and equally obviously Frey had been talking me up but, as nice as they were, both of these things made me feel slightly embarrassed.
Therefore I admonished, “Kell, there’s a lady at the table. Don’t talk with your mouth full.”
His eyes came to me then he smiled huge exposing meat in his teeth.
I shook my head and couldn’t stop my quiet laughter that mingled with the same coming from Frey’s men around the table.
Then Kell reached out for another hunk of meat while barking, “Boy! Where’s my horn?”
My eyes moved to Skylar who I was stunned to see was looking at me and as he did it he was clearly in another world. His boyish face was soft, his eyes active and wheels were turning in his mind.
“Boy!” Kell barked again and Skylar jumped then dashed to the chart table where he’d put the pitcher of ale and the horns.
I looked to Frey to see he was also studying Skylar then I called, “Husband,” and he turned to me. “Are you still angry?” I asked.
He shook his head and lifted his hand to trail his fingers along my jaw while his eyes roamed my face and he muttered, “No, as all is well.” Then he dropped his hand, faced the table, his gaze circled the men and stopped on Gunner. “Not that this will happen again but if it does, Finnie goes nowhere without heavy guard. I don’t care if you have to arm half the crew and take them ashore.”
“That was my idea, Frey,” Stephan put in and I looked to him. “Gunner, Kell and I discussed it and we thought, considering it was simply a visit with her uncle, if we went in with three boatloads of men, it would expose too much. A visit of niece and uncle wouldn’t normally require that precaution. We decided it was likely he was there because he was suspicious about your ship anchored offshore and what you were doing and wasn’t there to take action against Finnie. And we hoped that she and Kell could pull off something to provide you cover. With that, we didn’t think you’d wish to tip the fact you consider him a threat by making that show.”
“It was an understandable risk you took, Steph,” Frey conceded, “but it is likely, if he’s not behind them, that by now news has travelled to Baldur that at least one attempt has been made on Finnie’s life. Therefore, he would understand because of this, even on a visit to her uncle, her guard would be intensified.”
Stephan inclined his head, Frey nodded to him and I watched in fascination mainly because Frey thought Stephan, Gunner and Kell had fucked up and that fuck up could have been huge. Frey was angry about it but he didn’t blister them with his wrath or order them tied to a mast and flogged. He listened, disagreed, explained why and made his wishes known.
It was a cool way to command and I liked it.
“Uh… you think we could quit gabbin’ like a bunch ‘a women, pull anchor and get the bloody hell outta this place?” Kell asked, grumpy eyes on Frey.
“Yes,” Frey agreed and turned to Thad. “Take the helm, Thad. We’re away home to Lunwyn.”
“Uh… don’t think that’s such a good idea,” Kell stated quickly and Frey and I looked back to him. “We kinda told the king we were on our way to Hawkvale. It probably ain’t a leap to think he’s already dispatched boys to the shoreline to watch where we’re goin’ if he hasn’t set sail to ships to follow us. Best we head in that direction.”
Frey studied Kell then he sighed and looked at me.
“Fancy a stay in my chateau?” he asked and I grinned… big.
Frey’s eyes dropped to my mouth, his lips twitched then he turned to Thad.
“Pull anchor and make way to Hawkvale. The minute we’re out of Middlelandian waters, send a man ashore to head up to Lunwyn to meet with Ruben. He’s to tell Ruben to make haste to my chateau. Yes?”
“Right, Frey,” Thad muttered, sucked back what was left in his horn, set it on the table, got up and left the room.
The rest of the men fell on the food.
Suddenly starving, I did too.
“Sky, refill your lady’s horn,” Frey ordered and I looked to my husband, a cracker with cheese on it in my hand.
His eyes came to me then his hand came to me, curling around the back of my neck. He pulled me to him as he leaned into me and touched his mouth to mine.
When he pulled away slightly, I smiled at him and I knew my face was soft because I saw his eyes move over it and his got soft too.
“That, wife,” he whispered, “is the welcome back I’d prefer in the future.”
“No way,” I whispered back, “as soon as I get good with my bow and daggers and learn some stealth tactics, I’m totally going with you…” I paused then finished, “in the future.”
Frey stared at me.
Then he pulled me super close, so close, I nearly came out of my chair. Then he shoved my face in his neck and burst out laughing.
* * * * *
The men were gone, including Frey to check with Thad at the helm.
I was curled under a blanket in the chair reading by lantern light a book that my girls had packed for me.
Skylar was tidying the table and I was pretending he wasn’t there so he could do it comfortably.
Therefore, when Skylar called, “Er… milady?” I was surprised.
I looked from my book to him to see he had a stack of dirty but devoid of the barest hint of food trays in his hands and his eyes were
on me.
“Yes, Skylar?” I responded quietly.
He licked his lips then worried them by pressing and rolling them together.
I waited.
Then he said, “You coulda died today? Uh… makin’ that journey to the king an’ all.”
Even more surprised at his question and that he’d ask it, I quickly assured him, “It turned out not to be that dangerous.”
“But…” he hesitated, “you didn’t know that.”
“No,” I said softly, studying him and taking care with the first conversation he’d instigated between us. “I didn’t know that.”
“And you did it for the captain?” he asked.
“Yes, I did it for the captain,” I answered.
He nodded then worried his lips again.
Then he whispered, “And you’d do it again? Like you said, in a heartbeat?”
“Yes honey,” I whispered back, “for my husband, I’d do it again.” I paused then finished, “In a heartbeat.”
He worried his lips again and his face went from cautious curiosity to fear and I felt my heart hurt because I thought we were making some headway.
Then he took a step forward before he immediately retreated and took a step back.
Then he blurted, “Mama used to try an’ teach me.”
I blinked. Then I asked, “What?”
He didn’t repeat himself. Instead he said, “She got real mad when I got things wrong.”
I felt the backs of my eyes start stinging and I held his gaze as I felt them get wet but didn’t say anything.
“Tried real hard,” he whispered, “to make certain sure I got nothin’ wrong.”
I bet he did.
I didn’t respond.
“Always got somethin’ wrong,” he murmured, his voice aching from old wounds that in no way were healed and I felt them score at my own insides.
“This is life,” I whispered as I steadily held his gaze. “Skylar, know that. It is life to get things wrong. It happens all the time to everyone. We make mistakes, all of us. There is no shame in that. None at all. The thing that’s important to understand is, if you make a mistake, you try and learn from it. But honey, you will make mistakes and that’s okay. One thing I can promise and you can take your time to trust me, is that if you do make mistakes with me or with Frey, we won’t get mad like your Mama. We might get upset or disappointed but we won’t get mad at you like her. You don’t have to believe me now, Sky, but I hope, someday, you do.”
He stared at me while worrying his lips and I held his stare.
Then, when he screwed up the courage to go on, he said quietly, “I like it here on the ship with Captain Drakkar.”
“I’m glad, Sky,” I said quietly back.
“Wouldn’t want nothin’ to happen to him,” he went on.
“Me either,” I agreed.
“You faced bad things to make certain that didn’t happen,” Skylar kept going.
“Yes,” I said softly.
He bit his lip. Then he whispered quickly, “Thanks,” and before I could say a word, he dashed out of the room.
I stared at the door after he’d gone. Then I put the ribbon in my book, closed it and set it on the table before I bent my neck, lifted both hands to my face and pressed my fingertips into my forehead.
“Finnie?” Frey called and I dropped my hands and looked to the door to see my husband striding toward me. “Gods, love, what on –?”
“I want,” I started, my voice trembling, “you to take,” I paused in order to gain control, “me to that woman,” I paused again to suck in a breath, “so I can tear her fucking hair out at the roots.”
Frey had made it to me and stood by the chair looking down at me.
“What woman?” he asked quietly.
“Skylar’s mother,” I hissed.
He studied me for a moment then I found myself plucked out of the chair only to be settled in his lap when he sat in it.
His arms wrapped around me as I tipped my head to look at him and put my hands on his chest.
“I’m being very serious, Frey,” I whispered.
“I know you are, wee one,” Frey whispered back, watching me closely and one of his hands started stroking my back.
“He just opened up to me,” I informed him.
“I guessed that,” Frey muttered, still watching me.
“I’m angry,” I announced.
“I guessed that too,” Frey replied.
I glared at him then suddenly my eyes filled with stupid, stupid tears and about a nanosecond later my face was in Frey’s neck because he tucked it there and his arms were tight around me.
“I… I don’t like kah, kah… crying,” I cried into his neck.
I heard his sigh and felt his chest rise and fall with it before he murmured, “My wee Finnie has had a trying day.”
He had that right.
I pulled in a deep, shuddering breath that fortunately controlled my tears but I didn’t move my face from his neck. Instead, I lay cradled in Frey’s lap, held in his arms and I let his strength envelope me.
When I had myself together, I informed him, “Baldur, by the way, is a jerk,”
“This I know,” Frey muttered.
I pulled in another breath then lifted my hand to wipe my face and pulled up to look at him.
“Sorry,” I whispered and Frey grinned.
Then he said softly, “I prefer your smiles and laughter, wife, but there are far worse things than your tears wetting my skin.”
I stared at his handsome, bearded face thinking, God, I really, freaking love this man.
Then I smiled at him, slid a hand up to curl around his neck, leaned in close and decided a change of subject was in order therefore I asked, “Any chance you’ll tell me why Kell was all fired up not to let Baldur’s men board your ship?”
Frey’s lips twitched and he hesitated only a moment before he answered, “While we were rescuing the sorceress Circe, some of the men might have nicked a few things that it’s highly likely were important enough for some to notice are missing and want them back badly and some of those things might still be aboard The Finnie.”
I felt my lips twitch too then I asked, “What’s this spirit Kell’s talking about?”
Frey lifted a hand to my temple and trailed it along my hairline as he tucked the hair back behind my ear before pushing a mass of it that was at my neck over my shoulder before his eyes left the movements of his hand and came back to me.
Then he answered, “I told him you have the spirit of the sea, the spirit of a Raider. I told him you’re a Voyager like him and like me. The Voyager doesn’t settle, his feet itch to move, be it on ship, on land, in stirrups. The Voyager acts fast and thinks faster. He has courage. He doesn’t wait to face the risks that come his way, instead, he rushes to greet them.” He paused and his eyes held mine before he finished softly, “Before, Kell didn’t believe me but, today, he believes me.”
Oh my God.
Oh my God.
I felt tears well in my eyes as warmth swelled in my heart.
Then I accused, “You’re going to make me cry again.”
Frey grinned and noted, “Finnie, I think I may not have made this clear but this does not bother me.”
“I bet a Voyager doesn’t burst into tears at the drop of a hat,” I returned in between deep breaths I was taking to control my emotion.
“I wouldn’t know, wee one, I’ve never met a beautiful one with white-blonde hair and soft curves. But I’m learning those kind do a lot of things differently.”
His words made me laugh softly and the tears melted away then I slid my arms around his neck and pressed close to whisper the God’s honest truth in his ear, “I’m pleased you’re home, husband.”
His arms gave me a squeeze and in my ear he asked, “How pleased?”
I held on tighter and answered with feeling, “Very.”
His hand drifted up my back to curl around my neck and he replied, “If this is so, wee
wife, right now, I wish you to show me how much.”
I lifted my head and looked down at him to see his beautiful green-brown eyes had changed in a way I liked a whole lot.
“Okay,” I breathed, he smiled his wicked smile then he got out of the chair, taking me with him and he carried me to the divan where I did not delay in setting about showing him just how happy I was he was back.
Suffice it to say I was super happy and suffice it to say I took great pains to convince Frey of that fact.
And I was even more pleased to note my efforts succeeded.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Fire and Blood
Two months later…
“Frey,” Finnie breathed into his mouth and gods, gods, every time she said his name like that, from the very first time she did it when he felt the unreal softness of her hair in his loft in his cabin, Frey Drakkar felt the whisper of his wife’s voice saying his name right in his cock.
Then she gave him her neck as her head arched back, her fingers fisted in his hair, her other arm clutched him tight and she rammed herself down on his shaft as she climaxed.
Frey spun her to her back, her long hair splashed across their bed, her four limbs held tight even as she continued gasping through her orgasm and his hips pumped between her legs.
He fought the climax that threatened to explode so he could take in her beautiful face awash with pleasure, the vision of her hair all over the sheets, the feel of her arms and legs gripping him tight, the brilliant torture of her sex spasming around his driving cock then he couldn’t fight it anymore and through five, deep, hard strokes he poured his seed inside his wife.
Frey dropped his forehead to the bed beside her and focused on her soft body under him, her wet tightness enveloping his cock, her hands drifting light along his back, the smell of her skin and he rethought their plans to leave Hawkvale on the morrow to return to Lunwyn.
He liked right where he was.
“Are you sure you want to go home, wife?”
“No,” she whispered and he lifted further up on his forearm to look down at her, his other hand moving to cup the side of her head, his thumb drawing circles at her temple. “But there are places to go, people to meet, things to do,” she finished on an appealing, sated grin.
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