Page 21 of Mastered By the Viking King

“And your obedience and devotion.” His eyes were so dark, like the deepest, blackest section of a fjord on a winter’s night.

She nodded. “Aye. I do.”

“Good.”

“And Njal.” She paused. “Can I ask you something?”

“Aye, my queen.” He touched the tip of his nose to hers.

She could smell his breath, sweet with mead. Her heart did a little flip. The Great Hall seemed to fade away, leaving only Njal.

He filled her vision, consumed her thoughts.

“Speak,” he said softly.

“You won’t…”

“What?”

Her mouth was dry. “You won’t spank me again if I ask you… this?”

He raised his thick eyebrows. “I can’t promise that. If it displeases me, you’ll feel the weight of my hand on your rear.”

She trembled.

“But you might as well say it now.” His fingers weaved into her hair, holding her steady and close.

“My father… and mother, they loved each other very much, do you think you could ever…”

“What, my queen? Could I ever what?”

She’d just have to say it. “Love me?” The words barely came out as a whisper. “Could you ever love me?”

His nostrils flared. “Love you.” His voice was gruff. He pulled back a little. “Is that what you want? Love?”

“Aye.”

“Not just food and shelter?”

“No,” she said quickly. “I believe in happiness and love. I want that.”

His mouth stretched into a smile. “Why, I do believe you have a real voice inside that pretty little head of yours.”

“I’m sorry, have I displeased you?” She wasn’t sure. He was smiling, but he’d chosen her because she was quiet.

“No, I like that you know what you want, Tove.” His face drew closer again. He slid his right hand down the column of her neck and cupped her left breast.

She gasped, his big palm a heavy weight upon her.

“And in answer to your question,” he went on. “I, too, want love—but you will have to earn it.”

“I did nothing to earn that spanking.”

He frowned, his brow creasing, eyes narrowing to thin slits.

She tensed. She’d pushed him too far. Spoken without thinking.

“It is true, a spanking would usually be a punishment, earned from a misdeed. That one was to demonstrate what will happen should you step out of line.”

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