Page 45 of Mastered By the Viking King

“Tove. My queen.”

She risked a glance up. “Wanda.”

“Oh, what has happened?” Wanda rushed forward, her arms held out, worry etched upon her face.

“I… I…” Tove barely knew how to start explaining what had happened. Another sob clogged her throat.

“He reddened your behind, didn’t he?”

She nodded and looked at her knees again. “Aye.”

“What did you do to deserve that?” Wanda dropped at Tove’s side and brushed a strand of her hair from her cheek.

“I touched the banished queen’s dragon box.”

“Oh, dear, that would have made King Njal very angry. He believes it holds bad luck.”

“I know, but it fell. The boys, they knocked it off and…”

“Shh, my queen. It is done now. The king does not hold grudges. Now that you have taken your punishment you can put the matter behind you.” She paused. “Where is he?”

“He went to throw the box in the lake.”

“Best place for it.”

A cold draft whispered again Tove’s cheek.

“I have returned.” Njal’s deep voice rang through the room.

“My king,” Wanda said. “I have drawn fresh water for the queen to bathe. May I take her?”

He strode over and held his hand out to Tove.

She took it and he tugged her to standing.

“You have learned your lesson to obey me at all times?”

“Aye, my king.”

“Good.” He stroked her cheek. “Now, go and bathe, and when you return we will not speak of this matter again.”

“Thank you.”

Wanda tugged her away, as if keen to leave the room.

Tove was happy to go with her. Njal was still bristling with irritation.

“This way.” Wanda turned right from the Great Hall.

Tove shuddered and wished she’d grabbed a cloak. Snow was falling, swirling in the air as the wind whipped it into a frenzied dance.

But once they’d passed behind the Great Hall, Wanda ushered Tove into another room, warmth enveloping her.

“What is this?” she asked, coming to an abrupt halt.

Fragrant steam filled the air, making it appear foggy. A large, round wooden tub in the center was full of water. A pipe led in from one wall and out the opposite going through the tub. Fires crackled all around, pots of water hanging over several of them.

“It is a hot spring bath,” Wanda said. “All year round the water from the spring yonder is pumped into the bath and out. It means for warmth, I make it hotter by adding fire-boiled water.”

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