Page 69 of Ulf's Destiny
She collapsed against his chest, utterly drained of energy. After a while, she noticed that tears had started to flow down her cheeks. Odd, because she felt anything but sad. She didn’t worry about it. If she needed to cry, then she would just cry. Her body deserved this small reward for what it had allowed her to experience.
“Ylva, are you—” Ulf sounding winded and slightly panicked, worried he had hurt her. “Was it?—”
“Yes, I am,” she soothed. “And yes, it was.”
What she was saying barely made sense but it was the best she could do at the moment. Besides, she was certain Ulf had understood.
After one last kiss, he deposited her on her side, withdrawing carefully from her sated body. “Wait here. I’m going to take care of you.”
It wasn’t long before he came back, a piece of damp linen in his hand. Gently, he started to wipe the inside of her thighs, soothing her, cleaning her. Nothing had ever felt so good.
Well…with one exception.
And she would have the rest of her life to discover others.
24
Ulf and Ylva were married the following week, on the Friday, as was the custom in the village.
Haakon, one of the only people who knew her, had been sent to get Judith so she could attend the ceremony. She arrived two days later, on a sunny afternoon. Ignoring her heavy stomach, Ylva ran to her friend as soon as she had dismounted from the ever-reliable Doe, which had been borrowed for her.
“I’m so happy to see you! Thank you so much for being here. And Haakon, thank you for going to get her.”
“You’re welcome.”
After one last fierce hug, Ylva drew back to examine Judith. She had worried about her friend a lot in the last few days. How had she fared on her own? Would she not think she had been abandoned? But no, she was blooming, looking better than she had ever looked. “How are you? You seem to be doing well.”
Judith blushed a pretty pink color that brought out the amber flecks in her eyes. “I am well. I have met someone, that may be why.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful! Tell me everything.”
Another blush, betraying genuine interest. “She is old Tola’s granddaughter, come to live with her from town. Oddly enough, she arrived the afternoon after you left. There was an immediate connection between us. I know it’s early to be sure, but I think we will be happy together.”
“Yes, it is early. But sometimes you know instantly.”
She stole a glance to where Ulf was helping Haakon with the horses. Indeed. Sometimes you did.
“We even…”
“Yes?” Ylva encouraged.
“Well, we even discussed the possibility of coming here together to meet Helga. I remember the old healer telling me she was looking for someone to pass on her knowledge to and Tola—that’s her name also—is quite skilled in the art of herbs. I wondered if Helga would consider training a Saxon?”
Joy burst out of Ylva. To have the two women living in the village would be the most perfect gift. The proximity of her dearest friend had been the only thing missing in her life.
“I’m sure she would. After all, she did train Cwenthryth, and you two would hardly be the only Saxon women in the village.”
“Yes, but all of them are here because they married a man from here.”
“It matters not. I’m sure she will be ecstatic. As will I.”
“Enough of me,” Judith said gruffly. “How is the Norseman treating you?”
A broad smile bloomed on Ylva’s lips. “Like I’ve always dreamed of being treated. In and out of bed,” she added with a delighted, rather naughty chuckle. The last week had been wonderful. “And his name is Ulf.”
“Mm. I’ll have to remember then, shall I?” Judith sighed. “Very well. I have no choice but to believe you. Because you look better than you ever have.”
Little wonder. She felt better than she had ever had. Her morning sickness was no longer as bad, even if she did feel nauseous for the best part of the morning. Because of that, they had agreed to have the ceremony in the afternoon, when she would be able to enjoy the festivities to the full.
