“Ulrick, this is thrilling.”
“You’re not afraid?”
“Not at all. Magnus helped me. He explained why I was scared, and I’m not anymore. I feel wonderful.”
“I’m so pleased,” Ulrick said with a wide grin. “Thank you, Magnus.”
“I’m glad I could help.”
“How long will it take to reach your shore?” Ailith asked as Ulrick stood beside her and placed his arm around her shoulders.
“That depends. If we have good wind and clear weather, about two nights and three days. If we run into a storm and have to veer off to take shelter, obviously the trip will take longer. Sometimes we can pound through bad seas, sometimes we can’t. We’re at the mercy of the gods, and this time of year the trip is unpredictable.”
“Because summer is becoming winter?”
“That’s right. It’s the same when summer is fading. The skies are unsettled, and the wind and rain batter the sea.”
Closing her eyes, she lifted her face toward the sky. The salty breeze swirled around her, and the sun kissed her skin. Inhaling a deep breath, she slowly nodded, then turned back to face him.
“Not anymore,” she murmured solemnly.
“What’s not anymore?”
“The weather will no longer be unpredictable, at least, not if I’m with you, and I can promise it will be clear for the rest of our journey.”
“Is that right?” he said with a chuckle. “Did you hear that, Magnus?”
“Indeed I did, and I believe her.”
“Magnus, I realize she has unique talents, but knowing whether or not a storm is going to kick up is highly unlikely, especially during the change of seasons.”
“Excuse me,” Ailith piped up, tilting her head to the side and looking up at him with mischievous eyes. “Why don’t we have a wager? If I’m right, you have to be extremely nice to me for an entire day. You can’t scold me or give me orders, and you’ll present me with a special gift.”
“That’s quite a wager,” Ulrick replied with a grin. “What do you think, Magnus? Should I take her up on her offer?”
“You’re on your own with this one, and if you’ll excuse me, I’m going down below to find something to eat. I’m suddenly very hungry. I’ll see you later, Ailith.”
“Bye, Magnus, and thank you again!”
As he gave her a smile and a nod, then ambled away, she felt enormous relief. She didn’t just have an ally, they were the same.
“If we’re going to have a wager,” Ulrick said, breaking into her thoughts, “tell me what I will win when you lose.”
“When I lose?” she said with a laugh. “What do you want?”
He paused, then lowered his mouth to her ear.
“You will tell me one of your secrets,” he whispered. “Do you accept?”
“I do,” she said happily as he straightened up, “and I’m looking forward to my gift. Um, one of your men is coming over here,” she said abruptly, seeing a warrior striding toward them.
“We just passed the head of the cove,” the warrior declared as he approached. “Do you want to drop Gander’s body here?”
“Yes,” Ulrick replied briskly. “Bring him to the side.”
“What’s going to happen?” Ailith asked quietly. “Is there a ceremony?”
“Not for him,” Ulrick said grimly. “When we arrive home I’ll tell the clan what happened, and give his sword and shield to his family. If anyone wants to pray for his soul, that’s up to them, but I won’t. If you think this will be upsetting you should join Magnus.”
“Doesn’t he want to be here?”
“As far as he’s concerned, Gander is already gone. Watching the body fall into the sea means nothing. My men will be bringing it now, so if you want to leave...”
“I want to stay. Gander was such a beast to me, I need to see this,” she murmured with a frown. “It will feel final for me.”
“Ah, yes, I understand,” he said softly, then seeing his warriors walking toward them with Gander’s body, he gestured for her to stand aside.
Stepping backwards, she watched him march to the edge of the boat and take Gander’s body into his arms.
“You were a traitor and a coward,” Ulrick exclaimed. “Not even the sharks will feed on such a foul creature.”
With his men shouting insults and condemnations, Ulrick tossed the corpse over the side.
A gust of wind suddenly blasted across the deck.
Closing her eyes, she breathed a quick, quiet prayer.
“Whatever demons made you as you were, I pray they will leave you now, and may the gods offer you peace.”
Letting out a sigh, she lifted her gaze.
The air settled around her.
Her soul had been soothed.
“It’s done,” Ulrick declared, walking up to her. “I have to return to the sail. Stay away from the sides, but otherwise feel free to wander and explore.”
“I think I’ll go through the trunk Ekrem gave me. I still don’t know what’s in there.”
Ulrick smiled.
“That’s a very good idea, and Ailith,” he said, lowering his voice, “try on every garment, then select your favorite. When the sun sets you’ll wear it for me.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ulrick and his warriors were elated. As the day passed, the wind increased, and the boat flew across the water. If there was no inclement weather to impede their progress, they’d arrive in the morning, not late afternoon. Though he couldn’t spend much time with her, Ulrick had kept his eye on Ailith, and she appeared to be enjoying every minute. If she wasn’t moving around the deck, she was either sitting at the front of the boat gazing ahead, or chatting with Magnus. Whenever she waved at him, in spite of being in sight of his warriors, he waved back. When the sun began to sink into the ocean, she disappeared into the cabin. His manhood stirred at the thought of what might be waiting for him.
The men would usually bring up their oars late in the evening and rest, but eager to return home, and with the strong breeze to aid their efforts, they chose to take shifts. Half would continue to row, while the other half slept. Before heading off to join Ailith, he walked among them, offering words of praise and encouragement, then hurried down to the cabin.
But as he pushed open the door, he caught his breath.
His small, dark room had been transformed.
The soft amber glow of three rawhide lanterns made it cozy and inviting. He’d only used the small flame in the dish, and assumed Ailith had borrowed them from Magnus. With his night vision failing, the older man had many in his cabin.
Glancing across at the roughhewn table, he found it covered by a red and silver cloth. The bowl that usually sat in a corner and was barely used had been placed in the center with a water container. A gray fur had been draped across the lone chair, the chest of clothes sat against the far wall, and the pile of pelts had been heaped over the pad Ekrem had given him.
Stretched out on her side waiting, Ailith wore a sheer, pink, shimmering garment with no sleeves to cover her arms. The amber light from the lanterns made her skin glow golden, and her honey-colored hair was no longer tousled, but smoothly falling across her shoulders.
His cock surging to life, he hurriedly pulled his tunic and the shirt beneath over his head, but rising to her feet, Ailith quickly stepped up to him and took his hands.
“Please, Master,” she softly murmured, “will you allow me to finish undressing you?”
Though he longed to throw her down and ravage her mercilessly, he was captivated at the thought. Nodding his agreement, he let his arms drop to his sides. As her nimble fingers unknotted the cord around his waist, his trousers fell around his ankles, leaving his stiff, naked cock exposed. But before she could crouch down and remove his footwear, he hastily pushed the shoes off his feet.
Stepping out of the pants that had puddled around him, he moved his hands to her breasts, kneading them through the flimsy fabric as he lowered his lips to hungrily s
uck on her neck. She carried an aroma that smelled soft and sweet, reminding him of flowers on a summer day. The fragrance fed his arousal, but just as he was about to sweep her up and carry her to the pelts, she abruptly dropped to her knees and wrapped her fingers around his rampant member. Letting out a low groan, he stared down at her, feasting his eyes on the salacious sight. As if sensing his gaze, she tilted back her head and gazed up at him.
“Does this please you, Master?”
“Very much.”
“And this...?”
Opening her lips, she slowly engulfed the head of his shaft.
Energy surged through his loins.
Questions flashed through his head.
But her warm, wet mouth made it difficult to think...
There were women in his clan who did such things, but it wasn’t a common practice, and surrounded by their dancing shadows flickering against the walls, he wondered if he was dreaming.
As she pursed her lips and increased the speed of her bobbing head, a second wave of fire fueled his arousal. He caught his breath, and for a moment he thought his cock might suddenly erupt. Her fingertips tickled his heavy sac. It was no dream. Her warm, wet mouth and lapping tongue was hurtling him into a climax.
“Stop!” he managed, his voice a deep rasp. “Crawl to the pelts and lie on your back.”
“Didn’t I please you, Master?” she murmured, lifting her eyes.
For a moment he was tempted to change his mind and let her continue, but he wanted more. He wanted to utterly consume her.
“You did,” he grunted. “Soon you’ll do it again, but now you’ll crawl to the pelts, lie on your back, and show yourself to me.”
Immediately dropping to her hands and knees, she turned and scrabbled the short distance to the new bed. Stroking himself, he eyed the decadent sight of her full backside wiggling beneath the transparent garment, then watched her lie down and spread her long legs.
Her exposed womanhood sent fresh blood rushing to his cock, but as he was about to pounce on top of her and thrust himself home, a sudden thought came to mind.
“Bring up your knees and rub yourself until you climax.”
His instruction evoked a loud gasp, and staring up at him with wide eyes, she pressed her fingers against the small nub nestled between her pussy lips.
Positioning himself on his haunches between her milky thighs, he stroked his swollen member as he watched the prurient play. Her moans suddenly became gasps, and her erotic massage more aggressive.
Fiercely stroking his cock, he sent his gaze to her abundant bosom rising and falling beneath the sheer fabric. As his long arm stretched across her body and pinched a nipple, she let out a high-pitched cry.
“You must stay quiet,” he warned. “Your wails will be heard.”
“Ooh, yes, Master,” she whimpered. “I’ll try, but I... ooh, Master...”
Her body suddenly writhed beneath him.
His sharp pinch had sparked her orgasm.
Quickly covering her mouth, he muffled her first wail, but the sight of her convulsions was catapulting him into his climax. Stroking furiously with one hand, he tried to keep his fingers over her lips with the other, but as the potent explosion ripped through his body, he lost his balance.
His hand flew from her mouth to the side of her head to catch himself.
A euphoric cry escaped her lips.
Quickly dropping his head, he consumed her mouth, diving his teeth between hers as his violent climax continued—but as abruptly as their spasms had begun, they ended. Flopping next to her, panting and drained, he closed his eyes and took in long deep breaths.
Time passed, though how long he wasn’t sure, but he felt her leave his side. Slowly opening his eyes, he saw her naked in the amber light, standing at the table dipping a cloth into the bowl. Mesmerized, he watched her wipe her face, then her breasts and stomach. Rinsing out the cloth, she moved it down her arms and between her legs, then lifted her gaze to him.
“May I wash you, Master?” she murmured softly, her lyrical voice floating through the air.
Not wanting to speak, he wordlessly waved her over, then immersed himself in the glorious vision of his nude girl gently moving the damp rag over his manhood, then wiping his hands.
His heart had never felt so full.
Coming fully awake as she returned to the table, he sat up and leaned back against the wall.
“Ailith, are you cold?” he asked, noticing her puckered nipples and the goosebumps on her skin.
“I’m beginning to feel that way,” she replied, stepping to the chest and lifting the lid. “Ekrem has given me so many lovely clothes.”
“After what you did for him, he should send you ten more trunks filled to the brim. Find what you’re looking for, then come and sit with me.”
Slipping into a dark blue velvet robe and tying it around her waist, she settled beside him, resting her head in the crook of his shoulder.
“What you did when I came in,” he began hesitantly, searching for the right words, “how did you know about that?”
“You mean, taking you into my mouth?”
He nodded.
“It was a vision,” she replied. “As you walked in the door it floated through my head. I knew it was something you wanted, something you’ve been thinking about. At first I was afraid, but then it felt like the most natural thing in the world.”
He frowned.
“Don’t worry,” she added hastily. “I don’t always know what you’re thinking, it’s just sometimes—when it’s important.”
“I’m not worried. On the contrary, I have a critical job for your special gift—if you can manage it. Ekrem confirmed my suspicious about Gander. He was put up to his treachery by someone else, and that person has to be one of my advisors.”
“How many do you have?”
“Three. It’s hard for me to know which of them sent Gander down his traitorous path. Like most men in power, they each have their own agendas, but this...” he muttered, shaking his head.
“So—that person wanted Gander to take your place and rule from the shadows?”
“I’m afraid so. Gander would have taken the glory, but also suffered the consequences if things went bad. Ailith, I must find out who wants me dead.”
“How can I help?”
“If we were together with the three of them, would you be able to sense which man is guilty?”
“I’m not sure,” she said thoughtfully. “I almost always know when someone is lying, so if you were to ask them a direct question I’d probably know if they’re telling the truth, although,” she said, tilting her head to the side, “if you discuss what happened with them, I’d be able to sense how each of them feels about it. Picking up emotions is easy.”
“Excellent. As soon as we arrive home I’ll call a meeting. While we’re talking, you can serve us food and drink. Will that work?”
“That will work,” she replied with a smile. “I’m so happy to do this for you.”
“I suspect you’re also happy because your shining talent will be treasured, not scorned.”
She nodded, then let out a sigh. “For so long I lived with angry stares and people gossiping about me. I knew so many things that would have helped people, but I couldn’t tell them.”
“Those days are over,” he promised, putting his arm around her. “I may not have your gift, but there are times I can sense the future too, and I see great things in store for you. Truly great things.”
He’d meant every word.
She would be more than his wife.
She would be his soothsayer, his truth monitor, and his secret weapon.
“Now I need to go on deck and check things,” he said, releasing her and rising to his feet.
“Ulrick, what will you do to this man if I know who he is?”
“That depends. Why?”
“I was just thinking, you’ll need more than my secret say so, or he’ll figure out it was me. Word could spread and people wi
ll be wary of me from the start.”
“You’re right. I’ll come up with something.”
“Or I will,” she said with a grin.
Grinning back and shaking his head, he pushed through the door and walked out on deck. Embracing the chilly ocean air, he looked up at the moon glowing bright in the clear ebony sky.
“Do you like what Ailith did to your cabin?” Magnus asked, unexpectedly appearing next to him.
“Very much,” Ulrick replied. “Thank you for the loan of your lanterns.”
“Keep them. I’m getting bigger ones. I’d rather have less of them that glow more, but what’s troubling you?”
“You know me so well. It’s Ailith. She’s going to help me uncover who sent Gander to intercept Ekrem’s envoy.”
“Tread carefully,” Magnus warned solemnly. “If you want to use her gifts, that’s fine, but it can’t be known, at least not right away. You’ll put her in mortal danger.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Ailith’s prediction proved to be correct. Fine weather blessed Ulrick and his warriors for the entire journey home. Standing on deck as the boats rolled onto a sandy beach, she was amazed by the throngs running down to the water’s edge. With Ulrick too busy to be at her side, Magnus stayed with her to view the crowd.
“I’ve never seen so many people,” she exclaimed, watching the horde welcome the warriors as they left their boats.
“Many of the men are married,” Magnus replied. “Even if they’re not, they still have loved ones who have been worried about them.”
“Ulrick told me he lived in a busy place, but I never imagined this. It must be so crowded.”
“We don’t live close to our neighbors the way people do in a small village like yours. We have land around our homes, and the clan is scattered throughout the settlement.”
“How will I ever remember all their names?”
“Ailith, stop worrying. Your introduction will be gradual.”
“I hope so,” she said softly, turning to face him. “I’m not used to being around a lot of people.”
“Ulrick will take care of you.”
“Yes,” she murmured, taking a deep breath. “Ulrick will take care of me. Magnus, why did he spend so much time on deck after our first night? I’ve hardly seen him.”
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