I sat, legs crossed and back against a stone wall as the great heathen army wasted no time making themselves home in York. I glanced up every so often and watched as men dragged the remaining Saxon women around the streets, either to where the new slaves quarters were or off to some place discrete to have their way with them. Others continued raided the many buildings of the town or helped build up our new fortress.

I still couldn't the events of earlier out of my mind. Of seeing Ivar mutilate that priest by pouring melted gold down his throat. It sent a shiver down my spine. I couldn't help but notice his dark descent from the moment we set foot here in England. From him forcing me to watch as Aelle was blood eagled, to his request to personally blood eagle Ecbert, to killing his own brother and being completely void of any emotion about it, to the heinous acts of earlier. Had Ivar finally cracked or was this the beast I saw deep in him when I was his slave finally coming to the surface?

Whatever it was, it made me want to put more space between us, at least until I could figure out what exactly this is . . . so I don't end up at the end of Ivar's axe.

My fingers idly were drawing figures in the dirt when I heard footsteps approach me. I looked up quickly, my free hand shooting for the axe on my belt. Surprisingly, Florian stood over me, his hand offered out to me.

"What do you want?" I hissed, my hand dropping from my weapon and landing in my lap. I ignored his hand, still not wanting to move from my spot.

"Hmm," Florian huffed, recoiling his hand. He moved his sword out of the way before he rested his back against the stone wall and slid down next to me. He brought his legs up and rested his forearms on his knees. "You looked shaken earlier, inside the church. I wanted to make sure you're alright."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Why did he care? "I'm fine."

Florian nodded his head and then looked out into the street and watched the people bustle about. The longer he sat there next to me, the more annoyed and anxious I became. He knew Ivar and I were to be married and he was there when he killed Sigurd. Killing Florian would be easy for Ivar.

"You should leave, before Ivar sees you with me." I warned, glancing up at him with furrowed brows.

Florian chuckled as he looked down at me, cocking his eyebrow. "He does not scare me. And besides, I am looking out for the well being of his future wife." His last comment was dripping in sarcasm.

I no longer tried to hide my glare. "There is far more to Ivar than meets the eye. You should be scared of him."

"Ivar is a child!" He laughed. "He thinks because he is a son of Ragnar that he can rule over this great army and do whatever he wants but the truth is he is a child and-"

"And what?" Ivar asked in a sing song voice, coming up to us.

Even though there was space between Florian and I, I still pushed myself further away as I saw Ivar make brief eye contact with me. Butterflies erupted in my belly from his sly smile but that same smile also caused my palms to start to sweat with nerves.

Florian rolled his head dramatically in Ivar's direction. "And I don't think you should be the sole leader of this army."

"Oh," Ivar said, faking taking Florian's comment into consideration. "Well, you see I do not think I am the sole leader of the army. I, as well as my brothers, Ubbe and Hvitserk, are the leaders. We all agreed to take York. If you don't like what we are doing here then maybe you should have gone with Bjorn."

Florian scoffed. "I chose not to go with Bjorn because all he cares about is his fame. It seems to be a common thing among the sons of Ragnar. Maybe I should have gone with King Harold."

"It seems that maybe you and king Harold have something in common, hmm?" Ivar quipped.

"And what is that, Ivar the boneless?" Florian questioned, annoyed.

"You two seem to love trying to take women that belong to other men." Ivar spat. "Come, little one. I have claimed the priest's home as our own."

The priest's home was about as lavish as King Ecbert's villa before it was set ablaze. There were lush fur rugs scattered on the floors of the space, a massive elaborately carved wood table with two chairs to the left while a huge bed littered with similar lush furs and pillows was to the right. There were massive metal objects placed here and there around the space that held bunches of candles making the room seem impossibly bright. Near the bed was a wooden tub with bottles filled with different oily aromas.

Ivar had showed me to this place but didn't join me inside. He claimed his brothers needed to discus their next moves in the church, which they had made their great hall. I didn't mind being by myself, especially when I noticed how disgusting I was. I couldn't remember the last time I had washed myself and that wooden tub was calling to me.

In the time it took me to bathe, serfs had delivered food, drink and the two trunks of our belongings we had brought with us. When I got done with washing myself, I walked to the trunk I knew had my clothes and picked out the simple under dress that laid on top. I wrung out my dripping hair and slipped the garment over my head and then threw myself onto the bed. My fingers spread out into the thick furs as I let out a sigh. This definitely wasn't home, but I could get used to living this lavish life.

"Ah, I see you've made yourself comfortable." Ivar teased as he made his way inside. Vidar followed him, staying a few paces behind Ivar's legs.

I couldn't hide the smile as I sat up in bed. "Ivar, this place is strangely beautiful."

His sly smile crept further up the side of his face while he crawled to the still warm water in the tub and began to strip his clothes. "They treat their holy men like kings here."

"I can see that," I answered, taking another look around the dwelling.

Ivar leaned slowly back into the water so that it was just under his chin, soaking his visibly tense muscles. I couldn't take my eyes from him, that familiar feeling of desire starting to build. His hands came up from the water and splashed some onto his face to clean off all of the dried blood from his skin. As he let the warm water wash over him he hummed low.

"What were you and Florian talking about, hmm?" Ivar's voice was low as he spoke.

My stomach felt like it flipped. How could his tone sound so innocent and yet so menacing at the same time? He reached over the side of the tub and grabbed for one of the many bottles. Opening the bottle in front of him, he took a deep inhale and immediately made a disgusted face before fumbling to get the intricate lid back on and replaced it next to the other bottles. Before he grabbed another one, he quickly looked over at me on the bed, showing that he was getting annoyed that I wasn't answering him.

"He was asking if I was alright," I mumbled, trying to remember what we actually said to each other.

He must have found a scent he liked because he let some of the oil spill into the palm of his hand before he began to rub it down his arms and across his chest, all while keeping his gaze fixed on me.

"And why would he have to ask if you were alright?"

Images of the suffering priest flashed in my mind. Quickly blinking them away I looked over to Vidar who was now laying on one of the fur rugs, asleep.

"Hmm?" Ivar pressed while starting to wash his hair.

Letting out a sigh, I finally looked back to him. "I didn't like what was happening in the church."

Ivar's brows knit together, his head cocking to the side. I've been around him long enough to know when he was faking confusion. "Did you forget you are Viking? Pillaging is what we do."

"I understand pillaging, Ivar." I snapped, annoyed at his sarcastic comment. "I didn't like what you did to the priest."

"Mmm," Ivar nodded. "And Florian was there to comfort you?"

I rolled my eyes. Jealousy didn't suit him. "Ivar, I have been loyal to you since you enslaved me and loyal to you even as a free woman." I moved from the bed and took the few steps to the tub. Kneeling down next to him, I placed my forearms on the rim of the tub and leaned over the side so my face was inched from his. "I am yours, Ivar."

His hand reached out from the water and grabbed the back of my head, his fingers tangling in my damp hair and brought me into him. His lips slammed into mine forcefully. This possessive kiss only made the desire in me grow more uncomfortable.

I broke from the kiss breathing heavily. My eyes fluttered open and I slowly looked up at Ivar. His lust filled eyes made me melt under his stare. Biting my lip, I moved from him and stood. My fingers started to bunch up the fabric of my dress, pulling the hem up to my thighs. Without hesitation, I crossed my wrists and took the garment up the rest of my body leaving me standing naked in front of Ivar.

Ivar let out a low growl as he watched me take the few steps backwards and then fall onto the bed. I laid there propped up on my elbows, my one leg bent while the other was laid out flat as I looked seductively at him.

Within moments, he was out of the tub and making his way onto the plush bed. His still dripping body moved on top of me. His muscular arms were stretched out at my shoulders keeping his chest off mine though his stomach and hips were pressed against mine. Instinctively my legs spread and wrapped around his waist while my hands reached up around the back of his neck. I could feel his already hard cock against my sex.

"Maybe we should invite Florian, so he can see that you belong to me." Ivar's tone was possessive as he spoke between equally possessive kisses.

"Shut up about Florian," My fingers gripped his hair and I pulled him back down to me. His arms finally bent so that he was on his elbows. My lips parted as soon as they met with his, my tongue becoming entwined with his.

Ivar tried to move away from me but I tried with most of my strength to keep him still. Closing my eyes I moaned into the kiss in hopes that he would stop his taunting about a man I had no interest in. But Ivar was far stronger than me and he wouldn't let it rest.

He pulled away from me leaving my mouth searching blindly for his. I opened my eyes begrudgingly and looked up at him, annoyed.

"Ivar, he knows I am yours. He was there when you, or should I say Hvitserk, announced we were to be married."

"Then why does he still come to you when he knows you're alone?" Ivar hissed.

Carefully, I moved from under Ivar and simultaneously pushed him over so he was on his back. I quickly moved my leg over his hips so that I was straddling him and bent over him so my chest was flat against his. "Ivar Ragnarsson, I love you. I am yours, I do not give a damn about Florian." Ivar smiled up at me deviously. "Now please fuck me."

York was starting to look familiar now that our Pagan symbols were scribed over the christian ones. Stands were set up for the warriors to go and grab things to eat or to drop of their weapons for them to be repaired or worked on and there were already a few drinking halls established. Something about this new, yet familiar setting made me feel like I was finally at home.

I'd grabbed a bit of food for myself after picking up my axe from the blacksmith and found a quiet spot in an alley near an empty building. I made myself comfortable on the steps and dug into the smoked rabbit.

Unfortunately, my peace didn't last long.

"A body guard, Hvitserk? Who in Odin's name does he think he is?!" Ubbe's voice echoed off of the stone walls of the surrounding buildings.

"Ubbe, why are you-" Hvitserk stopped speaking as soon as his eyes met mine.

"What are you two so angry about?" I asked before taking the last bite of my food.

Ubbe rolled his eyes as he scoffed. "Did you know he hired bodyguards?"

"Bodyguards?" I questioned, furrowing my brows. "What are you talking about?"

"Ivar has bodyguards now. We found that out when we went to talk with him." Hvitserk snapped, crossing his arms.

Still confused I looked between the two brothers. "Why would Ivar need body guards?"

"That is a good question, Briet. Is it because he is planning something?" Ubbe growled, as he walked closer to me. His towering stance making me feel uncomfortable.

Not wanting to show that he had the upper hand in the conversation, I quickly got to my feet. I thanked the gods for the stairs that made me almost eye level with Ubbe. "Ivar left early this morning. He said he wanted a tattoo to remind him of this great time."

Hvitserk came to stand next to Ubbe. I'd never seen such an angry expression on his face in the time that I've known him. "This great time? Well it's because of Ivar and this great time, that he's created, that the Saxons are on their way."

"What?"

"Two of our scouts came back this morning. They said there was a Saxon force camped not far from here. They are going to attack us to take back York." Ubbe answered, his tone dripping in disgust. "We shouldn't have overthrown York. We had an agreement from King Ecbert, we had land and now all of that could be in jeopardy because Ivar wants to be something he's not!"

"And what is that something he's not, Ubbe?" I snapped. "A battle strategyzer , a warrior? . . . A better leader than you?"

Ubbe's fists clenched at his sides, his nostrils flaring as his rage built. "It is because you couldn't do your job at convincing him to disband the army and to leave the Saxons in peace that now we all may die. That everything we've done so far is for nothing!"

"You're just jealous that your crippled brother is a far better commander than you!"

Ubbe looked at me stunned with wide eyes. He opened his mouth to speak but before he could I continued.

"You can't stand that what's left of the army is more loyal to Ivar than you and to remedy that you wanted me to put it in his head that he should go back to being poor, helpless Ivar. Well you know what, Ubbe? I won't. I'm not going to be made to do your dirty work."

Ubbe turned on his heal and stormed off, punching one of the stacked wooden barrels full of grain that was stacked at the edge of the alley. The wood snapped under the force of his blow causing the grain to start to spill to the ground.

"And what about you, Hvitserk? Are you going to yell at me about your jealousy of Ivar too?!"

Hvitserk scoffed. His hand rose to his face as he clutched his chin and jaw, rubbing his hand over his bearded chin and mouth. "I hope one day I find a woman who is so blindly in love with me." Hvitserk turned and walked away before I could even realize that it wasn't meant as a compliment, rather an insult.

Fuck them, I thought. Clearly they were jealous that Ivar had more of a sway over the army than they did, making it seem that he was the ruler. But Ivar had told them both time and time again that the ruling of the great army, or what was left of it, was equally divided amongst the three. And what were they so afraid of? From the few battles we had faced the Saxons in, they have proven to be no match for us.

I was sick of people using me as a pawn. I am no longer a slave. I love Ivar and he loves me. Despite what has happened since stepping foot on English soil, I am his and I will follow him no matter what. And it's high time that people started to realize that.

Gripping my axe from its loop on my belt, I quickly aimed and then threw it in frustration at the now empty grain barrel that Ubbe had punched earlier. As soon as the blade landed in the wood I let out a frustrated groan.

"Ugh!"

"Is there something bothering you, little one?"

Of course he shows up now. Rolling my eyes, I looked down to the ground in the direction his voice came from but saw nothing. Quickly turning, I was met by an armored chest. "Ivar?" My eyes met his icy blue ones as he stood over me. I was always aware of how short I was compared to most but now that he towered above me, I felt impossibly small.

"My new legs," He beamed with his devilish delight as he shakily moved this way and that so I could see the new braces strapped to his legs that helped him stand.

Without thinking, my arms wrapped around his torso and I buried my face in his chest. Something about hugging him like this made my heart swell. His one arm wrapped around me and brought me in closer still to him.

"My brothers tell me that the Saxons plan to attack soon. I think we should plan a feast and a sacrifice to the gods to favor our victory. Come, my love. I want you in your best dress sitting next to me tonight."

Later that evening, just as the sun was starting to set, I made my way to the church where Ivar had planned to host the feast. He was already there, making battle plans with his brothers. I did as he asked and dressed myself in the elegant deep red dress that he had gifted me back in Kattegat. My hair at the sides of my face was pulled back in a few loose braids and decorated with flowers while the rest of my wavy locks fell down my back. I'd never felt so elegant in my life. Before I left our makeshift home, I grabbed one of the bottles of wine that were littered on one of the many tables.

Ivar's words about being queen of Kattegat one day rang in my ears as I walked through one of the side entrances to the church. I imagined myself wearing a crown as I sat on one of the thrones. To my right was Ivar, sitting on the kings throne wearing an even more elaborate golden crown as he looked out onto the great hall at all of his loyal followers. Walking further down the side hall, I imagined him looking over at me and smiling as he offered out his hand in a loving way. Maybe being queen, his queen, wouldn't be so bad.

Turning into the main hall of the church I instantly froze. My hands that clutched the glass bottle of wine instantly started shaking before the bottle crashed to the stone floor. The sound of shattering glass echoed off of the stone walls of the hall. My heart shattered into a thousand pieces along with the glass as I took in the sight before me.

Ivar sat upon the throne he had set up in front of the christian alter and atop him was a naked young woman, her lips pressed hard against Ivar's. She pulled away and he looked up at her with parted lips. I could see his chest rising and falling as he was breathing fast, his hands clutching the arm rests of the throne as this woman's hand traveled down to his groin.

My eyes filled with thick, hot tears. "... I-Ivar?"