One Year Later
"Reyher, its time," Helga called from her place in the boat as she accepted a couple of baskets from Floki.
Reyher stared at Bonnie with big sad brown eyes. Over the past year, they'd become inseparable. It still amazed Bonnie, Reyher chose to remain with Floki and Helga rather than sailing back to the Mediterranean with Bjorn. Yet Marvel's Odin's sentiment said it best, home wasn't a place, but the people who filled it. Over time, Helga and Floki had become Reyher's people. Her home. Not that she could ever replace her parents, but sometimes one had to build a bridge in order to survive a flood. Arm in arm, Bonnie walked her to the boat.
"I shall miss you, Bonnie," she said, stopping next to Helga.
Bonnie grinned, and then pinched her cheek. "No, what you'll miss is my LA Banks' Vampire Huntress stories."
"I'll long for those as well, but overall I shall grieve for you more," she said, while glancing down at her feet.
A grin twitched at the corners of her mouth as she dragged Reyher into a hug. "Don't worry, Captain Marvel. You and I will see each other again. On that you have my word." She whispered next to her ear. After she released her, she pulled Helga into a hug.
"Something deep within speaks of my place being in the ground, but a stronger voice says I've been given a rare gift by my Supreme and I'd do well not to squander such a fortune," Helga uttered next to her ear. "And I won't. Floki, Reyher, and I will discover this new land in the name of the gods. We shall restore faith where hope no longer dwells."
"All of my faith is in you, Helga. I have no doubts that you'll make the Goddess proud," she said, before releasing her and stepping back.
Floki wrapped up his goodbyes with the brother's, and then moved to stand in front of her. He smiled down at her, before releasing a high pitched tinkle of a laugh. Without warning he snatched her in a hug.
"You're the best of us all, Bonnie Bennett of Mystic Falls." He tightened his hold around her. "Not only has it been a pleasure knowing you, but it has also been my privilege. There's not a day that passes, pride for you doesn't light me up as your sage and even more as your grandfather."
Tears distorted her field of vision. "Your Abbey's dad." She nodded as she sniffled through a laugh. So many times over the passing years she'd sensed the truth, but she'd always give her suspicions to the impending rising to solve. Now there were no more impending tomorrows for them for a long while to come. Only the here and now which would soon slip away with the departing tide. "I knew that…I knew that. I also know you're the one who gave Ivar the root that helped him steal me from Bjorn."
"Ack," he scoffed as he waved her off. "And you're better off for it. You never wanted to return to the Mediterranean. Besides, your place is at Ivar's side, not Bjorn's." With that said he kissed her forehead and turned to climb in the boat.
"Be like Damali, Bonnie," Reyher said as Floki helped her unto the boat. "Always stand for what you believe in even if it places you at risk of standing alone. Just as it did when you defended and freed the chosen women of Algeciras. For that Allah is with you," she said as her chocolate browns bore into hers. Bonnie nodded. "He told me to tell you so."
This snatched Bonnie's attention, but before she could question Reyher of her meaning, Floki had begun to row away from the shore. She cast a quick spell of protection over them and said a silent prayer to the Goddess they'd soon meet again.
"Give me two more," Bonnie demanded.
Ivar took two more assisted lunges, before he lowered himself back to the ground. "He spoke to me as if I were no more than an idiot. Right there before you, Hvitserk, and members of my guard."
"You can't take it as a slight against you," she tossed him a towel to dab the sweat from his face, and then kneeled next to the sports bag at her feet. "Ubbe is only tired of fighting. At this point, all he wants is some land to farm and a family to raise. War mongering for fame doesn't interest him."
"You speak as if you and his interests align," he snapped.
She rolled her eyes as she began packing up his make shift PT bag. "Would you care if they did?" She asked without sparing him a glance.
"Of course I'd have a care. You are My-,"
She raised a hand to halt his words. "Just stop, please! If I were your love, then you'd treat me as such. I'm only a factor for you when it's time for your physical therapy. Other than that, you forget I'm alive." Slinging the duffle bag over her arm, she stood.
"That's not so," he said watching her with a thrown expression. "You're the reason becoming somewhat whole is of great import to me. For even if I'm only part whole, then at least I'm able to somewhat justify my claim to you. People won't believe us as unmatched as Sigurd declared us to be before one and all."
She dropped the bag back to the ground and knelt beside him near the boulder. "Babe, Sigurd was only being an ass in defense of me. He knows better than anyone how well matched we are."
He turned to stare into her eyes as he placed a hand on her thigh. She smiled and kissed his cheek. His mystical blues rolled away. "Yes, but you still do not desire me." With that he flipped himself over and slithered off.
She watched him go, wondering how the hell he scaled her attitude and beat her getting mad? What the hell did he mean she didn't desire him? She did…didn't she? Well probably not in the way she lusted for Ubbe or the same primal chemistry that overtook her at the oddest times with Hvits. Yet, she wanted him, right? Maybe the whole Madonna/Whore complex had gender swapped on her and dropped kicked her in the back of the head. Did she elevate Ivar as some type of paragon, because she saw him as her young innocent mate? Even worse, did she sexually objectify Ubbe, Hvits, and Bjorn because she saw them only as good times waiting to be had? Oh, Goddess! How sick! When did she become the sleazy producer whose most cast role was, stud muffin doing push overs on the casting couch?
"Bonnie, are you well?" Hvitserk paused in his trek across the camp to study her. His gaze trailed over her face down to her Nike tee, before coming to a hard stop at the crotch of her spandex tights. "C-Can I make you an offering?"
Her good-good practically leapt in her La Perla's for the possibility of some sexual healing. Holy testimonial hell! She squeezed her eyes closed. See! Why couldn't her body react this way to Ivar? "N-No, maybe when we get closer to York, Hvits."
He nodded before continuing on in his trek. Her head dropped back against the boulder as a sigh dropped her shoulders. Over the past year the urges for him that had always gnawed at the back of her mind now steadily approached full grown. Just looking at him these days made her nipples hard and her clit throb. It had been a year since she and Sigurd had given unto each other. How the hell would she survive their separation?
Bonnie's stomach flipped. Everywhere she turned each scene flashed before her sight worse than the last. Torment, torture, rivers of blood, and death. On repeat it played until York and Algeciras morphed into one. She had to physically stop Hvitserk from literally dragging a nun to her own raping. Yet Ivar loomed a bigger nightmare than him. He actually put a priest to death by melted gold. Melted gold! Had she not interceded and blocked the priest's mind, he would've known a living agony even the Christian hell wouldn't have been able to afford him.
After it was all fought and conquered, she'd felt filthy. Her lingering feelings of disgust had nothing to do with the dirt, grime, and blood caked upon her battle leather. No, the unclean she felt dwelled beneath the surface of her skin and stained the depths of her soul. Oh Goddess how was this her path? Those people were innocent.
She staggered from the church. The distant trickle of water collided with her ears. Salvation beckoned to her just beyond the blood stained gates of York. She followed the undeniable pull into the forest. A short while later she came upon a brook concealed by a canopy of trees. Without command her sorcery oozed from her. The golden mystical energy entered the brook in thick fog like billows. In mere minutes, the water shone like a CGI master piece. The surface sparkled as if it basked in direct sunlight. While the crystal clarity of the brook allowed her to see all the way to the bottom. Wisps of steam rose from its depths, extending an invitation she'd gladly lose a hand to accept. Damn near ripping away her battle attire, she rushed into the water. Immediately, calm descended upon her.
"How do you always manage to discover flowing water wherever you go?" Ubbe questioned as he stepped from the dense brush of the forest. He began to undress as his sky blue gaze remained trained on her.
She turned to float on her back. "Because it calls to me."
"I saw your face during the battle," Ubbe entered the water, bare, ripped, and hard just as she always preferred him to be. "Admit it, his deeds this rising sickened you as well."
"No, I didn't care for the brutality inflicted upon the people of York," she said, her gaze fixed on the gray overcast clinging to the sky. "But Ivar's still young with a lot to learn. A lot I do in fact intend to teach him. You just need to have more patience with him, Ubbe. Your anger and lashing out at him will solve nothing."
"Yes, but how many will perish before he understands wars aren't ones claim to fame. Battles should only ever be fought in the pursuit of peace or the maintenance of it," He said, with so much passion the veins in his neck and forehead rose.
"Oh," she rolled in an upright position, so she could peer at Ubbe full on. "Look who's gone and went left on me. What happened to the selfish Ubbe who believed he deserved everything simply because he was the second eldest son of Ragnar?" He scoffed. She swam over to him to search his features. "Hmm, at some point I must've blinked, because now before me floats a man." A sad smile claimed her mouth. Timing was everything and theirs had always been a second or two out of sync, making almost their running theme. "This is the Ubbe I should've given my heart to, I honestly believe he wouldn't have broken it."
He cradled her face in his hands and pulled her to him. "This Ubbe is more than capable of searching out and securing every one of those million dreams for you, Valkyrie."
"You're married, Ubbe," she whispered as he rested is forehead on hers. "I can't disrupt the covenant you created with another. It goes against everything I stand for as a woman and your Supreme."
His deep penetrating stare punctured every barrier or inhibition she thought to hold up against him. "In the name of the All-Father and on my sacred arm ring,"
"Ubbe, no!" She snapped, placing a hand over his mouth.
He removed her hand. "I renounce my matrimonial vows to Margrethe, former witch and slave of Kattegat. From this day forth, she shall no longer be known as my wife." Bonnie felt the covenant between he and the Hollow's impotent vessel break. "There it's done. Now, will you bathe and groom me?"
"This is it, Bonnie! Come," Ubbe said, grabbing her by the hand and damn near dragging her across the courtyard. She glanced back at Hvits, who just shrugged. "He cannot continue to make decisions without consulting us first. Especially, these sorts of decisions which affect the lives of everyone here."
"He's angry and hurting, Ubbe," she said, practically jogging to keep up with his long strides. What the hell did he expect Ivar would do when he found out about them? Wish them well? Throw them a damn engagement party? No he did what Ivar did best. He shut them down and froze them the hell out? Now the only thing left for them to do was put on a damn coat and wait his ass out. "We've blindsided him and I warned you this would happen. So, now we should give him time to blow himself out."
"Valkyrie, we can't give him even a second and well you know. English soldiers have been sighted sailing up river. They'll be here in a matter of a rising's time." He raised her hand to his lips and placed a kiss to the back of it.
"I don't fault Ivar," Hvitserk said, giving her another one of his hateful looks. "You led him to believe he was the sole keeper of your heart. Yet, your base actions proved you as a falsehood teller. For you have no heart!" He spit at her leather Louboutin's combat boots and she had to count to five to keep from going apeshit on his dizzy ass.
She pinched the bridge of her nose to offset the pounding in her temples. "Ubbe, you better get him!"
"Not now you two. Let us settle Ivar, and then we'll correct whatever the conflict is between you both," he said with a distracted raise of the hand.
As they attempted to approach Ivar's quarters a line of warriors with shields stepped in their way. A frown buckled her brows. "Move."
The warriors glanced at each other, then stepped back to let them pass. As they entered a blast of intoxicating pheromones dipped in the most potent untapped mystical energy she'd ever encountered slapped slob from her senses. The sorcery even surpassed Ragnar's by leaps and bounds. It slithered around her and tugged her toward the source. Ivar sat in a chair bare chested leaned over a table while receiving an old school back tat. He appeared more man than she'd ever seen him, and he dehydrated her on the spot.
He glared up at them. "Ubbe, Hvitserk, and Bonnie," he spit her name from the clench of his teeth. "What do you think of the fortifications I've made to the city?"
"I think if you are to make decisions such as these which affects us all, we should all be included from the beginning," Ubbe said, pulling her towards a bench to the right. "And why do you need personal warriors? They appeared minded to halt our advancement had Bonnie not accompanied us."
She tuned out Ubbe when Hvitserk brushed pass her. He bypassed Ivar to go make nice with a tankard of ale. Bonnie's eyes rolled. Oh good Goddess! Al-Anon here she comes. "Isn't it a bit early in the rising to start turning up bottoms, Hvits?"
"And isn't it a bit late to feign as if you have a care?" He asked before turning up his cup.
She once again pinched the bridge of her nose as Ivar and Ubbe argued about Ivar's inability to play well with others. The pounding in her head had reached an all-time high. She hadn't had an offering in months. Not since Hvitserk discovered she'd decided to give Ubbe another chance. Although, Ubbe would be more than willing to sustain her, she didn't want to jump back in with him. This time they'd both agreed to a slow courtship. They barely even kissed because she didn't want to get swept away by the physical. She needed to rebuild her trust in him again and she couldn't do so if thigh shaking orgasms clouded her brain.
Yet looking at Ivar and drowning in his untapped sorcery was like putting a shit ton of red in front of a raging Spanish bull. She had to have him! Oh Goddess she had to have him! Her gaze drifted from the beautifully chiseled cut of his face to his ripped to perfection lean muscled arms. She sank her teeth into her bottom lip.
"Bonnie!" Ubbe bellowed at her back.
"Hmm, what?!" She blinked once, and then twice.
When awareness reinstated itself, she noticed Ivar watched her with a pensive narrowed stare.
"Come, we must prepare for the approaching army," Ubbe held out his hand to her, reluctantly she took it and started to follow him out.
"Bonnie?" Ivar called after them. She paused to turn and look at him. "Forgive me for missing our last two gatherings. I'm over my anger, will you consider helping me once more?"
Her head bobbed. "Of course."
"Thank you, My-," he raised a hand and smiled, while even chuckling a bit. "Bonnie, Thank you."
As they walked out Ubbe wrapped an arm about her waist. "What do you think? Do you believe him?"
"Yes, he never lied once," she said, while allowing her gaze to drift over the bustle of activity. "But make no mistake, he doesn't see you and Hvits as his equals either. There can only be one HVIC and he's clearly distinguishing himself as such before the sight of the warriors."
"HVIC?" Hvitserk questioned as he fell into place at her side.
"Head Viking In Charge," she said without sparing him a glance. "See if you would've spent more time learning with Ivar, Guthrum, and Hali and devoted less time into running up in Margrethe, letters from the alphabet would be familiar to you."
Hvits' face crumpled as his mouth opened.
"Then what should I do?" Ubbe asked guiding her into the main hall away from Hvitserk. He more than likely attempted to avoid another one of their verbal knock down drag sessions.
"Ubbe, being leader of this army is not what you want," she pulled him further into a quiet corner away from a still lurking Hvitserk and a throng of others milling about. "Why're you attempting to remain responsible for something that is only going to keep you from doing what you really wanna do."
"Ivar has the mind of a babe. Abandoning an entire army in his charge will provoke consequences I'll not have on either of our head." He palmed her cheek and rested his forehead on hers. "Soon as I can disband this army the sooner we can journey away from these lands and discover our place in this world, together."
Bonnie glanced around the early century bedroom. She dropped the duffle bag she carried in a chair as she tried to understand why Ivar had one of his personal warriors lead her to his private quarters. For the last three sessions they'd trained in the courtyard. So, why the change? A moment later the door opened and he slithered in.
"What's this about, Ivar?" She questioned, while dropping down on the foot of the mattress. "Why'd you wanna meet here instead of the courtyard?"
He slithered over to climb on the bed. "When did you accept your last offering?"
"Why is that important?" She shifted in her seat. The thought of accepting an offering from him incited her magic. Every nerve ending in her body sparked like gunplay on New Year's Eve.
He dragged his index finger up her arm. "Because when you don't receive offerings as deities should it weakens you, My Love. I'll not have you harmed for being too exhausted to lift a sword. This may not worry Ubbe, but as we both know I am not Ubbe." He placed a hand on her thigh. Her breath caught. "Allow me to make an offer."
"I-no," she shook her head, before jumping up and running from the room.
For the next few days she went out of her way to avoid the temptation she'd come to know as Ivar. Initially, it worked. She was able to get around running into him. That was until the Blacksmith informed her he'd completed the hardware she'd designed for Ivar's legs. Though he damn near sent her hormones straight back to puberty with all the feels, grabs, and squeezes he'd copped, her pride at seeing him stand for the first time overshadowed her instinctive urge to mount him. And not just mount him but ride his boneless ass like a horse that refused to be broken.
After she had him on his feet she was able to keep her distance. That was until one of his warriors practically begged her to attend Ivar in his throne room. His throne room! Aggravated and feeling a little more than alienated from those she had no reason to be at odds with she stormed into the so called throne room. Ivar sat in a chair, looking as beautiful as ever, but also extremely lonely. Her rage from moments before dissipated.
"Yes, Ivar?" Her voice left her lips, defeated. Yet, resolved.
Before his eyes even sighted her his face glowed from the sound of her voice alone. Goddess she missed him but being with him would spell disaster for her and Ubbe. Yet the guilt she felt for craving Ivar still drove a wedge between she and Ubbe. It had been risings since they'd last spent any real time together. The only brother it was safe to be around was Hvitserk, and he wasn't fucking with her riding or walking. Something or someone had to give, before she broke and all of her well meaning efforts tumbled down.
"Have you pondered my offer since last we spoke?" He straightened in his seat.
She folded her arms across her chest and glanced away. "Yes, and I appreciate the offer, but I must decline."
"May I ask…" his words trailed off as his gaze drifted to a spot just pass her shoulder.
Bonnie turned and came face to face with one of her many anxieties. Freydis. One of the reasons she'd decided to fall back in with Ubbe. She'd seen the warning carved into the wall the moment Ivar's interest in her began to fade. She remembered his mother's words and knew that their time together was strapped to an ever ticking countdown clock. She considered the now slave and future queen of Kattegat. This was Ivar's Margrethe. The beautiful blonde bowed to her, but Bonnie only stared in turn.
"Slave, do you know who I am?" Ivar questioned, his gaze visually superglued to the woman.
"Of course," she said with a healthy amount of reverence. "You're Ivar."
"Ivar?" He scoffed and that's when Bonnie felt the first crack in her chest. "Is that it?"
"No, Ivar the Boneless," she answered.
Bonnie cast her gaze to the ground. Why the hell hadn't she kept her heart off the table? Now there she stood watching the man who held her heart lose his to another.
"You don't seem afraid of me." Confusion faltered his speech and riddled his tone with seeds of insecurity.
"No," she stated without a hint of deception in her voice.
"Any rising now a large Saxon army will attack our gates. So we need a sacrifice which will appease the gods. Are you willing to be this sacrifice to ensure the protection of our people?" He leaned forward to rest his arms on his knees.
"I'll do anything you ask me to," she said in a bold as shit invitation.
Bonnie's eyes rolled close to imprison the tears which threatened to fall. Why the hell was she still standing there? She spun on her heel to leave.
Too caught up in his next mistake he hadn't even realized her impending departure. "Bonnie will you excuse-,"
"I'm already gone," she tossed over her shoulder never missing a step.
Bonnie lingered in the watchtower with Ubbe, Hvitserk, and Ivar. She'd not spoken much to any of them since the night before. The appearance of Freydis reminded her she had to stop looking at the brothers as her valued possessions. Neither of them belonged to her. Except maybe Hvitserk and she'd rather trade him in for a vibrator with a lifetime supply of energizer batteries. Her gaze drifted over Aethelwulf and the future king and prince. Both boy's energy called to her, but she ignored their draw. Since she hadn't had an offering in months she couldn't afford to become distracted.
Ivar touched her hand to capture her attention. "Would you like an offering, Bonnie?"
"I don't want anything from you, Ivar!" She looked to Ubbe and Hvitserk. "Are we doing this?"
"Come," Ubbe said hurrying out of the tower.
Bonnie attempted to follow him down, but Hvitserk tugged her out of the stairwell into a narrow hall. She split her lips to question him and he shoved a bloody wrist into her mouth. In zero point one seconds her magic went from out to lunch to, it's whatever, ready. When she took as much as she possibly could without hurting him, she healed him and opened her own wrist. Once he had his fill of her wrist, he moved on to devour her mouth. He lifted her up, pressed her back into the stone wall, and ground himself into her. The solid bulge pressed at her center motivated her to wrap her legs around his waist.
"Hjarta, we must seek our leave. I can hear the battle's already begun," he whispered as he pounded and rolled his hips slow in a jarring but intoxicating rhythm.
Reluctantly, she unwound her legs from around his waist. He sucked her lips a little longer before releasing her. "Try to remain unharmed, my beautiful berserker," she pecked his lips once more before descending the stairs two at a time.
Once outside, she yanked her hood over her head and went to work. Not long in the battle she came across the future king pinned down by one of her most skilled and talented warriors. Just as he was about to drive his blade in to Alfred's chest, her sorcery halted the blade.
"Erik, I'll handle the would be king. Go see to Ivar, he's gonna attempt to ride his chariot through the battlefield," she said, stepping from the horde.
"Yes, Supreme," he bowed to her before scurrying away.
Alfred hurried to pick up the sword he dropped and aimed it at her chest. "If you run me through, then you're gonna be on your own and that's gonna drive your chances of survival down to negative zero."
"A zero can't be a negative," he responded, his tone abrupt and matter of fact.
She cocked a brow. "Do you want my help or not?"
His glance darted about the battle. Everywhere his stare landed the bloodshed and gore of his countrymen met his sight. When his gaze rediscovered hers he nodded once. About damn time! She inclined her head, and then huddled him close to the buildings and walls to keep him hidden from prying eyes. It wouldn't do for any of her warriors to witness her coming to the prince's aide.
As she guided Alfred towards the passageway in the back she saw Aethelwulf and Ethelred pinned down in a corner under a pile of bodies. They appeared to have created themselves a hiding place of sorts out of the dead. Well at least they weren't stupid. A smart captain knew once the ship went down there was no longer need of his services. And let there be no mistake in interpreting the picture, it was just a matter of time before their ship greeted the bottom of the ocean.
Squatting down next to where the king and prince hid under a pile of bodies, she whispered. "Follow me if you don't have a mind to die this day. This offer expires now," she said, moving back to position herself over Alfred.
Not questioning her motives, they abandoned their place under the bodies and hurried after her. Minutes later they appeared at the passage way that would lead them out of York.
Alfred turned to her, "Thank you, but why would you help us?"
"I gave Ecbert my vow that I would," she said.
Aethelwulf's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?" He snatched her hood from her head. Sucking in a shit ton of air, he took a step back while placing his hand on the hilt of his sword. "You're their Goddess!"
She shook her head. "I'm not a Goddess."
"She's no more than a girl," Ethelred said as his wide stare raked over her features.
"She's no girl," Aethelwulf snapped. "She doesn't age. Years ago when we first fought against these heathens, she appeared as such."
"Go and don't come back here. This way will no longer be open," she turned to leave, and a hand grabbed hers.
Alfred held her hand in a firm grasp. He leaned down and kissed the back of it. "I owe you the greatest debt for saving us, and I swear to repay you for the kindness you've shown this day."
Bonnie nodded, and then turned to leave.
"Do not make such promises to heathens, son," Aethelwulf scolded him.
Ignoring his father, this time Ethelred called out. "What is your name?"
She spun to face them. "I'm Bonnie Bennett of Mystic Falls."
"Once again we were victorious," Ubbe said, as he pulled her from her seat on the table into his lap. "Now is the time to make peace. What do you think, Valkyrie?"
"I'd love nothing more than to make peace and settle this land for your people." She kissed his lips. "I miss Guthrum, Hali, Asa, Torvi and even Wilbur. Yet, even in the midst of all my homesickness, I know now is not the time for peace. Yeah, we may have won the battle, but the Saxons are gearing up for war. They won't call for peace talks until their asses have one foot back in the same swamps they came crawling out of."
"Heed the counsel of our Supreme, Ubbe," Ivar said as he limped his way into the hall. "She speaks without error."
"I don't need you co-signing for me, Ivar," she snapped, refusing to look in his direction. "You can save all that pandering for your prehistoric groupie."
"Bonnie, may we speak?" Ivar's tone softened.
"Like we spoke last night, hmm?" She snapped, not here for his me against the world down trodden attitude. "What, you plan on calling me all the way to your throne room again and dismissing me before we have a chance to talk for the next thing smoking? Talking about, may we speak?" Hvitserk's brows shot into his hairline as his stare shot from her to Ivar. "Hell no we may not speak! You can just limp your ass to Helheim for all I care and jump in one of those vats of fire."
Ubbe's head cocked to the side as he stared up at Bonnie. "We should speak about what we're to do about the Saxons," he said in a deliberate tone.
"Yes, you two talk about that and let me know how it goes later," she hopped out of Ubbe's lap and stomped off to her room.
Hours later discovered Bonnie still awake and pacing holes in the plank floors of her room. Every time she calmed herself enough to lay down and rest she thought of something else Ivar had done. Those thoughts only ended up starting the cycle all over again. After the fourth time of laying down and jumping back up she concluded that she wouldn't get any rest. At least not until she unloaded some of the burning animosity off of her chest. Stuffing her feet in her slippers and wrapping a robe around her nightie, she stalked the hallway to Ivar's room.
As she approached the two warriors glanced at each other and stepped apart to give her access to his door. She wasted no time pounding on the damn thing. When he snatched it open, a scold darkened his features until his mystical blues crash landed on her. A grin nearly ripped his face apart as he opened the wooden barrier wider.
"Please come in, My Love," he said in a soft tone that reminded her of Ragnar.
She brushed pass him with her nose aimed at the ceiling. "I'm not here so that you may speak to me!" She snarked in a tone reminiscent of his. "I'm here to do the talking and to inform you that, I'll be sailing back to Kattegat to await Bjorn's arrival. He want be back for at least two more years, but I figure I could get some reading done. Hell, I may be able to get started on installing indoor plumbing."
"That's a horrible plan, My Love," he said, while undoing the belt on her robe.
"And I don't remember asking your opinion," she snapped as she shrugged off her robe. "I'm merely informing you of the things I'll be doing instead of watching you fall in love with someone who isn't me."
"Impossible," he mumbled as he pulled himself up on the bed. His gaze remained glued to her navy lace La Perla nightie.
"Yet, your eyes said otherwise. Oh, and what happened to her being sacrificed to appease the gods?" his eyes jumped from her nightie to meet her gaze. "Humph, she tells you the same things I've been telling you for years and not only did you not sacrifice her, but you also freed her." She began to pace again. "But when I spoke to you of how great you'd be one day you were ready to burn me as a witch in the center of Kattegat."
"Come to me, My Love," He held a hand out to her. "I have no interest in other women. The slave girl further proved this to me."
She folded her arms under her breasts as she side-eyed the hell out of him. "How so?"
"I allowed her to sit on me without clothing, touch on my prick and I even permitted her to place her lips on mine," he said with an arrogant smile that brought Bjorn to mind.
"You Boneless Bastard!" She spun around to leave.
"Nothing happened, My Love," he hurriedly called after her. "My prick didn't rise as it often does in your presence, my heart didn't attempt to flee my chest, and not once did I lose my breath. You are the only woman who's ever provoked these changes in me. All I ever ponder as of late is being with you…being inside of you."
Her hand fell from the knob. She spun around to gauge his expression. His eyes bespoke sincerity and heat. She wondered if he wrestled with the same fever she had for the past few weeks. Crossing the room, she closed the distance between them. When she stepped within reach, his hands slid under her nightie to rip away her lace thongs. No longer prohibited by them, his fingers began to explore. The pad of his thumb stroked her clit, while his middle finger played in the wetness at her opening. Her knees shook. It had been a minute since she'd been touched there.
He pulled his hand from between her legs and placed his fingers under his nose. As he inhaled, his eyes rolled closed. "Sigurd was right. You don't smell of the sea." He stuck his fingers in his mouth and hummed. "Will you sit on my face after you sit on my prick?"
"Goddess, yes," she leaned down and devoured his mouth.
When she tasted herself on his tongue, she deepened the kiss. To remove the danger of her nightie being torn, she snatched it over her head and tossed it to the side. Once her breast were freed, he latched on and went to town. He licked and sucked as if he expected her nipples to start spurting milk. She never thought lactation manipulation would get her off, but he had her moaning and groaning her way to a major blow out.
Unable to continue feeling him through his trousers but not feeling him, she began ripping at his pants. When she liberated his leaning Pisa of an erection she wanted to scream like she had the winning lotto numbers or the golden freaking ticket. Jackpot! All senses even the common ones flew out of her head. She dropped down on that thing like she'd been dropping down on it for years. Wrong motherfucking answer!
Had just one common sense remained in her mind she would've remembered she was a virgin. Hell, they both were. She attempted to jump up, but Ivar grabbed her waist and held her in place and began to drill her from the bottom as if he'd been dropping it in her for years. The pain brought tears to her eyes. All she could do was hope it would end soon.
"Ooohh, Bonnie My Love! Ooooh! You're so tight and hot. Oooh All-Father what is happening? What's this fee-ugh," He squeezed her to him, and jack rabbited the hell out of her until his movements slowed and eventually stopped.
"Oh thank Goddess!" She groaned.
He'd damn near ripped her in two. That was the last thought she had before sleep took her under.
Amazement had become a constant companion to him since Bonnie Bennett entered Kattegat's great hall. Yet, amazement alone couldn't convey his feelings on what they'd shared. He knew he'd been rough with her and she hadn't enjoyed their coupling as much as him, but when he entered her a pulsing surge within overtook him and pilfered his control. He was loss in a sea of sensations he'd never experienced. Her hot wet tight sheathe unmade him. Into what? He knew not. He, however, felt his priorities shift and his motivations refashion. His goals and aspirations always included her. Their coming together only strengthened his resolve to have and hold her.
She shifted and released a breathy moan into the bed furs. He placed a hand on her back. Her face turned towards him and her movements settled. He could only stare. Even in slumber she remained the most stunning beauty he'd ever sighted. And she worried over another claiming his affections. Impossible. She was his love. Yes, the slave girl was beautiful in her own right, but attempting to compare her to Bonnie was like trying to liken a lit wick to the blazing sun. No other woman could rival her within his sight or for his regard. She held his love, just as he was the keeper of hers. It mattered not what other men believed themselves to be to her. For fate and her heat would always bring her back to him.
A knock sounded on the door. He closed his eyes and exhaled. "Yes?"
The door opened. Thoron stepped inside the quarters and pointedly kept his gaze trained on anything other than Bonnie's bare back. "Your brothers have returned from the Saxon's camp. Ubbe's been beaten and all of the warriors who accompanied them were killed."
Rage rolled through him. Odin's eye! Why didn't his brothers ever heed his counsel? Ubbe no doubt went to the Saxon camp in search of peace and land. Instead, he was met with brutality and humiliation. His error in judgement showed him as weak. It showed them all as weak! Enough was enough. It was now time for Ubbe and Hvitserk to accept him as the rightful leader of their army.
"Inform my brothers that they are to await me in the great hall."
"Our father…our father would've hated you for asunder and splitting his family," Bonnie heard Ubbe say as she made her way to the chapel of the castle.
She ran the rest of the way, entering the large room in time to hear Ivar say, "I don't think so."
She burst into the side doors not far from where Ivar sat on the podium. When his gaze landed on her the smirk melted from his face and his mouth snapped closed. "Why didn't you wake me to tell me Ubbe and Hvits were attacked. That sons under my dominion were dead," she wailed, and her bellow provoked the walls to tremble.
"My Love-,"
"Just don't," she raised a hand to wave off whatever he thought to say.
She halted in front of Hvitserk and Ubbe. Her gaze scanning both their faces. Cataloguing every bruise, open wound, and burst eye vessels. Hvits appeared unharmed, but it appeared as if someone had pounded on Ubbe's face like a drum. Her heart swelled in her chest as her vision blurred. While she'd been cheating with his brother, he'd nearly been killed by the very Saxons she'd helped escape. She reached up and cupped his face in her hands.
"I'm well, Valkyrie." His arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her to his chest. "The sight of me is far worse than it pains me I'm sure. Now come, we must gather our things. We'll be returning to Kattegat on first tide."
"My Love," Ivar's voice met her ears in a soft timbre.
Bonnie's gaze dropped from Ubbe's. "Give me a moment to speak with him alone." She turned her head to glimpse him over her shoulder. "Please."
Their eyes locked and held for a moment. His jaw clenched, but he inclined his head in a nod.
"Bonnie?" Her name fell from Ubbe's lips, reluctant and unsure.
She turned back to him with a sad smile fixed upon her mouth. Reaching behind her, she clasped hands with the hand he placed on her waist. "Come on, let's go get you healed. You too, Hvits. I wanna get a closer look at you."
She guided them both from the crowded chapel to the hall that led to her private quarters. Once inside, Ubbe spun her to him when she moved to grab a dagger.
"What has happened?" He demanded, his sky blues stretched wide and discerning as they searched her face.
She inhaled, and the dam broke. Guilt ran down her cheeks salty and wet. "I'm sorry, Ubbe." She whispered, hardly able to meet his eyes.
"Why do you weep?" He cradled the sides of her face as the pads of his thumbs attempted to dry the wetness on her cheeks. Confusion squinted his stare, and mere seconds later realization flared them wide. His head swung from left to right before the word crossed his lips. "No…no, Bonnie. You couldn't have…but he can't…it's not possible-," he shook his head as if to shake away a mental picture or thought. He pressed a kiss to her lips. "It matters not. My love for you is greater than any transgressions or misdeeds you may have committed with Ivar. I forgive you Valkyrie-,"
"No, Ubbe," she protested between sobs as she tried to pull her face from his grasp.
He held firm. "Yes! Just as you forgave me for my many betrayals with Margrethe. Now gather your things, so we may be done with Ivar and this place."
"I'm sorry, Ubbe," she said again, this time forcing herself to meet his gaze. "I'm so sorry for hurting you. Regardless of our past, I didn't set out to get even with you. More than anything, I wanted us to work this time, but I guess some things aren't meant to be."
"There are no need for these words, Valkyrie. For I'll not allow Ivar to rip you away from me. I'll not lose you so carelessly this time," he attempted to kiss her again, but she stepped out of the circle of his arms.
"Ubbe, can you not see?" She sniffled as her eyes pled for understanding. "I'm already lost to you. We're already lost to each other. I can't leave him!"
He through his hands in the air. "Bonnie, Ivar doesn't need or want us here. He's no longer my crippled younger brother you felt obligated to dote upon. He's a man you've given the ability to stand, he'll get along well enough without you."
"But I need him! I want him! I love him!" She bellowed from the bottom of her lungs. "There is no other for me, but him and I see that now. Leaving these shores without him, would be like dying without the oblivious outcome of a faithless death." Sucking in a shit ton of air, she took a second to temper the surge of her emotions. After a moment of checking herself, she exhaled and began again. "A rising will come when a vow I've given will tear me from his side, but this rising is not that rising. When you depart for Kattegat, you'll do so without me."
Pain rippled over Ubbe's marred face. Though marred he was still unquestionably one of the most beautiful men she'd ever seen. Aside from his father, who was in fact the most beautiful man she'd ever seen. For several long moments they stared at each other. Both remained silent in their contemplation. A sea of unspoken words drifted between them, dividing and separating them better than an actual ocean ever could. He lifted his hand to touch her once more and must've thought better of it, because his outstretched hand clenched in a fist. Choosing to leave well enough unsaid, he turned and stalked out the room.
Hvitserk stood a couple feet away wearing an expression she couldn't quite read. After how he'd reacted to her and Ubbe's reconciliation, she expected him to show his ass, but he gave her nothing. Not even an eyeroll for her unexpected confession. Like Ubbe, he too turned and left without a stuttering word to explain his presence or departure.
Hvitserk stood on the ship next to Ubbe with his gaze still fixed on the shore. Bonnie stood next to Ivar as he railed on about them slipping away as cowards when he'd had prior knowledge of their departure. Yet, his thoughts were not on Ivar or his witless words, but on his hjarta who lingered at his side. Unease crept in his chest. Since he'd decided to return to Kattegat with Ubbe distress lived and thrived within him. He'd not been separated from Bonnie for any length of time since her arrival on the shores of his homeland.
"Place the oars in the water!" Ubbe shouted, before turning to smile at him.
His gaze shot to Bonnie's. The sorrow on her face confused him. She didn't appear the sight of a besotted woman. In verity, she looked as though she grieved. Would she long for Ubbe so that she'd take for granted what she shared with his younger brother? He searched her wide verdant gaze. His world stopped spinning. For the despairing plea in her eyes was not for Ubbe, but an appeal for him. Her silent cry implored him to remain at her side. To stay even when she offered him nothing of note for which to stay behind. The bid resonated in his soul until it swelled in his heart and echoed off the walls of his mind.
One of the seaman began to pull anchor. Panic overtook him. He turned to give Ubbe a look besieged with apologies. Then not likening one thought with another, he jumped out of the boat. Moments later Bonnie filled his arms. Her face buried in the crook of his neck, as her body clung to his.
"You didn't leave," she whispered into his hair.
He inhaled her, taking her scent in and allowing it to soothe him. "How could I when leaving you would be like dying without the oblivious outcome of a faithless death." She leaned back and they shared a smile before he rested his forehead on hers. "Moreover, tell me what man can subsist without his heart."