Sword and Spice (Askeladd x OC)(Vinland Saga)

Askeladd prides himself on being unreadable, yet the moment someone catches the glint beneath his mask, he scrambles to hide what's already been seen.

Fiadh wants little more than to stir her pots in peace, seasoning life with spice and a hint of poison. Instead, men keep tripping into her path, mistaking her patience for permission.

Sneak peek:
"But you've been keeping something from me, haven't you, Fiadh."

"I don't know-"

"That wasn't me asking, that was me stating the obvious. But since you seem eager for questions... here's one." What a prick. Again, Askeladd's eyes cut directly toward me, but there was no humor in them. "Do you take me for a boy to toy with?"

Shit... his thoughts were aligning with mine.

My face went blank. "Of course not."

"Hm. Could've fooled me. Let's be plain, Fiadh, and I expect the same from you." His eyes narrowed. "I'm no boy for you to play your little games with, dangling the promise of your skirts like a carrot. I'm a man. And like any man, I've got needs. Keep testing and denying them, and I start wondering if the game's worth playing at all."

(Slowbuild) (Slowburn)