Chapter 23: Chapter 23

KENDRA

I didn’t move at first, pretending to still be asleep. “They might not have heard you, but I did,” he said. Hesitantly, I made my way down the ladder. The only light in the room came from a few candles on the table, casting dancing shadows on the walls.

He was sitting in a chair in the corner, leaning back with his hands resting on the arms. His legs and chest were all I could see. His face was hidden in the shadows. Seeing him like this gave me goosebumps.

“Stand there,” he said, pointing to a spot in front of him.” His voice was low and deep. Cold. I watched his hand bounce off his thigh as I slowly approached him. When I was just a few feet away, he leaned forward, resting his arms on his legs. I could now see half of his face. His eye glowed a deep green. I locked eyes with him and stopped.

A sudden cool breeze reminded me that I was naked, and I instinctively lifted my arms to cover myself.

“Don’t,” he commanded, rubbing his bottom lip with his thumb.

I shifted uncomfortably on my feet and dropped my arms. I could feel his eyes roaming over every inch of my body. I looked up to meet his gaze once more and watched as he licked his lips.

“If any other man ever saw you like this, I’d gouge his eyes out,” he threatened, standing up and slowly approaching me. His boots made low thuds with each step. After a few seconds, he was standing before me. He ran his hand down my body, touching my breasts, then my hips, and finally, his fingers rested softly just above my clit.

My body was sore from the previous night, but I couldn’t help but want him. I bit my bottom lip and looked up at him.

“What do you want?” he asked, his fingers inching closer to my clit.

I shifted on my feet, trying to move his fingers closer, but he didn’t budge. “I asked you a question,” he said, grabbing my throat with his free hand.

My eyes searched his as I wondered what I should say. What would set him off? He was acting like he had when we were with the horse earlier, and I didn’t like this side of him one bit.

He leaned down to whisper in my ear. “You will learn to stay out of my business.” Brushing past me, he picked up a large leather sack and walked out the door.

I quickly pulled on my dress and followed him outside.

He was standing just off the porch, securing things to his horse.

“That wasn’t funny, you know, acting like that,” I said, approaching him.

He paused and locked eyes with me, his gaze icy and unyielding, before resuming his task.

“Hey, did you hear me?” I asked, reaching for his hand.

“Don’t,” he said, slapping my hand away.

I took a few steps back, looking at him in confusion. I stood there, waiting. I didn’t say anything or even move. Every once in a while, he would glance up at me, and I waited for him to smile, but he never did. After what felt like an eternity, he walked over to me.

I smiled at him tentatively, and he returned the smile, kissing the top of my head. I let out a sigh of relief.

“Good girl,” he said, squeezing my hand as he walked past me and back into the house. I followed closely behind him, waiting just inside the door as he packed a few more bags.

Because I was afraid he’d turn into the cold, aloof man again if I mentioned his behavior, I pretended like nothing happened. “So, when are we leaving?” I asked.

Fjorn turned and looked at me with a half-smile. He threw the bags over his shoulder and walked over to me. “Now!” he said, playfully picking me up and tossing me over his other shoulder. I let out a soft giggle as we walked outside.

He gently set me down. “Will you ride with me today, or should we walk?” he asked, securing the last of the items to the back of Oden.

“Will you be sweet?” I asked, stroking Oden’s mane.

“Yes,” Fjorn said, walking over to me and wrapping his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my head.

“Promise?” I asked, laying my hand over his.

“I promise,” he said, kissing the top of my head.

“Okay,” I said with a sigh, trying for a carefree smile. I didn’t understand why Fjorn was acting the way he was before, why all of a sudden he seemed to be a different person.

I watched guardedly as Fjorn mounted Oden and reached his hand down to me. With one swift pull, he held me close to his chest. He gave Oden a soft kick, and we moved at a slow trot to meet the other men heading out of town. Ulf and Sten joined us.

Although it felt nice to lean back against his chest as we made our way into the tree line, Fjorn seemed off, as if something within him was slowly changing. On the outside, he looked the same—sweet, caring, and even gentle—but something in his eyes was changing. It was like a caged beast fighting its way out. It was enough to strike fear into my heart.

I pushed those thoughts deep away, burying my face in his chest and letting my worries wash away with the rise and fall of his chest.

In times like those, I believed I loved him.