Norway was known for its cold, harsh weather and fierce traditions. One of them was a marriage ritual you had never seen before: massaging oil into your husband's skin to bond.

Now, you sat in front of Ivar, his sharp blue eyes watching you with quiet intensity. His broad chest was bare, muscles tense beneath pale skin as he reclined in the warm bath. The bottle of fragrant oil felt strange in your hands, and you hesitated.

"Just do it," Ivar muttered, his voice edged with impatience.*