Her Gilded Firebird: Book Three in the Norse Warriors series

by Susannah Shannon

  With cheerfulness she did not feel, she said, “I will find something to do with myself.” A servant led her back to their room. Intending to be a snowforce wife and doing it were not the same thing, she felt lost and out of sorts. She already missed her mother and sisters and had to stifle a powerful urge to unleash her fury by kicking a wall. She lingered in the corridors, not entirely sure of her way back to their room. She felt very shabby indeed, compared to everyone else at the castle. How would she ever make friends among these rich, sophisticated people? She did not want to ask for help, so it took her a great deal of time to find her way back to the correct apartments.

  The door was ajar, and as soon as she walked in Elin noticed the pile of fabric dumped on the floor. There were five different kinds of fabric, all of them with deep vibrant colors, and a basket of ribbons and trims. A pair of scissors lay on the floor, and a pincushion rolled on the ground. Elin fought back her tears. Her dress was less lovely than the maid’s, that was true. She looked down at herself and remembered her mother sewing the dress while she was very pregnant. How dare anyone insult her mother? Throwing a pile of fabric and sewing notions into the room and not even bothering to shut the door, was rude beyond bearing. Feeling grievously insulted, she gathered up the fabric and scissors. She kicked the door open, intending upon marching somewhere and letting someone know how unacceptable this was.

  The maid that had led her to the bathing room stood there, hand raised as if she was about to knock. “You have some nerve,” Elin said shrilly.

  “Miss?”

  “I am a married woman,” Elin yelled.

  “I beg your pardon, ma’am,” the girl bobbed a quick curtsy.

  “I can’t believe you would do this!”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to, ma’am.” The girl said carefully.

  “Oh, you accidentally, insulted me?” Elin’s voice was getting higher and higher. “Take your damn scissors and get out,” she thrust the armload of fabric into the girl’s arms and all but shoved her out the door. Unfortunately, the maid stepped back into Gunnar and began sputtering frantic apologies.

  “It’s alright,” he said quietly.

  “I didn’t mean for it to happen.” The maid said.

  “She’s a liar,” Elin insisted. She was furious, the idea of being trapped in a place where she was an object of scorn was more than she could bear.

  Gunnar shot a stern look at his wife. The maid began to cry, “It’s alright, really. Oda, that’s your name, isn’t it?”

  The girl nodded, “Yes, I didn’t mean to. I heard a crash down the hall and Paulina isn’t young, I was afraid she had fallen, so I dropped the dressmaking supplies, and I ran to find her. I meant no disrespect.”

  “Because it’s totally respectful to make sure a guest knows how inadequate her clothes are...”

  Gunnar held up a hand. “Oda, I am sorry that my wife has treated you this way. I can assure you it will not happen again. You did nothing wrong. Please accept my apologies.” He led the girl out and shut the door behind her.

  Elin crossed her arms over her chest. “I can’t believe that you took her side!”

  “I cannot believe you would behave like that. I was offered a very nice salary, and I asked Oda to help you choose some material so you would have new dresses. No insult was intended.”

  “Well, how was I to know? When were you offered a salary?” Elin felt the bitter feelings press in on her. “You don’t think you might have spoken to me about rejoining the Snowforce? What if I hate it here?”

  Gunnar ran his hands through his hair. “I cannot refuse my help if my country needs me. Armund offered me the salary while we walked, I sent for Oda to bring you things for new dresses thinking it would make you happy. For now, I will play my trade for the Snowforce. I did not make any commitments outside of that.”

  “Oh.” She felt deflated.

  “You screamed at a girl who was on an errand I sent her on, trying to be nice. She went to help an elderly friend, and you see a conspiracy to insult you.”

  The disappointed tone of his voice cut her more deeply than she could have anticipated.

  “I am sorry,” she said, expecting for him to grab her wrist and pull her over his lap. He did not.

  “I came back to see if you wanted to see the castle.” He turned and walked out the door. Elin was furious, then she was heartbroken, and then she was furious again. Slumping onto the bed, the feelings of self-pity washed over her. Gunnar was so pleased to be needed here, and the kingdom needed him. Elin had not been raised to be selfish and cowardly, Squaring her shoulders, she determined that she would find her husband and make it alright.

  Almost immediately she was lost again in the castle. A familiar form saw her and quickly ducked down another hall.

  “Oda! Please, I want to apologize.” Elin hiked up her skirts and hurried to catch up. Breathlessly, she said, “I am so sorry. I behaved like a lunatic. Please forgive me.”

  Oda smiled. “I didn’t mean to toss them on the floor like that.”

  “I know. I never expected to be here, and I do not think I have handled it at all well.”

  “It is an adjustment! I thought I’d never learn my way around this huge castle. But now I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”

  “I’m guessing that you didn’t scream like a banshee foreseeing her own death,” Elin felt her spirits lift. Perhaps she could find some friends if another girl from a humble background had built a life for herself. “Can you help me find Gunnar?”

  “The Blademaster?”

  Elin was about to correct the maid when she remembered the look on her husband’s face when Armund said that he was needed. “Yes, my husband the Blademaster.” Oda chatted happily as they wandered the castle. She knew everyone they passed, and they all greeted her cheerfully. A maid quietly informed the two women that their presence was desired in the queen's private garden. Oda nodded and led Elin into a library with vast arched ceilings. Elin had not known that there were that many books in the world. She was agog. They passed through that room and went outside into a small courtyard. Seeing Oda drop into a curtsy, Elin instinctively did the same.

  A regal woman with a kind face bade them rise. “You must be our honored visitor, forgive me for not greeting you sooner.” The queen gestured to a tiny sleeping baby wrapped in a warm blanket and napping in the fresh air. It was astonishing how warm the little garden was. It was open to the sky but surrounded on all four sides by the castle. Buffered from the wind, It provided a small oasis of privacy in the busy castle.

  Elin had no idea how to speak to royalty, so she fell into her natural patterns.

  “What a robust little man! You must have very healthy milk.”

  Oda shot her a glance of sheer horror; apparently one didn’t compliment a queen on her lactating abilities.

  “Oh! I beg your pardon, your majesty, I’m just a stupid girl from a large family.”

  Sylvie’s laugh was pleasant. “Far from stupid, very observant!”

  Oda said, “We are looking for the Blademaster.”

  Sylvie rang a bell, and a young man immediately stepped into the courtyard.

  “These young ladies are looking for the Blademaster, will you help them, please?"

  “Certainly, your highness,“ he gave a deep nod of his head and gestured towards the open door. Elin curtsied to the queen, “You are a truly gracious queen.”

  Sylvie’s delighted laugh rang out again, “As I said, very observant!” The royal laugh followed them as they entered the wide corridor. Elina looked around. Even the corridors were luxurious. Tapestries adorned the walls, and iron sconces were holding thick candles, ready to be lit. The summer light streaming through the open shutters made them unnecessary. Elin paused to watch the guards clad in livery could be seen patrolling the grounds. From where she stood she could see an expanse of gardens that sloped down to the coast. There was a pier where a royal ship was docked. Elin had never seen such sights. She had seen river
s, and she had seen large and tidy kitchen gardens in her former life. The bowers of roses were exquisite, and Elin wondered how many gardeners it took to maintain such perfection.

  Chapter 22

  She had not marveled at the view long when Gunnar came along the corridor, in the midst of an excited group of boys. Elin lingered for a moment enjoying the adoration that the boys clearly felt for her husband. She was very proud of him. She gathered that a challenge was underway. Two boys grabbed each of his wrists, and Gunnar easily lifted all four of them up so that their feet dangled above the ground. More boys looped their arms around the blacksmith's biceps and he merely chuckled as they all hung from him. Gunnar gave an exaggerated shrug of his shoulders, and the group of boys was suddenly tumbled onto the floor.

  Laughing, he said,”How did all of you get on the floor? Clumsy pups.” The boys howled with laughter as they scrambled up. “Off you go, My wife needs an escort into dinner.”

  He leaned closer to hear her whisper, ”I met the queen!”

  The grand hall of the eastern castle was the largest room Elin had ever seen. There was a high table that ran perpendicular to the ten other long tables, all covered in spotless white linen. The shutters were thrown open letting in the summer light. The elaborate chandeliers that hung from the ceiling were draped with fresh flowers and sweet herbs. There was no reason to light expensive beeswax candles when the sun stayed high late into the night.

  Only two of the long tables were full of diners. Prince Georg was among them, and he waved the blacksmith and his wife over. Gesturing across from him, he said, ”Join us, please.”

  As soon as they had sat down platters of food were passed to them. There was roasted salmon, a haunch of spring lamb with tiny potatoes and tender salads. Gunnar served both of them. There was an easy camaraderie between Georg and his men. He introduced one of them to Gunnar and Elin, ”This is Vigga, he will be your driver.”

  Elin had never seen a man with such dark skin. He also had tattoos across his cheekbones and down his chin. Unsure of what to say, she said, ”I love horses.”

  Vigga gave a brief chuckle, “Yeah, me too.”

  Elin wasn't sure why her comment was so funny, so she focused on finishing her dinner.

  “I thought more people would live here,”she said and then immediately worried that she was being rude.

  Georg answered her. “Usually.It will all get very busy tomorrow, I assure you.”

  Gunnar wished everyone good night, and they returned to their quarters.

  Oda was waiting for them, and Gunnar stretched out on the bed while Elin tried to pick from the pile of fabrics. There were more colors than she had ever seen. There were also bobbins of laces, and other assorted trims.

  “I like the green,” Gunnar offered.

  “I do too, but it doesn't seem very practical.”

  Oda waved her concerns away and draped the fabric around her. It was the strangest way to begin a dress that Elin had ever seen. Oda placed a pin at the waist and another at the throat then she folded the fabric. She set the marked piece on top of the other wrapped bolts of fabric and lay the basket of ribbons on top. “The seamstresses will come to get it,” she assured Elin, saying goodnight and shutting the door behind her.

  Elin pulled on a flannel nightgown. “You don't need that,” her husband teased.

  She undid her braids and tossed her long hair over her shoulders. “Oh?” she said with a teasing smile playing around her lips. Sauntering over to him, she shimmied her hips. “And why won't I need a nightgown?”

  Gunnar sat up and grasped the neckline of her nightgown. Pressing his lips against hers, he kissed her gently while he used two fingers to tear her nightgown from top to bottom.

  “Oops,” he laughed.

  “Well, I didn't see that coming,” she laughed back.

  With a tiny shove, she pushed him back onto the bed and clamored on top of him. She grasped his collar with both hands and tried to dramatically tear his shirt open. She failed miserably, and they both began to laugh. Gunnar lifted the shirt over his head, dropped it on the floor and gathered her up in his arms tossing her easily onto the bed and laying beside her. Elin reached for his belt and unbuckled it, releasing his erect cock. She wrapped both hands around it and reveled in the silky feel of his head.

  He moaned at her touch, and she grew even bolder. She slid her body down alongside his and gathered him into her mouth. Swirling her tongue around him, she sucked greedily.

  Gunnar gasped her hair and pounded into her willing mouth. Sensing that he was about to climax, she paused and pressed a kiss against his thigh. With a groan, he pulled her up and rolled over onto her. In a flash, he slammed into her eager pussy. Panting, she begged him to take her harder. He teased her, slowing his thrusts until she frantically arched her hips upwards and begged for more. She saw stars as the explosion overcame her and said his name over and over and over. The exhaustion came immediately and sweetly, and Elin fell asleep with her head on his chest.

  The pounding on the door roused them both immediately, Gunnar was pulling on his breeches when the raised voice reached their ears, “It's Elin we need! Come quickly! Please hurry!”

  Elin yanked a nightgown over her head and ran to the door. Oda stood their frantically. As soon as Elin was through the door, Oda grabbed her wrist, and they began to run.

  “Gerda, our physick is away tending a lad who got thrown from a horse. Prince Gustav is barking like a seal and his moth--the queen,” she corrected herself. “She asked for you.”

  Elin was reasonably sure that she knew what was happening, and luckily, she knew precisely how to treat it. Seeing several frightened soldiers in the hall, Elin called to them, “I will need a cauldron of boiling water and some sweet oil and thyme!” Whoever they were they ran to do her bidding. Up the stairs they ran, Elin barely noticing the cold stone floors. As soon as they neared the royal bedroom, Elin could hear the tiny prince. She threw a prayer of thanks to the All-Father that she did, in fact, know precisely what to do. Oda didn’t knock at the door, she ran straight in. Sylvie was pacing the floor with the rasping infant on her shoulder. The king sat in a chair cloaked in anxiety.

  Almost immediately the young men arrived with the things Elin had asked for. Elin reached for the baby and said to Oda, “I need a tightly woven wool blanket--make that two.”

  The king stood and ripped the covers from his own bed. Elin instructed him, “fold up one of them and wrap it around the sides of the cauldron.” As soon as he had done so, Elin sank to the ground. To the queen, she said, “mix some of the thyme tinctures with the sweet oil- more oil than tinctures. Sir cover us up!”

  He draped the blanket over Elin and his son. Almost immediately Elin felt Gustav relax. The queen crawled into the steamy tent. Elin lay Gustav on her lap, and Sylvie helped her by unlacing his gown. “Rub the oil into his chest, press deep, all around the ribs and up to his chin.” The queen began the massage and Elin naturally settled into a gentle rocking motion. With a quiver, Gustav took a deep breath, and no wheezing was heard. Sylvie reached up and threw her arms around Elin’s neck. “Thank you,” she cried.

  “It was nothing, dry air can give babies the croup,”

  Something bumped against Elin, and she realized that the king had joined them in their less than commodious sickbay under the blanket. Relief flooded his face, “Sylvie thought you would know what to do, she said you knew about babies. With Gerda gone, all my field surgeons were useless!” It warmed Elin’s heart to see the way the queen sagged against her husband. “Oda,” Elin called.

  “Yes, ma’am?”

  “Do you know where any hot packs are? Do you have those here?”

  “Do you mean the flannel bags with sand that you can heat up to treat sore muscles?”

  “Yes, but I need one that is light, maybe pour out half the sand and resew it up?”

  “I can do that,” she agreed.

  “We need it warm. But not too hot.”

  “
I will be right back.”

  The king stood and removed the blanket tent and helped his wife up. The queen reached for her baby who was breathing easily. Elin was shocked when the king reached down to help her up. She had not expected that a sitting monarch would help a dairy maid up off the floor. Very quickly, Oda returned, and Elin rubbed some more thyme oil onto baby Gustav’s chest and throat. She lay a square of flannel on his skin and then put the warm pack on it. She swaddled him and handed him to his mother.

  “Should you need me, don’t hesitate to send for me.” It dawned on Elin that perhaps one didn’t give one’s sovereign permission to contact you. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

  The king gave a tired smile, “We must let you get some rest, we are very grateful.”

  Elin gave a little wave to the contented queen and left their chambers.

  Gunnar was waiting in the hall for her, leaning against the wall, his bulk still taking up much of the corridor.

  Elin reached for his hand. Leaning her head against her shoulder, she allowed him to guide her back to their room.

  “You knew what to do?” he asked.

  “It was just croup, babies get it.”

  He paused and kissed the top of her head. “I am proud of you.”

  Elin had a dawning sense of how marvelous it felt to be needed. She looked at her husband with new eyes.

  Chapter 23

  Elin stretched and opened her eyes. Gunnar curved around her like a protective shell. She kissed the palm of his hand and slid out of his embrace. She froze. Laid over every piece of furniture in the room was a new dress. Her first reaction was to freeze at the thought that someone had been in their quarters as they slept in each other's arms. Looking closer at the dresses made her decide that the intrusion upon their privacy should not be her first priority. The frocks were embroidered and beribboned and more delicate than anything she had ever had.