This Chapter contains descriptions of animal sacrifice, blood, consumption of blood and sex. If any of this offends, upsets or triggers you please wait for the next chapter.

Towering bonfires illuminated the beaches and people of Kattegat who were all gathered for the ceremony. Everyone seemed to be swaying as the holy men beat their drums. I stood in the sand, my bare toes flexing and relaxing, feeling the sand as I too swayed. Some started chanting and singing rhythmically along to the sound of the drums creating that beautiful, uneasy and enchanting melody I so loved. The heat from the flames at my back kept me warm as the winds blew in from the fjord, tousling my loose hair.

I looked to the docks where the thralls had set up Aslaug's podium. She stood there, her face stoic, in her white ceremonial gown, her face painted in red and black as she held the killing sword against her chest. She watched as two men were tying the hind legs of a goat together. We were offering this animal to Thor for him to bless Bjorn, Hvitserk and the others on they voyage to the Mediterranean.

The animal's bleating echoed in the night air as it was hung, writhing upside down over a large wooden bowl. Aslaug looked to the distressed animal and then up to the sky. The beating drums, chanting and melodies stopped as we watched our Queen. She spoke to the sky, to Odin and Thor, asking them to watch over the men and women and grant them safe passage.

Aslaug held up the blade, presenting it to the Gods as she swayed to one of the Gothi* who sang verses of our praise to the All Father. Her body stopped with his words, her eyes opening wide as they slowly turned down to the goat. Aslaug looked possessed, like some diety had taken her over as she brought the blade down and gripped it tightly with one hand while her other grabbed onto the goat's horn, trying to stop the animal from thrashing about.

*Gothi are holy men in Norse culture who 'speak the Godly tongue' are the ones who are present during religious ceremonies. Men are called Gothi, women Gythia and the plural form is Gothar. Hofgothi is the name of priests who take care of pagan temples.

Its bleating strained and then finally stopped as the blade was dragged deep across its neck. The crimson liquid squirted out from the gash on its neck, spattering Aslaug's clothes in red before it slowed slightly and poured into the wooden bowl.

The towns people cheered as the animal's life was gifted to the Gods. Aslaug turned to the people and raised the killing blade with both hands, showing off the blood that was still dripping from the knife which made the roar from the crowd crescendo.

The spiritual leaders quickly gathered around the bowl, dipping smaller ones into the blood. Aslaug handed the blade to one of the men and then ordered one of her thralls to pass out the tied bunches of dried reeds so they could bless the people.

Aslaug was handed a golden bowl already filled with the sacrificial blood so she could bless the Ragnarsons. The boys, Bjorn, Torvi and Guthrum stood at the edge of the dock all in a row, waiting for their markings.

"Girl," One of the Gothis spoke, pulling my attention away from the royal family. The mans head was bald and painted all in white save for his eyes and lips which were stained black. Between the dim light and the couple drinks of mead, I couldn't make out his pupils making his eyes look like two black pits. I closed my eyes as he brought up the bundle of reeds and flicked the still warm liquid onto my face.

A wild grin spread on my face. In this moment I felt close to the Gods. I felt everything bad that's happened in my life slip away. I finally felt Freya smiling down on me, as if in this very moment she re-wrote my fate.

Opening my eyes I looked across the villagers, all with similar red swatches across their faces, dancing, singing and laughing merrily. For a moment my heart swelled, feeling so overjoyed and feeling... free. But it all came to a stand still as I saw Lagertha and Astrid push past people, making her way to the dock to see what was happening.

Lagertha's look was confusion but I didn't understand. Lagertha loved being a part of our ceremonies, how was she just finding out about the sacrifice? I looked to Aslaug as she was marking her family. She must have also seen Lagertha burst from the crowd. Aslaug looked smug, like she had won some secret battle as Lagertha came up to her. I did feel bad for Lagertha, for her losing her family, her world, but I knew it was a fight I didn't want to be a part of.

"Briet!" Turning, I saw one of the slave girls from the great hall calling me to join her as she danced by the mountainous flames.

I danced until my legs burned and then I drank so I could dance more. I had shed my heavy wool dress, leaving me in my thin white cotton underdress. The mix of the heat from the flames and freezing night winds had me feeling so in tune with nature. I loved the mix of extremes as I twirled in the sand, my arms raised and my hips swaying. I never wanted this feeling and this night to end. It was the happiest I'd been since I got the news about my father.

"Little one!"

Still swaying to the banging drums, I turned and searched for him. Ivar was sitting on the wooden dock behind the sacrificial bowl. His head dipped so he looked out at me through his lashes. A look that may have been menacing to others but to me, sparked heat between my thighs. He mouthed the word "come" to me as he licked his bottom lip slowly.

I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face as he commanded me to him. I twirled and swayed my way over to him, never breaking eye contact even when his eyes traveled down to my hips as they moved.

The dock was elevated about four feet from the sand so when the tide came in it was still above water. I placed my hands on the wooden planks and pulled myself up, sitting opposite Ivar as he watched.

Ivar took the bowl from its place and brought it to his lips, drinking in the blood. His eyes looked mad as he hungrily gulped down the liquid. Taking the bowl from his lips he placed it back and then submerged his fingertips. He brought his fingers up to his forehead and then dragged them down the side of his face, leaving red trails on his skin. Dipping his fingers again into the blood he leaned forward and placed his index and middle fingers on my forehead and then slowly drew them down my face. Our eyes locked as he marked me.

When his fingers reached the corner of my mouth he took his middle finger and gently brushed it across my bottom lip. Ivar bit his as his finger hovered there for a moment before he inhaled sharply through his nose and dipped his finger into my mouth. Closing my eyes, the taste of blood and salt filled my mouth as I instinctively swirled my tongue around his digit.

With his finger still in my mouth he grabbed my chin with his free fingers and gently pulled me over to him. I lazily opened my eyes when I was next to him. His face painted with desire as he looked at me, mouth parted and taking in deep ragged breaths as I still mouthed his finger.

Taking his finger forcibly from my mouth his lips locked onto mine, his tongue replacing my empty mouth. I moaned into his mouth as I grabbed the back of his neck, tangling my fingers in his hair. Getting closer still to him, I could feel the heat from his body through the thin fabric of my dress. Between the ambiance of the night, the drinks and the alluring man in front of me I couldn't help but break our kiss and whisper into his ear, "Ivar, I want you."

Ivar growled, forcing our lips together as his hand tangled into my hair and held me closer. I wanted him to dominate me. To truly be his. The passion growing in my belly was starting to become uncomfortable and if it weren't for everyone here I would have stripped for him right here and now.

"Poor girl." Sigurd's voice woke me from Ivar's spell. Ivar recoiled from me, leaving me still searching for his lips. "It's a shame you can do nothing more Ivar. Maybe you'll have to let her come to a real man's bed."

Sigurd purposefully spoke loud so everyone around could hear. His comment left Hvitserk a giggling mess as he tried to hide his hysterics behind his cup. Bjorn laughed and quickly walked away, not wanting to be apart of whatever was about to happen between his younger brothers.

I felt embarrassed as I sat next to Ivar as prying eyes were looking between us. The rumor of Ivar has already made it through the town and now as we sat together, exploring each other, the mumbles started.

Ivar's rage swelled and before I could try and calm him, he was already throwing the blood filled dish at his brother. Sigurd stood there drenched in blood, trying to wipe it from his vision, mouth gaping open and closing like a fish. Looking back to Ivar he was already gone, making his way through the crowd.

Opening the door to Ivar's room, I found him seething as he sat gripping the edge of his bed. He looked up at the sound of his door creaking open but as soon as his eyes landed on me he quickly jerked his head away. I sighed defeatedly, standing there like an idiot as I stared at him.

Swallowing my nerves, I slipped further into the room and closed the door with my body weight. I eyed the pitcher of mead on Ivar's table, gracefully moving over to it and poured myself a drink. Downing the amber liquid, I felt my courage rise up as my mind silenced itself.

"What are you doing here?" Ivar barked, finally looking at me.

I sucked in my bottom lip that was still slightly swollen from our intense kiss on the docks. I walked to Ivar, putting my left knee up onto the edge of the bed and my hands on top of his shoulders. Gently, I pushed him back onto his bed as I leaned back with him so that I was now on top of him. A familiar position for the both of us. Ivar looked up at me with timid eyes as I looked down at him, still biting my lip.

"What are you doing, girl? You've heard the stories." He snapped, going to push me off of him.

I grabbed his wrists and forced his arms over his head before I placed my hungry lips on his. I arched my back so my chest was pressed against him. Breathing in his heavenly scent, I deepened our kiss.

Without trying he shook my hands from his wrists. His hands landed at my sides before they traveled down to my ass that was pushed up in the air. My hands reached for his hair and the back of his neck. Moaning into his kiss while his hands squeezed hard, spreading and kneading my ass.

One of his hands left my behind and cupped my breast. He found my already tight nipples and began tugging and rolling them between his thumb and index finger. Breaking our kiss, my head lulled back as I moaned his name breathlessly. Ivar's hands pulled up the fabric of my dress until he had it bunched by my hips. I took the fabric from him and raised the rest of the material up and over my head, leaving myself exposed to him.

Ivar pushed me off of him and onto the bed, my head hitting the pillows. He fumbled with his tunic, tearing the fabric off of himself as he looked slowly over my naked body. He tugged his legs up into the bed before he moved on top of me, his hands on either side of my head as he looked down seductively at me. I spread my legs around his waist which only made the ache between my legs worse as his groin pressed against me.

Our bare chests pressed together as Ivar's lips dominated mine. It didn't last long before he broke away and littered kisses along my jaw and down my neck. His breath cool as it fanned across my skin. Moving his weight to one arm his other hand grabbed my breast, his fingers already playing with my nipple. My fingers pulled at his chestnut hair when his mouth covered my nipple.

"Ivar!" I gasped as he sucked hard. The feeling was heavenly as I writhed under him, wanting so much more.

It didn't last for long. Before I knew it his mouth had left my chest as his tongue trailed down the middle of my belly to just above my womanhood.

I opened my eyes and looked down at him. His tongue slowly ducked back into his mouth as he smiled up at me. His eyes reflected the light from the fire as he moaned, licking his lips. Ivar's head dipped down, his mouth landing on my folds. I gasped as my hips bucked under him while his tongue roughly licked up and down my pussy.

My reaction caused a low hum from Ivar, the reverberations making the sensation even more intense. One of Ivar's hand gripped onto my hip bone, keeping me in place while his other massaged my breast.

The tip of his tongue just barely entered me before he pulled it out and then began an assault on my clit. My head rolled to the side and my hands gripped tight to the furs on the bed. His fingers dug in harder to my hip bone, trying to keep me still. Ivar's tongue felt divine as he swirled it around my most sensitive spot.

His fingers that were rolling over my nipple moved to my lips. Ivar's middle finger traced my bottom lip before he pushed his way in. My tongue swirled around his finger as my hips ground against his mouth. Taking his finger from my mouth and his mouth from my pussy he looked up at me. I looked down to him, my brow furrowing as I groaned, annoyed that he stopped.

Ivar's lips kissed my clit before he pressed his wet middle finger against my folds. I moaned, knowing what was about to happen. I arched my back and spread my legs further for him in a silent plea to continue.

"Please, Ivar!" I begged, my voice breathy as my eyes closed.

His finger dipped inside my dripping pussy as his hot tongue again circled my clit. I gasped at the feeling of him inside me. I spread my legs further, inching down slightly to help him press further inside. My loud moans filled his dark room as his finger slowly moved in and out of my pussy.

The desire pooling in my belly swelled as my ragged breaths turned into pants. His motions intensified and I didn't know how much longer I could last.

"Briet?" Ivar whispered, as his finger left me. I felt my eyes roll in the back of my head, angry that his finger was no longer fucking me.

"Mmm, yes Ivar?"

Ivar slowly pulled himself up my body so that his crotch pressed against mine once more. This time, though, I could feel his erection pressing against the inside of his trousers. My eyes opened slowly and met his. Ivar was timidly smiling down at me as he press his hips harder against me.

My hands went to his cock, stroking it gently through his pants hoping I wouldn't do anything to ruin this moment. Ivar moaned as his head fell into the crook of my neck while I stroked him. My fingers desperately tugged at the strings that held his pants together. Untying them finally, I dipped my fingers into the top of the material and tugged them down, freeing his hard cock.

Ivar grabbed himself and began running the tip of his cock up and down my soaked pussy before he pushed his way inside. My mouth gaped open as he filled me. My walls stretching around him until he was all of the way in.

Ivar fell on top of me, burying his face into my neck as he growled. My hands latched onto his hair as I felt myself twitching against his cock. Ivar pressed his lips against my neck gently as he slowly started to pull himself out. When he was almost all of the way out he pushed himself back in, faster than before. My back arched as I felt him fill me again.

He pushed himself up until he was resting on his elbows, looking down at me. I felt my cheeks redden as he held my gaze while inside me. Again he slowly withdrew until just the tip was inside. My brows furrowed as I pushed my hips up in hopes of pushing him back inside.

His head dipped so that he was looking through his lashes as he licked his lips. That devious look would be the end of me. I moaned his name once more before he slammed himself into me.

Ivar's thrusts were hard as he fucked me. With one of his hands he pulled my arms up, one at a time, so that they were above my head. He looked down at my bouncing chest and grinned before his mouth attached to one of my nipples. Between his swirling tongue and his cock I felt myself mounting a precipice.

Ivar's thrust started to become more erratic. His lips left my chest as his groans grew louder. He was hitting just the right spot inside me while he simultaneously was rubbing my clit with his thrusts.

"Ivar!" I yelled breathlessly, squeezing my eyes shut as I felt my body stiffen as heavy waves of pleasure washed over me. Ivar was right behind me as his body stiffened and he moaned loudly. I came hard around his cock, I felt the warmth from his seed fill me making my walls twitch once more against him.

Pulling himself gently from me, Ivar collapsed onto his stomach next to me on the bed, breathing heavily. The only sounds in the room were our panting and the crackling of the fire. As I laid there, my hands still above my head, Ivar put his arm around my hips and pulled me closer to him. Our sweaty bodies laid there for what seemed like hours as we caught our breath.

Ivar turned from his stomach to his side, propping himself up on his elbow as he looked down at me. His expression was sweet as he smiled, brushing the hair that laid messily across my face to behind my ear.

"You are so special to me, little one." He whispered, leaning down and kissing my forehead. I smiled up at him, my eyes heavy with sleep.

Propping himself up further, he reached down to the foot of the bed and grabbed at the furs, pulling them up so that were were both covered. Ivar snaked one of his arms under my pillow while his other pulled me into him so that my back was against his toned chest. He placed small kisses on my shoulder before he rested his head in the crook of my neck. I drifted off into sleep, listening to the sound of his calm breathing.