Chapter 6

“Why are you back so soon?” Brandr asked Rolf when they entered the hut.

A melody of crickets played in the surrounding area. The heavy wooden door closed to the sight of a million stars overhead. Many were staying at the cabin until the threat of the captive woman had passed. Rolf wanted Sky and Brandr alone. Brandr had agreed with him that they were more than capable of taking care of Sky together.

“I was worried about Sky. I thought perhaps one night would be best. The next time I go it will be two nights,” Rolf replied. Rolf went to Sky and looked her over. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” she replied. “Brandr took good care of me.”

“I’m sorry about Thorvald. Something told me to watch out for him. The way he looks at you is so odd,” Rolf said. “And I noticed he seemed more interested in you than any of the other women. Not that I blame him. It was just a different kind of odd fascination.”

“Brandr said he wouldn’t let him touch me. I believed him,” she said.

Her light silky hair had grown a wee bit longer and dropped across her forehead, giving her an impish look. Her big brown eyes centered on him in a way that made his heart melt. In truth, one of the reasons he had come back early was because he just couldn’t stand to be apart from her. He had also worried she might have been a bit frightened of Brandr and she might need him. He should have trusted Brandr a bit more.

Rolf grinned. “Did Brandr touch you?”

Sky flamed red and Rolf knew Brandr had indeed done more than touch her. He lifted her chin to gaze into her beautiful eyes. His thumb stroked her sun-kissed cheek. She was so irresistible.

“I let him…” she stammered.

“And now you are not afraid?” Rolf asked.

“No,” she said.

He knew she was serious, but her chin quivered ever so slightly. Rolf felt his heart fill with relief; she was still getting used to the idea, but it would take a bit more coaxing.

He took Sky to the furs and removed her clothes. Brandr soon joined them. Rolf stripped and could feel his hard cock throb to be inside her. He had missed her, worried about her. He pushed her back onto the furs. His hand searched lower and a finger slipped into her moist heat. She was already wet; the thought made him deliriously happy. Sky had told him once she always wanted him when he wanted her. She had claimed just one look into his eyes made her feel like a puddle of desire. Here was his proof. By the Gods, he loved her. He thrust himself deeply within her. Sky cried out, as Rolf continued his heated eager thrusts. Her hips met his. He wanted to make certain Sky was no longer afraid. He had to see it for himself. It was important to him. He pulled her up and demanded Brandr tie her hands.

Sky whimpered when Brandr complied.

“Easy,” Rolf soothed. “I want to see the acceptance in your eyes when we do this. I don’t ever want you to fear either of us.”

Sky’s eyes widened, realizing he meant to have her the way Brandr liked.

Rolf chuckled. His mouth took her’s in a hungry kiss. When he released her mouth, he asked her to trust him.

Again, her gaze settled onto him and she nodded almost shyly.

She always tried what he asked. It made him love her even more. Her trust was the most important gift she could ever give him. He gagged her and lifted her to the steel peg on the wall. Her lashed wrists were lifted high and secured. Rolf pinned her to the wall and thrust into her powerfully. Sky’s muffled cry could be heard from the back of her throat; her legs lifted to wrap around his waist. Brandr moved closer to rub one of her breasts. His fingers rolled the nipple. Rolf squeezed the other breast, none too gently and he felt her try to buck against him. She was unable to move.

Rolf slid out of her then thrust back in filling her. She again cried out. Her eyes were closed and her head leaned back against the wall. She was completely relaxed beneath him, accepting what he was doing. Rolf was satisfied he wasn’t frightening her. He gentled his thrusts; he didn’t have the need to be rough, he only wanted to make certain she felt safe when she was helpless. His latch on her breast eased and he whispered sweet words in her ear. He felt her close around him and shudder. Her Valkyrie heat slid over him and Rolf felt as though he had slipped into Valhalla. Rolf came with a heavy grunt. For a brief moment, he rested his forehead against hers. She felt so hot against him.

He removed himself and Brandr took his place, eager for her. He thrust into her powerfully. Rolf winced when he heard the hard slap of Brandr’s hips connect with her. Sky quivered but lay docile beneath him. She made tiny gasping pants and Rolf was tempted to remove the gag but waited.

Brandr removed himself from her. He lifted her off the steel and turned her around. He pulled her wrists high once more so she faced the wall.

Rolf heard her muffled scream when Brandr thrust hard into her behind. Rolf helped hold her so her weight wasn’t on her arms.

Brandr thrust up and slid out repeatedly and once again Sky remained quiet under him except for her panting gasps.

Rolf reached around to play with her clit. He felt her clench and tighten around his fingers when they dipped inside her.

Brandr roared a howl of release and slumped forward.

When he removed himself Rolf took his place behind her and took her the same way.

Brandr had his hand on her clit and Rolf could see his fingers stroke in and out of her. Rolf’s hand shielded the side of her face from the wall. Her eyes remained closed. Rolf gentled his thrusting. His head lowered to whisper in her ear, “When I’m done, Brandr will take you again very hard. He won’t hurt you, but he wants you to want him. Will you do that for him?”

Sky nodded.

Rolf thrust easily into her with a gentle motion. His body tensed, then relaxed. He removed himself from her and carried her from the wall to the furs where he settled her with tenderness. He removed her gag and undid her wrists. She felt so limp under him.

Brandr moved to lay over her, keeping his weight off her by resting on his hands. Rolf stayed near her side. Brandr squeezed her breasts in his one hand and she groaned. Brandr leaned down to ravish her mouth with his own.

“Tell me what you want,” Brandr demanded from her.

“I want you,” she whimpered.

“How?” Brandr asked.

“Hard.”

Brandr thrust into her vaginally. Sky wound her arms around his neck, and her legs wrapped around his hips. Brandr’s teeth were clenched as he pumped into her. Sky cried out then begged him to thrust harder. Sweat beaded on Brandr’s forehead to drip onto Sky; she again cried for him to thrust harder. Her legs were shaking and Rolf clasped her ankles to keep them from slipping from Brandr’s waist. When her hands fell from Brandr’s shoulders, Rolf gripped them over her head. She moaned and gasped and again pleaded for more. Brandr was growling low in his throat, each thrust brutal. Sky cried out under him. Her body went limp. Brandr pumped into her again, then again, then howled when he came. Sky’s head dropped to the side to rest against the furs. Brandr slumped over to her right.

Rolf got up and made certain the hard leather on their window was secured, then snapped the shutters closed wanting no arrow to find its way inside while they lay asleep. He would miss the breeze in the heat of the night, but it couldn’t be helped. He latched the door with the heavy wood. He then put more wood on their fire. He wanted to make certain he could see inside the hut if he were to be awoken by a sound.

Rolf stood for a moment watching Sky sleep. She was unmoving except for the gentle rise and fall of her chest. He had been ready to kill for her today. He realized she wouldn’t be safe until Thorvald was dead. He resolved that come morning, he would track the man down and end his life. Sky belonged to him and Brandr. He loved Brandr and he loved Sky. He would make certain both were safe.

* * * *

Sky worked alongside the village women in the cabin.

Many men had gone hunting for the captive including Rolf and Brandr. Other men remained behind to guard the women and children.

Eirik had been watching Sky all morning. As Katla’s time drew closer, the man didn’t stray farther than the practice field in case his wife had need of him. Sky had grown fond of Eirik; he was a just man, powerful and gentle. He loved his family and the villagers who trusted him. It was easy to see why he was respected by all. His words to her were always kind and she didn’t fear him.

Katla was sleeping in one of the cabin’s rooms. Sky worried over her friend. She helped Katla as much as she was able. The woman’s pregnancy was hard on her. One of the women told Sky Katla had given birth to a daughter two years earlier, but the child hadn’t survived. Katla had been left weak and near death herself. It had taken her a long time to recover. Almost losing her had caused Eirik to fall into a deep depression that many said took him a long time to heal from. Neither had healed from the loss of their child. When it became apparent Katla was again with child, the news was met with both joy and fear.

The thought of losing her dearest friend also terrified Sky. Katla was a kind and honest person, sweet and loving to a fault. She had welcomed Sky into the village with open arms. Sky had always had friends, but none came close to Katla. Sky knew Eirik feared for his wife’s safety. You could see it in his eyes every time he looked upon her. As her pregnancy progressed, she tired often, and deep circles darkened her eyes. The entire village worried for her well being. That was how much she was loved.

From the corner of her eye, Sky could see Leif playing tic-tac-toe with his older brother. Sky had taught them how. Brandr had made her four long steel bars, a circle, and she had tied two pieces of wood together to make an X. Sky was keeping an eye on the boy for his mother while she worked at her task while she was making Rolf a new shirt for winter. She kept the boy close; he was adventuresome and didn’t like to be kept inside. But a stern warning from his father had kept him in line.

Sky had listened as Eirik explained to his son that there was danger outside right now. Did he want Sky to be hurt? Leif had been appalled. The child had looked at Sky very seriously and told her that she was not to fear, since he would help protect her. Of that she had no doubt. Little Leif had gone after a young man with his wooden sword when he had gotten too close to Sky earlier in the cabin. Like his father, the child was fearless.

In the corner of the cabin was an older Viking man playing a flute; it was a lively little tune. Sky loved to hear him play. His sword arm was gone and he put his passion into music. He made a song come to life. Sky could almost see the notes dance across the air. When Sky rose to give Leif a piece of warm buttered bread, she couldn’t help but smile and dance a few steps on her way back to the table she was working at. The tone had life. Before long, Eirik approached her.

“You can dance?” he asked her.

Sky grinned up at him. She loved to belly dance. It was a way to relieve stress when she had been working on a thesis for school. It helped clear her mind. The music could take her anywhere. After working a stressful day with Rolf and Brody, she often imagined herself dancing for Rolf in a fantasy.

“I can dance a bit,” she replied. Actually, she thought herself to be quite good.

“You will dance tonight.”

Sky frowned, taken aback by his suggestion. One of the captive women, Isibel, danced occasionally. She was horrible, clumsy and always falling. After she finished, the men were so horny they were all over her. Sky didn’t want that.

“I don’t think it’s such a good idea,” she mumbled.

“You can dance better than Isibel?” he asked.

Sky rolled her eyes and gave a very unladylike snort. “Cull could dance better than Isibel.”

Eirik and the women at the table looked at her wide-eyed then laughed uproariously. Eirik laughed so hard tears rolled from his eyes. When other men approached to find out what was so funny, Eirik told them what Sky had said. More laughter followed. A man jabbed Cull in the gut and asked him to swivel his hips. Cull punched him in the mouth. The man fell back still laughing.

Cull glared at Sky. “If you were my captive, I would spank you,” he stormed.

Sky knew she was in no danger from him; she was under Eirik’s protection. “If I were your captive, I’d spank myself,” she retorted.

More uproarious laughter followed and Cull went red. He balled his fists. Eirik placed his hand on Cull’s chest.

“We are only teasing, Cull. I have asked Sky to dance for us tonight. If you frighten her, she may refuse.” There was laughter in Eirik’s eyes.

Sky was surprised to see Cull’s face light up.

“You can dance?” he asked.

“I don’t want to,” she replied.

Gulli whacked Cull. “You frightened her; now she won’t dance.”

Many men began grumbling.

“It’s not Cull,” Sky hurried to say before the men started battling one another. “I like to dance, but after I’m done, I don’t want to be hurt.”

“Hurt?” asked Cull in obvious confusion. “You would not be beaten for dancing.”

Sky flamed red remembering some of these barbarian men had an odd way of thinking about sex and what was punishment. “No, not beaten. When Isibel is done dancing, you are all over her like a pack of hungry wolves on a downed doe. You seem to want to devour her.”

Eirik laughed. “Rolf and Brandr and I will protect you,” he said. “I will choose a few more to keep the others in line. No one will touch you.”

Sky was tempted. She liked going to clubs with a few friends. The men had watched her eagerly, but they weren’t Rolf. Rolf would be watching her this time; she would love to see his reaction. She looked up at Eirik.

“I will dance if Rolf and Brandr agree. And if you swear no harm will come to me.”

“I swear.”

* * * *

Rolf was annoyed. They had tracked the escaped captive woman most of the day. She seemed to be moving away from the village at a fast pace and Rolf had been happy with that. He hoped she would keep going and they would never find her. But it became apparent Thorvald was also tracking her. Perhaps he thought if he returned with the captive, he would be welcome. He wouldn’t be. The stupid man would again add to a tense situation. If Thorvald returned with the captive and tried to reclaim his seat on council, Rolf would challenge him again. Things would never go back to the way they were. Rolf had given his word to the village women.

Eirik was a good chief but his thoughts for the most part were on Katla and her upcoming delivery. Council should not be sheep. As chief, Eirik was their sword arm; as council they were the weapon wielded with authority. It was indeed time the council members stepped up. Rolf would not allow Thorvald to question his right of power. He would challenge him again and make certain he won. He loved Brandr and admired his strength, but still felt on edge about his ability to best such a seasoned warrior. Thorvald was full of deceitful tricks and had no honor. Rolf would die before allowing harm to come to his best and most beloved friend.

To Rolf’s frustration, they had lost both the captive and Thorvald’s trail. They decided to try again the next morning and returned to the cabin. Rolf had been surprised when Eirik approached him with his request for Sky to dance.

She wasn’t a captive; it was rare for a free woman to dance unless she had strong protection. The men could become a little overwhelmed at the swivel of a woman’s hips.

Eirik told him that he had sworn to protect her and had enlisted three other men, feeling the six of them should be enough.

After all it wasn’t as if she had any formal dance training. What could it hurt?

They could control the men after her simply swaying and rocking, nothing to worry about. Rolf shrugged. He asked Sky and she seemed eager enough and not afraid. After the annoying day he had just had, Rolf thought a distraction would be most welcome.

After the children had been settled for the night, an area had been cleared. Rolf and Brandr stood off to the side to watch Sky. Brandr nudged him in the ribs and smiled. Rolf knew he was amused. Brandr loved Sky, but had on numerous occasions declared it was a good thing she was so damned cute and sweet because she couldn’t do anything else. Rolf grinned in agreement and wryly told him to never mind. This was something she wanted to do and even if she was as horrible as Isibel, they would be supportive and tell her she was wonderful. Brandr just shook his head and chuckled. Secretly, Rolf hoped she wasn’t as bad as Isibel; the woman’s dancing was not unlike a drunken goat escaping slaughter.

The floor of the cabin was wooden but many fur rugs were tossed around, as Sky was to dance barefoot. Rolf wanted no splinters in her feet. When Sky moved to the middle of the room, she raised her hands high over her head. Rolf saw her glance around with some trepidation. The room, filled with massive warriors and a few women, became so quiet he could have heard a feather hit the furs beneath her tiny feet. Rolf smiled. She looked so small and tempting. Her breasts were barely covered by a leather strap of fur. She wore a simple flap of leather that dropped across her behind and front. The material was very low and revealing at the waist, exposing her entire left thigh and slit up the other side. Most captive slaves danced nude but an exception had been made. Sky wasn’t a slave; she was his and Brandr’s. With her arms raised, the gentle swell of her rump was visible, peeking out to tantalize. Her behind had long since healed and she was the sweetest pale white. Like delicate meadow flowers.

The flute began to play. It was slow and steady and Sky began to swing her hips and rose to the balls of her feet, with her knees bent. She found her rhythm. Murmurs of appreciation were heard from many directions. It was soon apparent she could dance and dance well. Every eye was on her. Rolf felt Brandr tense next to him. His friend had gone from amused to shock. Rolf would have laughed at Brandr’s wide-eyed expression but could feel his own heart begin to pound.

By the Gods, she is a Valhalla Valkyrie come to life.

Sky moved as though she were part of the song; as though she brought it to life. Rolf knew she had seen Isibel’s clumsy attempt to tell a story through dance; the woman had failed miserably. Sky danced like a master. Her body begged for protection. She stood before man after man, rolling her hips reaching with her arms pleading for someone to take her home with them and keep her safe. Her eyes went from begging to seductive, making the men sweat as her dance promised them anything in return.

When the man she was in front of reached for her, she danced back spinning. They were given a tempting glance at her wares. She moved to Eirik. Rolf knew she had no fear of the man and he wondered how bold she would become. She trailed the backs of her delicate hands down his unclad chest. Her sensuous mouth pouted as she teased him into wanting her. Rolf saw Eirik tremble. Thank the Gods Eirik was one who had promised her protection. From the look on the man’s face, she would have needed protection from him. Eirik’s jaw twitched. Poor Eirik. He clenched and unclenched his sword hand. The man looked ready to battle himself.

Sky looked at Eirik sadly when his hand began to rise. She moved away, twirling, revealing her behind and front for a few mere twists yet again to make every man in the room fall over themselves for a look. It was part of the dance, to entice protection through promises of heated desire.

The pace of the music increased as the dancer became more frantic in her search for a master’s protection. Was there no one who would keep her safe if she were to offer her willing, eager body in exchange? Sky was now in front of Rolf and Brandr. Sky looked up at them both pleadingly with her huge brown beautiful eyes and Rolf felt his heart melt. If she had been a captive and had danced before him like this, he would have drawn his sword and claimed her. He could tell Brandr felt the same. His lovesick friend was almost beside himself to have her. His impressive erection was straining toward her against his pants. Rolf sympathized, he knew how his friend felt.

Sky dropped to her knees. A light sheen of sweat covered her body. Her eyes were glazed with passion. He could tell she was excited. He would swear he could smell her heat beckoning to him. Her back bowed onto the furs before them writhing and begging to be taken. When the dance finished she lay before them both in submission, panting. Her arms held out in a pleading gesture to be loved, to be made love to. Rolf could hear his heart hammer in his chest. Sweat slid slowly down the side of his face. The music stopped and for a moment all was quiet, until¼

Pandemonium broke out.

“I must have the woman!” a male bellowed.

Rolf and Brandr drew their swords and Sky screamed in panic. She scrambled to her feet and hid, crouching, behind Rolf’s legs.

 Many more swords were drawn and sparks flew as they clashed. Many more women were screaming and running, hiding, fleeing for safety in all directions.

Rolf engaged in battle with the man who swore he had to have Sky. A massive bear of a man. They exchanged heated blows. Rolf kept one eye on the sex-crazed man and watched as Sky and a bunch of other women fled to a room to barricade themselves in. The door slammed behind them.

With Sky safe, Rolf returned the blows of the man eagerly. All of his concentration was now centered on the clash at hand. Rolf didn’t strike to kill; the man was a comrade after all. He couldn’t blame the man for wanting Sky. Rolf himself had battled not to take her on the floor when she had lain so enticingly before him. By the Gods, she had been magnificent. But it was up to him and Brandr to protect her. If they couldn’t, they didn’t deserve to have her.

“Enough!” Eirik bellowed into the frenzy-filled room.

A few last hits of swords followed then the room went silent.

 “Sky is not a captive for any man. She is Rolf’s and Brandr’s. Tonight she is mine as well. Would you dare take what belongs to your leader?” Eirik yelled.

“You never said she could dance like that,” Gulli growled heatedly.

“I didn’t know,” Eirik replied. He looked at Rolf who shrugged.

“I had no idea,” Rolf said, just as surprised. “And now she’s hiding in terror.”

“Now we know and because you behaved like the fools you are, I bet she will never dance again,” Brandr snapped.

The men groaned.

“But she must dance again,” Lud said.

“Rolf, talk to her. Tell her to dance again. She was not harmed,” Cull pleaded.

“I’ll think about it,” he replied then grinned at Brandr.