Page 28 of Shared By the Vikings

She groaned; her head still hurt from its collision with the mast. She opened her eyes.

Tali’s face filled her vision. He was squatted at the side of the shelter peering in at her. A smile was etched on his face and his eyes—the color of cornflowers and looking paler because of the dark grime of the previous days and night on his skin—sparkled in the morning sunlight.

She scrunched up her face, her cheek bunching on something hard. It was then she realized she was sprawled over a snoring Erik. He was flat on his back, his arms still around her, and she was over his chest, her head by his heart, which she could hear through his leather tunic. She’d somehow twisted her legs with his in the night and her bare feet were tucked between his calves for warmth.

“Slept well?” Tali asked quietly.

“My head hurts.”

“And your ass.” He smiled.

She frowned at the memory.

“Your clothes are dry.” He held up a pile of black material. “The pants were badly ripped but there was a needle and thread in the box Gunnvar brought up the beach and I’ve fixed them for you.”

“You have?”

He shrugged. “Didn’t take long.” His smile was still in place but his gaze had dipped to her chest.

It was then she realized the fur had slipped around her waist. So much for not wanting Erik to sleep in the shelter with her; she’d wrapped her naked self around him as though they were lovers.

She sat and quickly reached for the fur, then crawled over Erik. He didn’t seem to notice and remained on his back, lips slightly parted, and breathing heavily.

“Thor hammering on his head wouldn’t wake him.” Tali nodded at Erik. “He can go for days without sleep, but then when he gets it, that’s it, he’s in hibernation, or so it seems.”

Ingrid stood and covered herself. Her back felt as if each bone had been individually kicked, and her ribs ached too. “Can I have those?”

“Sure.” Tali handed her the clothes.

“I’m going to the river, to wash.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“I can go alone.”

“Erik won’t want you wandering off. There were howls last night, there’s wolf here.”

“There’s wolves in Ravndal too.”

“But these are Northumbria wolves, they could be bigger and stronger, more thirsty for human blood. It is best you don’t go anywhere alone.”

“You really think that? I can look after myself, you know.”

“That might be, but that’s our job now, to look after you. Us three warriors.” He tapped his chest then pointed down at Erik and out to the shoreline where Gunnvar stood.

“Do you see all women as helpless little creatures?” He was really starting to get on her nerves.

“No, I have great admiration for women and their ability to bring joy and new life into the world.” He stepped closer, blocking out the sun rising behind him. “And I especially admire strong women who can fight yet also allow a man the deep honor of taking care of them.”

“You think it’s an honor to take care of a woman?”

“Ja. I do.”

She stepped away. An image of Raud crossed through her mind. He’d wanted to take care of her, be with her. Would she ever see him again?

“I’m going to the river... alone.”

Tali didn’t answer as she walked away and a sense of triumph filled her. She’d gotten her way.

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