Page 67 of Mastered By the Viking King

“You mustnevergo onto the lake again.”

“I was… I was…” It was so hard to speak. “Knud, he went on it… he fell in, and I pulled him out.”

“I know, I saw. I was coming to find you when it all happened. Thanks to the gods that I turned the longboat around when I did—and that I declined Leif’s suggestion we drink mead for the rest of the day to console ourselves!”

“I am sorry that you had to see that.”

“Do not be sorry.” He touched his forehead to hers.

She breathed in his familiar scent.

“If you had drowned, I would have been the angriest Viking king to have ever lived. But you didn’t—and now, I am the happiest.”

She managed a weak smile, the shivers traveling up her spine finally abating.

“Better?” he asked.

“I think… so.” A final full body shudder overtook her, the water about her partially submerged breasts rippling with it.

“Oh, my love.” He kissed her forehead, then stood. “You are still too cold.”

She closed her eyes. Her body might have ceased its shaking, but her nerves were jangling. She thought of her father’s face again, how real he’d seemed when she’d been sinking into the blackness. Was that how it would be when her time really did come?

Would she go to him, to all the people she’d loved and lost?

“Here.”

A fresh burst of heat surrounded her feet once more, accompanied by the sound of pouring water.

Njal was adding more water to the tub. It was hot, the pail fresh from sitting over the fire.

“Oh, that’sgood.” She smiled at him. “Thank you.”

He finished what he was doing, then knelt at her side. “There is more water heating.” He stroked her wet hair.

“I am feeling better. Thank you.”

“Do not thank me for saving your life. It was a selfish act. I do not wish to be without you, my queen, my love.” His finger trailed down her cheek then traced her jawline. “If I were never to see your beautiful face again, I do not know what would become of me.”

“You would continue to be a fine king.”

“A lonely king, and with a heart beating without meaning.” He slipped his hand beneath the water and caressed the rise of her breasts. “You have stopped shaking.”

“Aye. I have. The lake was so cold.”

“It had stolen your breath, and it was taking you into its depths.”

“But Knud is well?” A sudden fear shot through her. “Where is he?”

“Shh, he is with Wanda—also being warmed.”

“He is unharmed?”

“Frightened, that is all. And he has learned his lesson not to go onto the lake before the nights are at their longest.” He cupped the underside of her right breast in his big hand, running his thumb over her nipple.

“A good lesson.” She sighed. “Though nearly his last.”

“I will always be in your debt for saving my son.”

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