Page 22 of Mastered By the Viking King

“You could have just told me you’d redden my ass if I was disobedient.”

“Where would the pleasure in that have been?” The right side of his mouth tipped into a sexy, roguish grin.

Irritation poked at her. “So, can I ask for something, to weigh up the balance?”

“You wish to make a deal with me? The king?”

“I wish to make a deal with myhusband.”

She nodded at the crown on the floor.

He stooped and retrieved it, passing it to her.

She placed it on her head. “If anyone can make a deal with the king, surely it is the queen.”

Oh, Tove, why are you speaking this way? You’ll be thrashed before morn.

His face softened. “That is true.” He released her and sat back, folding his arms.

She remained perched on his lap with her fingers knotted. She kept her chin raised, partly to ensure the security of the crown, partly because she felt he’d respect her more if she didn’t cower.

“So, ask for this… thing,” he said. “And I will decide if I wish to give it.”

“Food.”

“You have just eaten, but yes… I can call for more.”

“No, not for me. My mother, she is starving and freezing. Living in Cativad, she has barely enough to survive the winter.”

“Winter is here.”

“Only just—the pass is still open. Please.” She clasped her hands to her chest. She hated to beg, but the life of her mother was worth it. “Can you send grain? A few chickens, dried fish? It will be the difference between life and death for her. Since my father died, and—”

He pressed his finger to her lips. “Shh.” He pulled in a deep breath. “Of course, we will send food to the queen’s mother.”

“Thank you.” A tide of relief washed through her.

“And firewood? Does she require that?”

“Yes. She does. I tried to chop but my father’s axe, it is so heavy and—”

“Sh, I can tell you are a good daughter.”

“I try to be.”

He clasped her around the waist, then stood, placing her on her feet beside the throne. “I must send a Viking now, this night. It may be too late if we wait until the ‘morrow.”

“Thank you.”

“Do not thank me, Tove. It is not your thanks I require.”

“But…”

“Behave as a queen should. That is what I ask of you. That is your duty to me and your people now.”

Chapter 5

Tove’s new husband strode to the doors and flung them open, the gale whistling inside.

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