Her Viking Lovers (8 page)

“You
love Alrek?” he asked quietly, seeking confirmation.

“
Já
.”
Esa dropped her gaze.

“I
see.”

Scrubbing
a hand across his beard, Rennir shook his head. How could he have been so
blind? It was obvious from the looks they shared, from Alrek and Esa’s quiet
manners. It was all so clear now. His dearest friend loved his wife and she
loved him in return. He let out a long exhale. Fearing what else he might say,
he turned on his heel and shoved open the door. As it slammed shut, he heard Esa
calling his name.

***

Alrek
stole a glance around his hut and huffed out a long breath. Adjusting his bag
on his shoulder, he tried to forget the time Esa had come to his hut. He had to
leave. She was everywhere. He could still smell her… taste her. The memories of
her climaxing with Rennir in her mouth and himself in her pussy would linger
forever. Sharing her with Rennir had been one of the hardest yet most amazing
experiences of his life. The pleasure she had gained from it had been
miraculous to watch. What he wouldn’t give to share her again, to see her filled
with two cocks, one in her pussy and one in her arse. 

He
had found it incredibly easy to work with Rennir. Though they had been apart
for so long, it seemed their lifelong friendship had worked in their favour
when fucking Esa. They worked seamlessly to bring her intense orgasms. His body
tightened when he considered how many more they could bring her. But it was not
to be. Rennir made it clear that they were to share one night and one night
only. And how could he resist? One more chance to be buried in the woman he
loved.

Now,
however, he had to leave. He shut the door to the hut and took off across the
fields toward the coastline. He would follow it for several days until he found
another settlement who might find him useful. With the return of Rennir and the
other men, he was no long needed and how could he stay to watch Rennir and Esa’s
love blossom once more? His heart hurt just thinking on it.

The
breeze coming from the sea flowed over him, the salty scent almost erased the
aroma of Esa that seemed to stick to his skin. It was better this way. Elsa
might claim she loved him but she would forget him soon enough after some
attention from Rennir. He had been merely a diversion.

Alrek
paused to take in the sight of the bay stretching around. The weather was clear
and the seas calm. He was making the right decision wasn’t he? He strode
further along the cliff top and froze. His heart stuck in his throat.

Boats.

Raiders.

There
was no sign of the occupants of the boats which meant they had already made
their way inland. To the settlement. And to Esa.

Alrek
turned and fell into a sprint. He recognised this sails. They were from a
settlement to the north and Alrek had fought them before when their men had yet
to head out on the expedition. The raiders were ruthless and the battle had not
been easily won. With so few men, he feared there was no way they would be
victorious this time. And he had left them to their fate

He
sprinted until his lungs ached. Each intake of air felt raw and ragged.
Brandishing his sword, he released a cry when he reached the fields on the edge
of the village and spotted several men trying to pin down one of the women,
forcing her into the dirt.

They
turned and released the woman, attentions now on him. He cut the first down
with ease—a quick slice across his throat. The second and third raiders came at
him at once and he received a nick across his shoulder as he ducked their
swings. He shoved his boot into the gut of one and whirled to drag his sword
across the other’s chest. When his enemy fell to his knees, he faced the prone
one and plunged his blade into him.

Withdrawing
his sword, he snatched the woman from the ground. “Hide,” he ordered before
heading for the village.

Chaos
reigned. The few men left were still fighting but women screamed and children
cried. He looked around for Esa or Rennir but saw no sign of them. A raider
approached but Alrek killed him quickly enough, driven only by the need to
protect the women he loved and the rest of their friends and family.

He
ran to her home, killing anyone who got in his way. When he kicked open the
door, his heart dropped. Where could she be? And where was Rennir? He stepped
outside and peered around. The other women had likely made for the safety of
the hall and boarded themselves in there. Was she there?

Alrek
sprinted across the dry mud. Any enemy unfortunate enough to get in his way was
dispatched to meet Odin. When he reached the hall, he released a breath. Esa
was there, a shield and sword in hand. She guarded the doors with Yrsa and a few
of the other women. As he ran over, several enemy tried to break through but
the women beat them back with the kind of savagery he only expected from men.
Apparently the women of the village were not as vulnerable as he had always
thought.

A
look of relief washed over Esa’s face when he approached. “You are returned!”

“
Já
.
I saw the boats. I should not have left.” He glanced around. “Where is Rennir?”

“I
do not know. He was angry and he left too.”

“Why
was he angry?”

“I
confessed my love for you, Alrek.”

Alrek
cursed. They had both failed Esa and the other women by letting their emotions
get the better of them. He brushed a hand briefly across Esa’s cheek. “Come
now, we must see off the invaders. Yrsa, can you and the others defend the hall?”

The
woman grinned. “Of course, Alrek.”

“Esa,
come with me,” he ordered.

She
shifted the shield and nodded. They ran at the invaders together, first killing
those who were out in the open. Though he knew Esa had been a great warrior
once, he still split his attention between his enemy and her. He need not have
worried. She must have spent time practicing with a sword and likely her foe
underestimated her, giving her an advantage. She fought with such bravery, his heart
swelled with even more love—if that was possible.

They
began flushing out the raiders from the huts. The remaining men joined them and
together they either killed or ran off the enemy. Covered in blood and sweat,
elation surged through his veins when the last man was killed. He drew Esa into
a tight hold and kissed her fiercely. She grinned back but her smile quickly
dropped.

“I
did not see Rennir. He is not amongst the dead surely?”

“
Neinn
,
Rennir would not be killed by such an unskilled rabble. No doubt they underestimated
us and thought they could send their weakest warriors.”

Her
eyes rounded. “You think they shall send more?”

“After
that slaughter?
Neinn
. Do not fear, Esa. I will not leave and you shall
come to no harm. Rennir must have been far away and will be safe.”

“I
fear he shall not return. It has not been easy for him to come back after so
long. I know he thinks me vastly changed.”

Alrek
pulled her into his embrace. “From what I can see, you are not so changed.
Rennir will see that.”

“And
what of you, Alrek? I cannot stand to see you leave again.”

He
peered down into her beautiful blue eyes. “I do not know, but I will not leave
again. If I must, I will be only a friend to you, for your friendship is surely
worth it. Now, go wash while we carry away the dead.”

Esa
nodded and pressed a kiss to his cheek before heading off to the river to wipe
away the blood on her skin.

Alrek
watched her go, the elation slightly dulled. He still did not know how they
would continue on from this. Rennir knew of their love and now he was gone. For
good? Alrek could not feel happy about that. Regardless of what had happened
between him and Esa, Rennir was like a brother to him. He loved them both.

As
Esa washed away the blood and grime, she closed her eyes and attempted to
forget the slaughter that had taken place. They had been lucky to lose few men.
She felt no pity for their enemy. They had died valiant deaths.

She
froze at the sound of footsteps behind her. She glanced around for her sword
but it was out of reach on the bank of the stream. Whirling, she released a cry
when Rennir rushed over to her and bundled her into him.

“You
are safe.”

“
Já
,
I am safe.” She sagged into his hold as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “As
are you.” Esa drew back to peer up at him. “I thought you might be dead.”

“
Neinn
.
I was a fool for leaving you. I came across several raiders on the headland and
fought them there then returned as soon as I could. I failed you, Esa, yet you
are safe.”

“Alrek
returned,” she said quietly. “He fought alongside us.”

Rennir
nodded. “I see. And I also see that you have been fighting. You are not hurt?”

“
Neinn
.
These raiders were not seasoned fighters and were easy enough to defeat.”

A
smile quirked on his lips. “It seems you are still my warrior woman.”

“I
am, Rennir. I may want different things—a family, a quiet life—but I am still
the same woman in my heart.”

“I
see that now. I was so concerned with things returning to the way they were but
I see now that you cannot go back, only forward.”

Esa
lifted her chin. “And what of Alrek?”

“What—?”

Esa
screamed as Rennir sagged suddenly to the ground, revealing a group of three
raiders. They grinned at her.

“Thought
you had defeated us, pretty woman?” the older one jeered. “We are not so easily
scared by women and limping men as the others. And now we have no riches to
show for our work. So we shall take you, I think.”

The
other men nodded in agreement. Esa gulped and glanced around. Rennir remained
out cold, a trickle of blood leaching from behind his head. There would be no
rescue. Probably she would be sold into slavery. She screamed for help. Running
was not an option. She would not leave Rennir. The other two men snatched an
arm each while the white haired one closed the gap. His acrid breath washed
over her and she shuddered.

“You
shall pay dearly for the men you killed,” he promised.

A
battle cry sounded behind her and the old Viking’s eyes widened. Esa was
released and she dropped to the ground beside Rennir as Alrek swung at them.
Fear hammered in her heart when the three raiders drew up their swords. In
spite of his injury, Alrek fought with great savagery. Only the older man was a
match for him—likely due to experience for Esa knew he could not be as strong
as Alrek.

Rennir
groaned and she shook him frantically as Alrek and his enemy clashed again. Alrek
drew blood from his assailants arm but he was repaid with a small slice to the
cheek that had Esa crying out.

“Rennir,
awaken. Please,” she begged.

He
groaned again and peeled open his eyes. He narrowed his gaze and pushed himself
up. “Esa?”

She
glanced at the two men. Alrek was tiring, his leg injury revealing itself in
his movements. “Quickly, Rennir. Alrek needs your help.”

Shaking
his head, Rennir climbed swiftly to his feet and snatched up his sword. As
Alrek parried a blow from the enemy, Rennir sliced from behind and caught the
man across the back. As the man screamed and arched in pain, Alrek plunged his
blade into his foe’s chest. Both Vikings kicked the white haired man down.

Esa
let her shoulders sag. Rennir and Alrek stared at the enemy and then each
other.

“I
thank you, Rennir.” Alrek put a hand to his friend’s shoulder.

“And
I you, Alrek. They would have surely hurt Esa had you not come along when you
did.”

“It
seems we work well together.”

Esa
came to her feet and swiped the dirt from her skirts. She slipped between the
two men and eyed them both. “What now?”

***

On
her knees, legs spread, Esa waited. She kept her eyes closed—as commanded. Naked,
covered in oil, her hair braided ornately around her head, she continued to
wait. Her pulse pounded in her ears and the fire crackled and hissed. The door
opened and footsteps sounded. Her breaths quickened.

Esa
gasped when two hands came around from behind to cup her breasts. She arched
into the hands.

“Be
still, Esa,” Rennir warned.

More
hands came upon her, this time caressing her thighs. She moaned as fingers
worked up to the apex of her thighs.

“
Já
,
be still,” Alrek agreed. “We have many plans for you.”

Her
heart warmed at the feel of her lovers’ hands on her. Both men worked so
beautifully together. It was hard to believe she had ever been without either
one of them. Now they had come to a perfect arrangement. Both shared her bed
and her heart. While they sometimes had their disagreements, the good times
always far outweighed the harder times. With two strong, capable and caring
Vikings looking after her, she never feared for her safety and the village
thrived under their leadership.