“I dinnae ken what ye mean.”
“Ye’re supposed tae be a blushin’ bride.”
They reached the door, but instead of opening it, Ragnar’s hand rested on the latch. Instead, he turned to face her, his expression unreadable in the flickering torchlight.
“Ye’re angry with me.”
“I’m nae?—”
“Ye are. Ye’ve been glarin’ at me since we left the chapel.” His thumb traced along her jaw, tilting her face up to meet his gaze. “Why?”
Her skin blazed where he touched her, and she had to bite her lip to focus. “Ye didnae kiss me.”
His brow furrowed. “Did ye want me tae kiss ye?” Something dangerous flickered in his eyes. “Is that what’s been eatin’ at ye all evenin’?”
“I dinnae care,” she lied. “I’m just pointin’ out that?—”
“I didnae kiss ye,” he interrupted, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone that made her stomach flip. He stepped closer, “because when I finally put me mouth on yers, little wolf, it willnae be some chaste peck in front of witnesses.” His thumb brushed across her lower lip, his gaze following the movement. “When I kiss ye, ‘twill be thorough. Somewhere where I can take me time and nae have tae stop until ye’re breathless and beggin’ fer more.”
Her breath hitched.
“Thatkiss is meant fer ye alone,” he continued, his voice rough as gravel. “Nae fer the King’s men, nae fer the priest, nae fer anyone but us. And when it happens, ye’ll ken exactly why I made ye wait.”
Before she could formulate a response, he opened the door.
Isolda stepped inside—and froze. Three men stood in the chamber wearing Royal livery, their faces hard and expectant.
The peacocks Claricia mentioned!
“Begging yer pardon, me jarl,” the tallest one said, his tone clipped. “But His Majesty requires... assurance... that the union has been properly consummated.”
Every muscle in Ragnar’s body went rigid. Isolda watched him transform—man to predator in a single breath. His stillness turned lethal.
“Assurance.” The word came out flat and deadly.
“We are required tae witness the consummation act?—”
“Ye’ll witness yer own death if those words leave yer mouth again.” Ragnar moved, positioning himself between Isolda andthe men. The look he aimed at them made all three take an involuntary step back. “Leave. Now.”
“But me jarl, His Majesty specifically demanded?—”
“I dinnae give a damn.” Each word came out precise, controlled—the kind that usually preceded violence. “Me wife’s dignity isnae negotiable. And if ye keep on insistin’… well, then it’ll be the last thing those beady eyes of yers ever see.”
Isolda’s breath caught at the possessiveness and the way the word ‘wife’ sounded tumbling from his lips.
The emissary’s hand moved toward his sword hilt. “Ye dinnae have the authority tae?—”
Ragnar’s hand drifted toward the dirk at his belt. “This isnae up fer discussion. Ye’ll get the bloodied sheet as proof of consummation in the mornin’, or ye’ll get me blade trough yer throat. Choose quickly, I dinnae have time tae waste.”
The air crackled with tension. Isolda’s heart hammered against her ribs while her mouth went dry.
The three emissaries exchanged glances—some silent conversation passing between them. Finally, the tallest one cleared his throat, trying to salvage dignity.
“We... shall leave ye tae it, then.”
He didn’t move until they’d stepped back from the doorway. Then he shut the door with controlled force and threw the bolt home. Ragnar turned to face her, his chest rising and falling rapidly. His jaw remained tight, fury still bright in his eyes. For a long moment, neither spoke. Only the crackling fire and wind howling outside broke the silence.
Then he stepped forward, his expression softening. “Are ye all right?”
Isolda stared at him—that massive warrior who’d just defied the King’s orders to protect her dignity, who now looked at her like she was something precious rather than something owned.
Her throat tightened. “Aye.”
“Good.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “That’s... good.”
The bed loomed behind them, candles casting dancing shadows across white linens.
And Isolda realized, staring at Ragnar across the chamber, that whatever happened next would change everything between them forever.
