╚════════*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*════════╝

Gene smiled softly when her children ran to greet Sihtric, the boys hugged their father quickly before going to their uncles, and Eithne refused to let go of her father's hand even when he walked to Gene. Sihtric placed a palm on her cheek and nuzzled his nose against hers before leaning in for a kiss. Eithne giggled softly at her parents and then gasped when she noticed Osferth was injured.

"Uncle Os!" Finan grabbed her before so could trip over the mud and placed her down softly, as she glanced at him for answers.

"He will be alright, he needs rest." Finan spoke to the girl and allowed her to sit by the monk's side as she put it 'give him the motivation to heal' and he couldn't deny her the chance. Erik watched his father closely and Gene knew he had picked up on the uncertainty in her husband's posture, he was up to something.

"Come, husband. Let us eat." She pulled him into the hall and didn't hesitate to sit in his lap as her sons sat across from her, Sihtric kissed her shoulder and neck making her grin playfully.

"How's Osferth?" Uhtred asked them as he entered the hall, he looked at her children with guilt and she knew that whatever Sihtric was stressing over had something to do with Uhtred.

"Sleeping, as we should all be." Finan spoke looking between the two men.

"Just as soon as he's recovered, we should attempt to recover Skade." Uhtred ordered.

"Once again." Sihtric mumbled and Gene turned to him.

"So long as she is free, lord, you are cursed." Finan quickly spoke and shot the Dane a warning look.

"Skade is with the Danes. We cannot reach her. We will not chase her to our deaths." Uhtred spoke as he sat down.

"Death will find us regardless." It didn't escape her or Erik that Sihtric's anger was coiled like a snake ready to attack.

"Do you have something to say, Sihtric?"

"He does not." Finan interrupted sensing the growing tension, he looked at her for help. Gene leaned forward to whisper into his ear under the disguise of talking him down.

"Erik and I have figured you out, my love. Do what you have to, but I do expect a parting gift from my traitorous husband. I believe your cock will do." Sihtric relaxed and looked at her in relief, she didn't miss how his hand clenched her thighs roughly at her request, Erik nodded his father subtly when he glanced at the boy.

"Except that, enough of us have died already." Sihtric said once he had their approval, Erik took his younger brother's hand and promised to show him the horses as they left.

"You are a warrior, death is a hazard."

"I have decided to go to Ragnar. I must help him find peace." Gene flinched at the name and Uhtred gave her a sad smile, Ragnar's death will always haunt her.

"All you will find at Ragnar's graveside is ghosts." Sihtric spoke making everyone go silent. Finan shot her a worried look as they glanced between the two Danes. She knew anything that was said was meant to gain the attention of the prisoners but she couldn't help but feel hurt by his phrase.

"You will keep watch of Aethelflæd and you will rest."

"No man who served Uhtred can rest, not until Skade is reclaimed." Sihtric called out and Finan quickly spoke.

"Sihtric, you are drunk and tired."

"Yes, I am tired," He turns to Uhtred. "Of marching north and then south, being called a traitor. For what?" Sihtric snapped in anger as he moved Gene next to him.

"Then leave, boy."

"Uhtred, you don't mean that." Finan said as he looked between the two men, Gene tried to pretend to be worried like the good wife she was, but God's Sihtric was making her aroused the angrier he got.

"If you are unhappy in my service, leave!" Sihtric stands and crowds Uhtred's space. She felt Finan place a hand on her shoulder to comfort her and she felt a little guilty that he didn't know of the plan.

"I have fought for you!" Gene almost moaned at that, she tossed one leg over the other to avoid begging him to take her right there, across the table for everyone to witness.

"You fight because you enjoy it." Uhtred replies and Finan moves to the quarreling men.

"You'd dismiss me as easy as this?" Sihtric asked hurt.

"Stay or go, I do not care."

"He does not mean that. He does care. Now, let us all sit." Finan says frantically.

"If you wish to make the square, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, let us do it." Sihtric says.

"Sihtric, no." She said with fake worry.

"No, there'll be no squares made. No fighting, just sleep. Sleep! Jesus!" Finan looks at them both with disappointment. "Get the prisoners back with the pigs, bound." Finan orders.

"Sihtric! I will leave first light but I will return and if you are here still, then I will kill you." Uhtred threatened and Gene raised an eyebrow at his comment, Uhtred briefly looked terrified as he looked at her. They both knew she would kill him if he truly meant that, but the prisoners didn't.

"I would like to see you try." She spoke snarled and Uhtred avoided looking her in the eyes as he left.

"Why?" Finan asked when Sihtric slapped a cup off the table, this time she did moan. Finan shot her a look of both disapproval and disgust. Sihtric having a meltdown was the hottest thing she's ever seen.

"He has cursed us all!" He shouts in Finan's face as the Irishman sits down shaking his head. Sihtric fights his smirk off his face when he sees her state, Gene bites her lip as he speaks, he spits on the floor as he sits next to her and she refuses to admit what thought had just crossed her mind.

"She has cursed us all and Uhtred allows it." Dagfinn spoke and Gene glared at the man.

"Shut your mouth." Finan ordered.

"Abandon him, boy. It's your only chance. You're a dane first and last." Finan motions for a guard to shut the Dane up. Sihtric leaves shortly as the prisoners are taken back to their cages, she follows the dane hoping he will take her to the nearest abandoned area.

She grinned as Sihtric slammed her against the alley wall, she sank her nails into his arms as he kissed her roughly, and she wrapped a leg around his torso to pull him close. She moaned as he kissed down her jaw and stopped at her throat, she gasped when she felt his teeth latch onto the skin, she hoped she would bleed from it. She pulled his hair forcefully as she kissed him once more, she felt him untie his trousers and hike up her dress, and she moaned loudly when he sank into her.

He didn't hold back, he thrusts into her like a feral animal, and she loved every second of it. She gasped and moaned at every hard thrust and moved her hand to his throat to grip it tight enough to make him groan in pleasure, one of his hands moved to fist her hair, and when she opened her mouth to moan he held her mouth open and spit into it.

She came from that alone.

He lasted a few more thrusts and finished with a grunt as he panted against her throat, anyone with eyes would know she was ravished by him, or a wild animal. She would let the people decide on that.

"We are including meltdown Sihtric in the future, next time we use that for you to order me around, yeah?" She spoke teasingly and felt his face grow warm at the thought.