by Nelson, JD
I turned over and held my breath underwater, letting my hair float around me as I lamented my situation, and for the first time in my life, I thought about never breathing again.
This thought crossed my mind for maybe three seconds before I was roughly jerked out of the water by my arms, and set on my feet.
“Wha-what the hell do you think you’re doing?” I stammered, trying to wipe my waterlogged hair out of my eyes.
“What do I think I’m doing? What are you doing? You think that because your parents are dead, and you have an arranged marriage that that gives you permission to drown yourself?”
I furiously swiped the mass of hair out of my face, only to find Soren’s red eyes were full of pity. Bursting into tears, I collapsed to the bathmat. He immediately joined me there on the floor, covering my naked breasts with a towel, and then hugging me into his chest.
After a few minutes, when my wails had turned to sniffles, he delicately reminded me that I was still naked and sitting bare-assed on the floor—because that is the kind of thing you have to say to crazy people.
I jumped up, turned three or four shades of red, and wrapped the towel all the way around me. “I’m going to finish up in the shower.”
He quickly averted his eyes. “I’ll be just outside the door, should you need anything.”
I showered as fast as I could, and dried off with the fresh towels he had so thoughtfully brought in for me. There was a pair of pajama pants and cami waiting for me on the counter next to them, but thankfully no panties. If by some miracle Soren ever touches my underwear, I want to be in them while he’s doing it.
He wasn’t anywhere to be found when I came out of the bathroom, but I knew he was close by, I could smell his spicy, woodsy scent.
I was just snuggling into the bed when he came in the door with a cup of hot chocolate. It was simply amazing how he seemed to know just what I needed before I even thought of it myself.
He handed me the cup, and sat on the edge of the bed. “I’m a telepath remember? Are you feeling better?”
“Yes, I am. Thank you for the cocoa.” I drank it while studiously ignoring how beautiful his hair looked with the candlelight reflecting off of it.
He waited in silence until I was finished, then gently pried the empty cup from me and put it on the nightstand. “Get some rest.”
I tried to sleep, but I kept worrying about everything—Sweden, Kristian, Soren, Crazy-Freyr-Guy—my mind was in overload. It took forever, but when I finally slept, I dreamt of Soren’s crimson eyes and his hair like the winter’s frost.
In the dream, he was dressed in the kind of suit a human would wear to church. He took my hand and we were transported to a hill that overlooked a lake. I sat between his knees, and he held me as we watched the sun go down. The way he held me spoke volumes, even though we never said a word to one another. It was peaceful. It was full of a love and understanding that I’d never felt before.
A short time later, I awoke to find him sitting at the desk, clad in plaid pajama bottoms and a white V-neck shirt. He was so sexy; he could wear a garbage bag and I’d still want to have my way with him.
I sat up cross-legged in the bed and mumbled “You’ve been in my dreams again.”
He looked taken aback, and then delighted. “Have I?”
I blushed and looked down at the blanket. “Yes. I dream of you almost every night.”
“When I do sleep, I dream of you too.” He confided, as he got up to sit on the edge of the bed.
“Really?” That was hard to believe. He was so incredible in every way, not to mention, at least a few zillion years older than me. Why would he ever dream of me?
His face became serious. “I would not lie to you, little one.”
I flinched. His glowing eyes made him appear so severe. They honestly unnerved me as much as they intrigued me. I couldn’t maintain eye contact, so I stared at his lips instead. They were inching their way upward into a slight smile.
“Your eyes, they…” I trailed off, I didn’t know how to finish that sentence without offending him.
“Are red?” He supplied, shrugging his shoulders.
“I’m so sorry.” I said, horrified at my insensitivity. “I’ve never seen anyone with eyes like yours. They are so…unique.”
He laughed. “Don’t worry, Emelie. You aren’t the first one to notice their unconventional color. They are unusual, yes, but not unheard of in my world. My Father has brought many young into existence with many females. The eye color is a common trait we all share. I was surprised when you didn’t mention it right away, most people usually do.”
He exhaled deeply, looking very tired. How could I have not noticed how exhausted he looked?
“Are you okay? Would you like some water, or maybe you’d like to lie down for a little while?”
“Inviting me into your bed, Emelie?” He said, arching his eyebrow. “Just what are these dreams of yours about?” He laughed again.
“Nothing like that!” I said, mortified. I was a complete liar, of course. I’d definitely had some dreams that would qualify for a triple X rating.
Barely suppressing laughter, he said, “I will gladly accept the invitation to lie with you. I do think I would feel better if I slept for a while. The magic I gave you has left me rather tired.”
He stood up, and I scooted over to give him room in the small double bed. “Okay, here’s the big question. Are you a under the cover, or on top of the cover kind of guy?” I lifted the blanket, as if that would help him decide.
“Under the covers, please.” was the muffled reply as he pulled his shirt off and pushed his pajama bottoms off his hips. When he pulled back the blanket, he must have seen something in my expression that betrayed my innocence because he said, “Please, do not fear me, you are safe from my advances tonight.” Then he stretched out, catlike beside me.
I blushed, and let out an uncharacteristic high, nervous laugh, trying hard not to openly stare at his perfection. It wasn’t easy. I was pretty sure that my mouth was hanging open like a lunatic.
To me, he looked every bit like the warrior he was—a gorgeous, ancient, and naked warrior. I felt faint just looking at him.
He smirked, apparently amused at my reaction. Holding out his arms, he said, “Come.” I snuggled into his side, happy that he seemed so changed from the male I’d met just a few hours ago.
He reached to trace my jaw, as I examined his flawless skin. His chest had a strange assortment of runes tattooed in red that snaked around his ribcage to his back. I hadn’t noticed them before. Runes hadn’t been used in ages; I wondered how old he really was. His youthful face was very deceiving.
“How old are you, Soren?”
He gave me a dismayed glance before staring past my shoulder. “I don’t know. I am one of the first inhabitants of our worlds; we didn’t keep up with such things in the beginning. If I had to wager a guess, it would be about six thousand human years.”
I was dumbfounded. I hadn’t expected that putting a number on his age would make me feel so inconsequential. I couldn’t even fathom the things he’d seen, the things he’d experienced, or the sheer amount of lovers he’s probably had. Why would he ever want an inexperienced, twenty year old virgin?
“I do not think you inconsequential, Emelie.”
I groaned. “Stop it with the mind reading!”
“As if I could or would.” He said chuckling. “Permit me to say that you have a wickedly imaginative mind.”
“I’m so, so sorry.” I said, utterly ashamed.
“Don’t be, Emelie. I’m flattered that you think of me in that way. You are a very beautiful female.”
I lifted away from him and desperately tried to block my thoughts, imagining a brick wall in front of my mind.
“It’s a pity,” He said laughing, as he gathered me back to his side. “Now sleep”
He must be crazy. In addition to me being cuddled around his very naked body, I’d seen and heard things in the last ten mi
nutes that would keep me up for an eternity.
He chuckled again. “You could try counting sheep over your brick wall. Nice detail by the way.”
“Shut up.” Yawning, I nestled into his rib cage and fell asleep before three sheep made it over the wall.
***
I fell into my seat dramatically. “I can’t do it! I give up.” We’d been practicing for over two hours nonstop. I was exhausted.
Soren ignored me. “Again! Close your eyes and imagine a barrier between your mind and everything else.”
His enthusiasm was unrelenting. I hated him. Baring my fangs, I growled at him, making my displeasure clear.
Soren looked bored at my tantrum. “I’m terrified, little elf.”
Giving up my anger with a sigh, I prepared for him to enter my mind again. The embarrassment of him knowing what I’d been thinking was making it nearly impossible to block his advances.
“I wouldn’t be seeing anything if you’d kindly prevent me from entering.” He lifted a brow. “I must tell you, the hand gesture you’re giving me isn’t very ladylike.”
Yeah, I hated him.
“Use your hatred then. Imagine it into an impenetrable fortress around you.”
I did as he asked, and threw in a moat with water dragons for good measure.
“Very good, I cannot even find a crack to slip through. Do you think you can do this again?”
“Yes.”
“Good, we’ll be crossing into the realm within the minute.
“What?” I felt a strong nudge against my mind’s barrier almost the instant he finished speaking. “I feel someone.”
“Yes, that is Father. He knows you are here. Don’t worry; you’re doing a good job keeping him out. He’s already underestimated your power, and he is furious about it; he’s used to having his way.”
The fasten seat belts sign dinged to life and I could feel us starting to make our descent. “How do you know all this?” I asked.
He shrugged his shoulders. “He’s my father.”
“Will he know we’re together?”
“Absolutely not! I have shielded myself from him for over two millennia.”
“Good.” I said relieved, before a searing pain in my shoulder made me buck up against the restraints. “Soren, help me!” I screamed.
He unbuckled himself and was at my side in a flash. “What is it, Emelie? Where is the pain?”
“My right shoulder.” I sobbed, tears streaming down my face.
He pulled up my sweater to examine me, carefully running his cool fingers across my burning flesh. After just a moment, he put the material back in to place and sat back down with a deep sigh.
“What is it?” I asked, between deep breaths. I couldn’t seem to get enough air in my lungs.
His eyes held pity when he finally lifted his head. “It is my father’s mark. Every creature from the Norse-lands is born with one. Since you weren’t born here, your mark was created when you crossed over into our realm. I did not know it would be so painful; I’ve never known one from outside my realm before. You are a singular creature to have lived without magic for so long, Emelie.”
“That’s not very comforting.” I said, sarcastically.
He sighed, and nodded in agreement. “Things in the Norse-lands rarely are.”
***
I loved the butler, Cedric, right away. He was an older human, maybe fifty years old, but still in top form. The only giveaways to his age were the crinkles at the corners of his eyes when he smiled, and he smiled very often. It was impossible not to adore him from the moment I met him.
Along the drive, Cedric regaled me with stories of Soren’s apparently hilarious introduction into the modern world, much to Soren’s dismay. I could tell that there was a real Father-Son bond between the two. Although, Soren was over a hundred times older than Cedric; he spoke of Soren with the pride of a father.
We all chatted amiably in Soren’s Land Rover for almost an hour before Cedric turned off onto an unmarked trail. Then the increasingly difficult roads he was forced to navigate down, consumed his attention. I kept glancing over to Soren who was staring out the window while his brows furrowed in deep concentration.
“Penny for your thoughts?” I asked, tentatively.
“You are in my thoughts, Emelie.”
He didn’t elaborate and I didn’t ask any further questions.
His home was hidden deep in the forests of Uppsala. There was nothing but wall-to-wall trees for a half an hour before we arrived in front of the house. It turned out to be more of a monstrosity and not so much a house.
“Why is it so big?” I wondered aloud as we got out of the vehicle.
“That’s what she said.” Cedric muttered under his breath.
I leaned over toward him. “We are so going to get along.” He laughed and carried a couple pieces of luggage up the front steps.
Soren huffed. “I’ll answer the question, if you two jesters are finished.”
I smirked. “Go ahead, Professor Vidar. Do tell us.”
“It houses the rest of the Ragnarök warriors, smart-ass. The staff lives here in the winter, as well. You must be very careful not to mention the warriors to the staff, Emelie. They can’t ever know who we are. Though they are mostly human, any one of them could be loyal to Odin.”
“Of course, Cedric is cool though, right?”
“Yes, Cedric is…cool, as you say. Allow me to show you into the house.” He rounded the car and tucked my hand into the crook of his arm. “You will have to share my quarters; as far as the staff is concerned, we are engaged. That is the only way to avoid talk of a newcomer to the house.”
I was secretly glad. I didn’t want to be alone in this huge place.
—Chapter Three—
The staff had already lined up along the steps of the grand staircase when we stepped into the foyer. No doubt, Cedric rustled them up to meet their master in an appropriate manner.
A portly female with pale blond hair and a very stern face stepped forward. “Welcome home, Master Soren. I hope your trip was favorable.”
“Thank you, Svetlana. It is good to be home.” He looked down to me at his side and smiled. “The trip was very favorable indeed.”
Turning his attention to the rest of the staff, he said, “This is Emelie, my bride to be. Please make sure she wants for nothing.”
Bride to be. The sour faces of the staff, quickly doused the excitement that was ignited in me upon hearing those words. It was impossible to ignore the looks of hatred thrown my way. This was not welcome news by any means, to them.
I squeezed Soren’s forearm and he took the hint.
“Cedric, if you would bring our bags to our room? I’m sure Emelie would like to freshen up before dinner.”
“Of course, sir.” he answered.
We followed Cedric up the stairs. I smiled as brightly as I could and hoped to receive one in return, but was ultimately disappointed. Not one of them looked even remotely friendly. We weren’t even out of earshot before we heard the females start speaking in rapid Swedish. That was followed by a sharp “Stifle it!” from Svetlana to quiet them.
“Well they hate me.” I groaned.
“They’ll come around.” Cedric said. “They’ve had quite a blow to their egos. Soren is…was a very eligible bachelor.”
Soren looked stricken and cast a fervent look behind us. “What?”
Cedric barked out a laugh. “You mean you didn’t notice? Oh, I hope they never learn of your ignorance, or their egos would really be bruised.”
I smirked. “Well, that explains a lot.”
Soren swept me off my feet at that remark and I squeaked out a weak protest as he carried me bride-style over the threshold of the door Cedric was holding open.
I looked around the room from Soren’s arms. “Wow!” That was the only word fitting for Soren’s ‘quarters.’
He set me back on my feet. “I take it you approve then.”
“Yes, of course. It’s r
eally beautiful. I love the French decor.”
His chamber was almost a house within a house. The door from the hallway opened up into a sitting room, and the kitchen was situated between two of the largest bedrooms I’d ever seen.
“I can’t believe how huge the bedrooms are. Which one will I be using?”
Soren’s roughish grin said it all. “Cedric has the second room. You’ll be bunking with me. I hope that is satisfactory.”
I briefly struggled to form a sentence that didn’t start with ‘Hallelujah’. “Um…it’s fine. We have to keep up appearances, right?”
There was an odd mix of surprise, comprehension, and relief on Soren’s face when he said, “Yes we do. I’ll show you to our room.”
Our room, those two words sent another thrill of excitement through me. I had to snap out of this. This wasn’t real. What was real was the dark elf that was probably going to hang outside Soren’s house tonight making sure I didn’t ride off into the sunset with my true love.
Soren led me into the bedroom on the right. Gesturing to a highboy in the corner, he said. “I’ve cleared this for you and you'll find half of the closet has been emptied for the items you need to hang.”
I grabbed my garment bag and walked to the closet.
“The switch is on the left.” He called after me.
“Thanks.”
I was assaulted by his scent as I groped for the light switch. He was everywhere in here. I quickly hung the few dresses that I owned and stowed the bag, but lingered over Soren’s clothes. I’d expected expensive suits and cashmere sweaters to fill his closet, but that is not what I found. His clothes were normal, mostly jeans and sweaters appropriate for the cold weather. I stopped to run my fingers down a coat close to the door and lifted the sleeve to my nose. The smell of his spicy scent was intoxicating.
I startled when Soren spoke behind me in a perfectly serious tone. “Would you like me to leave you two alone?”