Her Viking Saviour (Lore & Love Trilogy #1)

Chapter 28

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Torben stroked Wynflaed's shoulder, the soft skin warm under his caress. Days had passed since Guthred had unceremoniously been returned to his ship. In atonement, Freydis had worked tirelessly alongside Hilde and Cynewin to prepare for the wedding today.

My wedding to Wynflaed, my heart and soul .

In these quiet moments, early in the morning while she still slumbered, he said his silent thanks to Odin for the fate that had led him on this path. It had once been full of darkness and now it was full of light. He bent his head and kissed her forehead. He felt her stir and was unable to resist moving his hands down her silken body to find her wet heat.

"You are always ready for me, Elskling," he groaned as she ground against his hand.

"My body is always on fire, a fire only you can quell," she whispered huskily as she took hold of him in turn.

They held each other's gaze and breathed in each other’s panting breaths while they brought one another to completion with their hands. The satisfaction of his release paled in comparison to the satisfaction of seeing the ecstasy that flushed across her face and escaped her lips.

"Happy wedding day, my beloved," she murmured and rubbed the tip of his nose with hers.

"Beloved? Is that what you shall call me, Elskling?"

"Yes, you are my beloved, my beloved Torben the Viking," she grinned cheekily. "Now tell me more about today."

Wynflaed had been learning their wedding customs. After the encounters with the ravens, she seemed to resonate with his beliefs. And he found himself a willing teacher to her curious student.

"We set the wedding on the day of Frigg, wife of Odin. She is the goddess of love and fertility, and we seek her blessing and honour her by holding it on this day. Soon we shall part ways, I will go with the men and you with the women to prepare for our union. Uh, for women this is to cleanse for your, uh, maidenhood." This drew laughter from her.

"That is certainly a moment passed, but you know how much I enjoy bathing. And what will you be doing?”

"I will prepare a sacrifice to Thor, the blood of a goat is customary. And I will also honour Odin. It is my belief he supported our union and aided our journey. I have seen many ravens since I met you. A non-believer would spew doubts, but I know the All-Father has been watching.”

Wynflaed nodded.

“I agree, for I have seen the same. I was fated for you. Odin knew it as we do.”

Some things would be missing from their ceremony, since Wynflaed had not come from another Norse family. And there had been no time to invite any guests from outside of Klavik since winter had started to settle in. This did not bother him or Wynflaed. They both agreed an intimate ceremony with the settlement was more symbolic. Their marriage was not for an alliance or other gain–only for love. And they would start their own traditions. He and Ragnav had retrieved one of their father's swords from his resting place and Torben would give it to Wynflaed, for their firstborn son. Freydis was preparing a bridal crown for Wynflaed, one their daughters could wear. It was bound with gold and silver and adorned with jewels–fit for the bride of a chieftain.

"You have gone quiet, my beloved, what is on your mind?"

"Good thoughts only. Our future. Our children.”

“Guthred was right about one thing."

He grinned at the perfectly arched brow that rose in question. "He was?"

"Yes, in that you are a she-wolf. I can think of no one fiercer to raise our children and protect our family."

"It did bring me satisfaction that he recognised me as such, far from the feeble Northumbrian handmaid he took for a slave."

"If not for your clever plan to let Freydis realize the truth on her own, it may have ended very differently."

"My plan felt safe because I knew you would keep me safe, no matter where it led."

"Always.”

There were three hard raps at the door.

"Torben, we are waiting for you. Put some clothes on," Ragnav yelled out, sounding almost melodic in his glee.

"Ragnav, do not be crude. He is right, though. Wynflaed, dress and come out here, we have things to do," Freydis added impatiently.

"I am still not sure we need to use so much of our winter stores on the feast," Leif said in his standard harried tone.

Torben pulled Wynflaed with him as he got out of the bed while the other three bickered outside the door.

"It is time, Wynflaed."

"Yes, it is, my Viking saviour.”