Page 9 of Berserkr
That was news to me. “Signs? What signs? I feel fine."
"You're obsessing over her. Separated her from everyone else. And I bet your mating axe is hurting."
"No, it isn't." It wasn't a lie. My mating axe didn't hurt as such, it was just itching. I'd been so focused on making sure my mate was safe that I'd ignored the sensation until now.
"Is your cock hard?" Njal asked. Next to him, Steff blushed, but looked at me curiously.
"Yes. Ever since I found out I have a mate."
Njal's eyes widened for just a moment before he schooled his features back to his assertive Captain's demeanour. "That's early. Too early. Is that normal for berserkir? Do you know?"
"I do not. And I'm in full control. Don't worry. If I notice any symptoms of the fýst, I will inform you."
"I wish it were that easy. When I was in the full grip of the fýst, I didn't even realise it myself. I lost all grasp on reality. You were there, you saw how I acted."
"Yes, you were attacking the air," I supplied helpfully. "I was one of the Vikingr holding you back from trashing the place."
"And how many of you were holding me?"
I tried to think back to that day at the Hot Tatties agency. It felt like a long time ago. "Five. And then the Albyans joined to help."
"Do you see now? If the fýst causes you to go full berserkr, you'll need more warriors than that to restrain you. I can't spare ten Vikingr following you around all the time. And it would be too dangerous for your mate. You might injure her accidentally."
"I would never," I protested, but I knew he was right. I'd seen him swing his axe as if he was fighting countless enemies, while his female had looked on in horror. In the end, she'd been able to bring him back into reality for long enough to find somewhere to complete the mating. They'd already known each other, however. She'd been ready to mate. It may have been sooner than she'd planned, but they'd spent some time together. I ignored the fact that Njal had held her prisoner in our simdeck. It had been strange times.
"As long as we don't have a way to control the fýst, I don't want you to be alone with her," Steff said firmly. "If it's easier to have another woman there rather than a Vikingr, I'll-"
"You won't go anywhere near him," Njal growled.
Steff rolled her eyes at him. "I was going to suggest asking one of the other human women on the Huginn. If none of them are willing to spend time away from their mates, someone at Hot Tatties can do it."
"But what if we want to mate?" I asked them. "I don't want to have an audience."
"Once we get to that stage, of course they'll leave," Steff chuckled. "But don't expect her to be ready for that. She's only just discovered that aliens are real. She will be confused. I'll stop by tomorrow to show her the intro video. Or you can do that, if you think she'll be calm enough in your presence."
"Why wouldn't she be calm?"
Steff laughed softly. "You still have a lot to learn about human women, Rune."
7
Laurel
Iwoke feeling as if a tractor had rolled over me while I'd slept. My limbs were heavy and sore. If I was a gym bunny, I'd assume I'd done too much of a workout, but I'd only ever seen the inside of a gym once, when a friend had persuaded me to go. I'd never forgiven her for that. I didn't like being tortured, even when I was doing the torture to my own body.
A big blue face appeared in my field of vision, and the memories came streaming back. I'd broken my ankle. I'd been abducted by aliens. I'd been carried by a huge alien who'd smelled like the sea. And I'd slept in his bed.
For a moment, I felt like I'd been transported into a fairy tale, then I remembered that I was an investigative journalist and that I had to question everything. Never believe what they tell you. Everybody lies. And sometimes, your senses will betray you.
"How are you feeling?" he asked in that deep, sultry voice that should have come with a danger warning. May cause ovarian distress.
He was so blue. From up close, his features were less human than I'd previously thought. The angles of his face weren't quite as they should be. Too rough, too chiselled. His teeth were a striking pink, a sharp contrast to his navy beard and skin. Scars cut across his chest on one side, while a runic tattoo graced the other. He'd seen battle. Violence. I had no trouble believing that. He was a brute of a man, his shoulders so wide he'd have trouble walking through a normal door, even if he hadn't been tall enough to bump his head on the frame. Next to him, I felt small. Why did I like that?
"Can you understand me? Are you unable to speak? Should I get Klav?" With every question, his voice turned more frantic.
Bless. He truly was worried about me. I didn't know why, but it was strangely adorable.
"I can understand you." I coughed, my throat dry as a desert. "Do you have some water?"
