#athelstan32

"Yer a strange man, ye know that?"

Helga saw the look on Athelstan's face but wasn't sure the reason for it. Nudity was not as shameful to her people as it was his, nor was she particularly shy about her body. "Athelstan? Are you alright?" 

After she had served the stew to her husband, she had come out, food bowl in hand, to send the children inside for an early meal. It was not the usual time for eating together, but when not just one but two weary travellers arrived at her door, it was not a usual day. And when it distracted her family and she got a moment alone with the newcomer that Ragnar had dragged home from the raid, all the better.

Kwenthrith took the cross dangling on his chest in her fist and tugged at it, bringing him closer to her until she was whispering in his ear. "Athelstan --- don't be afraid, I won't force you, I have never liked something forced, but remember that when I set my eyes on someone, I won't let go easily." He could feel her warm breath on his ear, until she released his cross and pulled back with a daunting smile.