Elspeth studied his flushed cheeks and wide-eyed expression. He shifted on the chair a few times and she almost giggled with an understanding of the part of him that was causing his discomfort. So that was at least one question answered. She wasn’t sure how she could have broached the topic with him and now couldn’t think of any way that would have been better. She was aware of the silly grin that rested on her face and for the life of her she lacked the ability to adjust her composure.
“That was unexpected. I hope you are not upset with me,” he said. “I would never want to disrespect you or have anyone view you any differently because of my desire for you.”
The way he said desire with a rasp in his voice sent a thrill through her body. She wasn’t even sure she could trust herself to speak. The only thing she knew for certain was that she wanted to climb onto his lap and kiss him again. She stared at his mouth and couldn’t help licking her lips to remember the taste of him.
“Elspeth you cannot look at me like that,” he said in a whisper. “I want you too badly.”
She gazed into his eyes and saw raw truth resting there as though she could see into his very soul. Her heartbeat thudded in her ears. Or was it his? She was convinced she could hear his even though they sat apart.
“I can feel you,” she said. She didn’t know any other way to say it.
He stood and walked to the chamber door and placed his hand on it as if he couldn’t decide what to do.
She moved up behind him and wrapped her arms around his torso. He sucked in his breath quickly. God’s breath, he felt so good. Magnus turned and wrapped his arm around her and rested his chin on her head.
“We should go to the hall. I am not certain it is proper for me to be up here so long with you like this.”
“I know, but how can something that feels like this be wrong?”
“It is only wrong because we are not joined in marriage.”
“Is it that way for you too?”
“For the most part. I will not treat you with any less respect than I would expect of my sister’s suitors. Come, let us go to the hall before our desire rises again.”
From any other man, that sort of language would have been mortifying to hear. But somehow coming from him, she didn’t mind it. In fact, she rather enjoyed being the cause of his discomfort.
They walked together to the hall. She would have loved to hold his hand and tell everyone how they felt, but the moment she entered, her head tingled with the familiar signs of the Viking healer’s presence.
Because she knew the feeling, this time she did not fight it, rather allowed it to wash over her. She drew strength from Magnus as she walked to the table to sit beside Freydis never breaking eye contact with her. Already she was aware of the tension in the woman. She seemed upset or angry about something, and there was something else—deep and desperate longing and sorrow.
“That’s as much as I can take,” she said then Elspeth could feel nothing from her.
“What happened?” Magnus asked.
“I spent a sleepless night last night trying to figure this out. I have come to the conclusion that you have the abilities of a Volur and you have been gifted with Odin’s raven. There can be no other explanation though my runes did not confirm it. How you reconcile that with your own God is something you will have to explore yourself. But I have no doubt that you are able to see into a person’s very soul if they are willing. To be honest, I also think that with some practiced effort you may also be able to break into a person’s mind even if they were not willing.”
“I do not wish to force myself upon anyone. Were you willing just then?”
“I was and I tried to connect with you. I do not know if it would work on anyone else.”
“I will try it,” Magnus said.
Elspeth turned to him. Was she prepared for what she’d find if she probed his mind? She certainly was not willing to do so in front of anyone.
“I don’t think that is a good idea,” Freydis said, thankfully.
“We do not yet understand the full extent of her abilities and whether or not any harm could result from it. It would be like giving your sharpest sword to a small child. I do not mean to offend you, Lady Elspeth, but the truth is until we spend more time together, I will not understand the full extent of your gift.”
“I am not afraid of it anymore.”
“I cast runes until the sun came up and I saw nothing of this in them. I saw much about every person in this hall, but absolutely nothing of you. It is as though our gods do not even see you and I do not understand how that can be.”
“Is it because I am Christian?”
“Not at all. I saw Saga’s husband in her runes long before he ever landed on Islay. You do not have to believe in Odin for him to have a role to play in your destiny.”
She supposed that made sense. She had faith in her own beliefs and that there was a higher purpose at play, and that could include any of the people in the room, not just the Christians.
