‘I do.’ She nodded furiously.
‘Fine,’ he said, and relief washed over her face. ‘We will leave in a couple of days. Let us make a list of everything we will need first. We may not have another opportunity if the weather turns for the worse.’
She eased back in her chair with a sigh of relief, and positioned her boots nearer the brazier. He leaned forward and dropped another log from his small pile onto it, sending a flurry of little sparks into the air.
He was so distracted by the task he almost missed her quiet words.
‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘I would be so lonely without you.’
Pleasure spread across his body, warming him despite the cool air, and he glanced up at her. A blush had painted her round cheeks pink, and she was deliberately avoiding his eyes, as if she were ashamed of her confession.
Placing a hand on her knee, he waited until she looked back at him, then he squeezed her lightly before removing his hand. ‘And, I am no longer sad because of you.’
And then, because he could see the doubt in her eyes, he added, ‘I was lonely before I met you, and saw no sense in doing anything more than feeding myself and Sten. But your presence here has reminded me that I have plenty to do, not only for myself, but for the future...’ Courage leaped in his throat, and he spoke from the heart. ‘You have given me purpose.’
Embla swallowed deeply, her eyes shimmering with the light from the Bifrost above and the flames from the brazier below. He laid his hand gently over hers, wanting nothing more than to be close to her, to ease the longing that ached within. She was gripping the arm of her chair tightly, and when his skin touched hers, it flexed.
Her mouth was slightly parted, as if she were about to say something, but could not find the words.
He did not want words.
He wanted to feel and taste the softness of her lips. He wet his own, and her gaze darted to the movement.
‘I...’ she whispered, ‘I will be gone in the spring.’ Her tone was almost apologetic, and he smiled.
‘The spring is many weeks away...months, even.’
He had often repeated this to himself, as a gentle reminder.
His voice was husky as he continued, ‘And the nights...are long and dark.’
He wished spring would never come, but he would enjoy every stolen moment with her before it did. Unlike before, he would not hope for a life that he could not have. ‘I am glad you are here with me...even if you are not.’
She swallowed again, as if struggling to digest his words, but she had not shaken off his hand or flinched at his touch. If anything, she seemed to be leaning towards him.
Come closer,he begged silently.
‘It is not that I am unhappy here...’ Her eyes were wide with innocence, and he stroked his fingers across her wrist.
‘I understand,’ he said softly, not daring to move in case it startled her. ‘It is not your home. Which is why I want to make you as comfortable and as happy as I can. So, if you wish to celebrate the midwinter festival, and if you want to come with me when I get supplies from my mother, then that is what we will do.’
‘I do not wish to be a burden,’ she whispered.
‘You are not.’ And then because her eyes began to slide away from him, as if she were pulling away, he pushed his body forward. Reaching out with his other hand to cup her cheek and keep her with him. Their eyes met, and he knew that if his courage failed him now, he would regret it for the rest of his lonely life.
He pressed his mouth against hers. She gasped and then melted against him, a hesitant hand reaching up to clutch his tunic and hold him tight as she opened her lips for him.
The Bifrost had granted him good fortune, and he would not squander it.
Chapter Ten
Embla wasn’t sure how this had happened. But Runar was kissing her, and it felt wonderful.
For such a big, rough-looking man he was both tender and sweet, his mouth gentle and slow against hers, as if he knew how inexperienced she was and wanted to ease her uncertainty. Closing her eyes, she softened beneath his touch, allowing herself to enjoy the sensations he wrung so easily from her body.
She was so comfortable and safe in his arms. Kissing him felt as natural as breathing, but also as special as the Northern Lights above them.
She should push him away. Encouraging such behaviour was wrong and dangerous in so many ways. Especially for her, as she would be the one hurt by this, not him. He was happier alone, and when she left in the spring, his life would not alter, while she would be changed forever by this winter, by him.
