Astrid Lodbrok's POV
He's So Good
The effectiveness of that perfume was undeniable. Vanilla was one of the most appealing scents, and I would enjoy seeing my husband annoyed because I wore that perfume tonight. I planned to dance with as many lords and Alphas as I could and test their reactions. My husband should restrain himself from ruining the celebration.
When Ser Rolo came for the princesses, he praised their beauty, and I prepared to leave with Solveig and Thyra. But Ser Rolo gestured for me to hold on.
"I'm afraid, princess, that you will have to wait," said Ser Rolo, and I looked at him, confused.
"What do you mean, I have to wait?" I asked, annoyed.
"Princess, please," he begged, and I cursed under my breath as I watched him shut the door after them.
I paced in my room, wondering what my husband or my father could have planned this time, and then, all of a sudden, the door banged open, and I saw Ragnar enter the room. I fought against my instincts to bow my head and instead looked at him defiantly, though my heart raced upon seeing him. He could be so frustratingly handsome sometimes.
He was wearing the colors of House Lodbrok like his daughters, a suit that accentuated his muscular build and made him look even taller than he already was. I hated my stupid heart that kept insisting I still loved him. But it wasn't true; I no longer loved him. How could I possibly love such a controlling and cold man?
Just because he flaunted his stature and alpha presence in front of me didn't mean I would fall at his feet. However, at that moment, my heart raced for another reason. I wasn't supposed to see him before the celebration. I was wearing a perfume that enhanced my scent and was dressed in a way that highlighted my omega characteristics.
That wasn't ideal, especially when I noticed his gaze darkening. He didn't say a word; instead, he just advanced toward me, and despite my attempt to hold my ground, I found myself retreating backward until he cornered me against the bed.
I stumbled when he pushed me gently against the edge of the bed. Looking up at him, I couldn't help but feel uneasy as he seemed to be struggling to maintain control. I felt his breathing become heavy, and his alpha presence seemed to want to overwhelm me.
"W-we need to go to the celebration," I said, hating how uncertain my voice sounded. "You can't do this now," I added, closing my eyes as I felt him lift my dress slightly. I hated how my body reacted to his touch.
"I can have you whenever I want," he growled softly, lowering his mouth to the mark on my neck and brushing his lips against it. I shivered at the contact and clung to Ragnar's shoulders as he, without warning, slipped a hand to my side.
"Your body reacts to me," he murmured against my neck. "Why resist?" he asked, his voice soft but insistent. I tried to resist, but his touch soon had me feeling vulnerable, my resolve crumbling.
I had been with an alpha before; Harwin wasn't a Lodbrok alpha, but he was an alpha, and he didn't wield the power that Ragnar did over me. Ragnar's power crushed any potential rebellion within me; his power was overwhelming, more so than any alpha.
Ragnar certainly made me feel in ways that no other Alpha ever had. Even when we were young and lovers, before Father destroyed what we had, it had always been this way.
"Please," I begged quietly, my voice trembling as I moved against him. "Please," I repeated, and he smiled, a hint of mischief in his eyes.
"That's it, princess, let go," he said, stroking my side and making me shudder with each touch until I was overwhelmed with emotion. Embarrassed and feeling weak before him, I thought of standing, but he pushed me gently back onto the bed and adjusted my dress.
My eyes were wide, and I tried to steady my breath, which was coming too fast. I thought he was going to take things further, but instead, he knelt beside me and took my hand, his gaze softening.
"What are you doing?" I asked, feeling both relief and confusion. I wasn't sure what to expect anymore.
"So many moments together, and yet you still don't trust me," he said, his tone slightly teasing. Truth be told, I had never fully let down my guard with him, even though we were married.
His gesture wasn't supposed to be so tender; it felt unfamiliar. Yet, I found myself relaxing, feeling the tension ease out of me. "Oh, Ragnar..." I found myself saying his name, perhaps out of habit or simply out of the familiarity of our bond.
He smiled at my reaction, and after a moment, he helped me to my feet, enjoying how my legs were still unsteady and how I was so flustered that I could barely meet his gaze.
"Turn around," he ordered gently, and I grabbed his arm, almost pleading.
"You said you wouldn't do anything more," I said with concern. Every time we were together, the risk of me getting pregnant increased. Besides, he wasn't always gentle with me. Sometimes I enjoyed his strength, but the first few times, like our wedding night, I had felt pain. He was unusually strong, too strong, I must say, and he always managed to intimidate me.
"I won't do anything more," he said, smiling reassuringly. "But don't tempt me," he added, grabbing my hips and pulling me close enough that I could feel his strength.
"Please," I said, hating that I sounded so uncertain, and he smiled.
"Turn around, stop challenging me, or I won't be so considerate," he said, and I reluctantly complied. He moved my hair and placed something cool around my neck.
I looked down and saw a necklace made of dark steel, similar to the steel of the sword he always carried. My eyes widened slightly, partly because of my nature, partly because of what that gift meant.
"It's steel from our homeland," I said, surprised, and he turned me around.
"Now we both carry a part of our heritage," he said, his gaze lingering on me. I remained silent, allowing him to observe me.
"Gevie," he said in our native tongue, meaning "beautiful."
I blushed even more, if that was possible, and he adjusted my hair and dress with care.
"T-thank you," I said quietly, and he told me there was nothing to thank him for.
He offered me his arm, and I hesitated to take it. Part of me wanted to assert my independence and tell him I could walk alone, but I knew my legs were still trembling, and I would die of embarrassment if I stumbled in front of everyone. The royal guard had probably heard everything, and I wanted to avoid their gaze if possible.
"You shouldn't be ashamed of being with your partner," he said, and I blushed more, making him smile. "I am your husband, not just some secret lover," he added, his tone teasing but also reminding me of our bond.
As we left the room, I unintentionally squeezed his arm when we passed the uncomfortable royal guard, and he, sensing my embarrassment, let go only to put his hand around my waist and pull me closer to him.
I leaned into him more, and together, we made our way to the celebration.