There is a splash behind her; a low, enchanting chuckle. She turns and casts a look over her shoulder only to see the tall Viking playing in the pond like a child.
‘What do you think you’re doing?’ She prides herself on her calm, level tone and arches one eyebrow at the still-laughing Viking.
He backstrokes through the still water slowly, then lowers his feet to the ground and stands. The water laps low on his hips and she resists the urge to stare.
‘I’m enjoying the sunlight,’ he answers as a smile plays on his lips, ‘while I still can. Care to join me? The water is lovely.‘
She takes a step towards the calm water and stares down at him, brow still arched in derision.
‘I appreciate the fact that you wish to play around in the water like an insolent child, Viking, but perhaps you can wrap it up.’ She speaks coldly, without a trace of the emotions stirring inside her. She learned to ignore such trifles a very long time ago. ‘We must leave this place before they arrive.’
He laughs, long and loud and deep, and she represses a shiver as the sound slides down her bones. He settles back into the warm, still water and gazes up at her, heat in his silver blue eyes.
‘Come now, Mistress,’ he drawls arching his own brow in return, ‘did all those years torturing innocents make you forget how to have a little fun?’