Vikings Imagines

Decisions to be made Part 4

Warning: mature content/explicit descriptions of sex

The festivities had already begun by the time we got there, food covering the tables, music and laughter echoing through the rafters. We remove our cloaks and are greeted by a servant handing us cups of mead. I nod my head to the servant as she recognizes me, a small smile forming on her lips as her eyes flicker between Hvitserk and I. I smile back at her and nod as she walks away. I drink from my cup, the cool liquid leaving a sweet taste on my lips. Hvitserk walks ahead of me and towards his brothers who sit at a table in the center of the room laughing and talking boisterously. I trail Hvitserk slowly, watching as he greets his brothers, all of them smiling and greeting him back loudly. He turns around to me, holding his arm out for me to come closer. All of the sons of Ragnar's eyes move to me at the same time, each one stopping what they were doing. My eyes flash to each of them but stop at Ubbe's for a moment. His mouth is slightly parted, his tongue just barely caressing his bottom lip as his eyes meet mine. He pauses for a moment before snapping out of it, looking away and bringing his cup to his lips, finishing what was left. A servant fills his cup quickly, and I turn back to Hvitserk who's hand now rested on my waist.

"You all know Eydis" he says while beaming. "She is here as my guest tonight, so behave yourselves." He says with a chuckle. They all laugh in return as Hvitserk and I take a seat, everyone beginning to talk amongst themselves once again. Hvitserk places a hand on my thigh as he joins the conversation, playfully mocking Sigurd as he spoke. I watch and drink as the men at the table discuss future plans, laugh, and tease one another.

As the night goes on, Hvitserk and I share three pitchers of mead between the two of us, swallowing back cup after cup. The more we drank, the more flirtatious we became. Every so often one of us would give the other a longing glance, finding a reason to touch the other. Hvitserk whispered sweet nothings in my ear when nobody paid attention, causing my skin to raise into goosebumps and chills to cover me from head to toe. I watched as he spoke to his brothers and friends, admiring his facial expressions and the way he smiled. His hand rubs circles on my thigh as I watch him, only increasing my curiosity and anticipation for tonight. After a while I stand from the table as Ivar holds his brother's attention with the topic of war. As I stand Hvitserk looks up at me, silently asking if he should come with me. I squeeze his hand before leaning down and kissing him on the cheek.

"I'm just going to get some fresh air, I'll be right back." I say in his ear. He smiles up at me and grips the back of my neck, holding me in position.

"We should leave when you come in. I'll grab some mead before we go." He says, his lips brushing against my ear. I nod in agreement, a small grin crossing my face. He lets go of me and turns back to Ivar.

I walk towards the doors of the hall, trying to maintain my balance. I smile to myself as I exit the doors, the cool air flooding over me. Men and women are gathered around fires outside, some sitting, some standing, each group branched off around the streets. I look up at the moon and exhale, rolling my shoulders back. I turn my head to the sky and close my eyes, enjoying the cold breeze whipping around me. I open my eyes again and stare into the sky, the moon hanging brightly overhead, the stars glittering against their black backdrop. I hug my arms around myself and turn around, but am suddenly faced with Ubbe as he walks out the doors. He takes a quick look at me before turning his eyes to the ground as he walks to me, removing his cloak. He throws it over my shoulders before finally looking up at me, his face stoic. I smile at him and nudge him playfully as he stands still beside me. He lets out a long sigh while staring at the moon, folding his arms across his chest.