“I am very glad you did. For it allowed me to know your heart as well. I have never experienced anything like what we have. I do not know if anyone has.”
“What now?” she asked.
He pressed his fingers into her hip and drew her close to his body. His hard erection rested on her thigh. She smiled. She wasn’t sure if her body was ready for his so soon, but she was more than willing to try.
Magnus rolled onto his back and lifted her atop him. As she slowly slid onto him he reached up and cupped her breasts. She lifted her body up and down taking him in and out of her as she placed her hands on his chest. This way she felt him even deeper than before and the control she had was driving her mad with need all over again. Magnus pinched her nipples and drew her forward for a deep kiss. He thrust upward to match her pace and a few moments later flipped her onto her back, pummelling into her again. She arched upward to take everything he had to give as her climax crested and tore through her body. She shook and quaked as he drove harder and harder into her. As he thrust deep one final time, a second wave crashed over her making her almost lightheaded. She breathed her way through it and stared hard into his eyes as he strained above her.
Magnus rolled over onto his back, breathing heavily and chuckling to himself.
“What is so amusing?” she asked.
“Not one thing,” he said. “But I think that I may too need some battle training if we are to continue at this level of our desire.”
Elspeth propped herself up on one elbow and regarded him. He was a magnificent man with a strength she’d never seen matched. There was something of wonder in his voice as he’d stated his point that she agreed with wholeheartedly. They’d been given something unique and incredible and she prayed to God that nothing ever prevented them from keeping it.
“Can we stay here forever?” she asked.
“I wish it were that simple,” he said. “But I wonder if this place is only here for us right now because we need it.”
Not that she didn’t think him capable of deep thought, she hadn’t realized just how much he had been wondering about the meaning of all of this as well.
“Then we had better make the most of it while we can,” she said trying to lighten the mood.
“That is true, and at the moment, I feel I could eat an entire wild boar.”
She nodded and grinned. They dressed quickly and went belowstairs leaving the bed dishevelled and perhaps knowing they wouldn’t be out of it for long. In the kitchen she prepared a trencher they could share while Magnus stoked the fires. They ate their meal in the hall and sat quietly staring into the fire. Every now and again she would catch him staring at her with a solemn look upon his face. She didn’t want to know what he was thinking and so would not hold his gaze. If he thought they would not be allowed to keep what they had then she didn’t want to hear it. Not now, not after what they had just shared. Surely neither of their gods would be so cruel as to give so much and take it away.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Time seemed to not exist in this place. Magnus’ days were filled with training Elspeth and his nights filled with loving her. Knowing they could not stay there forever, his heart grew heavier each morning as he watched her sleeping. With no word from either Gunnar, Giric, or Osgar, he had no way to find out if the danger had passed or if they could return.
And then what? They had both agreed that in their minds and hearts they were wed, but what would her family say? He didn’t expect any issue with Gunnar as he’d been pushing Magnus in this exact direction. A simple sacrifice and ceremony would take care of that. And he suspected her family would not object either. Osgar clearly had his sights set on Magnus’ sister so he likely would not oppose their union.
Magnus reached over to pull the quilts up over Elspeth’s shoulder; she stirred a little and turned over on her side. As quietly as he could, he slipped out of bed and dressed. He stoked the fire and with one last look at her, he left the chamber, careful to make as little noise as possible.
Belowstairs he completed the same ritual he had for what, days? Weeks? He honestly could not say. This time of year the leaves should have all turned their amber and orange and red colours. Instead, when he looked out through the small window in the kitchen, the trees all appeared to hold their summer colours.
Once the fires were raging he unbolted and opened the main door of the tower. An elderly man with a great long white whisker and hair that stuck off to the sides, stood there with his fist raised as if to knock. Magnus stared at the man unable to reconcile how he came to be in this place.
“I can see that you were not expecting me, lad. But as I have travelled far, I would appreciate you letting me pass so I can rest my weary bones.”
“Who are you?” Magnus asked, managing to find his tongue.
“I am the owner of this tower,” he said. “I admit, I was surprised to find it occupied, but I am a generous sort. I do not mind sharing what I have.”
Magnus’ mind buzzed. Elspeth had not seen this man coming, or if she had, she hadn’t said anything. And while it was true, the place had appeared well cared for, she was certain its occupant was long deceased. Something niggled in the back of his mind, but he pushed it away.
“What is your name?” Magnus asked.
The man tilted his head to the side. “You do not know who I am?” He shook his head. “Let me pass, lad. ’Tis a brisk day and I am weary from my travels. Magnus stepped back and let the man pass, noticing how the trees now had all shed their leaves and a fair dusting of snow had fallen on the ground. He turned around to see where the man had gone but he was nowhere in sight. Instead, Elspeth sat at the table with a goblet raised to her lips.
“Will you not join me?” she asked.
What in the name of Loki was going on? Magnus turned back to the door and the wintery scene outside. His mind buzzed with confusion. He closed the door and bolted it again.
“Where is he?” he asked Elspeth as he approached the table.
“Where is who?”
