Signs of spring were emerging all over Kattegat. Small purple flowers pushed their way up from the thawing ground, the snow was melting away to reveal lush emerald grass. Trees were beginning to bloom, their delicate buds had just begun to open showing their pink and white flowers. Warmer weather was slowly pushing away the icy winds of winter.

The snow that covered the training grounds was now melted making the meadow look completely different from the last time I was here. A week had passed since I had trained with the Ragnarssons. Seven days since I had been ensnared by Ivar, feeling his hands roam my body, his hot breath making me shiver. My body and mind wouldn't let me forget. Every mention of his name, every time I slept, every time I locked eyes with him my stomach tightened, my body heated as the feeling of need took me.

I was sitting on the ground, my back resting against one of the trees while Sigurd threw his axes at one of the targets. Staring off into the distance, my mind was running far away from this place; to imaginary distant lands with imaginary kingdoms. In my minds eye, an imaginary King sat upon an intricately designed throne with a thick gold crown littered with shiny jewels. I imagined him calling to me as I entered through impossibly tall wooden doors, wearing a simple white dress made from some foreign fabric. As I approached my fable king taking delicate steps, his blurry face cleared. Piercing blue eyes focused on mine as he became all too familiar. Ivar.

Slowly his gold crown melted into bones, tied together with thorny vines and decorated here and there by tiny bird skulls. The once elegant throne slowly turned into antlers, wood and hides. My imaginary surroundings were blown away revealing the great hall I served in as my dress went from some thick, luxurious fabric to something more sheer as I felt my body again becoming on complete display for the one sitting in front of me. Ivar's smile was wicked as he beckoned me forward with his curling finger.

The thudding sound of metal hitting wood tore me from my thoughts. Taking a sip of my drink, my eyes drifted to the origin of the sound. Sigurd had landed another axe in the tree. He reached for another but found they were all gone. He used the sleeve of his tunic to wipe the sweat from his brow before he angrily marched his way to retrieve his weapon from the tree.

Sighing deeply I secretly thanked Sigurd for pulling me from my thoughts. It seems there was no escaping Ivar the boneless, no matter how hard I tried to push our last two encounters from my mind it seems like his invisible hold only grew stronger.

"What's your problem?" I asked as he grunted in frustration.

Sigurd was acting like a child throwing a temper tantrum, stomping around the woods, sighing, purposefully acting out and then getting angry with the outcome of his temper. It wasn't like him. He was broody normally but not like this.

He launched another axe through the air before he turned to me, his expression a mix of anger, disgust and jealousy. "Ivar is fucking Margrethe."

Now Sigurd wasn't the only one feeling the harsh pang of jealousy. My chest tightened as I tried to swallow the lump in my throat. I felt my grip tighten around my cup as I locked eyes with Sigurd. "What?"

"It seems like he was jealous Margrethe came to our beds and not his. He asked for us to bring her to him so he could share her as well." Sigurd's scowl grew as he spoke. Releasing another axe, this one missing the target by a couple of feet which exacerbated his anger. "We brought her to him this morning." He hissed.

His words settled deeper in my brain the more I thought about it. I was foolish to think that Ivar might feel anything for me. My heart started to race as my hurt quickly turned to anger. Downing the rest of my drink I threw the empty cup into the woods. I felt foolish for entertaining the thought that Ivar might feel any type of way about me and my most recent daydream didn't help me feel like any less of an idiot. Ignoring Sigurd's call I trekked my way to the one place I felt peace, wanting to be alone.

My walk back to Kattegat was slow as I wished with every step I took the town would just disappear all together so I wouldn't have to endure the embarrassment sure to come. I dreaded having to not only be in the same room as Ivar but have to serve him. I drug my heals with every step, leaving trail mark as I went.

Just outside of the great hall I heard my name being called from behind one of the smoke houses. "Briet!"

Turning to see who was calling me I was met by Sigurd. His emotional state was completely different from earlier today. The light in the eyes had returned as well as his smile only this time it wasn't his normal spritely smile. No, this grin was dripping venom. Jogging over to him I didn't respond. Instead I raised my brow, signaling for him to speak.

"I just heard some interesting news from Margrethe," He stated, his grin now from ear to ear.

"And what did she have to say?" I replied, rolling my eyes in annoyance that I already had to deal with this.

"It seems my brother cannot please a woman." Sigurd was snickering like a boy as he spoke. His tone was louder than his normal calm one, no doubts in hopes of spreading this information to passersby.

I breathed out my frustration before I glared back at him. "Well at least Margrethe won't be as busy then?"

Going to leave, Sigurd tugged at my wrist to hold me in front of him. "She said he tried to kill her so she wouldn't tell anyone!"

Nervousness washed over me as I locked eyes with Sigurd. His misshapen pupil locked with mine as he saw my emotions shift. "And the first thing she did was run to you?"

"She's scared and rightfully so. Ivar is a monster! I wouldn't put it past the cripple to kill her to hide his secret." I'd never seen Sigurd this furious. I felt myself shrink before him as his grip got tighter around my wrist. "My brother is thinking of asking Margrethe to marry him. It would keep her safe from whatever Ivar plans to do to her."

"I'm sure your none too pleased about that idea," I bit my tongue as soon as the comment left my lips.

"Briet, you know first hand the insanity my brother and mother are capable of." Sigurd's tone softened, his grip loosening. He took a deep breath in, holding it for just a moment before letting go. "Marry me."

I was frozen in my spot. My eyes wide as I stared up at Sigurd, completely stunned. I felt my lips part as if I was going to say something but my words were stuck in my throat. "Sigurd... I, we... we can't." Was the only thing I could force out.

"We all saw the two of you the other day, the way he touched you," my mind instantly took me back to the memory as I could feel his touch all over again making the situation even more awkward. "Marry me, Briet. I can keep you safe."

"Your mother would never allow it." I whispered.

"You said that before and look, you are free to do as you-"

"For half the day, yes. What kind of freedom is that?" I cut him off, annoyed that he thought he did some fantastic thing for me. "Sigurd, I can't help but feel you're doing this only to piss off your brother. I'm not going to marry you because you petty me." I took my wrist from his grasp and headed towards the great hall.

Knowing what had transpired between Ivar and Margrethe earlier today made me truly feel sorry for the poor girl. Ivar had her on her knees at his side feeding him berries while his three older brothers looked on in disgust. Aslaug wouldn't look at her son, keeping her eyes fixed on her plate of food in front of her.

Margrethe plucked another berry from it's vine and turned to Ivar. Ivar's mouth opened dramatically as she placed the fruit on his tongue. She paused for a moment, her face was painted with a mix of terror and embracement as she locked eyes with me for a split second. Looking back at Ivar's seemingly unhinged jaw she placed the berry on his tongue. He quickly bit down, whether it was to purposefully bite the girl's fingers or as a trick was anyones guess. The girl flinched back with a yelp which only caused Ivar to laugh.

"This is disgusting." Ubbe sneered at his brother, throwing down a chicken bone onto his plate in disgust. "She is a human and should be treated as such."

Ivar grinned at his brother before looking back down at the terrified blond. His hand reached out to her trembling frame as he began to grope her chest. Margrethe shut her eyes tightly, no doubt silently wishing for the embarrassment to end.

I stood behind Aslaug holding a platter of meats. As I watched the poor girl be molested in front of everyone I fought back the urge to throw the tray at Ivar in hopes of stopping the assault. Though I didn't get along with Margrethe, she didn't deserve to be treated this way.

Before anyone could say anything Sigurd sprang from his seat, kicking it backwards as he did. As fast as a lighting strike, he had taken his axe from his belt and sunk it into the table in front of Ivar, missing his hand by only inches.

"Always these empty threats, brother." Ivar teased as he looked up at the now fuming Sigurd. "Why don't you go back to playing your lute. Clearly Margrethe has picked me over you." Ivar's hand ducked under Margrethe's arm pulling her up towards him and he planted a kiss on her cheek as she cringed.

"Ivar, stop it." Aslaug begged in a whisper.

"Mother," Ivar snapped, shutting her up and making her sink back into her seat. Had Aslaug finally realized the monster she'd help create?

Ivar looked back up to Sigurd as his hand moved from Margrethe's arm down towards her ass. "She's already said she'd much rather be fucked by me,"

"Coming from the man who cannot please a woman." I quipped before I could bite my tongue. I froze as everyone's eyes fell upon me.

Margrethe looked at me like a scared doe while Ivar seethed, his jaw clenched tightly making the muscles in his cheek visibly flex. Hvitserk snorted as he tried to stifle his laughter. Ubbe's hand rose to his face as he placed it over his mouth to hide his visible smile.

"What?" Ivar hissed as he let go of Margrethe with such force she fell forward.

"How dare you disrespect me, a prince of Kattegat, a son of Ragnar Lothbrok!" Ivar's closed fist slammed against the table making me jump out of my skin.

Aslaug's horrified expression slowly turned into a maniacal smile as she took her cup from the table and brought it to her lips. "I think I have finally thought of an acceptable punishment for you, girl." She took a long sip from her cup before setting it back down. She rose from her seat, taking the tray from my hands and placing it on the table.

My hands were trembling as the queen locked eyes with me, her smirk growing slightly. I glanced over at Sigurd as She put her arm around my shoulders and guided me towards Ivar. Sigurd swayed uncomfortably as he watched what was about to happen.

"Margrethe, you are no longer needed. Go and rest." Margrethe jumped to her feet and scurried out of the room, Ubbe on her heals. No doubt going to comfort her. Aslaug pushed me down to my knees with such force I had to brace myself with my hands. "Ivar, she is your personal slave. Do with her as you wish."

Peaking up at Ivar through tresses of my hair that had fallen into my face I could see his now stoic face looking down at me. His tongue slowly slid out of his mouth as it ran across his lips leaving them wet in its trail. This simple act lit the fit deep in me that I'd tried so desperately to extinguish. I felt my cheeks betray me as they turned a shade of crimson. Ivar's smile slowly spread as he leaned forward, his hand reaching out to cup my chin.

Sigurd was yelling something behind me but I was so captivated by this man's icy eyes that I momentarily forgot anyone else was even here. "I'd like for you to be waiting for me in my room, eh?" Ivar commanded as his hand left my face.