Arcanum

Heart's Desire

When they entered Agnethe's home, they busied themselves with getting a fire started to warm the chilly, empty rooms. After the hearth was glowing, they pulled a bench closer and sat together watching the flames.

"What do I do now?" Agnethe said, not taking her eyes off the fire.

"Thank the gods that you have a safe place to live," he pulled his arm tighter around her shoulders, "and someone to sit by the fire with you." Agnethe gave an appreciative smile, but it didn't match the churning of her insides. "I'll go gather your things in the morning, that will make you feel better."

"I can't stay here."

"Why not? This is your home. I won't let them take it from you."

"It's not that. Well, it's not only that. I think they can take it from me if they wanted, and you'll be gone soon. But what I mean is that I can't stay here, in Saxebi. I need to go somewhere else." Agnethe sat up taller, staring into the flames.

I need to find my own way now. A place I can belong.

"Agnethe," Klaus' voice was soft, and she almost didn't hear him as deep in thought as she was.

"Hmm? Oh, I'm sorry, what did you say?"

Klaus twisted in his seat and turned Agnethe's face toward him, keeping his hand on her jaw. "Why did you say I would be gone soon?"

Agnethe stared at him, her brows lowering as she looked at him. "You stopped here only to give the message of the ships on your way home. When your men leave, so will you. You have a life somewhere else." Perplexed, she shook her head slightly, not understanding the hurt look in his eyes.

"Do you really think that I can leave now as if nothing has changed for me? That I would pick up and continue on my way, leaving you here to fend for yourself and think nothing more of it?"

"You have been kind," she reached up her hand and placed it over his that continued to rest on her face, "but you can't change your life for me. Why would you do that?"

Klaus swallowed, as he stared at her with an intensity that made her squirm. There was a heat in his eyes mixed with a tinge of something she couldn't figure out, but it was making her heart hammer against her chest, her breathing felt rushed, and her eyes stung.

Why am I so emotional? Because, I don't want him to leave, ever.

A single tear slid from the side of her eye. As she kept her head tilted toward Klaus, he used his thumb to wipe it away then pushed his hand around to the back of her neck and brought his mouth to hers. Startled, she squeaked and tried to pull away, but his lips were tender and warm; inviting. So, she tentatively kissed him back and before she knew what she'd done, her shaking hands were wrapped around his body, pulling herself closer to him.

After a few moments, Klaus pulled away and rested his head against hers, letting his fingers relax slightly from where he'd buried them in her hair. Agnethe's chest heaved from her ragged breathing, which matched Klaus' and a smile spread across her face as she breathed in his spicy scent that reminded her of hot cider and fall.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."

"I'm glad you did."

"Well, then, I'm not as sorry as I should be," he said with a smile to his voice.

Agnethe glanced up at him, then dropped her eyes again fighting a grin.

"I know you're not ready, and that's ok. I'll wait until you are because it doesn't matter whether we've known each other two days or two years, I won't live without you for another day." Klaus wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to his chest. She sagged against him, every muscle relaxing and soaking in his warmth.

They snuggled together, watching the dancing flames, content until nausea rolled Agnethe's stomach in on itself and she slammed her eyes closed against a wave of dizziness. Anxiety tore through her causing her heart to pound. Disoriented by the feelings, she tried to keep herself from shaking.

Klaus laughed and pulled her tighter against him. "You need to rest."

"Yes, I'm sure that's it."

They stood and Agnethe started to walk to her room as Klaus banked the fire. Still wobbly but no longer feeling sick, she turned to Klaus.

"You need to go to bed too."

Raising an eyebrow he gave her a crooked grin. "I'll be fine out here."

Heat flushed her cheeks, and she shook her head at him, knowing he was teasing didn't stop it from fluttering her insides. "I mean, Maks' room is empty. His bed is available."

"Thank you, but I'd rather stay here, closer to the door." His eyebrows knitted together before he continued, "Is there a back door?"

"Yes, through my parents' room."

"Show me. We need to block that."

Stepping into her parents' bedroom, Agnethe shivered, her heart was instantly heavy. "I took Mother's trunk with me, I don't think there's anything in here strong enough to put in front of the door, but it does have a latch."

"I don't trust the latch." Klaus looked around the room and discovered she was right, nothing else would be heavy enough to keep the door from being pushed open. "We'll have to slide the bed."

"It's huge! I don't think it'll budge."

"Help me then," he smiled at her and nudged her toward the solid piece of furniture. "We don't need to move it too far, just enough to cover part of the door. Come to this side and hold under here. Push back with your legs."

"I'll do my best." She shook her head and squatted down to put her back against the heavy frame while holding on with her hands behind her.

"On three. One, two, three."

Agnethe leaned back and pushed her feet, trying to move the bed from the middle of the room toward the outside door. It shook and then started to slide. Straining with more effort she put her whole weight against it and they got the bed moved into position. Standing up she looked at Klaus, his face rosy from the effort, but he beamed at her as if she'd moved the thing herself.

I don't think I moved it an inch.

"Are you sure you'll be ok out there?"

"I'm fine. There are a lot of furs I saw in that room, I'll make myself a bed. Do you know what it's like to be on a ship with a bunch of men for months at a time? Stretching out on the cold ground would be luxury compared to that." He laughed and headed out to the other room, but turned back and pulled her in for a light, quick kiss once more before striding out. Agnethe floated to her room on shaky legs as she touched her fingers to her lips.