Free Delivering Kadlin by Gabrielle Holly

they’d created a colorful nest of ribbon.
    Grima stepped back to Bjorn and Kadlin and touched the bundle. “With this handfasting you are bound to one another. The friends that have gathered here offer these strips of tightly woven threads as their promise to uphold, honor and support your commitment to each other.”
    Grima began unwinding the ribbons. “But, even as you are bound by your own vows and the good intentions of these witnesses, you must remember that your union is only as strong as your love for one another, the fullness of which lies ever secret in your own heart.”
    When the last of the bindings had been removed, Bjorn’s hand remained over Kadlin’s, and she thought she would never be able to fully express the love she felt for him.
    Grima stepped back and lifted her hands to the sky. “Odin, guide them. Thor, keep them safe. Freya, fan their love and bless them with children.”
    She touched their shoulders. “Bjorn, sheathe your sword, and kiss your bride. Now, we celebrate!”
    Kadlin was barely aware of the cheers from the others. The center of her universe was the place where her husband’s lips met hers.
    * * * *
    The torches had burned low, and the full moon had climbed high above the revelers. A bonfire had been built over the spot where Bjorn and Kadlin had promised themselves to one another. All had eaten their fill, and the wine cups were kept full. Grima had retired to a pallet in the longhouse, and the others had dragged Bjorn’s great armchair into the yard. Bjorn held court with Kadlin cradled in his lap while they watched the celebration. The women had sung sweet love songs, and Finnr had played his panpipes throughout the evening, stopping only to swig mead. As the night wore on, the men took over the singing and the lyrics became bawdier.
    Bjorn’s arm was around Kadlin’s back and he stroked the side of her breast with his thumb. The men began singing about storming the castle with a battering ram.
    “And he rammed at the door and he rammed at the door and the whole castle shook when he rammed at the door.”
    They raised their voices and cups when they sang, “rammed.”
    Bjorn joined in and jerked his hips with the words. Kadlin felt him harden against her thigh, and her sex tingled and grew wet.
    When the song ended, the drunken guests lost themselves in laughter. The men grabbed their wives, kissed them hard and groped them without shame.
    Bjorn squeezed Kadlin to his chest and whispered in her ear, “Will you come to my bed now, wife?”
    She answered with a hard kiss. The Viking stood and led her into the house without saying goodnight to the others. Grima was snoring loudly from her pallet by the door, and the sound nearly drowned out the laughter from the dooryard.
    By the time they reached the master chamber, Kadlin was only aware of the pounding of her heart. Bjorn closed the heavy door, and Kadlin looked over the room. It glowed from the flames of a dozen small lamps. The sweet scent of herbs and flowers filled the air. Aromatic bundles were scattered about, and the tall bedposts were hung with garland.
    Bjorn removed his cape then wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against his hard body. He kissed her tenderly then stood back and lifted the crown of flowers from her head and tossed it on a stool. He followed the long braid behind her and rolled the amber glass bead between his fingers.
    “Let me look at you,” he said, sitting back on the bed. With shaking hands, Kadlin opened the brooches and let the apron fall to the floor. Her shift followed, and she stood naked before him. Her skin tingled as his gaze swept over her. The look of adoration on his handsome face warmed her. She crossed to him and stood between his knees then unlaced his bracers and boots and dropped them beside the bed. She pulled off his tunic then he stood and stepped out of his trousers.
    Kadlin took a step backward and appraised her magnificent man. The lamplight etched dark shadows