The Raider (2 page)

“
Brauð
,” Godwin repeated, looking to Thorstein for approval, which he gave in the form of a nod.

As Thorstein ate, Godwin returned to his bag and pulled out a small rabbit. He set about skinning and cleaning the animal, and then tossed the chopped pieces of meat into the cooking pot, adding some herbs to the mix.

The bread had only sharpened Thorstein's hunger and the smell of the rabbit stew made his stomach growl. When it was ready, Godwin filled a bowl and passed it to Thorstein. The stew was thin and the meat in meagre supply, but at that moment, it was the best thing Thorstein had ever eaten, and he wolfed it down, happily accepting a refill.

It was only as he commenced his fourth serving that he realized he was using Godwin's only bowl, and the young man had not yet partaken of the meal. He held the bowl out, gesturing for Godwin to eat, but his host just held up the piece of bread he had been nibbling on and rattled off a string of words which Thorstein took to mean the stew was for him alone.

Finishing his meal, Thorstein lay back down and sank once again into a peaceful slumber.

THE DAYS passed quickly. Thorstein slept often, and when he woke, Godwin was always there with food and drink. Their conversation was limited at first, but as the days became weeks, they picked up words from each other's language until they were able to communicate well enough to express their needs.

Thorstein's wound continued to heal thanks to Godwin's care, and eventually he was able to move about the room and take tentative steps outside. Thorstein learnt Godwin was a shepherd whose sheep roamed the nearby hillsides, and he started to walk out with him to tend them, needing to exercise his leg and breathe the fresh air.

More and more, he found his thoughts straying to the young man. Even in dreams, he saw him. He told himself it was simply the fact that Godwin was all he knew here. Perhaps his people would return the next summer and he'd be able to go home with them, but there was no certainty—this land could just as likely be where he would spend the rest of his life.

Summer soon became autumn, and the nights began to draw in. As they sat close to the fire, Thorstein would watch Godwin out of the corner of his eye. He knew his every gesture now, from the way he bit his lower lip when he was nervous or unsure, to the way he ran his fingers absentmindedly through the soft, dark curls that framed his head. There was only one word to describe Godwin: beautiful. For a while, he'd wondered if the boy was actually Baldur, come back from Hel's domain. But his gods did not seem to exist here. As near as he could tell, the people here believed in only one god. When he tried to explain about Odin and Thor to Godwin, the young man became confused, and shook his head with a wistful smile.

Thorstein did not realize how much he desired Godwin until they came to share a bed for the first time. Throughout his recovery, Thorstein had slept on the bed whilst Godwin lay upon some straw on the floor near the fire. As he improved, Thorstein began to feel guilty about depriving the man of his soft mattress. The bench was narrow, but would fit two if they slept closely together on their sides.

One night he saw Godwin shivering upon the floor and called out to him. Godwin had seemed hesitant, but the need for warmth and comfort prevailed, and he joined Thorstein on the bench. Thorstein pulled Godwin close to his chest, and draped an arm over him to keep him from rolling onto the floor. The young man fit snugly against him, his curls tickling Thorstein's mouth and nose, catching in his beard, and Thorstein felt a stirring in his groin he had not experienced in a long time.

He was afraid the physical manifestation of his desire would scare the young man away, but Godwin was already sleeping deeply and remained unaware of the arousal that kept the Viking awake long into the night.

They slept together every night after that, and as winter gripped the land, the shared body heat helped them survive the icy cold that infiltrated the house whenever the sun fell. Most nights Thorstein could keep his feelings under control, but every so often he failed when he felt the gentle movement of Godwin's body against his, and remembered the fullness of the younger man's lips. Lips he was becoming desperate to taste.

Godwin made regular trips to the nearby town, trading the results of his hunt for other supplies. Thorstein was never invited to accompany him, nor had he had much interest in going. While Godwin was away, he had time alone to think without the distraction of the younger man's eyes and smile.

“Can I come with you?” Thorstein asked one day as he watched Godwin prepare to depart.

Godwin looked surprised by the request. Almost as surprised as Thorstein was to hear himself utter the words.

“I'm not sure that's a good idea.”

“Why?”

“Well, you and your people did attack the town a few months ago. Some people may... hold a grudge.”

“But they know I'm here?” Thorstein had intended it as a statement, but it turned into a question when Godwin averted his gaze.

“I thought it better to keep it a secret.”

“How, then, are you explaining the extra supplies you need?”

Godwin met his gaze. “I told them a cousin from Mercia was assisting me with the sheep.”

“A cousin—”

“I was worried they'd kill you if they knew,” Godwin rushed on. He was so agitated that Thorstein could only just make out what he was saying. “And I wanted to keep you to....”

“Why did you save me, Godwin?” Thorstein asked, stepping closer. “You could have left me there to die, or finished me off yourself. Why did you help me?”

Godwin made a move to flee. He was swift, but Thorstein could move as well when he needed to, and he made it to the door first, blocking the exit with his broad shoulders. Godwin nearly careened into him, stumbling backward at the last moment.

Thorstein crossed his arms and adjusted his stance. “Why won't you answer me, Godwin?”

“I was captivated,” Godwin mumbled, staring steadily at his feet.

“I'm sorry. I find it hard to understand unless you speak up.” Thorstein was lying, and from the glare Godwin cast his way, the younger man knew it also, but at least he was looking at him again.

“I'd never seen anyone like you before. You were so strong, so fierce... defiant, even in the face of death. I was afraid of you, of course, covered as you were in blood... but I also felt drawn to you. To leave you there to die seemed such a waste. I probably would have tried to help anyone. God wants us to help our fellow man. But I needed to save you in particular because, to me, you seemed... perfect.” During the speech, Godwin had inched closer, and now he raised his hand and gently brushed a strand of Thorstein's hair away from his face.

Thorstein grasped Godwin's hand, thanking the gods for allowing him to see that Godwin craved him too. But Godwin seemed to shrink in on himself, pulled away and edged back until his route was blocked by the table.

“What's wrong?” Thorstein asked. He wanted to rush to Godwin and pull him into his arms, but he sensed that would only make things worse.

“I am afraid.”

“Of what, Godwin?” Thorstein asked. He could see the young man was shaking, and it hurt to see his friend so upset.

“You... me... whatever it is that's been happening between us over these past weeks.”

“Godwin, you saved my life, taught me your words so we could speak together. I consider you my friend... but I also desire you.”

“I know.” Godwin paused. “I was hoping....”

“What were you hoping?”

Godwin gave a short, mocking laugh, and shook his head. “I don't even know what I was hoping. I only know that now something
is
happening, I have never felt so afraid.”

“I would never hurt you.”

“I know. It's not that....”

“Do you trust me?” Thorstein waited until Godwin nodded, and then said, “Close your eyes.”

For a moment, Thorstein thought Godwin would not stay, that he would make another run for the door, but then the war taking place in the younger man's mind seemed to reach its conclusion, and he slowly shut his eyes.

Thorstein approached with small steps, not wanting to scare Godwin further. When he placed his hands on Godwin's shoulders, he could feel the man quake beneath him. He ran one hand down Godwin's back, stroking him, massaging his shoulders, and then he leaned in and claimed those tempting lips in a firm but gentle kiss.

Godwin's breath hitched, but he made no attempt to pull away, and after a few moments, he brought his arms around Thorstein, hanging on to him as if his life depended on it.

When Godwin's lips parted, Thorstein eagerly worked his tongue inside. Godwin tasted of ale and honey. Just as sweet as Thorstein had imagined. He could have stayed like that for hours, but then Godwin whimpered and went limp in his arms, so he reluctantly pulled away.

“Are you all right, Godwin?” A nod. “Would you like to come to bed with me?” A pause, but finally another nod, and a flash of brown eyes. “Come, then.”

Thorstein led Godwin across to the bench and helped him onto the mattress. He wanted to rip the clothing from the young man's body, but he forced himself take things slowly. He had waited this long, he could wait a few moments more.

He kissed Godwin again, a little more forcefully this time, and sank a hand into his soft curls. Godwin responded with a groan, and Thorstein could feel the man's hardness press into his thigh.
Good
. He raised Godwin off the mattress and eased his tunic over his head, tossing it on the table before reaching to untie the cord that held his trousers in place.

Soon Godwin was gloriously naked before him, and the sight alone nearly brought Thorstein to the brink. His hands and face showed signs of the ravages of working outdoors, but his chest and legs were soft and pale, and Thorstein dipped his head to taste the skin there, working his way slowly down the man's body to an accompaniment of delightful moans.

When he reached Godwin's member, Thorstein ran his tongue up the shaft and Godwin's body jerked beneath him. Pleased with the result, he tried it again, this time swirling his tongue over the head.

Godwin gripped Thorstein's arms tightly, digging his fingers into the skin when Thorstein took him into his mouth. Thorstein settled into a rhythm, humming softly, but when Godwin began to shudder, he released him, gripping him at the base to stop him coming.

Godwin whined, wide brown eyes pleading with him, but Thorstein just smiled. “Soon,” he promised as he leaned in for another kiss.

Godwin had grown bolder, and this time he fought for supremacy, working his tongue into Thorstein's mouth, exploring him, demanding more. When Thorstein broke away, he, too, was breathing heavily, his cock aching for release.

He looked around the room for something he could use. The last thing he wanted to do was cause Godwin pain. Finally, he remembered the chest in the corner. He climbed off the bed and hurried to open it. Grabbing one of the small pots of oil, he returned to Godwin.

The young man was sitting up on the bed, watching him. His face was flushed, and his chest rose and fell in a fast, erratic rhythm.

“Lie down,” Thorstein said, kneeling close by.

When Godwin was comfortable, he dipped a finger into the pot, and then began to massage Godwin's entrance. The young man tensed at first, but gradually relaxed under Thorstein's ministrations, and the Viking was able to ease a finger inside.

Thorstein was nearly mad with lust by the time he added a third finger, but he held himself back, stretching Godwin slowly until he was sure he was ready. Finally he was slicked and poised, ready to make Godwin his once and for all.

He entered little by little, allowing Godwin time to adjust. The shepherd had tensed at the initial intrusion, his face wrinkling up in pain, but Thorstein had taken him in hand, administering steady pumps, keeping his mind off the penetration and helping him to relax.

When he was fully sheathed, he paused and looked down to capture Godwin's gaze. The younger man's eyes were black discs of desire, and a thin sheen covered his forehead. He had never looked more like a god.

“My little Baldur,” Thorstein whispered, and began to move.

It was tentative at first, but then Godwin began to meet his thrusts and their pace increased. Thorstein had never felt anything like it before. Godwin was so tight and warm, and his cries were like music in Thorstein's ears.

As he felt himself get closer to completion, Thorstein reached between them and fisted Godwin's cock, pumping in rhythm with his thrusts. Godwin came with a scream, spilling his seed onto Thorstein's chest, and Thorstein followed moments later, holding Godwin tight against him as he rode out the waves of his orgasm. They collapsed together in a sticky mess, their breathing laboured and their pulses racing.

Thorstein silently offered thanks to Freyr for bringing him this man. Perhaps the gods had left him stranded on that beach for a purpose, so he would find Godwin. Or so Godwin would find him. Perhaps both.

“Are you okay,” Thorstein asked, suddenly realising Godwin had hardly spoken a word.

“Yes,” Godwin breathed. “I've... I've never experienced anything like that before.”

Thorstein smiled, holding himself up so he could see Godwin properly. “Would you like to experience it again?”

BY THE time the summer arrived, Thorstein and Godwin had established a daily routine that revolved around sleep, sheep, food, and sex. Thorstein was happier than he'd ever been, and Godwin assured him he felt the same way.

When Thorstein heard the voices of his countrymen down on the beach, it came as both a surprise and a disappointment. He'd almost forgotten his early hopes that they'd return, and now that they were here, he didn't know what to do.

Godwin arrived at his side, and together they lay in the tall grasses, watching the comings and goings of the Vikings below.