Hvitserk looks worse than he did when I left him. All my time away from him and all of the research I did has done nothing to convince me this is really happening.
Yet, here he is, in a hospital bed looking directly at me. And, this is not the year 816. So, something is going on whether I want to (or can) admit it.
"How are you feeling?" I ask as I round his bed. He reaches for me, whether it's on instinct or for show, doesn't matter. There's a very tall, kind, looking doctor watching us.
"Hello, ma'am. My name is Dr. Holloway. Mr. Lothbrok here has informed he that he was in a bit of a scuffle."
I nod, wincing at the idea of telling the doctor that my 'husband,' was in fact injured during a great battle over a thousand years past. Instead, I opt for a much more believable lie.
"I'm afraid I'm a historian at the museum a few blocks over and my husband and one of his buddies had the great idea to sword fight with one another after a few Viking relics were donated recently. Unfortunately, while times have changed, good old male rivalry has not."
Dr. Holloway laughs and shakes his head at Hvitserk's obvious stupidity and laughs along with him. My laugh is slightly maniacal and definitely not because any of this is funny. He doesn't seem to notice, however.
"I'm happy to tell you that while he may have to stay the next couple of days, he will be fine. Rest is very much in order. Nothing major was nicked, but we would like to rule out any secondary infections. Once he's cleared, he will get to go home with you and hopefully I won't have to see him in here again any time soon." He looks at Hvitserk pointedly, who only grins at the kind doctor. I fight the urge to screech-cry at the way my life is going right now.
I'm in the hospital. Not so bad. I'm in the hospital with a missing warrior from the year 816 who is worldly famous. Could still be worse. I'm in the hospital with a worldly famous warrior is who fucking high on pain meds…
"I need a drink," I sigh.
Dr. Holloway winks at my 'husband,' "Try not to lose any more sword fights, okay buddy? Your wife looks like she can't handle another midnight trip to the ER for it."
Hvitserk frowns fiercely, "I do not lose sword fights. I slay my enemies as they justly deserve. The swiftness of my blade knows no rival."
Dr. Holloway laughs heartily, slapping his clipboard against his thigh.
"Your husband is hilarious! You two have a great evening. You'll get an update on his status in the morning. Goodnight you two."
"Goodnight," I groan.
Hvitserk looks at me, his eyes at half-mast. I can tell he is tired. I can see that he is in pain, and not entirely lucid. "Why don't you get some sleep? I'll be here right next to you," I say through a yawn.
He motions for me to come closer, so I do. "Do you need anything? Water? I'm not sure what kind of diet they'll have you on yet," I murmur as I adjust his blankets and pillows. I want to make sure he is as comfortable as possible.
He wraps a hand around one of my wrists and pulls gently, catching my attention.
"Abigail Quinn." He doesn't say anything for a moment, he just watches me. I watch him too, behind curious eyes. I have a million questions, but he doesn't have more than a few minutes before he will be asleep.
"Hvitserk Lothbrok." He smiles when I whisper his name, as if he has yearned to hear it from my lips.
"You are much more beautiful in person, àst min. I did not know how much I missed you until I saw you again," He says softly.
His hair, still matted with blood, has fallen into his face. His eyes are bloodshot. His face has been wiped clean-ish. He looks far too large for his hospital bed. He's…everything. There are too many things I can say about him in this moment. Everything is the best way to describe him.
I'm too tired to wrap my head around what he is saying, so I pull up a chair and sit as close to his bed as possible. I reach for his hand and hold it in mine for a moment. He doesn't stop watching me, even though he is half-asleep.
"Rest, Hvitserk. You need sleep." He drops his gaze to the bed and shakes his head.
"I do not want you to disappear." I flinch at his sad words, because he isn't exactly wrong. I could very easily disappear while he is asleep. It hurts me to think that he knows so much about me and I know nothing about him. It feels unfair to me. He has obviously traveled quite a distance to find me.
I breathe deeply and bring his palm to my mouth. I brush my lips across his knuckles and look him in the eyes.
"Rest. Please. I will not leave you." His hazel eyes look more blue than green or brown in this moment.
"Heita?"
"Yes, I promise." I say. He smiles at me. It is hard not to feel those butterflies spring to life inside my belly when he smiles like that. It's almost as if I've been waiting my whole life to see it and didn't know it until now.
He closes his eyes and I watch him until I see his breathing even out. Once I know he is asleep I get myself a drink of water and gently close the door to his hospital room. I then take off my heels, my glasses and my sweater, before I grab a spare blanket from the end of his bed and curl up on the couch by the window. I may not like exactly what's happening, but I know that I will find out.
~_~
Abigail
I jerk awake from a soft touch on my cheek. I blink, wearily trying to remember where I am and what I'm doing. The steady sound of beeps tells me I'm not at home.
"Good morning." The husky voice speaking to me startles me out of my remaining slumber. My eyes shoot to the man standing beside the small couch I'm curled up on.
Everything comes back in a rush. The storm, the Lothbrok legacy I was studying last night, this man showing up…
"Good morning," I whisper. I am sitting up on the couch, my feet on the floor. Hvitserk is standing in front of me. My head is tipped all the way back so I can look up at him.
"You're so beautiful," he tells me. His English is sticky, like he doesn't quite remember how to pronounce certain syllables, but I appreciate that he is speaking it. I am somewhat studied on his language, but I am no master.
"Thank you." I want to return the compliment. His hospital gown is spread wide across his broad shoulders. His hair is half out of his ornate braids. It hangs in his face like a dark curtain, rich in color. His mouth is drawn up in an easy smile, and his eyes are alight with such happiness.
"Why are you looking at me like that, aśt min?" Hvitserk's voice has gone husky again. He's watching me closely. His hand lifts to cup my cheek. His palm is calloused and rough against my soft cheek. I shudder, goosebumps breaking out across my skin.
"Are you cold?" No. Not at all. I'm wrapped up in the magic of this moment, because it feels like it's a thousand years in the making. That spark of recognition washes over me again.
"No," I huff.
He uses the pad of this thumb to tilt my chin up a little higher. It coasts across my bottom lip. I have the innate urge to bite it, but I don't. I can't move. I'm afraid he will fade away if I do.
"What brought you to me? I feel bad. I don't know as much about you as you appear to know about me." I tell him. He moves to kneel before me, but I try to stop him.
"Wait! You're hurt, remember?"
He smiles at me like I'm the cutest thing he's ever seen and kneels before me. While kneeling, he is the same height as me sitting. It's overwhelming, but I would be lying if I didn't find it…sexy as hell.
One of his hands reaches for me, and he tucks some of my blonde hair behind my ear. I hold my breath, because he looks like he's going to kiss me, and for some insane reason I want him to.
"I knew I was missing something. I knew I wasn't going to find it in 816. Some deep part of me told me that I was missing someone very important and when I finally got some answers, you're what they told me I was missing. A beautiful woman lost in the future who belongs only to me." He explains.
The way he says I belong to him lights a fire in my belly and I inhale sharply at it. It feels good, it scares me. He cups my face with both calloused hands and we lock gazes.
My entire body seems to know this man, while my brain has obviously forgotten. If we've met in every life before this, then I don't know it. I don't have access to this magic he speaks of.
"How do you know I'm the one you want?"
"Sweet Abigail, can you not feel it? That spark between us? I recognized you the moment I saw you in that museum lobby."
"It could just be mutual attraction," I argue. He smiles at me, his white teeth visible in the darkness of his room. The sun has not risen yet, but the clock above his bed tells me it will soon.
"Let us test that theory then," He says softly as he leans in closer. He wraps one hand around the back of my neck and the other cups my cheek. I hold my breath. He looks deeply into my eyes, and I can almost see the memories of lifetimes last dancing in my reflection.
Our lips touch. It feels as if my entire body is vibrating. That electrical zap is back, and I feel it between us. An electrical current. Maybe it's the magic he speaks of. He inhales sharply, and at first, I think he has bothered his wound, but he quickly drops one hand to my waist and pulls me into a standing position. It must have hurt him, the quick movement. But, he doesn't stop. He tightens his grip around my waist, and I wait with bated breath for his mouth to claim mine once more.
It does. His mouth slants over mine and I am helpless against the feelings that bubble to the surface beneath my skin. My hands grip the front of his hospital gown.
His skin is warm, and his mouth is hotter. He tilts his head to deepen the kiss and I'm lost. His taste, the smell of his skin, the feel of his firm grip on my waist…I have been here before, at least a thousand times, but it never ceases to excite me.
I don't need details of memories to know that my soul recognizes this man.
"Hvitserk…," I whisper against his mouth. My pulse is throbbing between my legs and my nipples are drawn up tight against my silk blouse. He looks at me from behind hooded eyes and I watch one of his fingers lift and graze my left nipple.
I gasp at the sensation. He inhales my sigh with his mouth and kisses me deeper, his lips insistent on mine. I'm hot, so hot. I haven't been this turned on ever. He doesn't know it, and I haven't told anyone close to me, but I'm a virgin. Making love to any of the past men I've dated (briefly) never felt right. I never found the right person to share that with.
Hvitserk pulls away slowly. I finally open my eyes to see him watching me. "Your kiss alone is enough to weaken a man."
I draw a shuddering breath between my lips and drop my head to his chest. I don't know what to say and he doesn't seem to need a response.
"Don't be shy with me, Abigail. There is nothing you could do to deter me from wanting you," he whispers. He lifts my chin with his fingers, and I am trapped in his scrutiny. He's sweet, so sweet and poignant. He is romantic and I do not know how to engage it.
"I'm afraid of what is happening. All my life I've been entranced with history, and the eras that came before this one. I've always found them romantic. I didn't realize that one day this would be happening."
Hvitserk wraps both hands around my waist. "I have lived my entire life in the shadow of my brothers. Every woman I ever cared for was taken from me. I finally had a visit from The Seer. He came to me while I was deep in my cups, at my brother Bjorn's wedding. He told me that what I was looking for was not reachable in 814. It took me months to find the right witch, to find the right information, to understand what he meant."
I swallow thickly. This is a lot to take in. Magic? Witches? Oracles? Yes, they are very prevalent in many different cultures, especially in his era, but it is hard to believe now.
"Why me?"
"You're my sjelevenn. My soulmate. We have known one another in every lifetime. But, I was not meant to find you in my time. I had to seek you out."
"Why?"
"Sometimes the Gods are hard to understand. The Seer told me to take matters into my own hands and make my own journey. It was always supposed to be this way."
"Why though? If we were meant to find another, then why didn't you just wait? If time is irrelevant in this equation, then you just time hopped for no reason."
Hvitserk chuckles under his breath, "You are very intelligent. However, things are very different where I'm from. We look to the Gods for everything. We do not question many things."
"Well, here, we look to science and facts for most things, and we question everything. He kisses me gently, sweetly, and I feel his erection pressed against my belly. "You're hurt. I don't want you to irritate your wound further."
"I don't care about my wound. I've been waiting to hold you in my arms for way too long."
I move closer to him, enjoying his warmth. His muscles are hard beneath my hands. "What if the Gods didn't want you to time hop? What if they punish you for it?"
He smiles at me as if I'm the most precious thing he's ever laid eyes on, and I cannot deny how deeply I enjoy it. I enjoy him.
"A drop of my blood is nothing compared to the taste of your kiss. Your kiss? That is worth the wrath of all of the Gods." He is serious, I can tell, he values me more than the wrath of his Gods.
I cannot begin to fathom that amount of commitment and dedication because I haven't known about him for as long as he's known about me.
What if I never fall in love with him?
"There will be a nurse here soon. We should get ready for the day. Maybe we will get to go home today."
"I don't care who sees us. Let them look." I blush. I cannot help it. He looks so serious when he tells me he doesn't care who sees.
"What if this doesn't work out?"
His brow furrows and I fight the urge to press my fingers in the deep wrinkle it creates.
"What does that mean?" I swallow thickly at his question and try to figure out a way to explain what I'm saying without hurting his feelings.
"What if we…don't end up loving one another? What if we don't stay together?" He slowly starts to shake his head and it is then when I see the first glimpse of pain on his face.
"You don't…you don't feel fated by the Gods? Abigail, do you not want me?" It is obvious he finds this notion inconceivable. Why wouldn't he?
I feel the breath leave my lungs. My chest heaves at his question. I didn't expect for it to hurt me so badly, to think about that. Exploring my anxiety lightly? Sure, I'm willing to allow that. It's warranted with my current situation.
But, to have this man thinking I don't want him? It hurts me. It burns me. I understand in this moment that he truly believes we're fated to be together, and honestly; I don't have much to evidence to prove that we're not. Hvitserk Lothbrok, the famed viking legend, is standing in front of me. Me. That's got to mean something right?
"I only mean, what happens now that you're here? Will you go back to your time? What keeps you here? What happens if you decide you no longer love me?"
Sure, expose your deepest fear, why don't you? Like he needs to know you have abandonment issues.
His expression darkens and his hand slowly creeps up my neck, squeezing gently as he leans in to kiss me. "I will go wherever the Gods take me, as long as you're by my side."
I sigh at his words and accept the kiss he seeks. Our tongues clash, his other hand cupping my breast. He doesn't have to stake a claim on me, but he has, and I love it. I never thought myself a woman to be owned, but I think that has changed.
"You smell so good. Like sweet honeysuckle in the morning," He whispers against my cheek. He kisses me there, down my neck, his teeth nipping at my tender flesh.
"I'm not a damsel in distress, you know." He glances up at me from the collar of my blouse.
"I wouldn't want you if you were."
I relax with his words, my hands gripping his muscular arms. Hard. Everything about him is hard. I hear someone knocking on the door and I immediately jump away from him. He narrows his eyes and kisses me roughly, surprising me.
"You'll bear the marks from my teeth proudly. I feel no shame in loving you the way you deserve. You shouldn't either."
I swallow at his words and greet the nurse who enters his room with a smile. She frowns when she sees him up and about, however.
"Mr. Lothbrok! You should be in bed."
He looks at her with no shame at all when he says, "I've got better things to do then sit in a bed. When can I leave this place?"
She glances at me as if I can be of any help to her. Little does she know, I want to leave this place too.
"The doctor should be in shortly to speak with you about that. I'm only here to change your dressing, take your vitals, and give you your meds."
"Which we appreciate greatly, right honey?" I say as I wrap a hand around his shoulder. He glances at me and then nods.
"Yes."
She doesn't look like she believes him, but I would much rather him be considered indifferent than rude. She takes her time doing what she came to do, asking him simple questions about how he feels as she does.
Hvitserk is polite, but I can tell he wishes to leave this hospital room more than I do. And, honestly, why wouldn't he? There's an entire modern world out there he has yet to explore. I imagine that's like dangling a steak in front of a dog for hours on end.
"Okay, that should do it. Doc will be in shortly. Is there anything I can get for you?"
"Yes, actually. Can we arrange for a shower for him?"
"Absolutely. I'll come in and dress the wound for it. Wait just a moment."
As she leaves the room, I head to the bathroom and examine the shower. It's impressive. Many shower heads line the wall and I just know the water pressure will be fantastic. I ache to shower. I'm covered in his blood and I feel dirty.
"What is a shower?" I can see him frown around the word as if it sounds distasteful to him.
"It's a modern bath. You'll enjoy it, trust me."
"Will you join me?" I glance at him to see if he is serious, and he is. There is nothing sexual in his question.
I wish there were…
"You want me to shower with you?"
"I want you to be comfortable. If bathing will make you more comfortable, then you can use the shower first." His kindness shocks me. Here he is, covered in days old blood, freshly stabbed, and he's asking me if I want the shower first?
And you thought you wouldn't fall in love with him…I jerk my gaze back to the shower and feel him gently turning me to face him again.
"Have I upset you?"
"No! No. You're just…you're kinder than I thought you would be. Or, than I expected? I'm not explaining this right…I'm not used to men being kind to me."
He frowns intensely, cupping my cheeks, shaking his head. "Has someone been untoward with you? Tell me his name, and I shall ensure he never puts this frown on your face again." Protective and kind, that's our kryptonite…
"No, in the past. I've not had kind…suitors? Is that the right word?" He winces, so it must make some sense to him.
"I understand. Don't fear me, Abigail. I won't hurt you." And, I know, he's telling the truth.
"Thank you."
The nurse is back and she's calling for him to sit so she may dress his wound for his shower.
"Okay, Doc will be here around lunch time. Gives you some time to shower and relax. He'll let you know when you two can go home."
"Thank you for your help. Do you happen to know if the Café is open? I would love to grab some breakfast." She glances at me.
"Sure is! I checked his chart before I came in and he has no diet restrictions. Try to grab him a little something. The meds will probably give him a stomachache."
I nod. "I'll be right back. I'm going to get us something to eat, alright?"
"I'll join you. I don't want you wandering around alone." The nurse looks between us, and I see the judgement pass across her face. But, she doesn't know he's a time-traveling-Lothrbok.
"It's okay, honey. I'll be right back. You have to stay here. I promise nothing will happen to me." I lean in and kiss the corner of his mouth. Mostly for show, and partly because he looks so sexy sitting there with his shirt off that I can't help myself.
He's reluctant to let me go alone, and I can tell. The nurse seems go sense we need privacy and silently leaves us alone in the room.
"Hey, I know this is an entirely different world than you're used to but I won't leave you here to figure it out by yourself. The Café is a place I can get us something to eat and drink. We both need it." He seems to understand what I'm saying. The tension in his shoulders slowly dissipates.
"I will stay here under one condition."
"Sure, what do you need?"
"When you return, you will shower. With me."
