I dreamt I swam in a warm, languid river, and when I woke the throbbing between my legs had increased tenfold.
Arne’s hand lifted the hair from my neck; he kissed it lightly, a gesture that made me shiver with happiness.
“How long did I sleep?”
“Long enough.”
I came awake. Arne was behind me, naked but for a loincloth around his nethers. The warrior lay bare and willing right next to me. It was not a dream.
I rolled to face the large warrior stretched out beside me.
“Are you all right, Fleur?”
“I’ve never felt this way before.” My forehead burned, feverish, but instead of weakness, my body hummed with energy. “Something’s wrong with me.”
“Nothing’s wrong.” He stroked my flaxen hair away from my face.
“What is happening?”
“’Tis your heat.” His eyes burned gold.
I lay a hand on A
