"Of course not. I must go to her."
"Then why are you pestering me with this news?"
"You said I must not leave the bed without permission. You threatened to spank me if I did."
"I did not threaten, I promised."
"Well—"
"Feed the baby. You have my permission to feed your baby whenever you need to. Do it quietly though."
The bed dipped as she scrambled out. He listened to the low crooning as Mairead plucked the infant from her tiny cot and settled back into his bed with the little one, then near silence when the baby started to feed. Further sleep eluded him and he rolled onto this back to regard the homely sight.
"Is it dawn yet?"
"No, Jarl. But soon, I should think."
"Does she often wake in the middle of the night?"
"Always. I am sorry..."
"Is this why you chose to sleep elsewhere?"
"In part. I did not wish to disturb you. Also, I assumed you would want your bed back, once you returned."
"I have my bed back. What I want is you in it."
"Yes. I know this. I am your bed-slave."
Why did the sound of this on her lips irritate him so? It was, after all, the truth.
"You object to your role here?"
"No, not really. Especially if you will do... that thing again."
"That thing?" He knew exactly what she meant but would hear it from her anyway.
"That thing when you touched me and... it felt very pleasant."
"You mean that thing when I required you to spread your legs for me and I stroked your delightful clitty until you screamed in my ear and spent like a harlot?"
"I am not a harlot." She glared at him, indignation writ across her face. "I could not help what happened yesterday. You?—"
He cut off her protest. "Not usually, I grant you that, but I will expect you to play the harlot in my bed, for me. Will you do so, Mairead?"
She hesitated, then, "I expect I shall. If that is how it feels."
"It will be just like that, perhaps better. There is much I have to show you, my slave, and much you will love to learn."
She glanced down at him over the baby's downy head. "Will we return to the pool? I enjoyed our visit there."
"Maybe, if you wish. There is another hot spring however, much closer to Gunnarsholm. We might not find the privacy we desire there, though, since it is a favourite spot for most of my people."
"Oh." She appeared disappointed. He was pleased to see it.
"I could, I suppose, instruct them to leave us to ourselves, though as often as not bathing in the springs is a very public affair for us. Very social. My karls might enjoy watching me fuck you."
She turned her startled gaze on him now. "You would not do that. Please, Gunnar..."
