All Chapters of Tova's Four Kingdoms: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

TOVAErik gently covered me with furs to keep me warm from the chill wind that blew across the prairie and managed to come under the tent and swirl around us. Between his body heat and the fur, I was comfortable and slept well. He slipped out from the furs when the dawn light broke and I soon followed, slipping into the garments I wore yesterday. I then followed him out of the tent.He possessively clasped my hand and strode over to the mess tent. Men bowed and moved out of his way. I could see Leila peeling apart a biscuit and dipping the morsels into honey before poking it into her mouth. She gave me a conspiratory wink as I was dragged by. Erik went to the cook and pointed. We were given two steaming plates.He led me over to where the Generals were gathered. They made room for the two of us to squat on the ground near them. I started eating my breakfast, listening to what was going on between them.“We have two rather large rivers to cross today,” General Zerg announced

ERIKTova relaxed in my arms and turned towards me, tucking her head at my shoulder. I was angry with her, but only because she scared me. I had heard the shouting coming from the river and had ridden Troi hard to get there, just in time to see her racing Bo into the water. The river was running high, too high to be safe, and the current was fierce. We were lucky we only lost three men and we were very lucky she wasn’t killed. She was a stronger swimmer than I knew. She also had a bigger heart than I was aware.I knew that the warriors that had heard her passionate and authentic declaration for the warriors’ welfare would spread it all over the camp within minutes, and that she would have the loyalty and love of all the warriors once they heard.I was correct. I carried her into a silent camp, most of which was gathered around a huge bonfire. She wiggled a little and I gently put her on her feet. She wrapped the fur around her tighter and stepped forward, a little unsteadily,

ERIKI leaped for Tova but four other warriors who saw her fall got to her first. One of the Warriors had already sent another for Garth, the healer.When they saw me pushing towards them, all of the warriors fell back. The one that had sent for the healer bowed his head. “Sire, the mess tent has not been taken down. You can bring her there.”I nodded, gathering her in my arms. Leila appeared, white faced, looking at her friend, but took hold of Bo who was becoming agitated. “I will take care of him until she can,” was all she said. I nodded and started off towards the mess tent with long strides, Tova in my arms.Garth met me there and gestured to a table that they had cleared off for her. I put her on the table and Garth immediately opened her blouse. I fixed glares on the warriors that were standing around, worriedly, and the one that had arrived at Tova first started shooing everyone away. I loved that they loved my queen, but her bre^sts were for me to see only.Garth p

TOVA“You made me a promise,” I said, again. Erik continued to stride towards me, eyes dark. He looked at me and licked his lips. I realized the warriors around us had stilled, watching the scene.“So I did,” he acknowledged, stopping directly in front of me. I held my breath.He took another step forward and swooped down, grabbing me and flinging me over his shoulder. I shrieked and giggled, and he playfully swatted me on the butt. The warriors around us visibly relaxed and went back to what they were doing.Erik strode over to a tent that had been erected on the edge of the field. Erik walked through the open door and unceremoniously dumped me on the bed before turning back to the flap and fastening it. I scrambled up and shed my clothes. I wasn’t in the mood for foreplay, and I wanted Erik now. I needed to feel him inside me, and I needed to have his arms around me.He turned around to see me standing at the bed, naked. “How do you want me, sire?” I asked. I ran my fing

TOVA I ran back to my tent, thinking hard and thinking fast. I now knew that the plan from the beginning was about Erik, not me. The concubines’ jealous ploy was just a happy coincidence for them. They were able to use the chaos to further their plan and push it along faster. I was a pawn and they had been letting me blunder around, distracting Erik, before making their move. If Erik were to be killed without an heir, the throne would be in disarray. Unless someone strong came in and united everyone, the realm would fall and there would be four separate kingdoms. The current rulers were too stupid to realize they can’t manage without each other, so they would resort to war to get what they needed to survive. The smart move would be to eliminate Erik and then put someone strong and political into power. It would have to be done fast, before everyone realized what was going on, but once alliances had changed the new ruler would have access to all four kingdom’s resources and