Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 17251 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 86(@200wpm)___ 69(@250wpm)___ 58(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17251 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 86(@200wpm)___ 69(@250wpm)___ 58(@300wpm)
“May the gods deny you entry into Valhalla,” I said low, growling out the words. His eyes widened again, his nostrils flaring, and then I watched the life vanish from him.
I pulled my sword from his body and stepped away, watching as he fell to the ground. For a moment, I just stood there and stared, feeling victorious that I’d avenged Greta and her family. I bent down and ran my blade along his pant leg, wiping the blood from the metal.
I didn’t stay long, but instead went back to find my female. And she was mine. I’d take her far away from the death and memories of what Egil had done, show her that she could be happy with me.
Because the alternative was not an option.
* * *
Greta
When Calder had returned, I’d seen the blood on his chest, but hadn’t asked any questions. I knew what had happened. And I felt relief over it.
We headed back to where Egil had left his supplies and horse, packed everything up, and rode away from it all. I knew we would be going back to the village, but with the long trek, and weariness settling in, we found ourselves at this tiny, isolated cabin, one I’d found out had been built by Calder years ago, a place for him to go when he was in these parts.
It wasn’t anything grand, just one large room, a fire pit in the center, a wash basin off to the side, and a rather large pallet sitting in the corner. We’d been here for a little while, Calder had already created a fire, the heat filling the small interior.
He grabbed some dried fish and berries, and as we sat in silence and ate, I couldn’t help but feel this pull toward him. It was strong, intense, and there was no denying it.
I glanced up, trying not to be obvious as I stared at him. He sat across from me, the fire pit between us. His head was downcast as he ate, his short dark hair slightly messy. He had removed all items of clothing that had Egil’s blood on them, and the linen tunic he now wore was loose enough on his big body, but not hiding the fact he was all man.
My heart raced.
Did he know how frantic it beat? Could he hear it?
I felt like the interior of the cabin was eerily silent aside from the crackling and popping of the fire between us. And then he lifted his head and looked right at me, and I was frozen, unable to look away, unable to pretend that I hadn’t been staring.
His jaw worked slowly as he chewed, never once taking his focus off of me. I licked my lips, the sweet flavor of the dried berries moving along my tongue. Even now I wondered what it would feel like to kiss him, what it would’ve been like if he’d just pressed his lips to mine before he went after Egil.
I did finally look away then, my mind a whirl, my body on fire. It was as if flames licked over my arms and legs.
I set my food aside and reached for the leather pouch, taking a long drink of water, very aware that Calder watched me. I could feel his gaze on me, like a touch moving over every sensitive part of my body. I was wet between my thighs, my nipples hard underneath my shift.
“What I wouldn’t give for a warm bath,” I found myself saying and was instantly embarrassed. A bath was the last thing I should be thinking about. But I was dirty, and a part of me wanted to be clean for Calder … for when he took me, claimed me.
I felt my face heat and refused to look his way. The fall of my hair blocked my view of him, and thank the gods he wouldn’t be able to see how affected I was.
The silence stretched on, but then I heard shuffling and glanced up at him. He stood now, his focus intense.
“If you want to bathe, then so be it.” And then he left me alone in the cabin for long moments. It was so long I started to worry about him, even though I knew there was no need to. The door opened and he walked in, carrying two large buckets of water. He set them up over the fire with metal hooks, heating the water for my bath.
I felt my heart jerk in my chest.
Here was this big strong man, feral and intense, people afraid of him for very good reason, setting me up a bath.
He left and came back three more times, taking the newly heated water and pouring it in the bathing basin until it was filled. Then he pulled out some herbs and flowers from a small pouch that had sat beside it, one I hadn’t noticed until now, and dumped them into the water. Instantly the scent of sweet floral aromas filled the cabin.