Enslaved by the Viking: A Medieval Short Story Read Free Page A

visible.
    When Konrad landed beside her, she scooted over as far as she could, but the bed wasn’t that wide and he still lay against her. She’d drop off the bed if she leaned over any farther.
    Konrad turned to his men. “Enough! Now out with you so that I can claim my bride in peace.”
    “Not until we bear witness that this wedding has been consummated.”
    “Out!” he bellowed.
    The man grumbled, backing out.
    “If you have difficulty getting it in…” Thorsten grinned from the doorway. “Just call out.”
    Konrad lifted a candleholder and flung it.
    Thorsten closed the door before it hit and clattered to the wooden floor.
    Alone at last, he turned on his side and studied Brigid.
    She stared at him for a moment, then rolled out from beneath the furs and stood, naked in the light filtering through the shuttered window. Her pale body glowed, the curves soft and flowing, her breasts even fuller than he’d imagined when he’d touched them through her bodice.
    She crossed the room to a small table set against the wall laden with food and a pitcher of mead. “You must be thirsty after all the food.” As though she poured drinks while parading around the room naked all the time, she took her time performing the function and then turned to face him, giving him a full view of the prize for which he’d bargained.
    From her long, raven hair down to the tips of her narrow feet, she was a vision of what Konrad presumed how a goddess would appear.
    His cock sprang to attention, stiff and hard as his sword blade. His lips curved upward, his body tensing in anticipation of driving deep inside her.
    She approached him with the cup of mead, carefully handing it to him with meek humility and care.
    Konrad had not expected her to become so submissive and complacent about her new status so quickly. He’d fully expected to have to wrestle her into his bed that night and he couldn’t deny his disappointment. He liked that she had a fiery temper and a sharp tongue. He’d worried that settling down might dull his battle skills. With a woman like Brigid, his senses would remain alert.
    “Here,” she said handing him the cup. “Drink to our union.”
    “After you.” He refused to take the cup, giving preference to her, letting her know that he respected her and would treat her fairly.
    She shook her head. “I do not want to dull my senses for what is to come.”
    He liked that answer, considering the plans he had to ignite her senses. Taking the cup from her hands, he set it on the table beside the bed. “Lie with me, wife.”
    Her eyes widened and she reached for the cup again. “I will after you have refreshed yourself with a drink. I fear once we get started, you will need the liquid to sustain you through the long night.”
    “I will drink then.” Again, he took the cup from her and set it on the table, capturing her hand in the process. “Come, wife. To bed.” Then with a sharp tug, he landed her on top of him, her breasts pressed to his chest. “Right now I wish to show my wife how good marriage can be.”
    She struggled to free her hands. “How can something be good, if you have to imprison me to accomplish it?”
    “A wife must allow her husband the chance to prove to her he can make her appreciate the finer points of making love.” He rolled her to his side and released her hands. “You are free to go,” he said. When she scooted toward the edge of the bed, he added, “But our bargain states you are be my wife. And in that I expect you to be my wife in all ways or the contract is broken and I will choose a more willing woman.”

Chapter 6
    B rigid froze . The damn man would not drink his mead and now he threatened their contract if she did not consummate the marriage. Her sister’s beautiful face and the faces of the other women in her clan flashed before her. She couldn’t let them down.
    Slowly, she lay back against the fur and closed her eyes. “Do with my body what you will. It is but a vessel.