“And you,” Esme began to shake her finger at Stein, then thought better of it. “And you, your burns are still raw.”
“I don’t give a damn. I’ll fight him to the death before I let him take you.” The look in his eyes made her melt inside. “You belong to me.”
Esme laughed softly. “The feminist in me should take issue with that remark, but the woman in me is thrilled.”
He gifted her with a dazzling smile. “Good. I don’t know what a ‘feminist’ is, but I’m sure you will tell me one day.”
Esme couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yes, that and a lot of other things.”
“No doubt,” he replied with a wicked grin.
Ulla picked up a bowl. “Let us eat our mid-day meal.” She filled it with the steaming mix of meat and root vegetables. “We’ll all think better on a full stomach.”
As they ate, Esme heard what sounded like nails being pounded into wood. “What is that noise?” she asked, afraid the workmen were building a gallows.
“They’re making preparations for the hólmgang,” Stein answered. “It will take place later today, after people are done with their chores.”
They finished the meal in silence, but Stein kept smiling at her with the most fiendish grin. Finally he stood.
“Come, Esme, we have business together.”
“Business?” She was amazed at his suggestion. “How can you think of sex at a time like this? Shouldn’t you be practicing or something?”
He held out his hand to her. “Come, wench, and please your master.”
“A good idea, son.” Ulla’s eyes twinkled like a fairy godmother’s. “A warrior should relax and enjoy himself before he goes into battle.”
“I don’t know,” Esme said. “I’m kind of nervous, and I’m still a little sore from last night.”
He squeezed her hand. “Then I shall be gentle.”
Ulla cleared away the wooden bowls and spoons. “Esme, convince him this fight is a bad idea, won’t you?”
“I’ll try,” Esme answered.
“I will not be dissuaded. How else can I protect her from him?” He paused. “And I will have my revenge.” He motioned for her to go into his bedroom. “Get into bed. I’ll join you shortly.”
“Yes, Stein,” she answered like the dutiful little woman. Just listen to yourself.
She went into his room, took off her shift, and snuggled under the covers. A nooner with Stein would be heavenly, but she was too nervous to enjoy it.
It just wasn’t fair. Had she traveled back a thousand years to find the man of her dreams only to lose him? Where was the cosmic justice in that?
Even if he won, there was no guarantee she'd be able to stay with him. The vortex could show up any time to whisk her back to Minnesota. If time really was fluid, like Einstein said, then why couldn’t she be in two places at once? Then she could be with her father and the man she loved.
The whole time travel thing was impossible to get her head around. If she did go back, what effect would her trip to the past have on the life she left behind? Would things in this eleventh-century reality affect events in the twenty-first? And vice versa?
Aargh! It was all too confusing.
“Good, you’re ready for me,” Stein said as he entered the room.
“Yes, like a good little bed slave,” she teased.
She watched him shed his clothes. What a magnificent specimen. Everything on this gorgeous man, every blessed inch of him, swelled with power, including his outstanding erection which now saluted her in greeting.
She giggled. She was becoming quite the little trollop.
“I hope you’re not making fun of me,” he said, chuckling.
“No, I’m laughing at myself. Until I met you, I hadn’t had a date in ages and really didn’t care, but now I can’t stop thinking about sex.”
“You’re about to do more than think about it,” he said crawling onto the bed. “Come here.” His intense look made the juices puddle between her thighs.
She held up her hand. “Stein, I’m sorry to be a wet blanket, but before we get started, we need to talk about this fight with your father.”
He made a disgusted face. “I’ve made up my mind. I will avenge myself, Esme, and I won’t let him take you from me. Surely you can understand that.”
She nodded. “But what about the blood feud?”
His shoulders sagged. "If I kill my father, I will pledge my life to protect Erik, and so will the other men here. He is the rightful heir and has the support of most of the warriors."
“Still, many people could die.” She put her hand on his shoulder. “Including you.”
“Then that is how it shall be. I will not discuss this again. We have other, more pleasant, things to do.”
He opened his arms, and she threw herself into his embrace. His big, warm body was familiar now, his musky scent as beautiful to her as the finest perfume. Being with him felt as right as rain. He was her man, and she could not lose him.
He tilted her face and looked into her eyes before lowering his mouth to hers. His kiss was soft, gentle, loving. She parted her lips, craving the feel of his tongue as it probed and dueled with her own.
“I won’t lose you,” he murmured. “I can’t lose you, Esme.”
“You won’t.”
“I didn’t think I could forget Margit, but you’ve wiped her from my mind.” He stroked her cheek. “You’ve given me hope that life can be good again. That I can be a whole man again.”
“Oh, Stein.” She traced her finger over the scar on his cheek and down to the stubble on his chin. “I love you so much. I can hardly comprehend it all.” She pulled him close and kissed him with every bit of the overwhelming passion that swirled through her mind and body. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“And I with you.” He eased her onto her back. “Lie still now. I want to enjoy every curve and every taste.”
He pressed his lips against her left nipple and swirled his tongue over and around the puckered little stone, sending a jet of pure desire to her pussy. She may not have been horny when she crawled between the sheets, but she was hot and ready now.
His face was hidden by the silky curtain of his long, blonde hair as he worked his magic on her. He ravished her breasts and nipples, leaving her gasping for air, then worked his way down her torso to her stomach and abdomen, stopping occasionally to suck or tongue a spot that seemed especially sensitive.
She could hardly stand it. She was so turned on, she wanted to grab his ears and force his head between her legs. By the time his mouth got to her pussy, her channel was as wet and slippery as a backyard water slide.
Oh, mama. He went at her like a hungry dog with his favorite treat. Sucking, laving, probing. His mouth drove her over the edge in no time.
“Stein, oh, God!” she screamed, her orgasm slamming into her like the shock wave from a nuclear explosion. The exquisite convulsions swept her away, turning her into a mindless, but oh- so-satisfied, blob.
He gazed up at her. “How do you feel?”
“Great.” She laughed. “You poor man! I hope I didn’t hurt you.”
He chuckled and shook his head. “It’s a good thing I don’t need my hearing in the hólmgang.”
“I’m sorry, I just...I got carried away.”
He stroked the inside of her thigh. “When I see your face, as it is now, and hear your moans of pleasure, it brings me joy.”
She smiled triumphantly. “Yes, when a man and a woman care for each other, the other’s fulfillment is as important to them as their own.”
“I have come to understand that.” He tapped her on her thigh. “It’s my turn now. Turn around and get up on your knees.”
“What are you going to do?”
“You’ll see.” He ran his hand down her back and over her backside. He plunged a finger into her channel. “Yes, you’re wet enough for me.”
Esme’s heart rate surged as he handled her. She liked it a lot. She was pract
ically swooning at the thought of him taking her doggie style.
With one hand at her waist to steady her, he positioned his cock at her opening and pushed inside.
“Relax your muscles. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Okay.” She focused on easing the tension in her lower body. “You’re...”
In one forceful thrust, he drove into her as far as he could, almost knocking her over.
“All right?” he asked.
“Ah, yeah. I’m fine.” Wow! He knew how to make a point.
“I couldn’t hold back.”
“Sure, okay.”
“Mmm,” he murmured. “So warm, so tight.”
He ground into her, hard, pushing her forward with such force she almost banged her head into the wooden wall of the alcove bed. Avoiding that embarrassment, she managed to support herself on her elbows, but her forehead was jammed into the soft down of his pillow.
Pulling her bottom tight against his body, he continued to drill into her. “You’re mine, Esme, all mine, and I’ll never give you up.”
He filled her - body, mind and soul. She never imagined she could feel so completely ‘taken.’
He pulled out of her, leaving just the head of his cock buried within. As she whimpered for more, he slammed back inside, forcing all the air from her lungs.
“You’re my property, Esme. My woman.”
He began to move inside her, alternately thrusting and pulling back. The friction was almost unbearable.
“I own you, body and soul. You’re mine to do with as I please.”
God, could this possibly get any hotter?
Deeper, harder, he ramrodded into her, his breathing growing more and more ragged. Beads of perspiration dripped from his brow onto her back and ran down her sides. Relentless and uncompromising, he dominated her, claimed her, like the savage Viking he was.
Holy cow! She thought she might lose her mind.
“No other man will ever possess you. Only I will bring you pleasure. Only I will make you come until you gasp for air.”
Completely conquered, she could barely breathe.
“Is that right?”
He wanted her to talk?
“Answer me, woman.”
“Yes, only you,” she panted.
Gripping her waist with both hands, he pounded ever deeper inside.
“Who owns you? Who owns your body?”
“You, Stein. Only you!” she gasped.
“Will you submit to me always?”
“Yes!”
“Whenever I want?”
“Yes!”
“Only me?”
“Yes,” she screamed, her inner walls vibrating like an electric toothbrush. “Yes! Oh, God!”
Soaring into the sky a second time, the powerful contractions pushed her into a tailspin and forced him off the ledge too.
“Odin’s balls!” he cried, falling after her into oblivion. She felt his flesh convulse over and over as he spilled his seed inside her.
For a few moments, neither of them moved. Panting and damp with perspiration, they were fused together, two halves of a complete whole. Stunned by the power of their connection, she had no doubt they were meant to be together.
If the light vortex suddenly showed up to sweep her back home, she’d push him into it and jump in behind. Darn it, her place was with him - her man. She hadn’t fallen in love with him by accident. This was also part of destiny’s plan, and she’d do everything she could to make sure it turned out right.
Still gasping, he withdrew from her body and helped her to lie down next to him. Cradling her in his arms, he gently stroked her face and neck.
“Esme...”
“Wow, Stein. That was out of this world. You have now officially blown my mind.”
“I don’t know what that means, but is it a good thing?”
“Yes, it’s a very good thing, but...”
"But, what?"
"Well, it's all right if you dominate me in bed, in fact I like it, but I want you to treat me as an equal otherwise. Would you do that for me?"
He laughed. "Of course. You are more than my equal." He ran his fingers over her brow and down her cheek. “I love you, Esme.”
“And I love you.”
Her heart thrummed with joy. He loved her! He – loved – her! She’d waited her whole life to hear those words, and she would give anything to hear him say it for the rest of her days.
If he won, that is.
His breathing slowed, and she snuggled against him while he dozed. She was wide awake, however, preoccupied with thoughts of the fight to come.
It was her fault this was happening. If only she hadn’t left her stupid cell phone in Magnus’s house, then maybe the confrontation wouldn’t have taken place and maybe Stein wouldn’t have challenged him.
Ulla poked her head through the curtain. “Stein, come quick. It’s Erik.”
He awakened with a start. “What? What is it?”
“It’s Erik. I don’t know what he wants, but he says it’s very important. Hurry.”
They dressed quickly and rushed into the other room. Erik paced nervously next to the fire.
“What is it, Erik?” Stein asked.
“A courier arrived just a few minutes ago to see Father. Haakon and his eldest son, Einar, have been killed.”
Ulla sank onto a stool and clutched her chest. “May the gods be praised.”
“How did it happen?” Stein asked, incredulous.
“Haakon has been involved in a feud within his wife’s family. Their enemies staged a surprise attack during the night and murdered Haakon, Einar, and about a half dozen others.”
“Oh, my,” Esme gasped.
Stein stared at the fire, then looked up with a cautious smile. “Then your inheritance is secure,” he said. “No one will challenge you now they’re dead.”
“Yes, brother. I have already received reassurances from Günter that Haakon’s faction will support me. You can fight the hólmgang without worrying what will happen if you kill Father.”
“Erik, doesn’t it bother you that Magnus might be killed?” Esme asked.
He shrugged. “It should. As his heir, I should honor him and be the dutiful son, but he’s made my life much harder than it had to be.”
“Your leg, you mean?”
He nodded. “That and other things.”
Ulla looked at him sympathetically and nodded. “I understand, Erik, but it’s a shame his son and heir feels that way.”
"He is a hard man to...deal with," Erik replied.
“Ulla, you’re such a lovely person,” Esme interjected. “How is it you can love such a man?”
Ulla lowered her gaze and toyed with the woven braid on her apron. “He has changed much over the years.” She looked up at Esme. “He was not so cruel when he was young.”
Stein sucked in his breath. “That was then. This is now. He deserves our contempt, Mother.”
“Yes, my son,” she replied.
Stein reached for Erik’s hand. “Thank you for bringing me this news.”
“You’re welcome,” Erik said, shaking it. “I wish you well, brother.”
Stein pulled him into his arms. “Thank you. Your friendship means a lot to me.”
Esme and Ulla exchanged smiles as the two men embraced.
Stein stepped back. “Is the dueling ground ready?”
“Yes. Magnus will be there in a few minutes,” Erik said.
“Then, I must prepare.” Stein tilted his head toward the curtain. “Come, Esme. Let us speak together while I get ready.”
They disappeared into his bedroom. She sat on his bed and watched him as he put on his padded leggings and shirt, followed by chain mail, and then leather armor on his chest, back and shins.
“I can’t bear to see you dress for combat,” she said. “It frightens me.”
“Don’t be afraid. I have nothing to lose now. I can fight with a free conscience.”
She jumped up and threw herself
into his arms.
“No, don’t go,” she begged. She clung to him, suddenly afraid she’d lose the best thing that had ever happened to her.
“I will not lose the fight.” He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her softly. “Esme, you will be my woman, now and forever.”
“And you will be my man, Stein Magnuson, now and forever.”
There was no need to say anything else. Their informal vows would strengthen them and bind them for eternity. She knew with utter certainty that nothing could tear them apart.
Their souls would be joined for the rest of their lives...
...and beyond.
CHAPTER 18
Esme and Ulla followed Stein out of the longhouse to the site of the hólmgang. Esme could not stop staring at him. Like the hero of an old Hollywood blockbuster, he was magnificent in his leather armor and chain mail, dueling sword in hand. His long blonde hair flowed from beneath his conical steel helmet, the extra-long nose guard obscuring his face so that all she saw was the granite strength of his stubbled square jaw. He moved gracefully, despite his great height, his long limbs covering the ground so fast, it was hard for the women to keep pace.
The day had become mostly overcast, the gray clouds punctuated here and there with cracks of brilliant blue, like bright accents on a monochrome quilt. The air was still. Not even the birds revealed their presence.
Esme observed the hólmgang site. A piece of sturdy cloth, a large cloak a little over twelve feet square, had been staked to the ground, encircled by a trench a foot wide and a foot deep. The entire area was surrounded by a boundary of rope, suspended at the four corners by wooden posts. It reminded her of a small boxing ring.
A crowd had gathered to witness the illegal duel. Standing in small clumps around the combat zone, they conversed quietly and placed wagers on who would win.
Dressed similarly in armor and chain mail, and looking nearly as imposing, Magnus stood erect, his helmet on his head and sword in hand. Erik stood with him, at his feet a pile of round, lightweight dueling shields.
“Who will be your shield-bearer?” Magnus shouted at Stein.
“I have none.” Stein glared defiantly at his father. “I need none.”
Erik shook his head. “No, brother, that is not right.” He turned to Magnus. “With your permission, Father, I’ll act as shield-bearer for you both.”
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