Page 20 of Witch's Betrayal
8
DEJA
Idragged my feet so much to my next lesson with Seth, I practically left rug burns on Laurel's carpet. He waited for me, smug as ever, in the same lawn chair in their backyard.
"Late again," he remarked.
I resisted doing a massive eye roll. "Oh no, please forgive me, Seth," I mock-pleaded. "When these lessons are as fun as you make them, how could I ever fathom showing up late?"
His lip curled into a snarl. "They aren't supposed to be fun. They're supposed to make you stronger. Who knows, they may even save your life one day."
"And you'll never forget to take the credit for it, I'm sure," I replied. "Shall we get this over with?"
He stood and swept out his arm as if to say,be my guest. Despite the chill in the air, he abandoned his leather jacket tonight and wore only a gunmetal gray T-shirt that clung to him like a second skin. His body was slender and willowy, yet still covered in lean, lithe muscles.
I jerked my eyes away, embarrassed that they lingered on him too long and walked out to the middle of the yard where he gestured. He followed, standing a few feet behind me, though still uncomfortably close.
"If you fall again, I'll catch you." His gravelly voice cut through the night air. "So you won't go home looking like you shit your pants again."
"Oh, how kind of you," I sneered. "If only other men would aspire to be as gentlemanly as you."
He huffed a dark laugh, clearly amused with his own joke. I really did roll my eyes that time since he couldn't see them. Then I inhaled a deep breath and closed my eyes, preparing to travel inward through my own subconscious.
"You got close last time," he said with what sounded like genuine encouragement. "Just work on keeping your focus the whole time, even when you uncover a shadow. That loss of focus is what keeps things hidden."
The air around me seemed to hum with a gentle vibration. Last time I used my earth magic to lead me through the dark twists and turns of my shadow self, like a rope guiding me through a cave. Tendrils of energy traveled up through my feet, anchoring my focus before traveling up my torso and finally, through the depths of my brain.
Like last time, I uncovered more memories that I hadn't yet been aware of. It only made sense that thousands of lifetimes in one soul couldn't all come to the surface of my awareness at once. I flipped back through these memories as if they were files in a cabinet. I was looking for something specific.
There. An uncontrollable smile erupted on my face but I didn't lose focus.
I saw Raum holding a baby in his arms, beaming down at the little one proudly. Then he looked at me with tears in his eyes and a smile that was full of love and joy. Right then he wasn't my dirty-talking, dominant man, full of flirtation and teasing. He was the father of my child.
I looked around quickly at our surroundings, trying to get a sense of when and where this memory occurred. My bed was covered in soft animal furs. Raum was shirtless but wore a pair of rough leather breeches. Our son was wrapped in a smaller animal hide. Against the wooden wall of our structure hung dozens of weapons and shields. Axes, swords, bows, and quivers full of arrows stood on display next to a massive bear's head mounted on the wall.
But attention couldn't be torn away from the two precious people in front of me. I reached out and stroked the soft fluff on my son's head. It felt just as real as if I were touching him at that moment.
"What should we name him?" Raum whispered, scooting closer to me as gently as he could.
"Ragnar," I answered as I drew protective sigils on my son's forehead. "Warrior of the gods."
Raum grinned at my choice. "I knew you would choose that name. It's perfect for the man he will become."
"You've seen his future?" I watched in fascination as Ragnar's tiny hand wrapped around my index finger.
"He and his sons will lead armies across the seas," Raum spoke softly and filled with awe. "Their names will be hailed for centuries." Still beaming, Raum nuzzled his face against my cheek until I turned to kiss him.
"I love you, Alfhilde," he whispered against my lips. "No matter how many sons or daughters we have throughout infinite lifetimes, my love for them and you never fades." He dropped a gentle kiss to Ragnar's forehead.
"I love you, Raum. I always will." A giggle escaped my chest. "Even when you're off playing Odin and Loki with the others."
"Of course. You love being taken by an invisible god." His kisses fell to my neck with playful bites as I squirmed away.
"You insatiable demon," I teased. "None of that now, I just pushed out your damn baby. Take him to see Sal and Ash. I need a nap."
Raum chuckled with amusement as he gave me one final kiss before shifting off the bed. "You're sure Ragnar's been fed enough?"
"Yes, he should be full," I said, reclining back on my pillow, my eyelids already closing. "Wake me up in two hours when he's ready to eat again."
