Page 8 of Claimed By the Viking

Be calm. He cannot hurt me! If I have any doubt, I need only to make for the door.

“Hush. You’re merely a guest who must follow certain rules, at least for the time being.”

“And these rules include you riding my cock?” he spat the accusation. “The others acted as if I were deaf as well as blind, but I heard all. You think to use me like a whore, is that it? You’re the first, then the others have their turn?”

Signy shuddered. His words were crude, but there was truth in them. He was hers only for three cycles of the moon. After that, another would take him for mating, and likely another after that. He would have no say in the matter, nor could Signy vouch for how he would be treated.

Bothild had inferred that any of the chosen women might petition to keep her man if they desired a marriage, but that was something Signy would never do.

She’d seen enough of the wedded state to know that it rarely brought happiness. Her own father and mother had given daily evidence of that, and Hedda and Einar had been no different.She didn’t blame Hedda, but their jarl from the days before The Great Happening had ever been discontent with his wife.

Had it not been so, he would never have pursued Signy, asking her father for a betrothal, regardless of her personal wishes. Clearly, Einar had cared nothing for Hedda’s feelings. She’d have been forced to make a home with her sister Frida, Signy supposed, or with Bothild, their grandmother.

No man would have offered for Hedda after the jarl had scorned her in such a way. Not that Signy believed Hedda would have desired another. How could that ever be when she’d been treated so badly?

Viggo made a sound of disgust. “No answer then? That tells me all I need to know!”

“You must have faith in Freyja. Whatever happens is by her design,” Signy pleaded.

“A goddess sends us to our doom, and you ask me to have faith?” He turned away from her.

Signy hated seeing him so distressed. She’d refused to bind him, but he might as well be chained.

The shipwreck may be the work of the gods but ‘tis we who rob him of his autonomy.

“Viggo, hear me.” Signy came around the table, dropping to her knees before him. “I won’t compel you, but it is a child I wish for. In this, I’m at your mercy.”

Her mind was made up. There would be no forced copulation. Just as Freyja had sent Viggo to her, the goddess would also turn his mind to welcome the mating. Only then would Signy guide him to enter her, as her mother had described.

When Viggo raised his head, there was a detachment to him, as if he’d lost his fight, and naught was of consequence anymore.

“You are young, are you not? Someone will take you to wife. Would you not prefer a true husband to care for you and thechild? Or are you wed already, and the man has no potency? Is it his wish that you lay with me?”

A heated shame rose to Signy’s cheeks. “Nay, nothing of that sort.” It was awkward to admit she’d never been wed. The Great Happening had prevented that—with Einar or any other.

To her knowledge, of the women upon the island, she was one of only a handful who’d never lain with a man. Her father had seen to that, making sure no suitor approached her. He’d had other plans for Signy, whose virginity had been of value to Einar.

“I have no husband nor wish for one.” The best way was to state things plainly. “You are my only hope, and I shall be indebted to you. ‘Tis with my mother’s blessing, if that matters. She knows I shall never have a child unless…”

She’d told no lie except by omission. Viggo had dealt with enough revelations for one day. He didn’t need to know, yet, that Signy’s lack of prospects with a man was due to the island lacking any men whatsoever. Or rather, that none had been available until the wreck of the ship, which had delivered Viggo to her.

“You’ve no father, no uncle, nor brother with an opinion on this?” His voice held a note of disbelief.

“All are deceased.” Signy did not often tell untruths, but this one came easily. Her father and brother had been alive when last she’d seen them, but they were long gone, and she doubted they’d ever return. Too much time had passed for such a thing to be possible.

Viggo rubbed his chin. His expression was still despondent, but he spoke with a new resolution.

“Useless as I am, there’s one part of me that likely works well enough to do as you ask. But we must strike a bargain. You agree to help me with something in return for my seed.”

Signy’s stomach gave a strange flutter. He was going to do as she asked…willingly!The thought filled her with sudden apprehension, anxiety rippling through her belly in waves.

“Anything, though you must know I cannot give you your liberty. ‘Tis the one thing beyond my power.”

“There are more ways than one to free me.” Viggo’s mouth compressed in a hard line. “Once the child grows in your womb, you must promise to aid me.”

Signy felt a faint nausea, as if she already knew what he was about to say.

Viggo extended his arm, trembling, seeking her out. Finding her hand, he interlaced his fingers with hers.

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