Chapter 34: Chapter 34

FJORN

I sat on my throne, observing the clan leaders closely. I had barely touched my mead all night.

My mind was never far from the plan we had come up with. Fortunately, we managed to finish implementing Sten’s ideas just in time, right before the arrival of the clans. They were precautionary, just in case anything went awry. But I was glad they were in place. From the responses I received beforehand and the palpable tension in the room with them all together, it was clear that the clans were divided. If a war broke out among them, I would have to pray that we were on the winning side.

While Kendra and her friends had diligently focused on the social aspects of the gathering of the clans, I had worked closely with Sten and Ulf. First, we reinforced the walls per Sten’s suggestions. Then, we worked on other aspects. Everything had to be perfect, or it wouldn’t work.

The week flew by and our guests began to arrive. Some clans set up camp within our walls, while others camped in the forest. It was clear where their allegiances lay.

The room felt cold and empty without Kendra by my side. She had never looked more beautiful to me than she did earlier that evening, and I wished I could be with her then instead of anxiously awaiting whatever verdict was passed down, but the safety of our child and her life were paramount.

Earlier that evening, I had turned to Ulf. “You can’t leave her side, not even for a moment,” I said.

“She will stay safe,” Ulf assured me.

“You have to promise me, Ulf,” I insisted.

“It will be done. I know the plan. If anything goes wrong, I will get her out of here. She will be safe,” Ulf promised.

I had to trust Ulf would keep her safe at all costs.

Scanning the room, I saw him standing next to Sten. A surge of anger stirred within me, followed by an overwhelming sense of panic that coursed through my body. What the hell was he doing leaving her? Before I could stand and make my way to him, he was gone and Sten was walking toward me.

Leaning over the dais, Sten whispered, “There was a small problem. Ulf took care of it, but he asked that we meet him at your house now.”

I stood up and announced my departure before walking out the side door of the mead hall and marching up the hill to the house. The door was shut, and little light was visible from outside.

Opening the door, I saw Ulf scrubbing blood from the floor, and a wave of fear washed over me. I searched the room for Kendra. She was in my chair, off in the corner. She didn’t look hurt or even scared. She looked like she was about to be sick.

“What happened?” I asked, stepping over the large blood puddle and making my way to Kendra.

“Two men paid us a visit, and it cost them their lives,” Ulf replied, still cleaning up the blood. Sten entered from the back and threw a cautious glance around the room.

I squatted down in front of Kendra and rubbed her leg. “Are you okay?” I asked. She just nodded and reached her arms out to me. Picking her up, I held her as tightly as I could, taking a deep breath of her scent. Placing her feet back on the ground, I walked out the back door.

Ulf had certainly done a number on them, but he had been careful not to damage their faces. Both men’s throats were slit, which explained all the blood I had seen. It was a quiet and quick death. I searched their pockets for anything that would tell me who they were. Tucked just inside the second man’s shirt was a note that read, “Kill the woman and burn the house to the ground.”

There was no name or clan mark to tell me who had done this. I had two choices now. One was to put the men’s heads on a stake and wait for someone to react, or do nothing and see who is shocked when Kendra walks by my side tomorrow. Sten stepped outside, and I handed him the note.

“Well, that doesn’t give us much to work with, does it?” he said, handing it back to me. “What do you want to do?” he asked.

I thought for a moment before turning to look at Sten. “You and Ulf will take the bodies far into the woods and dump them there. Tomorrow, Kendra will be by my side, and we’ll wait for whoever did this to make another move,” I said, walking back inside.

The blood was gone from the floor when I returned. Only a light crimson stain remained. “Ulf, go help Sten,” I said, walking over to Kendra. She looked tired, but after what had just happened, would she be able to sleep? Picking up a fur, I wrapped it around her, rubbing her shoulders as she nestled into my side.

“Do you need anything?” I asked, but she just shook her head. Leaning down, I kissed her cheek, and as I looked around the room, I was thankful we had moved the bed back up to the loft. “Do you want to go to bed?” I asked Kendra softly. She nodded. She hadn’t spoken a word, and I couldn’t imagine how she must be feeling. I had grown up in this world, but I had dragged her into it.

Taking her hand, I led her to the ladder to the loft, helping her up. I went around the room, blowing out the candles and picking up my axe and a small knife before climbing up to meet her. My eyes widened, and my mouth watered. She was sliding her dress off before crawling under the blankets. Her body was beautiful.

Following her lead, I pulled off my clothes, setting down my axe where I could reach it if needed, but keeping the knife in my hand. I had barely lain down before she threw her body over me. Sliding the knife under my pillow, I smiled up at her. I didn’t want to worry her, but I had to keep her safe. Straddling me, she leaned down and kissed me.

I chuckled under her lips. “Did you miss me that much?” I asked, pulling away to look up at her. As she looked down at me, her worried eyes reflected her inner turmoil. Our need for each other was mutual—at that moment, she needed me just as much as I needed her.

She placed her hands on my chest, and my body begged for her to touch me more. Leaning down, she kissed my neck, and I gripped her thighs.

Planting kiss after kiss, she slowly made her way down my chest. I moaned softly. Seeing her like this made my dick hard, pushing against her wetness. Shooting me a sly look, she lifted herself enough for me to slip inside her. She jolted forward, bracing herself on my chest, letting out a sweet moan.

I didn’t move at first, letting her adjust to me. Everything in my body screamed to plunge deep into her until she was left completely satisfied, but I waited, teasing her until she begged me for it.

With slow thrusts, I felt her move her hips with me, rolling into my body. I slid my hands onto the small of her back, pushing her onto my chest. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I could feel her heart pounding.

As we lay there, our bodies together as one, it felt different from any time before. I didn’t want to rush anything. I wanted to feel her just like this. My heart screamed for her—to hold her as I slowly made love to her. I kissed her head and whispered, “I love you.”