"I just wanted to ask where we're going to sleep tonight," Finn asks, clearly uncomfortable. "We no longer have the house, and this cave is not really the best place to stay."
Torben sighs but keeps his arm around my shoulders. "We have no choice but to stay here for now. Once the storm dies down, we can see what's salvageable from the hut. Wasn't there another cottage on the other side of the island?"
"Yeah, but it was in pretty bad condition last time I checked. And now after this storm.... we can check, but we shouldn't get our hopes up."
Torben nods and my heart sinks at the thought of spending a night in this dark, wet cave. I miss my little attic room already.
"Maybe it's time to leave this island," Torben mutters, more to himself than to us. "We've been here long enough."
"The sea ice was back last time I was at the beach," Finn says. "I guess it would be nicer to walk over ice than to swim. But we'd have to be fast, we don't want to be caught out in the middle of the ocean when the ice melts."
"Good point." Torben nods and Finn's face lights up. I hadn't realised before how much Torben's praise means to the others. I'm beginning to understand that while the polar bear is one of them, he's also in charge. The alpha. "Let's wait until morning, by then Ràn should be fully healed. Isla can take turns riding on us. We only take the essentials, whatever we can find in the rubble of the old hut. Hopefully we'll have more luck on another island."
"Which one are we going to?" I ask, rummaging in my head for my limited geographical knowledge. There aren't any proper maps of the islands that were once the Scottish Highlands, but my uncle had a few hand-drawn ones in his office. Not that I could even say which one we're on. I didn't really care what direction I went to when I fled my home.
"There's one to the West which looks similar to this one. Maybe that's the real Inchbrach, the Island of Bears. Or maybe it's not, who knows. But we won't find any answers here, so the chances are better everywhere else."
He sounds resigned. I'm sure they've had that conversation many times before. Their search can't be easy. They're not even from this country - although they'd probably disagree. But they weren't born here, and didn't experience the Drowning here either. I have few memories of the time before the world sank, but those are mostly good ones. When my parents were still alive. When I still had a family.
"Let's go back inside. It's getting cold." Wow, he’s finally noticed. Bears seem to deal with the cold much better than little human me.
Torben once again sweeps me off my feet (in more ways than one) and carries me into the cave. Finn winks at me as he follows us. We must look rather funny. The Viking carrying home his prize.
Ràn has changed back into his human form and is curled up on the ground. His wounds have almost disappeared and he seems to be sleeping peacefully. His brother is by his side, watching the small fire in the centre of the cave.
"How is he?" Torben asks and Húnn looks up, his face hidden in shadows.
"Well enough, I guess," he says quietly. "He'll be alright again by tomorrow."
"Good. We're leaving as soon as the sun rises," Torben announces. "Spring is coming and we've got a long journey ahead of us."
I’m lying across the laps of four bear shifters. They couldn’t decide who was going to cuddle me. Now they’re all laying claim on me. At least they’re wearing trousers. Lucky me.
We’re sitting at the mouth of the cave, watching the sun slowly appearing behind the trees. Its light is painting the world a beautiful orange, driving away the memories of a night of pain and fear. It’s cold, but I’m not. I’m warmed by my four shifters. Yes, my shifters. My four bears. I invaded their island, and they invaded my heart. It’s almost time to leave. I’m excited and a little scared at the same time. But I know we will succeed, because… come on… bears.
Six
"I see land!"
Ràn rips me from the doze I was in. I haven't slept properly for two days, and neither have the bears. We've been racing across the frozen sea, acutely aware that the ice might start to thaw at any moment. It was a dangerous decision to leave the island like this, a foolhardy one. But one we all agreed to. I wouldn't have been able to swim like the bears, so this is the only option for me to come with them. And so far, the ice has stayed thick enough to carry our weight, although each creak still makes my heart drop a little. We haven't talked about what would happen if the ice broke while we were still in the middle of the ocean. Swim, I guess, me on one of the bears until hypothermia made it impossible to hold on. That's why we don't talk about it. We all know it would end in disaster.
I prop myself up, adjusting my grip on Finn's fur. He's been carrying me for several hours now, through most of the night. He must be exhausted, but just like the others, he continues to run across the ice.
Ràn is riding on his brother, quite a strange sight, one large man on an equally large bear. They're each taking turns in shifting to human form. Staying as bears is too risky, Torben explained, they might lose themselves if they don't think like a human for at least an hour or two each day. I have to say, it's good to have some company. The bears can talk amongst each other in at least a rudimentary form, but I'm the odd one out. And even riding on a bear gets boring after a while, especially in this freezing cold.
I peer into the distance, trying to see the land Ràn announced. Nothing. But I already know that they have much better eyesight than me.
"How far?" I ask, stifling a yawn. Did I mention I haven't slept in a very long time?
"Maybe twenty minutes, not much longer." He gives his brother a playful kick in the side. "Fifteen if they hurry up."
Húnn growls in response but does increase his pace. We are all desperate to feel solid ground beneath our feet. And beds. I hope there are beds. Maybe food. A fire. That's all I need.
I grimace. Twenty years ago, that might have been easy to get. Now, most of the islands are no longer inhabited, or fenced off. We might not be able to get onto this one. I shake off that depressing thought. No, let's stick with the image of a cosy fireplace. Some hot chocolate? Definitely.
"Do you think that's Inchbrach?" I ask Ràn, but he only shrugs.
"No idea. But it's land and right now, that's all I care about."
He looks tired and exhausted. I mustn't forget that he was badly injured just a few days ago. The shift healed most of it, but he's still weaker than he'd usually be.
I watch as the thin strip of land comes closer. It's hard to see properly because the ground is covered in snow just like the ice we're on. There are no trees, just a few low hills. Nothing to give shelter from the icy wind. Maybe we'll be able to find another cave further inland. Not that I really want to spend time in a dark hole again. But better than camping out in the snow.
I cuddle against Finn's warm fur and enjoy the movement of his muscles beneath me. It took me a while to get used to the movement of the bear, but now I'm in sync with him, so much so that I'm almost able to sleep while riding him. Almost. Sleep... Oh well, soon.
As soon as we reach solid ground, I slip off Finn and dramatically kiss the ground. When I get up again, four men are looking at me, three of them naked. They could have warned me that they were going to shift... I sigh and hand out their clothes that I've got stashed in my backpack. Ràn puts on his trademark t-shirt and I shiver at the sight. He should be the polar bear, not Torben.
"Let's see what kind of place we've landed on," the alpha announces and walks towards the closest low hill. Damn, he's going to want to go up there to have a better view. I'm exhausted. Climbing hills was not on my agenda for today. Sleeping was. Resigned, I climb on Húnn's back. My ankle is a lot less painful, but I don't think traipsing through snow is going to do it much good.
Luckily, we never get to the top of the hill.
"Look, there's smoke!" Finn shouts after we've only just started walking up the snowy slope. We all turn in the direction he's pointing at - in a mixture of happiness and apprehension. This could be friends or foes.
If the people on this island are anything like my uncle, they won't be very welcoming.
"You stay here, don't go to the top, they might see you. I'll check it out," Torben says and runs off without even giving us a chance to respond. I wiggle until Húnn lets me down so I can stand on my own two feet. I regret it immediately.
"Hero syndrome," Finn mutters and sits down in the snow, patting his thigs. "Isla, you look like you're going to fall over any second. Sit on my lap, I'm warm."
How could I resist that invitation? I snuggle into his arms and enjoy the closeness he's offering me. Yes, I've kissed Torben, but that doesn't mean that I can't appreciate the kindness (and hotness) of the other three. I have ovaries, sue me.
For once, I am glad that I'm quite small. I fit perfectly into the space between his legs. Which reminds me... I can feel something poking against my backside. No, ignore that, Isla. Better not to think about him like that.
"What are we going to do if the people living here are hostile?" Ràn asks into the silence. "We need to rest, we can't run for another day, let alone several."
"Maybe there's a cave," Ràn sighs, repeating my earlier thoughts. "Or at least a hollow where we can hide."
"How about we put our hopes up? A hut? A cottage?" I asked, dreaming of a cosy living room with a heater and books. A girl can dream.
"Are you doing the opposite of what most normal people would do?" Húnn chuckled, ruffling my hair.
"Well, I'm not normal. Normal people don't hang out with bears."
"That's true. Still, I like you as you are," Finn whispers and pulls me closer. I breathe in his scent and smile. He is so comfy...
"There are people coming," Húnn suddenly hisses and I untangle myself from Finn, getting ready to run. I'm in no mood to fight. Not that I knew how to, anyway. My fighting skills extend to using wooden spoons as swords when I was a child. So yeah, not much use in real life.
Finn helps me up and we wait for them to come closer. Somehow, my hand has found his - or was it the other way round? I curl my toes inside my boots. It's not quite crossing them, but I'm sure it'll have the same effect. I really want these people to be welcoming.
"It's Torben and two other guys," Húnn announces. Looks like he's the one with the best eyesight. I still can't see anything. "He's leading them here so they must be friendly."
My tension eases a little. Torben is protective of his sleuth and he wouldn't put them in danger. These men will be safe. And maybe they'll even let us stay for a night.
Finally, I can see them as well as they walk through the snow towards us. Torben is followed by two guys who are quite a bit older than him. Early sixties, perhaps? One is rather large, but I wouldn't call him fat. Just big boned and muscly. The other looks like he could be Finn's father: blond, lean, with wrinkles around his mouth that bear witness to a lot of smiles. Thick glasses surround his eyes.
"Guys, you won't believe this!" Torben calls from a distance. "We really are on Inchbrach!"
"So we wasted months on that other island," Ràn mumbles under his breath, but his brother shushes him.
"These are Bertrand and Arnold," Torben introduces the two men behind him. They both smile and give us a friendly wave. I'm reminded of my grandfather, my mother's dad. He had the same calm, peaceful vibe as these two.
"Very nice to meet you," the larger one, Bertrand, says.
Torben points at the guys. "Meet Finn, Húnn and Ràn."
"And who is this young lady?" Arnold asks, and Ràn immediately steps in front of me, growling.
"She's ours."
"Woah, you can back off. There's only one bear in this world for me." He takes Bertrand's hand and smiles at him. It's clear there's more than just friendship between them.
"Bear? You're bears as well?" I ask, completely stunned. What are the chances of meeting more bear shifters?
"Yes, I smelled it as soon as I got close to their house," Torben says. He looks less worried now than he has for the past few days. I'm glad, the frowning doesn't suit him. "Although they are bears that I've not encountered before."
Bertrand shrugs and points at himself. "Panda, and Arnold's a spectacle bear. I've never met a polar bear before, though. Aren't you a bit far from home?"
"That joke is really getting old," Torben sighs. "My ancestors emigrated from the Arctic to Scotland, and then later to Norway. I'm not actually a full-blooded polar bear, but those genes seem to be the dominant ones."
"Same with me," Bertrand smiles. "I was adopted and have only been to China once. Anyway, how about a hot tea? You look like you could all do with some rest."
"That would be lovely," I reply and step forward, ignoring Ràn's protective growl. "I don't suppose you have any hot chocolate?"
The bear couple lives in a large, one-storey cottage further inland. It's surrounded on all sides by low hills so you can't see the sea - and neither can other people see you. On an island without trees for protection, this is as good as it gets. There are several other houses in the distance, but Bertrand tells us sadly that they are no longer occupied. Some left, some died, so now they are the only two people still left on Inchbrach. I'm tempted to ask him if the other inhabitants were also bear shifters, but I'm not sure if that would be polite. My bear etiquette skills are seriously lacking.
Torben sets me down at the door to the cottage. Thankfully, I didn't even have to ask for a ride on his back. He must have seen how exhausted I am. My ankle has begun to ache again and I can't wait to put up my feet and warm myself. And then sleep. For a long, long time. I've not been this tired in... forever?
I follow Arnold into the kitchen, which also seems to be their dining area. It's basic, but quaint. They even have electricity from a small wind turbine behind the house.
"Sit down, lass," he tells me and I thankfully follow his suggestion. The wooden chair I choose is hard, but right now I don't care.
"I'll make us some tea. And a hot chocolate for you, my dear. You look like you could use one."
I'm not sure if that is an insult, but as long as there's cocoa in it for me, that's fine. My body is craving sugar.
Bertrand comes into the kitchen and looks at me curiously. "Why are you sitting here and not in the living room? I just put some more wood on the fire."
"Because I told her to," Arnold replies gently. "She needed a rest."
"She'll rest more comfortably by the fire."
"Oh well then, have it your way. I'll be over with the tea in a jiffy." Arnold smiles at his partner and gets a grin back in return. I love how comfortable they are with each other. A little bickering, but lots of unspoken love between them.
I get up and limp after Bertrand. He turns around when he notices that I'm a little slower than him.
"What happened to your leg?"
I shrug. "I fell from a roof."
"What were you doing on a roof?"
I blush. That story is rather embarrassing.
"She was running away from four bloodthirsty bears, isn't that right, Isla?" Torben waits for us at the end of the corridor, leaning against the doorframe. He's grinning widely.
"I was enjoying the view," I retort, "until an annoying polar bear startled me."
"I wouldn't call that polar bear annoying. How about dashing? Handsome? Beary?"
I laugh. "Beary? Seriously?"
"It deserves to be an adjective. Now come inside, it's nice and warm in here."
The others are waiting for us in the living room, lounging on an assortment of mismatched furniture. The brothers occupy a dark leather sofa next to an old-fashioned wingback chair which Torben now takes a seat on. It suits him, a throne for a bear alpha. Finn is spread out on a red chaise longue by the fire and I join him there, nudging until he makes some space for me. Still, I end up halfway on his lap. Suits me.
I stretch out my arms towards the fire, warming my frozen hands. After being outside for so long, this is paradise. I wonder if anyone minds if I fall asleep on Finn's chest. He's rather comfy, although his muscles cou
ld be a little softer. But then they might not look as nice.
Stop it, I tell my ovaries, who I've named Bonnie and Clyde during the long ride over the frozen sea. Yes, I had too much time to think and make up funny names for my ovaries. But I decided they get up to so much mischief that Bonnie and Clyde would be appropriate. The second choice was Sarah and Jane, which sounded nice but I couldn't come up with a good enough reason to use those names.
"I'm afraid we only have one guest bedroom," Bertrand says cheerily. "Do you mind sharing?"
Hell no.
"Isla will take the bed and the rest of us will be on the floor," Torben decrees and I cringe. I wouldn't say no to a warm bear in my bed tonight. I'm still cold everywhere, despite sitting in front of the fire.
"You're quite the gentlemen," Bertrand chuckles. "Very well. I will get some blankets ready while you have your tea. Ah, here's Arnold, and I see he used the last of the jasmine tea." He lowers his voice to a whisper. "I'll finally be able to drink Earl Grey again now that stuff is gone."
Arnold huffs and puts down his tray on a marble table in the middle of the room. As I said, it's all pretty mismatched furniture, but I like it. It makes the place feel like home.
He hands me a mug of steaming cocoa and I instantly fall in love with him. Not like that. Not like with... Ehm, anyway, the hot chocolate smells amazing. And tastes even better, despite being almost too hot to drink.
"Where do you get your supplies from?" Húnn asks curiously as he takes a sip of his jasmine tea.
Polar Destiny Page 6