Rescued by the Berserker

Escape

Hazel

I woke to the sound of rushing water. Light drops bathed my face until the warm bulk under me shifted, moving me away from the wet spray. Soft fur rubbed my face, wiping it dry.

I opened my eyes. A few feet from me water fell in a thick, grey sheet, roaring past the crevice where I lay.

"You're awake."

A voice in the gloom made me shoot up to my feet. I staggered, slipping on the slick rocks between me and the waterfall. A hand clamped on my arm and pulled me back from the edge. Muscled arms closed around me.

"I would not move if I were you," the warrior half spoke, half growled in my ear. He moved us both back to safety before he let me go. With his height, he had to bend a little in the small space. His wet blond locks hung about his face and his skin bore faint scratches from the branches I'd sent whipping into his path, plus more cuts and blade marks that hadn't been there before.

He stayed still and quiet while I turned in a small circle, taking in the black, wet rock and the rushing water.

"What—where?" I stammered.

"We're in a cave behind a waterfall, some leagues away from the mage's cave and his servants. The enemy sent out a curse that touched your mind. You fainted and I carried you away." His large hand drifted over my hair, brushing back the wet strands sticking to my face. "You're safe here, with me."

I wrapped my arms around my body, but didn't retreat. His massive body was a source of welcome heat. He'd already rescued me several times and carried me in his arms. If he wanted to touch me now, I wouldn't protest.

Unless I edged closer to the waterfall, there wasn't much space to run. The blond warrior seemed to take up every available inch with his hard muscled body. He stood bare-chested in ripped breeches. When he turned, I gasped. A broken arrow stuck from his back, near his waist.

"You're hurt." I pointed to the thick bolt. He glanced down as if he hadn't seen it before. With a grunt, he pulled it from his flesh and tossed it into the raging fall of water a few feet from us.

Blood gushed from the wound. Without thinking, I pressed my hands against it, trying to stem the flow.

His large hand closed over mine.

"It's alright, lass. It'll heal soon enough."

"But—"

He lifted away my palm and showed me that the skin had already closed.

I jerked my hand away. "Who are you?" I asked in a shaky voice. "What are you?"

"Afraid, little one?"

I jerked my head yes, but realized it was a lie. After my initial shock, I felt calm in his presence, as if, deep down, I knew I was safe with him.

A grin creased his features, barely discernible in the gloom. "That's right, little one. You have nothing to fear when I am near."

My forehead creased. Was he reading my mind?

He took my hand and drew me down to sit on the rocks.

"I am called Knut. I am a warrior."

"You're a man...but..." I searched for a way to describe the monster he'd become before my eyes.

Sadness touched his mouth. "I am a man and more than a man. Long ago a witch gave me and my fellow warriors great power. The magic had...consequences."