Viking

by Fabio

  'Totally content," Viktor agreed.

  "But I am puzzled about something, my husband."

  "What?"

  She tilted her face up to his. "If I am not to do battle, and you are not to forbid me, how will we settle our disputes from now on?'

  He winked at her. "You can always wrestle with me, darling." ■

  "But that is not fair! There you can master me!"

  "Then why don't we battle just for fun?"

  She nodded. "A winsome idea."

  He ran his hand over her thigh. "If you are completely recovered, of course, my lady."

  "My health is back at its prime."

  Viktor motioned to the couple beyond him. "Ottar! Iva! Come here!" As the two rushed over, he ordered, "Iva, take this baby—good practice for you. Ottar, come take this sketch, and study it well to plan your own future home. Milady and I have decided to battle it out."

  Seconds later, as Iva and Ottar stood laughing on the sidelines with the baby, Reyna and Viktor faced each other on the tundra, both of them young, free, and beautiful, full of love and happiness.

  "Come ahead, milady," he teased. "Give me your worst."

  Reyna gazed at the man she loved with all her heart—at his handsome smile and laughing blue eyes, features her adored Eirik shared. Far from feeling subjugated or oppressed by the vows between them, she had at last found her freedom in their love—and in devoting her life to Viktor and their son.

  With an exultant battle cry, Reyna charged him. But instead of tackling her, Viktor delighted his wife by scooping her up into his arms and carrying her inside to their bed.