2 book of the series
Irvina was always a religious woman. So far North, people believed more than down South. Every one of her decisions was first at least twice consulted with her Seeress. So when the lost raven-haired woman sailed to her shores, i...
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Irvina stared at the table, her thoughts far away. She sat straight, confident, nothing like her brother Frode who sulked in his chair. She stared at her hands on the table. Her fingerprints seemed to tingle. Those hands remembered what it felt like touching his dirtied face. Those high cheekbones. Oh, how she liked what she saw. Those eyes and those marks on his face. She wanted him like nothing she ever wanted in her life. And that was something she questioned. How could she want the man when she never laid with one.
Looking across her, she noticed how engrossed the Queen of Kattegat was with her husband. How she glowed with the pregnant belly of hers and how her eyes twinkled gazing at her husband. Then her gaze looked at Ronja. A woman she liked to think was her dear friend. A woman she never expected to fall in love and love so wholly that she could only see him in the room, and someone she could own future with. Jealousy swirled in her stomach. What was she jealous of? She was the Queen here. Gazing around the room, she realized one thing.
Her, Frode, and Ubbe were the pitiful creatures here. And that was because deep down they pitied themselves. Pushing from the table, she stood up. Attention shifted to her, it used to make her uncomfortable, but now she just ignored the tightening of her throat.
Flattening her skirt, she clarified, "I have a town to check, now if you'll excuse me." Hastily turning, she pulled up her skirts and walked out.
She needed to breathe, needed fresh air. Her eyes wandered towards the cells. The tall figure that stood in the distance made her yield. Gorm stood tranquil as a statue. Flinging the rational thoughts out of her mind, she tiptoed towards the cells. Her breath came out in puffs of air before her. She cursed in her head as she found herself before Gorm. "Leave you're free for tonight."
Gorm was frowning at her, he looked unsure but still bowed his head and walked away. Her hand hesitated over the handle before she felt a kick of courage, and she opened the door. Once her eyes held his, she exhaled. She desired for his eyes to run heatedly over her body. Pulling the keys from the pocket of her skirt, she stalked forward.
"Will you try to run?" Halfdan seemed to barely hold his head as his hand outstretched forward. His long fingers outstretched, and she let her fingers to get pulled into his surprisingly warm hand. His grip was so weak she frowned. What the hell was she doing here?!
Pulling him up, she let him lean on her while unlocking the chains. "You will get a new cell." Her grip tightened as he staggered to the side. It seemed that the cold and starvation had definitely taken a toll on him. She didn't understand the feelings that he awakened, especially not the guilt. Pulling him along, she made her way towards the backdoor of the great hall. Walking through the front would mean confronting her visitors, and that was not something she wanted to do.
Once they stepped into the room, Halfdan perked up. He gazed over the soft bed, small wooden tub, a table filled with food, and then the dressed filled closet. He paused, "Aren't those your dresses?" Irvina smiled for herself as she sliced the apple.
"Maybe they are." Stabbing into one piece, she pushed it into her mouth while leaning onto the table. He scowled at her, his eyes trailing over her, "You mean to tell me that I will be staying in your room?!" She grinned, swirling the knife in her hand.
"You will be staying here from now on." Why hadn't she thought about this before doing it? After all, this would mean they would share a bed. He looked at her incredulously before smirking. "Want to get me naked, eh?" She could feel the red going into her cheeks. Damn her pale complexion. His eyes turned mischievous, seeing her blush.
Stepping forward, she swiped his hair from his face. "My servants will bring you new clothes and warm water for you to bath in." His cocky smirk turned into a grin.
Then he whispered, "Are you going to stay in the room and watch." A real grin made its way onto her lips. Untying the laces on the top of her dress, she sensually revealed the plain white tunic underneath. She untied her belt sliding it down slowly with her skirt. Under that colorful skirt were white lace woven pants. Defiance sparked inside her eyes as she climbed onto her bed. She slid her hand over the covers, almost like a cat sharpening her claws. Irvina almost looked like one as she rolled onto her side and propped herself onto her elbow. They held each other's eyes in a smothering gaze.
"Maybe, I will." She challenged him with those hazel eyes. He pulled the flimsy shirt over his head and smirked as her eyes raked heatedly over his chiseled chest. A timid knock kept him from leaping onto the bed and taking her right there. The servants walked in, carrying things and getting his bath ready. Without needing to be told, he undressed and then confidently soaked into the water.
He smirked cunningly before suggesting. "You could wash me." One of the servants, putting his clothes onto the bed, choked. She smirked back.
"Leave us, will you?" She didn't break eye contact as she gave the command, and he felt as if the room suddenly heated up. He had to admit she was beautiful. And he desired her. His groin answered to the desire that filled him. His mind immediately imagined her sprawled under him. Definitely, taking all of him. His thoughts were interrupted by the purre of her voice.
"You should wash and stop thinking." She twirled her hair as she pushed pillows behind her back. "Then maybe you could climb into this bed, and I will ask questions." As an answer, Halfdan ducked his head under the water.
