Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

The sixteenth day of the men's sojourn on the island

Picking up the axe, Gunnar weighed it in his hand. He'd never before attempted chopping timber while in a sitting position, but there was a first time for everything. Frida had set up a stool at the wood stump not far behind the hut.

Meanwhile, Eldberg had come by, dragging a net of rough-cut branches, ready for splitting, and heaped them beside. He now seemed quite content with his position beneath the roof of Frida's sister, regaling Gunnar with his latest plan—to make themselves useful to the women in practical ways. Much tumbling between the bed furs was Gunnar's guess. He could but wish them well of it.

‘Twas no fault of his jarl that Gunnar's progress on that front had come to a halt.

Eldberg had concocted some scheme to bring water cleanly down the hillside, with J?rgen and Rutger aiding him. Gunnar had been keen to join them, but Eldberg insisted his blasted ankle wouldmake him more of a hindrance than a help, even with the crutch Rutger fashioned.

Frida bent to lift a hunk of timber into place. "Here, let me."

"Nay. None of that," Gunnar waved her away. "If I'm to do the job, let the effort be mine. My arms are fit for more than preparing vegetables for the pot."

Frida retreated, though only moving a small distance off. No doubt, she was waiting for him to make a botch of it so that she might step in and put things to rights.

It was an ungenerous thought and undeserved.

The maid had done naught to vex him besides refusing all attempts on his side to offer her the comfort of his body. Since the night upon which he'd given her a tumultuous peak, she'd scurried away like a frightened rabbit whenever he'd gone to embrace her.

What went on in her fair head, he couldn't imagine, for she assured him she was unharmed and had given every indication of enjoying his attention.

Having placed the timber squarely on the stump, Gunnar fixed his eye upon the spot he intended to aim for. ‘Twas a task he'd performed a thousand times, but a twinge of nerves struck.If the blade stuck in the wood, he might struggle to free it without two feet planted.

And she was watching.

Blast it all. Swing the thing and be done with it!

Gunnar gripped the handle, took the axe back in an arc, and plunged downward with all his might.When the block cleaved in two, falling perfectly to either side, he flashed a satisfied grin at Frida.

She looked duly pleased on his behalf. "A clean split!"

"‘Tis nothing." Nonchalantly, he tossed the pieces onto a separate pile and prepared the next hunk of wood. "I'll have you know, I'm accomplished in more things than brushing down a horse!"

"You've many skills, I'm sure." Frida was biting her lip again, a sure sign she had something to say that she wasn't yet up to saying. ‘Twas a wonder she didn't gnaw them off the amount of worrying she seemed to do.

I'd give her something else to do with those rosy lips if she would but let me get close enough.

"Like my sister… Hedda, that is," Frida added. "She's talented in many things, though best of all at hunting. She makes a trap that catches rabbits without hurting them, but she's also good with her arrows for the boar and roe deer.

"Useful indeed." Gunnar nodded.

And fortunate that this place has such animals for her to hunt, he couldn't help thinking. Perhaps they were native, or more likely, someone in times past had possessed the good sense to bring mating pairs to roam wild.

"All men should be able to wield an axe, of course," Gunnar went on. "And other weapons. Though I must admit to lacking much proficiency. My jarl would never have chosen me for this venture. My being here is quite the mistake, in fact."He proceeded to tell Frida of his wager with Rangvald and how it had landed him on the ship with hardly a moment's notice.

"I'm glad forit," Frida said when he'd finishedrecounting the tale. "That you came, I mean, even though the circumstances have been... that is, I know you have sorrow for the men lost that night. You must want to see more of your friends. ‘Tis only that some of our women are fearful of letting you gather too freely, in case of..." Her voice trailed off.

There was no need for her to explain.

The women of this place were right to exercise a degree of caution. Gunnar was aware of his jarl's intentions—to repair their ship so they might leave the island at the earliest opportunity. Moreover, to persuade a number of the women to help them row out. As to how the persuading would occur, he wouldn't put it past Eldberg to press that consent on the point of a blade.

His jarl was playing a cunning game of making the women believe he was content to live among them, making himself of service and bending to their rules. He'd take a different stance as soon as he had the upper hand.

Gunnar's yearning to return toSkálavík was strong, and ‘twas his duty to obeyhis jarl, but the matter did not sit well with him. He only hoped none would be harmed when the time came.

He'd already promised himself that no injury would befall Frida. She'd shown nothing but kindness, dealing calmly with all his moods. Those were not always patient, for thegash upon hisankle itched as it healed,and the bone beneath throbbed in the night.Despite the distance she put between them of late, he sensed her care for him.

Hadn't she just said as much, telling him she was glad he'd landed in her life?

But she was also a mystery.There was much she concealed—more than he did himself, he suspected.

Meanwhile, the matter of the island's menfolk sat upon his mind, for there was something odd in it. Eldberg had apprised him of some truths, elicited from Hedda, that an ailment had taken a portion, and the surviving men had made a journey afterward. There was nothing too unlikely in that except he would have expected some boylings to remain. All the children he'd noticed were girls. Only the babe-in-arms he heard ofttimes crying was male.

It appeared a full two winters had passed since their departure!

Whenever he questioned Frida about it, she managed to twist her answers. She was hiding something, though he could not fathom what nor the reason why. ‘Twould bring them closer if she no longer carried the burden of this seeming secret.

He laid the axe flat upon his lap.

"I'm glad, too, that the gods sent me here. I trust them, Frida. They've thrown us together for a reason, and I'm beginning to understand why."

She lowered her eyes. "What is it you think you know?"

"Only what your sister has revealed to my jarl," he continued. Now was the time to lay bare his hand in hope Frida would do the same.

"You need us." Gunnar spoke softly. "Those men of yours are two years gone; they won't be returning."

"We cannot know..." Her words sounded hollow.

"Your future is more uncertain with each passing moon. What prospect can there be without men? No more children, that's for sure."

She sighed deeply. "It is a problem for which Freyja has provided a solution."

"Is that all we are?" He pushed again.

"We need you to sire children, I won't deny it, but as to what happens afterward, it's still unwritten."

He couldn't tell if she believed that."You mean to use us," he countered.

Just as our jarl hopes to use you.

"When our purpose is fulfilled, what then?Are we to be dispatched in our sleep, or perhaps be given a sleeping draft, and cast adrift upon an outward tide?"

"Stop!" Frida'sexpression was anguished. "It isn't what I want. I only want a child and..."

"And you don't care what happens to its father?"The door had opened, and he couldn't shut it now.

"I do care."She looked at him beseechingly. "And I want to believe it will all come right, but I just don't know."

Her eyes had taken on that wild look. Not as frantic as they'd been on the night of their intimacy, but her agitation was clear. Still, he had the feeling that she was withholding something from him.

He was aware, suddenly, of how tightly he was gripping the axe's handle, his shoulders rigid with tension. Blowing out a long breath, he tried to relax. He'd get nowhere with Frida by showing his frustration.

What she needed was to feel safe, not for him to bully her.

"I'm willing to give you a child… or at least for us to try. A child who will be yours." He kept his voice low and steady. "But it isn't what I'd choose if there was the chance for more."

"More?" Her hopeful tone encouraged him.

"You know what I'm saying, Frida." Shakily, he rose, using the axe upon the stump to push himself upright. He wanted to close the distance between them and take her in his arms. He wouldn't let her pull away.In his haste, he forgot to bend for the crutch, which lay cast upon the ground.

"What are you doing?" Immediately, Frida was on her feet, rushing to bring him support.

It was her arms that came about him and he who held on fast.Her eyes were large, and she was trembling.

He let his breath touch her skin. "I want more than to be your lover. I would have the child be ours, and I would have you, Frida."

The words were honest. His life was a good one, but it had been better since Frida had come into it. The more he knew of her, the more he admired. If they sailed again, he'd urge Frida to return with him. Otherwise, he'd do his best to make this place a home for them both.

She nodded silently, though her tears were welling. "I don't know how this will be, but I want this, too."

He brushed his thumb to her cheek. "In this case, let me worship you, Frida."

Together, they returned inside, and he led her directly to the bed. When she knelt upon it, he seated himself close behind. Pulling her into his chest, he let her feel his warmth.

"Trust me." Lifting her plait, he nuzzled beneath her ear. He was going to do all in his power to make this first time between them pleasurable.He pressed his mouth to her nape, then traversed to her lobe, flicking his tongue, knowing she'd remember how he'd used his tongue before.

One arm he wrapped about her waist while he brought the other to the bodice of her gown. Pushing his hand inside, he cupped the soft mound. She inhaled sharply and arched a little, so his palm covered her more entirely.Nudging the sleeve from her shoulder, he exposed that curve to his eager lips and feasted more roughly there, letting her feel the graze of his chin.

She tried to twist about, but he held her as he wanted her. When he eased down the yoke of her gown entirely, exposing her to the waist, she dropped her head back, surrendering to his kneading hands upon her breasts.Where her neck met her collarbone, he grazed teeth upon her flesh, trailing his hungry caress to the outer curve and back again before ascending her neck.

His desire pressed hard to the base of her spine, ready to thrust and consummate, but he held himself in check, merely turning her to him to suckle where his fingers had teased.

She moaned as he bathed each sweetly aching peak in heat, and wove her fingers through his hair. With teeth and tongue, he imprinted his possession.

"Lie back," he finally commanded.

She bent her knees slightly in readiness for him, and he drew up her skirts, placing a hand upon each silken thigh, caressing as he had upon her breasts, stroking toward her woman's fur and away. He did not yet part her but let his fingers lightly brush her curls until he sensed she could bear no more.Then he delved into her outer lips to find the tiny swollen knot.

"You like this, dearling?" He knew it already by the way she was breathing and the returning press of her body against the pad of his thumb.He placed one palm just above her mound, massaging there as he worked her nub.

"Gunnar!" She tried to pull him by his ears.

"Too much, sweet one?" He kissed her belly, laughing softly, then relented, sliding downward to the opening of her sheath.His finger slipped easily inside, met by snug walls. She clenched him there, pulling him into her slickness, and his cock leapt to feel it.

He'd intended to make this last longer, but he feared that would be impossible. She felt too good, and he was only flesh and blood.

"See how this feels. ‘Twill be just the same when my manhood moves within you." He stroked back and forth."But bigger, of course," he added quickly.

"I know you shan't hurt me. Come inside me now. I want you."

Hearing her say it near pushed him over the edge. Swiftly, he unfasted the tie of his braies and pushed them away, so his thickness sprang up.

He hoped there would be many times ahead when he and Frida would join bodies, but this would be special because she would ne'er be the same afterward, and neither would he.

Briefly, he laid a hand over her stomach. "If it be Odin's will, the seed I plant in you shall be strong, and a handsome son shall grow here in your womb."

"Or daughter."

"Aye, that would do as well." He flashed a quick grin before moving over her, aligning himself to her groove. He hoped she was throbbing as much as he in anticipation of what was to come. ‘Twas a heavy, sweet yearning deep in his groin.

When he pushed his pelvis forward, she stiffened, staring at him fixedly, but he made a hushing noise."All is well."

He was upon his elbows, so as not to crush her.Easing forward a little, the resistance lessened.

She blew out the breath she'd been holding. "Is it done?"

He was taken aback for a moment. She was more unknowing than he'd imagined.

"The worst is past." He bent his forehead to hers, all the while holding himself still. "Kiss me now, for my body aches to move inside you, and ‘twill go easier if your lips are meshed with mine."

As she raised her chin, some instinct inspired her to lift her hips at the same time, and the motion was enough to slide him home.

Ahhhhh. Gunnar would have groaned aloud had his mouth not been occupied with Frida's.

She must have grown accustomed to the feel of him, for she let out a sigh that he recognized as pleasure more than pain, and her woman's channel gripped him.

"Yes, my beauty!" With the last remnant of control, Gunnar rotated his hips, connecting with the nub wherein her pleasure was most focused. Between times, he leaned in, taking short strokes.

He did his best to go gently, neither too fast nor too slow, but she was so hot and wet, and it had been so long since he'd bedded a woman who mattered to him.Never had he been so nervous nor so eager to please. Never before had he cared for any woman like this.

The truth struck him as surely as a kick to the balls.

I love her.

He was hovering on the brink, tingling all over. One more thrust and his legs began shaking. Then came the tightening of his testicles, and bliss speared his loins.

"Ahhhhh!" This time, the groan left his lips. He arched back, the rush of seed bringing with it the need to bury himself deeper.

Frida's feet hooked behind his knees. Her sheath was rippling, the tremors squeezing his length in a way that made stars flash behind his eyes. Frida's were tight shut. Her mouth gaped in surprise.

"Yes, my love, show me!" He went to kiss her.

That was when she screamed.