Page 30 of Haakon's Fate
“I know,” Gytha said.
Was that regret in her voice? Perhaps, but he decided not to dwell on it. Haakon stood up, panting hard, making sure not to look at her.
“Stay here. I’m going to see what’s happening with our friend.”
9
“Gytha, dear God, what is that? What happened to you?”
Her father ran to her as soon as he walked through the door. Gytha stilled, relief flooding her veins. What a lucky escape she’d just had! Had Haakon not decided to be reasonable and put an end to their fiery kiss, it would have turned into much more. She had been so full of need she would have let him take her where they were, on the chair in the middle of the hall. Then upon his return, her father would have walked in on her?—
With her clothes ripped and impaled on Haakon’s cock.
Lord, had he truly said those shocking words to her? And had her core really pulsated in response? Yes. And yes. What was worse, she had wanted him to do just that, rip at her bodice, take one of her nipples in his mouth and slide so deep inside her she wouldn’t know where he started and where she ended.
She realized her father was still waiting for her answer. Pushing thoughts of Haakon from her mind, she took in a deep inhale and started, knowing he wouldn’t like what she had to say. “Oswald?—”
“What? Where is the man?” her usually calm and collected father roared. “Howdarehe? And how did Alfred not stop him?” Yes, Gytha had wondered the same thing. Where had the guard charged to stay at the door overnight gone? He was usually a reliable man. “Oh, I will rip Oswald’s guts out for hurting you so.”
“No need. He’s already been knocked out cold, and will probably rethink his actions when he comes to.”
The deep voice reached Gytha from behind, making her shiver. She turned to see Haakon stride toward them, intent etched all over his face. What had he done to Oswald now? Why would the man think the better of bothering her when he woke up? Once again she lacked the courage to ask. It was better not to know.
“I knew I should have made it clearer to him he was never to approach my daughter ever again,” her father said between his teeth. “Like a fool, I hoped he would be reasonable, accept defeat and go back home. Thank you, Haakon, for doing what I should have done.”
“’Tis nothing.” A wave of the hand. “I came early to speak to you about our visit to the slave trader and heard the commotion in Gytha’s room. I’m sorry to say I arrived too late to stop the bastard from hitting her, though.”
The anguish on his face was not feigned. He really blamed himself for the blow she’d received. But she did not. Oswald was the only one responsible. No one had made him hit her. She also noticed Haakon had not mentioned the fact that he had actually arrived last night and waited for her in her room, or what had happened the first time Oswald had been knocked cold. She was grateful for his discretion.
The less her father knew about the events of that day, the better.
“It will heal, it’s not a problem,” she murmured.
That was where Haakon didn’t agree. The bruise would heal, she was right, but it was still a problem. A problemhewas responsible for. He should never have left her alone while Oswald was in the house.
He was wondering what he could do to make amends when the opportunity was handed to him by none other than Elstan himself.
“Seeing as you’re here, would you mind staying another night?” he asked, looking slightly uncomfortable at having to ask for a favor moments after thanking him for having come to his daughter’s aid. “After what happened I don’t want to leave Gytha alone, but I had promised to go to?—”
“Of course,” Haakon instantly replied, glad to be given a second chance to prove his worth. “You do what you need to do. Another night, or even more if you want.”
Anything to make amends for being such a short-sighted bastard. He didn’t need to hear what Gytha’s father had promised to do, he only needed to know that there was something he could do to help.
“Right. You and I will dispose of Oswald, and then you will tell me what transpired at the slave trader,” Elstan instructed. The concerned father once again looked like the reeve in charge. “We will also need to find out what happened to the man at the door. This is most peculiar.” He turned to his daughter. “Go wait for us in the room at the rear, if you please, while we get everything back in order.”
Haakon could tell Gytha would have refused but was too exhausted and overwhelmed to protest. Not only that, but she probably didn’t want to be in her room while the man’s foul smell lingered.
He could not blame her.
“So. The slave trader.”
Yes, the slave trader. Haakon cleared his throat. This should be what he focused on, instead of wondering how Gytha was faring after the events of the morning. Their argument, Oswald’s assault, their fiery kiss that could have turned into so much more.
If we don’t stop right now, I’m going to rip your clothes off and impale you on my cock.
Oh, Steinar would be pleased with that one. Very subtle. It was a wonder she hadn’t fled screaming. And what her father would say if he knew what he had told his daughter didn’t bear thinking about.
Haakon cracked another nut before answering. It would not be a pretty tale and he was glad Gytha wasn’t there to hear it. His crude declarations were one thing, but he would hate for her to hear what he was capable of with men. No, not men he amended. Animals. The trader and his son and been nothing more than vermin without conscience and he couldn’t regret putting an end to their miserable lives.
