Destiny Enslaved (editing)

Part 31

My name- he said my name. well he said that foreign melody that twisted my name in the wind. When he said my name it was like the world froze. My mind so full of my own thoughts and frustration over what had happened and what could happen faded away. I was alone with him and I felt like the mists had cleared and I was gaining clarity. it was like a spell he spun me around to face him and I was frozen. The echo of my name bounced around us then it started. Whispers like a distant thunder began to roll in.

Brothers... blood... war.

For the first time today the voices had been clear and it scared me.

I stared into Bjorn's blue than blue eyes and wanted to cry and dance at the same time. I was so scared and yet overjoyed; my heart thumped like a marching army.

His hand moved up from my shoulder to tangle itself in my hair. He gazed at the scene in wonder- as if he had never seen or experienced it before. I felt the same.

My hand rose out of need: I needed to connect with him. I placed my palm on his cheek ever so gently, yet, he flinched like a child burnt by the flame. His eyes met mine again and I felt lost and found as if I could trace all of my life to this moment- everything was worth it.

His eyes closed like petals at the end of a long day as he pressed his face into my hand inhaling deeply. I missed his eyes. I wanted to see them- needed to. I leaned in closer so our faces were barely inches apart. I could feel his hot breath tickling my skin. It smelled far nicer than last night.

Then like a well-rested babe his eyes bloomed in the dull sunlight. His hand covered my own as the twirling fingers still and he began to lean in. I knew exactly what he was going to do. What I wanted him to do.

Heart pounding. Tingles ran up my spine in anticipation.

''Asaroul'' a sweet and husky voice floated through the trees shattering the spell.

I knew that voice. That melodic, curious and charming voice.

Ragnar!

It broke a piece of me but I knew- I knew that I had to find him.

I broke away from him. Bjorn's grasp on me had been so tender that he had no real hold. Swiftly I withdrew from our connection to follow the call.

My bare feet protested against the mixture of mud and detritus upon which they tread but I had to ignore the pain.

''Asaroul''

I had to find him- why? I didn't know I only knew that his voice called to something deep within which wanted to find him.

I ran, meandering through the trees, until I came to a rock pool. The earth looked as if it had collapsed in on itself to reveal its bones – white rock stuck jaggedly from arid soil forming the basin which was so out of place. And there across the water was Ragnar smiling.

He was still the young man I saw beside Odin. His eyes alight with mischief. He hooked his thumbs in his belt and rocked back on his heels as if he had done a good job.

I opened my mouth to ask him but he quickly put a finger to his lips. I snapped my mouth shut confused. Ragnar's smile faded as he looked over my shoulder. It soon grew again but the laughter was gone instead his eyes were sombre and proud.

I dreaded to turn around as I heard the sharp pants behind me. i knew exactly why Ragnar's expression had changed I only wondered if Bjorn could see Ragnar too. As I started to turn around Ragnar's eyes came back to focus on me with a strange concern.

I was right. Bjorn stood behind me panting. With what looked like anger in his eyes. He moved forward eyes focused solely on me. I glanced at Ragnar whose eyes went wide as he started to shake his head like a child about to see something yucky.