Chapter 13
Freydis
Gripping a stick I had took from the ground, I relished the burn in my muscles as I attacked and defended myself against the tree. I gasped, my palm stinging with pain at every strike against the tree. This was what I dreamed of, though the King and Queen had always been against it.
They wanted a life for me where I would marry a warrior, wear fine clothes, and celebrate with other women in the halls while my husband and other men went raiding and fought wars.
But I saw myself becoming a strong Queen in the future. I saw myself standing firm in defence of our lands against the Hounds, then spending the winter with my husband, feasting and drinking while waiting for another season.
When I had voiced my desire to have a ring from my father and a place in his drakkar (ship) during another raiding season, he laughed. But when he saw I was serious, he went silent.
"I cannot, Freydis," he said. "I cannot take you with me for raiding."
"Why? I can fight."
"No. You only learned how to fight to defend yourself, not to earn a place in my drakkar."
Then I went silent.
"Once you get married and have a babe, your desire to become a shieldmaiden will wane. You'll be more focused on building a family with your husband."
"I will be the sword to defend my people," I said, charging toward the tree. I struck it so hard this time that the stick broke.
"You aim so well with a stick as you do with an axe, Freyja," said a voice.
I whirled to find Ragnar standing there with a smile on his face.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Watching you."
I looked around, but there was no one else. We were alone in these woods.
"Did you follow me here?" I asked. "How long have you been watching?"
"Not quite long," he said. "I followed your scent."
My eyes widened as I stared at him. "You can do that? Track someone by scent?"
How could that be possible? I brought my garment to my nose, trying to catch my own scent. It wasn't that strong for Ragnar to have tracked me all the way from the hall.
"Don't panic," he said, closing the distance between us. "It's something I've been able to do since I was young. Also, it's hard for your scent to leave my nostrils."
"Ragnar," I blushed.
"How about you call me Your Highness? I'm a King too, you know."
"Your Highness," I said, testing the title on my tongue.
"I insist you call me that when we're alone," he said, grabbing my neck as he leaned down to kiss me.
I kissed him back, a whimper escaping my lips.
I grabbed his shoulders as his tongue invaded my mouth. My fingers dug into the fabric of his breeches.
I moaned into his mouth as he pushed me against the tree, sucking my lips with raw hunger. My hands trailed down to his bottom, squeezing his cock through his breeches. He stiffened at my touch.
"Fuck, Freyja," he growled, leaning into my neck and inhaling deeply. He growled again, nipping at my skin and running his tongue along it.
His hands roughly moved to my garment, eager to tear it off, but then he paused and removed it gently.
Before I knew it, I was in Ragnar's arms, pinned against the tree.
"You are mine now, Freyja," he whispered in my ear.
"You are mine too," I said.
"You know what that means?" he asked. "I'll do more than just touch you, Freyja."
I was no child. I understood what he meant. I wanted him deep inside me.
I nodded.
But Ragnar released me and took a step back.
"Not here," he said.
"Why?"
"I'm taking you to the brothel house," he said, throwing my garment back to me.
I dressed, and we headed to the brothel. This time, I didn't bother to hide myself, only a cap on my head.
As we neared, the scent of hot stew hit my nostrils, and I turned to see the trader staring at me. I quickly looked away.
Ragnar booked a room for us, and once inside, we wasted no time. Ragnar was on me instantly.
He peeled my garment from my skin, removing my underwear until I was completely naked.
He sucked and licked my breasts, a low growl vibrating from his throat.
"Ragnar," I cried as he nipped at my nipple. His cock was as hard as stone, pressing against me.
He carried me to the bed, laying me down as his eyes roamed my body. Slowly, he gripped his cock, the veins bulging.
My body ached with the need for him. My cheeks flushed, burning as if kissed by fire. I shivered beneath his eyes.
"Part your thighs. Let me see every inch of you," he growled.
I obeyed, spreading my thighs, my hips lifting slightly.
He dropped to his knees before me, his fingers tracing over my skin, lingering at the swell of my breast before trailing down to my core.
I met his dark stare as his fingers found my folds, stroking me slowly. My hips pressed forward, seeking more.
Without warning, he sank his fingers inside me, pulling a loud moan from my throat.
But his fingers weren't enough. I needed more.
He flipped me onto my belly.
"Everything about you is perfect," he said, lowering his head. His mouth found my heat, his tongue licking at my folds. I cried out in pleasure, my back arching.
Just as I thought I couldn't take anymore, he pulled away. As I started to rise, he pushed my head back down.
"Stay down," he ordered, gripping my hips as he buried his cock inside me.
I cried out, the sound foreign. Ragnar showed no mercy, filling every inch of me. He was huge.He pulled my hair, forcing my head back as he drove deep.
The sound of his hips slamming against me sounded in the room. He held nothing back.
When I thought that was it, he grabbed my hands, pulling them behind me as he thrust harder. My body trembled beneath him, the walls around me tightening. I felt my release approaching, but he denied me.
Suddenly, he withdrew, yanking my hair harder, his lips brushing my ear.
"I'm going to fuck you so hard you won't be able to use those legs tomorrow. Is that what you want, Freyja?"
"Yes… Yes, Your Highness," I gasped.
With a growl, he raised his hand to my arse. The sound of his slap filled the room. I cried out, my body trembling.
He struck the other cheek, leaving his mark.
Pushing me down to the bed, he gripped my hips and drove into me again. Slowly at first, then deeper, slamming into me.
My cries filled the room as pleasure took me.
Release hit me hard, my body shaking as I poured onto him.
"By the gods!" I breathed.
With a deep growl, Ragnar spilled inside me. I didn't have to worry about getting pregnant — Siggy would make me a herbs tea first thing in the morning.
"You're mine, Freyja," he said. "And I'm yours."
He released me, and I collapsed onto the bed, exhausted. But before I could catch my breath, he pulled me close again.
"Say it. I want to hear it from your mouth."
"I am yours, Your Highness."
"Good," he said, pressing a kiss to my face.
He pulled out, and I moaned as his seed spilled from me. He laid me gently on the bed and lay next to me, kissing my cheek.
"Rest, Freyja," he said, though I could see in his eyes that he still wanted more. "But only for a while."