16. Pressure

Despite your body being completely satiated you find that you're unable to sleep. Your head lies on Sten's chest and you can feel his heart beating in your ear as his chest slowly rises and falls. It's grown quite late and the only sound you presently hear is an owl some distance outside your window. You continue staring ahead at shadows on the wall as you brood over the days events. You're finally starting to drift off when the sound of a door opening, followed by voices, rouses you. Slowly sliding out of bed you pull your own door open a crack and peak outside. You're just able to make out King Rurik pushing a young, half naked, woman out into the hallway. He says something to her that you can't hear and she looks down dejectedly. You pull back slightly when she walks past your room but she continues looking down until she disappears down the hallway. You inch the door open a little more to get a better look down the other side of the corridor.

Rurik is leaned back against the frame of the door and runs a hand through his loose hair. The dim light coming from his room casts soft shadows on his broad, shirtless, torso. Lowering his hand, you freeze, when he looks over in the direction of your room. You're unsure if he can see you but remain still as he continues staring ahead. After a moment he sits up from the frame and walks back into his room. You wait until his door shuts before silently pulling your own closed. A small knot forms in your stomach as you make your way back into bed. Sten rolls over in his sleep and drapes a heavy arm over your side. Eventually you fall into a restless sleep and awake again sometime before dawn. The next morning you're surprised when you learn the King will be leaving at the end of the week. You know this should relieve you, still, you find yourself slightly troubled by the news. After eating a quick meal you're able to slip out of the great hall before Rurik arrives.

You spend the next couple of days sequestered in your room in attempt to avoid running into him. Everyone has been busy with preparations for a large feast they plan to through on the King's last night in town. So, your lack of presence is hardly noticed by anyone. The only one who seems to have noticed is Rurik as his piercing gaze is constantly on you when you're **** to join everyone in the hall for meals. The day before his departure you're provided another elegant dress, complete with slightly painful hairstyle. The dress is surprisingly form fitting giving the Dane's typical preference for loose fitting clothes. The fabric is a deep blue color that you don't recognize and ask Sigrid about it's origins. She frowns slightly before telling you it was a gift from the King. Biting the inside of your lip you try to stifle any emotions from crossing your face as you nod. Sigrid seems to be the only other person who's noticed Rurik's infatuation with you. She leans down towards you and you shiver slightly when she whispers, "Be careful, child."

That evening the feast is held in the great hall and then a large bonfire is built in the middle of town. Drinks flow freely as people gather and talk around the warm fire. The days have been steadily growing colder and a dark cape rest on your back keeping it warm. You haven't seen Rurik since you arrived at the fire and feel yourself relax slightly as you sip a drink. The sound of music and singing continues into the night as you walk around watching people dance. A few try to get you to join in but you politely decline before moving to the back of the crowd. The sudden flutter of wings catches your attention and you glance up to see raven fly over head. Your line of sight follows it to the forest and stops when you see Rurik near it's edge. Faint light from the fire slightly illuminates his figure which is leaned casually against a tree. He sees you look at him and he straightens up before walking over.

When he arrives you notice he's wearing the same blue cloak he had on the first day you saw him. You thought the color of your dress had looked familiar but now seeing his cloak there's no mistaking it's the same color. He notices you looking at his cloak and a coy look flashes through his eyes. The few people around you nod respectfully when they see him and he's quickly handed a drink. He spends a few minutes talking with them but soon he grows noticeably disinterested and they start moving away. You take a step to follow them but stop when Rurik places a large hand on your shoulder. His warm breath brushes past your check as he leans down and you feel his hand on your lower back. "I will have you." He steps away, rejoining the crowd, and you're left with his words ringing in your ears.