Page 22 of Berserkr
Ipoured all my hopes and dreams into the kiss. All the pain I felt at seeing him like this.
He looked exactly like he had in my dream, secured to a narrow bed with thick straps across his chest, abdomen and limbs. Only his head was free, giving him the chance to lean into my kiss ever so slightly. He was hesitant, as if he was afraid that I'd vanish if he kissed me too passionately. I wanted to slap myself for what I'd done to him. This was my fault. And I was the only one who could set things right. I'd save him, no matter what I'd have to do. If it meant fucking him while he was strapped to his bed, with Njal watching in the background, so be it.
Njal had needed some convincing before he'd allowed me to see Rune. Not for my safety, but in case I made Rune's condition worse. I couldn't blame him for it. My reception back on the Huginn had been frosty. As had been my chat with Pam at the Hot Tatties agency. She'd made me sign a long contract confirming that I was agreeing to be Rune's mate, that I wouldn't back out again, and that if he didn't make it, I'd stay on the Huginn to work for the agency. She probably didn't want me to return to Earth with evidence of the aliens. Again, I didn't blame her. I'd not shown Rune the compassion he deserved. I should never have left. And for what? My career? I could have had my soulmate. Now, our future was hanging in the balance. If I didn't get Rune out of his delirious state, all was lost.
I swiped my tongue against his teeth, feeling the sharpness of his vampire incisors. They scratched my tongue, proving they'd be sharp enough to break skin. Would he ever get the chance to bite me on our wedding night? I had to hope that this wasn't the end. That he could return from this.
I cupped his cheeks and deepened the kiss. He tasted salty, matching his scent. He was still holding back. His movements were sluggish, as if he wasn't in full control of his body. Maybe he wasn't. I didn't quite understand what exactly was happening to him. I hadn't taken Rune's warning seriously when they'd first told me about the fýst. I'd thought he was overexaggerating to make sure that I chose Rune. But he hadn't lied. This was awful. On the way to this cabin, Steff had told me that he'd seriously wounded several Vikingar before they'd managed to restrain him. Luckily, they had those clever medical coffins, so I assumed they hadn't suffered for long before their injuries were healed.
"Laurel," Rune whispered, breaking the kiss. "Come back to me."
"I'm here. I'm right here. This is me, can't you see me?"
He blinked. "You're a dream. Just a dream."
"I'm real. I promise you. I'm really here. I'm so sorry I left." My tears were threatening to flow again. I swallowed hard, brushed his cheek, his wild beard. "I should never have gone. I'm sorry. But I'm here now. Forever."
That's what I'd agreed to. Stay with him forever. For some reason, that thought didn't feel scary or restrictive at all. I wanted it. Wanted Rune with all my heart. He filled the hole in my soul that I hadn't realised was there. My life was empty without him. I couldn't imagine going back, not ever, not unless Rune came with me.
"You can't be real," he said hoarsely. "Laurel is gone."
"And now I have returned. I promise you, Rune, it's me. How can I help you? How can I make it better?"
He blinked again. His addled mind was trying to process things, but then his gaze turned absent again. He was back in his dreams. I kissed him again, but this time, there was no response. His lips didn't move against mine.
Njal had said that Rune was likely too far gone for that to work. But I couldn't give up. Wouldn't accept it.
I turned to Njal, who was watching us from the back of the room. "Leave, please. I want to try something."
"I can't do that," the Captain said gravely. "He might hurt you."
"Then he will hurt me, so be it. He doesn't mean it. But I don't want anyone watching for what I want to try next."
"And what is that?"
I stared at him defiantly. "You said that the only thing that could end the fýst is if he gets to claim me? Well, he can't do that right now, so I will claim him instead."
Njal stood in silence for a moment. Then, he inclined his head. "You have ten clicks. After that, I'll escort you out."
I didn't know how long ten clicks were, but it would have to do.
On the way out, Njal said, "I'll be right outside. Yell if you need help."
I chuckled darkly. I wouldn't need help with what I was about to do.
As soon as the other alien was gone, I turned back to Rune. His eyes were half-lidded, his expression dreamy. At least he was calm now. Peaceful, almost. Was he dreaming of me?
"Rune, I'm going to try something. Do I have your consent?"
Fucking him against his will sounded like a bad idea that would only make things worse.
He mumbled something inaudible. I leaned over him to understand just what he was trying to say.
"Anything, sæta," he slurred, his eyes now closed.
It would have to do. I was trying to save his life. I couldn't wait for him to become lucid.
For a moment, the fear that he would never wake up again paralysed me. No, I'd find a way. This would work. It had to.
