Page 9 of Astrid at Sea

“Drunk?” I echoed.

“You’re definitely drunk, my siren,” he threw his head back and laughed. “I don’t blame you. This is some pretty strong stuff.”

“I can’t be drunk. I’ve never been drunk before,” I shook my head but quickly regretted it when I felt the food and drink that I had just consumed start to come up again. I promptly pressed a hand over my mouth before I embarrassed myself in front of everyone.

“Here, drink some water.” Viktor lifted his glass to my lips. “Pace yourself,” he murmured and helped me take a few small sips at a time, trying not to make myself even more sick than I already felt.

“How can I be drunk?” I groaned as I pushed the glass away from my lips, feeling very sick. Desperate to get the world to stop spinning, I closed my eyes and leaned into him, resting my head on his shoulder.

“The drink Ivana gave you was very strong. It has high levels of alcohol,” he told me, running a gentle hand through my hair as he embraced me. The touch already made me feel better, but I was still battling the feeling of throwing up.

“Why would she do that to me?” I whimpered.

“I think she was being friendly,” he murmured in a low baritone, turning his head to brush his lips against my hairline.

“If she just wanted to be friends, why do I feel so bad?” I groaned and nuzzled my face further into the crook of his neck, desperately seeking the comfort and relief that only my husband could provide.

“Because it’s your first time drinking,” he whispered against my forehead, his lips lingering there. “You’re just not used to it. The first time is always the worst. All the other times after aren’t so bad.”

“They aren’t?”

“Well, they are, but not nearly as bad as this one,” he chuckled, and the sound made me wince. Everything suddenly sounded so loud. As if the world spinning wasn’t enough already. “I’m sorry you feel terrible, my siren. But don’t worry, I’ll look after you.”

“Looks like Astrid here has had a few ales too many,” Asmund laughed, taking the seat before us. “She doesn’t look too good, but nothing that a glass of water and a good night’s sleep won’t cure. Maybe a stationary bed would be good for her. We have a few huts free if you want to spend the night.”

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” Viktor denied, careful not to jostle me when he shook his head. “We’re already a day behind. Astrid will get some rest on the ship, and she’ll feel better in the morning. There’s no need to stick around any longer, but I appreciate the offer, Asmund.”

I was grateful that Viktor hadn’t taken Asmund up on his offer. I would have been so annoyed if we were set behind another day because of me.

In my drunken stupor, I was hardly aware of Viktor carrying me back to The Serpent, where we were set to resume the mission. When I felt the soft fur of our wolf skin blanket underneath me, I knew we were in our bedroom.

“Do you want to change out of your dress?” Viktor asked, but he didn’t wait for an answer. He was already sifting through our clothes rack.

“Yes,” I whimpered.

Viktor was gentle as he pulled me into a sitting position. If I was sober and in my right mind, I would have been a little embarrassed about my husband having to change me like this, but right now, all I felt was gratitude.

I allowed him to pull the dress over my head and slip me into one of his tunics. Once we were both changed for bed, Viktor crawled in behind me and pulled the blanket over us both.

“You don’t have to head back up to the deck?” I asked, turning over onto my side to bury my face in his chest.

“No,” he whispered, tightening his arms around me and pulling me closer. “I don’t want to be anywhere else, my siren. Wherever you are, that’s always where I want to be.”

“You’re too good to me, pirate,” I murmured sleepily into his chest. “I’ll never speak of you like how the women of Isle speak of their husbands.”

“How do they speak of their husbands?” He asked, curious.

“Like animals.”

“Animals?”

“They say that their husbands ravish them like animals, and they made fun of me for being so inexperienced. When I said you weren’t that way with me, they didn’t believe me. After that, I didn’t dare admit that we had yet to consummate our marriage.”

I felt his chest shake from under my face when he chuckled. “Do you want me to ravish you like an animal, my siren?”

“Maybe,” I murmured, conflicted.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” he chuckled and kissed the crown of my head. “I think you should sleep before you say anything else you’ll probably regret in the morning.”

---