My eyes creaked open. Sweet smoke wafted over me and firelight played on an unfamiliar wall. I stretched and I lay in a large bed, built from sturdy logs, piled high with quilts and a soft mattress. No wonder I had slept so soundly, dry and warm and more comfortable than I’d been in my entire life. My body felt limp, ravaged by weakness and gnawing pain.

“Where am I?” I rasped. The words tore my dry throat.

“Shhh.” The warrior, Thorbjorn, sat on the bed, threading an arm behind my shoulders, propping me up to drink.

I sipped the steaming liquid, pausing when the bitter taste filled my mouth.

“A little more, sweet one. It is an herbal brew. The witch gave us medicine to heal you.”

A snort from the cabin floor. The wolf stretched out before the door, and shook his large head.

“It is good for you,” Thorbjorn insisted, glaring at the wolf, who went back to gnawing his bone. “Rolf doesn’t trust witches.”

“Wise wolf,” I said before choking the bitter liquid down.

When Thorbjorn moved back to the fire, I fell back onto the pillows, weak. So very weak. But at least my throat didn’t scream in pain anymore.

“How long have I been here?”

“A night and a day.” He frowned and stroked his beard. “Time passes differently here.”

I struggled to rise up. “What do you mean?”

“Be still,” Thorbjorn said, and I froze, because it was an order. He fussed over me, plumping the pillows and easing me upright, his touch gentle to bely his stern frown. A bit of grey threaded through his beard, and I was struck by how much I felt like a child, coddled by a doting father. It made me all the more eager to leave the bed.

“You are to rest and become well,” he said. “Rolf will look after you to make sure you don’t leave the bed when I am gone.”

The wolf snorted again.

“We’re in a safe place, a sanctuary. We have limited time here, but if you rest and become well, we can leave without fear of losing a hundred years.”

“What? What is this place?”

“Rolf thinks it’s Álfheimr, or a place between the worlds. He listens to too many of the bard’s tales.” Thorbjorn shook his head, a fond smile on his face. He returned with another cup. I couldn’t resist, but this time the liquid tasted good.

“Another thing,” Thorbjorn fixed me a with a stern look, his black brows knotting. “Rolf said you rose up and tried to leave the cabin. There will be none of that. Your health depends on you resting and taking your medicine. You will do as we order, no more, no less.”

I schooled my face to be meek and docile, but couldn’t stop from heaving a frustrated sigh. “Fine.”

He raised a brow.

“Very well. I want to get well.” I sagged back, feeling exhausted. What would happen to me once I had my strength? I was their mate—but they rejected me. My experience with a man’s lust was limited to the friar, but there was no reason for these warriors to hold back from taking what they wished. The friar had just taken what he wanted. I did not know why these warriors did not do the same.

A finger touched my forehead, and I opened my eyes.

“Such sorrow. You have nothing to worry about here, truly. We will see to your every need.”

“Why?” I didn’t have the strength to dance around the question. “What can I give you that you can’t just take?”

“We are nothing like him.” Gold lit Thorbjorn’s eyes. He sat back, the lines around his mouth and eyes seemed etched in stone. “If I could kill him again, I would,” he murmured.

“He was kind to me. In a way,” I said. “He didn’t beat me too harshly, or starve me like the other girls.” Or tear me from my home.

“You have marks on your arms from him grabbing you. How is that kind?” Thorbjorn stood so quickly, the stool clattered to the ground. I flinched. He opened his mouth to speak, and then shook his head again Red tinged his cheekbones, and his chest heaved as if he’d run for miles. “Watch her,” he ordered the wolf, and left.

I sank back into the pillows, wishing I could hide. Abruptly I sniffed, and wiped at tears that appeared on my cheeks. Curses. I was supposed to regain my strength so I could please my captors, not stew in silly, useless tears.

A weight hit the bed. I gasped as the wolf loomed over me. It grinned, showing me very white, very pointy teeth. Then it turned thrice, it’s long, thin legs avoiding stepping on mine until it plopped down, half draped over me. I wriggled, but while its weight wasn’t enough to crush me or keep me from breathing, the wolf had me well and truly pinned. It turned and licked my face, its rough tongue washing away my tears.

Despite myself I laughed. “All right,” I told it, reaching up to play with its silky ears. “I’m not going anywhere, I promise.”

It laid down with a sigh.

I dozed, starting awake when Thorbjorn burst into the house. The wolf yipped at him.

“Forgive me lass. I didn’t realize you’d sleep.”

“It’s all right,” I yawned.

“I’m going to make you a broth. You’ll be eating a bowlful.”

He tossed the skinned meat bones into a huge cauldron and set it onto the fire.

The wolf barked.

“I know it’s a witch’s pot,” Thorbjorn grouched. “And you don’t trust her. I don’t trust her either, but she has helped us so far, and who else do we turn to for help?”

“Who are you talking to?” I asked.

“Rolf. He hates witches.”

“He speaks to you when he is a wolf?”

Thorbjorn tapped his temple. “We share a bond. It links our minds.”

The wolf gave me a doggy grin, tongue lolling out. My legs had become numb; I tried to shift them out from under the heavy creature.

“How is that possible?”

“Magic. I’ve long since given up asking questions. Ever since we were cursed to become monsters. You’re a quiet one. Did they not allow you to speak in the abbey?”

I flushed when I realized he was teasing. “I’m not used to being abed all day.”

“Well, you will get used to it. Because until you’re well, you will stay right there.”

The wolf let out another yip.

“I can take care of myself,” I muttered.

Thorbjorn raised a heavy brow. “Even so, little one, you will not cross me. I will not hesitate to take you over my knee, sick or no.”

I flushed. I did not know what overcame me. I never dared speak up against authority at the abbey. These warriors made me feel safe. That was dangerous. I couldn’t forget that they’d kidnapped me, and held my fate in their hands.

“You will allow your mates to care for you. You just follow our lead.”

I sighed and lay back.

Thorbjorn brought the broth bowl and set the stool on its legs before sitting down. “I didn’t mean to leave in such a hurry. Best we don’t speak of the holy one. It gives me a great anger to remember what he did.”

He did nothing that you won’t do, I wanted to point out.

His eyes narrowed as if he heard my thoughts. Maybe he had. There was no telling what was possible in this magical place.

“There’s a difference. You belong to us. We would die before hurting you.”

I pressed my lips together and looked away. The wolf lay his head near my hand and nudged it until I petted him.

Men who became such beautiful creatures surely couldn’t be evil.

“Here lass,” Thorbjorn said in a deep and tender voice, “Let’s fill your belly.”

I reached for the spoon and he held it away.

“I’ll feed you.”

“I’m not a child.”

“No, but you are as weak as one. I’ll not risk handing you a bowl until I know you won’t spill it.”

He fed me slowly, heat in his eyes. He watched every pause, every move. The wolf watched too.

When I could eat no more, I waved the bowl away. Thorbjorn looked as if he might insist I finish the rest of the broth, so to distract him I asked, “How do you know I am your mate?”

The gold light in his eyes flared.

The wolf whined.

“Your scent.” He said in a thick voice. “Your sweetness. Your beauty calls to us, but we cannot resist the way you calm our beast.”

“I don’t know what you want from me.”

His hand clasped my leg under the blanket, slid down to hold my ankle. The movement sent a tremor of excitement through me, centering on my secret place between my legs. My heart tripped faster.

“Make no mistake. We want everything you have to give. But not now. There is time, little one. For now, you will be as a babe for us to keep and care for. This place is removed from our world. We have time to coddle you as a child, until you emerge a woman, reborn.”

* * *

Being kept as a babe meant when it was time for me to use the privy, Thorbjorn and the wolf both came to steady me. I blinked back frustrated tears at my weak limbs, turning my head when Thorbjorn cleaned me. He placed me back in bed and I cried until the wolf climbed back up and licked my face clean.

“You have no reason to hide from us,” Thorbjorn said, lines creasing his forehead. “We are your mates. We will see to your every need.”

I turned my head away. I was wasted to nothing, and useless. Surely, when the warriors realized this, they would cast me out?

The wolf lay his head down on my lap, and nudged my hand until I stroked his silky fur. Somehow, I felt better.

I must have fallen asleep, for when I woke, Thorbjorn had left, and the warrior Rolf now stood in his two-legged form, crouched near the fire, wearing only a loincloth. The old Sage would blush and cross herself to ward off wicked thoughts, but I was too weak to care.

He bent over a bucket, knife in hand, and drew the blade carefully up his neck, slicing the stubble away. As a man, he was well formed, lithe and strong, his muscles cut into tanned skin. With his narrow face and lean body, he was smaller than his warrior companion, but moved with no less grace or power. I craned my head to watch him as he finished shaving, using the water in the bucket as a mirror. He cut his hair short, taking care to gather up every hair and toss it into the fire. When he was done, he looked into the bucket and smiled at his reflection. My heart stuttered in my chest.

“Do you like my looks?” he asked, without looking up from the water.

I flushed and jerked back into the safety of the pillows. His chuckle followed me. I couldn’t help look up when he walked into my line of sight, stretching until his spine cracked. The sound reminded me of the way he shifted forms.

“What happens to your clothes when you become a wolf?” I asked.

“I take care to strip before the Change, else I must bite and tear my way out. And when I return, I have nothing to wear. I set aside my knives and weapons, also. Wolves need none, for we have sharp teeth.” He smiled at me, and the tightness in me eased.

“You often take wolf form, more than Thorbjorn.”

He shrugged. “I am a scout and a tracker. I move more silently in wolf form, and better to surprise my enemies.”

“Is Thorbjorn a tracker also?”

“Thorbjorn is a leader. He led the raid on the abbey.”

I flicked my gaze down. I could not forget how these men kidnapped me. My friends had been so afraid during the raid, screaming and crying. Who else had lost their life that night?

A shadow stirred at my side. Rolf moved quick and quiet as a wolf, even in man form.

“Hey,” he cupped my chin. These men had no qualms about touching me, but instead of distress, it gave me relief. They were so big and brutal, ready for violence, yet my body sighed whenever they reminded me how gentle they could be. “Thorbjorn did everything he could to ensure the spaewives would be safe.”

“You frightened us.”

His thumb stroked my lower lip. “We saved your life, for the price of a little fear. Will it mean you can never come to care for us?”

I just stared at him, and he sighed.

“Sage, we wanted to send word ahead, but there was no time. If we could have bought you from the friar, one by one, or found any other way, we would have. But the attack had to be a surprise, or else the spies of the Corpse King would alert their master. Even so, the holy man sent warning, and the enemy forces came.”

“What is he? The Corpse King?”

“A terrible foe. We have not fought him at his full strength. I pray that day will never come. From what we can tell, he bribed the friar to gather the spaewives at the orphanage.”

“Most of us came to the orphanage as babes.”

“The Corpse King’s servants may have sought out women with spaewife magic, and taken their female children.”

“Rosalind’s family gave her and her sister up. They were the two girls, and there were too many mouths to feed.”

“It is possible your family accepted payment for you. More likely, the Corpse King found a way to take you.”

I fell silent. I always thought, as an orphan, I was unwanted. It had never occurred to me that someone had wanted me enough to buy or steal me away.

Rolf’s brow furrowed. “I did not mean to cause you distress.”

I shook my head. “I am not distressed.”

His hand slid around to the back of my neck and squeezed. “You cannot lie to me. I am your mate, I can sense your feelings.”

I did not want to dwell on that. “So what happened to the other girls? The ones who disappeared? The friar told us he’d found them husbands.”

“The holy man gave them to the Corpse King.”

“Are… are they still alive?”

He hesitated, and I knew the answer. I shook my head, biting my lip. The older girls I hadn’t known, but some of the more recent I had grown up with. They thought they were being sent to rich husbands, men wealthy enough to pay a bride price for a virgin. Of course, some of the orphans escaped this fate by becoming nuns.

He pulled me into his chest, guiding my arms around him. I couldn’t help clinging to him. “The Corpse King uses spaewives to grow his power. Before we set out to claim the abbey, all Berserkers swore an oath. We will not let him hurt any of you again.”

* * *

Slowly, my strength returned. Enough so when Thorbjorn offered me a draught of bitter herbs, I wrinkled my nose and shook my head.

“Careful, little one. You’re not big enough to fight me.”

“I can refuse to drink.”

Thorbjorn cocked his head to the side, his beard hiding a grin. “I wouldn’t recommend it.”

“Why not?”

“He’ll punish you,” Rolf uncrossed his arms and rose from where he had been leaning against the wall in shadow. He’d been hanging around more and more, though I often didn’t notice him until he wanted me to. Even in man form, he seemed more like a wolf, a wary, waiting predator.

I gulped.

“Not harshly. And not in a way that will cause permanent harm.” Thorbjorn glared at Rolf. “You don’t have to scare her.”

“She’s not scared. She’s testing you, brother.”

“Oh, aye?” Thorbjorn gave me appraising look. “In that case, know that any disobedience will be met with the broad side of my palm on your bare back side.”

“I’ll drink,” I said, and held out my hand for the cup. Thorbjorn set it to my lips, and held it until I finished.

“Good lass,” he said, thoughtfully. The words sent a shiver through my body, but I crossed my arms over my chest and sulked, laying back against the pillows.

“I’m stronger now. I promise. Will you let me out today?”

“Not today. But mayhap tomorrow. Unless you need to use the privy?”

I flushed and shook my head. I had no wish to repeat that experience. I’d sneak out of the cabin when they weren’t looking.

Thorbjorn returned with a bowl of water.

“What’s that for?”

“I wish to bathe you. Unless you’d rather the wolf do it?”

“No.” I’d had enough tongue face washes to last a lifetime.

He smirked, and ran the wet cloth behind my neck and ears.

I sighed, relaxing into the heat.

“I wish to go out,” I said.

Thorbjorn clucked. “It’s too soon.” He turned to put away the bowl, and I struggled to sit up, only to find him looming over me, a hand planted on my chest.

“None of that,” he ordered. “You’re still too weak.”

“Please,” I said. I’d already slept a night and half the day. My body felt empty of strength, but surely they couldn’t expect me to laze about all day.

“You were half dead, Sage. Even now, you’re eating only broth and the weakest porridge.”

I wrinkled my nose, and Thorbjorn laughed and ruffled my hair. “Seems to me our mate is ready for some good meat.”

Rolf straightened. “Then we should hunt. We’ll make her fat as a jarl’s daughter.” He winked at me.

“But see that you stay abed.” Thorbjorn wagged a finger.

Of course, as soon as their footfalls died away, I rose. I hobbled first to the door, peering out to check if they lingered on the stoop. The clearing in front of the cabin stood empty. A few ferns trembled as if a wolf passed through them. Satisfied, I inched out to relieve myself. Halfway back to the cabin, I wavered, and clutched a bush to keep upright. I took a moment to rest and absorb my surroundings. The well-built cabin with bright yellow door, the neatly chopped wood stacked to the side, it seemed a place we could stay forever.

A wind blew through, drawing a sweet scent—floral, but nothing I recognized. The warriors were right—this place was fey.

At last I was able to take a few more steps. I brushed the dirt from my feet and slipped back into bed, asleep almost as soon as I lay back.

When I woke, the fire crackled and a rich, meaty smell filled the cabin.

My stomach growled.

I swung my legs to the floor. No warrior leapt out of the shadows to stop me. Glee filled me as I traversed the room. I had strength enough to stand. Surely I didn’t need to stay abed all day. I grabbed a pouch of tea. I would make my own brew and prove to Throbjorn I could take care of myself.

But when I poked at a log to make room for a small pot of water, the larger cauldron unbalanced and tipped, sloshing boiling liquid across the floor. I yelped and jumped as best I could, but then slipped. The hot stew burned my feet.

“Sage,” Thorbjorn leapt inside and lifted me clear of the mess.

“I didn’t mean to,” I babbled, wincing at the pain. “Forgive me.”

“Hush.” He carried me out, set me on a boulder and looked me over. I blushed a little at his touch, but he didn’t linger or tease me. He lifted each leg and frowned. I closed my eyes, flinching as he examined my feet.

“Your soles are burned.”

“The stew. I didn’t mean to—”

“I know you didn’t.” He raised a hand and I winced before I remembered not to. “Lass, look at me.”

After a moment, I did. The set of Thorbjorn’s mouth was stern, but the creases around his eyes were kind. “I’m not angry with you.”

“I ruined the stew—”

“Rolf is still out hunting. There’s plenty of game.” He raised his broad hand slowly, this time, and tucked my hair behind my head. “My only concern is if you are hurt.”

“I am getting better. I thought I was strong enough to lift the pot.”

“Next time, call for me, and I will fetch it for you.”

I pressed my lips together.

“Sage, promise me.”

“It does not seem right that you serve me,” I spoke to the ground.

He ducked his head to meet my gaze. “We are your mates. We wish to care for you in all ways.” He touched my chin and chuckled. “And now we shall, for you’ll be in bed longer.”

I groaned.

“Not to worry. We’ll find something for you to do. For now, let’s clean you properly.” He lifted me again, swaggering down the path away from the cabin. “Truth be told, I expected you to disobey, but not so dramatically. But if you were good, I was going to reward you.”

“You were?”

“Indeed. But now I’ll have to punish you instead.”

I sucked in a breath. He didn’t look at me, but his grin broadened. His good humor made me relax, though I wondered what punishment I’d receive at his hands.

Perhaps it would not be so bad.

He walked to the pool, steam rising from the surface.

“Where’s Rolf?”

“He’s hunting. I may wait. He will want to see you punished, too.”

I whimpered, and Thorbjorn laughed. “Calm yourself. Nothing to fear from us.”

“The punishment… will it hurt?”

“Nothing you can’t handle in your fragile state. But you certainly won’t want to disobey again.”

I didn’t understand. He acted almost jovial as he walked into the pool, clothes and all.

“Wait,” I cried, clutching at his shoulders. The water lapped at my ankles, warm enough, but I wore my only shift. It was stained and threadbare, but it was all I had. “What about my clothes?”

“Rolf is getting you new ones.”

He sank down, seating himself on a rock with me in his arms. I left my arms wound around his neck, enjoying the strong feel of him under me. I felt some surprise that my body had missed his.

“Comfortable?” His voice was rough.

“Yes,” I settled myself in his lap, only to realize his cock had grown long and hard under my bottom.

I met his gaze; his eyes were gold.

“Nothing to fear, lass,” he said quietly.

He washed me with gentle hands, sending tingles through my whole body.

“Soak here, sweet one, while I clean the cabin.” He set me down, and I feasted my eyes on his awe-inspiring body. Rivulets of water ran down the grooves between his broad muscles. The breadth of his upper arms were so large, I wouldn’t be able to span them with both hands. Such a man should never look twice at an orphan like me.

He smiled and my stomach flipflopped. “Promise me you will stay until I come for you.”

“I promise.”

He tapped a finger against my nose, and headed off, muscles flexing in his back and buttocks under the loincloth he wore. I stared after him until he hit the door, then snapped my gaze back to my hands, clenched under the water. A hard-throbbing sensation spread between my legs.

What was happening to me?

I kept my gaze averted when Thorbjorn returned. He lifted me as if I weighed nothing and carried me to the cabin, where he peeled off my wet clothes and wrapped me in a soft pelt. He set me on a stool.

“I’ll put you to bed in a moment. First I’m giving you more medicine.”

“Oh, no, please,” I whined, thinking of the bitter brew. “I don’t need it.”

“I’ll say you need a double dose, one for your illness, one for your burns. Both will make you mind.”

“Please, Thorbjorn.” I put out a hand and caught his forearm, caressing the knotted muscle. “I’ll be good.” My heart thudded at my bravery. These men responded to my touch, and I wanted to see what weapons I had at my disposal.

He gave me a heated look, but shook his head. “I wouldn’t be a very good mate if I didn’t care for you. Now.” He took the pelt I wore and dropped it at his feet. “On your knees, lass, here.” With a firm hand, he guided me onto the floor.

I knelt, holding an arm over my bosom. “Like this? Naked?”

“Yes. You have no secrets from me.”

My cheeks throbbed with my embarrassment, but excitement tingled in my nethers as he regarded me. All of me. “Thorbjorn, please.”

“I am your mate. I care for you. Now hush. Head down. And put your bottom in the air.”

“What?” I tried to rear up but he caught me and placed me in position.

“Do it, Sage, or I’ll redden your bottom on the bare.”

Sucking in a breath, I positioned myself. I ducked my head to hide my flushed cheeks in my arms. “Why are you doing this to me?”

“This is medicine. T’will make you well.”

I wanted to protest, but he sounded brisk and unrelenting. I could run for the door, but he’d only catch me—and punish me further.

Besides, I couldn’t resist his firm commands.

“Widen your legs, dear one.” He tapped my inner thighs until I moved my knees further apart.

“Will it hurt?”

“There might be some discomfort. But you are safe with me, Sage, always.”

My body softened.

“Now,” he continued. “Reach back and part your bottom cheeks for me.

* * *

Our mate crouched on all fours, her face to the pelt. With a little moan she did as I asked.

Her pussy lips had a slight sheen. I swallowed a smile.

“Now, Sage. Part your bottom cheeks.” I repeated the order, pulling down another pelt from the bed to cushion her front half further. “Lean on this, sweet one.

I rose to prepare the cleansing water, and examined the metal piece the witch had given me, one end was shaped like a bulb, a wide opening for water, while the other was thin and reed-like.

I took a deep breath and turned. Just as I hoped, she’d done as I asked, holding open her bottom cheeks to show off her crinkled little hole. She took small shuddering breaths. Embarrassed no doubt. I inhaled the scent of her humiliated arousal.

“Good girl,” I praised, and knelt behind her. “Now, hold very still.” I stroked her bottom. At first, she flinched, but after a few moments settled to my touch. My cock hardened, threatening to punch a hole in my breeches. I adjusted myself before dipping a finger in oil. I had to stretch her bottom hole, to make her ready for the thin nozzle.

I let the oil drip from my fingers over her exposed crack. She sucked in a breath, her muscles clenching.

“Easy,” I soothed as I oiled her rectum and probed a little. She was clean and shiny, pliant and soft. Her bottom hole yielded to me. My balls ached from holding back, and for once I was grateful for the years I’d spent reining in my bestial desires. If I had one less ounce of control, I would have pushed her onto the bed and claimed her. I’d take her mouth, pussy, ass, and give her so much pleasure, she wouldn’t be able to walk.

There would be time for all that. For now, she was my patient.

I held back from plundering her back passage. With gentle probing I stimulated her, making her know she could enjoy my touch.

At the same time, moisture gathered in her fragrant cunny. Her heady scent filled the air. Such a small little vessel to hold so much lust. She couldn’t have had many outlets for her desires, trapped in that abbey. Soon she would understand she was free, and revel in it.

Until then, we all would burn.

Need help? Rolf asked. He ran as a wolf, fur wet from brushing against the dewy undergrowth, on the trail of prey. For a moment, I reveled in his freedom.

My head cleared. Thank you.

She soon will be well. We will then claim her.

Soon, I half agreed, half prayed. When I opened my eyes again, and returned to the room with the obedient woman on all fours, the scent of arousal punched me in the face.

Sage stared at me from over her shoulder, eyes wide and liquid. I would prove that she needn’t fear me. I would prove she needn’t fear any man, ever again.

“Almost done, sweet one. Then I’ll fill you with the medicine. You’ll hold it in for me until I say you can let it out.” I couldn’t resist slipping my finger lower, finding her folds and stroking them. “Be a good girl, and you’ll be rewarded.”

I left her like that, on all fours, quivering with anticipation of my touch. Her bottom glistened in the firelight. My cock was hard as bone. I made myself focus on readying the water, testing it and adding cool water to the hot brew I’d boiled. The herbs smelled bitter. I hoped the medicine wouldn’t leave her too uncomfortable.

“You’re doing so well,” I crooned, kneeling beside her. My fingers found her tight pucker again, and wormed their way inside. Her shoulders rose and fell with a shuddering breath. I set the flute like part of the clay device at her bottom.

“Oh.” Her limbs jerked.

“Be still,” I ordered her, and watched her body fall into obedience. “You can let go of your bottom,” I conceded, and waited until she’d braced her hands on the floor.

“Is this a fitting punishment?” I asked as I pushed the nozzle in.

“Yes,” she huffed, and I laughed.

“So quick to answer? Are you afraid I’ll check your cunny, and learn the truth?”

“No…” she drew out the word. Her little fists squeezed the pelts, but she kept her bottom half still.

“Easy now. Let me fill you.” I tipped the pot of medicine, and let it fill the funnel and flow in.

“It’s strange,” she gasped.

“Does it hurt?”

“No.” Then, “Yes. I don’t know. How much longer?”

“A few minutes. Be still, Sage.” I stroked her back as her stomach murmured in protest. My other hand fisted at my side. I hated to cause her discomfort. “This will make you well.”

“I don’t like it.”

“I know, sweet one. But if you’re so eager to get out of bed, we will make sure to flush the ill humors out.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’ll be good.”

“I know,” I caressed her smooth rear cheek, enjoying her little shiver. “No need to apologize. You are very, very good. Sometimes too good,” I added with a grin. “You must cross us sometimes, so we can punish you. We enjoy it.”

“Why?”

“To see you sweet and obedient like this. Uncomfortable, but yielding to my commands.”

“I don’t understand.”

“It is the way of the beast. It hungers for a woman’s submission. But you are the only one who can sate it. Now,” I poured in the last of the water. “How do you feel?”

“Full.”

I set my hand at her stomach to test it.

“Please don’t,” she whined.

“Hold it in. You can do it.” Her belly felt taut and engorged. When she expelled the water, she’d be so clean and empty. Perfect to slip my cock inside…

I found my hand stroking her velvety lower lips, teasing her as she struggled to hold the liquid inside. Her body moved in little jerks, responding to my touch.

“Please,” she begged. “This isn’t right.”

“You do not like me to touch you here?”

“Not now... when I am… full.” She hung her head.

“You like this,” I whispered in her ear. “You are wet and willing. So sweet and pleasing.”

“Thorbjorn,” she gasped. “I can’t do this any longer.”

“All right.” I took my hand away, resisting the urge to taste her sweetness. “I’m going to help you to the chamber pot. Hold onto me.”

“Can you leave me?”

“No, sweet one. You are weak, and I am here to care for you. Hush, no protest. I am your mate. You will hide nothing from me. I will see to your every need.”

I steadied her while she used the pot, and guided her back to the pelts where I washed her carefully with a soft cloth and warm water collected from the pools.

“Good girl,” I told her, over and over. “Such a good girl.”

She kept her head bowed and eyes half closed, but submitted as I ministered to her. When I was done, I lifted her in my arms, and carried her to bed.

“Rest now, while I clean up.”