Page 46 of Mastered By the Viking King

“I have never seen anything like it.”

“Nor have many people. King Njal had it constructed a few years ago, he likes to bathe.”

“So do I—but it has only been on rare occasions in the winter. Heating water in the longhouse was a lot of effort and the tub had a leak.”

“Now that you are queen, it is no effort for you—except to enjoy it.” Wanda secured the door closed then took hold of the hem of Tove’s tunic. “Let us get you undressed.”

“Thank you.”

Tove allowed Wanda to slip her clothes from her. When her bottom was revealed, Wanda sucked in a breath. “Oh, dear, my queen, that must pain you.”

“Aye.” Gingerly, Tove stroked over the sore skin. “It does.”

“I will add soothing herbs to the water.” Wanda picked up a jar from a shelf. “They will give you some relief from the pain the king’s hand has delivered.”

Tove sighed. “I should never have annoyed him.”

“No, my queen, you shouldn’t have.”

“Did he…?”

“What?” Wanda added a sprinkle of herbs to the water. “Did he what?”

“Spank the banished queen?”

“On occasion—but I fear he is being even more harsh with you.”

“Why?” She frowned. That didn’t seem fair.

“Perhaps he believes if he was harsher with his first queen, if he had demanded absolute obedience from the outset, she wouldn’t have done what she did.”

“You mean her having sex with a wanderer?”

“Aye.” Wanda shook her head. “That is what she did. She was lucky not to lose her head.” She held out her hand. “But come now, into the water, soak away your worries and pains.”

Tove took her hand and stepped in. “Oh, aye, it is warm.”

“And fresh, too. It is constantly flowing, so always changing. You are not in the water the king’s sons bathed in.”

“That is good to know.” She crouched down. When the water went over her rump she froze, wincing as it tormented her smarting skin.

“Keep going,” Wanda instructed. “I promise it will help.”

“What would have been best,” Tove gripped the side of the bathtub and sank deeper, “was if I hadn’t earned a spanking in the first place.”

Chapter 11

Aweek had passed since Tove had married King Njal and become his queen. After the spanking for touching the dragon box she’d managed to avoid another by being careful to obey his instructions and demands.

But that hadn’t meant their conversations about Halsgrof—and the people there—had been without debate. They bounced ideas off one another, enjoying the way their minds thought differently. Tove came up with an idea to create another pier so that the existing one wasn’t so crowded with longboats. Njal was keen to learn about her farming experience, and why the grains had spoiled.

She was surprised to learn he had sent willing villagers across the ocean to Wessex two summers previously. His travels there had led to a deal with King Egbert to farm some of his land—good fertile land, better than the fields around Halsgrof.

“And they have harvested?” she asked.

“Aye, they should have by now. Their days are warmer and longer in England, and a freeze comes later. I am looking forward to hearing how they have stocked. It is why I am anxious for my brother to return with news.”

She took his hand. “What will you do if he does not?”

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