Different Worlds

|Chapter Five|

"It does worry me a little bit" Ivar said looking at Kendra, she looked fragile in front of him. "I'm pretty inexperienced myself, we can learn along the way" Ivar encouraged, reaching for her hand and stroking it gently. "I just wish things were a little easier for you" Ivar paused "I'm worried I'll hurt or push you to where you can't come back" Ivar whispered lowly, taking her hand and placing it to his cheek.

"I am trying Ivar. I really am" Kendra gave a small smile. Opening her hand up so she could hold his cheek and rub her thumb against his skin. "I scare easily that is no lie. But I am trying my best to be braver around and for you... I don't want to hold you back" Kendra whispered back.

"I don't think you can hold me back" Ivar gave a small smile to Kendra. Tilting his head and kissing her hand where he could. "I will worry about you, whatever it may be. I do care about you, as soon as this is. I can't deny that I care about you" with each word his lips ghosted against her skin. Warming her and sending a fuzziness through her body. Causing a nauseous feeling through her, but it felt good.

"are you ready to get out of the tub?" Kendra smiled "I promise I won't gasp again". Ivar laughed, shuffling his head as he nodded, Kendra let out a laugh as well as she reached for the sheet to cover him up. Ivar heaved himself up in the tub, sitting on the side. Kendra placing the sheet over his lap as she reached over and helped lift his legs up and out.

"If you sit on the chair, I can dry your legs and rub the paste in" Kendra smiled at him. Watching as Ivar shifted his upper body. Ivar reached for the chair holding onto it for support, Kendra holding it still, so it didn't move at his weight.

"Is this okay?" Ivar asked, reaching for his feet to place them on the floor.

"Just right, thank you" Kendra chimed, settling on the floor at his feet. Using the sheet that covered his lower body to pat the skin dry. Kendra got up and went to reach for her paste, walking back to Ivar with the feeling of his eyes on her. She looked over her shoulder to see Ivar smiling at her, as she tied her hair up and out of the way.

"You're beautiful you know" Ivar chimed at her. Blushing as he watched her settle at his feet. "For a Christian" he added, trying to divert from his embarrassment.

"well thank you Ivar, you're quite handsome for a heathen" Kendra looking up at him, smiling at him at her taunt. As Ivar nodded and hummed, watching Kendra flick some of the water in the paste. Using her hands to soften the paste, as she began to rub it into his legs. Ivar biting down on his lip, nervous at her touch. He never really felt much at his legs, except for pain and twinges. But he could feel her fingers massaging at every groove of his bone.

"I'm not hurting you, am I?" Kendra asked looking up at Ivar, concern on her face.

"No, it's just unusual. I never thought anyone except healers would touch my legs" he smiled at her. Watching the way her hands moved and the circular motion of her thumb against his skin.

"Well it's all done" she smiled standing up and washing her hands off in the tub. Ivar reached for her hips and pulled her into him. Letting her sit on his lap. Causing Kendra to let out a small scream at the swift movement. As Ivar laughed, relaxing her immediately.

"You fascinate me" Ivar muttered as he smiled at her.

"in a good way, right?" Kendra asked as she looked over her shoulder at him.

"I do believe so" Ivar smiled back, resting his head on the back of her shoulder.

"is it true that you wear your hair in braids just for battles?" Kendra asked curious.