by Fabio
Viktor paced in the next chamber. His emotions seethed in turmoil; he felt hurt and betrayed. By God, what did it take to reach this woman? He had tried everything in his power, yet Reyna seemed to posses$ a heart of stone. Would she never trust him, never let him inside her armor—even just a little? If not, the love he now felt for her—as well as the future of the island of Vanaheim—would be doomed.
And then he heard a low sound—like a fevered gasp— coming from the next chamber. He could not believe it! Was Reyna actually crying? Could she possess a heart and a conscience after all?
For a moment, he struggled between wounded pride and welling passion. His passion proved far more fierce—that, and his intense desire to comfort his bride. He strode back inside the room to observe her shuddering on the bed. She was facing the wall, curled up in a fetal position. A surge of tenderness shook the buttresses of his anger. As much as this woman had maddened him, it killed him to see her suffering now.
He crossed the room and lay down beside her, curving an arm around her waist. At first he felt her stiffen, but she did not resist. Encouraged, he nestled her back snugly against his chest, emotion welling inside him anew when she relaxed against him, a gesture of trust that gladdened him. He moved aside her hair, kissed her soft nape, and felt her shiver. He was profoundly conscious of the warmth and shapeliness of her woman's body cuddled against him, her firm bottom nestled against his heated loins, her lush thighs pressing against his. The scent of her, along with the virginal sensuality of her thin white silk garment, incited his passions even more. Although he knew too many barriers still loomed between them, at least she was allowing him to touch her—how he gloried in that!...
Next to Viktor, Reyna was also drowning in deep emotion. By rights Viktor should have raped or beaten her for her defiance. Instead, her bridegroom was comforting her, inundating her with tenderness, and the effect was devastating. Her heart responded with joy and love, her woman's body with painful need. Beside her, Viktor felt so hard, so warm, so close—and her own garment was so thin. She burned everywhere his magnificent body touched her, especially where her bottom was cradled against his hot, solid arousal ...
Viktor pressed his lips to Reyna's ear and smiled at her soft sigh. "Must you hate so, Reyna?" he whispered. "Even me, on our wedding night?"
She twisted about to face him, her features stark with conflicted emotion, her cheeks stained by tears. "I do not hate you nearly as much as I should, Viking."
Shocked and touched by her admission, he could not help but chuckle softly, for her expression was so earnest. "God help me should you ever truly despise me, then."
She lowered her gaze. "I do not despise you."
"Really?" he chided, remembering past events. "Not even on the day you spit in my face?"
She reached out to toy with the brooch binding his tunic, and the innocence of the gesture twisted his heart. "You did not see how Wolfgard's fiercest fighter, Egil, was about to thrust his spear through your back."
"Ah," he murmured, feeling both amazed and moved. "And that is why you stopped the warriors from battering me?'
She nodded, but still would not meet his eye.
"Why did you spit in my face, Reyna?' he pressed.
Now she did look up at him, biting her underlip. "I had to convince my father's kinsmen that you were beneath con-tempt, beneath killing. I could not let them see how your courage moved me. I could not trust you then—and I do not trust you now."
"But you're in my arms, darling," he pointed out gently, brushing a tear from her eyelash. "And you're weeping."
She sniffed. "Yea. I weep because I dishonored my word."
Viktor would have laughed had Reyna not appeared so sincere. "So your word to me means something after all? " he asked, unable to hide a trace of bitterness.
The old spirit flared in her eyes. "We had a bargain, Viktor the Valiant. That I do not take lightly."
"Then why did you send me away just now?' When she glanced away guiltily, he grasped her chin and forced her to look at him. 'Tell me the truth, Reyna. I'd say it's high time for some honesty between us."
She was silent for a long moment, obviously struggling within herself.
"Why did you send me away, Reyna?" he repeated.
"Because your kisses move me," she confessed. She met his probing gaze folly. "You move me, Viktor the Valiant. I am not pleased by that, either."
Viktor could have shouted his joy at these admissions. "You aren't pleased that my kisses move you, or that I move you?" he teased gently.
"By neither, Viking."
"But you feel the same passion that I do, don't you, darling? "
"Yea," she admitted in a trembling whisper.
He groaned with pleasure. "And you want me."
He watched uncertainty mingled with panic fill Reyna's eyes as she struggled between her desire to be honest and her fear of revealing herself. He ended her torment by kissing her. At her smothered sob, he almost pulled away, but his doubt faded as she kissed him back with such sweet innocence and curled her arms around his neck.
"Oh, Reyna, Reyna," he murmured, pressing his mouth to her soft cheek, her adorably stubborn chin. "Are you ready to give yourself to me?"
"Yea."
"Why?"
"Because you are very beautiful," she answered, tracing a finger along his jaw. "And very kind, even if you are Viking. I will honor my vow to become your wife."
Viktor felt troubled by her motives. "You do not have to give yourself to me just because of our bargain."
He could have sworn he spotted hurt flaring in her eyes. 'Then you do not want me. Viking?"
He grinned. "Of course I want you."
She smiled back. "If you truly wanted me, you would hold me to our bargain. No warrior worth his salt would do less."
Viktor had to struggle not to laugh, not wanting to risk shattering the fragile rapport they had established. Instead, he stroked her mouth and teased, 'Oh, so are you such an expert on men now, darling?"
"Nay—but Sibeal warned that I will be by morning."
"And is Sibeal always right?"
She looked him over with a thoroughness that heated his blood. "On such matters, always."
'Then far be it from me to spoil her perfect record," he murmured, and hauled her closer.
That little sob escaped Reyna again, but this time Viktor recognized the sound as one of desire and need. Her lips were soft, honeyed, and trembling so, they set him on fire. He felt as if he had waited for her forever, and he burned to have her warm and naked against him. He reached for the hem of her gown and began gently tugging, all the while kissing her passionately.
At first he was bemused when she pushed him away and sat up. "What are you doing?" he asked hoarsely.
" 'Tis not your task to remove my gown," she replied breathlessly. "Sibeal scolded me for that—for not preparing myself for you."
Viktor avidly watched her pull the rich silk garment up her lovely legs. "Perhaps it is not my task, but it would be my pleasure."
She roved her gaze over him hungrily. "See to your own task, men."
"And what is that, darling?'
She tugged the garment over her head and tossed it aside. "Will you make me wife with you leggings still on, Viktor the Valiant?"
Would he indeed! Viktor's gaze was riveted on Reyna's glorious, naked flesh, his pulse roaring in his ears. She was an enchantress, her long hair spilling across her creamy neck and smooth shoulders; her breasts high, shapely, and proud; her belly flat; her legs long and sleek. His fevered gaze lingered on the mound of delectable, downy curls at the joining of her thighs. All at once his leather leggings felt entirely too tight.
Despite her maiden state, she showed no shame at all at her own nakedness or her husband's heated perusal. How he loved her for that!
"You are incredible," he whispered.
Her words came just as tremulously as her hand touched his. "Then make me wife."
Viktor pulled off his t
unic, tossed it aside, and pressed Reyna down beneath him. He groaned as her firm breasts, with their tight nipples, contacted his bare chest, stoking his desires like the lick of a flame. Reyna sighed with pleasure and caressed his strong shoulders with her fingertips. Beneath him, she felt soft, yielding, unbearably eager.
Viktor prayed he would be able to maintain his control, to arouse his wife slowly, completely, to hurt her as little as possible with his passion. In truth, he felt he knew her already, knew her body, yet she was also brand-new to him, a virgin and untried. The anticipation of rediscovering this woman he knew, but somehow did not know, made him mad with desire.
He wooed her with thorough kisses, tantalizing her with the leisurely dance of his tongue in her mouth, encouraging her to mate her mouth with his in the same uninhibited fashion. When both of them were reeling, gasping between each hot kiss, he began drawing his lips down her shapely throat, to her breasts. She writhed as he gently tongued the pink, taut nipples.
She pressed her fingers to his nape and held his mouth to her breast. Tears filled his eyes at the sweetness of her possessive gesture, and he sucked greedily at each breast in turn, wrenching incoherent cries from hen
A moment later, he rolled over, bringing her lush nakedness on top of him, wanting to feel her swath of silken hair falling across his face, to see her lovely brown eyes staring down into his, mindless with desire.
His fingers caught her nape and he brought her lips down for another drowning kiss. The way she responded—-trembling against him, opening her mouth wide to his passionate possession—stirred him unbearably. He ran his hands provocatively over her back, then cupped her firm buttocks and began a rhythmic rocking.
"Do you want more, darling?" he breathed into her mouth.
She nodded vehemently, catching a ragged breath, then kissing him back. Growing bolder, she reached down between their bodies, touching Mm through his leggings, wrenching a delighted grunt from him. Abruptly she pulled back, and Viktor caught her around the waist, half fearing she might flee. He glanced up in confusion to see her staring at him, wide-eyed, hot-cheeked—and then she caressed him again, so skillfully.
"Hs so large!" she gasped.
He grinned, reaching up to stroke her flushed cheek. "It will hurt a little the first time," he said gently. "Did you know?"
She shook her head solemnly. "Are all men so big?"
He chuckled. "Believe me, darling, I don't go around asking—and I sure as Hel better never catch you doing so,"
Her sensual giggle was soon her undoing.
Viktor rolled her beneath him, kissed her rapaciously, and stroked her mound of curls with his fingers. As she gasped and writhed, he gently insinuated her thighs apart, caressing her tender little bud. She whimpered, bucking against him tike a strong young mare, and he had to hold her down, fearing he might hurt her otherwise. More than anything, he longed to possess her with his mouth, to drown her in her first, blinding climax. But he reminded himself that this was all new to her, that he must slowly teach her such brazen intimacies.
Meanwhile, the bride herself seemed to be growing most impatient. Arching into his touch, Reyna wrenched her mouth from his and gasped wildly, "Viktor, pray, I want—"
"I know, love, " he murmured, working loose the ties on his leggings. "Be patient. You'll soon get what you want."
He touched her lower, sliding a finger inside her womanhood, glorying in how snug and slick she felt. He gazed into her fevered eyes. "Is this what you want, darling?"
Her expression was taut with desperation. "Yea, 'tis where I want you."
Viktor moaned in ecstasy, burying his face against her soft throat. Never had he expected his proud bride to respond so sweetly, so fully to him! She reached down again, boldly curling her fingers around his naked, engorged shaft. He sucked in his breath in an excruciated gasp and thrust against her fingers.
As she continued to massage him, Viktor caressed her narrow passage, easing his finger in and out, in a brazen mimicry of the consummation soon to come. When her breathing grew fierce, when she chewed her bottom lip and tossed her head in abandon, he heightened the stimulation, pushing two fingers inside her, probing gently at first, then more insistently, stretching her until she cried out and dug her fingernails into his shoulders.
"Sorry, darling, there's no other way to prepare you," he whispered, nudging her thighs farther apart and continuing the firm stroking. "Relax and it will go easier for you."
She did his bidding with a shuddering sigh, and he plied her taut flesh until her moans were only those of pleasure. At last, satisfied that she was as ready as she could be, he withdrew his fingers and pressed the tip of his manhood to her throbbing wetness.
At his first penetration, she cried out in both pleasure and pain.
Viktor's voice was tortured. "Reyna, do you want me to—"
"Nay, do not stop."
Shuddering with emotion, Viktor stared into his wife's eyes and pressed more powerfully to make them one. She sobbed as he breached her maidenhead. His mouth seized hers in a tender kiss and he pushed in as deeply as he dared, groaning as her warm, snug sheath tightly encompassed him. At last they were one, and it was glorious!
"How does that feel, darling?' he whispered.
Reyna was indeed in pain, but the burning pleasure of being joined with her husband made all discomfort pale by comparison. She felt with Viktor the very physical and spiritual bond she had dreaded, yet the joining itself had banished all fear and brought instead a wondrous wholeness and shattering ecstasy.
"As if I am wife," she murmured through her tears, and stretched upward to kiss him.
Her words and the fervent mating of her mouth stirred Viktor profoundly, particularly when she moaned an incoherent cry of surrender. He began to move gently within her, trying not to hurt her, even as her velvety constriction was making him demented. When she sucked his tongue inside her mouth, his passions broke free. His kiss smothered her moans as he plunged vigorously, again and again, until she melted into his final deep thrust and he shuddered exquisitely inside her.
Viktor tenderly held his bride, his heart pounding, his breathing labored. At last he reached out to wipe the tears from her eyes, and eased himself slowly from her taut flesh. Hearing her low wince, he flashed her a contrite smile.
"I'm sorry I had to hurt you, darling."
"I am not," came her unabashed reply. " Twas beautiful, though it did smart badly, especially at first."
"It won't hurt like that again," he promised solemnly.
"Verily?" she asked, then surprised him again by smirking. "Mayhap we should do it again?"
"Minx," he teased, kissing the tip of her nose. "You may want to give your body at least five minutes to recover."
She looked him over, and even her gaze made his manhood throb back to life. "And what of your body, my husband?"
He grinned. "My body—and I—are both feeling very glad we have brought you pleasure."
She snuggled contentedly against him. "I did like the feeling. It made me remember ..,"
He caught her hand and kissed her lovely fingers. "What, Reyna?"
When she didn't reply, he stared at her. She appeared wary again, but her eyes were bright.
"Tell me, darling," he coaxed. "Don't hold back after we've shared so much. Tell me what our lovemaking made you remember."
A tear spilled from the corner of her eye. "Happiness. It has been so long since I felt it, a lifetime mayhap."
"Oh, love." For many moments Viktor held and kissed her. "Has it been that long, darling?"
She nodded. "Since I was a princess, picking flowers in a meadow in Loire." Emotion choked her voice. "You made me remember that, Viktor the Valiant, for the first time in so many years. For that I must thank you, my husband."
He clutched her closer and pressed his lips to her brow. "Darling, it is I who must thank you for all the joy you've brought me, and there is no greater delight than knowing I have pleased you."
"I
thought the happy soul I once knew was dead forever," she admitted poignantly.
"You can find her again, Reyna."
"Can I?" she asked wistfully.
"Yes. We'll find her together."
She frowned. "In truth, I sometimes do not know. I was content so long ago. But afterward ..." She turned away, shuddering.
He slipped his arms around her and nestled her back against his chest. "I know, Reyna. Sibeal told me of all you lost."
"Did she? "
He locked his forearms across her belly and kissed her shoulder. "Your suffering can end now, if you'll only let it. I want to help make you very happy."
She turned in his arms. "Why?"
Because I love you. Staring into her dark eyes, Viktor was sorely tempted to say the words, but something held him back. He realized he could not yet tell Reyna of his love, because he still feared she would use his feelings as a weapon against him. Yet she had bared her heart a little, and so would he.
Sincerely, he confided, "Because I understand. You see, I, too, have lost loved ones."
She appeared fascinated, "Have you? Who?"
Viktor's visage twisted with sadness. "A mother, father—a sister."
Reyna's mouth dropped open. "When was this? When you lived your other life?"
"Yes. "
"You must tell me all about it," she urged.
"I will, darling, but not tonight I don't want to let anything cloud our joy." His expression turned solemn. "Do you think there is hope for us, Reyna?"
She regarded him with regret and turbulent emotion. "You must understand, Viktor the Valiant—I do not know anything except hatred, death, and revenge."
"But you felt happy when I loved you?"
"Yea."
He laced his fingers through hers. "Then there is a chance for us, darling."
She smiled. "Mayhap there is."
"And if our loving brings you happiness, then perhaps I should make love to you all the time," he teased.
"Mayhap you should, Viking." She stretched lazily, then coiled her arms around his neck. "Now would be most pleasing."
