Chapter 4 Her protector

Rosalie opened her eyes, something tickling her face. She looked at what was happening and found her face on Erick's chest. She blushed but at the same time stayed in this pose for a while because she was extremely comfortable. Plus, he slept, so he'll never find out. His chest was her personal pillow. His entire chest was gently covered with particularly fine gold hair. Their legs were touching and his right arm was hugging her.

It wasn´t right to sleep in the same bed as a man she barely knew but on the other hand, she had the best sleep in a long time. She looked out the window. The sun has slowly started leaving the horizon, so she got up discreetly as to not wake Erick up and went to make breakfast. Only in the light did she notice the room full of dust.

"So I'll have to clean it up here, too."

Only now did she notice Erick watching the colours of the sky with his eyes.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you. Please stay in the bed, of course only if you want. "

"What time is it?" He asked, rubbing his eyes.

"About five, but I have no idea. Just sleep. Just one question, what do you want for breakfast and lunch?"

"I don't know, surprise me with something good."

"Okay, I'll cook something."

She changed into Erick's tunic, which ended three inches above her ankles. One thing had to be left to the Vikings, women did not have to wear corsets here. She took the huge trousers she had worn before under her tunic, girded them with a rope, and promised to sew them as soon as possible so that they would fit her at least a bit better

※

Rose has started a fire in the stove and prepared the yeast for the bread. Since there was almost no food in the pantry, she decided to only fry the bacon and eggs but wanted to wait for Erick. While the dough was rising, she cleaned the kitchen and scrubbed the floors. At about seven o'clock she checked the dough and had it baked. Just before eight o'clock she cooked breakfast and went to the bedroom.

She stroked Erick's hair. She didn't even know why. Probably his innocent expression as he slept reminded her of his dead brother. She blinked to get rid of the tears.

"Get up, breakfast is on the table." She whispered in his ear softly.

She accidentally rubbed her lips against him and could immediately feel her cheeks heating up. Erick has opened his eyes slowly.

She smiled at him. "Or should I bring her to your bed?" She asked, still smiling.

"You look much happier today. The smile suits you. It makes your beautiful eyes even brighter," he said.

"I slept well." She grinned. "Please come to eat."

"So, I don't have to make a bed for you?" He smiled too.

"No, you don´t have to. And by the way, you won't mind if I clean it up here. I can't look at the dust."

"Ehh, I'm sorry. Of course, you can."

"Okay but get up now. Don't let it get cold. "

She threw his shirt at him. He quickly put it on and followed her. After breakfast, he went to chop more wood, and Rose was preparing lunch. When he returned, he saw her slicing carrots and almost pressing herself against the red-hot stove.

"What are you doing? You're going to hurt yourself, "he asked in astonishment.

"I'm sorry but I'm so cold," she stammered.

"Come here." He lifted her off the ground and pressed her close to warm her. He found her burning. Her face red and eyes tired. "You have a fever, please go to bed. I don't want you to get even worst.

"But it's nothing, I'm just a little dizzy. Plus, I have to cook it here. "

"No, you don't have to." He growled at her. "Let's go." He took her hand and pulled her into the bedroom. "Lie down on that bed and stay that way. Is it clear?"

She nodded. He stroked her hair with a smile.

"What should I do with that lunch?" He asked.

"All you have to do is slice the carrots. Then stuck it in the baking dish on the table and bake it. The rest is done. But I'll be happy to do it and then come back here again, I promise. "

"That's not going to happen. You will stay here and won´t move a muscle. I'll do it and get you hot herbal tea, so lie down." He stroked her hair again and left. Along the way, he mumbled at the lack of clothing she was wearing in captivity.

When he returned with tea, she was already asleep. He reached for her forehead again and found that it was too icy again for a change. He took off his shirt, shoes, and laid down to warm her. He got up from time to time to check on the food, but otherwise, he laid with her the whole time, pressed against her to warm her.

He felt the need to take her as her curvy body was pressed into his and it made him horny but would never do it without her wanting it too.

She woke up around twelve, and when she found out that he had stripped her and put on her his shirt he was using to sleep, she blushed. She turned to him.

"Don't worry, I didn't see anything. Yeah, and the food's ready. Plus, here's the tea. I'll warm it up for you again. But at least you already have a little colour on your face. Don't get out of bed. You need to sweat to win over that disease. I need to talk to Murtagh. Yeah, actually, he probably didn't introduce himself to you, see. That's the jarl who kidnapped you."

"Ah, he's a killer maniac. He killed anyone who didn't suit him. Even my father and brother before my eyes. He was only nine." A tear rolled down her cheek.

"I'm sorry." He stroked her cheek and wiped away the tear with his thumb.

"It's okay, you're not the one to be blamed."

"But I shouldn't have asked, forcing you to remember those moments."

"No, that's really fine. I am slowly starting to get over it. But the image of my father and little brother´s bodies on the ground with their sliced throats will keep on hunting me for a very long time."

"Okay, but I'm sorry anyway."

She smiled, "There's nothing to apologize for, and now let's eat."

"You meant you will wait here and I'll get it for you." He walked to the door and said, smiling, "Don't even move."

After a while, he returned with his food. "Can you eat? Or I should feed you."

"No, I can do it myself." He laid the pillows on her back flat and placed a plate on her lap. He took off his slippers and sat down next to her.

"I admit I haven't eaten in bed yet."

"Everything must be for the first time. By the way it is delicious." Because the bed wasn't that big, they were touching each other with their shoulders.

"Thank you," Rose whispered, kissing Erick on the cheek.

"And for what, I didn't do much."

"But you did. You saved me and you are taking good care of me. If you hadn't shown up, I'd probably be dead by now. Either I would kill myself or I would attack someone to get out of there."

"Feisty I like it." He smiled at her gently and stroked her cheek. "Don't worry, nothing will ever happen to you."

She grinned at him.

"I'm so glad you are feeling better."

He carried the plates away and sat back next to her. He covered them with a duvet and pressed lightly against her.

He checked her temperature and said, "You are looking much better, sleep for a while and you'll be healthy but first drink that tea." He kissed the top of her head and she leaned her face against his chest and fell asleep.