“You will be punished. You can expect no less.”

“Njal. I am sorry.”

“Words are not enough… and I don’t believe you are sorry.” He continued to drag at her clothing, ripping it with haste.

Tove’s stomach churned. She’d never seen him so angry. She’d been a fool to think she’d get away with letting a stranger into the Great Hall.

Cool air washed over her bare skin. He gripped her wrist and dragged her to the table of treasures.

In one fast movement he cleared the surface, swiping at it with his free hand. An empty horn, an earthenware bowl, and a comb clattered to the floor, spreading wide. A mug of mead splashed up the wall.

“Bend over.”

He didn’t wait for her to do his bidding. He pushed her to the cold surface, flattening her breasts with the weight of his hand upon her back.

“Oh… please, no…” she gasped, her bottom tingling already.

“You should have thought of the consequences,” he snarled by her ear. “The consequences for your rump!”

He swiped it, hard, with the flat of his hand.

She jolted forward, biting on her bottom lip. Heat flared, her sex clenched.

He stooped and retrieved something from a basket beneath the table.

Her breath caught. “No, not that… Njal. My king.”

“You will take what I give you, and you will learn this lesson.” He held up the flogger, one used for stubborn horses whose will would not be broken. It was a stick bound tightly in leather; the leather was then split into many strands, each one a whip.

“You will wish you never set eyes on the wanderer.”

“I already wish that! Please, I’m sorry, I…ah!”

He brought the flogger down on her ass. It created a shockingly hot sting that had her rising onto her tiptoes and tears springing to her eyes.

“It’s too much…” she gasped.

“It is what you deserve. Take it.”

He brought the flogger down again, layering up the pain. Her spine arched and her cunny quivered as her sweet spot rubbed against the wooden table.

A tear escaped, running swiftly down her cheek. How would she stand this searing heat? There was no escape; he had her pinned down, she was no match for his bulk.

“Your bottom will be on fire by the time I have finished.”

He flogged her again, and again. Each strike had her crying out and jolting forward.

A dampness formed between her legs, slickening her thighs. The high-pitched crack of the wicked leather hitting her flesh rang in her ears as her body danced in pain.

She thought briefly of how humiliated she’d be if anyone walked in now and saw her, the queen, naked and bent over, her bottom being so severely punished with something that was meant for animals. The image filled her with mortification and shame, tears welling in her eyes.

“Oh, please, Njal, no more!” She could hardly speak for sobbing.

Thwack.

Thwack.

Thwack.