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rustled Svana’s hair. She shivered. The
farther they traveled, the colder it became. Svana had noted earlier Vakr had
put on a warm wrap to cover his chest. She was grateful for the clothing he had
given her and David. Another breeze had her seeking the warmth of Vakr’s body.
After all, the dress she wore was long but the material was fine and thin.
    “It is time you went below deck to stay warm. I will take
you to my furs,” Vakr said.
    David jumped to his feet. Vakr pushed him down. “Get your
rest, you pup,” he commanded David. “You row like a feeble drunk woman.”
    “You’re leaving me up here alone with Itchy and Scratchy?”
David looked appalled, but he also looked scared.
    Vakr crouched before him. His voice was low as he said,
“Baldr has a bad right leg. Ing broke his left rib a month ago. Not very
honorable, but if you fear for your life, aim for those areas.”
    “Vakr,” Svana said with unease.
    “He will not be coddled or I will spend every waking moment
in the village saving his sorry ass. Let him fight a few battles and gain some
respect,” Vakr insisted. He looked down at David. “Did your father never teach
you that if you stand up to a bully, he will back down?”
    “The leg and rib, huh?” David said and gave Svana a lopsided
grin.
    Svana knew how stubborn her brother was. She also knew her
brother struggled with the fact he felt his father thought him a coward. Svana
knew better. Daddy pushed David harder because he was male and had a stereotype
in his mind of how men should behave. In the short time they had been aboard,
David had grown to respect Vakr, and she knew David was grateful he had saved
her. Vakr’s men respected him a great deal. Svana knew why; Vakr was a born
leader, even if he wasn’t quite right in the head. Svana could see David didn’t
want Vakr to think him a coward. She was torn between wanting to keep an eye on
her brother and not wanting to embarrass him.
    Svana was pulled below by Vakr. A small soapstone bowl with
a tiny amount of melted grease and a stubby wick lit their way. Svana was
pushed onto the pile of furs. Vakr began to undress before her. His fur shirt
hit the wood beneath his feet. She watched him uneasily and scooted back away
from him. Vakr was a man who looked even bigger without clothes.
    “Are you a virgin?” he asked.
    Svana’s eyes rose in surprise. “That’s really none of your
business.”
    Vakr blew out the candle and wick. His leather pants then
hit the wooden hull.
    Svana was glad it was dark. She had felt how big his cock
was, she didn’t want to be reminded of his size if she were to see it. She
swallowed hard when he dropped beside her on the bed.
    “Undress,” he demanded.
    “And if I don’t?” she asked. Her chin lifted in defiance.
    “The air is frigid, Svana. Skin on skin is warmer. I will
not roll onto you and force you. I do not want you to fear me. I only asked if
you were a virgin because you looked so skittish, like I was a hungry wolf and
you an innocent lamb. I assure you, you’re safe.”
    Vakr had wrapped the furs around himself. Svana sat
shivering on top of them. It was so dark now, she couldn’t see his face. Last
night she had been helpless and he had not harmed her. She remembered his
comforting warmth. The dress was a thin material and as the darkness of night
deepened, she became colder. The thickness of the furs beneath her teased her
with their delicious warmth. It was as though they called to her cooling skin.
Svana shrugged. It would be stupid to just sit here with her teeth chattering
and the dress was a bit too snug to sleep in. She lift it up over her waist
then struggled to pull it over her head. Within moments she felt strong hands
helping her. As the dress lifted higher, her exposed nipples hardened in the
cold air. Her entire body quivered with the cold. Svana felt warm flesh brush
against her own and it was as though her body sought shelter. She moved closer
to Vakr. Her arms were