by Desconhecido
* * * *
Fridgeir turned back to his prize. He’d heard Eirik’s speech before about taming slaves. No one could tame them like Eirik. No doubt Eirik could get through to her—but do I have what she demands? Needs? A small knot of doubt formed, but he’d never been one to walk away from a challenge. He gathered himself and tried again. This time when she jerked away he flowed with her.
“Get off me! Don’t touch me, demon spawn!” She stretched still further away but the chain holding her wouldn’t let her get far.
He touched her again.
“Don’t touch me! Get your filthy hands off me! Cock-sucking man-whore, don’t touch me!”
The last sounded more like a plea than the earlier insults. Fridgeir tried to surround her with his strength but she’d have none of it. Unable to get away she turned on him. It seemed all thought of his warnings about hurting freemen fled before the near-insanity seething hot inside her.
“Don’t touch me with your filthy mongrel paws!” She struck at him but he deflected her blow.
He spoke her name softly and gently. His face echoed the sympathy and understanding in his voice. “Eireann—”
“Don’t! I don’t want your pity. Leave me alone!” She struck at him repeatedly, screaming and cursing him. He deflected her blows but made no effort to stop her. His gut told him she needed this, needed to express all the pent-up emotion from the horror she’d endured. “Demon-spawned man-lover! Cock-sucking goat herder!” Her voice slipped more toward tears and her curses trailed off, her blows became less strong.
“Why can’t you all just leave me alone?” She sobbed at last, her limbs shaking with fatigue. Tears flowed and he felt honored she’d shown him this. As hard as she fought not to break down it must kill her to finally let go.
Fridgeir pulled her exhausted body into his arms and held her like a child, rocking her and whispering little reassurances.
“It’s all right now. It’s over. Go ahead and cry it out. You’re safe now.” His strong voice and arms wrapped her in all the comfort he could give her. He knew she needed to let it out—painful as it was, the wounds had to be cleansed before they could heal.
* * * *
She fought the tears demanding to be shed. She had to be strong, strong for herself and her sister. She couldn’t give in, wouldn’t give in. She pushed weakly against Fridgeir's chest. But too long underfed and abused, her normal strength failed her.
“Let me go! Please, let me go! I hate you! Let go of me! You filthy demon. Let go!” Memories of men violently assaulting her rose. She heaved a sob, and despair and disgust rose to replace her anger. “Don’t touch me. How could you want to touch me? I’m so filthy. I can’t get it off. Get it off me, please get it off me.” At last tears flowed freely and sobs wracked her frame. He held her and rocked her gently in his arms. His head lay gently on top of hers.
“It wasn’t your fault. You’re not filthy, sweet wild one. What they did to you wasn’t your choice. It wasn’t your fault.” His soft voice wrapped around her like a comforting blanket.
One last time she tried to push him away. The last of her strength fled and all the chaos of feeling inside her rose to spill out in a torrent of pain. She sobbed and moaned softly, “Let me go! Oh, sweet mother, I tried to make them stop. I couldn’t, I wasn’t strong enough. I couldn’t make them stop. It hurt, sweet mother of all, why did they have to hurt me? Stop, please stop. I, I…couldn’t make them stop.” She sobbed so hard Fridgeir feared she’d pass out from lack of air. He held her and whispered gently to her.
“They’re gone. You’re safe now. Let it out, wild one. It’s all right to let it out now.”
She listened, startled as she realized his voice was choked with tears.
He continued the rocking and murmuring. “You’re not weak—you survived and you never gave up. Gods, woman—any other would have just curled up and died. But you kept going, you beat them. They’re dead and you’re still alive, and safe. No one will ever hurt you like that again.”
Her chest heaved as she sucked air between each sob. Her tears soaked his shirt and her bodice. Finally she grew still. She felt empty and yet a strange peace filled her. His strong arms felt both comforting and frightening.
Her tear-swollen throat choked her voice as she whispered, “I still hate you.” She made no effort to push him away again. “Demon spawn.”
* * * *
The last sounded almost like a pet name. Fridgeir sighed with some relief. Her will hasn’t died with her tears. He let her go and shrugged. “You aren’t the first to hate me, though it usually takes longer.” He smiled slightly. “And I’ll still hold you to your end of the bargain, slave.” He nodded meaningfully toward her sister, curled up in a tight ball not far away. He remembered what older and more experienced men had told him. “Never leave them thinking like a free woman, especially when you’ve just shown them great kindness and caring.”
She sniffed hard and wiped her face with her hand. “I’d expect nothing less from a savage Northman.” Her voice had steadied. “You going to beat me now for hitting you?” Her words sighed out on a tired breath.
Fridgeir smiled slightly. “Might depend on how cooperative you are later.” He watched her freeze for a moment before nodding acceptance.
Arinbjorn whistled and Fridgeir turned just in time to catch a wine bag. He took a swig then passed it to her. She downed a good bit before tossing it back. She turned to her sister. “Saibh, it’s all right. I’m all right.” Concern knotted her brow when she got no answer. “Saibh?”
Fridgeir rose and released the young girl’s chain. Saibh didn’t move until he set a hand gently on her shoulder. She bolted up and fled to her sister with a choked scream. Eireann wrapped her arms around the girl much as Fridgeir had held her. He sighed and stood to stretch out tense muscles. He watched as Eireann calmed the girl down. He could see it gave her strength. Will my wild woman ever be able to accept having bed sports with me? Will it kill her spirit if I force the issue? Gods above, will she be able to enjoy it with me? He knew as well as any that some women never recovered from being savaged. But she’s strong, isn’t she? He sighed and joined his friends. They said nothing, but passed him some wine. He shook his head “No.” He needed to find some clarity.
Fridgeir turned to Cedric. “I’d like to take a watch shift now. Let her get both of them settled again.”
Cedric raised a brow but nodded. “Fine, go relieve Asgeir, he’s up the creek about six paces from the edge of the woods. Fridgeir, you know the custom. Floki’s forced your hand.”
Custom demanded the winner make good his claim after a blood fight.
Fridgeir looked over his shoulder. She still held the girl tight in her arms, rocking her and talking softly.
“I know but I have until morning. In the meantime, I’ll keep watch and let her be.” He wasn’t letting on that he needed the time as much as she did. He needed to prepare himself to see it through. Some men found it easy—he didn’t. But something about this woman drew him as few had. And if I don’t make it good, Floki’ll take her and I couldn't stand that!
“Oh, and keep your mind on the woods!” Cedric added with mock sternness.
Fridgeir chuckled and headed upstream. He turned and called back. “Hey, Arinbjorn, keep an eye on them?”
His shield partner nodded.
* * * *
She looked up expecting to see Fridgeir but instead, his friend Arinbjorn sank down in his usual spot. She twisted around but didn’t see Fridgeir anywhere. Had her tears been too much for him? Did he think her weak and worthless?
Arinbjorn cleared his throat to get her attention. "He's on watch for a few marks tonight. Don’t worry, he’ll be back."
The sense of relief she felt surprised her. Why should I care if he comes back or not? Then again, I’d rather him than one like Floki. I’d best try harder to please him if I want to keep us both safe.
After a while Arinbjorn stood up and stretched. “Either of you g
irls need to take a walk?”
Eireann whispered to her sister who nodded.
“Yes, thank you,” she replied. She didn't know what to make of their alternating kindness and stern reminders they had control of her life. It surprised her when Eirik took her sister’s chain. What leader bothers with slave girls? Why has he agreed to protect her? Her preconceived notions about Northmen didn’t include charity or kindness. Or laws. Or gentleness. She felt lost, like she’d fallen into a world outside the one she knew.
Later, Arinbjorn went off to his sleeping spot. She watched him settle down and looked around for Fridgeir but didn’t see him.
* * * *
Fridgeir made his way a few lengths upstream. Moonlight filtered through rustling leaves, creating ghostly shadows under the thick canopy of oak, ash and beech. He whistled and Asgeir dropped down from the wide oak branch he’d chosen as a vantage point. A quick hand clasp and Fridgeir scaled the tree to the same branch. He scanned the forest as much with his ears as his eyes in the dim light. He sighed out a breath, letting go of the tension eating at him. Letting the peace of the forest fill him until nothing else existed. He half-closed his eyes to focus on what he could hear. The concentration it took pushed everything else aside. He breathed in the feel of the forest, the smells of trees, moist earth, the creek and faintly the salt smell of the ocean. The awareness of life moving about entered him. Life, but not men. He watched, waited and became a part of the forest.
* * * *
Just a couple marks before dawn, Fridgeir returned. The peace of the forest still filled him as he settled on his side, belly against her back. His senses, still tuned to the woods, filled with her scent, the sound of her breathing. He leaned closer and could hear her heartbeat. She’s not asleep! Good—at least I don’t have to wake her. He nuzzled his face lightly into her hair, taking in the scent of it. Its softness caressed his face. His hand trailed light as a feather down her cheek. Her skin feels so soft!
Eireann held still, uncertain what he was doing. His light touch tickled her skin without hurting her bruises. His hand continued down her arm in a gentle caress so light she almost couldn’t feel it. He set his hand over hers and closed his fingers so gently around it. She fought the brief panic from having his arm around her. He caressed the back of her hand then opened it to stroke the palm. It tickled and sent shivers up her arm, and a twinkling of desire budded into life. His body shifted slightly and lightly pressed against her back. His thigh caressed its way into the curl of hers so gently and nonthreatening. Her breath caught. The blossom of her desire began to unfold.
He focused on using his heightened senses to experience all of her. Her breathing changed, her heart sped up slightly. He smiled into her hair and let her response feed his own desire. He leaned just a bit harder against her, feeling her firm ass against his hardening cock. He trailed his fingers back up her arm and brushed her hair aside. He brushed the back of her neck with his lips, light as a butterfly’s wings. Her gasp and shiver of delight encouraged him. He kissed her neck a little more firmly. Her breath caught, then sped up. Good!
She’d been with other men but none had ever woken her body like this! His lips kissed their way along her neck to her ear. She shivered when he gently kissed along the rim then sucked the ear lobe in. Oh, sweet mother! She wanted more, much more. His hand caressed down her arm then jumped to her side and followed down her thigh. Her breath heaved and desire bloomed into full flower. Her sister stirred in her sleep, pulling her back to the here and now. She carefully rolled to her back hoping not to wake Saibh. Fridgeir lay on his side with a slight sexy smile on his lips. His hand caressed her chin, neck and strayed lightly over her breast then rested on the ground beside her. He leaned over her to kiss her. Her breath froze, she felt trapped! Terror replaced passion in an instant.
Fridgeir felt the change—she went stiff and her breath heaved in near panic.
He pulled back. “Eireann, I’m sorry,” he whispered softly, “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
She fought the fear. “No, I’m sure you just meant to make good your claim.” She couldn’t help cover her fear with the snide comment.
He stroked the side of her face again. “I thought you might be enjoying it just a little. And yes, that would be the point.” He didn’t rise to her bait and kept his voice soft, gentle, hopefully just a bit seductive.
She snorted softly and froze when Saibh stirred again. Her first instinct was to shove him away but he protected her sister. She swallowed it down. “Right here?” she whispered back. “In the middle of everyone? Practically on top of my sister?”
“If it makes you feel better, we could go behind one of the wind screens.” His finger trailed like the softest down across her jaw and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. The peace of the woods started to wear off. He sat quickly and undid the chain at her bound hands. He urged her up. She glanced back at her sleeping sister and found the courage not to fight him.
They went to the far side of the nearest wind shelter, a low, three-sided wall of stone. The nights had been so mild, no one had used them. He spread his cloak and drew her down. She couldn’t help the fear and loathing that filled her. He would take her, force himself on her and she had to let him. She tried to relax as she lay down. She pulled her skirt up but couldn’t quite bring herself to expose all of her body. She stopped at the top of her thighs. Her bound hands made it hard to unlace her bodice so she just untied it. She swallowed hard then raised her still-bound hands over her head and out of his way. She closed her eyes and waited, fighting the near panic that filled her.
It tore Fridgeir’s heart watching her prepare for him. The resignation that barely hid the fear in her eyes hurt. He rarely took slaves because he always had trouble with this part. He really preferred a willing woman. But law demanded he make good his claim or Floki could take her regardless of the exception. It would however, allow him some leeway in how he made good on it. He softly stroked her face again as he lay on his side next to her. She needed to know he meant her no real harm. He reached up and pulled her hands back down. She looked up at him in confusion.
He searched for the right words. “That’s not what I want, Eireann. Not tonight.” Soft as a feather he trailed a finger down her arm. He closed his eyes a moment and let tension flow out on his breath.
“You don’t want me?” she whispered in total confusion. “I thought you said you wanted to make good your claim? That means bedding me, doesn’t it?”
He opened his eyes. “Floki forced a fight, law says he can take you if I don’t. But there’s more than one way to do that. It doesn’t have to hurt.” He pulled her hands to his mouth and kissed first one then the other palm.
It sent delightful shivers down her back and a hint of desire budded into existence again. “What do you want? I don’t understand. I thought to claim me you have to spill your seed in me.” This is so confusing!
He smiled softly. “It doesn’t say where I have to leave it or even how it gets there.” He sucked a thumb in with a provocative raise of his eyebrows and wink.
“Oh.” She got it now, he wanted her to suck him off. Normally she wouldn’t hesitate. She actually enjoyed it, normally. But opening her mouth that wide would hurt with her split and swollen lips. And she hated not having the choice to have sex with him or not. Despair rose with icy fingers, gripping her inside—but she couldn’t give in. She wanted to get it over as soon as she could, before she broke down again.
She rolled over and reached to undo his pants, a task made far more difficult with her hands tied.
He stopped her. “Slow down, relax a bit. You might even enjoy it just a little.” He ran a finger softly along her hairline and tucked the stray strand back behind her ear. His finger trailed lightly down the outside rim of her ear. She shivered slightly. His finger continued down her neck, so light it tickled but also sent tingles of delight shivering through her. How does he make me respond like this? Part of her gloried in it, another part resent
ed it. I don’t want him! Northern demon!
He watched odd emotions flickering across her face. He leaned in and brushed her swollen lips very lightly with his. It sent fire to his loins and for a moment, he saw it answered in hers. He made sure not to trap her this time.
Words tumbled out of her in a hurried whisper. “Why don’t you just take what you want? I won’t fight you, I’ll keep my word. Please you, if you just tell me what you want. You want me to suck you?” She set her hands on his chest, urging him to lay flat. Loathing herself for what she had to do, hating him for making her. It showed briefly in her face as her hands traveled lower again and stroked him through his pants.
His breath caught and his eyes closed as desire flared higher in him. She pressed against his side and stroked him firmly. He stifled a moan of pure pleasure.
“Easy there, wild one!” He took her hands away again and kissed both palms. “I told you I don’t like it fast.”
Anger flared. “You’d be the first man ever!” She wanted to get this done. Conflicting emotions roiled inside her—not the least of which was her own attraction to this man she wanted to hate.
He reached to stroke her again but she pulled back. He tried to figure out where things had gone wrong as she struggled to unfasten his pants.
She stopped in frustration. “This would be so much easier if you let my hands loose!”
“Remember what happens if you run or try to rip my balls off.” His tone only sounded half-joking.