Page 52 of Hungry Like a Wolf
“Skål.Queen Carmel.” The crowd cheered.
Carmel ducked her head in acknowledgment and stepped away from the table.
Ravn caught her wrist, halting her. “I will come to you soon. Be ready for me.”
The sudden urge to run into the forest came over her.
“Be ready,” he said again.
The dark glint in his eyes and the deep timber in his voice screamed need and want and lust. He was a man who wouldn’t be denied what he’d been waiting for.
“I am your queen.” She pressed her lips together and pushed down the urge to seek out shadows and solitude. “I will be waiting for you.”
“Good.” He released her wrist and reached for his mead again. “And remember, this is the first night of many that I will take you.”
Which was exactly what she feared. Stepping away from the table, she held up the hem of her gown and trudged her way across the beach. Some of the villagers were roaming around, children were playing, but they all stopped and looked at her with intense curiosity.
She managed a smile, aware that the way Erin had piled her hair up looked something like a crown, and tried to maintain as regal an air as was possible when she felt like a virgin about to be sacrificed.
When she reached her new home, she pushed through the wooden door then shut it tight. Leaning her back on it, she blew out a breath. “Dear Lord, what path have you led me down? I hope you understand it, for I do not.” She walked up to Thor and frowned at his stony face. “No doubt you are enjoying this, huh? Right up your ugly, pagan street.” She pouted at him and walked toward the embers that glowed beneath a pot of warm water.
After washing her hands and face and rinsing her mouth, she removed her boots and went into the bedroom area. Thormod had left one of his wooden toy horses on the furs and she moved it to one side. Likely, he’d be looking for it the next day.
She paused at the end of the bed then dropped to her knees, hands clasped beneath her chin. “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. Thy love guard me through the night, and wake me with the morning light. Matthew, Mark,Luke, and John, bless the bed that I lie upon. There are four corners to my bed, four angels ’round my head, one to watch, and one to pray, and two to bear my soul away.” She pulled in a deep breath, knowing she would need the protection more than ever. “Amen.”
The door clicked open and then shut with a resoundingbang. She stayed still, her knees pressing into the soft rug on the floor, and the noise echoing around her brain.
Ravn was here.
Here to take what now belonged to him.
Her.
Her heart squeezed and her breath caught in her throat. She could have sobbed, but she fought it back. In that moment, she’d rather have been going into battle without her spear than facing her new husband and his big, hungry cock.
“Lord, give me strength,” she murmured.
“What are you doing?” Ravn asked.
“I am praying.”
“For what?”
“For the Lord to protect my soul.”
“You havemeto protect you now.”
She heard the soft clang of buckles, theswooshof material, and then the bang of his boots as he removed his clothing.
She waited—waited for him to grab her, shove her legs apart, and take her. Ride her like a devil possessed until he filled her with his seed.
But he didn’t. The water splashed. Another log landed on the fire and there was the crackle of sparks.
Still, she waited. Her pulse thudded in her ears. Her pussy quivered and a shiver attacked her entire body, rattling up her spine.
“Carmel.”
She didn’t trust herself to speak.
