Page 23 of Wulver's Flame

Page List

Font Size:

I ignored his quip. I’d heard much worse.

“What is this? I've never tasted anything like it,” I said, desperately trying not to moan.

“Skyr. It is made from milk, thickened and strained. The thrall that cooks for me is from my homeland. Brynhild.”

“Why did you come here?” I asked, putting my spoon in the bowl.

A dark look flitted across his face. There was a long silence, and I thought he wouldn't answer.

“Sköll lost control, and I lost control of him. We harmed many. My father exiled us,” he said, shifting away from me.

Anger flared up inside me when I thought of how he and his beast threatened Dunraith. My people. My kin.

I slammed the bowl down.

“Yer Da thought it wuz a good idea to plant you and yer beast here? In ma homeland? If it isnae you Norse swines invading us, then it’s the Sasunnaich‘s fae the south,” I snarled in my tongue.

“Calm yourself,” he said coldly.

“Calm masel’? I’ll gie yae calm,” I said, pouring the skyr over his head.

His thunderous face would have been amusing if it were not for the fact that I wasted the mouthwatering food on his thick head.

The white cream dripped off his nose and landed on his lap. Another dripped down his beard.

My lips quivered, but it was no use.

“Aye, who’s the scary beast now?” I said before, a peal of laughter escaped me.

I laughed so hard that I almost let go of my bladder, but the sad reality pierced through me like diving into the winter loch. The tears of laughter turned sour.

“Yer aw the same,” I whispered as tears broke free.“Yeh dae nothing but take an’steal fae us.”

It hit me like a stone wall—the tension I had felt since I found out about Wulverson’s deal with my Da, the constant anger, missing my family and home, and my new husband chaining me like an animal. It finally broke me.

The bed moved, but I didn't.

I wasn't looking to see what the beast would do. I didn't care. The bitter sobs racked through me as tears flooded down my face. I’d held it together too long. There was no one left to pretend for.

The bed dipped. He was behind me.

Silent.

He put his arms around me.

I didn't have the energy to shrug him off.

But the truth was worse. His strong grip, rocking me, offered me comfort.

“I’m sorry—so sorry. I swear to you that I will keep my oath. Dunraith will be protected,” he whispered to me. “They are kin through marriage now.”

I stiffened at his words.

“You will never harm them?” I asked hesitantly, switching back to his tongue.

“Unless anyone tries to harm you, then no, I will never harm a single hair on their heads,” he confirmed, kissing my shoulder.

His chest rumbled, and the beast purred. The vibrations seeped through my back, soothing me until I leaned back onto him.