4
Dawn’s light mottled the furs when I woke surrounded by the silky pelts. My hair was damp, proof that the night with Ragnvald wasn’t a dream. I’d washed him, he’d dried me and led me to bed. After the kiss, he’d tucked me in and watched over me, looking like the pale statue I’d pretended he was. I must have fallen asleep, because I didn’t remember him slipping away.
As I roused, Maddox rose from his place at the fire, and came to my side. Without speaking, he pulled off my fur blanket. His gaze hardened when he saw I was naked.
“Did he-?”
“No. He barely touched me.” My hand went to my throat. I didn’t know why I was trembling.
Maddox saw the tremor and pulled me into his arms. I clung to him, and the fear I’d swallowed last night cracked and spilled out of me in a rush.
“You though
