“You must remove your clothing.” Wanda pointed at the crown. “And I can help you with everything but the crown. Unless the king is here, you and you alone must remove your crown.”

“Aye, I understand.” She took it off, handing the heavy, bejeweled crown to Wanda.

Carefully, Wanda placed it on the treasure table, alongside a box with a dragon’s head clasp.

“Turn,” Wanda said. “And I will release the lacing on your tunic.”

Tove spun around, her gaze now on the bed. That was where she would offer her body to her new husband. On the silver furs she’d spread her legs and take his cock.

A new wave of nerves took hold, and she sucked in a breath.

“Do not be afraid,” Wanda said, working swiftly. “Sex is a great passer of time, especially in the long winter months. I do not know what I would do without my Erik.”

“A passer of time?” Tove spun around. Was that how Wanda saw it?

Wanda laughed. “Oh, your face, my queen. It is a sight.”

“But… but doesn’t it hurt? How can pain be a great passer of time?”

“Hurt?” Her smile fell, and she undid the top laces on Tove’s tunic. “Aye, it might, the first time.”

“Might? It will—a lot. Have you seen how big King Njal is? I’m sure his cock is just as huge.”

“It has been said that it is.” Wanda reached for the base of the tunic and lifted it over Tove’s head. Tove put her arms up as the material was lifted.

“So, I am right,” Tove said when she stood in just her smock. “It will pain me. I must prepare myself for torment.”

“No, you must prepare yourself to relax when he puts his cock inside you. And you must try and enjoy it.”

“Enjoy it? How will that help?”

“If you enjoy it, your cunny will become slick for him.”

“Slick?”

“Wet, like a waterfall. It will make his journey deep into your womanhood much easier. It is Freya’s way for us women.”

Wanda pulled the tunic off, then stooped to remove Tove’s boots. When she’d done that, she stood back up and surveyed Tove. “There, now you are ready.”

Tove looked down at her nakedness. Her small breasts were pert, the nipples tight peaks, the light brown hair at the juncture of her thighs thick, and her flesh pale.

She ran her palms over her tender behind. “I thank you, Wanda, for your kindness today.”

“I will always be here for you, my queen. I am not your mother, and may the gods protect the queen’s mother always, but I will act as caregiver, and guide when I can.”

“Thank you.” Tove beat down a rush of emotion. She would have liked her mother at her side, today of all days. Her father, too, to see her become queen.

Wanda smiled and set about stacking logs in the fire trough. When she’d finished, she straightened and faced the curtain leading to the Great Hall. “The king has returned.”

Tove sucked in a breath and clasped her hands in front of her pubic hair. This was it. The time had come to surrender to the will of her husband… the king.

“The gods are with you on this path,” Wanda said. “I will see you ‘morrow, my queen, unless you need me before.”

Tove nodded, but didn’t speak. Her throat was dry, nerves getting the better of her. She licked her lips, her gums, and wished she had another horn of mead to sup.

How could she get wet like a waterfall when she felt so dry?

Wanda disappeared through the curtain, leaving Tove with the sound of the howling wind competing with the rush of blood in her ears. Her heart was pounding against her sternum, her knees weak. The blood seemed to have rushed to her spanked bottom, which was heating once more.