Ragnar the Just (Ragnar the Dane #3) (9 page)

Kjartan paused, concerned.

“Don’t stop now!” snapped Lini. Then he
giggled,
his eyes wide. So the warrior thrust, suddenly hitting the sweet spot, making Lini cry out with pleasure, trembling, as they both were.

Lini braced himself, his back arching a little as Kjartan thrust again and again, biting his lip, finding the rhythm, gasping. Oh, this was good, what he wanted, what he n
eeded. Lini’s obvious enjoyment -
eyes shut, amber lashes fluttering, lean body quivering, his cock t
hrobbing with a life of its own -
clouded Kjartan’s mind. All he could think about was thrusting as hard as he could, never stopping, he couldn’t!

Lini had forgotten his fears. He held firm against Kjartan’s hard length, steadying himself against the hut wall, every thrust making him weaker
and stronger at the same time. H
e couldn’t think
straight, he could only feel, h
is own cock like a rod, repeatedly pressed by Kjartan’s stomach.

“Don’t stop!” He didn’t know if he spoke aloud or not through the groans they both uttered. He looked up at Kjartan, loving his expression of pure pleasure.

With a cry, the warrior shuddered to a halt, still giving small thrusts whenever Lini moved. They both panted, sweat joining them together
,
and Lini put his hand down to his own aching cock, groaning as he did so. It was overwhelming; his body was satisfied but for
this last bit, he just had to -
Kjartan pushed his hand away and took hold of it himself, but with
only
a couple of jerks
the hot liquid spurted up over Lini’s stomach.

Kjartan chuckled, rubbed the cream onto him, then slowly pulled out and lay by his side. They exchanged glances, chests moving up and down, arms brushing against each other’s. After a long time Lini smiled, putting his hands behind his head.

“Gods, I dunno what to say now.”

Kjartan put his arms round him. “Don’t say anything.
As long as you liked it.”

“Yes! I didn’t know -
I
-
” He shrugged, not able to form a sentence.

His lover breathed out with relief.
“I’ll never tell anyone. It’s our secret. They wouldn’t understand.”

“As long as we can -
do it again?”
Lini couldn’t believe he was already feeling horny again.

“Yes, b
ut not now. We should get back.” He kissed him gently on the lips.

*
 
*
  *

As Lini approached his house, he felt like his head was spinning with so many emotions fighting inside. He opened the door quietly, hoping everyone was asleep in the early morning.

“Where have you been?” Halldora stood, holding Thora’s clothes ready to dress her.

“
I  -
er  - well, I -
”

“I know you’ve been – been -
with a man! Someone saw you. Is it true?”

“Er – um -
” His brain wouldn’t think of a lie. He didn’t want to lie.

“So it is true?” She stared at him, her lip trembling. “How do you think I felt, being told this by a laughing neighbour? They’re all making fun and knowing you’re not a real man!”

“I am a real man!”

“Not if you - if you -
take it up the arse like a coward!
I married you because I wanted a manly man! I thought you’d give me pretty children and be a good father!”

“I did! I am! I look after all of you!”

“Well, you aren’t looking after us anymore! I don’t want to be the disgrace of the village! Get out!” Her eyes narrowed with scorn.

Halldora’s sneering words ‘take it up the arse’ echoed in Lini’s mind. What if Kjartan felt the same way about him now? Despite his assurances, his Danish prejudices would be hard to ignore.

The children began to wail, and Kori ran out of bed and capered round, crying.

“But -
” began Lini.

“Go on! Get out! You won’t see the children again. I don’t want you setting a bad example!”

“But I have to see the children!” Lini’s eyes filled with tears.

“Daddy!” screamed Kori, flinging himself at his leg. Thora didn’t know what was going on so she cowered in the corner, eyes wide.

“Get off, Kori. He’s not your father anymore!” Halldora pulled him away, even though he struggled hard. “Go, Lini, or you’ll upset him more.”

Lini staggered out of the door, blinded by tears. Unfortunately, the row had been loud enough for neighbours to hear, who promptly told their neighbours, and a large crowd had gathered outside.

The onlookers jeered at him. Some were quiet with shock but most were vocal, sneering and contemptuous.

“Get out!” roared a man. “You’re
sansorthinn
and we don’t like your kind round here! Get out before we kill you!”

“Coward!” shouted another.

“Acting like a woman!” taunted another.

More shouts joined these, so Lini set his jaw and strode off as steadily as he could, breaking into a run. Some followed him, but he wasn’t known as Fleet Foot for nothing and soon left them behind, heading for the woods.

*
 
*
  *

In the fields that day, the sheaves of barley and rye stood together like an audience watching the other stalks being cut ready for winter storage. It would only take a couple more weeks to finish bringing in the harvest. The sun had shone until now, but dark clouds loomed above, threatening rain, which would not be welcome.

Working away with his sickle, Kjartan looked forward to seeing Lini again after last night. He’d missed him so much the last few weeks.

“Silverhair.”
A Huskarl interrupted his thoughts. “Think you can lift those sheaves?”

“Of course I can.”

“You’re not too womanly to do it?” He laughed, and some men watching joined the laughter.

“You call me womanly? I could kill you for that!”

Kjartan stepped towards him threateningly. The Huskarl’s nerve broke at the sight of his snarl and he leapt backwards. Kjartan turned to the group, hiding his sinking heart.

“Anyone else want to call me that?”

They all shook their heads.

“Well, get on with your work. I’ve far more experience fighting than you scrawny lot.”

He turned his back to hide his worried expression. They knew. His secret was out, after all this time. He wasn’t
concerned about his own safety - he could defend himself -
but Lini? The gentle amber smith only had the fighting school practice, which wasn’t any substitute for real battle experience. He must go to him as quickly as he could.

*
 
*
  *

Lini didn’t turn up at the school that evening. And neither did half the students. Kjartan to
ld the remaining boys to practis
e single combat and he gave them marks out of ten, all the while wondering what had happened to his lover. Was he lying beaten and bloody somewhere? His gut twisted at the thought.

At last the class finished.
Should he try Lini’s home or their shelter?

Visiting his home would attract attention and the shelter would be the place for Lini to be cornered and beaten, if anywhere. He must make sure he was safe.

It was getting dark
,
which made it easier for him to steal through the trees, but then it began to rain. His boots slipped on the ground and he had to pick his way slowly and carefully. He’d worn his cloak with a hood to cover his hair, which would gleam in the moonlight and give him away.

All was dark and quiet when he reached the shelter, so he slipped inside. They had made it cosy, removing all the dead leaves and drying the damp walls, but it looked unwelcoming now.

“Are you here?” he whispered.

The heap of bear skins moved and Lini’s tear-stained face showed pale in the half light. Kjartan leapt to embrace him, stroking his hair.

“What happened?”

“Someone saw us and told Halldora.” Lini outlined the events of the day, trying not to upset himself by thinking of his children.

“I thought so. The men at the harvest were insulting me. They don’t usually do that these days.”

“What are we going to do?”

Kjartan pushed him gently away and shrugged.

“So you mean I’m on my own!” snapped Lini. “You despise me now you’ve fucked me
and you’re keeping out of it! I -
”

“No! I just can’t think straight if I’m holding you,
that’s
all.”

“Oh.” He sagged.

“I don’t despise you after that. I like you more.”

Lini blushed.

“I’ve never been one to do the same as everyone else, so why start now?” Kjartan gave a shaky laugh. “We’ll have to stick t
ogether. We’ve only got each other now, b
ecause you know what’s going to happen when they see us.”

“Yes …”

“They won’t dare accuse me of
ergi
. They know I’ll kill them, so you’ll be the target.”

“Looks like it. If I’m out here on my own I’ll be killed. Halldora won’t let me back home. Once she’s made up her mind, that’s it.”

Kjartan gulped. The death of Lini didn’t bear thinking about.

“Keep a knife in your boot at all
times. And … move in with me a
nd Mildrith. It’ll be safer.”

“But she won’t like that!”

“She’ll be alright. Anyway, I’m not going to give her a choice. If she doesn’t let you come and live with us, I’ll move out. We’ll go somewhere on our own.”

“You’d do that for me? I couldn’t let you!”

“Well, I would.” He kissed him gently and felt him shivering, so he took off his cloak and wrapped it round him. “Come on.”

*
 
*
  *

The dark, rainy night meant no one was hanging around, so they reached Kjartan’s home with ease. Lini was still shaking despite the fur cloak.

Mildrith sat by the fire, eyes half shut, but she jumped at their arrival.

“Are you alright Lini? You don’t look well.”

Kjartan took a deep breath. “Halldora’s thrown him out.”

“What? Why?”

The men exchanged glances and hesitated.

“Oh, tell her,” said Lini weakly.
“Might as well have done with it.”
  He looked at his feet.

“I -
I love Lini. Like a wife.” Kjartan put his arm round the amber smith and held him, making him stumble with weariness and emotion.

Mildrith’s jaw dropped, but before she could speak, Dalla began to cry.

“Oh. Oh, you do what you like, Kjartan. You always do. I’m exhausted and I’ve got so much to do, I just want to sleep. We’ll sort this out in the morning.” She trudged off to her daughter.

“You seem to have a more understanding wife than I do,” said Lini, sagging on his feet.

Kjartan hugged him. “She must be, ‘cos she puts up with me.”

Mildrith returned with her wailing baby.

“You’re her father. C
an’t you make her sleep?”

Kjartan took the child and held her upright, bouncing her gently, which made her scream more.

“Let me,” said Lini, taking her from him and cradling her, looking into her eyes. Dalla stopped mid-cry and gazed back. He murmured a soft, ancient lullaby, rocking her and she gurgled. Her eyelids began to close and soon she slept.

“She can go back in her cot.” Mildrith held out her arms but Lini shook his head.

“I’ll sit down with her or she’ll wake up again.”

Kjartan guided him to a chair where he sat, honey-coloured head drooping.

“You can stay here,” said Mildrith. “Anyone who can get my child to sleep is worth their weight in timber.”

“Thank you.” Lini gave in to sleep, his chin resting on his chest.

“Are you sure?” whispered Kjartan to his wife, not wanting to wake the sleepers.

“No, but we’ll work something out. I’m too exhausted to think now. If having Lini here stops you disappearing all the time, it’ll have to be that way. He can join our family.”

He hugged her.
“Remember, I love you too,
ketta
.
Just different.”
He gathered some bearskins and lay down in front of Lini and Dalla.

Mildrith got into bed but couldn’t sleep, her thoughts running over and over the news she’d just received about her husband and Lini. It didn’
t seem real. Was she dreaming o
r listening to a story told by an English
scop
or Danish
skald
? Her exhausted mind wouldn’t work properly, so it stored her husband’s words in a corner for future consideration.