Rise (The Order of the Krigers #1)(23)

Remembering my lack of control in the dream, I shivered. “If you hadn’t woken me up, I probably would have left and gone back to the capital.”

Vidar rubbed his face. “This complicates matters. Morlet can’t get his hands on you. If he does, it’s over.”

“I’ll just try and stay awake until Anders returns.” I yawned.

He smiled, his eyes kind and gentle. “He could be gone a few days. You look exhausted.” Vidar placed his hands on my shoulders. “Why don’t you sleep in my bed?”

I shook my head.

“I’ll sit at my desk, working, and watch over you. If you become restless, I’ll wake you.”

“What about when you need to sleep?” He’d already given me an entire room to stay in; sleeping in his bed would be far too much of an imposition. Not to mention skirting the line of impropriety.

“I’ll stay up all night,” he insisted. Before I could object, he stood and scooped me up in his arms.

“I am perfectly capable of walking.” I wasn’t a child who had to be coddled.

“Oh, I know,” he chuckled while shouldering past the door.

“Put me down.” My face turned red.

He carried me as if I weighed nothing. “Sorry,” Vidar said, suddenly serious. “Anders told me you fell and hit your head. I can’t have you walking around an unfamiliar place late at night when it’s difficult to see and we’re high up in the treetops.”

I rolled my eyes. Anders managed to irritate me without even being here.

Vidar pushed the door open and stepped inside his room. It was large, perhaps five times the size of my room, and packed with items. Shelves filled with hundreds of books, statues, and rocks covered one of the walls. Another wall had several swords, daggers, and bows hanging on it. Area rugs littered the floor while a massive desk piled high with papers took up an entire corner of the room. Maps and diagrams were strewn all over his bed. A small fireplace was situated near the bed, although it wasn’t lit. A few candles burned, illuminating the room.

Vidar set me on my feet. He went to his bed, rolling up the papers and placing them on his desk. “As I said before, I have some work to do.” Pointing to his bed, now cleared off, he said, “Make yourself comfortable.”

I crawled onto the enormous feather mattress and slid under the silky sheets that smelled of pine. Vidar blew out all the candles except for the ones on his desk before sitting down and reading through some papers.

I decided to close my eyes and rest—not that I’d be able to fall asleep in his room with him watching me, no matter how comfortable the bed was.

“Kaia, come to me.” My body felt as if it were tied to a rope, being tugged toward the voice. “That’s right, come.”

“No.” I kicked the invisible force, but I wasn’t strong enough to break free. Morlet’s arms wrapped around me, and I stiffened. This felt wrong. I needed to sever the connection.

He stroked my hair. “My Kaia.”

“Wake up.”

My eyes flew open.

Vidar rested his hand on my forehead. “You were mumbling that you needed help to break free.”

“Morlet used his magic on me.” Sitting up, I rubbed my eyes. “When he communicates with me, each time it’s becoming difficult to remember who and where I am.” What was I going to do?

Vidar kicked off his boots and climbed under the covers.

“What are you doing?” I swiftly scooted to the other side of the bed.

“I’m going to sleep next to you. Perhaps you’ll dream of me instead of Morlet.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

Even though Anders and I had slept side by side in caves, there hadn’t been any romantic inclinations between us. However, being in the same bed as Vidar felt forbidden. I crawled on top of the blankets, wanting to put space between us.

The corners of his mouth pulled up into a devious smile. “You know, usually when I tell a woman I’ll sleep with her, she’s thrilled.” He chuckled. “I’ve never had your reaction before.”

I bolted out of bed. My father would be furious if he found out I was alone in a room with a man, let alone in his bed.

“I’m just teasing you,” Vidar said. “Sorry, couldn’t help myself. You’re adorable when you’re embarrassed.”

Folding my arms, I wanted nothing more than to go back to my own room, away from this man with beautiful blue eyes that were constantly looking at me as if I were interesting.

“Come on.” He patted the bed. “I won’t bite. Much.”

“I’ll take my chances in the other room,” I whispered, refusing to banter with him. He made me uncomfortable, made me feel things and think about things I’d never experienced before.

“Fine.” He stood and walked to the door. “At least allow me to escort you to your room.”

Remembering how he’d carried me here, my face flushed, not wanting him to hold me so intimately again. “Very well,” I said. “But I’m walking on my own this time.”

“Suit yourself.”

Crossing the bridge, I saw thousands of stars dotted the sky. An owl hooted, and a soft breeze rustled the leaves.

“Just so you know, I’m sitting in a chair and watching over you, whether you like it or not.”