Page 8 of Polar Destiny
Torben groans, and I decide to turn my headback.
There's a bear in the room. And not just any bear. A freaking polar bear. Seriously? Of course, Torben had to be special. He's just as big as the other bears. Long white fur covers his body, turning into a pale yellow towards his legs... ehm... paws. His dark eyes look at me expectantly. Is he waiting for me to freak out? I won't give him the satisfaction. Instead, I lift myself up and stretch out a hand. He just looks at me, but I keep my hand in the air. Slowly, he steps forward and puts his black nose just under my fingers, without touching me. I can feel hot breath against my skin. He sniffs the air, and for some reason I feel a little embarrassed. No one has ever sniffed me before. Finally, his nose touches my hand. It's not as wet as it looked, but warm, soft skin. His fur isn't as soft as Finn's was, but it's not rough either. I run my fingers through the fur on his head, and he leans towards me, encouraging me to do more. When I scratch between his ears, he suddenly grumbles and I almost jump out of bed. The bear - Torben - shakes his large head at me, then places his head beneath my hand again. Apparently, grumbling means that he likes it. I wonder what sounds he makes if he doesn't likeit.
His fur is warm, and the skin underneath is even warmer. In a way, this counteracts the cold that is flowing up my leg. Now that I think of it, I shiver. Torben notices. He turns and suddenly hundreds of pounds of polar bear are lying next to me. He shifts until part of his body is lying on the mattress. I've got a polar bear in my bed. Didn't think I'd ever get to say that. A very warm, soft, cosy polar bear. Already half asleep, I snuggle against him. His chest is vibrating with every slow breath. A lullaby, ofsorts.
Four
Iwaketo the sound of the howling wind. It soundscoldand I snuggle against the warm pillow next to me. Let's not leave the bed today. It's nice and warm in here, and comfortableand-
The pillow moves. I scream and open myeyes.
Blue, sleepy eyes are looking at me. "Nightmare?"
Ehm, no, there's someone in my bed. A talking pillow. Also known as Torben. And I'm snuggling him. And he's warm because... Oh no. I can feel his skin. He's naked! Now I remember, him lying next to me as a bear. He must have shifted at some point during the night. This isn't real. I'm not in bed with a naked man. Then I notice I'm still cuddling him, my left arm wrapped around his chest and my legs dangerously close to his. His skin on mine. His warmth going all the way up to my h... No. I roll away from him, forgetting that I have an injured ankle. I yelp, moaning inpain.
Torben turns around, letting cool air at my bear-warmedskin.
"Are youok?"
"It's just my ankle, I moved a little toofast."
"Trying to get away fromme?"
Oh no, he can read my mind. A mind that is totally not used to being this close to a man. In our community, once we reach the age of twelve, we're not allowed to spend time alone with boys. And with only two other girls around my age, that meant I spent a lot of time on my own. Sharing a bed with a man is something new... not sure yet if it's a good new or badnew.
He's looking at me expectantly. I need to come up with something tosay.
"Where do you have your longboat stashed?" Ok, maybe that was the wrong thing to say. He'll think I'mcrazy.
"Longboat? Why would you think we have alongboat?"
"Ehm..." I mumble something incoherent about Vikings. Torben lets out a grumblinglaugh.
"Just because we're from Scandinavia doesn't mean we'reVikings."
"But... you look like one." There it is. Drown me inembarrassment.
He laughs even harder. "You really think I look like aViking?"
"Well, you've got the beard, and the hair, andthe..."
"Thewhat?"
The body! Instead, I say something stupid like, "Thevoice."
"So I don't just look like a Viking, I also sound like a Viking?" By now I'm afraid he's not getting enough oxygen from all the laughing. His pale cheeks have turned red; I likeit.
"I need to tell the others that you think we'reVikings-"
"Don't!" I blurt. "It's only you... so let's keep this between us?" His gaze shifts, amusement turning into something else, something moreintense.
"Yes, little human, it'll be oursecret."
"Don't call me humanlike..."
"Likewhat?"
"Like something that'sdifferent."
