The Skabelse

New Sensations

"She cares for me?" Bjorn thought. "But in what way?"

As much as he hated to admit it, he too cared for the beautiful silver-haired warrior that sat across from him. If someone were to tell him a few weeks ago that he would come to befriend and favor a woman he probably would've cut them down where they stood then laugh at the thought afterwards. But here they sat, expressing to each other their feelings. It was then that he realized that the way he cared for her was differently than the way he did for Horan or his father. What ever this was, it was a new type of feeling for him altogether.

Rowan searched his face for any insight as to what he might be thinking and instantly regretted what she had revealed to him. My feelings must not be reciprocated.

Bjorn noticed her sink into the chair and knew he should say something, but what? "The truth," a small voice inside his head suggested. She deserved an answer from him and figured that the truth would be the best one to give, and scooted his seat closer hers to the point where their knees were lightly touching.

"I, uh, I care for you too Rowan. In a way that I never knew you could for someone. Especially for a woman no less," he said, the last part to himself. He still could hardly believe that she meant something to him but at the same time he knew from the moment he laid eyes on her as she entered the encampment on her mare that he wanted to come to know her.

Rowan understood what he meant because she too could no fathom that she had grown to care for a man. She had gone against everything she had been taught and she couldn't help but feel ashamed of herself. She half-smiled and looked down, suddenly embarrassed of both allowing a man to entangle himself in her heart and the fact that she liked it. 

Suddenly she felt the warmth of Bjorn's hand under her chin as he lightly tilted her face up to his. Her heart beat quickened and heat rose to her cheeks at the intimate gesture. The last time someone did this to her was when she was a child and her mother scolded her for running through the halls with Darsa. Once she had finished she lifted Rowan's face to her own in order to explain why it was wrong or inappropriate. But Rowan hadn't felt like this with her mother, so why did Bjorn's gesture? A part of her knew the answer but another part was confused, still not understanding why she had felt this way.

When she looked up at his face, his emerald eyes bore into hers and she felt as if she would melt and become another puddle on the floor.

As Bjorn looked at her, he realized just how beautiful she was and he wanted to tell her so, but as he looked upon her full lips he was mesmerized. How could such a fierce and stubborn warrior be so stunning and have such soft features? He then remembered Falkstan talk about the Gladeswomen as they traveled to the forest. He told them that they would be the most dazzling creatures they men would ever lay eyes on even though they were trained killers. At the time he had scoffed at such a thought and swore he would be able to see through their looks, but now he though he might as well be blind.

Slowly they unintentionally brought their faces together, as if the two were magnets who could no longer resisted the others pull. Each one shifted from staring into the other's eyes and lips. Rowan couldn't help but how his full lips complimented his chiseled face and for a slight moment wondered what his father must look like in order to pass such attractive genes.

As their faces drew closer she could feel Bjorn's warm breath and a shiver ran up her spike. Suddenly, she remembered the night when they were sitting at the camp fire and how the men and women placed their lips on one another's. At the time it seemed strange to her but in this moment she couldn't help but to wonder what Bjorn's lips would feel like against hers.

As if reading her mind, Bjorn placed his other hand at the crook of her neck, pulling her in. His fingers lightly interlaced themselves into her hair and he immediately noticed how soft it was, and with one last look at her peach-colored lips he pressed his own upon them.

He was pleased with how sweet and warm they were against his. Goosebumps ran down his neck as bits of electricity traveled through the rest of his body, and even though he was already kissing her he hungered for more.

Rowan leaned into his kiss, surprised that he had made the gesture. She closed her eyes in hopes to enjoy it even more if that were possible as her face began to tingle. Never in her life had she experienced something like this and she didn't want this moment to end. So many emotions rushed through mind and body all at once and she found it almost frightening.

But Bjorn pulled away almost as quickly as he began the kiss, leaving Rowan wanting more. Even though it was innocent and no where near the open-mouthed kisses she had witnessed before, she was breathless.

"Well I can see why the other's enjoy that so much," Bjorn said with a small laugh. He noticed Rowan's face was a deep red and knew if it wasn't for his tan skin his would be as well.

Rowan smiled and raised her eyebrows, "I can as well. They are onto something that's for sure," she said and chuckled.

An awkward silence passed as neither knew what to do next and Rowan tried to remember what she saw the men and women do after they had finished kissing by the fire. She could only recall them returning to their tents so she assumed they went to bed. She wasn't tired at the moment, on the contrary she had never felt so awake in her life.

"Why don't we work on your reading? I don't think the storm will be over for a good while," Bjorn suggested as he rubbed the back of his neck. Rowan nodded, thankful that the awkward silence was over.

For the next hour and a half the two worked together and everything between the two had gone back to normal. Every once in a while they would catch each other glancing at the others mouth, causing both to blush. They both wanted to kiss the other again but didn't quite know how to set it in motion.

It wasn't until the evening that the rain finally let up and it was safe to say that the two were anxious to leave the confines of the tent though they did enjoy spending time together.

Bjorn stood up and stretched as the two put away the reading materials. "I don't know about you but I'm starving," he said, holding the tent flap for her. "Aye, I am. I haven't eaten since breakfast," Rowan replied as she stepped outside.

The air was thick and damp and much cooler than before. She shivered and wrapped her arms around her self in hopes to keep warm. In the distance she could see many had gathered under the pavilion and sat at the tables talking and laughing loudly.

As they walked closer, many called their names wanting them to join their table.

"Bjorn!" rang a voice the two knew all too well. Horan sat waving frantically at his friend while Darsa sat examining her nails. Bjorn looked over to Rowan as if to ask permission to sit with them. She sighed and gave a curt nod and the two joined the table.

Zolan, Bjorn, and Horan caught up and joked around while Arabella talked to Darsa, leaving Rowan to her thoughts.

Dinner was delayed because of the rain so they had to wait a while longer before they could eat. Tursa and Drekka prepared some of the salted pork they brought in the wagon and made it into a stew. 

Finally, the announcement that dinner was ready was made and practically everyone scrambled to eat.  Just as Rowan stood to join the exceedingly long line, Darsa grabbed her sleeve, holding her back. Rowan looked over to her cousin and rose an eye brow, surprised that she had actually acknowledged her.

"I want to talk to you," she explained sounding slightly annoyed, then pulled Rowan along as she led her to her and Horan's tent.