Page 28 of A Viking's Captive

“Aye, but I do nae advise mothers to ride in the last month of pregnancy, even if healthy.” Their conversation turned to practical things and customs.

A short time later, Rathnon arrived. He looked bleary-eyed, like he had just awakened. He smiled at Ilona when he saw her sitting up and with more color in her cheeks. She slowly stood up to show her husband the progress she had made. He moved to take her in his arms but hesitated.

Liv said, “Ye can hug yer wife, but nae so tight as to cause her pain.”

Eager for his touch, Ilona wrapped her arms around her husband, careful not to put her arms so far around him that it pulled the skin on her back. Rathnon pressed a kiss to her forehead, resting his chin atop her head. Lightly, he placed his arms around her waist, below her injuries. Liv got up and poured tea for Rathnon and refilled Ilona's and her cups.

“Ye looked like ye slept for a short time. But it was nae enough for ye.”

“I slept a couple of hours, and it helped. But I worried about ye. I missed ye,” Rathnon said as he held her hand and stroked it with his thumb, reassuring himself she was indeed better. “How are ye?”

“I am better. But my back is still very sore, especially during the dressing changes. How is the bairn? Is he frightened of the bear and me falling over him?”

“The bairn is resilient and doing fine, thanks to ye. I ken he enjoys the special attention but understands what could have happened had ye nae saved him. A bloodthirsty lad, he wishes he could have seen me throw the ax and kill the beast.”

“I can imagine. I’m sure there are many other lads and warriors who have seen yer courage and fighting skills.”

“When can I bring her home with me?” Rathnon’s eyes were hopeful as he looked to Liv.

“Rathnon, I ken ye want her by yer side as soon as possible. She needs to stay here for a couple more days. The wounds on her back are deep. I need to change her dressings frequently and monitor the area closely for any infection.

“Ye want what’s best for yer wife. I ken ye wished she could stay with ye. Ye can sleep here with her if it makes ye feel more comfortable.”

“Thank ye, Liv. I will stay here with my wife until she comes home.”

“Ye ken, even after she returns home, she may nae be able to sleep on her back. It will be uncomfortable until it fully heals.If ye have questions about her recovery, ye can let me ken later. I’m going to eat my dinner and arrange for yer dinner to be delivered, I will leave ye here until I return.”

When Liv left, Ilona wrapped her arms around Rathnon’s waist and kissed his irresistible lips. “I missed ye, Rathnon.” Then she climbed him as he stood and wrapped her legs around his waist despite the skin on her back pulling, sending him a blatant invitation.

Rathnon held her carefully, and his body reacted immediately. To her scent, her kisses, and her wriggling next to his groin. Interrupted by a knock on the door, they separated. A lass delivered a heaping trencher of food and a jug of mead. Rathnon thanked her and placed the food and drink on the table.

He strode over to his wife with a twinkle in his eyes. “Now, wife, I ken ye were reminding me of my husbandly duties.”

“Aye, husband, I have urgent need of ye.” Rathnon laughed a hearty laugh. He accommodated her—several times. Then they ate their food by the hearth. Rathnon made tea for them.

Afterward, they sat in a large comfortable chair, and Ilona sat and straddled him. With his muscular arms around her waist, she laid her head on his chest. She inhaled his scent of sea, spruce, and spice and fell asleep.

Liv returned with another trencher of food. She put it in a pot over the fire. “Good, she fell asleep. It is healing to her. Ye can sleep like this if yer comfortable, or ye can move her to the bed. There’s a sleeping pallet next to the wall with blankets for ye if ye prefer. I am going to sleep now. And I am a very sound sleeper,” she said with a grin.

“Thank ye, Liv. I am grateful to ye.”

“My pleasure. Ilona is my friend too. Ye ken besides sleep, she needs ye. Tomorrow it would be good to bring the bairn and his mother to see Ilona.”

“I will arrange it. Good night.”

Rathnon fell asleep soon after Liv went to sleep in her bedroom. At least until the early morning hours, when thirst and the need to relieve herself awakened Ilona. Too much to resist, Ilona straddled her husband’s lap against a big bulge in his pants. He needed little coaxing to give her what she wanted, and she rode him fast until they both found their explosive release. Ilona fell back asleep moments later.

But Rathnon could not fall back to sleep easily. Concerned for her welfare, he worried how to keep his intrepid wife safe. He knew his time to be free from duties was drawing to an end. Rathnon couldn’t bear to think about leaving his wife behind while he worked.I failed to keep her safe here; far away on the high seas, how could I keep her safe?

He feared two-legged predators too.

Chapter 9

Duty Calls

The next day, Ilona felt less sleepy and more energetic. Liv reported her wounds had improved and there was nae sign of infection.

“If I keep ye here, ye and yer husband can enjoy more privacy than in the longhouse,” Liv said with a lilting smile.