The Viking's Captive(26)
She turned back to the line. Her heart was thudding. He was clearly very unhappy about her trip to the lake.
“I scared you,” he repeated. “There are many other things that might have scared you more. I told you not to leave the homestead, yet here you are.”
“I wanted to catch a fish, Master.”
“I have no care for what you wanted to do, you disobeyed me.” He stepped up close to her.
The scent of fresh sweat, timber, and earth filled her nostrils.
“Look,” he said, jabbing a finger at the sandy ground. “Wild boar have been here recently. Where would you go if they appeared now? They are not known for their friendliness.”
She tore her attention from the animal prints. How had she not seen them? “Into the lake, that’s where I’d go.”
“It’s very cold.” He gripped her chin and turned her to face him. “Though if you wish, if you do not believe me, I will strip you naked and throw you in.”
She didn’t fancy that. There was no doubt about it; the water ran from the ice in the mountains. “No.”
“No, Master.” He frowned.
“No, Master.”
“Do you not understand instructions, slave?”
She looked away.
“Do you not understand that disobedience will always be met with a punishment?”
She glared up at him again. Punishment. Surely catching a fish for their meal didn’t deserve a punishment.
“I cannot let this slip by,” he said. “We’re only on our second day as master and slave in my home. You’re learning, which makes it important for the lessons to be consistent.”
“No, please,” she said, swiping her hand over her right ass cheek. It was still a little delicate from the day before. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry is not good enough. Your actions are the reason for my displeasure, so it stands to reason actions are what you must be met with.”
She gulped. He was unforgiving, this Viking who’d stolen her away. Stubborn too. And what on earth did he mean to do to her this time?
He’d made no move to take his shoe off. Instead a tendon flexed in his jaw as he surveyed her.
A sudden tug on her line caught her attention.
“Give that to me.” He snatched it from her. “And go and stand by that big rock.”
She stepped back, her arms hanging limply at her sides. Perhaps now a fish had been caught he’d be more merciful. Her actions had provided something good for them.
Expertly he pulled the fish in, the muscles in his arms and shoulders flexing. It was a big one, with shiny silver scales and a fat tail.
He quickly unhooked it, then dropped it to the grass, along with the line.
“Why are you not at the rock, slave,” he said, almost in a growl and his eyebrows pulling low.
“I am.” Quickly she did his bidding. Fear washed through her. This was different to yesterday. Her second misdemeanor, and he was clearly determined to prove his point.
*
Halvor watched Duna move to the rock, her hips swaying beneath the new tunic dress.
He was full of exasperation. Why had she not done as she’d been told? She’d risked herself by coming to the lake without telling him. How could he protect her if he didn’t know where she was? He’d vowed to protect her, and he was not a man who broke his word.
She reached the rock and bowed her head, staring down at its smooth gray surface. “Can I ask you one thing?” she said, with a shake in her voice.
“You may.”
“Please, do not draw my blood.”
Draw her blood? What did she think he was? A barbarian?
“Of course not.”
She turned to him, her pretty eyes wide, and her hair catching on the wind. “You won’t?”
“No, Duna. I have no desire to see your blood, one drop on your heel is enough to last me a lifetime.”
Her shoulders seemed to relax a little, though her small hands remained clenched.
“I swear I will not spill your blood, slave,” he said, his voice a little softer, “but you must learn to obey me and know there are consequences when you do not.”
“I understand that now, Master.”
“Then this could be, and it’s in your hands, little Celt, your last punishment.”
“Yes, Master.” Her eyes were a little glazed, as if filling with tears. “I just hope it doesn’t pain me too much.”
His heart lurched. He didn’t want to bring her pain, but it was the way of masters and their thralls. She’d have to endure what he planned. There was no way around it.
He stepped up close to her. A single tear was rolling down her cheek.
He caught it on his thumb, then drew it to his mouth. It was warm and salty. “I will not give you more pain than you can bear.”
“Thank you, Master.”
“And when it’s over, it’s over, we’re on a clean slate. You will have learned your lesson and I will have forgiven you.”
She nodded.
“Good.” He folded his arms, and was aware of her attention straying to his bare torso. Did his physique please her? Or was she looking at his muscles and hoping he wouldn’t unleash his full power on her? “Now it’s time for you to submit, Duna. Pull up your dress.”