Page 37 of Shared By the Vikings

“Me too.” He tossed a clean bone onto the fire. “Until then she’d been strong. I believed the gods had many years planned for us, seemed I was wrong.”

Ingrid was quiet, wondering if he’d go on.

“You never can tell what the gods have in store, they work in mysterious ways, Ingrid. Just makes me think we have to enjoy each day alive and not waste the time until our meeting in Valhalla.”

“I agree.” Had she been wasting time? Wasting time with Raud? Saving herself? Agreeing to so many of her father’s wishes for her instead of doing what she wanted?

I ran from Bjorn. I didn’t want to marry a fat, smelly old bear. I didn’t go along with that wish of his.

“You look thoughtful,” he said, reaching for his dagger and slipping it into his belt.

“Just thinking about what you said, living each day. It makes sense.”

“It does.” He nodded at the smooth rock that had once held strawberries. “As you ate them all, I’ll have to go and get more.”

She frowned. “I didn’t eat them all, and I’ll come with you.”

“No. You stay here, it’s safer. I have seen boar and wolf tracks not far from here.” He stood.

“I’m not afraid.” She rose too.

He scowled. “You should be, wolves would make a meal out of your sweet flesh.”

“I would chase them away.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Are you saying you won’t stay here?”

“Maybe I am.” A small thrill went through her. Could she be disobedient? Would he be persuaded to let her go with him?

He stepped up close, slid his hands around her waist, and gripped her ass cheeks tight. His eyes sparkled as he looked down at her. “You sound to me like you’re in want of another spanking, at my hand this time.”

She placed her palms on his hot, hard bare chest. “No. My ass hurts from yesterday.” And it really did now that he was squeezing it tight.

He lowered his head, so close she wondered if he might kiss her. “Stay here.”

Her pulse sang in her ears. Her heart thudded. “I might.”

“You will.” He swiped his tongue over his bottom lip, leaving a soft sheen there. “Believe me, you will.”

As quickly as he’d taken hold of her, he released her.

Despite the warmth of the day, she felt cool without him close.

“I will return soon, keep the fire stoked.”

Ingrid sat with a bump and listened to his footfalls stomping through the undergrowth until it went quiet. She hadn’t wanted Gunnvar to go, not because she didn’t want to be alone, that didn’t worry her, but she’d been enjoying listening to him talk. The deep tone of his voice, the warmth in his usually gruff voice as he spoke of his nephews had warmed a part of her.

There was naught to see out in the ocean except for the glinting of the sunlight. She turned her attention to the headland, wondering when Erik and Tali would return. Soon she was staring at the curling waves with thoughts of the three Vikings she’d landed with crashing through her mind.

They each fascinated her. They each intrigued her.

Unable to sit by the fire any longer, she added another two logs then walked into the tree line, following the direction Gunnvar had taken.

She’d show him she wasn’t some feeble female who would only stir the pot and tend the fire. She’d find some food too. In fact, she’d source a sapling and make a bow, seek out some dogwood or willow, and craft arrows. She’d always been a good shot and would show her men just how skilled she was.

She ventured deeper into the trees; it was like being underwater, the air pointed with tiny flying insects, the light barely penetrating the canopy.

She wasn’t sure if she was still following the route Gunnvar took, but didn’t mind too much, she’d find her way back. She spotted a patch of cattail and gathered some; it would be good to eat later.

---