Page 22 of Tamed for Her Pleasure

Etta takes a sip of tea to cover her amusement as the three glare at one another.

“I dare say none of you were quite what Alfred desired,” Etta says mildly.

All four heads swing my way. Etta, amused, is watching on—I believe this is what my nanna used to call stirring the pot.

But the three young women glare at me with barely suppressed rage… a rage I likewise feel.

“Mention sucking my mate’s cock again, and I will rip your pretty hair out,” I say, feigning boredom as I lift my cup to my lips.

Foolishly, they do not heed my warning.

Alfred

I do the rounds of the village, stopping to say my goodbyes to those I will leave behind. There are well wishes and some sadness, but most are happy for me and welcome Espen into his new role. And I sense the transition for Espen will be an easy one. All things happen for a reason. I have long believed as much. But as we round back towards the great hall, which until so recently has been my home, I hear a commotion from within.

Espen utters a small, low, husky chuckle.

I take the steps two at a time.

Inside, I find my sister sitting at the table sipping a cup of tea like there’s a fucking party going on. My sweet and deadly mate has Cassandra in a headlock on the floor, using a fistful of hair as a leash to ram her face into the ground.

“I warned you, bitch,” Penelope says. “But you did not listen.”

Two other village lasses stand to the side. One has a black eye, and the other is nursing a bloody nose.

“A fine mate, brother,” Etta offers approvingly. “I considered calling for help, but she has the matter covered, I believe.”

“Gods,” I mutter gruffly, feeling a surge of pride and lust. The tiny Hydorian lass has put three strong clanswomen in their place for sure.

I stride over and peel my mate off…

“She caught me off-guard,” Cassandra screeches, scrambling from the floor and only a little bloody from the encounter.

Lucky for her, Penelope chose not to pull one of her many toothpicks. Despite her bluster, Cassandra is not a warrior maiden and would not stand a chance.

Espen wades in between lest Cassandra do something foolish and start again.

“You got off easy, Cassandra. She injured a dozen clansmen with twice your skill and size. Lucky my mate was inclined to play with you and not kill you.”

Cassandra lunges. Espen cuts her off with a grunt when he cops the blow.

Penelope smirks—damn brat.

“Out,” I say. “All of you.”

“I only mentioned sucking your cock!” Cassandra growls. “It is not my fault she has a bad attitude!”

Thank fuck I have a tight hold of Penelope afore she can snag one of her many daggers.

“Out,” I bark again, both amused and near insensible with lust. “When I leave, the clan is yours, Espen, but happen I need a little time alone in my quarters to calm my woman down.”

“No problem, brother,” Espen says. Grinning, he takes Cassandra in hand and directs her down the steps, where I notice a crowd has gathered.

Barbarians are nosy bastards. They will be talking about this nonsense all winter long.

My sister puts her cup down and rises gracefully from the chair. “Come and say goodbye to your nephew before you go,” she says, bowing her head to us. “It was wonderful to meet you, Penelope.”

Penelope relaxes some in my arms. “Likewise, Etta. We shall come and visit, I promise.”

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