A Viking's Rage

Chapter 5

Finally, the rope was secured. Exhausted, Aiya slumped to the deck, gasping for breath. When she looked up, Ragda was standing above her, his hair plastered to his face by the rain, his expression unreadable. Without a word, he grabbed her by the arm and hauled her to her feet, dragging her below deck.

The sound of the storm muffled as they descended, but the tension between them crackled like lightning.

"Are you insane, fljóð?" Ragda barked, spinning to face her once they were out of the rain. "You could have been killed!"

"And what of it?" Aiya shot back, pulling her arm from his grip. "I was doing what none of your men would. You should be thanking me!"

His jaw tightened, his dark eyes narrowing. "My men know the sea better than you ever could. They don't need your help, and neither do I."

Her lips curled into a bitter smile. "Of course not. Why would you care? You only saved me for your brother." She emphasized the word, testing him.

Ragda's expression darkened, but he didn't rise to her bait. Instead, he crossed his arms, his tone dropping. "Dagr has claimed you. You are his Eiga until he releases you."

Aiya stiffened at the unfamiliar word. "Claimed? What does that mean?"

"It means you belong to him," Ragda said flatly, as if the explanation required no further thought.

Her chest tightened. "If he-or anyone-tries to touch me, I promise you, they'll regret it." Her voice was low but steady, her anger simmering beneath her fear.

Ragda's gaze hardened. In a sudden motion, he stepped closer, crowding her against the wall, his body blocking any chance of escape.

"You think threats will protect you?" he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "You know nothing of the men on this ship, least of all my brother."

"You're too close!" Aiya snapped, glaring at him. Her pulse raced, though whether from fear or the closeness of his body, she couldn't tell.

Ragda didn't move, his eyes locked onto hers. "You owe me an apology, fljóð," he said, his voice suddenly calm but with an edge that made her blood boil.

"For what?" she spat.

"For questioning my men. For questioning me." His tone softened, almost teasing. "I saved your life. Isn't that worth a little gratitude?"

Aiya gritted her teeth. Her pride flared, but she knew better than to push him further. "Fine," she said coldly. "Thank you."

Ragda's lips curled into a faint smirk, but he didn't move away from her. Instead, his eyes studied her face, his expression unreadable. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The storm above seemed far away, and all Aiya could feel was the heat of his gaze. She willed herself not to tremble.

Finally, he stepped back as if the moment had never happened. "Good," he said simply, his smirk fading. "Now stay below deck. You don't belong up there."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and strode away, leaving Aiya staring after him, her heart pounding and her mind racing.