Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 59320 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59320 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Of course, nothing had happened yet with the King of France, but Rolf was confident it was just a matter of time. The French would be a nervous wreck waiting for his next move, and eventually, they’d decide to cut their losses and make a deal with him. His confidence was catching, and slowly, it started to sink in that the life I’d only ever dreamed of could actually be mine.
But there was one problem, I thought as I kicked a large stone down the lane: the marriage. We weren’t betrothed yet, and I wasn’t sure if Rolf even believed in it, especially after losing his wife. But I knew the king would make things official in the eyes of the Lord. Growing up, I’d always known I’d have to marry someone I didn’t love; my only hope had been that he’d be kind. But now that I’d had a taste of freedom, I found myself thinking more about Erik than anything else.
I knew it was ridiculous. I didn’t love Erik any more than I loved Rolf, but at least with Erik, I’d felt some kind of connection. Rolf was kind during the day and brutal at night. Our sex had become rough and wild to the point where I was starting to dread it. Sometimes, I’d have time to come; sometimes, I wasn’t even allowed. His obsessive need for control had gone too far. Erik had been abrasive when he needed to be, but it was just the right amount. I found myself wondering how things might be different if I was a duchess beside him instead of Rolf.
But there was no point in dwelling on what couldn’t be changed. Though Rolf was fickle and cantankerous at times, he was a leader, a ruler, and I would rule beside him. I’d have money and the finest things life had to offer. I would have a life that would erase my old one and make all the wrongs right again. Besides, I still found Rolf incredibly sensual, even when he was riding me like a horse or whipping me with rope. As long as he didn’t start doing anything too outlandish, I could live with the hedonistic beast as my husband.
I had to.
I entered the gates of the village and strolled up to the manor’s door, where the guards parted for me. I glanced around, hoping to spot Erik. We’d only seen each other from afar, and he was always watching me. I wanted to think he was looking out for me, but the way things had been left between us the last time we were intimate made me question everything. What did he think of me? Did he care that I was with Rolf? Had Erik ever wanted me for myself, or had he only been with me because Rolf ordered him to?
I climbed the stairs, holding the ends of my green and gold dress, then walked down the hall, my steps deliberate. It wasn’t until I was almost at their door that I heard the grunts from the other side and a distinctly female cry. My stomach tightened, and panic bubbled up inside me.
I hesitated for a moment then placed my hand on the door handle and threw it open. My jaw dropped at the sight before me.
Rolf was on the bed, thrusting into a plump blonde woman. They were both completely nude—though Rolf still wore his belt with his smaller weapons hanging from it—and they were both lost in the moment. Rolf continued to grunt as he thrust forward while the woman cried out, though whether from pleasure or pain, I couldn’t tell. Neither of them noticed me right away.
Who did notice me were the five other men in the room who were watching the entire thing. Two of them—one being Ross—were pleasuring themselves to the sight, while the other three immediately surrounded me. They grabbed me from both sides and held me in place while Rolf finished.
That was when I realized Rolf knew I was there, knew I’d caught him with his pants down, and didn’t care. He came, loud as usual, then pulled out of the woman and shoved her face first into the bed.
“My beauty,” he grunted as he stood from the bed and strode toward me, his spent cock swinging between his legs. “I thought you were out for a walk.”
I couldn’t find my voice. “It’s snowing,” I squeaked out.
He looked behind him at the window. “Ah, so it is. Well now, my dear, you look quite shocked. Are you well?”
I glanced around at the other men—one of them had just finished coming into his hand while Ross was preparing to fuck the blonde woman again. She moaned on the bed, looking broken and motionless, but Ross didn’t care. He was practically drooling.
No, I wasn’t well, and neither were these men.