My eyes shot open, my gaze unfocused on the ceiling, gasps escaping my shaking body as I woke from my nightmarish dream. I frantically searched the darkened chambers, looking for a blood-soaked Kare in the room. The sun was beginning to break through the sky, making the bedchambers softly glow through the windows.

My heart thundered in my chest, sweat dampening my brow, running down my cheek. By the gods, it was stifling in here.

I quickly threw off the multiple furs and rose to jump out of bed but before my feet could touch the soft fur on the ground, a warm hand yanked me back onto the bed.

I let out a squeal of surprise as my body slammed back into a warm bare chest. His head pressed into the crook of my neck, despite my ratted hair and sweating body, and I tilted mine to get away from the hot breath layering on my throat. He only growled at my resistance, peppering kisses just behind my ear. I arched off the bed away from him at the sensitivity. I bit my lip hard to stop the moan from letting past my mouth.

"Aderick, stop it, I am too warm for this," I whined in protest, a light giggle leaving me. I inwardly cursed as my voice sounded breathless and husky, betraying my actions.

"Another bad dream?" His throaty whisper vibrated my neck, making me shiver.

It felt like a cold bucket of water dumped over my head as he mentioned my nightmare. I sobered, my mood going from playful to sorrowful in a single breath. Chills erupted on my exposed flesh, the hair on my arms rising. I was no longer hot, the coldness of the air dropping with my mood. I only nodded my head, too afraid to speak now as my voice would crack and break if I attempted to try and describe my new night scare featuring my eldest brother, Kare.

What once was a handsome, battle worn face, with a smile that used to bring out the crinkles around his dark eyes turned into a blood infested corpse within my twisted mind. Flashes of his bloodied face, the numerous holes in his chest, and all the blood sparked like lightning flares in my mind...I shuddered with horror.

"Come here," he said as he scooched rearward on the bed and pressed my front against his side, my head resting near his heart and my leg was thrown over his waist.

I laid there in silence, listening to the strong beat of his heart, the organ that I was still trying to figure out. This man was a puzzle, a maze that I was slowly unraveling and discovering day by day as I continued to live here in the Dahlsten manor. His temper and strong will were surprisingly balanced with his patience and listening ear, yet he never hesitated to act out for justice and settled numerous arguments fairly amongst his people. Occasionally his mouth and his head did not communicate as he tended to say some words that would make my blood boil, leading me to ignore him for the rest of the day. I inwardly rolled my eyes as I recalled he would then drop his Jarl duties to follow me like a pup around the manor, begging for me to forgive him and give him a small kiss to ease his wounded inner self.

As I kept listening to the consistent thump of his heart, my head rising with every beat, I closed my eyes and basked in his soothing presence and inhaled his masculine smell. One of sweat, woods, and soap.

I felt my nerves decrease and my pounding heart eased to its normal tempo, nearly matching the one that I was pressed against.

The man that I used to loathe with my entire being was now my anchor. The one that I depended on. The one person here that made me smile, laugh and blush more than anyone that I have ever met. Every morning and eventide he would hold me close and made me feel something wonderful, an emotion I was scared to acknowledge. My support as I transitioned into this new life without the comfort and love of my family.

My anchor in the dark unstable path of grief and death.

The sudden realization of how important that Aderick was to me made my body tremble with fear and shock. I did not want to lose him. I could not lose him. But I was apprehensive of exposing myself bare to him, my feelings and past laid at his feet to criticize and deal with.

The chance of rejection was likely, but I pushed away from the swirling doubts in my head as I remembered all of the plentiful passionate actions and loving words Aderick had done in these past few weeks since I have known him. If his seductive touches from a few days ago against the wall was any indication, the man felt strongly for me.

I had not an idea of what he made my body do, but the way everything within me began to sing with pleasure, with only a few words from him my body flew to unreachable heights and how he made my need-frenzied frame nearly melt into a listless puddle onto the fur-padded floor made me insanely curious. I blushed as I recalled our conversation afterward. Once I woke the next morning I demanded to know what he did to make me feel so...so good. Once he finally explained what occurred against the wall, I morphed into silenced shock and I could not stop blushing, which made Aderick laugh loudly, almost loud enough to wake everyone.

It was a feeling that could be addictive and it honestly made me want more...to do more.

I closed my eyes tightly and inwardly groaned with shame as my thoughts turned wantonly. This man was corrupting me...and not for the better. I pressed my face into his chest as the blood continued to rush to my face, making my usually pale skin bright red.

"What are you thinking about, my little wildcat?" Aderick asked, his chest rumbling as he spoke.

"Nothing." My voice came out muffled and reluctant.

A low chuckle left him, making my body shake.

"Do you want to tell me about this dream?" I clenched my eyes tightly and my hand on his chest curled into a fist.

Tears threatened to escape from my close lids but I refused to cry more than I already had. I quickly opened them and blinked furiously, keeping them at bay. My heart lurched at his caring words, yet the memory made my pulse quicken once more.

I shook my head. 'Twas best to leave images such as those as they were, dreams. Speaking about them only made them real.

Aderick heaved a sigh. I knew he understood I wished to leave them be, but I could tell he was frustrated that I would not let him in completely. I was still withholding my entire self from him, caution lingering in the back of my mind. I did not want Aderick to deal with my pain, 'twas mine to handle and heal from. I knew he could help, but I did not want to depend fully on Aderick for everything. I was a strong woman, I could do things myself. Yet I inwardly knew I leaned on him for the physical comfort, especially after my horrendous dreams at night.

The scars on my mind nearly reflected the scars on his skin, making us both tattered people that suffered differently, yet mirrored one another.

Two individuals brought together by our pasts that left unnoticeable as well as noticeable deep markings on us.

Perchance that was our only way of healing, to be together in each other's arms.

"I want them to end. They are horrible," I finally whispered into the dark.

He remained silent, as no words needed to be spoken. Aderick clutched me tighter against his side, his hand on my back moving up and down in a soothing rhythmic motion. His magical fingers brushed against my shift along the curve of my waist, nearly touching my backside, trailing upwards to the back of my neck. Even without words, his touch was meant for comfort.

I released a shuddering breath before I raised myself up in his arms, my connected hands a prop for my chin on his exposed chest as I stared at Aderick's scarred face.

His dark hypnotic pools of black were gently closed, all the worry lines on his forehead smoothed out from the blanket of partial sleep. With only his long fading scar adorning his features, he looked peaceful and relaxed as he laid there quietly, a light wheezing sound escaping his lips as he breathed in and out.

"Aderick?" I whispered quietly, unsure if he was actually asleep.

A sable colored eye opened slightly as he peered down at me, his chest thrusting up as he hummed in response.

"Will you tell me how you got this scar?" I reached up to his wary face with a single hand, lightly brushing the beginning of his scar at his temple, trailing my fingers all the jagged way to the crease of his lips and ending on the other side of his sculpted jaw.

Aderick's lips pursued for a moment and his jaw ticked while staring hard into my eyes, after several breaths, he sighed before nodding.

"This scar is not very old. I received it just before my father, the old Jarl, died in a raid gone wrong. Good fucking riddance," He growled.

My eyes widened in surprise. I did not know there was such a harsh and unsympathetic feeling towards his own blood, to the man who was a part of his creation. I was no fool, Jarl Larse was a bloodthirsty greedy man who did anything to get what he desired, morals did not come close to his mind as he fought and killed to be the ruler of all Norway.

"I was not in a raid or fighting in a battle when I attained this scar. Instead, my father bestowed this on me."

A strangled gasp left me.

His father did this? How? Why?

He glanced at me briefly before continuing. "We were arguing, as usual. It happened more as I grew older and figured out that what he did was not the best for our people. What he wished to do to your family, to you, made me snap. I had grown up to watch my mouth around him, he was not afraid to smack me around if I smarted off to him. But that day both of us were tense and in the middle of our fight, he had pulled out his hunting knife. I had taunted him, called him weak and a failure, telling him the gods would never let him into Valhalla because of his deceitfulness. He had swiped the knife at my chest, but I had dodged it. But something happened that I never expected," He said with a saddened frown pulling his alluring lips downward.

His expressive eyes darkened even more with anger. "Ingrid came into the room as I was trying to make my father stop his attacks, she nearly was cut by our father's knife. He tried again, turning his attention to her to get back at me, but I stepped in the way. His knife cut through my face. And I have never felt such pain in my life. All these scars on me," He gestured to the faint white lines decorating his skin with a hand, "The pain from all of these combined was nothing compared to this." He finally pointed to his face.

"Oh, Aderick," I murmured. I pulled myself closer to him and caressed his cheek, my thumb tracing the jagged white line.

"Pity is not welcomed, Britta," He said darkly.

I pulled back in surprise, my brows rising. "I am not pitying you, Aderick. I would never do that to you."

His features told me that he was still unsure. I shook my head at him. "I am sorry this happened to you, Aderick, that your own kin did this. But you saved Ingrid from a worse fate. She could have died without you stepping in front of your father's knife. 'Tis possible something even more horrible could have happened. But you saved your sister, Aderick." I sobered completely, looking away from him.

"Some people do not get that chance," I whispered.

Long fingers grasped my chin, pulling my unfocused gaze from the window towards him. Those eyes softened as they took in my mournful expression. I tried to push my feelings away from my features, hiding it away by smoothing out my face, but Aderick saw right through me. He pressed a soft kiss on my forehead, pulling me close. I released a shuddering sigh as I closed my eyes.

"You are one incredible woman, Britta Haraldsson, and I thank the gods every day I found you and that you are by my side." Aderick murmured into the room.

Warmth spread through my body at his loving and heart-wrenching words that made my mind spin and heart flutter like it planned to come out from my chest. My head continued spinning, making his face spin as well before I sucked in a large substantial breath, greedily gulping in air as I stopped breathing. My lashes fluttered in surprise...unable to comprehend this.

Did I find the one I was seeking, wanting, wishing for all that time before the raid? The one I was thinking about just before all hell broke loose?

Was this what my parents felt while together in each other's arms? Astrid and Bo? My brothers and their wives?

This feeling of my heart constantly racing with the rush of emotions that he provoked, my body sensitive to every brush of his fingers or touch, and my mind constantly thinking of him and his personality. The way this tall brooding man cared for me at my darkest, putting my needs before his, and making me come out of my depressive shell. He brought back the old me, the fiery and social spitfire that made friends with nearly everyone.

I was not sure if it were possible for another person to bring an individual back from the brink of death, but Aderick did.

His eyes flickered downward towards my lips before rising back to my hazel orbs. I inwardly laughed. This man could not get enough of my lips, as he attempted to plant a kiss on me multiple times a day. I smirked as I knew what was coming. I was not reluctant, more so excited to feel his lips moving against mine.

He caressed my cheek within a palm, with the other grabbing my waist and pulling my body on top of his. Every plane and curve of our bodies were pressed against each other, and I lost my breath once more as I was face to face with him.

He closed his eyes and finally ever so softly pressed his full lips against mine, brushing back and forth for several breaths, like a bird's wing in the air. His neck flexed and his veins popped as he rose to meet me. My eyes shut on their own accord as I welcomed the feelings that were brought to life once our lips connected. Aderick kept our kisses slow, which was surprising as he had almost always kissed me with hard, uncontained passion. But he kept moving his mouth against mine in a sweet and unhurried rhythm, not rushing or provoking the unrelenting passion that I knew was hidden beneath the surface. I moaned as he curled his hand in my unbound locks, keeping me hostage against his delicious mouth. My heart began melting at his gentle caresses and kisses that held me captive. His hand tightened, and I could feel how badly he wanted to release and let go and kiss the hell out of me.

Aderick continued to kiss me like I was able to break, fragile as ice, as though I would be taken away from him. I clenched my wandering hands in his black tresses, holding onto something as his kisses took me higher.

He pulled away gently, too soon, resting his forehead against mine as we gained our breathing back. I could feel his eyes on me and I finally opened gaze back into his. He seemed nearly bursting at the seams, desperate to say something. Finally, he swallowed hard before gazing deeply into my hazel eyes, the black serious and holding the slightest light of anxiousness.

What he said next floored me, pinning me to the bed, my jaw dropping in astonishment and my eyes widening so much it hurt.

"Marry me, Britta."

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