Chapter 4
Ivar
The touch of Ragnar's lips against mine made my stomach churn. His lips were soft and felt very warm. A strange shock ran through my body as he moved his lips against mine. He slid an arm around my waist, squeezing it as he pulled me closer. I gasped. Before I knew it, my back was against the wall with Ragnar pinning me.
He caught my lower lip and bit down. My entire body jerked, and a low moan escaped my mouth.
Ragnar pushed me hard against the wall, tilting my head as we deepened the kiss. He was neither soft nor gentle. A sweet sensation pooled between my thighs, and I wanted Ragnar to touch me there. I yearned for his touch.
My chest tightened in anticipation as I tasted mead in his mouth. A deep sound came from him, resonating from within his chest. The hand on my waist slid lower, and I felt his fingers press into my skin. A cold shiver went down my spine, and my legs weaken as his fingers moved between my thighs.
I kissed him deeply, utterly forgetting that we were in public.
I felt intoxicated. Was it the mead? I couldn't tell, but my head was spinning. Something in the back of my mind told me I shouldn't be doing this here. What if one of my father's men caught us? What would happen then? My heart started to pound heavily.
I slid my hands into his clothing, feeling the warmth of his chest. I felt his heart pounding heavily. Did he feel the same way about me?
Ragnar kissed me deeply, his hands moving across my skin. I felt his large hands on my thighs, moving toward my core. He nibbled my bottom lip, and I cried out. I felt a shock of pain and pleasure. He slowly drew his lips back, his tongue brushing my skin.
Then he pulled back, resting his forehead against mine. His warm breath fell on my face.
I slowly opened my eyes. We remained like that for a moment, his forehead against mine, my back leaning on the wall.
A muscle in his jaw twitched, and he snapped his head.
"What troubles you?"
"Come," he grabbed my wrist. "There are eyes on us. We must leave now."
Before I could understand what was happening, he was dragging me out of the room. Once we reached the cool night air, I felt the chill on my skin.
"Walk faster," he said. "Or I'll have to carry you myself."
I swallowed hard.
Once we arrived, he snuck me into my room.
Now we were standing inches apart, and he was staring deeply into my eyes.
Ragnar placed a soft kiss on my forehead. "Not a soul should hear of what happened tonight."
My breathing hitched. "Aye."
He turned around. "Sleep well little one."
"What of the eyes that lingered on us at the brothel?"
"I shall take care of them," he said.
I placed a hand on my beating chest. My chest rose and fell rapidly. I turned to thank him for tonight, but he was already gone.
I changed out of my clothing and hid the lowborn clothes under my bed before lying down. As I closed my eyes to sleep, memories of the brothel flooded my mind. I brought my hand to my lips, feeling how swollen they had become. Ragnar had kissed me like no one else. Although he wasn't my first kiss, Ragnar made it feel exciting. I wanted more.
But now I needed to rest for tomorrow.
The next morning, I was tucked away in the house, holding a sword.
"Attack!" came an order from the guard.
Moving swiftly, I struck my sword against the guard's, and our swords clashed. I took a step forward, spinning around, and struck again. This time, my sword sliced a small cut on the guard's face. Blood trickled from his skin. A smile formed on my lips as I stepped back.
"That was good, but your aim needs work," the guard said. "When you strike, don't step back. Don't give your opponent time to regain his footing."
We started again, and once training was over, I left the room. Ailis, my maid, was waiting for me in my room with a basket of clothes to change into after my bath at the lake. While my parents bathed at the house, I often visited a lake in the woods.
"What did you do last night?" Ailis asked as we walked to the lake.
Her question drew my attention from my thoughts. Ailis was my personal maid, tall and slim, with long black hair that looked blue in the sun. She had warm golden skin and was in her twenties. Ailis was the closest person I had to a friend here. Though our bond was more friendly than master and servant, I cared for Ailis as she did for me.
"What?" I asked.
"What kept you out so long?" she said.
"Lower your voice," I said, looking around.
"You did not return to your chamber on time," she said. "You stayed with Lord Ragnar for two hours at least."
"You came to my chamber after I left last night?"
"Your mother sought for your presence, and when I went to your chamber, you were not found."
"What did you tell her?"
"That you were in slumber."
I breathed a sigh of relief.
"So what went between you two?" she asked. "Or should I ask where he lead you?"
"You'll be shocked, believe it."
"Most likely."
I looked around, checking if anyone was nearby. "He took me to the brothel."
Her eyes widened. "What?!"
"Lower your voice, Ailis," I frowned.
"Sorry," she whispered, excitedly. "You speak of the truth?"
"Why would I lie?"
She took a deep breath. "And what did you two do there?"
"He kissed me," I said.
She smiled. "What was it like?"
"Thrilling," I said, and when she begged for details, I told her everything. By then, Ailis's eyes were as wide as saucers.
"Did you recognize anyone there? Some guards stray that way every night."
"I saw no one familiar…"
We arrived at the lake, and Ailis set the basket down.
"Be mindful around Lord Ragnar. You know what would happen if your mother learned of this."
"Say no word to her."
"Aye."