Chapter 12
Freydis
I thought back to what happened last night. What made me offer myself to him like that? I'd never allowed anyone to do that to me before. As I had reminded myself a moment ago, I was Fellur's Princess. My purpose was not to bring shame upon my family.
And yet, I wanted to offer my whole body to him, and I don't know why. Is it because he understands me more than everyone else?
Is it because he's beautiful?
He is a beautiful man, sure—but I was also beautiful.
I tried to push him out of my head. I needed to stay focused.
But a large part of me wished this could work—wished I would fall in love with Ragnar.
No, you're not falling in love with him, I told myself as I stared into the mirror. You're not falling for your uncle. You're not going to bring shame to your family.
....
I entered the dining room and saw Ragnar there. He looked up from his food, and his face softened when he saw me.
I thought back to the incident that happened between us last night. What if Ragnar found out what I was? What if he told the King and Queen?
I should probably tell him what happened was an accident, but that might make it look even more suspicious.
Walking toward the empty chair, I sat down and ate after saying a small prayer.
"I didn't see you at the ceremony last night," Father said. "Both of you."
My eyes widened, and I turned to Ragnar. His face hardened.
"I left early for my room," Ragnar said. "I wasn't feeling well."
The King turned to me. "What about you?"
"I... I went out hunting with Siggy."
"Hunting?" The King's nostrils flared.
I nodded.
"Hunting at that late hour of the night?" he said. "Do you want to get yourself killed?"
"I can protect myself."
"That's what you always say!" he yelled. "Do you know how many Hounds are out there in the woods waiting to attack us?"
I stared at him in silence.
"I'm not a child anymore. I have my blade with me."
He frowned. "And what good is a blade when you're surrounded by a pack of Hounds?"
"Freydis is right. She's not a child anymore. She should be allowed to go wherever she chooses in the village."
The King turned to his brother and glared at him.
....
I returned to my room after breakfast, and the only thing in my head was Ragnar. The way he defended me against my father in the dining room.
Perhaps Ragnar really was the one for me. Perhaps the gods had chosen us both.
I had never felt attracted to any man before. I was always focused on myself, trying to become stronger in fighting. But now, I felt weak thinking about him.
I watched as Siggy folded my clothes inside the chest. We had talked about what happened between me and Ragnar, and she understood me.
After eating lunch in my room, I walked outside to find Ragnar standing under the sun. He looked beautiful and strong.
As I thought about approaching him, his clansman walked up to him, and I paused.
He turned to me, and his gaze was strong on me. I felt a fire building up inside me. The corner of his lips pulled up.
I looked away—if we kept staring at each other, someone might suspect something.
Ragnar turned back to the warrior, and I hid in my thoughts. What if someone had already seen us last night? What if we were caught kissing? Near the woods... or even at the brothel?
So I left and decided to head back to my room. But just as I was walking, I heard footsteps and turned to see Ragnar. I smiled at him.
"How was your morning?" he asked.
"I was worried that someone caught us last night," I whispered.
"No one saw us," he said.
"What happened last night..." I trailed off.
"What?"
"I'm sorry that I hurt you. It was an accident," I said.
But Ragnar was a strong man, and it would be hard to believe I had pushed him.
He opened his mouth to speak when we heard the voices of guards approaching, and we immediately parted ways.
Instead of going to my room, I went to the library. I took a book from the shelf, and as I was reading it, I felt the presence of someone. I quickly turned around to see a silhouette leaning against the wall. I squinted, thinking it was one of the guards, but then the silhouette started walking, and I realized it was Ragnar.
I felt my heart begin to beat faster as he approached me. His eyes were glued to me, and I felt like I couldn't look away.
"Reading about the creation of werewolves?" he asked.
I nodded. "I didn't think anyone had followed me here."
A grin appeared on his lips, and he walked closer. We were now inches apart. He looked down at the book I was reading.
"I wanted to learn more about Wolf," I said.
"He was feared by the gods because when he got his revenge during the gods' war, he played a huge role in their downfall," he said.
I stared at him.
"What do you see him as?" he asked.
"I see him the way he was described in the book. He killed a lot of gods. He destroyed cities and freed some Fallen gods."
I dropped the book, and Ragnar ran his fingers through my hair.
"I feel drawn to you, Freyja," he said, his fingers trailing down my skin.
I closed my eyes, and when I felt his lips on mine, I moaned. He kissed me for a moment before turning me so I was holding onto the shelf.
I wanted to ask what he was about to do, but then he sucked my neck. The kiss was soft and wet, and I felt it down to my bones.
I gasped as he continued to kiss my skin, bringing my head back to his shoulder. I moaned softly. He brought his hand to my breast, his fingers slipping through my tunic. He brushed my nipples.
I sucked in a deep breath, almost pushing the shelf down.
"Do you want me to stop, Freyja?"
"No... Please don't stop."
I didn't want him to stop. His fingers pinched my nipples, and I held onto the shelf for support before my knees gave out.
Slowly, he lowered his hand to my gown and slipped his fingers inside my body. I looked toward the door to make sure no one was around.
"There's no one watching us," he whispered into my ear, his voice rough as he brought his lips to my neck. He kissed the soft spot on my skin, and I melted in his arms, closing my eyes.
He moved his finger down between my folds, where I was already wet, and I moaned.
"By the gods," he growled. "You're soaked for me. Your scent drives me mad, Freyja."
He slowly spread my clit with his fingers, then stroked me gently.
"Dear gods!" I cried as he thrust his finger inside me. I rode my hips against his hand, moaning when he inserted another. He plunged his fingers deep inside me, and I squeezed around him.
"The sounds you make are like songs from the gods," he said.
He bit the skin on my neck and shoved his fingers deep inside me. He dragged his fingers over a spot that sent goose bumps all over my body.
I cried out as he continued to thrust deep with his fingers.
"Ragnar," I cried.
His fingers continued to move inside me until something inside me exploded. His fingers were drenched. My body jolted with shock so intense that I almost fell to the ground, but he caught me.
"I'm not done with you yet," he murmured.
Before I could speak, he turned me around so that I was now facing him. Then he gently lifted me from the ground and carried me over to the table.
He pulled my gown to my breast, folding it there. He spread my legs on the table, and as he leaned down, I had thoughts of the women in the brothel—how the men put them in this position.
When I felt his mouth on my clit, shivers struck through my bones. A sharp sound rumbled from my throat as I ran my fingers through his hair.
I felt his tongue against the bud of my pleasure as he dragged it slow and deliberate, leaving a rush of heat inside me.
His tongue plunged inside me, and I moaned in pleasure. My body burned up as if touched by the lightning of the gods.
He trailed his hands over my thighs, digging his fingers into them as his tongue worked inside me. I shuddered as his tongue flicked, sucked, and feasted upon my core like I was an offering to the gods.
My grip in his hair tightened until my knuckles turned white. My hips began to tremble, and I felt myself soaking with pleasure.
I slowly threw my head back, my eyes rolling as a moan rumbled from my throat. The heat of Ragnar's tongue was scorching and touched every part of me.
I was on the brink of exploding. It was too much. Too much to handle.
My hand tightened in his hair, and I pulled him closer against my core, aching and chasing release. He moved his tongue faster, his lips capturing my folds and sucking every inch of me until I was trembling, until I was shaking, his name ringing from my lips.
With another stroke of his tongue, I felt the release explode inside me. Ragnar sucked once more before rising.
Even after being undone twice by Ragnar, I ached for him again.
But then there was a knock on the door. Another knock, and my eyes widened.
By the gods.
I leapt from the table, adjusting my gown quickly as Ragnar fastened himself. Turning toward the door, I saw a male guard walk in.
He slowly bowed his head.
"Apologies, my lady, but I thought I heard you screaming."
"No, I was laughing," I said quickly. "Ragnar was reading me a book."
Ragnar walked toward the guard, placed a hand on his shoulder, and led him away.