Chapter 18: Chapter 18

KENDRA

I stirred in bed, my eyes gradually opening to the darkness of the house. I rolled over, my hand landing on the cold spot where Fjorn used to be. I wondered how long he had been gone as I clumsily found the ladder and descended. A shiver ran through me as my feet touched the cold floor.

After a moment of searching the still unfamiliar room, I found the door. Pushing it open, the sun’s brightness momentarily blinded me. After a few blinks, my eyes adjusted.

I looked around to see children playing joyfully and people chatting and smiling. Everyone seemed so content here. Birds soared overhead, and as I stepped onto the porch, the sun’s warmth caressed my skin. I closed my eyes, soaking it all in.

A familiar voice made me turn. There he was, inside a wooden fence, a dark horse prancing around him. He reached out, calming the horse. He was shirtless, and I didn’t mind one bit. I leaned against a post, watching him.

He patted the horse’s neck, sending dust into the air. He looked peaceful, smiling as he spoke softly. After a few minutes, he turned and looked at me. His smile faded, replaced by a look of concern.

I understood my own worry and discomfort, but I wondered what he was feeling. I looked down, getting lost in the litany of past misfortunes and mistakes that led me here. Despite everything, a part of me believed it was all worth it.

“Hey, if you keep staring at your feet, they might fall off,” Fjorn teased, walking toward me.

I smiled up at him. “Then who would want me?”

“Hmm. Could I love a woman with no feet?” He pretended to ponder.

“Oh, shut up,” I retorted, rolling my eyes.

“How did you sleep?” He lifted me, spinning me around before setting me back on the porch.

“I slept okay, but there was this huge, drunken lump in my bed,” I joked.

Fjorn stepped back, his left hand rubbing the back of his neck as his face flushed. “I’m sorry.”

I knew what he was trying to say, but I didn’t want to discuss my insecurities. Instead, I wanted to focus on the positive. “For the drunkenness or the snoring?” I teased, poking him in the chest with a wink.

“All of it. I never should have—”

I interrupted him with a deep, surprising kiss. I could feel him smiling against my lips. “I need to apologize more often,” he said before kissing me again.

I rolled my eyes and stepped back, looking out over the village. “I could get used to this.”

A broad smile spread across Fjorn’s face as he scooped me into his arms. “Do you mean that?”

I nodded, smiling down at him. He held me like that for a while, just looking at me as if he was afraid I’d disappear if he glanced away for even a second.

My stomach growled then, threatening to ruin the moment. “Are you hungry, little one?” he asked, kissing my cheek.

“Yes,” I mumble.

“Then I should feed you.” He chuckled and walked us back inside, kicking out a chair with his foot and gently setting me down. “What would you like to eat?” he asked, tending to the fire.

As the room filled with its warm, glowing light, I looked down abashedly. “You.”

He broke into a wide grin at my words before shaking his head. “Later,” he said, still not looking at me.

“You asked what I wanted. And I told you what I want,” I said, growing more confident as I saw how hard he was trying to ignore me.

He turned toward me, his gaze sending a chill down my spine. It was an expression of pure lust, and my core clenched at the sight. He smiled and slowly walked over to me. My body jolted with anticipation as he placed his hands on the table on either side of me. He licked his lips, leaning down so his hot breath tickled my earlobe.

I bit my bottom lip, clenching my thighs together. God, I wanted him to take me right there on the table—to thrust his hard cock deep inside me, making me moan.

“You’re not being a very good girl,” he whispered, his husky voice sending shivers down my spine.

I closed my eyes, tilting my head back to expose my neck. He bent toward me, his breath warm on my skin. “You will be my good girl,” he said again, his tone more dominant. He released me and stepped back. I opened my eyes to see him heading for the door.

“No,” I said. I didn’t know if I was testing him or just wanted him to stop and turn toward me.

“What?”

“I said no. I will not be a good girl.”

He shot me a devilish smile and slowly walked back to me. He lifted me up, turned me around, and pushed me belly-first onto the table. He lifted my dress and his hand grazed over my ass. I moaned softly, knowing he was enjoying this. He placed one hand firmly on my back, and I waited for his next move.

~SMACK!~ The sound startled me more than the slight sting on my ass. I tried to push up from the table, but his hand on my back shoved me down. After three more smacks, he moved his hand and lowered my dress back down.

I stood, crossing my arms and pouting. That wasn’t what I wanted, but somehow, I was even more excited. He leaned down to kiss my head, but I turned away from him with a huff.

He chuckled and shook his head before walking outside. After a few moments, he returned with a handful of eggs. I sat at the table, watching him as he cooked breakfast. Occasionally, he looked over at me, but I turned away from him, my arms still crossed.

“Are you going to keep being a brat?” Fjorn asked, placing a plate of food in front of me.

I nodded and turned to walk away, but he pulled me into him as he sat. I tried not to smile, but I couldn’t help it.

“Breakfast first,” he said, pushing the plate closer to me.

“No.”

“Yes!” he insisted. “Frue Kendra til Fjorn, eat!”

“Make me,” I challenged, turning to face him.

Fjorn gave me a devious smirk before picking up a piece of bread and placing an egg on it. “Last chance,” he said with a smile.

I shook my head, crossing my arms.

With a wicked smile, he slapped my ass. As I opened my mouth in protest, he shoved the bread in my mouth. I had to take a bite.

I felt heat on both my face and my ass. With a mock glare, I watched as he licked his thumb and finger, a sly smile forming on his lips. I swallowed the bit of food in my mouth and leaned into him. “Fjorn, can we stay like this forever?” I asked, resting my head on his chest and taking another small bite.

He let out a short, sweet chuckle, his chest vibrating. “I will defeat armies to hold you like this forever. I will kill kings to see you smile. I will burn down anything in my way to make sure you never leave my arms.”

I leaned up to kiss him, but as our lips met, the door flew open. Before I could react, Fjorn was on his feet, pushing me behind him, ready to slay those armies.

Sten is out of breath, resting his hands on his knees. “Fjorn… fire… do something! She’s out of control!”