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Everyone assumed that because she was a woman she found no pleasure in intimacy with Sihtric. They were wrong. And if Sihtric's trembling body underneath her said anything, she was damn good at giving it. She grinned teasingly at Sihtric, upon his return, she pulled him away to her bed. And she proceeded to ride him for so long that his cock had gotten extremely sensitive and refused to harden, sure it made an absolute mess on the furs but it was worth it.
"How's Osferth?" Uhtred asked them once he walked into the hall, Althea wiggled around in Sihtric's lap to get comfortable. She hid her smile when her husband hid in pain, his cock was going to be sensitive for a while.
"Sleeping, as we should all be." Finan spoke looking between the two with a disgusted look, he had heard how well she took care of Sihtric when he walked past their room.
"Just as soon as he's recovered, we should attempt to recover Skade." Uhtred ordered.
"Once again." Sihtric mumbled.
"So long as she is free, lord, you are cursed." Finan quickly spoke and shot the Dane a warning look.
"Skade is with the Danes. We cannot reach her. We will not chase her to our deaths." Uhtred spoke as he sat down.
"Death will find us regardless." Althea watched her husband in concern at his sudden mood change.
"Do you have something to say, Sihtric?"
"He does not." Finan interrupted sensing the growing tension, she ran her fingers up his neck softly to soothe him.
"Except that, enough of us have died already." Sihtric said.
"You are a warrior, death is a hazard."
"I have decided to go to Ragnar. I must help him find peace."
"All you will find at Ragnar's graveside is ghosts." Sihtric spoke making everyone go silent. Finan shot her a worried look as they glanced between the two Danes. She didn't like where this was going.
"You will keep watch of Aethelflæd and you will rest."
"No man who served Uhtred can rest, not until Skade is reclaimed." Sihtric called out and Finan quickly spoke.
"Sihtric, you are drunk and tired."
"Yes, I am tired," He turns to Uhtred. "Of marching north and then south, being called a traitor. For what?" Sihtric snapped in anger.
"Then leave, boy."
"Uhtred, you don't mean that." Finan said as he looked between the two men.
"If you are unhappy in my service, leave!" Sihtric stands and guides her to sit on the bench as he moves to crowd Uhtred's space.
"I have fought for you!" Althea really shouldn't be this turned on.
"You fight because you enjoy it." Uhtred replies and Finan moves to the quarreling men.
"You'd dismiss me as easy as this?" Sihtric asked hurt.
"Stay or go, I do not care."
"He does not mean that. He does care. Now, let us all sit." Finan says frantically.
"If you wish to make the square, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, let us do it." Sihtric says, Althea quickly sobers up as icy dread fills her body.
"No, you will not. Think of our sons, Sihtric. I cannot lose you." She spoke holding his hand as she begged for him to stop.
"No, there'll be no squares made. No fighting, just sleep. Sleep! Jesus!" Finan looks at them both with disappointment. "Get the prisoners back with the pigs, bound." Finan orders.
"Sihtric! I will leave first light but I will return and if you are here still, then I will kill you." Uhtred threatens and Althea shakes her head.
"Uhtred, please! You cannot do this!" She shouts with glossy eyes and Uhtred decides not to look at her for fear of ruining the plan.
"Why?" Finan asked as Sihtric slapped a cup off the table, she flinched at the action and Sihtric fought against all instincts telling him to comfort her.
"He has cursed us all!" He shouts in Finan's face as the Irishman sits down shaking his head.
"She has cursed us all and Uhtred allows it." Dagfinn speaks and Althea wants to cut his tongue out.
"Shut your mouth." Finan ordered as she glared at Dagfinn.
"Abandon him, boy. It's your only chance. You're a dane first and last." Finan motions for a guard to shut the Dane up. Sihtric leaves shortly as the prisoners are taken back to their cages, she follows the dane hoping he will listen to her.
"Sihtric, listen to me," Sihtric stopped as he waited for her to move to his side. She looked up at the man with teary eyes and reached up to place a hand on his face softly. "Stay, do not abandon your sons. Do not abandon me." She whispered holding back the urge to sob in his arms, Sihtric didn't answer as he kissed her gently. The lack of an answer had hurt her more than anything he could have said, she was losing her husband.
Her sons would lose their father because of Skade and Uhtred.
Arthur and Hvitserk ran to them with smiles, happy to see their parents. She wiped away her tears and forced a smile, one that broke Sihtric's heart. He had vowed to never hurt her and here he was, doing just that.
"Look, look! Father, it's a bird!" Their oldest said showing off the wooden carving, it didn't look like any bird she'd seen but she would love it regardless. "Here, I want you to have it." Sihtric nodded as he kneeled, he kissed both of their foreheads and she had to look away to fight back tears.
"Do you not love us anymore?" Arthur asked quietly as he curled up against Sihtric's chest, her husband made a wounded noise at the question.
"Why do ask that, Arthur?" He questioned sadly.
"I heard you and Uncle Uhtred, father. If you loved us, you would not be leaving." Arthur said as he clung to Sihtric and this time Althea did sob.
Hvitserk pulled away from Sihtric and wrapped his arms around her, she leaned down to kiss his head as their youngest son started to cry when Sihtric tried to remove his hold on his neck.
"I will always love you, little one. All three of you." Sihtric spoke with the most honest tone possible.
