Page 14 of Claimed By the Viking

Nevertheless, Elin tried to give her hope. The ways of the gods were mysterious. As swiftly as they took a man’s strength, it could be restored, and the body had an uncanny way of renewing itself.

Signy was shaken from her reverie by the intruding voice of her mother.

“He ought to be put out of his misery. What use is he, being blind!”

There could be no mistaking that it was Viggo she spoke of.

How long had they been discussing him? Signy had heard not a word!

Was that how the women all saw him—as an injured animal, a worthless burden, just as Viggo seemed to view himself?

Tears sprung to her eyes. “It’s not his fault,Móðir. He does want to get better.”

“That hardly changes anything! Besides which, everyone knows that a certain person among us never wanted any part in this.” Signy’s mother glared pointedly at Hedda, then continued her rant.

Signy listened in silence as Ulva argued for Hedda’s man being given to her daughter as a replacement—as if these men were interchangeable, without will of their own.

“If you know what’s good for you, you’ll keep out of my affairs!” Hedda glowered at Ulva.

“There’s nothing to argue over.” Bothild’s counter was calm. “As for this Viggo, injuries of this nature are sometimes purely of the mind. Give him time, and he may respond to Signy’s kind treatment.”

Signy took a steadying breath. Thank Freyja for Bothild’s compassion.

Signy, however, felt heat burn on her cheeks.

How kindly had she been? His mood remained low.

With the first dawn light, when they might be unobserved, she’d encouraged him to help her by carrying firewood from where it was stacked beside the hut. Having him water the growing patch directly behind had been less successful, resulting in the trampling of a slew of vegetables.

Signy tried to be patient, finding him small tasks to keep him busy, but she’d avoided being physically close to him again.

Her mother had been pestering her, asking how often they were intimate. She was pretending all was well, but Signy knew she was wasting the days. Viggo was hers only for three cycles of the moon. After that, he was supposed to be partnered withanother woman—though, if he had his way, there would be none of that.

No more of anything…

She ought to set aside her pride and ask him to couple with her again. ‘Twas only an act of mating, after all, but she was unable to forget the look upon his face when he’d encountered her scars.

Why did that make her feel so forlorn? So angry?

His reaction was only to be expected.

As to their bargain, it was she who was desperate. For a child, she’d thought, although she was beginning to feel herself in need of something else.

Viggo had stirred feelings within her, evoking restlessness and yearning. No matter that she distanced herself, she could not cease thinking of him…wanting him to touch her, wanting to caress him in return.

His way of coupling had been rougher than she’d anticipated, but it had been awkward and painful only for the first moments. Her breath came tight in her chest, thinking of the desire that had overtaken her once she’d become accustomed to the feel of him thrusting deep.

Signy was shaken again from her thoughts by a burst of mirth about the circle.

“This jarl she’s bedding must be doing something right!” Agneta slapped her knee in mirth.

Hedda was scowling at them all and trying to cover her neck.

Was that… a lover’s kiss-mark on her throat?

Signy blinked in surprise.

Hedda had been so disdainful of this plan of mating with the men. It seemed unlikely she’d have changed her mind, but the look upon her face indicated otherwise.

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