The Nephilim & The Maiden

G o o d b y e

My life had never felt more strange than it had in the few days since I had gained my freedom back. I was no longer made to serve yet I found myself waiting on Ivar's every beck and call. I still served him drinks, retrieved items for him if he asked and found myself patiently waiting either in his room or on the steps of the great hall for him to return from being with Ragnar. My mind told me to run. That this was all some sort of trick or a spell I was under that clouded my mind while he was near. Or was this what it's like to have feelings for someone? To not be able to truly live without them by your side.

I found myself perched on the steps of the great hall looking out over the crowds of people. I scanned each face looking for Ragnar because if I found him I knew that Ivar would be at his heals. The gentle spring breeze kept blowing my hair this way and that making me constantly have to move my hair from my vision as I searched for him.

"I hear my son has given you your freedom back." Aslaug's voice made me jump. She was standing just behind me clad in her normal dark colored dress. Her eyes rimmed heavily with black coal making them pop and seem even more intense.

I nodded in response, still nervous to be around the Queen. My fingers gripped the fabric of my own dress and began twirling it, my nervous coping mechanism.

Aslaug took in a deep, slow breath through her nostrils as she rolled her eyes at me. She was clearly annoyed at my lack of response. "Ivar seems to be enamored by you, girl."

My cheeks burned as she spoke. Ubbe had made it very clear at dinner two nights ago that everyone in the hall could hear my moans of pleasure every night and that maybe Ivar should take it easy on me. The last thing I wanted was for Aslaug to bring up how I was fucking her son.

"Relax. I seem to be the only one who isn't interested in what the two of you do in private." I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding as she spoke, thanking the Gods she wasn't about to question me. "Maybe you can convince him to not leave with his father for England?"

Cocking my eyebrow at her comment I opened my mouth to speak but she had beat me to it. "The warmth of a woman's touch can over power many earthly desires. Ivar desperately wants to sail with Ragnar, to prove himself to not just himself and his brothers but the world. Despite what others have said about... Ivar," she paused, raising her brow to emphasize what she was actually referring to, "you seem to have an effect on him. Use this, Briet. Convince him not to leave! Ivar will die if he goes... I've seen it." Her voice broke as she finished. Tears welled in her eyes, instantly spilling and running down her cheeks.

Licking my lips I looked away from Aslaug as she tried to compose herself. My eyes scanned the crowd hoping to find Ragnar and Ivar to save me from this uncomfortable conversation. I sighed, not seeing either of them and looked back to the Queen.

"You've seen this?"

Aslaug nodded, wiping the last of the tears from her cheeks. "There was a storm. The waves rose so high they blocked out the sun. The ships splintered and-" her tears started all over again before she forced out the last of her words in a harsh whisper, "there were no survivors."

An all too familiar uncomfortable weight crashed onto my chest. My heart swelled before I felt it shatter in my chest leaving me feeling like I was gasping for air as her words sunk in. Aslaug had the gift of visions and according to many, she was never wrong. Ivar would die if he sails.

Aslaug turned on her heal before I could question her further, leaving me in my heartache, alone on the steps. Tears were rolling down my heated cheeks as her words replayed in my head. I let out a choked sob before I brought my knees up to my chest, hiding my face in my knees.