Read Online Delivering Kadlin by Gabrielle Holly - Free Book Online Page A

emerged from the longhouse and joined the group. They were dressed alike with long linen shifts over which they wore brightly-dyed aprons, the shoulder straps fastened with heavy broaches. Around their waists were leather belts hung with pouches, keys, knives and other implements that clattered when they walked.
    Kadlin remained on her pony, watching the reunion and awaiting introductions.
    When Bjorn offered none, one of the women, a lanky blonde, took the initiative. “I am Agata, wife of Finnr,” she said nodding to the nearest man. “The dark-haired one is Marget, wife of the tall one, Drengr. And the freckled one is Gudrior, wife of Rafn.”
    Kadlin answered with only her name, not sure how else to identify herself. Bjorn offered no clarification, so Agata turned to him. “Will you bathe before supper?” He nodded. Agata then turned to the dark-haired woman. “Marget, bake another loaf for supper.”
    “No,” Bjorn said. “Not just another loaf. Prepare a feast.” He finally acknowledged Kadlin with a nod in her direction. “And find her something to clean wear. There will be a wedding tonight.”
    * * * *
    The sun had dipped low in the west when Kadlin and Agata walked naked into the sauna. Bjorn was already inside, sitting on a low bench, scrubbing his bare skin with a boar-bristle brush. He glanced up as the tall blonde grabbed another brush and began cleansing Kadlin from head to toe.
    Kadlin held out her arms and displayed herself to the Viking. When Agata had rubbed clean every inch, she gathered up a bundle of birch branches and slapped them against Kadlin’s skin. The slight sting was deliciously invigorating, but much less so than the heat in Bjorn’s stare. She concentrated on keeping her face expressionless, but need pulsed between her legs when a hungry smile tugged up his lips.
    There will be a wedding tonight.
    Agata reached outside the door and hauled in a bucket of cold water. She dipped in a chamois and rinsed off Kadlin’s tingling skin. Agata passed the cloth to Kadlin so she could wash between her legs. Kadlin looked up and found the Viking staring at her.
    “Leave us please,” he said quietly to Agata.
    When they were alone, Bjorn patted the bench next to him, and Kadlin sat. He stood in front of her, and she watched his manhood stiffen. She reached out to touch him, but he caught her by the wrist. “Not so fast, my impatient imp,” he said.
    He picked up the bucket in one hand and tilted back her head with the other. He poured cool water over her hair and leaned in to rub it clean. His hard shaft pressed against her breast, and she moaned in frustration. He laughed then poured more water over her head. “Soon, my love. Soon.”
    “After the wedding ?” she asked.
    “Yes, after the wedding.”
    “And if I refuse?” she teased.
    He set the bucket on the bench and knelt down in front of her. “Would you disobey me again?”
    She stroked his hair. “No, never again.”
    * * * *
    The four women gathered in Bjorn’s chamber at the rear of the longhouse. The room was neatly kept and outfitted with small tables, benches and stools. The wide bed was set on a low frame with carved poles at each corner, and the pallet covered with layers of plush furs. A door to the outside was propped open to let in the breeze.
    Marget laid a basketful of field flowers on a table near the door and settled in on a hide-covered stool. The others combed the tangles from Kadlin’s damp hair, and as they plaited small hanks into braids, her mind flitted back to the amber bead she’d left in Grima’s cottage. Agata and Gudrior rubbed scented oils over her skin, and Kadlin gave herself over to their ministrations, comfortable in her nakedness even among these strangers.
    Marget wove the flower stems into a crown. “Have you lain with him yet?” she asked.
    Kadlin answered with a raised eyebrow and a wicked smile.
    Gudrior giggled. “It’s a wonder you can sit then.”
    Agata swatted at her freckled