The Scarred Viking's Bride (On Temp. Hold)

Thirty-One

"Do you believe that 'tis possible to strung a man by the little toes with rope?" I mused as I lounged on a padded chair in Ingrid's purple room.

Her tickling laugh ran throughout the room, Hilde's soft chuckle balanced the light lilting of her kin's. I continued to twirl a piece of my hair round my fingers, weaving it around the digits until I ran out of hair. I imagined Aderick's head as my fingertips as I tightly wrapped the blonde locks around until it turned another color.

There was the extent in which my brothers loved to torment and tease me to the point I would grow furious and frustrated near tears from their remarks and actions. But this continuing building feeling of anger and hurt from Aderick's actions channeled furiously in my chest did not seem to perish as days passed.

It had been nearly a week since that day I found Aderick had left, and my anger and hurt only developed into something more.

I tried distracting myself with different scenarios that I could punish Aderick with. I relayed images of torment my brothers had once described too loudly, one where the man was strung up on his feet on piles of rocks, his arms pulled up and away from his body with rope. One slight slip and he would be hanging by his wrists.

Nei, too boring.

Hilde and Ingrid were discussing a new fabric and ribbons that were brought from the last raid, the vibrant colors were beautiful, rich and most definitely a coveted prize. I was too distracted to pay attention to something I would have enjoyed.

I was worried sick about Aderick, if he was fine or if he would come home soon.

But by the gods, did I wish to strangle that man for doing this to me.

Was it wrong of me to have such conflicting emotions? I cared for his wellbeing, for his safe return, but that man would not win me over by sweet words or heated touches. Nei, Aderick Dahlsten was going to feel the wrath of his wife.

"Stil brooding?" Hilde called from across the room.

Blinking out of my twisted thoughts, I turned my head towards the women who held fabrics in their hands and looked at me with pity. That fact alone made me irritable alone. I did not wish to be pitied. I simply felt...lost.

Aderick had quickly become a large part of my life, filling in the gaping holes that that fateful night left on my soul. I was used to sleeping next to his snoring self every night, being able to roll over and feel his constant warmth at any time of the night. Now, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep due to the nightmares coming back to haunt me. My throat was raw from the screams that would escape my throat. Only sitting by the dying fire and playing with my cat would assist in keeping me from slipping into the haunted dreams.

I missed his teasing talk, his touches, and the bright, warm way my belly would light up when we were in each other presences.

But I would not stoop below to become a walking corpse . . . that I could not function without my man beside me. Nei, today would be the end of such moping and melancholy persona.

"Nei, just plotting," I mused with an evil smirk.

A loud meow cast my eyes to the floor, where my little kitten was flicking her tail back and forth as she eyed my hair that danced along my waist. Her eyes grew large as she prepared to pounce and I quickly threw the lock behind me as she jumped onto my lap where the strand was moving. I let out a choked laugh as a grumbled purr left my cat as she began playing with the tips of my curls with her sheathed paws.

Ingrid let out a coo as she neared my kitten, who I finally named kisa. She let out a loud rumble in her little chest as Ingrid and then Hilde rubbed her ears and under her chin. Purrs loud enough to shake her furry body were heard throughout the room.