A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage & Holly Marlow)
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Light =&gt; Light: Human Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: Holly Marlow on 30-09-2016, 05:04:25</h2>
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				Title: <strong>A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>30-09-2016, 05:04:25</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i1057.photobucket.com/albums/t386/Bells_Marlow/sarah-carters-quotes-3_zpsfhp5l9dn.jpg)</div><br>Kara was almost finished getting ready for a night of fun with her friends when the doorbell rang. Thinking that they were early to pick her up, she pulled on her sneakers quickly and grabbed her purse. Jeans and a blue tank top might not be up to par with what her friends were wearing, but Kara was not going out tonight to 'snag a man.' She had no interest in something like that. The girls would make fun of her for being a virgin, and then forget about it as they went on to complain about the men in their lives. Tonight should be normal enough, and with how odd she was feeling, she could use normal. <br><br>She checked in the mirror to make sure her blond hair was behaving in the pony tail she wore, then frowned. For an instant there, her brown eyes had looked different. They looked normal now, but she could have sworn...<br><br>The doorbell rang again, causing Kara to rush to open it. It wasn't her friends standing on the porch, but rather the UPS delivery man. In his hands was another box. Just seeing it made her groan. <br><br>“Another one, Eric?” Kara sighed.<br><br>“'Fraid so, Kara. This time from Scotland. Sent by NTEK, same as the other ones.” The postman, whom she was starting to see entirely too much of, responded to her. <br><br>She smiled and thanked him as she took the box, then shut the door behind her. In the entryway of her parent's home were fourteen other deliveries. She began receiving them not long after her parents had left for an archaeological dig in Peru. Every single one contained lamps. There were floor lamps, table lamps, big lamps, little lamps, cheap lamps and expensive ones. Someone had a serious lamp fetish, and it was not her. Kara had no idea what NTEK was, but they certainly got around. She'd been receiving lamps from all over the globe, according to the shipping slips. <br><br>This was not going to be fun explaining to her parents. Luckily for her, they were gone for another two months. Which was a very good thing, since before they left, they had told her that it was time to talk when they got home. Kara knew what the topic would be. She was twenty-five, and still living at home. Though she worked as a bartender at the local watering hole, volunteered at the senior center, and attended online college, her parents believed it was time for her to do more. Her parents loved her, and were wonderful people. They had adopted her when she was just a baby, and she'd never gone without in their care. So perhaps they were right, considering she'd been sampling college since she graduated high school. <br><br>Kara set the box on top of some others, and pulled on the tape to open it. The lamp inside was so gaudy that her eyes hurt from looking at it. Having no idea what to do with all of the lamps, she closed the top of the box and decided to leave it for later. A horn honked outside, signaling her friends arrival. It was definitely time to get out of the house and have some fun. <br><br>It was close to midnight when she finally got home. After going to the Shaft, which was also her place of work, for a few hours, they had finished the night at Stacy's house by holding a teeny weenie roast in honor of Marie's latest break up. As happy as Kara was to get out of the house, she was relieved to be back home at her parents house, situated in the middle of the desert. <br><br>The whole night she felt as if she was being watched. It was a feeling she had often over the past few weeks. If that wasn't odd enough, her teeth had started to tingle halfway through the night, and her eyes started itching. Regardless of how many times she'd gone to the restroom to look at her eyes and teeth, she saw nothing wrong with them. <br><br>After shutting the front door, she went to her bedroom and stripped off her clothing. Kara pulled on a lacy pink tank top and matching sleeping shorts, then slipped her feet into a well used pair of bunny slippers. After grabbing a pint of double fudge peanut butter cup ice cream, she crashed on the couch and turned on the television. Supernatural was on, and she had a hot date with the Winchester brothers. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>30-09-2016, 06:39:32</strong>
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				<strong>The Viking Era: The Court of Ragnar Lodbrok</strong><br><br>A thirteen year old boy trudged into the hall of Ragnar Lodbrok. All around him were men and women, drinking and feasting. The air was heavy with the smell of roasting meat, and the boy's stomach rumbled with hunger. He had not eaten in days. His face was set with a grim expression, and he hefted a sack over one shoulder. The boy earned curious glances from men halfway to drunkenness or further along. Women bearing beer and other needful things gave him a berth. <br><br>Boldly, the boy marched up to where Ragnar himself sat upon his throne. The king noted the boy's advance with sharp, curious eyes. The boy did not know it, but it was only on the king's indulgence that he managed to get so close. <br><br>"And what have we here, hmm?" Ragnar asked, shifting in his throne, wearing an amused grin as he regarded the boy. "A little merchant peddling wares?" The king raised a horn to smiling lips and drank. The boy's grim expression only grew grimmer as the king made sport of him and others laughed.<br><br>"You are Ragnar Lodbrok. Your fame is great. I wish to sail with you." The boy said solemnly. Ragnar raised an eyebrow. <br><br>"Ah. Is that so?" The king leaned forward. "And why, little boy," though the boy was in no respect little in body, "would I allow that?"<br><br>The boy shifted the sack and dumped it in front of the king. No strangers to gore, the nine severed hears evoked no terror in the vikings. To the boy's right, a man approached, face red with the effects of drink and anger. "That . . . that's the head of my brother, Refn! He was a Berserker . . . they all . . . were . . ." The man said. Swiftly he drew steel. "You desecrated my brother's body and stole his head, boy?" <br><br>The boy did not turn his head or remove his gaze from Ragnar's. "Do you have any coin for weregild, boy?" Ragnar asked. Predictably, the boy shook his head. Ragnar shrugged, sipped his drink, and signaled the viking with naked steel to get on with it. In moments, the viking was screaming as his arm was wrenched from its socket and torn from his body by the boy's left hand. The screaming ended almost as soon as it began as the boy's right hand grasped the viking's throat and choked the life from him.<br><br>Ragnar looked around at those gathered nearby. "Well." Ragnar said, bemused at the turn of events. "I guess I have an opening on my ships."<br><br><strong>The Modern Era: Four Weeks Ago, Erol's Bar</strong><br><br>The Berserker entered the bar. He scanned the interior, eyes flowing over a half dozen different kinds of demons, as many shifters, a gaggle of nymphs, a few witches from the local 'Animal House' coven . . . and then what he sought. A group of valkyries were loudly drinking at a booth, and the Berserker made his way there, stepping around the patrons. A pair of Lykae glanced up at him and bared their fangs for a moment only, before the Instinct had them flatten their ears in the face of a superior male. The Berserker did not stop for them, but continued. He used his large, iron-like body to force his way past a trio of tipsy nymphs, all of whom wanted to be taken by him. Not him, specifically, but any male. <br><br>When at last he reached the valkyries, the Berserker waited silently for acknowledgement. He was silent while two encouraged another to chug some demon brew down, delighting when the chugger downed a whole bottle without stopping for breath. <br><br>"Oh shiiiit, it's Frowny McScowly!" One of the valkyries taunted the Berserker, taking note of his presence. Another began to hum a few bars from a Cory Hart song, mocking the Berserker for wearing sunglasses at night and in doors. <br><br>"I had something for this," the one who'd chugged all of that demon brew muttered to herself, "something something big stick in the mud all the way up his ass . . ."<br><br>The Berserker endured their chatter. A different Berserker would be roaring in fury already, tearing the place apart in a blind, reckless rage. <br><br>"You called for me, Ever-Knowing." The Berserker said softly, addressing the first of the valkyries. The raven-haired soothsayer had been silent so far, feeding her pet bat complementary peanuts. The proto-valkyrie looked up. <br><br>"Oh, did I miss my cue? Cut! Cut! Let's take it from the top again!" Nix said, waving her hands. Then she took a few breaths. "Okay. Enter stage right: Scowling Berserker. Trash Talking Chorus: some truly sick and epic burns!" The other valkyries murmured that they had already delivered their best lines. "Weak. Sauce." Nix said in exasperation. Then she glanced over at a pair of demon males, noting how their horns glinted in the dim lighting of the bar. "Hmm, delish. Most lickable." Her gaze became unfocused for a moment, and then she turned back to the Berserker. "You're still here?" Her brows furrowed and she adopted a serious expression. Then she cleared her throat. "I'm the one who gripped you tight and raised you from perdition." Nix said in an exaggeratedly gruff voice. "Nix commanded it! Nix has work for you."<br><br>Then she lapsed into a fit of coughing, unable to do the voice anymore.<br><br><strong>The Modern Era: Now, Some One Horse Town In Arizona</strong><br><br>While the Winchester brothers engaged in the wacky, shirtless CW-hijinks that kept their show running for more than ten years, the Berserker was outside. He hid out of sight: an impressive feat considering just how enormous he was. For weeks he'd done, protecting the female in the house. On more nights than he cared to admit he considered revealing himself to her, because from the moment Nix had shown the female's picture to him, the Berserker felt the tug of destiny. This female was his: his match, the half to make him whole. It was always worse after he killed: with blood on his hands the pull to take her as his mate was at its strongest. But it was also when he was at his most frightening: covered in gore from the mercenaries that were dispatched with her as their objective. The Berserker did not know if they sought to kidnap her or murder her, but it was moot: his charge was to protect her. Thirteen groups of mercenaries had tried to take Kara. To the last, the Berserker killed them all.<br><br>The Berserker exhaled as his cell phone vibrated. "Guess what?" The voice of Nix the Ever-Knowing sounded in the Berserker's ear. "Not even going to try?" She said in light of his silence. "Oh, but I knew that! Anyway," she said in a sing-song way, "I need you to bring Kara to New Orleans. Do I need to do the voice? Because I can do the voice. It doesn't even hurt." Nix said.<br><br>"No. It is not required." The Berserker replied quietly. <br><br>"Good! Because I lied. And I'm all out of throat lozenges." Nix relayed. "So get her out of there, tonight! I'm hanging up now." Silence punctuated the proto-valkyrie's abrupt silence. <br><br>The Berserker replaced his phone in a pocket in his long black trench coat. It was not a garment that was well suited to the desert, but he was immortal and inured to physical hardship. The Berserker moved from his concealed position and went to the front door of Kara's home. He turned the knob and forced his way in - this was the sort of small town where nobody locked their doors. His heavy footfalls carried him to the room that Kara sat in, enjoying her ice cream and Winchesters.<br><br>At seven feet and two inches, the Berserker was very tall. His shoulders were incredibly broad, and his frame was packed with muscle on muscle. He more than filled the doorway. He had very fair blond hair, a shade of platinum blond that mortals could only achieve with a bottle. For the male, it was natural. It went to his waist; at the moment it was in a tight braid. He had very pale blue eyes, but for the moment they were hidden behind a pair of aviator sunglasses with golden reflective lenses. The man's high cheekbones, sinfully full pink lips, and strong jaw were well on display, though. He had a black-shirt on, and the slimming effect of black could do nothing to reduce just how big a man he was. The blue jeans that started at his masculinely narrow hips covered powerful legs and thighs, ending in a pair of black leather boots crafted by hand.<br><br>"You need to come with me, Kara-" The Berserker began in a low, deep voice that was like mead. But before he could go any further, a trio of demons traced into the room.<br><br>"Sorry fucko, but we've got other plans for the cooze." The lead demon said. The demons were all handsome devils in their own right; the classically handsome fallen angels who would tempt women into sinful wantonness with their looks alone. Their long black hair complemented their fair skin well, and their small-ish black horns were scarcely discernible. "So you'd best back-"<br><br>The lead demon did not have time to speak further because the Berserker crossed the room in a blur of movement. He was incredibly fast - faster than something his size should be capable of. One huge hand slapped onto the demon's shoulder, and the other found the demon's neck. With a swift, economical pull the Berserker separated the demon's head from his body. The other demons wasted no time with words, but attacked. Their eyes blazed with hellfire and their black horns grew larger, curling elegantly like ram's horns from their brow. The first died in flight as the Berserker's hand sliced through flesh, propelled by such unending might that the demon's immortal flesh could not withstand it. The second the Berserker caught, and though the demon struck at the Berserker's chest with a strength that could lift and hurl cars, it was not enough as the Berserker brought the demon's back down over his knee. The demon howled in agony, but it was short-lived as the Berserker pinned the demon to the ground on its belly. Using one knee to pin the demon in place, the Berserker grasped the demon's horns and twisted until its head came from from its body.<br><br>The Berserker had killed them all in the span of heart beats, and he was not winded. He did not show any sign of being injured despite the powerful blows received. All he did do was reach to right the sunglasses on his face. He turned his gaze to Kara. "Others will come when these do not report in. We may have time for you to pack a night bag, if you do so <em>now</em>, and come with me without argument."
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				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>30-09-2016, 20:41:39</strong>
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				Kara had to be dreaming. That was the only way she could explain the devastatingly handsome man that was now in her living room. The Winchester brothers had nothing on him. He was bigger then any man she'd ever seen, making her feel even more dainty then her five feet, five inches and petite frame usually did. <br><br>Her libido, which had been going crazy for the last few weeks, seemed to catch fire inside of her. In fact, just looking at him made her feel as if fire was licking her skin. Lightning seemed to shoot through her body. Her fingers itched to touch him, to loosen his hair so she could wrap the platinum blond length around her body. Even his voice made her ache. <br><br>Then suddenly they weren't alone. Three more sinfully handsome men had just appeared in her living room, causing her to cry out in alarm. Her ice cream dropped to the floor as she stood up abruptly. Kara's heart started thrumming heard in her chest when she saw that the three newcomers had horns, actually horns on their heads. <br><br>The first man, the one that made her blood electrify, moved so fast that she could barely keep track of him. If she was dreaming, it had just turned into a nightmare. Kara stood frozen in fear as the four men began to fight. That was too kind of a word for it, because what she was seeing was brutal. She'd never had dreams like this, where heads were torn from bodies and blood was sprayed on the walls and floor. <br><br>Kara was trembling when the first man spoke to her. His words sounded as if they were coming from far away, as if through a tunnel. Something was happening inside of her. Kara could feel some kind of change happening. It felt like her blood was on fire, but instead of hurting, it felt delicious. The color of her eyes changed from a soft brown, to an iridescent amber. She could smell the spilled blood, and instead of being revolted, it made her hunger. Two small fangs grew and indented her plump lower lip. Her hand moved up to touch them, while her eyes registered the shock she was feeling. <br><br>The pressure inside of her kept rising, the fire burning hotter and hotter. When she thought she could take no more, the fire burst from her. The blue inferno swept outward from her body and filling the room. The only thing left untouched was her and the man standing not far from her. <br><br>As quickly as the fire shot out from her, it seemed to sweep back inside of her. Kara landed on her hands and knees, feeling as weak as a kitten. Everything in the living room looked scorched except for her and the man in black. Her clothes were intact, but she could see steam rising from her bared arms and legs. The three horned men were barely recognizable. Her television had melted, and signs of the scorching fire went from the floor to the ceiling. <br><br>Kara's gaze found the tall, blond man. Her voice was tremulous from the fear of what had just happened and the changes she felt within her. “What is happening to me?”
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				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>30-09-2016, 21:52:14</strong>
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				The hairs on the back of the Berserker's neck stood up; his body responded to the coming fire before his mind knew what was happening. The release of the blue fire did not change the man's posture - he did not throw up an arm in a futile gesture to shield himself. Instead he simply steeled himself for the sensation of his flesh burning and prepared for the bitter scent of burning hair and meat. The scent of burnt hair and meat came, along with the scent of burnt plastic and everything else in the room, but he was unharmed by the flames. Did the female recognize him on some subconscious level as her own? Did the power inside her know him even if she did not? <br><br>"Eternity embraces you." The Berserker replied to the female. The change was taking her; soon her body would be frozen into immortality. She was still vulnerable now and she looked it very much on her hands and knees, appearing weak as a kitten. An unfamiliar feeling surged in the Berserker at seeing her this way, but he tamped it down without exploring it or trying to grasp just what it was. There was no time.<br><br>He moved closer to the female and grabbed her by the upper arm, pulling her up from the floor. When she did not find her feet fast enough for his liking, he threw her over one mountainous shoulder as if she weighed nothing at all. He exited the living room and paused in the main hallway. After half a second's deliberation he went upstairs, discerning by scent Kara's room. And though he moved with speed, he was very careful and against all odds Kara was never bumped against anything. Her ride on his shoulder was . . . smooth. The man put her down on her bed with little ceremony but no roughness, then he went about tactlessly going through her things until he found a bag. He began to stuff clothing into it without looking at what he grasped - he fist a pair of jeans into the bag with the same placid expression on his face as when he grabbed a fistful of her unmentionables. It <em>should</em> have thrilled him to handle her underwear, but the Berserker was cold and in control.<br><br>Then he picked her up again, carrying her and the bag of clothing down the stairs with a sense of urgency. He got her outside and to his vehicle - a huge black pick-up truck made by Ford - when the hairs on the back of his neck rose again. He had the passenger side door open and was putting Kara and her clothing within when another demon traced behind him. The Berserker whirled as the demon thrust the blade of a sword at the Berserker's face. The blond male clapped his hands together, just stopping the blade short of piercing his skull. The edge of the blade still nicked his cheek and drew blood. <br><br>The demon was just as sinfully handsome as the others, marking him out as the breed. He pulled the sword back and the Berserker reached for a long knife concealed in his coat. The weapon the Berserker drew was simple, single-edged, and perfectly suited to his hand. It was like a steel extension of his flesh. The Berserker lunged forward, slashing, forcing the demon back lest it be cut deep. The two men began a deadly dance, and their blades met again and again. The Berserker was limited because he needed to keep his huge body between the demon and the truck, and there were cuts he took that he could have avoided if he were able to fight freely. All too soon, though, the Berserker buried the knife to the handle in the demon's chest. As the creature gasped, the Berserker pulled the blade free. The demon went to its knees and the Berserker hacked its head free from its body in a single, sure stroke. He knelt to wipe his blade upon the demon's shirt before he turned, closing the passenger side door of the truck.<br><br>It was just in time to spare Kara the sight of the low creatures that were drawn by the fallen demons in her home and now by the Berserker's fresh kill.<br><br>When the Berserker joined Kara in the cab he was bleeding from a dozen cuts. Some were more serious than others - some only looked bad, in the way bleeding flesh wounds did. But none of these injuries were mortal. The Berserker fitted the key into the ignition and drove. He had a rented room in the small town, but there was nothing there that belonged to him. <br><br>When they were underway and no demons teleported onto the truck, the Berserker allowed himself to glance at Kara from the corner of his eye. It would be obvious by now that he was taking her out of town - it was not very far at all to the town limits. They would be on the highway leading east soon.
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				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>30-09-2016, 23:05:08</strong>
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				Kara gave the man a bewildered look when he told her that eternity embraced her. Before she could even demand to know what he meant, he was at her side and pulling her up off the floor by her arm. Her hands grabbed his muscular arm as she tried to keep from falling. Her legs felt like jello, and she couldn't seem to get her feet to cooperate. <br><br>She helped when he picked her up and tossed her onto his shoulder. With her pert bottom in the air and his big hand bracing her by the back of her thigh, embarrassment had her cheeks heating. <br><br>“Put me down right this instant!” Kara demanded. Seconds later she was sitting on her bed and trying not to fall over. There were smears of blood on her clothes from those things he had killed. The realization that people had been killed in her house had her reaching for her cell phone. She had to call the cops! <br><br>Her eyes found the killer shoving her clothing into a bag, then going through her underwear drawer. She could see his placid expression in the mirror on top of the dresser, and then she saw herself. Her eyes had changed. They were no longer a soft brown color, but were an amber color that seemed to shine. The fangs she felt before were smaller now, but she could still see the tips of them.<br><br>Seeing how different she looked now, her hands clenched, and she startled with surprise when she looked down at her now destroyed cell phone in her hand. Had she done that? The cell phone fell from her hand in pieces. <br><br>The insanely handsome man was back in front of her and carrying her gym bag filled with her clothing. His hands reached for her, and she shrunk back. It did her no good. She found herself on his shoulder again. Feeling a bit more strength, her bunny slipper clad feet kicked against him as Kara struck at his behind with her hands. It did no good at all. Every inch of him was rock hard, and hitting him only ended up hurting her. <br><br>“Damnit, put me down! I can walk.” While that might not have been true, it would be better then being carted around like a sack of potatoes. <br><br>Her hair came loose, and the straight blond length helped to obscure her vision. Kara could feel the heat of the desert as they left her home, and then the man was sitting her on the passenger seat inside a big, black truck. For all that he was carting her around and scaring the daylights out of her, he was gentle with her when he set her down. She couldn't understand what was happening. He'd said he was here to help her, to protect her. But seeing how savage he was with those three horned people frightened her. <br><br>Kara looked up at him as she held her bag, then behind him and gasped. “Behind you!”<br><br>He was already turning around, and then facing off with another horned and handsome man. She held her bag tightly to her, her body growing tense, as she watched both men try to kill each other with their blades. The fight was a little bit longer then the one that had taken place in her living room, but not by much. It did help to drive in the fact that the horned creatures were coming for her. She didn't miss the way the blond sex god kept himself between her and what she felt was a bigger danger. But she didn't know if that meant she could trust him. She had too many questions. <br><br>Her protector, or captor, killed the other man with too much ease. Kara grimaced as she pulled back into her seat and tucked her legs beneath her. Her gaze flickered over the cuts on the victor as he shut the truck door. She found she was glad to have the sight of the slain man blocked. <br><br>When the big man joined her in the cab and shut the door, the smell of his blood seemed to fill the small space. Kara could feel her fangs growing again, and her eyes began to roll back in her head. The urge to move over to him and lick one of his cuts was nearly overwhelming. But feeling the need of such an action was so alien to her, that she was able to hold herself back. Needing fresh air, she rolled down the window half way and leaned close to the wind coming into the cab. <br><br>It took a few miles for Kara's blood hunger to tamper down. By the time it did, they had already passed the sign stating that they were leaving Jackrabbit Junction. She felt weak and exhausted, as if even fear would expend too much energy. <br><br>She turned to look at the man and rested her cheek on the seat back. Her voice sounded tired when she spoke. “Who are you? What are you? And what were those horned people? They were coming for me? I don't understand why. I didn't do anything.” 
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				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>30-09-2016, 23:36:48</strong>
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				The Berserker turned his head slightly to glance the female. The road was empty save for them, and straight, with nothing to see for miles ahead. The small town that Kara was raised in was fading behind them. "My name is Hallbjorn." The blond man said, turning his gaze back ahead to the road. He removed one hand from the wheel and reached for the glovebox, and he withdrew a bag of jerky. He worked out a piece, and held out the bag for her to take some if she cared to. He left it on the dash whether Kara availed herself or not.<br><br>"What I am . . ." The blond man trailed off and chewed the dried meat, swallowing. The bob of his adam's apple with clearly visible in the light inside the cab. As the flesh of his neck worked to swallow, it forced a fresh rivulet of blood to flow from a cut at his neck that had almost sealed completely. The crimson drop rolled down his fair skin until it touched to the collar of his shirt, where the black fabric soaked up the red fluid. "I am an immortal. My kind are Berserkers. I am a mercenary, and I will be free of an ancient debt if I protect you and take you safely to New Orleans." And more. He was more. Everyone was more than could be summed up in a few sentences. These facts were the most relevant to the current situation, though. <br><br>"The horned men were a type of demon. I do not know which species." To the Berserker it was frequently difficult to differentiate the different breeds of demonkind; they all tended to look like horned humans. The placement and shape of their horns were indicators but the Berserker had never been inclined to care about the intricacies of the demonarchies. "They were coming for you." He confirmed. "And they were not even the first. I killed many different kinds of demons and creatures to protect you, female." The Berserker said to her, looking at her from the corner of his eye to gauge her reaction to that. <br><br>"What you <em>are</em> and what you <em>will</em> do is enough for others to take interest in you." The Berserker said, and when the words left his lips he was sure that he meant only Nix, who hired him to protect her, and the mysterious agent - or agents - responsible for the repeated kidnapping attempts against the young woman. "The future is knowable, Kara. This is a portentous time. We are in the first days of Accession."<br><br>He fished out another piece of beef jerky and chewed it. "The cycle of Accession is the hand of fate at work. Roughly every five hundred years, the immortals are drawn into conflict. It inescapable and undeniable."
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				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>01-10-2016, 00:35:07</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				“Hallbjorn.” She repeated his name. It felt different rolling off her tongue, foreign even. But she couldn't detect much of an accent. Then again, it wasn't like he was speaking a lot. She was starting to hate those sunglasses. Not being able to see his eyes made her feel as though she could not get a real idea of what his intentions were. <br><br>He held out a bag of beef jerky in offering, and she shook her head. “No, thank you.” It was evident that even though she was out of her depth, her manners still held true. <br><br>Kara watched his throat as he swallowed, and then her eyes locked onto that rivulet of blood that began to flow from his cut. Her mouth began to water, and she could feel her fangs growing. They ached, making her want to lick up that delicious smelling trick of blood. <br><br>Mortified by her thoughts and how her body reacted, Kara held her hand up in front of her mouth. The action did not help her hide the small groan of disappointment when Hallbjorn's shirt soaked up the blood. It was hard to draw her attention away from his neck, but what he spoke next brought her gaze back up to his sunglasses. <br><br>“New Orleans? You're taking me to the other side of the country?” She frowned. Kara had never been&nbsp; out of her small town, not even to Tucson, which was only a few hours away. He said he was her protector, and even though she still felt no small amount of fear in regards to him, he had shown that he was able to keep the others away from her with no problem. <br><br>“A berserker?” Kara asked as she took in the size of him. “I took some classes about Norse mythology in college.” Along with just about every other introductory class. “I thought they became all wild eyed and testosterone laden when they battled. But you don't look any different from when you were fighting to now. Aren't you supposed to hulk out?” The absurdity of the conversation they were having was not beyond her, but she had seen some things tonight she could not explain. <br><br>When Hallbjorn told her that those were demons he had fought, she got the feeling that they weren't demons in the biblical sense. Regardless of their mythology, the fact that they seemed so intent to get her had Kara shivering. It was in the nineties tonight, and she still felt goosebumps breaking out on her skin. <br><br>It finally dawned on her how little she was wearing, which caused her to dig in her bag for the hoodie she'd seen him pack. Kara slipped the blue hoodie over her head and pulled it down to cover her pajamas. <br><br>“There were more?” She squeaked. Then her gaze narrowed. “How long have you been protecting me?”<br><br>His answer as to what she was didn't answer any of her questions. Kara crossed her arms and glared at Hallbjorn. “That doesn't make any sense to me. What am I, and what will I do? Why are my eyes all freaky, and why do I want to lick your blood?” The questions about the Accession could wait, because at the moment she certainly did not feel immortal. <br><br>Maybe he'd drugged her ice cream, and she was hallucinating all of this. She had been watching Supernatural right before it happened. But what if she was wrong? What if this was all real, and demons were really coming for her? Hallbjorn might be the only protection she had. It wasn't like she could just casually call her parents. Their site had no cell coverage, and it would take them two days just to reach the nearest village that had a phone. Even if she could call them, how could they help and what would they do about bodies left behind in their home and the living room being scorched. <br><br>Kara rubbed her hands down her face. She had to handle this one thing at a time or else she felt she'd go crazy. Suddenly, the urge to see if his eyes were like her own was overwhelming. She could have just asked him to remove them, but instead she got on her knees and leaned towards him, then slowly slid them off and set them on the dashboard. <br><br>He had pale blue eyes, and they were gorgeous. They didn't glow like hers. In fact, aside from being so muscular, tall and insanely sexy, he seemed very human. Her face was close to his, though not blocking the view of the road. Hallbjorn still smelled of traces of that tantalizing blood. But beneath that, there was his scent. It was warm and crisp, and made her want to draw it deep inside of her. <br><br>Her voice was soft and held a hint of vulnerability when she spoke. “You don't have any intention to hurt me, Hallbjorn?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>01-10-2016, 01:28:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"That I am." The Berserker answered when she asked if he were taking her to New Orleans. It was far from Arizona and the climate could scarcely be more different from her home state of Arizona. The bayou was radically different from the desert. Both had their respective advantages and disadvantages, but truth be told Hallbjorn did not care for either. They were places that held no meaning for him. He glanced at Kara again from the corner of his eye. <em>She</em> was the only thing that could hold any meaning for him. But that . . .<br><br>Control. Always control. <br><br>"Every other Berserker I have met went wild-eyed in battle. They also had wild hair and beards. Several would froth at the mouth and scream like wild animals or madmen. The rage controlled them and they let it be their master." The blond man told the female with the very mildest sense of distaste seeping into his words. Hallbjorn loathed the other Berserkers for their coarseness and crassness. They ate and drank with abandon, always smelling of spirits and slatterns. "I control myself. I can call upon as much or as little of the Berserker rage as I need. And tonight I needed none at all. When I do . . . then I hulk out." <br><br>Then she donned a blue hoodie, digging around in her bag for it. While she did that he adjusted the climate controls for the cab, increasing the temperature in case she were cold. Given how little she was wearing it was a possibility. He did not want her uncomfortable. There were things that he wanted that he could not have, but he could show basic consideration for her comfort. <br><br>"Midnight marked an entire month." The Berserker told her. "Day and night I watched over you." It was an . . . agreeable assignment. The blond man beside her was not a voyeur by nature or inclination, but when he watched her sleep at night . . . that was time he regarded well spent. It was perhaps more dear to him than the killing. Perhaps. <br><br>"I do not know what you are. I was not told, and my knowledge of the Lore does not include what you are. My senses tell me that you are a halfling of some sort. I would wager vampire, but I have no idea what the other half might be. That would explain the fangs and the desire for blood." The Berserker told her softly. "All immortals have eyes that change colour when they feel strong emotions. Different creatures of the Lore have different colors. Most immortals appear mostly human and can conceal features that set them apart easily, or play it off as a costume. Humans easily believe that someone is costume playing or in costume for film or television." <br><br>The truck ate up road as they went. The only source of light now was the truck and the stars overhead. Kara's hometown was far enough behind them now that the lights it gave off faded away, at least to mortal eyes. When Kara rose on her knees and learned towards him to take his sunglasses off, he found himself unsure how to react to it. He watched her move them away from his face, and then set them on the dashboard. It did not bother him or phase him. <br><br>There was nothing on the road to worry about, so he turned his head to look at her. Their faces were close. He could scent her just as well as she could. Better, even, because he was fully in his immortality. The hint of vulnerability in her voice threatened the iron control he held himself in. Because he was fated to be hers, she was very dangerous to him. And with the change she was undergoing, he felt seed of fear take root that she would make him lose the control that give him his sense of identity and that he would lose himself in her.<br><br>One of Hallbjorn's big hands left the wheel. It rose to gently cup Kara's face. The palm of his hand was rough and warm and very strong, but it was gentle as he caressed her cheek. The pad of his thumb traced over Kara's lower lip slowly; the rough skin eking a long path over something so soft and luscious. <br><br>"Oh no, Kara." The Berserker told her softly in his honeyed, deep voice as his blue eyes gazed deeply into her amber ones. "But I will break your heart."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>01-10-2016, 02:37:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hearing Hallbjorn describe what other berserkers were like made her feel relief that he would not loose control like that. She hoped she never saw him hulk out. If he had done so tonight, she would have ran from him. As it was, she had not missed the tenderness he'd shown her, even as he was carrying her about. His shoulder was hard enough that it should have bruised her stomach, but he took care with her, and even made sure she did not hit anything. Well, other then him. <br><br>Kara expected to feel anger that he'd been watching her for a month, but she could not summon that emotion. While she had gone on with her life, he had protected her from god knew what kind of creatures. At least now she knew she wasn't going mad all of those times she felt like she was being watched. Though when she thought of what he might have seen, it caused her cheeks to pinken. Her sexual drive had been working overtime lately, and she really hoped he had not seen her touching herself. <br><br>“Oh please don't let me sparkle.” She groaned. It was bad enough that she had fangs, and that they kept growing for him. The thought of drinking blood should have disgusted her, and would have, had she not seen just how enticing it had been. <br><br>When he told her that eye color changed with strong emotions, she flipped down the visor and sighed with relief. While her eyes were still amber in color, at least now they weren't glowing. Kara's curiosity had her leaning closer to the mirror and curling her upper lip. When she was not tempted by blood, they looked almost normal. That is, until she smiled at the thought. Then she noticed how the tips peaked from her upper lip. <br><br>As she knelt beside Hallbjorn, and his large hand caressed her cheek, Kara's eyes closed. A sigh escaped her parted lips. She should not be taking such comfort from his touch, but it was something she couldn't seem to control. When his thumb brushed her lower lip, her body began to ache for more. Her warm breath fanned over his thumb in quick little pants. Her eyes opened, and she felt pinned by his gaze. <br><br>“I believe you.” She told him softly, though she did not specify whether she believed he would protect her or break her heart. Kara believed he told her the truth on both counts. <br><br>She returned to her seat to try and clear the fog of desire that was trying to overtake her. Some time later, after she had thought through what happened, she broke the silence. “I will go with you. Because whoever hired you must have some answers about me. But also because...” Kara trailed off, then frowned as she continued. “I felt that fire inside of me, and I could feel it as it spread through the room. For some reason it didn't touch you, but I'm afraid that if I was around a friend, they might not be so lucky.”<br><br>That was what truly frightened her the most, that she might harmed those that she cared about. She had no idea how she caused the fire, or how to control it. <br><br>Kara rested her head against the seat back. Her hands rested on her lap, and her legs were tucked beneath her. She felt exhausted to her bones, and nothing sounded so good as a bed to sleep in at that moment. If it weren't for the sometimes bumpy road, she was sure she'd haven already fallen asleep. <br><br>“Why do I feel so weak, Hallbjorn?” Even her voice sounded weaker, to the point that she barely recognized it as her own. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>01-10-2016, 03:33:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The Berserker returned his attention to the road after Kara returned to her seat. He reached for his sunglasses and put them back on. He drove in silence until she broke it. The blond man was divided about Nix having answers for Kara. Rather, he was skeptical about the proto-valkyrie providing those answers to the young woman. The soothsayer's lucidity was generally questionable at best, and there was no telling what her state of mind would be if one managed to find her. The valkyries were a chaotic breed, and none more so than the first of them. But there was no need to reveal his employer's madness now. <br><br>"You probably need blood." Hallbjorn said to Kara's weak question. The tone of her voice fired protective urges in the big man that he had not felt for hundreds of years. The last time he'd felt such a fierce urge to protect something, he'd been a boy too young to shave. The Berserker stopped himself from experiencing the memories. He let them lie. There was no need to go back to that time and that place. The Berserker dared a glance at her curled up in the seat. "Try to rest. We will be in Tuscon soon."<br><br>This was not quite the same. The desire to protect and provide for his female was not the same as the urge to protect home and blood kin. <br><br>He drove smoothly, and took extra care to avoid the bumps and dips in the road. It was not always possible, but in the main, the ride was a lot more pleasant for Kara than it could otherwise have been. The suspension of the truck could not be praised enough, either. It proved to be worth the expense that night. <br><br>On the way to Tuscon Hallbjorn used his phone to find the closest butcher shop. They would arrive well before they opened, but Hallbjorn was not above breaking and entering. When they did arrive within Tuscon's city limits, Hallbjorn stopped at a butcher shop half a mile away from the main inroads. Dawn had not yet arrived and so they arrived well outside regular business hours. Hallbjorn did not let that stop him: he handily picked the lock at the rear of the establishment and secured a supply of blood. He'd found it in the freezer, and left money for it. More than it was worth, truthfully. The stuff was in tall plastic containers, almost like soda bottles but opaque. He'd grabbed four, each of them containing a liter of blood. From there, it was time for a motel 6. The Berserker had not been exaggerating when he told her that he watched her day and night. He was on night nine of no sleep and that was pushing it for an immortal.<br><br>Hallbjorn paid for a room for the two of them with cash, and then he brought Kara and her clothes into the room. The sun was just cresting the horizon as he got her inside. If she was part vampire, as he guessed, the sun might not agree with her. He did not want to risk her being exposed to the sun's rays. <br><br>He got Kara sat up in the bed and opened one of the bottles of blood. "Here, Kara. Drink." The blond man said, tilting the plastic container to her lips to bring the thick, red fluid to her mouth.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>01-10-2016, 04:16:20</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Just the mention of her needing blood had Kara looking at Hallbjorn's throat. Her mouth flooded with saliva, and she had to swallow several times. Her fangs tingled as she imagined what it would be like to slide her fangs into his skin. On the tail of that fantasy was a healthy dose of horror that she'd even been contemplating that. <br><br>Hallbjorn's deep, soothing voice told her to rest and where they were heading. Kara closed her eyes. “I've never been to Tucson before.” After yawning loudly, she fell deeply asleep. It wasn't until Hallbjorn climbed back into the cab of the truck that she awoke. It took her a moment to figure out where they were, but when she saw the butcher shop sign, her attention was drawn to to the bottles. She quickly looked away, torn between wanting it and being disgusted. <br><br>As much as she wanted to remain awake to see Tucson, even at night time, Kara drifted off to sleep again. When she woke up, Hallbjorn had already paid for the room and had returned for her. She refused to let him carry her this time, and settled for holding onto his arm as they made their way inside. The last few steps towards the bed had her stumbling, and she was glad when she finally sat down. <br><br>She had just slipped off her bunny slippers when Hallbjorn held one of the opened bottles up to her. “No, Hallbjorn, I can't-” Her protest was cut off when the thick, delicious blood filled her mouth. She felt energized with her first swallow, and her hands quickly came to hold the bottle up as she gulped it down. It was still cold, but that didn't deter her. As she drank, her skin became flush with good health and her hair became softer, silkier then before. <br><br>Kara glanced up at Hallbjorn as she drank. Her eyes started to glow again before she closed them, savoring the last few drops of blood. When she finished, she handed the bottle back to him and smiled. “That wasn't so bad. I feel better too.”<br><br>She looked around the room, and decided it was nice enough. This was the first time she'd stayed in a hotel, anyway. It was also the first time she'd share a room with a man. Even having a man in her bedroom back home was new to her. When she looked at the black out curtains covering the window, she noticed they didn't let an ounce of light in. It would be pitch black when Hallbjorn turned off the lights. <br><br>“Hallbjorn,” she said softly. “I'm afraid of the dark.” Kara couldn't meet his gaze. It was too embarrassing sharing that secret that she'd kept so well. She wouldn't be surprised if he laughed at her or plunged them into darkness regardless of her fears. She had an abundance of night lights at home, and her parents were the only ones that knew of her foolish fear. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>01-10-2016, 06:14:09</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				While Kara drank, Hallbjorn watched impassively. She could have been drinking grape juice or soda or a fruit smoothie for all that he seemed to mind. Her need for blood had not changed anything in him towards her, and he did not show any sign of being disgusted. When he was done he took the empty container and rinsed it out in the bathroom attached to the room and discarded the container in a waste bin. The others were in a mini-fridge near the bed. There was no kitchenette because this was a Motel 6. They were lucky to have the mini-fridge. He could easily afford better, but this was convenient and out of sight. It would take effort to find them here that it would not take if they were in the penthouse suite of somewhere finer. <br><br>The blond man had just doffed his trench coat when the female related her fear of the dark. He looked over at her and saw that her gaze was averted. He felt awkward in the face of her admission - he ought to say something comforting but he did not know what or how to approach it. Instead he of saying something that could make the young woman feel worse, he walked out to the truck. There was an emergency kit within, and when the Berserker returned he had half a dozen candles and a lighter in his hands. Road flares would not really work as well for this purpose. The large man moved to the night stand beside the bed, and set a candle on its end, lighting it. The flame cast a soft, warm glow into the room, doing its small bit to banish complete darkness. Air flows in the room made the small flame dance to and fro ever so slightly, but it never seemed in danger of blowing out.<br><br>Hallbjorn pulled a chair up to the side of the bed, near the night stand. He lay the rest of the candles on the nightstand. "I will make sure one is always lit." The large man told her softly. He did not ridicule her or her fear. To him it was not something to berate or belittle her about; it was not some irrational thing of childhood that she should be found wanting for not leaving behind. There was a lot of things in the dark to be afraid of. <br><br>"When you become fully immortal, all of your senses will sharpen. In time you will find the night as bright as the day and blackest darkness will be as light." The Berserker promised her. "But for now, Kara, sleep. I will keep the dark at bay. You have my vow." It was silly for him to be so solemn in his promise of something as trivial as keeping a light on for her. He flicked off the electrical lights and they would have been plunged completely into darkness if not for that candle. Hallbjorn sat quietly in the chair, and the flame danced against the golden lenses of his sunglasses. He steepled his hands at his waist, despite the urgency he felt to rest, and waited. He relaxed somewhat when Kara's breathing evened out in sleep, but he did not rest himself.<br><br>He made a promise. <br><br>When woke again, there was a candle still burning on the night stand. Hallbjorn remained awake. He had taken off his glasses at some point while she slept, and they had been thrust into the neckline of his shirt. The injuries sustained earlier were all healed, as well - even a cut that had gone to the bone of his arm was gone without any indication he was injured save for dried blood. "If you want to take a shower and clean up, there are toiletries in the bathroom." While Kara slept, Hallbjorn had paid a significant sum for one of the motel staff to make a run to nearby Walgreen's, where they had purchased a toothbrush, toothpate, soap, and shampoo and conditioner for the young woman to use. It all waited for her. The Berserker imagined that she would want to get cleaned up. It might help her to feel more comfortable in her own skin.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>01-10-2016, 07:47:23</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Of all the things that Kara expected, she did not consider the possibility that he might just walk out of the room. She sat on her bed in stunned silence, and felt panic begin to well up inside of her. What if Hallbjorn didn't return? She couldn't fight and had no way to protect herself against the demons that had come for her. What if they found her again? She didn't want to know what they would do to her. <br><br>When he came back inside the room, she almost sobbed in relief. Then Kara saw what he held in his hands, and her eyes shimmered with tears that she refused to let fall. Her voice was thick with those unshed tears when she spoke. “Thank you.”<br><br>While the events of the night made her feel exhausted, she no longer felt that incredible weakness she had before. Kara slipped under the covers and pulled them up to her chin. She lay on her side, and looked from the dancing flame of the candle to Hallbjorn one last time before surrendering to sleep. <br><br>Thankfully, she did not dream. When she awoke, she found him right where he'd sat the night before and still awake. The candle was still lit. Those two things combined to make her feel safer then she had since the whole ordeal had begun. She didn't think he knew just how much she treasured that sense of peace and safety. <br><br>The candle didn't give off much light, but now that she had rested and Hallbjorn was without his coat, she could see signs of his wounds by the dried blood on his body. She had no idea he'd been hurt so much last night. He hadn't even said a word. Kara was sure that if she'd been hurt like that, she'd have been crying like a baby. Berserkers must be made of sterner stuff. <br><br>The mention of a shower had her itching to get in one as soon as possible. Kara climbed out of the bed and grabbed her bag. Before she went into the bathroom, she turned back to look at him. “You kept your word about the candle. That means a lot to me, Hallbjorn.”<br><br>Inside the bathroom, she found everything she needed. The first thing she did was brush her teeth. The thought that she might have blood breath almost had her laughing at the absurdity of it all. <br><br>Kara turned the water in the shower on, and made it hot enough that it would steam up the room. While she cleaned herself, she thought on all that had happened. While she may not trust Hallbjorn completely, she recognized that she was safest with him. Even though he had soothed her last night, Kara still felt ashamed of her fear. She resolved herself to try and tuck away her fears. She was about to embark on a cross country road trip. Just thinking about all the sights they would come across had her growing excited. Her body nearly thrummed with anticipation. The trip didn't have to be doom and gloom. Kara decided she'd make the best of it. <br><br>Once she was done showering, Kara grabbed a towel from inside the shower and wrapped it around herself. She pulled back the shower curtain and gasped at what she saw. Or rather, what she couldn't see. There was a thick wall of white in front of her, and it was so dense that she couldn't see the mirror or where her bag was. <br><br>Deciding that now was the time to start being braver, she reached out with her hand and swirled it around, then laughed as the mist moved. It had to be fog, though she couldn't be sure. Living in the desert all her life meant she'd never seen it in person. It was so much thicker then the steam she was used to after a shower. <br><br>After stepping out of the shower, she could feel the cool mist of fog touching her exposed skin. This was much more preferable then fire. Kara worried her lower lip with one of her small fangs. Now she had to figure out how to get the fog to dissipate, or else she'd never find her clothes. After feeling along the wall, she came to the conclusion that there was no fan in the bathroom. <br><br>But there was a window. She could just see the light from the frosted glass. Kara made her way to the light and found the window with her hands. She tried to open it, but it seemed stuck. Then, in a burst of strength, she accidentally broke the casing to the window as she shoved it all the way up. The dying afternoon light flood inside of the bathroom and the fog began to escape outside. <br><br>Kara could finally see the door. She was sure she'd made a lot of noise, and quickly rushed to open the door. “I didn't mean to. Somehow I got freaky strong while I was trying to open the window. I wasn't trying to escape.” She was quick to reassure him. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>01-10-2016, 08:40:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara received a brief nod when she told Hallbjorn that it meant a lot to her that he kept his word. He was almost too weary to fight down the positive feeling that her consideration gave him. But the Berserker knew that he had to keep himself from becoming too close and too attached. When she was in the bathroom he raised a hand and rubbed his face with a large hand, closing his eyes. A few minutes passed without crisis and he dropped into a light slumber. <br><br>He was asleep just as long as it took Kara to finish her shower and then to break the window. At the noise she made damaging the window his eyes came open and he was on his feet in one fluid motion. His long knife was in hand, drawn purely on muscle memory, and when she opened the door he was there. He filled the doorway with his broad shoulders, blue eyes regarding her and the room beyond while he came to grasp her words. His mouth was a thin line on his face and his impassive expression was foreboding. Then he back away from the doorway, and the tension left his body with a single exhaled breath. In that release of breath he went from ready to attack - to kill - to simply being on alert. <br><br>"The blood helped to make you stronger. Even the weakest creatures of the Lore are stronger than a mortal." Hallbjorn told her. He was not angry with her, and he told her what he did in a patient tone. It was not patronizing - he understood that there was no way for her to know and he had not told her. The Berserker realized a sudden, new difficulty in the task that he was set. In addition to any possible complications that came from her being part vampire, there was abilities she could manifest that could not be predicted. Like the blue fire. That was probably tied to survival, but that was based on scant evidence. A single instance was hardly a good sample size. <br><br>He did not think that she was trying to escape. It was a strange denial. She told him before that she would come with him because it seemed better than the alternative, and the Berserker had accepted it. Had that statement been something meant to lull him into complacency? He would not have thought so . . .<br><br>"Be cautious. If you were fully a vampire, the sun would set your flesh on fire at the slightest touch. It may still burn. I doubt you would find being on fire pleasant." The Berserker told the young woman. The words came from a place of knowledge and it was probably something that she could easily pick up on. He was too tired to appreciate her in nothing but a towel. It should have caused him stirring that he would have fought to keep from feeling, but as he trudged back to the chair, he betrayed just a little bit how tired he was. The man rubbed the pad of his left hand over his eye. <br><br>He removed a sat-phone and a smart phone from his pocket and tossed them on the bed. "You can use the smart phone to peruse the internet; its linked through the sat-phone. I need to rest. You may turn on the lights; it will not affect me. Allow me four hours - but wake me if <em>anything</em> alarms you." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>01-10-2016, 20:51:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara's eyes widened in alarm when she looked at Hallbjorn. She didn't know what worried her the most, that he had a blade drawn or the look on his face. There were a few tense moments when she had no idea what he would do. He looked like he was ready to kill. Even last night he had not looked like this, at least not at her. <br><br>Then he backed away and the tension left him. Her heart slowed its frantic beat and she leaned against the door frame since her legs felt weak. Questions lingered on her tongue, about the Lore, and just what being a vampire meant, as well as just how strong she was. But with the light filtering out of the bathroom, she could not miss how tired Hallbjorn looked. It was no wonder, either, since he'd stayed up all night to make sure darkness never overtook her. <br><br>His caution about the sunlight had her lips forming a circle of surprise. She looked back at the open window and the sunlight, then down at her arms. “I didn't even think about that.” It was a sobering thought. She could have died because of her lack of knowledge, and because she hadn't thought through what her condition might mean to her in regards to a lot of things. <br><br>Kara's eyes met his when he told her she would not like to be on fire. The way he said it had her shiver, because it sounded like he spoke from personal experience. When he moved to the chair and showed his exhaustion, her heart clenched for him. “Please sleep on the bed, Hallbjorn. You'll rest better.”<br><br>With those words, she slipped back inside the bathroom. As if things were not confusing enough, her mind seemed to be in turmoil about Hallbjorn. She kept thinking of how he looked as he held the knife at the bathroom door, but it warred with the sight of him when she woke up, and the knowledge that he'd sat in the chair all night to keep a candle burning for her. <br><br>Kara rubbed her face with her hands. She needed to concentrate on not burning in the sunlight, not breaking anything, and not setting the hotel on fire. As well as not getting caught by those demons. She avoided the open window, even though Kara wanted to find out just how long she could stand the sunlight. She loved the sun, and the heat from it. Maybe she could test her endurance later, when Hallbjorn was there to make sure she didn't burn up. <br><br>The fog was now fully gone from the bathroom, so Kara dug into her bag to find what she had to wear. Hallbjorn didn't seem to do too bad of a job packing for her. Of course, she didn't have her purse, her driver's license, or even her credit cards. It might very well be impossible to access what little money she had saved up because of that while they were on the road. Which meant he would have to provide for her. It was a thought Kara both liked and felt uncomfortable about. It was just one ore thing that she wasn't used to. <br><br>Finding a matching set of red, lacy panties and bra, Kara tried not to think of Hallbjorn touching them. She slipped them on, then pulled out a strappy blue summer dress with a white flower pattern. The dress came to just above her knees, and flared out at the hips. She finished the outfit with the only pair of shoes he packed, her white tennis shoes. <br><br>After drying her hair and brushing it, she stepped back out into the main room. Kara was careful not to wake Hallbjorn. She wanted him to get as much sleep as possible. Instead of turning on all of the lights, she only used one that was farthest from where he slept. <br><br>Pushing back the urge to use his smart phone right away, she set about straightening her clothes in her pack, then putting her clothes from yesterday inside. She left the soap and other items in the shower, since she was sure he'd want to wash up when he woke. <br><br>Kara had already decided that she would not call anyone on the phone. While she didn't know with any certainty that contacting her friends would endanger them, it was best to error on the side of caution. She did log onto her online college site to switch her summer class to withdraw from it. A quick search yielded no results about multiple murders in Jackrabbit Junction. Not that she expected it to. Her town didn't really have a newspaper. <br><br>After grabbing another bottle of blood, she went to the small desk in the room and grabbed the pen and pad provided. In between sips, and the bazar acknowledgment that she was drinking blood, she started to plan out their trip. <br><br>It would take twenty hours by car, and that was not including all of the traffic jams they might come across, as well as finding places to sleep along the way, and stopping for food and gas. She nibbled on the cap of the pen as she wondered if she could eat. While the blood had relieved her of her thirst, her stomach did feel hungry. Hallbjorn had some beef jerky in the truck, but she was not going out there without him. There was the sunlight to factor in, and the fact that she didn't know where he put his keys. <br><br>Soon she was grinning and humming away happily as she made note of all the roadside attractions along their route. While it was important to get to New Orleans, as long as they were safe, she didn't see why they couldn't enjoy their road trip. Kara was so absorbed in what she was doing, that she forgot to note the passage of time. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>01-10-2016, 23:11:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The Berserker did not heed the young woman's words. He remained in the chair and his chest was soon rising and falling with steady, even breaths that indicated that he was asleep. He did not stir as she moved around the room and the lights being on did not appear to disturb his sleep. For four hours the Berserker slept, and he woke without ceremony or drawing attention to himself. He scanned the room for Kara as soon as he awoke, and when he found her there and sound, Hallbjorn got up and went to the bathroom. <br><br>In the bathroom he brushed his teeth and undid his braid, letting his long hair fall out. He stripped and used the shower, working quickly to clean himself. There was no pleasure for him in this. It was just another thing that needed to be done. The man took very little time and emerged quickly to wafts of steam, dressed in the same clothing because the rest was stowed away in the back of the truck cabin. He approached the curtains, and dusk had fallen. It was dark enough that a true vampire could go out without fearing combustion, so it ought to be safe enough for Kara.<br><br>He approached her at the table, and glanced over the list she'd made. As if there were some kind of lover's jaunt. But he did not feel any sort of anger or annoyance to tamp down. In fact, he felt somewhat amused by it. And although Hallbjorn would not say anything, he was pleased at how well she was taking everything. It was a dramatic paradigm shift to have one's entire worldview change as the revelation of the existence of the Lore did. <br><br>"We can go eat somewhere nice." Hallbjorn offered. It seemed uncharacteristic as the words left his mouth. He rationalized it as the effects of Kara being his fated pairing and as a gesture to give her something to think about other than the attempts on her life. While watching Kara there had been eavesdropping. Not intentional - because an immortal Berserker was genuinely not interested in the romantic trials and tribulations of Kara's friends and the glaring physical shortcomings of mortal males that were inevitably discussed -but it happened. Hallbjorn knew that the blond woman had lived essentially her entire life in Jackrabbit Junction. "Did you find somewhere?" He placed a hand on the table to brace himself and leaned over Kara's shoulder while she was seated. The scent of blood was washed away from his flesh but it lingered on his clothing, but the smell of him was stronger. His still-wet platinum blond hair fell down over his shoulder and draped slightly across the young woman's upper arm for a brief moment before Hallbjorn tossed his head to throw the errant hair over his other shoulder.<br><br>"It should be safe enough if we go where people are." The Berserker said, further rationalizing this to himself. "It is an important law among the Lore to keep ourselves secret from mortals." Of course, it could just mean a craftier attack. Hallbjorn silenced that paranoid train of thought, even as his mind told him it was more logical and practical to just go through a drive-thru and push forward all night.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>02-10-2016, 00:15:46</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn moved so silently that she didn't even know he was awake until after he went into the bathroom. She looked at the empty chair, then at the bathroom door before chuckling softly. He must not be a 'morning' person, since he hadn't said a thing. Her parents didn't come alive until they had their morning coffee, so she didn't take any offense. <br><br>Her soft laughter didn't last for long, because she soon hearing the shower running. That lead Kara to thinking about the big man being naked and under the spray of water. Her libido came alive with gusto, and Kara had to force her thoughts away from her protector naked. Her body had never been this responsive to anyone, ever. It chose one hell of a time to start making demands. <br><br>When he came out of the bathroom, she kept her gaze fixed on her list of places to see along the way. She refused to look up when she heard the curtains being drawn back, and especially when she felt him move closer to her. Kara could could not ignore his presence over her shoulder, and knew he had to be looking at the list she made. It spoke volumes about his patience when he didn't immediately tell her no, not even to the stop she marked for the world's biggest ball of yarn. <br><br>Kara smiled when he mentioned someplace nice to eat. Though she did not look up just yet. The mirror before her would make it so easy to sneak a peek, but she had to try and get her hormones under control. <br><br>“There is a steakhouse a few blocks away from here.” She answered, then froze when he placed his hand on the desk.&nbsp; His scent, the one that was unique to him, had her toes curling. The hint of blood only served to make him smell more delicious. She was already walking on a razor's edge. Then his long hair brushed along her upper arm. Kara gasped as electricity felt like it was shooting through her. <br><br>The lamp light on the desk flickered, causing her to look up at it. But then her gaze was drawn to Hallbjorn, with all of that wet, glorious hair hanging down to his waist. His shirt clung to him like a second skin. If she thought him attractive before, now he was devastating. The flash of her eyes glowing was the only thing that kept her in her chair. <br><br>Kara looked back down at her pad of paper as if it held the secret to life. There was no disguising her voice, which sounded entirely too sultry for her liking. “I can be ready in a few minutes. Though you might want to change your clothes. There's still blood on them. On the way, perhaps you can tell me more about the lore. If you please.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>02-10-2016, 01:03:55</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The large man grunted at her suggestion that he change clothes. With his immortal senses as sharp as they were, it was not difficult to note that Kara was suffering from the heightened sexual desire that came with the transition to immortality. Her voice alone threatened his control over himself. Hallbjorn for a long time was without desire for a woman. There were times he'd had sex, as a very younger man, when the years of his life required only digits. What he felt then and what he felt now were incomparable; like comparing a match to a forest fire many miles wide. <br><br>The Berserker was a man who controlled a killing rage gifted by an ancient god whose named meant fury. So he controlled himself. Not, perhaps, as easily as he wanted to. But easily enough. He righted himself, withdrawing his hand from the table. "Gather up your things while I change." The man said, schooling his features to betray nothing. <br><br>He left their room, examining the area outside cautiously before he went to the truck. The Berserker was confident that there were no threats about but he investigated anyway. It might have been a relief for someone or something to make an attempt on Kara's life now. The comforting blanket of violence was a familiar garment to Hallbjorn and it would be easier to think about ending someone than the woman in the hotel room. <br><br>After selecting new clothes he went to the room's bathroom to change. He was not shy, but the circumstances made it prudent. Any male would excite a female transitioning to immortality. Hallbjorn had no sense that he was handsome or desirable; the only female attention he received was from nymphs, who were pleased at anything male. His only partners, so long ago, were members of an ancient profession that predated agriculture.<br><br>When he emerged he was wearing a different set of jeans. They were a darker blue and more loose-fitting; less flattering to his hips and muscular legs. A simple leather belt cinched them at the waist. He wore a black button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and the top two buttons undone because of the width of his powerful neck. They took everything that was theirs and Hallbjorn settled the bill, leaving extra to repair the damaged window. More than the job would reasonably take but he wanted to be away swiftly. <br><br>In the truck while they drove, Hallbjorn related to Kara what little he knew about vampires.<br><br>"Vampires are ill-liked among the Lore. A very powerful faction of vampires known as the Horde have won the past several Accessions. The reason that many Loreans reside in the New World at all is because, until very recently, the Horde held the New World beneath its notice. There are three ways to kill a vampire: beheading, sunlight, and magical fire of great temperature. Some ancient vampires are so powerful that beheading is not enough. When vampires drink blood directly from the vein of a sentient creature, they take memories. If they drink from the vein to the death, they take on everything that person was. It turns the eyes of a vampire red, and it brings madness as they become unable to differentiate their memories from those of their meals. And after they drunk to death, vampires feel compelled to do so again and again. Drinking from a bottle or in another vessel is safe for you; it does not carry the risk of madness. Vampires can turn others, but there is no guarantee. Vampires have the ability to teleport - called tracing - to places they have been before or can see." The blond man told her. "You are the only female remotely vampiric that I have ever seen. They are all thought to be dead."<br><br>"There is another group of vampires known Forebearers who are sworn to oppose the Horde and never to take blood from the flesh. They are mistrusted as well, but they are not treated as an enemy to be slain on sight." Hallbjorn gripped the wheel of the truck with a little bit more pressure. "Other immortals may sense that there is something of the vampire in you, but since your eyes lack the red, I do not think they will harm you for it. Unkind words, perhaps, but only those who are sent for you are like to try to harm you." <br><br>Though, some members of the Lore could be staggeringly stupid. Only Nix knew if they were bound to come across someone who would try to give Kara a hard time for her be-fanged nature while under Hallbjorn's protection.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>02-10-2016, 01:47:31</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara was able to breath easier when Hallbjorn was no longer leaning over her shoulder. By the time he finished changing clothes, she had everything packed up and was ready to go. The two remaining bottles of blood were tucked away in her bag, and the one she had finished today was rinsed out and in the trash can. When he exited the bathroom, she looked him over. He no longer smelled like blood, but he was still too handsome. At least now she had herself under control. “You clean up well.” She smiled, then followed him to the truck. <br><br>After he checked them out, she used the map feature on his cell to direct the way to the steak house. Since it was mostly just down the street, she didn't need to give too many directions, and was able to soak in what he was telling her. <br><br>It was disheartening, to say the least. It sounded like everyone moved to America just to get away from the vampires. That spoke volumes. It was strange to Kara to know she'd be hated because of what she was. She was used to everyone liking her. The last fight she'd been in was in the third grade, when Tommy Mason had pulled her hair. She generally got along well with everyone. Perhaps she needed to practicing smiling with her lips closed. <br><br>Hearing the different ways to kill a vampire didn't bother her too much, because Kara was still coming to terms with what she was. She felt different from before, but every time she thought of herself as a vampire it was like a kick in the pants, surprising and not all that pleasant. <br><br>What Hallbjorn told her about vampires harvesting memories, drinking to the death, going insane, and having red eyes had her forehead creasing. She didn't want to be like that. About the only thing that sounded like a benefit was tracing. Fat lot of good it did Kara, who had no idea if she could trace, and knew no place but back home. <br><br>Then there was the bit about all of the other female vampires being dead. That was worrisome. She didn't want to draw the attention of male vampires because she was the only female left. What had taken the lives of all of the others?<br><br>They pulled into the parking lot of the steakhouse. When Hallbjorn parked, Kara hesitated before reaching for the door. She looked back at Hallbjorn, and thought of how he'd watched her drink blood and had most definitely seen her fangs. <br><br>“You know a lot about vampires. From what you've told me, they seem hated by all. Do you... are you repulsed by what I am?” Even though his answer probably should not have mattered to her, she felt that him looking upon her with disgust would hurt. It would hurt a lot. He'd given her no cause to think he found her vampireness revolting, but then again Hallbjorn didn't show much emotion. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>02-10-2016, 02:40:06</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn paused with his wrists propped on the steering wheel of the truck. He stared ahead. The turmoil he felt inside did not show on his face, hidden and without the help of sunglasses. The blond man had forgotten to put them on - they say on the dash where he'd left them when getting a change of clothing earlier. There was an impulse to tell Kara that he was repulsed by her and to say other cruel and hurtful things to create an impassable gulf between them. To inflict wounds that would never heal. But at the same time he felt poignantly a desire to comfort and reassure her. He could imagine with a vividness that shocked him taking her into his arms, cradling her head to his chest, and telling her that what she was was perfection.<br><br>"In the Lore, every being has a mate that is destined for them. Their match, the soul to complement their own, the heart that will love them without regard for past and species. Sometimes it takes centuries to meet that one person, but there is someone out there for everyone. Even vampires." He turned his blue eyes to hers with a schooled, passive expression. "I am not repulsed by what you are, female. I have a brother who is a vampire. And besides . . ." He looked away and opened the driver side door. <br><br>"I have spilled too much blood - for gold - to judge anyone else or for it to matter what I think." He said with his back to her as he exited the vehicle.<br><br>The steakhouse seemed busy. There were many other vehicles in the parking lot and the pair had to park far from the door. Inside it seemed like there would be no room for them; they entered at the heels of a couple leaving after being told there was no way they could have a table within the next two hours. Rather than be discouraged, Hallbjorn walked up and waved a hand at being told that the place was absolutely full. <br><br>"We're getting a nice table." Hallbjorn said, withdrawing a money clip from his back pocket. The thing was simple, but it was made of solid gold. He freed several hundred dollar bills, and put five of them down on the lectern that the maitre d' was at. The man cleared his throat, and saw how much money that Hallbjorn still had.<br><br>"Ah, well, of course you are sir. Please just give me a moment." The maitre d' whisked off urgently, and then came back a few minutes later to lead the two to a nice table. The lights were dimmed in the steakhouse because it was so full, and tall candles were set on the table to provide light and to create atmosphere. At their table, Hallbjorn gestured for Kara to take her seat, and then pushed it in for her. The two of them had attracted some attention from the other patrons - murmurs of jealousy from the other men at Hallbjorn throwing around money, and glances from other women at the handsome Berserker. Some of those gazes were <em>very</em> lingering - especially from women who had a view from behind and could stare openly at his ass. A pair of women rose to powder their noses, casting jealous glances at Kara and commiserating with each about how lucky the young blonde was.<br><br>Menus were set forth, and the maitre d' left them to order. Hallbjorn sipped from a glass of ice water.<br><br>The blond man sat with his head cradles in one hand, elbow propped on the arm of his chair as he perused the menu. When it was time to order, the tall man had ordered surf and turf for himself, asking for a larger portion. Knowing that Hallbjorn had money, the maitre d' accepted without bothering to confirm the price, and was extremely gracious with Kara when he took her order.<br><br>"If you look over four tables to the left - be subtle -&nbsp; there is a redheaded man and a brunette woman. They are werewolves." Hallbjorn said softly to Kara. And surely enough there was a couple matching Hallbjorn's description. The male was tall - not so tall as Hallbjorn, about six and half feet tall - with fiery red hair and the fiery disposition of a true Highlander. He laughed at something his partner said, and he looked for all the world that she was his world. The woman with him was a tall, voluptuous woman who had the same hearty Scots disposition about her. Both of them were eating steaks and drinking beer together - a stark contrast to Hallbjorn's sober, reserved company. But perhaps what was also remarkable was how normal the two of them were - if Hallbjorn had not pointed them out, they could have been just any normal, good-looking couple.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>02-10-2016, 04:09:59</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara couldn't say exactly what Hallbjorn talking about one's mate made her feel. She'd gone through life believing she was a human, and as such had not believed in a one true love. At least, she hadn't believed that she would find that for herself. Her parents were absolutely mad about each other, so she had no real reason to doubt that she could find what they did. She just never felt anything close to that for anyone. <br><br>It soothed her heart to hear him tell her he was not repulsed by her. Followed by that was surprise that he had a vampire for a brother. But his parting remark, about his opinion not mattering had her frowning. It made her wonder just what he had been through in life that made him feel that way. Yes, he was a mercenary, but Hallbjorn had saved her and was protecting her. He was a hard man to figure out, and Kara was startled to realize that she wanted to try. <br><br>When they reached the crowded entrance, she despaired of them being about to eat there. The delicious scents coming from the eating area had her stomach grumbling. Then the way Hallbjorn fixed their situation had her gazing at him with surprise before a big smile pulled at her lips. <br><br>Kara's smile was wiped away as they walked through the seated people. While she was oblivious to the looks she was receiving from men, she could not help but notice the looks a number of women were giving Hallbjorn. That, along with their scowls in her direction had her frowning at each of them. She kept glancing at Hallbjorn to see how he reacted, but the man seemed oblivious to their attention. That helped a great deal with what she swore was not jealousy nipping at her heals. <br><br>Kara thanked Hallbjorn for helping her into her seat. It was so odd to reconcile a man who was a mercenary, with one who was a gentleman as well. After they were seated, she pulled her attention away from the other women, especially the two that were discussing her luck. Instead, she chuckled and wondered if Hallbjorn caused this sort of commotion everywhere he went. She was pointedly not thinking about why some of those women were so fixated by his behind. Because if she thought of that, she'd have to make a point of checking him out in that department. <br><br>She ordered the same as Hallbjorn, though her portion was smaller, and she wanted her steak raw. After the maitre d' left, Kara tried not to worry over if she'd be able to actually enjoy the food. She liked food, and really hoped that she wouldn't have to give it up for a liquid diet only. <br><br>At Hallbjorn's urging, she subtly looked over to the couple he spoke of. At first her eyebrows rose in surprise, because he had not mentioned anything about werewolves before. But each time she stole a glance back at them, something new would strike her. Keeping her voice as low as Hallbjorn's, she whispered to him, “They look so normal, and in love.” The looks the man was giving his woman had her yearning to know what it felt like. <br><br>Her peep-fest ended when the side salads were brought out. Kara gathered some lettuce onto her fork, and hesitated for a moment. She really, really hoped that nothing bad was about to happen. Bringing the fork to her lips, she took her first bite. It tasted good, better then good. She felt famished, and quickly fed herself some more bites. Nothing happened. It was like she had not changed into a vampire. <br><br>Kara looked up at Hallbjorn and smiled brightly. “I can eat.”<br><br>After that, she dug into her salad, and it wasn't until she was nearly finished with it that she spoke again. <br><br>“I've been reading up on road trip tips, and I think when we get gas we should pick up a lot of water and munchies for the road.” Kara glanced at him from beneath her eyelashes to see how he would respond. Of course, she had more questions about the Lore, but she didn't feel a crowded restaurant was the place to hold such a discussion. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>02-10-2016, 04:48:11</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				It was privately maddening for Hallbjorn to know that other men were looking at Kara. His ears detected their low, appreciative whistles, how an elbow from one male rubbed against another as he jostled to draw attention to Kara. It was a consequence of fate granting her to him that he should feel so territorial about her - that he should want to perform some sort of action to more firmly stake a claim to her than simply sharing a table. His self control was strong enough that he did not and did not allow the berserker rage to bubble in response to the possessive urges that burned inside of him. <br><br>He wanted to tell Kara that she looked as normal as they did. He picked up on her anxiety about being part vampire. What he told her was responsible for it, and he felt mostly bad but he knew he would feel worse if she were unprepared and some Lorean called her a leech to her face with undisguised contempt and repugnance for her. At least she had some preparation. <br><br>As for the pair being in love?<br><br>He forced himself not to think on that front. He would only break her heart. <br><br>The man watched while Kara ate with trepidation when the salads came. It pleased him inwardly to see her smile brightly and he watched her eat the salad with relish while he consumed his. "You will be able to enjoy everything you eat all the more soon enough." The woman would soon have heightened senses. All of them would grow sharper - perhaps unpleasantly so during the period of hypersensitivity - and with an immortally keen sense of taste food would take on whole new levels of pleasure for someone who liked food. <br><br>Hallbjorn glanced down at the remains of his salad - little bits of green and flecks of dressing - and realized that he did not <em>like</em> much of anything. <br><br>"As you have made yourself so knowledgeable on the subject," Hallbjorn said with the same practiced mask and measured tone of voice he showed her at all times, "I will leave you in charge of this all important aspect of our journey. Selecting the choicest munchies will rest entirely upon you." <br><br>Could that have been a slip and a bit of humour showing through?<br><br>Their steaks and seafood came before there was an opportunity to follow it up. Hallbjorn's steak steamed, a perfect rare. Juices pooled deliciously underneath the big cut of prime red meat, and a pair of large lobster tails soaking in real butter were nestled to either side of it. The smells were absolutely heavenly. Hallbjorn began to eat, cutting a piece of lobster off, placing it on the filet mignon, and then spearing both with his fork to bring it to his lips. The explosion of flavours in his mouth was amazing. He was glad that they were doing this. The thought felt foreign. He was having a good time. He shouldn't be. This was a job. It was not a fun road trip. <br><br>He ate at a sedate pace, but food disappeared quickly off of his plate while he did. "Will you want dessert?" Hallbjorn asked Kara while they ate. "Either here, perhaps at a Dairy Queen. We could get Blizzards." It occured to Hallbjorn that Jackrabbit Junction did not have a Dairy Queen. "A Blizzard is like a very thick milk shake. They add bits of candy or cookie or other sweets to it, depending on the flavour you choose."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>02-10-2016, 05:23:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara wondered about his comment that she'd enjoy food more in the near future. It made her wonder if her libido was skyrocketing because of the change she was going through. The thought made her blush. That was something she was to embarrassed about to possibly ask him. She just really hoped that Hallbjorn couldn't tell when her body started going crazy without her permission. <br><br>His relegating the choice of munchies to her had her chuckling, and she was quick to cover her mouth with her hand, lest her fangs show. Then their food was served, and the heavenly smell of it had her digging in. Her rare steak tasted amazing. After a few mishaps with figuring out how to eat the lobster tail, she was almost groaning with pleasure. “I've never had lobster before, in case you couldn't tell with my fumbling.”<br><br>Though it would have been better manners to eat her food slowly, she found herself clearing off the plate around the same time as Hallbjorn. She had never tasted food so good, but didn't know if that was because of her changes, or because they simply did not have restaurants like this back home. <br><br>Kara leaned back in her seat and smiled with content from her full stomach. Then Hallbjorn had to go and mention Dairy Queen, and she knew she'd be pushing herself to the limit tonight. There was no way she would miss out on getting a Blizzard. “I would love that. I've never had one before, well, aside from trying to make my own. Those did not turn out like the commercials I've seen.”<br><br>She was already licking her lips in anticipation. “Do they have the kind with peanut butter cups?” Regardless of the fact that she'd just eaten, she was excited about getting the Blizzard. Kara also wanted to be in the truck with Hallbjorn, so she could ask him more questions. <br><br>“Thank you so much for dinner.” She told him, with real warmth in her eyes. He may not realize it, but being able to go out to a restaurant, to eat and have a normal time, helped her tremendously. Nothing bad had happened. She hadn't lit the place on fire. It gave her hope that she could adjust to being part vampire, part other. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>02-10-2016, 05:46:14</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn did not make light of her mishaps with the lobster tail. "There is a bit of a trick to it." Was all he said on the matter. And if it bothered him that she ate so fast - it did not - he did not show it. But then he showed next to nothing to her. <br><br>"I think they will. It is very good so it is probably popular. Too popular to make it a limited time flavour." The blond man said to her of the peanut butter cup style of Blizzard. He noted her excitement and anticipation, and it touched him in a way that delighted him and made him want to retreat. When he saw the warmth in her eyes, his control slipped for a moment and a flicker of uncertainty played over his features before he schooled them back into impassivity.<br><br>"You are welcome." He said, even more reserved than usual. He finished his water, and rose from his seat, crossing around the table to help Kara up. It was gentlemanly - not like in her home where he had carried her around like a sack of potatoes. The man paid the maitre d' by shoving several bills into the latter's hand. The maitre d's eyes bugged out when he saw that Hallbjorn had carelessly shoved almost a thousand dollars into his hand. The blond male did not heed the effusive thanks. He also did not notice that the Scottish pair noted he was leaving too, and got up to settle their bill as soon as Hallbjorn opened the door to the night.<br><br>The pair got to their truck and used Hallbjorn's phone to find the nearest Dairy Queen. It was not very far, and Hallbjorn seemed pensive as they drove. <br><br>"I'm sorry about everything, Kara." <br><br>Hallbjorn said quietly, his voice uncharacteristically thick with emotion he was holding at bay.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>02-10-2016, 06:18:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara noted that he didn't make fun of her lack of mishap with the lobster tail. The fact that he didn't make her feel like a hick only caused her to like him more. But she didn't understand the hint of uncertainty that he showed for a split second. It was such a quick flash that she thought she must have imagined it. <br><br>Being more then a bit excited about trying out a Blizzard, Kara didn't pay too much attention to Hallbjorn showing more reserve then he had just minutes ago. The gentleman mercenary helped her from her seat, causing a smile to play on her lips. As the maitre d seemed poured out his gratitude to Hallbjorn, she fell a step behind. No matter how much she told herself she was going to behave, she had to sneak a peek of his behind. Now she saw what all the fuss was about, because no man should have an ass that perfect. <br><br>Kara bit her knuckle, then moved up to Hallbjorn's side again. She hoped he hadn't caught her checking him out. That would be more then a little bit embarrassing. Her thoughts were a mix of his finely sculpted buns and the upcoming desert, causing her to miss that the werewolves were also leaving. Even if she had noticed, she would not have thought much of it. The idea of being on guard was foreign to her. <br><br>After climbing in the truck and using Hallbjorn's cell, she leaned forward in her seat and looked around at the dark city. Kara would have liked to have seen it in the daylight, but with the way everything was lit up, she didn't feel she was missing out on too much. <br><br>She was in such a pleasant mood that when Hallbjorn said he was sorry, Kara gave him a baffled look. “What are you sorry about? I had a lovely time.” Her eyes crinkled with worry, because for the first time she heard real emotion in his voice, and she found she didn't like whatever negative emotion he must be feeling. His pain made her heart ache. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>02-10-2016, 07:05:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn was quiet for a time. Long enough to shore up his control. When he spoke again it was how he typically addressed her. "I feel responsible for turning your life upside-down. It was a fine life - friends, a job, loving parents. I took you from it." There was some of the young woman's life he had deduced from observing her and her surroundings, like her parents, but he'd seen her at work and with her friends and there was nothing about the life Kara lived that was wrong. And now she was targeted by demon mercenaries traveling halfway across the country with someone she didn't know from Adam who was just as bad or worse as the ones after her. He was after her too: the only difference was he'd succeeded and he worked for a different interested party.<br><br>His gaze flicked up to the rearview mirror. His lips became a thin line and he reached for the dash for his sunglasses. <br><br>"Someone's following us." He informed her, and turned into the empty parking lot of a now-closed 9 to 5 business. Two pickup trucks turned in after them and followed. Hallbjorn parked the truck and killed the engine. He got out, and paused as if he were going to say something to her. Instead he closed the door silently.<br><br>The Scots couple from the steakhouse emerged from one truck, and two more red-headed males emerged from the other. There was an obvious family resemblance between all three males. They were all cast from the same mold: all ruggedly handsome Highland males, their bellies full of fire. In the restaurant, the male's eyes had been a rich, deep green like the Scottish countryside, but now all three males sported eyes that glowed a very bright blue. Just as the female's did. All of them wore expressions that betrayed a deep dislike for Hallbjorn, and a deep relish that for the pain they felt soon to inflict upon them. With the headlights of Hallbjorn's truck still on, it was easy to see the lengthening claws at the tips of the fingers of the four Scots. <br><br>"Ye ballocks'd up, Nordman." The one from the restaurant said. "Ye think I'd forget ye, ye cunt?"<br><br>Hallbjorn shrugged his titanic shoulders. "Do you think I remember every dog I kick?" This earned snarls from the foursome, the Berserker's disrespect stoking their anger.<br><br>"Ye stabbed me in the ballocks and tossed me to the sharks, Berserker!" The lead one said. "Ye killed our brother!"<br><br>"Liam was nay e'en a century old when you took his head, though he begged ye for mercy!" The female said, rightly furious.<br><br>Hallbjorn held up his hand and made a circling motion, telling the werewolf to get on to the part that set him apart from all of the others. <br><br>One of the ones from the truck turned his head and looked straight at Kara. He smiled at her, and licked his lips with a long, lolling tongue.<br><br>Hallbjorn's features betrayed him as that male looked at Kara. She did not get to see what played out on his face, but she did get to see his shoulders and back tense. <br><br>"Oh? Ye don' like me lookin' on yon lass? She seems right bonny to me, Berserker." The werewolf taunted.<br><br>"She is not yet immortal and innocent of wrong-doing against you. Leave her be. Unless the MacRieve clan has lost all honour?" The Berserker said, but as soon as he took that tack he knew he had revealed too much. The lead male's smile took on a very, very terrifying level of glee.<br><br>"Ach, Berserker. My cousins know how to treat a bonny lass like that to a good eve, don' ya, lads?" The other werewolves obligingly grinned and waggled their eyebrows. <br><br>Hallbjorn moved almost faster than Kara's eyes could perceive. But she would just be able to make it out. And while he moved, he changed. His muscles surged, and the man grew larger. He was, as she put it, Hulking out. He swung a fist that was like an anvil at the lead werewolf, striking him in the chest with bone-shattering force that knocked the werewolf back, off of his feet, and into the side of the werewolf's truck. The side of the truck crumpled as it was designed to, absorbing the force of the impact as it had been t-boned by an 18-wheeler going 100mph. The truck turned onto its side and then over. The stricken werewolf did not rise; his feet stuck up above the underside of the truck.<br><br>The other werewolves snarled in their rage, baying for blood. Their bodies grew larger as well, and they were surrounded by a spectral image of a beast. They moved quickly to surround Hallbjorn, employing classic pack tactics. It was almost like an old Roman circus show where packs of wolves were pitted against a bear. The werewolves flung themselves at Hallbjorn with the fierceness of the wolf spirit within, and Hallbjorn struck back with the anger of a lean bear in winter . . .<br><br>As fiercely as the werewolves fought, as quickly as they moved, they were nothing like the controlled fury that Hallbjorn showed them. The berserker rage was a god-given gift; his immortal might a prize earned by winning battles in the name of an ancient god whose name meant fury. When Hallbjorn struck the werewolves with fists like anvils it was like he dropped mountains on them, breaking bones and pulverizing flesh with every strike. The female was the first to fail to rise: a powerful blow sent her to lie beside her mate. A clubbing blow to the back shattered the spine of a standing male, and brutal kick took out his legs, breaking the knees and leaving the legs splayed at odd angles. <br><br>The last male tried to bite at Hallbjorn, who caught the wolf by face and jaw. The werewolf used his claws to savage Hallbjorn's front, but Hallbjorn did not relinquish his grip. With a savage wrench he tore off the werewolf's jaw but left his head attached to his body. Then he slammed the werewolf's face into the pavement, creating a large pothole and leaving the limp werewolf there to recover. <br><br>Hallbjorn walked over to the pickup that remained intact, and with one hand lifted the front of it. His other hand grasped the wheel and ripped it away, tossing it carelessly aside. It rolled off into the night, then fell over onto its side, forgotten. The truck he let go and it dropped back to the pavement, dipping on the side where it lacked a wheel.<br><br>The Berserker walked back to the fallen werewolves. They were all alive - wounded badly, but alive. Hallbjorn looked at them. Dark thoughts went through his mind. His body remained filled with the rage of gods, his immortal frame swollen with untold strength. He bled from many wounds and the fight left his platinum blond hair a chaotic mess around his head and shoulders. <br><br>Slowly, his head turned towards his own vehicle and where Kara had been. <br><br>The eyes that looked towards where the female sat before the brutal melee were not the typical blue of the Berserker calm:<br><br>They were the grey of a raging storm.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>02-10-2016, 08:10:40</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara didn't respond at first. She was busy replaying everything that had happened and all that he'd said to her since coming into her life. She was about to set Hallbjorn straight when he informed her that they were being followed. <br><br>Alarm raced through her, and her heart starting beating a quick rhythm as he pulled them into an empty parking lot. She didn't understand why they weren't trying to get away. Kara was scared of what they were about to encounter. When Hallbjorn opened the door, she wanted to stop him, to urge him to get them away from the danger. But it was too late. He shut the door behind him and went to meet the threat head on. <br><br>Moving forward in her seat, her hands clenched the dashboard when she saw the werewolf couple from the restaurant, along with two more that shared the man's red hair. Their eyes glowed like hers, but the blue looked eerie. She saw the lips of the man from the restaurant move, and Kara rolled down her window just a little bit to hear what was being said. <br><br>Although she didn't understand everything the werewolf said, in part to his thick accent and odd words, she understood clearly that Hallbjorn had killed their brother. It was a harsh reminder of what he said he was. That he had shed much blood. But any sympathy she might have felt for the werewolves was burned away when one of them gave her a look that made her skin crawl. <br><br>Terror seized her along with the realization that if Hallbjorn did not defeat them, horrible things would happen to her. Kara couldn't force herself to move, even as the need to do something became overwhelming. There were too many. She had to get Hallbjorn and escape. <br><br>Then Hallbjorn was moving so incredibly fast, and he began to grow bigger. She could scarcely believe what she was seeing. Kara couldn't tear her gaze away as he tore through the werewolves. Not even the first two times she'd seen him fight could prepare her for what was happening now. <br><br>After he took down the first one, and she saw the others grow larger as well, Kara found it hard to breath. She was torn between being afraid of Hallbjorn, and being afraid for him. Then the others were on the ground, and her protector ripped a wheel from their remaining vehicle like it was nothing. <br><br>In the sudden silence, she was able to hear groaning from the fallen werewolves. If what Hallbjorn told her about how hard it was to kill an immortal, then that meant he'd let them live. The mercenary had shown more mercy to his enemies then she would have ever expected. <br><br>He turned towards her, and Kara's gaze met his and his stunning grey eyes. There was no hiding the fear in her own eyes, but she did not look away. Now he looked undone, with his hair wild and his body so incredibly large. Now she'd finally seen a berserker in full rage. Yet amazingly, she still trusted that he wouldn't harm her. It didn't mean she wasn't still afraid, though. <br><br>After a long, tense minute, Kara opened her door. She didn't break their eye contact, and most definitely didn't look around at the carnage. Her body trembled as she slowly made her way to him. Once she was only a few feet away, her eyes traveled down his body. She sucked in a breath to see his shirt torn and bloody. <br><br>When she looked back into Hallbjorn's eyes, she became resolved. Kara slowly reached for his hand and gripped it as best she could. Though it was not easy since normally his hand would be bigger then hers, and right now they were so much bigger. <br><br>She swallowed her fear, then spoke. “Let me take care of you.”<br><br>Slowly, Kara began to lead him back to the truck. She was still avoiding looking at the werewolves. Their sounds of agony made her sure that they wouldn't be getting up anytime soon. Still, she wanted to be away from them. <br><br>She led Hallbjorn to the passenger seat, then moved around the truck to the driver's side. Kara slipped behind the wheel, then pulled the seat up until her feet could reach the pedals. Once their doors were shut, she pulled out of the parking lot and drove until she felt she'd put enough miles between where the attackers lay. After pulling into a lit gas station, she chose a spot right on the edge of the lot and parked. <br><br>She found the small first aid kit in the glove compartment that she'd caught sight of the day before, then left the truck and came around to Hallbjorn's side. After opening his door, she looked into his eyes to see if he was returning back to normal. <br><br>“I want you to know,” she said, then forced more calm into her voice, “that you did not mess up my life. I would have changed anyway, and if you had not come for me, then there is the very real possibility that I would have killed someone I care about. That is a fate I could not have endured.”<br><br>She looked back down at his torn shirt before returning her gaze to his own. Her voice was softer, less certain when she asked, “Will you let me tend to your wounds?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>02-10-2016, 08:40:16</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				He saw her fear and expected her to run. When she got out of the truck, he thought she would. Every step she took towards him, and with each Hallbjorn thought she would turn and flee in the horror of what he was and what he could do. He could see every detail of her body trembling in sharp detail; immortally keen sight made a mockery of the night. When her eyes at last left his and looked over his damaged chest and torn shirt, he was sure that was the end. Or else that the scent of blood had overwhelmed her fear and the scent of sweet red was in control of her actions. <br><br>The Berserker wanted very much to believe that she did not care. <br><br>For him.<br><br>He was brutally aware of how monstrous he looked in the state he was in. He was brutally aware that his eyes were the colour of the storm. <br><br>With baited breath Hallbjorn waited for her to turn away or show her disgust or do something to reject him. Or to accept him as he saw himself and not as anyone worthy. <br><br><em>No, don't!</em> He thought as he saw the resolve forming in her eyes and she reached out for his hand. Her small hand touched his. Her touch made him feel a lot of different things that he did not want to feel. She attracted him in a way that made him want to retreat, but he could no more retreat from her than the sun could fail to rise in the morning. She was his. His fated match. Even if he were taken to the other side of the world he would not be able to stay away. No matter how much control he exerted over himself . . . <br><br>Before he knew she had him back into the truck. He was in the passenger's side and she was driving them away. Hallbjorn stared without really seeing. His breathing was heavy and the strain of entering a rage state so fully and the injuries he suffered was draining him. He wanted to believe that was what was stopping him from doing something to keep this from happening with Kara. Everything she was doing was binding him to her, strengthening the connection he felt towards her. <br><br>For <em>so long</em> he'd wanted someone to care for him and take care of him. <br><br>When they were near the gas station, Hallbjorn closed his eyes briefly. They stayed closed - although he was awake - while Kara parked and came to the passenger side of the truck. He listened to her tell him that she thought it was not his fault that things were the way they were - which was true but he was still part of it. Part of him wanted for her to blame him just as much as another part wanted to latch onto her absolution. The man opened his eyes when Kara asked to treat his wounds, gazing at the roof of the truck's interior. The wounds were already healing, but they were all very deep cuts. The claws of the Lykae when they loosed the beast were terrible weapons that all immortals rightly dreaded. He nodded slowly, and let out a slow breath. And as he let out that breath he let go of the berserker rage. His body returned to its normal state, muscles deflating as the rage returned to slumber within the Berserker's body. As he returned to normal, he looked to her and nodded his assent to her treating his wounds.<br><br>"We are still getting ice cream." The blond man told her as he lay his head back against the headrest. "We just have to go through the drive-thru." He exhaled through his nose, and closed his eyes, schooling his face not to show the pain he felt, trying to banish the storm from his eyes. "I am going to buy you the largest peanut butter cup Blizzard they sell, female." His pale face had a sheen of sweat as he forced himself not to show his pain. He swallowed and let out a breath. He opened his eyes and could not, for the moment, hide the pride he felt for her. His eyes stayed stormy, but then he turned his gaze up to the roof of the truck cabin and let out another difficult breath.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>02-10-2016, 09:30:19</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Her eyes grew large when his body returned to its normal, and still massive, size. Hallbjorn seemed more relaxed now, but she could tell he was in pain. There was no way he could not be. She wished she could take it away from him. As much as she longed to ask him questions about his transformation and what happened back at the empty parking lot, she knew that now was not the time. <br><br>The worried expression left her face and she laughed when he told her that she was still getting her Blizzard, and a big one at that. It did not escape her notice that he called her female. Kara thought the only times he had called her by name were when he first showed up, and then tonight when he apologized. Even though she probably should have been upset about it, she found it sort of sweet. <br><br>Kara didn't miss the look in his eyes before he looked back up at the roof of the truck. That look did funny things to her. It made her feel like she was wrapped up in a warm blanket. She smiled tenderly at him while he wasn't watching, but soon she was nibbling on her lower lip as she looked back down to his wounds. <br><br>Her delicate fingers reached out and she slowly began to unbutton his shirt. She was tender and careful as she tried her best not to hurt him. It registered to her after a moment that even though she could smell his blood, it had not awoken the thirst inside of her. Kara was too concerned about Hallbjorn's wounds and the pain he must be in. <br><br>After peeling back his shirt, she sucked in a breath when finally seeing the damage the werewolf had done to him. Kara's eyes stung with tears, but she would not let them fall. Yet even with his wounds and the blood covering him, Hallbjorn was magnificent to behold. She would have savored the sight a lot longer if she didn't feel such a strong urge to tend to him. <br><br>Kara found some gauze pads in the first aid kit, and used them to mop up as much of the blood as she could. No matter how gentle she tried to be, she knew the lightest of brushes over his cuts had to hurt. In an effort to distract him from what she was doing, she asked, “You're a berserker, yet your brother is a vampire? I'm a bit confused. I had thought that immortality was passed down from parent to child. At least, I think that's how it happened with me. I certainly don't recall ever being bitten, so I don't think that's how i came to be what I am.”<br><br>Finished cleaning up what blood she could, Kara took some of the antiseptic wipes and started to clean his wounds. Years of baby-sitting had her leaning down to blow gently on each cut after she used the stinging cleanser on it. She hoped it would help soothe the sting. <br><br>She glanced up several times as she worked, hoping to see his eyes and what color they might be. Unlike the werewolves change in eye color, she found the stormy gray of Hallbjorn's eyes breathtaking. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>02-10-2016, 10:23:53</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The blood and wounds obscured much of Hallbjorn's bulging muscles, but they were all large and perfectly formed. The hard planes of his front were in sharp relief, his abs standing out in a perfect six packs and his pectorals perfect for a woman's nails to sink into. Over his heart there was a blue tattoo in blue ink of three interlocking triangles that modern day scholars called the valknut - the slain warrior's knot. The tip of a black wing curled over his right trapezius muscle, part of a pair of ravens in flight tattooed upon his back.<br><br>"The Lore is very confusing." The male responded. "The only utterly enduring truth is to 'never say never.' Everything is possible within the Lore." He spoke softly, dividing his attention between hiding the pain he felt and speaking to her. The large man deduced that she wanted to have him speak to distract from his injuries and the gesture endeared him to her. <br><br>"Being a Berserker is a genetic trait that can be passed along through generations, but not all children become Berserkers even if they have the potential to be. My father was not himself a Berserker, nor any other male relatives I had. And a Berserker is not guaranteed immortality like other beings of the Lore. It is only after winning two hundred battles in Wóden's hallowed name that a Berserker earns ohalla: immortality with untold strength. So far as I know, Berserkers alone have to earn eternal life, out of all creatures in the Lore. Most of my kind die on a battlefield before they achieve this." Hallbjorn was not bitter that his god decided to make eternity a prize to be won. He felt only pride that he had succeeded where many others had failed. Frankly, he was glad that many Berserkers had met their ends on the battlefield. <br><br>Try as Hallbjorn did, he could not make his eyes turn back to normal while Kara showed such obvious care for him. She went to such great efforts not to pain him. It touched him deeply and the walls of control around his heart were crumbling. While it did hurt, he hid it. That, at least, he could conceal from her. He did not so much as flinch as she wiped away blood or applied antiseptic. The blonde woman made it as painless as it could have been. He was proud that she did not cry. The blond man was responsible for many women crying. He did not care then - or now, really - about it. But he did not want Kara to cry.<br><br>"Vampires can be born, or they can be created. It seems most likely that you are a halfling, since your life is much like any other immortal's. But I believe that my brother was made a vampire - I do not think that the vampiric genes can lay dormant in a mortal bloodline only to express suddenly. But I am no expect in these matters, and there was no opportunity to ask my brother about being a vampire. My brother was born many years before I was - when I was thirteen he was already a man fully grown. I did not even know him, really, as a mortal. He accepted the Christ and turned away from our gods, and lived apart from us as a monk with other Christians." There was no rancor in Hallbjorn's voice for this; there was none to keep from his voice. He did not hate his brother for his religious choices. After all, when Helgi was in trouble, he knew where to go: home, to his blood kin. He could have sought sanctuary in a church, but he returned to his people. "The first meeting with him that I remember was when he returned home as a vampire, pursued by nine Berserkers. He was injured and could not defeat them - many of these Berserkers were mere battles away from immortality of their own, and Helgi had never held a sword in his life at that time. But he knew where to turn to for aid. Those Berserkers came to my village and slaughtered everything in their way - men, women, children . . . horses, chickens, cattle - to get to Helgi." Hallbjorn nodded his head approvingly as he spoke. It was a soft, subtle nod, and his approval a subtle, still thing, but it showed well since he tried so hard to show nothing at all.<br><br>"Forgive me. This must bore you and do nothing to ease your confusion." The blond man said. "Prattling like an old maid is poor reward for all of your effort, female." More effort than anyone had ever shown for his wounds. Hallbjorn himself had never bothered so much with his own care. He turned his face over to her the corner of his mouth turned up just a little bit in the smallest of half-smiles before it returned to schooled neutrality. <br><br>He was so wrapped up in being affected by her touch that he was not sad that his precious sunglasses had been destroyed by the werewolves. The Berserker had a backup pair, but he was not inclined to fetch them at the moment. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>02-10-2016, 21:18:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It took a lot of willpower to not trace her fingers over the tattoos she could see on Hallbjorn's flesh. She felt feverish just imagining what the wing tip like tattoo led to on his back. Kara's curiosity was peaked by the strange one over his heart as well. It should be illegal for him to be as stunningly attractive as he was, even when wounded. <br><br>Kara listened raptly as Hallbjorn began to speak. Learning that a berserker had to win two hundred battles to be granted immortality was not something she'd heard before. As she had witnessed tonight, Hallbjorn was very good at fighting. She would not be surprised to learn that he had fought in a number much higher then two hundred. If anyone deserved o be granted immortality for their battle prowess, it was definitely him. <br><br>As she finished cleaning up the blood that lingered on his chest, Kara took many opportunities to look into his stormy gray eyes. Perhaps it should have frightened her, because from what he told her, she knew the change in eye color meant heightened emotions, and his eyes had changed when he went into a berserker rage. But the fear of that change in him had passed. He had not harmed her at all. It made her think of how her fire had not hurt him, either. Kara was sure that it meant something, but she was not ready to touch what it could mean yet. <br><br>While Hallbjorn began to tell her about his brother, Kara took some more gauze and medical tape from the first aid kit and began to bandage his wounds. What Hallbjorn told her had Kara thinking that he must be a lot older then she had originally thought. She should not be surprised by how old she suspected him of being, since he was an immortal, but the realization of how long he'd been on earth still threatened to steal the breath from her. <br><br>She was drawn in to the story of his brother returning home, so much so that she paused in dressing his wounds and turned her eyes up to his. What those Berserkers did to his village was horrible, but Kara couldn't detect any rebuke in Hallbjorn for Helgi coming home for help. Rather, it seemed as if he was proud that his brother came back to him. <br><br>When he asked for forgiveness, she chuckled softly. “Nothing about you is boring, and my confusion will ease with time. There is a lot about my new world to learn, and I think I have a very good teacher.”<br><br>Kara was almost done bandaging his wounds when she spoke. “I never had any siblings, but I always wanted a brother or sister. I used to baby-sit a lot when I was younger, just to have that feeling like I wasn't an only child. My parents, I mean, the couple who adopted me, they were unable to have children. They are good parents. Both strove to make sure I wanted for nothing. They even moved to the desert for me, since when I was younger, they said I didn't handle the cold very well.”<br><br>She finished up with the bandages, then looked over his chest and gave a nod of satisfaction. As she began to put the bloodied and used items in a bag to throw away, she wondered aloud, “I suppose what I am came from my birth parents. I would have loved to have known them, but from what Natalie and Bruce, my adoptive parents, told me, they have no idea who my father was. They had met my birth mother, though. Both were in Syria, on an archaeological dig, and came across her.”<br><br>Kara finished stuffing the used items into a bag, then tied it up so she could toss it. Instead of moving over to where the trash was, she smiled fondly and said, “They tell me I take my looks from my mother. That she was a great beauty. Inessa was her name. She came from Russia, but was a US citizen. She loved to travel, and that is how they met her the first time. I guess my parents really made an impression on her, because a few years later, she found them and arranged for them to adopt me. They said that she was very ill, and wanted me taken care of when she passed.”<br><br>Her eyes focused, and she sought out Hallbjorn's stormy gray gaze. “I have a few memories of her. She smelled like warm vanilla, and her singing was beautiful. If she had lived, she would have been a very good mother.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>02-10-2016, 22:16:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara's voice was soothing. Listening to her helped to take Hallbjorn's mind off of the pain of his injuries more than speaking to her did. It took his mind away from the danger that they were in. The large man found himself wanting for them to be able to simply be somewhere alone and spend long hours talking about anything at all. Anything to hear her voice more. The blond man was glad that Kara had good parents and that her words proved correct what he thought about her life. The home he found her in was one that was obviously filled with love. Just because her parents had been away at the time could not hide the happiness of the lives of those within. Hallbjorn thought that he would be jealous but he was not. <br><br>"I am glad that you had such joy in your life." Hallbjorn told her softly. "I hope that you will have it again."<br><br>He could sense that she was looking for his gaze, to the large blond man looked over to her and looked into his eyes. The man's eyes were still gray. The emotions he felt would not recede. He felt them for her. The werewolves threatening her had brought it out in him, more powerful than he could stop or control. "If Inessa had lived, she would have been a <em>proud</em> mother, too." The gauze at his chest was soaked, but this was as good as things were going to get. <br><br>"Why did you never have a man of your own?" Hallbjorn asked her with sudden forwardness. "I saw males who tried to court you." And it had taken much to keep from interfering - to keep from wringing the life from them for daring to approach Kara. But then, as now, Hallbjorn did not feel worthy of her and knew that things would go badly between them. She was meant for him. He could feel fate pulling him towards her but . . . he did not see the same in her. That was something that heartened him. If she did not feel fate's push towards him then it was possible that there was another out there who was everything she deserved. The thoughts were like salt in his wounds, but the more time Hallbjorn spent with Kara the more he knew that she deserved a prince, a man noble in word and deed. <br><br>"You deserve a male who would cherish and protect you as everyone else in your life has." The Berserker said, and the stormy gray of his eyes became, unbidden, far more intense.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>02-10-2016, 22:54:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn's hope for her that she would have joy in her life again had her smiling tenderly. She dare not speak what she felt, that she hoped she'd find that joy with him. His eyes were still gray, and Kara wished she knew what he was feeling that was still causing it. There was a hint of worry in her gaze when she saw that the gauze over his wounds were beginning to soak through. She cared about his well being, and it was because of a lot more then him being her protector. <br><br>When he told her that her mother would be proud, Kara gave him a radiant smile. Each time Hallbjorn said something like that, she felt herself falling for him more. She wondered if he had any idea of the power he had over her. He told her that he would break her heart, but she wondered if he still felt that way. <br><br>His next question had her blushing furiously. When Hallbjorn's eyes turned more intense, Kara felt like her breath had been taken away. She couldn't answer at first, not until she was able to break their eye contact. <br><br>“My friends seem to always talk about men. Even when we were young, they were boy crazy. I suppose it comes from living in a small town with not much to do.” She smiled wryly. “They would talk about whatever newest crush they had, and how they just knew that whatever man caught their eye was 'the one'. They said their bodies would come alive. Their heart would beat faster and they would have butterflies in their stomach. And then they would feel pain just from being parted.”<br><br>Kara licked her lips and hoped he could not hear how fast her own heart was breathing. The butterflies in her stomach had not quieted since she met Hallbjorn. Then there was the violence with which her body had come alive. It was more then she expected, and at times more then she thought she could handle. It was all so new to her, and so confusing, but she wasn't afraid of it. In fact, she wanted to revel in it. <br><br>Looking back up into his eyes, she said, “I never felt that way about anyone before. The most I would feel was friendship. But back then, my body had never come alive.”<br><br>When she realized she'd said those things in the past tense, her eyes glowed with the intensity of her emotion. It felt as if her body would break if she didn't touch him. As she turned away to toss the little bag in the trash, it felt as if her entire being was screaming for her to go back to him. <br><br>Kara turned back to the truck, and with each footstep she battled with what she felt. He was wounded. He didn't need her fumbling attentions right now. Not to mention they had left some wounded werewolves not too far away, and she would not feel totally safe until they were out of town. Kara couldn't hide the turmoil she felt when she reached his side again. “Did you want me to drive?”<br><br>That was the safest topic she could think of, and she desperately hoped he'd allow the change of subject. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>02-10-2016, 23:28:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Please do." Hallbjorn told the young woman when she asked if he wanted her to drive. He could manage it if necessary, but right now it seemed alright. He used his phone to find the nearest Dairy Queen and as planned they bought Blizzards. Hallbjorn also bought a couple hamburgers and ate them in record time, despite it being so soon after dinner. It would help him to heal. They had time to sit and enjoy having the ice cream, which Hallbjorn insisted that they do. He wanted Kara to have enough time to savour the treat and eat it at her own pace. And he would enjoy her pleasure at eating the cold confection. Eventually Hallbjorn's eyes returned to normal. <br><br>Then Hallbjorn took the wheel from her and pushed on. He drove them out of Tucson and further on, managing to get into New Mexico before the approaching dawn forced them to stop. They had made it into another small town that was a lot like Jackrabbit Junction but slightly larger: it had three stop lights going through it and two gas stations. There was no chain lodgings, but a small bed and breakfast style place that they were able to rent a room together from. It was much nicer than the Motel 6 room they had shared earlier. It had two beds, a television, an adjoining bathroom, and it boasted free wifi. Not that they needed the latter. <br><br>The blond male threw on a coat to cover up his bandages when they checked in. In the room he inspected them. They still caused him pain but the blood was dry and they seemed to be healing well enough, so there was no need to replace them. <br><br>He sat on one of the beds, leaning over to remove his boots. It pained him to do it but he did not even think about asking Kara for help. It just never occurred to him to ask her. The man was too accustomed to being alone and tending himself for the thought to have popped into his mind. <br><br>"Thank you for your help before." Hallbjorn told Kara. "I did not recognize the werewolves in the restaurant, or I would have taken us somewhere else." The tall man told her. "They only attacked because I crossed them in the last Accession. We fought on opposites sides." He assumed she heard the rest, about how he killed one of them. "The werewolves call themselves Lykae. They are all part of a Scottish clan - MacRieve." He looked over at the young woman. His eyes remained blue, and he was speaking without emotion in his voice.<br><br>"Do you want to ask me anything before we sleep?" The man asked her. "About the Lore?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>03-10-2016, 00:04:42</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Now that they were out of immediate danger, Kara felt a bit nervous about driving through a very large city. There was also the fact that the truck was huge, and she was used to driving smaller cars. But she would bear with it, so that Hallbjorn had time to rest. <br><br>When they reached the Dairy Queen she might have gone a bit overboard. She ordered her peanut butter cup Blizzard, and made sure they put twice the amount of candy in it. The first taste had Kara moaning with delight. She had to pace herself to make sure she didn't get an ice cream headache. But she did enjoy it, down to the very last drop. <br><br>Watching Hallbjorn eat a couple more hamburgers on top of their big dinner was impressive. She certainly didn't know where he was packing it all away. Kara doubted there was an ounce of fat on him. Instead of remarking on it, she simply grinned at him. <br><br>She completely forgot about them stopping to load up on water and munchies. Kara didn't think she could eat another bite, but as they drove out of town, the scent of Hallbjorn's blood began to permeate the cabin of the truck. Her growing thirst had her fangs tingling, which caused Kara to dig out one of the two remaining bottles of blood and nurse it as they drove in the dark. <br><br>The ride was mostly quiet, and Kara found herself enjoying the companionable silence. Though with the passage of time, she was sorry to see the gray of Hallbjorn's eyes fade back to his natural color. <br><br>Kara had begun to sleep off and on during the drive. Switching her nights and days around was a bit difficult, so she kept trying to stay awake. It didn't help much, because when she woke again, they were in front of a cute bed and breakfast, and Hallbjorn had just returned with the key to their room. <br><br>Once they were inside, her curiosity overtook her, and Kara began to explore the room and adjoining bathroom. There was no mistaking that it was much nicer then their previous lodging. She felt better knowing that Hallbjorn wouldn't need to sleep in a chair. Though she kept imagining him sharing her bed, and his arms wrapped firmly around her while they slept. <br><br>She was trying to figure out how to preserve her last bottle of blood, something she had no experience with, when she saw Hallbjorn bending over to remove his boots. Kara put the bottle in the fridge, then moved over to her berserker and knelt in front of him. She lightly batted away his hands and said, “Please, let me. I don't want your wounds to open again.”<br><br>As she unlaced his boots, and began to draw them off his feet, she frowned and admitted one of the things that had bothered her from before. “I have a hard time reconciling that loving couple in the restaurant with the blood thirsty one that came after us. I know it must be silly to think that just because they were in love, they would be peaceful. That disturbed me a lot, because its apparent now that villains may not always appear to be such.”<br><br>After removing his boots and socks, she stood and moved to his side. With gentle hands, she helped him to remove his coat one sleeve at a time, then focused on removing the tattered remains of his shirt. “I'm guessing that the Lore is made up of more then just werewolves, vampires, and berserkers. What else is out there? And this Accession, is it like a big war?”<br><br>With his shirt off, Kara was able to see the rest of the tattoo on his back. She reached out with her fingertips and lightly traced one of the ravens. They were beautiful in their simplicity. In fact, seeing his muscular back and his beautiful long hair trailing down it made Kara's skin feel tight, and renewed the ache within her. <br><br>Reluctantly she withdrew her touch, then set about putting the remains of his shirt into a trash bag. But she couldn't stay away. Kara found her way back to his bed, and sat behind him. In the guise of helping him because he was injured, when in reality her motives were due to something else entirely, she began to unbraid what hair of his had not escaped it in the earlier fight. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>03-10-2016, 00:55:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn reluctantly let Kara remove his boots for him. He righted himself while she knelt in front of him, and he cooperated as she needed him to in order to get his boots and socks off. It would be a waste of all of the effort she went through if his wounds were to open again. He listened while she told him it disturbed her to have witnessed the transformation from loving couple to bloodthirsty. He remembered how her body trembled at the sight of him. He remembered how she was afraid of him. The female overcame that fear. That time. Would she be able to again and again? The rage was an indelible part of Hallbjorn. He resolved that she would not have to. There would be no them. Once he brought her to New Orleans the task would be over. <br><br>His coat and shirt followed. They were more difficult but again the Berserker gave no indication of how it hurt, in order to spare Kara that and to avoid showing weakness. <br><br>"There is every creature of myth and legend in the Lore. Perhaps not as mortals record them, but they all exist. It would take days to list all of the types of beings who exist in the Lore." The man replied vaguely, but he hoped that it communicated the breadth of her question and why his answer had to lack something more specific. "There is a female species, the valkyrie. The most ancient of them, Nix the Ever-Knowing, sent me to protect you, and then to bring you to New Orleans. Nix is a soothsayer who sees the future more clearly than the past or the present. If you attracted her attention then it portends you have an important role to play." <br><br>While he was answering her the Berserker felt her fingertips lightly trace over one of the ravens that marked his back. Her touch was so soft and gentle. There was no chance that he would fail to notice her touch, though. None at all. Having her close to him as she was was not easy to bear. He felt a hidden surge of relief when she withdrew her touch and discarded his ruined shirt. <br><br>She returned and began to unbraid his hair. Most of it had come undone in the fight. He did not think it needed to come unbraided but he did not stop her. Inside he knew that she should be stopping her. That he should be keeping distance between them.<br><br>"The Accession is like a big war. One that never ends. There are periods where it is cold, and where it is hot. Every five hundred years, roughly, it turns hot and immortals fight each other. Some believe it is a population control measure, to keep the numbers of immortals in check." The Berserker explained to her. "All of the Lore will be drawn into it. Perhaps it is your fire that makes you so sought after - if you could control it and bring it to bear you would be worth a thousand fire demons." While that might have been a horrible thing to say by modern sensibilities, Hallbjorn thought it was a good thing. It was not horrifying to him that she could be a weapon of mass destruction. <br><br>"How are your senses? As you become immortal they should become more potent. It can be very difficult to deal with the new level of sensory input. There can also be other new changes. Your thirst for blood, for example. Other needs." The man said to her. "They should fade in time, but if I can help to cope, please let me try to help you."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>03-10-2016, 01:36:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She was stunned to learn how all encompassing the creatures of the Lore were. As Hallbjorn told her about the woman that hired him, Kara's mind whirled around all of the mythological beings that she knew about. There were too many to name. This new world that had been revealed to her was suddenly much larger then she had thought. If her kind were not hated so much, she would beg him to let her meet as many of the Loreans as she could. <br><br>After Kara had freed his hair from the braid, her fingers combed through the long length. It calmed her to touch him that way, to feel his silky white blond hair sliding through her fingers. Even his explanation of the Accession, and what that might mean for her, did not intrude on the the peace she found in touching Hallbjorn. <br><br>It was on the tip of her tongue to bring up the fog she'd experienced in the bathroom that first morning, but Kara remained silent. Maybe she had just imagined it, or maybe there was just a lot of steam. His remark about what she could mean to the Accession slipped away, because she simply could not believe that she would be that valuable. There was also her aversion to hurting others. <br><br>When Hallbjorn brought up the change of her senses, she thought back to the drive tonight. It seemed as if her hearing would grow more acute, then fade after a bit. Her vision had also improved, and she'd been able to see farther on the road. But the changes didn't last. There was only one that was ever present, and when he offered to help her, need slammed through her body. <br><br>Kara's fingers tangled in his hair. Her skin felt too tight again, and her nipples were hard little peaks against her dress. She pressed her thighs together in an effort to fight the ache she was feeling. Her voice was low and sultry when she spoke. “My skin feels so sensitive.”<br><br>Brushing his hair to the side, she leaned in close so that her lips just hovered above one of the raven tattoos. Kara's hot breath fanned over his bare flesh. Her eyelids closed, hiding the glowing amber of her eyes. With her lips a whisper away from his skin, she said, “I need... I need.” Her words were laced with yearning. <br><br>Kara was so very close to telling him what she needed, and what he made her feel. Oh god, she needed him. It felt as if she would come undone if she didn't have him completely. She wanted to feel his skin slide along hers, and to have his rough palms cupping her breasts. She hungered to kiss him, and take him deep inside of her. <br><br>Suddenly she gasped and stood. Her hands released his hair, and she moved around to stand in front of him. The burning desire from a moment ago was banked, but not gone. “Nix the Ever-Knowing?” Realization dawned upon her, causing her eyes to widen in surprise. “NTEK. She's the one who kept sending me all of those lamps, and from all over the world, too. Why would she do that?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>03-10-2016, 02:15:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn could sense a change take over Kara just before her fingers tangled in his hair. The large man guessed that she was experiencing a bout of the increased sexual that was part of the transition to immortality. It was the strangest, most curious part of that transition. There was no time to consider further why immortals were subjected to it. He prepared himself to explain that it was just a physical impulse that she was feeling and to tell her to take a shower - either a long one or a cold, depending on her preference. The woman's low, sultry words challenged the control that he had over himself. Fate's connection to her struck him powerfully. <br><br>Her lips were very close to his skin and she whispered that she needed, but Hallbjorn knew that he could not help her in this. She was not yet immortal and if they were together he would destroy her. With immortals, age meant power, and Hallbjorn was <em>old</em>. She was twenty-five, and if he lost control she would never be any older.<br><br>Her sudden gasp brought him relief, because it came with a very different timber than her yearning-filled whispers. She released his hair and moved to stand in front of him. He looked up at her, his blue eyes meeting her glowing amber ones. The Berserker's face was a schooled mask of impassive, unbetraying stillness. He could see that her desire was not completely abated, and other senses reinforced what his eyes told him. <br><br>"Valkyries are unpredictable, and Nix most of all . . ." Hallbjorn began, but then he paused. Before the man could say any more, his phone began to ring. His brows knit together, and Hallbjorn grabbed his coat to retrieve it. The call display on the screen did not make the moment anymore pleasant and Hallbjorn raised the device to his ear.<br><br>"No! No! You gotta put me on speaker phone. Imma not be saying this twice. Put Nixie on speaker phone." The familiar voice insisted. Hallbjorn complied, depressing a button on the phone to do just that. <br><br>"Alright! No! Bad Bertil! That's momma's best- wait, who is this?"<br><br>"Hallbjorn." The Berserker supplied.<br><br>"Oh. Oh right." Then the voice at the other end began to hum to herself. It was a tune. Hallbjorn did not recognize it as the theme song of 'I Dream Of Jeannie.' "Bet Lamebjorn doesn't recognize that, but you get it, right Kara? It's just like in Winchester Brothers Magical Shirtless Adventure Hour Featuring Boy Abs! Anyway that's our show for tonight! Play us out Bertil! Give it up for Bertil, everybody!" The sounds of an uncooperative bat sounded through the phone, and the call ended as abruptly as it began.<br><br>Hallbjorn turned his gaze from the phone over to Kara, expecting her to enlighten him. Because for the life of him, Nix had once again made no fucking sense.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>03-10-2016, 02:51:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara waited patiently for Hallbjorn to answer his cell, and when he did, her hearing seemed stronger because she could hear the peculiar Nix speaking. She mouthed the word 'Bertil' to him, and one of her eyebrows rose. When Nix seemed to forget who she had called, Kara crossed her arms and frowned down at the cell. <br><br>It took her a moment to recognize the tune that Nix hummed. Her called Hallbjorn Lamebjorn had her scowling, and before she had a chance to even reply to the strange woman, Nix was talking about Bertil again, whoever that was. Her ears ached after the high pitched squeaking of what sounded like a bat. Then the line went dead. <br><br>“She's an odd duck.” Kara mused, then sat down beside Hallbjorn. “Nix was humming the theme song to I Dream of Jeannie.” When she saw no recognize on his face, she took the cell phone from him and explained as she did a Google search. “It was a television series years ago about a genie married to a regular man.”<br><br>Finding the image she was looking for, she held up the picture displayed of Barbara Eden dressed scantily in her genie clothes. “The show portrayed her as a genie that lived in a bottle and wreaked havoc with her powers.” Kara worried her lower lip with one of her small fangs. “I always thought genies were beings that were captured to grant wishes. From one of my classes on mythology, they were supposed to be trickers. The person who caught them&nbsp; would get three wishes, but the genie, the Djinn, would always find a loophole.”<br><br>Kara looked up at Hallbjorn as a tinge of wonder and disbelief flashed over her expression. “Is that what I am? Or is Nix just off her rocker?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>03-10-2016, 03:21:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Bertil is a pet bat that Nix keeps." The blond explained while Kara searched google for the image of Barbara Eden. He looked at the image and nodded. Valkyries and their obsession with pop culture. It figured that Nix would use something like that to make a point. <br><br>"I admit that my knowledge of the djinn is lacking." The big man said to Kara. "One of your parents being djinn and Nix being off her rocker are not mutually exclusive." He shrugged. "Nix is manipulative. She withholds information and only doles out as much as amuses her and serves her goals. She planted this with her phone and Nix seldom does something without a reason."<br><br>He took his phone from Kara and put it on a nightstand, reaching past her to do so. His arm came perilously close to brushing against her front but it did not - for good or ill.<br><br>"It could be that your father was a Djinn and that you have the power to grant wishes and that's why someone sent demons to abduct you." The Berserker mused. "Russia hardly seems like the homeland of genies." But that would mean that Kara's mother Inessa was a female vampire and those were supposed to be extinct. Very strange. "And perhaps it explains why you like heat." The desert was not precisely prime vampire country, but most of the stories about genies in the old world came from very warm lands. Warmer than Russia, at any rate.<br><br>"I am not . . . completely lame." He said after a pause. "I do watch some television."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>03-10-2016, 03:45:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				A bat was a very odd choice for a pet. Just picturing what was happening on the other side of the line when they were on the phone made her grin. Despite Nix being strange, Kara still wanted to meet her. Because when she did, she was going to grill Nix with a lot of questions. She just hoped the woman had answers. <br><br>There was a sense of disappointment when Hallbjorn told her that he didn't know much about the djinn. But really, other then knowing what the other half of her was, it didn't change much. They still needed to get to New Orleans, and Kara still looked forward to every bit of the travel with Hallbjorn. <br><br>When Hallbjorn reached past her to put his cell on the night stand, she held her breath. She didn't know what she would do if she lost it again. That wasn't true. Kara knew what she would do, or at least, what she'd want to do. She might have felt more sure about it if she knew how Hallbjorn felt, but other then a few instances, he kept his cards close to his heart. <br><br>It was on the tip of her tongue to ask Hallbjorn to make a wish, just so she could see if she could grant it. But Kara didn't trust her ability to use her powers. It seemed like an accident waiting to happen. His suggestion on her father being the djinn and her mother the vampire sat well with her. His logic was sound. <br><br>“I wish I knew if my father was still alive.” Kara shared with him, then flinched when she realized how she had worded that desire. She had no idea if it worked on her that way, but she'd have to be careful with throwing out the W word. <br><br>Hallbjorn's next comment touched Kara's heart. She stood and moved in front of him, so that her eyes were finally level with his. “Hallbjorn.” She smiled softly, then leaned close to him and kissed his cheek. When she pulled back, there was no missing the affection in her eyes. “You are not lame at all. Not even a little bit.”<br><br>When he sounded as he just did, like he was unsure of himself, it made Kara want to wrap her arms around him and make him smile. Instead of giving into that urge, she grinned as she grabbed her bag. “You and I will have to do some television watching soon, just to prove it.”<br><br>She would have suggested they do so now, but he needed to heal and she was tired after all of the ups and downs they had faced. Kara stole into the bathroom and dug out the only other sleep wear she had, aside from the blood stained pajama set. After changing into her Betty Boop nightshirt, she stepped out of the bathroom. <br><br>Luckily there were plenty of night lights in the room, and after making sure all of them were on, she turned off the lights and crawled into her bed. Not knowing if Hallbjorn was already asleep or not, she whispered softly, “Goodnight, Hallbjorn.”<br><br>Sleep came quickly, but not peacefully. Dreams of losing Hallbjorn, of the werewolves defeating him had her thrashing in her bed. The temperature in the room dropped drastically, becoming cold enough for her breaths to appear in little puffs of fog. When her nightmare reached a fevered pitch, she called out Hallbjorn's name in her sleep. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>03-10-2016, 04:14:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn did not chide her for her phrasing in light of what they learned. Or what they were led to conclude by the proto-valkyrie. There had been a time when Hallbjorn believed every word from the lips of the valkyrie and was in awe of them all as Wóden and Freya's beloved daughters. But now . . . there were too many instances of them Hallbjorn a 'noob' or describing his actions as 'weak, punk-ass busta shit.' The rose was well off of the bloom. <br><br>He did not want to tell Kara how he thought her father fared. The most likely thing was that her father was dead, or in a state where death would be a sweet release. If he lived and simply believed that mortal parents were the better providers and caregivers, then he was the type of man who would have appeared at the first sign of danger. Hallbjorn knew that if he had a daughter, he would safeguard her even if he were not able to be part of her life.<br><br>Then Kara was looking him in the eyes. She kissed his cheek and he had to close his eyes to hide the tempest that rose within them. He opened them again, just as she was telling him that he was not lame at all, and they were blue. It took all of the control that he had marshaled over centuries to keep them that way. She grabbed her bag and mused that they would have to watch television together and the idea seemed very pleasant to Hallbjorn. But they were both of like mind that now was not the time. She went into the bathroom to prepare for the evening, and Hallbjorn lay back on the bed. <br><br>His eyes were closed and his arms were at his side when she emerged.The man had taken the time to hide his big knife under his pillow. He heard her whisper with his immortally sharp hearing. "Goodnight, Kara." He answered in kind. <br><br>When Hallbjorn slept it was like the sleep of the dead. He did not dream. The toll of his injuries and invoking the berserker rage robbed him of dreams that night. There was only black unawareness. <br><br>That is, until Kara's nightmares had her call out his name. Then he jerked up sharply, reaching for the hidden blade. It was in his hands as he surveyed the room quickly for the danger that had alarmed Kara, that he should have detected. The room was very cold. His breaths misted with it. But Hallbjorn saw no dangers, only the young woman thrashing in her sleep. He dropped the blade and it fell to the bed, bouncing a few times before it settled. <br><br>The large man's brows knit together, and he placed a large, warm hand on Kara's brow, smoothing her hair and stroking her skin. "Shhh, female. I am here." The blond male said, kneeling beside her bed. He woken with such urgency that his motions had opened a few of the man's cuts, and they bled afresh. The pain of them did not bother him; he did not even notice them because he wanted to soothe the terror that Kara was experiencing. It was of such concern to him that he did not question why the room was so cold when he could not directly perceive why.<br><br>"Be calm, female. You are safe." The man told her in a soothing tone. His hair fell forward as he leaned over her to touch her neck, and the big hand continued to stroke her head and hair.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>03-10-2016, 04:46:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn's words and his soft touch drew Kara from her nightmare. Her eyes opened slowly and the frost tipping her eyelashes made them feel heavy. The honey brown color was replaced once more by the iridescent amber.&nbsp; One moment she was dreaming of Hallbjorn dying, and now he was hovering over her and reassuring that all was well. The sight of him above her, and his hair acting as a curtain so that it was just the two of them in a cocoon helped her to relax. <br><br>She turned her face into the palm of his hand while her hands searched in vain for her blankets that had been kicked on the floor. Kara's Betty Boop nightshirt was twisted around her waist and exposing her silky red panties. If she had realized that, she would have been mortified. As it was, she found it incredibly difficult to wake up fully. Though she detected the scent of blood, her mind was too foggy to register where it was coming from. <br><br>As she tried to rouse herself further, her teeth began to chatter from the cold. Kara&nbsp; drew her legs up as she tried to curl into a ball against the frigid air. Hallbjorn's hand was warm on her, and the heat of his body called out to her. She tugged on his arm, urging him to join her in the bed. “Its cold in here.” Kara's voice was sleepy as she spoke. <br><br>A flash of her nightmare caused her forehead to crease with pain as a single tear to trail down her cheek before freezing. “I dreamed that the werewolves killed you.” Her lower lip trembled. “Please don't leave me.”<br><br>Kara tried hard to stay awake, but the cold was so painful that she gave into the need to sink back into sleep. Eventually the room began to grow warm again, causing the frozen tear on her cheek to melt and slide down her skin until reaching her pillow, where it was soaked up. Where the tear had frozen, her skin seemed red as if it were burned. Within an hour, even that trace of her nightmare had healed and was no more. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>03-10-2016, 05:07:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The Berserker was not sure what to make of Kara's half-asleep actions. It was something that he had no experience with. He felt out of his depth with it. When her hands cast around for the blankets that she had kicked to the floor, he grabbed them. But not quick enough, for the young woman decided on him instead, tugging on him and deciding to use his body for warmth with no other source in ready view. He settled into the bed at her urging, pulling the blankets along with him. The bed really was not meant for two; it was scarcely large enough for Hallbjorn. It was not long enough for him and his feet draped over the edge.<br><br>The large man put his arms around her, taking her into his warmth. It radiated from his body. Her shirt would be stained, but at this point neither of them cared. <br><br>Hallbjorn pulled the blankets over Kara to cover her where his body could not. "Shh." The Berserker soothed when she shed her single tear. He watched it trail down her cheek and saw it freeze. The man's eyes saw her lower lip tremble. She pleaded for him not to leave her. It would be the best thing for her if he did. The man cursed Nix for this job. There were so many other males in the Lore she could have found for Nix. She could have found someone who was good. "Shh." The man soothed.<br><br>She fell asleep again, but Hallbjorn did not. He stayed awake beside her, warming her body. The room itself began to warm again, returning to a temperature appropriate to the New Mexico clime. Though he was tempted to rise from the bed while she slept and leave her underneath the blanket he did not. Part of him said it was because she asked him, another because if he left her alone she would have nightmares again, and another . . . <br><br>Another part stayed because he <em>liked</em> it.<br><br>When Kara woke next, she would find herself in Hallbjorn's large arms, pressed against his chest. There would be blankets around her, covering her and warmed by their collective body heat. His hair would be draped over her neck and shoulders, his platinum blond mixing with her darker blond strands. <br><br>And when she awakened the Berserker was awake to greet her. "Good morning." The man said to her. "Did you sleep well?" While he was genuinely concerned to know the answer, he spoke with his cards close to the chest.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>03-10-2016, 05:46:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It only took Kara a second to realize when she woke up, that she was in Hallbjorn's arms. He felt better then she imagined. His strong arms held her tight to his muscular chest, the heat of his body keeping her toasty warm in the blankets. Even his hair warmed her, the silkiness of it feeling decadent against her skin. <br><br>She didn't open her eyes at first, because the urge to nestle against his chest and stay in bed with him just as they were was so powerful. Though this morning her rising sexual need was absent, at least for the moment, Kara realized that she wanted Hallbjorn. Her Berserker had stolen a piece of her heart the first night, when he lit a candle for her. <br><br>When she tilted her head back to meet his gaze though, she could read nothing in his eyes. Perhaps she should have felt embarrassed that she'd dragged him into her bed last night, but she could not summon that emotion. What she felt with him was too perfect. At least, it would have been if she could understand what he was feeling. <br><br>Kara rubbed her eyes, then gave Hallbjorn a chagrined look. “I did, and thank you. But what shall we do about my continuing to rob you of your sleep?”<br><br>He had fought so hard last night that she felt bad about waking him from his sleep last night. Kara suspected that Hallbjorn had not gone back to sleep, because he looked entirely too alert at the moment. It would be like him to watch over her while she slept. But he needed his rest, especially after being injured-<br><br>She gasped and pulled back from him, only then realizing that the scent of blood was much fresher then it should have been. Kara's fingers reached out to touch the soaked through bandages on his chest. “Oh, Hallbjorn. I'm so sorry. This is my fault.”<br><br>The sight of blood on her nightshirt was of no consequence next to the knowledge that his wounds must have reopened. If he'd slept peacefully through the night, they would not have reopened. She took the blame for his pain upon herself, and the misery she felt at causing him any showed in her eyes. <br><br>“What can I do to make it better?” She whispered in a voice choked with emotion.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>04-10-2016, 04:22:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn did not reply at first, looking over the woman's face. He did not like to see the misery in her eyes or hear her voice choked with negative motion. It did not please him. His wounds opening again was of no consequence to him. He'd spilled the blood of others on every continent on earth and on several different planes, but his own had spilled too. Losing it was not important. Pain did not bother him. But he did not really know how to relay to her that there was nothing, in his eyes, to make better.<br><br>The man moved one large arm from where it rested around her and gently brushed her hair away from her face with the backs of his fingers. His touch was gentle but sure, with the confidence of a strong man who knew how to use his strength completely. Then he tilted his hand to cup her face, nestling her cheek against the palm of his hand. Hallbjorn ran the pad of his thumb over Kara's lower lip, and then over her upper one in a slow, gentle progression.<br><br>"What is there to make better, female?" Hallbjorn asked her softly. His face remained impassive, but then he forced his expression to soften. The blue of his eyes was taken over with grey. "What is there to be sorry for, hmm?" The blond man tilted his head as he posed the second question. "You needed me to protect you. You called my name in your sleep. And did I not? Did you have any nightmares while my arms held you?" He raised his blond brows with the question. The man shifted his hand and gently tapped her nose with his forefinger. "All is well, female. All is well."<br><br>There was a temptation to kiss her, to let his lips know what his thumb did, but Hallbjorn did not act upon it. "Now, it is time to get up. Go shower. We had to miss the World's Biggest Cow Skull, but we can still see the World's Largest Pistachio, and wipe out the town's supply of munchies." He told her encouragingly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>04-10-2016, 05:13:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When Hallbjorn cupped her face, she leaned into the rough warmth of his hand. Her lips parted when his thumb traced her plump, silky smooth lower lip, followed by her upper lip. Kara sighed softly as she took comfort in his touch. Hallbjorn's eyes changed. She didn't fear it would herald a berserker rage. Instead, she was beginning to correlate the color change with him showing her more emotion. <br><br>When he asked her what there was to be sorry for, Kara whispered, “I didn't want to hurt you.”<br><br>Hallbjorn was absolving her of guilt, which caused Kara to smile softly at him. He didn't know it, but he'd just stolen another piece of her heart. “You kept my nightmares away.” And he had. He'd made her feel safe and protected with his arms. She had no dreams after he'd come to her. Even without him chasing away her bad dreams, Kara believed she was now addicted to waking up as the had this morning. When he called her 'female', her smile grew brighter. <br><br>His next remarks had her laughing and climbing out of bed. Kara tossed a pillow at his head, then grinned. “It was the world's biggest ball of yarn. Not an icky cow skull. And I hope you have room in your truck for all of the munchies we need.” <br><br>Kara was still chuckling as she grabbed her back and went into the bathroom. She was amazed that with just a few words, Hallbjorn had turned her morning around. The only thing that dimmed her smile was remembering him telling her that he would break her heart. While Kara showered, she wondered why he thought that. Honestly, she didn't know enough about him formulate any theory. If he kept treating her as he was, the only way he would break her heart was if he didn't return her affections. <br><br>After she dried herself off, Kara dressed in a pair of tight jeans, and a lacy white tank top. She stuffed her bloodied nightshirt into her bag, then grabbed it and bounced out of the bathroom. <br><br>While Hallbjorn was taking a shower she grabbed her last bottle of blood and drank it as she used his cell phone to look up their location and if there were any events near by. What she found had her finishing her bottle of blood quickly, then pacing in front of the bathroom door. The instant Hallbjorn opened the door, Kara held the cell phone up in front of his face. <br><br>“There is an actual renaissance fair about an hour from here. I know it takes us a little bit off our route, but please, oh please, can we go? I've never been to one before, and I'd love to go there with you.” She looked up at him, her eyes full of hope, and she was nearly bouncing on her feet with excitement. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>04-10-2016, 06:06:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn was confronted immediately upon opening the bathroom door with Kara putting his cell phone in front of his face. The young woman was almost bouncing on her feet with excitement about a renaissance fair. He glanced at the screen of his phone and thought about why he ought to say no. The renaissance fair was a prime location for creatures from the Lore with extra features to walk openly and perhaps even use their abilities - mortals would think it simply a costume and anything magical merely clever slight of hand. But the way she looked at him, with her eyes full of hope, precluded his refusal. <br><br>"Very well. We may go." The blond man said. They checked out of the bed and breakfast, stowing their things in the cab of the truck. It was a very large cab, so the town's gas station would probably be bereft of snacks before the rear of the cab ran out of room. The truck was part of Ford's Super Duty line and very spacious.<br><br>Hallbjorn gave Kara money for water and munchies while he gassed the vehicle up. Despite how small the town was, the pumps were up to date - they were the kind that only worked if you had a debit or credit card in them first. The Berserker had a black credit card with no practical limit and instructions for global use. When he was finished he entered the gas station to help Kara carry everything out while the perplexed clerk looked at the largess of their purchase with incredulity. When the snacks were safely stored and they were on their way Hallbjorn drove easily with one hand, and used the other to eat Skittles from a bag he had propped open in the cupholder. <br><br>The ride was filled again with a companionable silence, although Hallbjorn did offer to let Kara pick a radio station. He had satellite radio, so there was a lot to choose from. <br><br>They arrived in good time at the fair. It seemed well attended and a fairly large affair. There were many vehicles in a dirt lot for packing, and bright banners and streamers filled the sky over the fair ground. Smells of cooking fair foods greeted them as soon as they opened the truck doors and the sound of vigorous if not heartfelt playing on medieval instruments greeted them.<br><br>They had to wait a little bit in line, but it was not overly long. They were greeted by a man in garb that Hallbjorn recognized as anachronistic - no single piece was contemporaneous with another. But it did not bother him. <br><br>Hallbjorn bought them tickets inside after a brief wait in line. Other people in line were dressed up, but there were also people in casual clothing just out for a good time. As they entered a fire-breather went past, spurting flames in the air to the delight of onlookers, who clapped as the man spit flames the went a dozen feet into the air. The firebreather wore bright red garb and had little belled tassels all over him so people had ample warning he was nearby. <br><br>"Would you like to get a funnel cake?" Hallbjorn asked Kara. <br><br>As he asked her, a trio of men walked by with beers in their hands. They had horned helmets on and were jostling each other - the beers in their hands were not their first. They were clad in fake furs and the sort of woven imitation chain mail that special effects companies produced because the fabric weave was said to look more authentic on film than metal. They had no weapons with them. Probably a good thing, given their boisterousness. Hallbjorn spared them a glance and schooled his features into neutrality extra hard.<br><br>"I think they look like buffoons." Hallbjorn told Kara before she could even ask. "I never wore a helmet like that. Nobody I would admit to knowing did. There was a time, when Wagner's operas were performed for the first time, when the Valkyries wore such things . . . but they did it as a joke." They had even worn the breastplates and had, for their own amusement, had comical large conical breasts on them.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>04-10-2016, 07:18:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara squealed with delight when Hallbjorn told her that they could go. She could smell no fresh blood on him, and believed his wounds to be healed. Otherwise, she may have decided that they shouldn't go. Even though he did not seem concerned when wounded, she worried about him. It wasn't just the fact that he was her protector, either. It was because she couldn't stand the thought of him in pain. <br><br>When they arrived at the gas station, she ran around inside, gathering armfuls of water and snack food, and then rushing them to the counter before going for more. Included in her purchase was five more first aid kits, just in case they ran into more problems, and an ice chest along with the ice, so that their drinks would be kept cold. Hallbjorn didn't raise a fuss at the cost she ran up, but Kara still wished she had access to her bank account. She didn't like the thought of making him broke. After all, this trip would not be cheap, what with all of the hotels they'd be staying at. <br><br>While he ate his Skittles, she enjoyed some red licorice. Hunger was making her stomach rumble, but she didn't want to stop off anywhere to eat. They would have food at the faire, and they only had a few precious hours to enjoy it before it closed for the night. <br><br>Just seeing the entrance to the faire had Kara bursting with energy. She hoped out of the truck and kept shifting from foot to foot while in line beside Hallbjorn. The few people that had dressed up in line were fun to look upon, but she wanted to get in and experience everything. <br><br>Her eyes widened at the fire-breather, and Kara heartily clapped along with others. She had a passing moment to wonder if she'd ever have such control over her own fire, but Hallbjorn's mention of food switched the tracks in her mind. The smells coming from the concession stands had her mouth watering. <br><br>“Yes, please.” She smiled up at him, then turned to see what he was watching. The rowdy men may have worn the garb, but she suspected she was standing next to the real deal. Hallbjorn's neutral expression made her worry that this might have been a bad idea. She had no idea what kind of memories seeing people garbed as vikings might dredge up for him. <br><br>His words confirmed her&nbsp; suspicions that he was much, much older then he looked. In an attempt to distract him from the three, she tugged on his hand and grinned up at him. “Well shoot. There goes my fantasy of you in a horned helmet.” Kara did not add that the fantasy had him wearing anything else. <br><br>The heavenly scent of faire food had her holding his hand and nearly dragging him to the food court. She looked at where they were serving the funnel cakes, but she changed her mind about what to eat first when someone walked by with a massive turkey drumstick in their hand. <br><br>“Oh we have to try those.” Kara said as she pulled him over to where they were being sold. When they both had one in hand, she borrowed his phone and had a lady dressed in Victorian era garb take a picture of them together. Kara held up her drumstick and smiled happily, then thanked the woman and pocketed the cell. Hallbjorn might not know it, but she had plans to take many pictures along their trip. <br><br>The drumstick, which was nearly too big for her mouth, tasted delicious. Kara slowly worked on it while taking small bites. Her free hand took hold of Hallbjorn's again as she led him to what had next caught her eye. Sticks had been bound together to form a fence and backdrop to an area where men&nbsp; and women in furs and leather held crudely made spears. She could only guess them to be barbarians. Many of them had mud stripes on whatever skin was revealed. To her, it was surreal to see something like this in person. <br><br>Kara looked up at Hallbjorn to see how he was reacting to the barbarians. Then the question that she had been wanting to ask him for a while burst out of her before she had the chance to tamp down the urge. “How old are you, Hallbjorn?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>05-10-2016, 03:59:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The large man did not really mind having his picture taken. Especially not when it was clear how much Kara was enjoying herself. The young woman's excitement was pleasing to the blond man, and it made the world feel new again to be beside her when she was so excited about something. It made him feel more alive to experience her excitement, and while she may have worried about the cost of this trip it was not only not an expense for the Berserker, but it was money gladly spent. The large man had a bigger mouth than Kara did, so he was making more headway on his turkey drumstick. <br><br>The tall man was led by the hand towards another attraction, and Hallbjorn was not sure what to make of it. The people wearing furs and leather, daubed in mud stripes, had crude spears. They looked like some of the more backward tribes that he had fought in his youth and then even in some demonarchies - though the latter denizens had horns and claws. <br><br>Sensing Kara's eyes upon him, Hallbjorn looked over at Kara and met her gaze. His expression was neutral. His brows drew together. "One thousand, two hundred and thirty-six years, give or take a decade. We did not reckon years by the birth of Christ when I was born." The blond man told her. His turkey drumstick was finished, and he discarded the bone in a nearby waste bin. "Have you seen the A&amp;E drama <em>Vikings</em>? I sailed with Ragnar Lodbrok, and later his son Bjorn Ironside. I was part of what history remembers as the Great Heathen Army. And in armies that mortal history do not record."<br><br>He turned his gaze back to the barbarians. A few of the males had begun to spar with each other in a semi-choreographed display. It was intended to look flashy to onlookers rather than be a demonstration of practical combat technique, and it succeeded in wowing the people watching. <br><br>"The Berserkers are looked upon like that." Hallbjorn gestured towards the barbarians. "We are regarded as crude, crass creatures who are slaves to our rage, our stomachs, and our cocks." The man said, and some resentment crept into his voice. "The reputation is not undeserved. When I served under Aiden the Fierce, all of the Berserkers spent their waking hours fighting, eating, or fucking. But not me." He paused, and pursed his lips for a moment. "Let us go find something else to look upon, Kara. I hear mummers over there. Perhaps they will have jesters as well." The big man pointed over to the north, where the sound of music came from. He wanted a change of scenery before he became mired in his distaste for the behaviour of his species and the bitterness he felt at the low regard that all Berserkers were held in for it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>05-10-2016, 04:34:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara's lips parted in surprise when Hallbjorn told her how old he was. She had guessed that he'd been around a long time, but her mind had not guessed at such an age. Her attention was focused solely on him as he began to speak, and luckily she'd been able to pick up her jaw. Perhaps she should have been discouraged by his age, but Kara found herself wanting to know all that he had seen. <br><br>“I love that show.” Kara told him, and was so glad that she'd watched it. It felt now like she had a better understanding of Hallbjorn's past. “Though I didn't know it was based on real world events.” The awe in her gaze was unmistakable. <br><br>Yet when Hallbjorn looked back towards the barbarians and told her of the opinion of berserkers, her smile wilted. She didn't miss the resentment in his voice. Her heart ached for him again, and she wanted to deliver him from the turmoil of his thoughts. When he suggested they move on, she slipped her hand in his once again and finished off her turkey leg as they headed north. <br><br>At first she had held his hand to make sure she didn't lose him as she moved through the crowds. But now she acknowledge to herself that she liked having that contact with him. It was hard to believe that she'd known him for such a short period of time, because already she felt stronger for Hallbjorn then could have ever imagined. <br><br>Kara tossed her finished leg in a nearby trash receptacle as they came up from behind the crowd, and licked the grease from her fingers. She heard loud classes and the whinny of horses that had her pushing her way through the crowd and holding onto Hallbjorn. When they reached the front, they came upon a jousting tournament. Excitement soared through Kara once more, and when she spotted an empty spot on the wooden bleachers, she led Hallbjorn over to it so they could sit. <br><br>She soon had the camera on his cell at work as she took pictures of the men wearing full metal armor while seated on their horses. Bales of straw circled the area, and the ground inside was churned up by horse hooves. Each man had a long spear with a blunted tip and a shield. When they charged at each other, Kara held onto Hallbjorn's arm as she held her breath and watched wide eyed. The impact had her jolting in her seat as one man was thrown from his horse. She gasped, her hands squeezing Hallbjorn's arm more tightly, and it wasn't until the man on the ground stood up uninjured that she joined the crowd in cheering. <br><br>Kara looked up at Hallbjorn, and the attraction of a live jousting tournament faded. Regardless of all the new things around them, she still found him the most interesting. It was not easy to whisper in his ear, since she only came up to his chest, but Kara tugged on his arm until she was able to. <br><br>“My kind, the vampires, are looked upon horribly as well. I'm sure they deserve it for the most part, too. But you do not seem to have clumped me together with them. You don't seem to judge me by their standards. And Hallbjorn,” her hand slipped into it again, and she squeezed gently, “You are not crude, or crass, and you are a slave to nothing. Aside from my father, there is no man I hold in higher regard.” <br><br>The crowd began to dissipated as a break time was announced in the jousting ring, and when Kara looked past Hallbjorn, she grinned eagerly and pointed to what she saw. “Hallbjorn, bellydancers.” Kara told him breathlessly. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>05-10-2016, 05:16:48</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn told himself that Kara held his hand only so that they would not lose each other in the crowd, but logically it was specious reasoning. He was so large that it would be nigh impossible to miss him . . . and with his immortally sharp senses and the pull he felt towards her, there was no way that Hallbjorn would lose Kara in the fairground. <br><br>They sat on the bleachers and watched the jousting. He watched without much interest; he had no fondness for horses and had only ever encountered ones large enough when some enemy warlord was mounted atop them, bearing down on him with some fell weapon in hand. It seemed to to excite Kara, and that was the important thing. Her excitement helped him to keep from losing himself to a negative spiral, and he used that to help him control himself, pushing away what he felt so that he would not bring Kara down by being a wet blanket or a stick in the mud. <br><br>She pulled him down to whisper in her ear, and Hallbjorn felt unworthy of her regard. Hallbjorn had his own failings and being near Kara made him feel more aware of them than normal. <br><br>He followed to where Kara pointed, and took in the sight. He stood up, and they walked over to get a closer look. The women performing were wearing bedlah decorated with brightly coloured beads and discs of metal painted with rich colours. The women moved their bodies well, in highly controlled movements of the upper body and hips. Their style was influenced by modern interpretations of the dance mixed with traditional steps, and each of the performers were very dedicated to their craft. <br><br>"Is that something that you want to learn to do?" The blond man asked the young woman. "This dance?" His eyes were not really upon the women. Their costume revealed a lot of skin and the dance displayed their curves to good effect, but the tall immortal was focused upon Kara. With his fated female at his side the only way that another would have his attention was by magic or if she were some sort of threat to Kara. He felt strongly and deeply for her in a way that was not rational and was potent despite how little they knew each other. His hand was still entwined in hers - his big hand large enough to swallow hers up entirely. <br><br>The man thought about Kara dressed in a bedlah outfit. He thought her upper body in the fitted upper garment with strings of beads designed to lure the eye, and a fitted skirt resting low on her hips and slit all the way up the side. It was all too easy to imagine her body undulating to music for his viewing. The Berserker glanced over at the dancers. He would not allow Kara to dance like that in front of other males. He looked down to where he held her hand, cutting off the urge to tense possessively. She was not his. The grey threatened to spill into his eyes but Hallbjorn kept it at bay. <br><br>"Tell me about things that you like, Kara." He said. He had an idea, but he wanted to hear it from her. It was more appealing to hear it from her lips than just what he had witnessed while guarding her in secret. "I saw things while I watched over you, but to know from your lips is better."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>05-10-2016, 06:23:01</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara rushed alongside Hallbjorn's long legged strides to get closer to the belly dancers. They were beautiful in the way they moved, and she watched on in fascination. The music they moved and the sight of them made Kara wish that she knew how to dance as they did. Her own hips began to twitchy slightly as she attempted to mimic them. She blushed with embarrassment when Hallbjorn asked her if she wanted to learn how to do the belly dance. She really hoped no one else had seen her bumbling attempts. <br><br>When she looked up into his eyes, the thought of doing the dance for him became one of her new fantasies. “I would love to be able to move as they do. If I'm to be around for a long time, there are many things I would like to learn.” She answered him honestly. The thought of immortality was difficult at first to believe, but the more she thought of it, the more Kara began to think of all of the things she could learn and do with such a long life. <br><br>Her expression turned playful as she looked into Hallbjorn's eyes. “I don't suppose you would know how to teach me to dance like that?” The thought of his hands on her hips as he instructed her in belly dancing turned into thinking of his hands on her hips while he taught her to do other things. <br><br>Hallbjorn's next words should have mortified her. That he had watched over her, witnessed her doing things when she thought no one watched, some of them most likely very embarrassing, should have had Kara's cheeks turning pink. Yet Kara realized that she really liked the idea of him watching her as he protected her. Some of the things she did were so embarrassing that she would never have done them if she knew she was being watched. <br><br>Kara smiled softly at Hallbjorn and led him away from the belly dancers. They passed stalls that sold all sorts of merchandise, from chain mails to jewelry, and much more. “I love to read. I'll grab any kind of book I can get my hands on. It doesn't matter if they are westerns, science fiction, romance, or horror. Each of them are small words to explore, and I love losing myself in them. My garage is overflowing with all of the books I've read.”<br><br>She worried her lower lip as she thought before speaking again. “Perhaps that's the reason I enjoyed working at the senior citizen center. All of those people had a lifetime of stories to tell, and I'm a sucker for sitting with them for hours and listening.”<br><br>They came upon another encampment, and this one looked to be a pirate theme. There were women who looked like tavern wenches who's breasts were nearly spilling out of their peasant blouses. Men dressed as pirates lounged around scarred tables and engaged in lively discussions. Some of their costumes looked corny, but others she thought were well done. Even as Kara looked on with interest, her gaze kept turning back to Hallbjorn. <br><br>“I attend an online college. I have been since I graduated high school. But I don't have a degree in anything. I just can't seem to decide on any one course, and so I've ended up taking a good majority of their beginning courses.” Kara quirked her lips up in a wry smile. “It drives my parents crazy, but there is just so much out there that I want to learn. I don't want to trap myself in one profession.”<br><br>“I work at the local bar called The Shaft.” Her smile darkened for a moment. Kara was suddenly feeling selfish because she had not even called her boss to tell him she would be gone for a while. It was something she'd have to do later. She pushed the thought aside for another time. “I think I was a good bartender. I liked it when the place was hopping and I didn't have a spare moment.”<br><br>“As you probably already guessed, I love peanut butter cup ice cream.” Kara smiled, thinking back to the Blizzard he had bought her. “I had a ritual at night, to sit on the couch with my ice cream and watch a television show called Supernatural. You can probably imagine what it was about from the title.”<br><br>Her cheeks did blush when she spoke next. “You probably saw me cleaning and singing Lana Del Ray songs while I whirled around with the vacuum cleaner. Be glad the vacuum covered up my voice, because I do not do her justice.”<br><br>“And I'm a horrible cook.” Kara chuckled. “My parents have outlawed me cooking in their kitchen, and I'm only allowed to use the microwave. But I swear that oven hates me, because it keeps burning all of my food.” <br><br>“I- oh.” She stopped, her jaw dropped. To the side of the pirate encampment was stocks, and a woman wearing normal clothes had her neck and wrists locked inside. In front of her was a sign advertising the cost of five dollars, though it didn't state for what. What the price was for was displayed by the pirate who held a velvet whip. The lashes flew through the air before hitting the woman's backside, but she didn't seem hurt at all. A little to the left a line had formed with four more women waiting. <br><br>“How peculiar.” She shook her head, unable to understand why anyone would pay for a whipping. Beyond was where the people in Victorian dress held their court, and Kara tugged on Hallbjorn's hand to lead him in that direction. <br><br>Kara smiled up at Hallbjorn, and her voice was teasing when she asked, “Is there anything else I'm forgetting to tell you about?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>06-10-2016, 04:14:27</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn shook his head in a rueful, amused way when Kara asked him if he knew how to teach her to dance. The large man did not know how to dance. There was very little that he knew how to do that was not related to fighting and the taking of life. He thought that if she were immortal, then they could find some things to learn together, and stopped himself from imagining a future with her. That was a dream that could not be. <br><br>Thankfully Kara was talking and that took his mind away from things. He knew of her love of reading. There were many times that he had seen her curled up on a chair or in her bed with a book in hand and noted just how rapt she was in the words on the page. He knew very well how she lost herself in the stories that she took in. And he knew too how many hours she spent at the senior citizen center. Everyone there had always been overjoyed by her visits and all of the seniors eager to share things with her. <br><br>They came into the pirate section, and Hallbjorn was not even aware of the women whose garb had their busts on proud display. A red-headed woman with skin like cream and breasts the size of Kara's head tried for Hallbjorn's attention, trying to get him to sample some spiced rum with shameless innuendo, but the Berserker did not even hear her over Kara's speech. The red-head looked at Kara and scoffed, glancing at her bust, adjusting her breasts as moving her flesh about would calibrate them somehow and get them working again. But Hallbjorn proved resistant to her charms, and eventually she turned her wiles to other men. <br><br>She related her courses on the online college and he nodded. It was difficult, again, not to think of a future together with her - were she his female he would let her take any course that took her fancy and not worry about the cost of tuition or books. The large man pushed the thought from his mind, focusing as she spoke of work, her love of peanut butter cup ice cream, and her ritual of watching Supernatural.<br><br>"I have watched Supernatural. I like Castiel. I relate to him, a little." Hallbjorn mentioned edgewise. The blond Berserker felt something of an affinity for the angel who went rogue, following his principles over what his superiors told him to do. It spoke to how Hallbjorn set himself apart from the other Berserkers. <br><br>When she spoke of cleaning and singing, Hallbjorn hid a small grin. He was able to hear her sing despite the vacuum cleaner. The large man had found it adorable. "I enjoyed it when you did that." He admitted to her with a soft murmur. Before he could imagine her cleaning his place, could think of it as their place, he killed the thought. <br><br>The news that she was a horrible cook was not a big deal to him either. He was a fair hand at meal preparation although he seldom bothered with anything fancy. But he was at least more skilled than Kara. The large man began to curse fate because his thoughts turned to preparing meals for her. So many things that they would not share. <br><br>The sight of the woman in stocks being whipped, and with others lining up for the pleasure, did not strike Hallbjorn as entirely odd. That it was just out in the open was the odd part. Perhaps the popularity of the thing had something to do with how the pirate bore a passing resemblance to a handsomer, taller Johnny Depp. But before the attraction could take up any more of their attention, Hallbjorn was tugged towards the section of the fair where the Victorians were.<br><br>Kara's teasing voice had Hallbjorn conflicted, but he eventually decided to take the bait. He glanced at her with a neutral expression for a moment, and then spoke in a calculated deadpan.<br><br>"Yes, but do not fear - I averted my eyes honourably and found somewhere else to be at those times." The Berserker told her before turning his gaze forward and pushing into the Victorian section. He saw a few men in full Victorian dress sparing with thin-bladed swords with ornate basket hilts. Their form was good and their motions swift and precise. The men kept a hand behind their back like fencers would, and the powder on their face was marred with the sweat that they were working up. Hallbjorn's attention was also drawn to another food stall, and he purchased a few Scotch eggs while he waited for Kara to recover. <br><br>There were also women in elaborate dressed and their waists cinched with corsets. Their faces were powdered and they wore tall wigs. <br><br>"Today, being here with you, Kara," the Berserker said to the young woman, "the world feels young again." He glanced at her, turning his his eyes to look sideways at her. "I feel . . . lighter." His hand sought hers of its own volition, for no other reason but for the contact. The pad of his thumb brushed over the back of her hand slowly, the calloused skin grazing over her softness. The hand was warm, his touch strong and sure without being crushing or overwhelming. With another, he would feel foolish saying these things, but he found that with her, he did not. He glanced down at his boots, then glanced over to watch a pair of men in highly inaccurate Steampunk attire display some manner of retro-futuristic device. It looked like a small scale version of the clockwork arachnid from the film Wild, Wild West only with more gears on it. Because more gears meant more Steampunk.<br><br>"I do not . . . want you to be embarrassed about yourself around me." He glanced at Kara again, tilting his head in her direction. "You are wonderful, and I . . ." Hallbjorn trailed off. His other hand moved to cup her cheek, and this time, rather than caressing her lip with his thumb, Hallbjorn leaned in and touched his lips to hers. His kiss was firm, but not deep, and as with all things about him there was something guarded and held back. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>06-10-2016, 05:12:39</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara had not missed the large breasted woman who seemed to be desperately trying to get Hallbjorn's attention. Despite her overly ample breasts, Hallbjorn did seem even remotely interested. That made Kara feel as if she was floating, at least until the woman scoffed at her own breasts. Kara surreptitiously glanced down at her breasts with a slight frown. While they were nowhere as large as the other woman's, they weren't small either. At least not for her petite frame. Curiosity had her wondering if Hallbjorn would find them lacking, but she stuffed that thought away. <br><br>Kara grinned when he told her he liked Castiel. She thought he was like an angel, and it was easy to make the comparison. His admission that he liked when she sang while cleaning had her smiling. If her singing was not enough to send him running, then she had hope that nothing would. <br><br>When Hallbjorn alluded to those times she'd touched herself, Kara's jaw dropped and her cheeks turned pink. She stood rooted in place as heat built within her. She should have been scandalized, but instead Kara wished he had watched her. Desire furled through her and she looked heavenward to try and corral it, as if she could find control in the clouds that hid the stars. <br><br>She brought her attention back to Hallbjorn when she felt she would not incinerate from want. Regardless of the wonderful costumes and even fencing taking place around her, her attention was solely on him. Kara took a deep breath, then caught up to where Hallbjorn was buying some new kind of food she'd never tried. She looked on the Scotch eggs with a bit too much interest as she tried to hide just how much he had affected her. <br><br>His voice beckoned her to look up at him, and his words had her heart squeezing again. When Hallbjorn's hand found her own, another thrill stole through her. It was a simple gesture, but considering who it was from, it meant a lot to Kara. His thumb brushing over the back of her hand made the butterflies in her stomach dance wildly. <br><br>Kara's voice was a little breathless when she spoke. “I would not have had even a fraction as much fun with anyone else, Hallbjorn. In all honesty, I probably would not have attended at all.” She'd certainly never got up the gumption to attend such events mere hours from&nbsp; her home. “You make me feel braver.” That was the honest truth. She felt that she could handle anything as long as he was by her side. <br><br>As much as she liked it when he simply referred to her as 'female', Kara loved the sound of her name on his lips. She'd never felt half so close to anyone as she did with him. Not even her friends seemed to understand her as he did. When he told her he didn't want her to be embarrassed around him, her cheeks still pinkened. But this time, it was due to his tone. When he was soft with her like this, it made her feel light and happy, and another piece of her heart went to him. <br><br>Hallbjorn cupped her cheek, and Kara's tongue darted out to lick her lips. She hoped with everything inside of her that he would kiss her. And then he was. Kara's eyes closed as she groaned softly. It felt like she was falling, and the sensation had her arms wrapped around his shoulders and hanging on tight. <br><br>His lips were soft, and Kara found herself brushing her lips along his. Her kiss was sweet and innocent at first as she explored his lips with her own. But it wasn't long enough until she felt braver and more comfortable with Hallbjorn. Then her lips parted, and her tongue traced along the seam of his mouth. Thunder rumbled loud enough to shake the very earth, but she was oblivious to it and to the lightning that danced in the sky above them. Kara could feel that lightning in her veins as she teased and coaxed Hallbjorn with her tongue. <br><br>It was only when the sky opened up, and rain became to fall in a deluge that Kara broke the kiss. Her amber eyes glowed as she looked into Hallbjorn's gaze. Around them, people scrambled for cover from the rain. But she did not even think about moving away from Hallbjorn. Even as her hair became soaked and her white tank top was drenched through and through, she held onto him tightly. <br><br>“I would like to do more of that, and often.” Kara told him in her soft, sweet voice. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>07-10-2016, 04:02:17</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Thunder rumbled overhead, and soon rain fell upon them. This seemed like a freak occurrence, and it was not hard for Hallbjorn to think that Kara was the cause of it. Probably not consciously. The time when the temperature in their room plummeted while she had a nightmare and the unleashing of fire when she was threatened came to his mind - it seemed that the young woman had power over the elements that was raw and tied to her emotions. And sure enough when their kiss broke her eyes glowed amber. His own were grey, as the sky above would be if there were any light to see it by. The deluge had his platinum blond strands plastered to his head, neck, and shoulders. The black t-shirt he wore was soaked completely through, clinging to every single hard edge of his muscled torso. Droplets of water sluiced over the planes of his face and he looked around, then lead Kara towards an outcropping that still had room under it. The rain continued but they took shelter beneath an overhang by a food stall that was further away than any others and so the last for anyone to try and go hide under.<br><br>Hallbjorn had his hand on Kara's lower back. His hand was very large and it splayed over so much of her back. The warmth of his skin on her back stood out against the coldness of her soaked tank top on the rest of her body. <br><br>"We shall see, female." Hallbjorn said, his eyes on the people nearby. His brows furrowed at a pair of Victorian-era garbed men who glanced their way but quickly averted their eyes. The hairs on the back of Hallbjorn's neck tried to rise in response, but they were unable to. "It would be wise for us to depart for now." The man said, and led Kara to the exit of the fair grounds. <br><br>They had just reached Hallbjorn's truck when the two men watching them traced to their location. They appeared between the truck and the blond pair. Hallbjorn took a half step forward, positioning himself between Kara and these two males. <br><br>"Step away, vampires." Hallbjorn threatened in a dull, emotionless tone.<br><br>"We seek no quarrel." One of the men said, holding up his arms placatingly. The eyes of both of these vampires were clear, indicating that they had never drunk blood to the death of their source. But their interest in Kara was all too clear with the way their eyes continued to gaze her way. "But, ah, you see-"<br><br>"You look at what is mine without my leave. It ends. Now." Hallbjorn said, fully interposing himself between the vampires and Kara, blocking her from their line of sight. The one vampire who was, thus far, silent chose - unwisely - to test Hallbjorn and traced to the side, coming within arm's reach of Kara. <br><br>The vampire did not remain in that position for long as Hallbjorn's arm shot out and grasped the vampire by the neck. The vampire had just enough time to yelp before Hallbjorn's hand clenched tightly, closing off the airway completely. The vampire did not need to breathe, as an unblooded male, but it was still painful as iron-like fingers dug deep into flesh. <br><br>"Berserker, please! Peace! Is it only that the female-" The first vampire began.<br><br>"Is mine!" Hallbjorn answered, and brought his other hand up. He wrenched viciously, and the sound of bones popping sounded as Hallbjorn broke the vampire's neck but left its head attached. "I fought for Kristoff, and he treated me well and honourably. Swear to the Lore you will not report anything to your king or anyone else, or I will end both of you."<br><br>The vampire glanced at his friend, who was boneless in Hallbjorn's hands. "I can swear only for myself."<br><br>"Swear to the Lore you will extract the same vow from him when he can speak again." Hallbjorn said, and when the vampire made no move to reply his muscles tensed. The vampire finally nodded.<br><br>"I vow it to the Lore." The vampire said, and Hallbjorn tossed the other vampire in a boneless heap at him. The vampire caught his friend and then traced away and out of sight. <br><br>Hallbjorn turned his head to look at Kara. He wore an impassive expression and his eyes were a pale blue. "Please get inside the truck and change into dry clothing." He told her. The cab of the Super Duty would be large enough for her to hop into the back and change out of her wet clothes into something dry. The windows were tinted so there would be no worry about anything seeing her disrobe. The Berserker's eyes turned towards the fair grounds, and his thoughts were his own.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>07-10-2016, 04:54:34</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara was still reeling from the kiss they had shared when Hallbjorn began towing her towards the shelter of an overhang. Only when they were out of the down poor did she seem to grasp what was happening around them, and that she was the cause for the weather. With Hallbjorn's hand on her back, warming her through her soaked clothing, Kara pressed her face against his chest. <br><br>She thought perhaps if she could calm herself, she could calm the storm. Kara took several deep breaths and began to feel that something within her that made her feel connected to the storm. She was about to try and make it shrink, but Hallbjorn's tone alerted her to danger. While to anyone else, it would be impossible to read him, she thought she might be getting a better handle on his moods. Right now, his mood made her agree with him. She stepped back and nodded, then clung to his hand as they quickly left. <br><br>Kara gasped when two men appeared out of nowhere. She'd never get used to that. Hallbjorn took a half step in front of her, and she was happy to have him be her shield. But when he called them vampires, she leaned around so she could see them. She had no idea how he knew they were vampires. They didn't have read eyes, and unlike the demons and their horns, there was nothing to give them away. <br><br>The fascination she felt, to meet others of her kind, and the questions that bubbled within her shriveled when the two vampires kept gazing at her. Kara frowned as she straightened. Her hands rested on Hallbjorn's lower back as she moved closer to him. His possessive words about her thrilled Kara to her toes, even as her breath quickened with fear. She was glad when Hallbjorn moved fully in front of her. Kara didn't want to see them anymore. She just wanted them to leave her and Hallbjorn alone. <br><br>She gasped Hallbjorn's name when one of them traced far to close to her. Her small hands fisted in his shirt, as if she could hold onto him and not be taken away. Hallbjorn was quick to stop the vampire from getting any closer to her. She could partly see what Hallbjorn was doing to the vampire. While before, this violence would have frightened her and made her weary of him, now Kara was better able to accept it. It did not escape her grasp either that Hallbjorn was not killing the vampire, just as he had not killed those werewolves. <br><br>Kara listened to the rest of the exchange from safely behind Hallbjorn's back. When she felt his muscles relax, she was able to let go of his shirt. The rain had slackened to a steady sprinkle and the strikes of lightning came fewer and less intense. Though at this point, her clothes were plastered to her skin, but the desert was still warm enough that she was not suffering from chills.<br><br>She looked up at Hallbjorn, her eyes wide. Questions tumbled through her head. Why were the vampires after her? What did they want? Who was Kristoff? And did Hallbjorn really mean what he said?&nbsp; She held her tongue for the moment, and did as he asked. He still seemed on guard, and she wanted to get out of their quickly. <br><br>Kara climbed up into the cab of the truck and leaned over the seat back so she could dig into her bag. What she found was not heartening. The only clean clothes she had left was a pair of black yoga pants and her hoodie. She was even out of underthings. She pulled off her wet clothes as quickly as she could, which was not an easy thing with tight jeans. Left with no clean underwear, she pulled on the yoga pants, then slipped the hoodie on. Thankfully it was thick enough to conceal the fact that she wasn't wearing a bra. <br><br>After putting her wet clothes and shoes into one of the plastic bags in the back and shoving it into her bag, she settled into the front seat and rolled down the window. Her hair was still wet, with tendrils plastered to her cheeks and her throat. Kara didn't know what Hallbjorn was going to do about his wet clothing, since he was as soaked as she had been. <br><br>“Hallbjorn,” she called to him softly, “I'm ready.” After he got into the truck, her lips parted to ask about the motives of the vampires. But Hallbjorn seemed as distant as when she first met him. Perhaps he needed time to cool down before they discussed it. Instead, she brought up another worry she had. “Um, I seem to be out of clean clothing. Do you think we can stop off at a laundromat in the next town, or perhaps a thrift store?”
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>07-10-2016, 05:52:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				While Kara changed in the back of the truck cab, Hallbjorn removed his shirt and wrung it out as best he could. Then he did the same with his long hair. He pulled the still wet shirt back on. It was uncomfortable, but the Berserker had suffered far worse in his long, lonely life. While Kara changed, he regretted how much he had let slip in the moment. A little. Not so much as he thought that he would. And he knew that Kara would ask him about it at some point. Probably this very night. He sensed that she would be curious and the question would bubble up sooner rather than later. <br><br>He did not immediately respond when she called that she was ready. Then he went to the driver side of the truck and climbed in. <br><br>He glanced over at her when she brought up her lack of clean clothing. The large man thought he had grabbed more for her, but evidently not. Then he nodded. "I will take care of this need of yours." Hallbjorn told her, voice schooled and neutral, unbetraying. He engaged the engine and they drove for a time in silence. Hallbjorn did not look away from the road, but he did after some time break the silence. "I have existed as I am for over twelve centuries. Do not be hurt when I am this way." The man said, and glanced up at the rearview mirror to look at her face. Then his gaze went back to the road, and he took them off their intended course with a detour in mind that would see to Kara's need for clothing. <br><br>He drove along an interstate highway to a strip mall. There were many bright lights in the parking lot and around the building itself. As a testament to capitalism, it was still open and there were more vehicles than one would expect for the hour - more than would account for employees working at night. The pair disembarked, and Hallbjorn cracked the window on his side to let air circulate and help to dry out his side of the truck before engaging the lock. <br><br>"There is a store here that is managed by what is called a shifter. He may or may not be there. His name is Albert and he is a cat shifter. His employees are shifters also, of the same breed." Hallbjorn told her as they crossed the parking lot and entered into the mall itself. He walked with purpose, knowing where he wanted to go. Halfway to their destination, he paused and looked at her, then grasped her hand in his own before resuming his purposeful stride. Once he had her hand in his own his pace shifted, becoming one she could more easily match. <br><br>The clothing store that Hallbjorn brought Kara to looked rather upscale. Definitely on the higher end of the price point. And the clothes, accessories, and make-up inside were of brands that featured in female fashion magazines and Cosmo. A sales associate purred as she saw Hallbjorn and Kara entered. The woman's eyes slitted and she smiled like a cat spotting a saucer of fresh cream - she saw how the pair held hands and knew that a Lorean male shopping with his female meant big sales were about to happen. <br><br>"Purchase to your pleasure all of the clothing you fancy and any womanly things you require." Hallbjorn said to Kara. "I forbid you to fret about the cost." His gaze moved from Kara to the sales associate. "Treat her as a princess. You will be well rewarded." <br><br>One could almost see the dollar signs flashing in the sales associate's eyes.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>07-10-2016, 07:03:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara could not rid the worried look in her eyes when Hallbjorn did not come join her immediately. When he climbed into the cab, it seemed as if he didn't even see her. Her lips still tingled from their kiss, but his shut off expression made her think that perhaps he regretted it. Or perhaps she was a horrible kisser. She had no real experience to rely on. Maybe she had done something that made him wish he could take back their kiss. Or maybe he was disgusted by her inability to control her powers. <br><br>She remained quiet, because she was unsure of how to even breach the gap that seemed to have sprung up between them. When he finally spoke, it felt as if a weight had been lifted from her heart, leaving only a tiny bit behind. She blinked back tears and fought the urge to reach out for his hand. Her gaze kept moving back to Hallbjorn during the ride. She worried about him. It could not be comfortable to remain in his wet clothes, especially with his long, glorious hair still damp. She would have dried it for him, if she had a towel to do so. <br><br>The bright lights of the strip mall he turned into had her blinking with confusion. She had thought they'd been headed to a laundromat, or perhaps a thrift store, if they could find one open this late. When they parked, and Hallbjorn told her about the store they'd be going to, Kara felt no small amount of trepidation. Hallbjorn was the only immortal that she had met whom she trusted. The others, through their violence and their stares, had her nervous to meet another one. Kara resolved herself to trust in Hallbjorn's judgment. <br><br>Slipping back on her wet shoes was not pleasant, but soon she was rushing to keep up with Hallbjorn and the squishing of her shoes became a minor inconvenience. When he stopped, then took her hand, Kara's lower lip quivered for just a moment. She smiled up at him, happy to have her Hallbjorn back. Before they made it into the store, she told him softly, “Aside from that one part, I had a wonderful time at the fair. Thank you for going with me.”<br><br>What she really wanted to do was jump into his arms and kiss him soundly. Her chance missed, she followed him inside the store, and her lips parted in surprise. Nothing looked cheap in the store, nothing even coming close to thrift store value. In fact, she saw a lot of high priced fashion. There were designer clothing that she had only dreamed about wearing. <br><br>Kara's attention was drawn to the woman that had a very pleased look on her face. Jealousy flared up inside of her, before she realized that the woman was not undressing Hallbjorn with her eyes. In fact, her eyes seemed to be dressing Kara up. There was nothing about the woman to make Kara think she was a shifter. She would need to ask Hallbjorn how he could tell the difference between human and Lorean. <br><br>Her eyes grew wide at Hallbjorn's words, and she was tempted to tug him out of their and pick up clothes from some drug store along the way. But when he told Kara that he forbid her to fret, and at his direction to the sales associate, her lips pulled up into a smile of happiness. It wasn't that Hallbjorn would be spending a lot on Kara that touched her so much, but that cared about her needs. <br><br>Before being led away with the shifter woman, Kara tugged Hallbjorn down so she could kiss his cheek. It was all she could give him at the moment. Her heart was swelling so big in her chest that she felt she could not get the words out. <br><br>The next hour and a half was spending in a shopping euphoria the likes of which she'd never experienced. The sales associate, Patricia, went out of her way to make Kara feel like she was a princess. It seemed as if she sped through the store to bring her every item of clothing that she could for Kara to try on. <br><br>Even while she was busy trying on new clothes, Kara's thoughts kept turning back to Hallbjorn. Because every item she chose was based on whether or not he would like seeing her in it. There were some daring items that she would never have chosen otherwise, such as a tight black miniskirt, or a lovely shirt that had no back. A slinky silver chain looped around the back of her neck, and then another one held the sides of the shirt together halfway down her back. The silvery shirt didn't even reach her belly button, and she couldn't wear it with a bra. But she added it to her growing pile of clothes, because she wanted to see the look on Hallbjorn's face when she wore it. <br><br>There were a few items that were her usual style, such as soft pink skirts that ended above her knees, and lacy tank tops. But they did not compare to the amount of seductive outfits she picked. When it came to sleepwear, she refused to wear the teddies that Patricia suggested. Instead, she chose short shorts and matching tops. Although, she did chose a few silky nightgowns with spaghetti straps and that ended well above her knees. <br><br>When it was time to look at the items she didn't need to change into, Patricia told her she could wear one of her new outfits to do so. Kara came out wearing some pink short shorts, and a lacy black camisole top. She looked for Hallbjorn, and when she found him she gave him a radiant smile. <br><br>The next thing she needed to look at here panties and bras. When she saw the brand Strumpet &amp; Pink, she squealed with happiness and picked out more matching sets then was necessary. They were much sexier then what she usually wore, but she'd always wanted to be brave enough to wear the brand. Included in her choices was a black silky thong with a little bell on the back that hung just enough to make sure it would ring with each step she took. Kara intended to drive Hallbjorn mad with it. The thought alone made her grin. <br><br>After choosing stockings, garters, and even a few corsets, Patricia led her to look at the shoes. There were no regular tennis shoes to be had, but there were nice sandals that laced up her ankle. Those she chose to wear before leaving, and then picked out a few more pairs of shoes. Her fingers paused when she found a knee high pair of boots in soft black leather, with six inch heels. Kara glanced back at Hallbjorn, then made her mind to get them. It would be nice to be a little taller around him. <br><br>She had never been the kind to wear much make up or perfume, but she did select some eyeliner, mascara, and cherry flavored lip gloss. Coconut lime lotion, nail polishes, and a few hair pieces finished off her shopping spree. <br><br>As Patricia started ringing up the sale, Kara moved over to Hallbjorn before he approached the counter. She smiled happily at him as she displayed her current outfit, then gave into the urge to wrap her arms around him in a hug with her cheek pressed against his chest. “Thank you so much, Hallbjorn.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>08-10-2016, 00:36:02</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn waited in some chairs while Kara and Patricia went about finding the things that would please Kara best. The large man was sure that Patricia would do a good job, and he was utterly unconcerned about the price tag of the hour and a half the two spent picking out items for Kara. In a lot of ways it was taking care of her needs, but there was at least a part of it that was an apology for being the way he was. Hallbjorn could tell that Kara would prefer him to be a different way - that she would like him more if he were not closed off. Whenever Kara looked over him, Hallbjorn was there, and gave her a small wave of the hand to acknowledge her. But he got up and left at a few points, because there were a few times when he had things that he had not before: once a cup of coffee and a few donuts, another time a sub sandwich. The tall blond was a big eater.<br><br>When the two women were done and Patricia was ringing things up, Kara intercepted Hallbjorn. He was mostly dry on the outside when she hugged him. He put an arm around Kara and simply lifted her up off of her feet with his strength, allowing her to hug him and him to approach the counter. The tall man held all of her weight as though it were nothing at all, taking her up in stride while he approached the counter, and braced her body perfectly so there was no strain on Kara at all. The large blond man fished out his wallet and presented his black credit card for Patricia to use when she was ready. It would take some time with everything that Kara was getting, but Patricia was efficient. After he did that, Hallbjorn's free arm curled around Kara as well, the palm of his hand going to the nape of her neck.<br><br>"I am glad that you are pleased." Hallbjorn told her softly. He exhaled slowly. Patricia had finished ringing things up and it was time for a tip. The big man simply raised his chin to indicate to the woman that she could make her own determination. It was perhaps unwise, but Hallbjorn would not begrudge the cost for the happiness that Kara had trying everything on and the choices she made. There were many big bags being filled up with Kara's new clothes. <br><br>Hallbjorn let Kara go to pick them all up. He looked overloaded with everything, but he doubted that Kara would struggle with her strength blossoming and every moment bringing her closer to immortality. The two left the store and Hallbjorn nodded his head towards the depths of the mall.<br><br>"There is a Baskin Robbins, and they have your flavour if you want to get a cone before we go." The tall man told her softly. "Or anything else you wish: you need only name it."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>08-10-2016, 01:23:14</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara laughed with delight when Hallbjorn picked her up. It was not something she had expected, but something she welcomed very much. The feel of her body pressing against his was something she wanted to feel often, just as she wanted them to kiss often. Her arms slipped around his neck and she smiled tenderly at Hallbjorn. It was nice not to crane her neck to look up at him. But what she cherished most was that he didn't feel so distant now. <br><br>A flare of arousal sparked inside of her, and Kara desperately tried to bat it down. Her luck was only marginal, since Hallbjorn was still holding her in his arms as Patricia checked out her items. She softened against Hallbjorn when his palm went to the nape of her neck. If they were alone, she would have wrapped her legs around him just to feel closer. <br><br>Hallbjorn's soft words made her want to kiss him, no matter who watched. She licked her lips as her gaze went down to his lips. But then Patricia mentioned the total, and Kara nearly choked. She watched Hallbjorn, but he didn't seem upset at all. Even the no doubt generous tip he gave to Patricia seemed to not matter to him. Tenderness swept through her, and she kissed his cheek. <br><br>There was a small bit of disappointment when he set her back on the ground, but with all of the bags he was carrying there was no room for her. Kara had not realized just how much she'd picked out. Poor Hallbjorn was starting to turn into a pack mule. “I don't mind carry some of those, Hallbjorn.” Not that she thought he'd give any of them up, but she still wanted to help. <br><br>Her eyes lit up when he mentioned Baskin Robbins, and then her stomach growled. That turkey leg had not been enough. “I probably could use something to put my new clothes in, but I'd like to stop off at the food court first since I'm famished.”<br><br>Kara was touched that he had gone so far as to check to see if they had her favorite flavor. She was glad to see the food court didn't have many people in it. After the incident at the faire, she didn't want to have anymore problems for the night. <br><br>At the counter, she had the server fill up a big cup with peanut butter cup ice cream, then also ordered a hamburger and fries to go. The sooner she was back in the truck with Hallbjorn and away from any potential dangers, the better. It didn't take long for her food to be made and bagged, with the exception of her ice cream. That she happily began to eat as they made their way to a luggage store. <br><br>The clerk there was helpful in guessing just how many pieces of luggage she would need, and giving her ones that had a handle and roller on the bottom. Kara tried not to grimace at the price of it. She had not thought that suitcases would be so pricey. The clerk took mercy on her and Hallbjorn after seeing the load he carried, and started packing the pieces of luggage inside the biggest suitcase. It reminded her of Russian nesting dolls. When he was finished, she only had to grab the handle and roll it behind her. <br><br>When they stepped out of the store, the mall was starting to look deserted. Kara tossed her emptied ice cream cup, then grinned at Hallbjorn. “That was so good, but I honestly can't tell which chain store makes them better.”<br><br>She looked around at the other stores, then told him, “I don't believe I need anything else. Do you think we can find a hotel room a little early, and maybe watch some television or a movie together?”<br><br>Kara wanted to curl up in bed with Hallbjorn, in the safety of a hotel room, and just enjoy being with him. She still felt a little shook up by the vampires earlier, which might explain her odd urge to start nesting now. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>08-10-2016, 02:18:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Very well. If it is your desire, female." Hallbjorn said, giving his assent to checking in early to a hotel. They could make more progress tonight but he was willing to indulge Kara's wish to rest. The pair of them left the mall, and Hallbjorn secured Kara's new clothing in the back of the cab. Even with everything purchased there was room back there, a true testament to how large the Super Duty was. A male of Hallbjorn's size needed the oversized vehicle just for himself. It proved to be a bonus now that there was enough room for all of the clothing alongside the munchies and so on that Kara had wanted. <br><br>He was quiet again as they drove to the nearest hotel, but perhaps this silence would not have the same pall over it. Hallbjorn looked over at Kara once, then reached over and gave her knee a gentle squeeze without saying anything before he returned his hand to the wheel. <br><br>The nearest hotel proved to be a Hilton. At this time of night the guests were mostly in bed, but the bar was still open and there were a few lonely souls nursing drinks there. Hallbjorn directed Kara to take select from her bags what she would wear for the next few days so that they could give it to the hotel to have it laundered. The large man held Kara's hand on the way from the truck to the hotel's lobby, and continued to hold it while they checked in. The tall blond asked for, and received, the penthouse suite for the two of them. It was, perhaps, unduly lavish for their needs, but the large man was thinking only of Kara's comfort and her experience on their journey. He also made arrangements for the hotel staff to have Kara's clothing cleaned. Hallbjorn slipped the bellhop several bills with the ease of someone who was unconcerned about money that the bellhop knew meant more would come with good service, so the two were treated very well on their way up to their room and promised anything that they could want. <br><br>When they were checked in, Hallbjorn let Kara use the washroom first to get ready for the night. He changed from his clothes and left them outside to be cleaned as well, changing in a pair large black boxer shorts for nightwear. Clothes from the previous days - what had not been discarded - went to be cleaned as well, and he had a bag with fresh for the next day ready. He had his own toiletries and used the sink in the kitchen to brush his teeth and freshen up while Kara got ready.<br><br>The Berserker realized that there was one need that he had not taken care of. His female needed blood to stay strong. He did not know how much or how often she would need to drink, and there was only one ready source. The blond man found a tall glass in the kitchen and reflected on it as he pulled free his long knife. After a moment he pierced the flesh of one arm, the tip of the blade opening a minor blood vessel. The Berserker held his arm over the glass and watched dispassionately as it filled to the brim. By the time the glass was full the injury had knit itself shut, and the Berserker had only some blood on his forearm to show that he had injured himself. He washed it away into the sink and went to the opulently sized bed, waiting for Kara to join him. The large man set the glass of blood on the nightstand for her. It would still be warm when she joined him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>08-10-2016, 03:17:32</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				After shoving her luggage into the back seat, and marveling over how spacious the truck really was, Kara climbed into the front seat and buckled in. As they drove, she made quick work of her dinner. Or was it breakfast? It was hard getting used to a new schedule. Though she would not admit it, Kara missed the sun. She used to like to lay under the sun, dressed in a bikini, and soak up the rays. <br><br>Hallbjorn's hand on her knee drew her from her thoughts, and she rested her hand on top of his until he withdrew it. The drive was peaceful, and Hallbjorn's simple touch let her know he was here with her, and not shut off as he had been earlier. <br><br>When he pulled up to a Hilton, Kara craned her neck back to see how tall the building was. This would officially be the tallest building she'd ever been in, and even though she was tired, the thrill of experiencing new things was welling up inside of her. <br><br>At Hallbjorn's direction, she picked enough clothes for three days, and included her dirty clothing. Though she did not put the blood stained outfits in the bag she made up. That would lead to too many questions. Kara dug a tote bag out of her suitcases and used it to pack in the shoes she'd bought, as well as something to wear tonight. <br><br>As they walked in, Kara was too busy looking at everything to even attempt a conversation. The hotel was lovely, and huge. She was taking in the polished cherry desk that they approached, as well as the fancy looking couches, and and even some gorgeous chandeliers that hung from the ceiling. But when Hallbjorn asked for the penthouse, her attention went right back to him. Everything about tonight, which all he'd given her, was so lavish that she should feel bad for what he spent. But he had told her not to fret over it. Kara was determined to not fret, and to just enjoy. <br><br>When they reached the penthouse suite, she gaped for only a moment, then took off to explore the kitchen, the fully stocked bar, a dining room, a sitting area, and finally the bedroom. There was only one bed, and that suited Kara well. She needed him to keep her nightmares away, among other things. <br><br>Hallbjorn gave her first use of the bathroom, and she was nearly skipping to it after she picked up her bag. The glass enclosed shower could have fit six people. There were even jets coming out of the walls! While Kara had not planned on taking a shower, the lure of all of those body jets beckoned her. <br><br>It was glorious to feel those jets work the stress of the last few days from her. She cut her time in the shower short because she wanted to return to Hallbjorn. Kara dried off her body, then took the blow dryer to her hair. After brushing her teeth, she dug out the pajamas she chose for tonight, consisting of black sleeping shorts and a purple chemise top that had black ribbon decorating the lace over her breasts. <br><br>As she was rubbing her lotion onto her legs, she smelled the decadent scent of blood. Her fangs grew and her mouth watered. Kara quickly smoothed the coconut lime lotion over her arms before stepping out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. The scent led her gaze to the glass sitting on the night stand, and Kara began walking towards it. <br><br>When her gaze flickered over to Hallbjorn wearing only black boxers, she almost tripped. She never wanted to forget that site of him, ever. It took all of her will power to look away, and then the need for blood was pulling her strings. Kara sat on the edge of the bed and picked up the glass, which was still warm. A look of confusion flashed over her eyes for an instant, but then she was drinking the blood down. Her toes curled and her eyes closed as the hot, thick blood slid down her throat. <br><br>It tasted infinitely better then what they had got from the butcher. It even beat her peanut butter cup ice cream, hands down. All too soon she was finished, though she licked her lips to make sure she got every drop. After laying the glass on the night stand, she flopped back on the bed and sighed happily. “I guess this hotel does provide everything. I don't know what they put in it, but it was way better then the butcher's blood.”<br><br>Kara wiggled around until she could push the covers down near her feet. She sat up, and grabbed the remote, but her eyes traveled back to Hallbjorn. There was just no helping it. He was the most handsome man she'd ever seen. All of him was hard and muscled, and that hair put a dreamy look on her face. She didn't hide her gaze roaming over his body. Because she simply could not help it. Kara studied the tattoo over his heart, then looked up into his eyes. “Hallbjorn, will you tell me about your tattoos? What do they mean, and when did you get them?”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>08-10-2016, 03:52:34</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn watched as Kara emerged from the bathroom. His first instinct upon seeing her was to fortify himself and close himself up as tightly as possible; to become a fortress with every gate sealed and barred. And without even thinking about it he was - closing himself off and controlling the surging feelings and desires that the sight of his fated female brought to the fore. With difficulty he stopped himself from doing that, and he exhaled slowly, setting the muscles of his front to ripple beneath his skin. The man could <em>feel</em> her eyes upon him - her gaze touching him just as surely as if she were running her small hands over his big, brawny body. <br><br>He let himself relax, and allowed the grey to show in his eyes. The big man had his arms at rest by his sides and his back propped up against the headboard of the huge bed as Kara regarded him. Then she drank his blood down greedily, and it was pleasing to him that it sated her thirst better than the blood of animals. That feeling seemed like it was from the tug of fate that pulled him to her and bound him to her. Many immortals found the notion of letting their blood be consumed by a vampire repugnant. The blond man felt some trepidation at the notion of letting her drink from his vein, but only because he did not want her to see his memories. Perhaps it would be better, though, if she did. If she saw then she would not want him at all.<br><br>The way that Kara flopped back onto the bed was adorable. It warmed his heart. She had a way of doing things that could warm his solitary heart so easily - she could do something innocuous and everything cold and distant in him began to melt away. Even as another part of him fear how she encroached upon him and feared that he would lose himself in her. If he could not control himself, then he was nothing.<br><br>His eyes dipped to look at the tattoo over his heart. "My tattoos show my allegiance to Wóden. Gods derive power from worship, and for a Berserker, a battle did not count to earning immortality if it was not won in Wóden's name. Some warriors carried a banner with his ravens, or had their weapons decorated with ravens . . . but I chose to bear the ravens on my flesh. I was thirteen when I had the ravens on my back, and then sixteen when I chose to have the knot on my chest. The knot is a symbol of Wóden's power over the mind. He is able to lock men's hearts with fear and despair, but also to loosen it with battle inspiration. It felt like a good thing to have on my body when I decided that I would be the master of the berserker rage, not it of me." He said softly to her. They had also hurt incredibly to have done, but there was little purpose in telling Kara about that part of it. It would only hurt her to know how the young Hallbjorn had suffered. But he had done so stoically, without crying out once. <br><br>He gestured at the remote with a flicker of his hand. "Pull up the covers and choose something to watch, female." He bid her. The man shifted around fluidly, moving his half of the covers so that they covered him to the waist, pooling around his muscled stomach and leaving the top half of him bared. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>08-10-2016, 04:26:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara saw that Hallbjorn's eyes were gray, and she wished she knew what he was feeling to make them them that color once more. She was glad to see that the wounds on his chest were healed completely. It did not even enter her mind that he might have been the one to provide her with the blood since he had no sign of a wound on him to show that he had bled. Kara thought he had tipped the bell boy so well that they truly would get anything that she or Hallbjorn needed. <br><br>She sat up when Hallbjorn began to speak of his tattoos. Kara had no idea how tattoos had been done when Hallbjorn was still mortal. She had heard that the modern way of inking a tattoo hurt some, but it was nothing she'd ever experienced. Hallbjorn's words had her picturing warriors with raven banners or weapons entering into a gritty battle field. <br><br>Her gaze softened when he told her he had his first one done when he was thirteen. In that age, he must have had to grow up very fast. Hallbjorn said he wanted to be the master of his berserker rage, and she believed he had achieved that. There was pride in her eyes for him, because he defied everything she'd ever heard about berserkers with his tight reign on the rage. <br><br>Kara turned on the television, which had to be the largest flat screen she'd ever seen. She flipped through the channels as Hallbjorn covered his body up to his waist, leaving her to mourn that she would not be able to look upon all of him throughout the night. <br><br>She turned the channel to City Slickers, which was just beginning. “I hope you like this one.” Kara said as she turned to look at him. Suddenly the space between them on the huge bed was more then she could stand. Moving to her hands and knees, she crawled over so that she could lay down right beside him. There was barely and inch between them, and she was wondering if she were brave enough to take his arm and wrap it around her. <br><br>“I said, I hope you like this one.” She grinned playfully at him. “I wasn't sure if you could hear me from all the way over there.” Kara's expression dared him to challenge her. <br><br>She pulled the covers up to her chest, and then gave in to her longing and wedged herself between his arm and his side. Kara blushed too furiously to meet his gaze. She kept her eyes locked onto the television and held her breath as she waited to see if he'd settle in or push her away. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>08-10-2016, 05:27:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It was not unexpected when Kara crawled over over and lay down beside him, nor when, after she spoke, she insinuated herself between his arm and his side. The young blonde woman seemed very eager to be in constant contact with him. He should have been happy about it, but there was a nagging part of him that was so long alone that felt like it was an intrusion that would soon become difficult to bear. But it was always difficult between mates at first, was it not? Hallbjorn had no basis for comparison. <br><br>But he did not push her away. It was a few seconds before his arm settled around her. The man put his hand on her middle, the lowest part of his hand at her waist and the highest at her ribs. The hand that touched her was very large. <br><br>He did not enjoy City Slickers. But he watched it because it was what Kara chose and if she liked it then that was all that mattered. When the film was over he sidled down from his sitting position and lay on his back. He plucked the remote away from her, and turned off the television. He used a different remote to dim the lights, but he did not plunge them into complete darkness. The room remained softly lit and Kara would not have to worry about being completely lost in the black of the night. <br><br>"And now, it is time to sleep." Hallbjorn told Kara softly. He dipped his head and touched his lips gently and briefly to her forehead. The man lay his head back and closed his eyes. He lay that way until he was sure that Kara was sleeping soundly. The grasp of sleep would not come to him until he was sure that she would not have nightmares again. <br><br>After four hours, Hallbjorn had slept as much as he needed to. Immortality had that as an advantage: after a mere four hours he felt refreshed and ready for the day. He slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb Kara. He was able to using the same skills of stealth that he had cultivated that allowed him to watch over her undetected in Jack Rabbit Junction, despite being a blond Berserker who was over seven feet tall. The large man made a call to room service, and then took a quick shower. He brushed his teeth again - like other immortals, he tended towards fastidious cleanliness. He dried out his hair and used the blow dryer on it, then took the time to himself to braid his hair into a single long braid. He felt a wonderful sense of peace sitting by himself in the bathroom, looking at himself in the mirror as his fingers worked his pale strands into form. He allowed himself a small sense of pleasure as he used a small hematite band to secure the end of the braid. The band was, of course, carved to have ravens upon it. <br><br>Then he dressed in pair of extra crisply pressed black dressed pants, and a black muscle shirt over which he wore a black silk dress shirt, tucked into his pants. He left the four top-most buttons of the dress shirt undone and had the sleeves undone and folded up his arms. <br><br>By that time he scented room service on its way to his door, and moved to the hall. He tipped the bellhop handsomely again, and wheeled the cart bearing covered trays that were breakfast for himself and Kara into their room silently. He wheeled the cart to the table in the dining room and lifted trays from the cart onto the table. He went to the kitchen for plates, utensils, and so forth. <br><br>For breakfast Hallbjorn had ordered a pitches of freshly squeezed orange juice for them, stacks of the fluffiest pancakes, stacks of Belgian waffles, and mounds of bacon. Rich creamery butter waited to be applied to the waffles and pancakes, along with authentic maple syrup. When he had places set for them, and the only thing remaining was for Kara to awaken, Hallbjorn took up his knife again. He remembered how she had enjoyed the flavour his blood - how it had set her toes to curling. <br><br>So again he pierced his skin and let his life drip into a glass for her. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>08-10-2016, 06:17:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn's hand resting on her stomach, with his fingers so close to touching other parts of her had desire gripping Kara. She fought back against it with everything she had, and after a bit it slowly released its hold on her. She was able to enjoy the movie, but when she laughed at the funny parts, she noticed that Hallbjorn did not laugh. <br><br>After it was over and he announced it was time to sleep, her eyelids were already heavy. But as he leaned over her, she felt a thrill at the hope that he might kiss her. Hallbjorn did kiss her, only it was a gentle kiss to her forehead, and not on her lips. Frustration made her voice small when she said, “Goodnight Hallbjorn.” <br><br>Slowly sleep took her. Kara did not have nightmares, but she did have odd dreams. She could feel heat pressing down on her in the dream as she stood beneath a scorching sun. Before her was the side of a cliff wall, and the color of the rock was a pinkish red. Carved into the very stone was what looked like a temple. It was breathtaking, but what held her attention was the doorway, and how that empty space called to her. <br><br>When she woke, it was to the smell of blood. Kara rolled over on the bed, her arm reaching out for Hallbjorn. But he was not there. She rose and made her way to where she smelled the delicious scent of blood, and it led her to the dining room. Kara pushed her sleep tousled hair from her face and smiled at Hallbjorn, “You look handsome this morning.”<br><br>The cup of blood drew her, and soon she was seated and drinking deeply of it. It tasted as amazing as it had last night, which brought a soft groan of delight to her lips. But as she finished it, she had a thought that bothered her. Perhaps Hallbjorn had not kissed her last night on the mouth because she had just drank blood. It had to be gross for someone who wasn't a vampire. He might accept her, but it didn't mean he wanted to kiss a mouth that might have traces of blood in it. <br><br>A small furrow in the middle of her forehead as she fixed herself a plate of pancakes and slathered it with butter and syrup. Her thoughts were whirling as she ate, and caused her to not even taste her food. <br><br>Thinking about Hallbjorn not kissing her last night had her thinking of the rest of the night. Kara's frown grew, her eyes were directed at her plate, but she wasn't seeing it. She gave up eating when she was halfway through and set down her fork and knife. After worrying her lower lip with one of her small fangs, she huffed out a frustrated breath.<br><br>“I caused that storm last night, but I couldn't stop it. I couldn't figure out how to make it go away. If it had gotten worse, someone could have been hurt. As it is, I probably ruined the night for all of those people.” Her voice quavered, but no tears fell. While her eyes may have shimmered with tears, she kept her gaze on the plate as she spoke so Hallbjorn would not see. <br><br>“I couldn't even tell that those two men were vampires. I can't see the difference between humans and Loreans. I can't tell them apart. I don't even know what those vampires wanted. They could have been like the demons who came to my home. If anything happened to where we are separated, even for a few minutes, I wouldn't know if I should run from someone.” Kara's lower lip quivered, and she quickly swiped at her eyes. <br><br>“And I'm a bad kisser.” She added in a voice so soft she wasn't sure he would hear her. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>08-10-2016, 06:53:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn was pleased when Kara said that he looked handsome. The man had put in some effort into his appearance for what he could not admit was her sake. He looked at her and found that even with her sleep tousled hair he liked her just as she was. The Berserker suspected that she could roll around in mud, wear nothing but a garbage bag, and he would still find her pleasing to the eye. He watched her drink the blood, and he felt a small bit of pride when the soft groan of delight escaped her lips. He began to eat, thinking that he had done well and that they would have a pleasant breakfast together before heading out again. <br><br>When she gave up eating Hallbjorn put down his own utensils and looked over at her. He saw a fang worrying at her lower lip. The frustrated breath came next and soon she was unburdening herself to him. He listened attentively - to him, it was like with her nightmares: she knew <em>who</em> to come to with her worries. To Hallbjorn, that <em>mattered</em>. It pleased him that she did. Perhaps she had gleaned from his story about his brother Helgi that this was a thing that Hallbjorn appreciated. It was of no concern that she had problems. That was how life. She came to him with them. Though, there was no other choice except silence.<br><br>"Perhaps. But no one was hurt. You <em>tried</em> to make the storm go away. Other immortals grow up among their own kind and are taught to control their abilities by experienced mentors with decades and centuries of experience. We do not know what you are and what your abilities are. The important thing to take away from this is that you are capable of causing it and capable of stopping it. If it happens again, try another method." Hallbjorn told her, his voice soft and without condemnation. "When you learned to read, did you not struggle with the words?"<br><br>Even though he could not see the tears in her eyes, Hallbjorn knew they were there. He hurt at the quavering of her voice. The large man got up from his seat and walked around the table, taking a seat beside Kara, sidling it close to her. He took her in his arms and pulled her to his chest. One arm went low around her back and the other held her face to his chest, the back of his hand cradling her head. <br><br>"When you come fully into your immortality, you will be able to learn the difference between a mortal and an immortal. It is not a sense that you yet possess. You fault yourself for something you cannot do. Do not. I do not permit it." The blond man told Kara. Deciding that he wanted her closer, Hallbjorn pulled Kara into his lap, sitting her down there while keeping her close to his chest. <br><br>"We can be bad kissers together, Kara." The man told her too. His hand crept to from the back of her head to her nape and he gently rubbed the palm of his hand over that part of her in a slow circle. He let out a slow breath. His big knife was still on the table, and he let his hand leave her nape to grasp the hilt in a large, meaty hand. His other arm shifted so that he could bring it up. Hallbjorn could make a small cut on the inside of his wrist with the very sharp tip of the knife. Blood beaded up and stayed there, crimson pearls against his fair flesh. He set the the big knife down and let his hand return to her body.<br><br>"Can you scent this?" The Berserker asked her. He put his cut wrist near her head.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>08-10-2016, 07:37:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara took heart when Hallbjorn spoke. His analogy of learning to read was very accurate, and she felt that he had faith in her that she would learn. Telling her that others who grew up with their kind had mentors that taught them control helped her to feel less like a failed Lorean. <br><br>But she couldn't answer his question, because it seemed as though all that had happened to her was hitting her at once. Kara thought that she had been dealing with it, but all the fear and heartache, the uncertainty, and the danger that hung over her head soon had tears spilling down her cheek. <br><br>When Hallbjorn sat beside her and pulled her into his arms, Kara pressed her face against his chest. Her silent tears were soaked up by&nbsp; his shirt. Kara's hands fisted the soft material. She needed him, and the comfort he brought her. When he pulled her up onto his lap, she held onto him more tightly. Her legs draped over one side and her toes couldn't reach the floor. She was more then okay with that, because Kara was right where she needed to be. <br><br>Even through her pain, his command that she not fault herself had her lips pulling up in a smile he could not see. A sound escaped her that was half laugh, half sob when he told her that they could be bad kissers together. Kara's tears slowly as he rubbed the back and eased her tension. Slowly she relaxed against him, but she couldn't bring herself to look up at him. Not yet, not when she was a hot mess. <br><br>Hallbjorn shifted and curiosity had her looking to see what he was doing. She saw him bring the knife to his wrist. Kara didn't understand what he was doing. Why would he hurt himself? Then he brought his bleeding wrist close to her face, and Kara's fangs grew. She breathed in deeply as her toes curled. <br><br>“I can.” She said softly. “It smells like sunshine, and like home.” Everything about Hallbjorn felt like home, especially the way he held her now. “And it smells like...” Her eyes widened with understanding and she tilted her face up. Kara's eyes were glowing amber, her fangs still fully extended, and tears still clung to her cheeks and her eyelashes, though no more fell. <br><br>“It was your blood in the cup last night, and this morning.” Her forehead furrowed as she asked him, “Why, Hallbjorn?”<br><br>Her gaze locked back on the blood welling from his cut, and Kara finally let go of his shirt. Her hands moved to cover her mouth. Every bit of her yearned to taste his blood, to slip her fangs into his hot flesh. Her voice was muffled behind her hands when she said, “I don't want to hurt you, Hallbjorn. I don't want to be a bad vampire with red eyes.” <br><br>There was no hiding the need, the desperate longing in her voice. If she had not just drank a cup of his blood, Kara would already have her fangs buried inside of him. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>08-10-2016, 08:10:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn knew that she was crying even with her face in his chest and her silence. He could tell with his immortally sharp senses and the connection that he felt towards her. It hurt his heart that she was crying. The blond man was doing what he could as best as he could to fix that and comfort her. It would perhaps not be enough. The Berserker would not be surprised if he were found wanting in this regard. <br><br>When she did look up at him, the only thing that Hallbjorn lamented was the tears that still clung to her cheeks and eyelashes. He did not want his mate to. It broke something inside of the Berserker and his eyes became grey without any opportunity to stop them. The part of him that craved to remain alone as he had so far screamed for prominence so that he would not suffer this hurt at experiencing her sadness. <br><br>"You are mine. To protect and provide for." Hallbjorn told Kara in a soft, possessive tone. "The moment I laid eyes upon you, I knew that you were the female that fate meant for me." <br><br>He raised a hand and grasped Kara's wrists. His hand was so large that he was easily able to capture both of them, and he lowered them from her mouth. "You cannot drink me to death. If you drink from my flesh, you may take on my on memories and see them in your sleep. As a halfling, it is possible that you lack this ability. To take my blood in this way will not sully your eyes or afflict you with madness." His wrist remained before her, offered up with the tantalizing pearls of crimson. "I offer my flesh to your fangs freely. But it must be your choice." The Berserker told Kara. <br><br>"I love you Kara."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>08-10-2016, 08:55:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The words that Hallbjorn spoke were the only thing that could have broken her overwhelming desire for his blood. Her fangs receded as her heart sped up and her eyes glowed brighter. Warmth spread to every part of her body. This wasn't like what she felt when she created the fire. It felt like she was basking in the warmth of the sun. He said she was his fated female, and she felt the same way about him with every cell in her body. <br><br>Kara offered no resistance when he pulled her hands away from her mouth. Hallbjorn's explanation that she would not hurt him, and that she would not become a bad vampire slowly registered. He was giving her leave to sink her fangs into him. She glanced back at his wrist, but only for an instant. The need for him outweighed her need for his blood. <br><br>His declaration of love touched her very soul. Kara's hands rose, her palms cupping his cheeks. “You have been claiming pieces of my heart since you lit that candle for me.” She told him softly. “I love you, Hallbjorn. You own my heart completely.”<br><br>The depth of her emotion made her fingers tremble as she traced the tips over his eyebrows, then glided her thumb over his lower lip. Kara leaned up as she pulled his face down close to hers. Her eyes closed as she pressed her lips to his. It was no skilled kiss, neither was it one filled with the passionate need. The soft brush of her lips over his was full of love and tenderness, and she gave into the need to explore his lips with her own for several minutes. <br><br>When Kara broke the kiss, she leaned her forehead against his. Her eyes remained closed as she savored the sense of peace within her. “All my life I've felt like something was missing, and now I finally feel whole.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>08-10-2016, 09:33:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The flesh of Hallbjorn's wrist knit shut, his immortal flesh regenerating as if he had not harmed himself at all. The few drops of blood remained, but as his hand dipped they flowed free from his skin to fall to the carpet below. <br><br>Kara's hands explored Hallbjorn's face and he sat quietly while she did. He noted that her fangs had receded and her eyes were glowing brighter. He could feel the warmth that grew inside of her. The woman's hands cupped his cheeks and she kissed him with love and tenderness and it was the sort of kiss that Hallbjorn wanted so deeply that he had never been aware of it nor could he have put it into words. He kissed her back, but the male was no more skilled at it than his female was. His past experiences with women had not included kissing - it was only rutting to sate a physical urge. Then he had mastered that need, and had gone from wanting to without desire. Something more broke inside the Berserker.<br><br>His hands moved to rest at her back, covering almost all of it. His eyes had closed when hers did and they remained so as well with her forehead touching his. <br><br>"You must understand that we cannot make love until you are fully immortal." Hallbjorn told her gently. "You will not hurt me, but the reverse is not true. You know how old I am. And in the Lore, age correlates with power. Your male is very strong, female." The blond man told Kara. It was not entirely to boast to her. Not entirely. "You test me to my limits just as we are and have been. If my control were to slip . . . my past is full of black deeds, but I could not bear it if I harmed you." His fingers trailed along her spine gently. <br><br>"Did you like the breakfast that I ordered for us? I did it with a mind to please you." Hallbjorn said softly, moving his head back from hers. He reached for a napkin and set about drying away Kara's tears with it, dabbing at her cheeks and eyes without utmost care.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>08-10-2016, 19:55:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara's arms circled Hallbjorn's neck and her hands toyed with his long braid. She wished he'd worn it lose, but understood how it was easier to manage when braided. Kara pulled the length over his shoulder, and her fingertips traced the ravens on the band that secured his braid at the end. She felt full of peace and happiness while she sat there surrounded by him. His hands were so large on her back, but the size of them was comforting. Though his body had wrought incredible violence, he was always tender with her. <br><br>She tilted her head back to look at him when he told her he couldn't make love to her and why. Now she understood why he'd seemed reluctant to touch her at times. Her smile was tender as she told him, “I trust you not to hurt me, Hallbjorn. But I'm okay with us waiting. Though sometimes I have very powerful urges,” her cheeks blushed at admitting that much, “I don't want to rush anything with you. I'll do my best not to test your limits.” <br><br>“How long will it take for me to become fully immortal?” Kara asked, because while she wanted to take things slow, she did not believe that she had such strong control of herself as he did himself. <br><br>She closed her eyes and sat still as Hallbjorn dried her tears. “I love pancakes.” Kara told him when he finished dabbing at her tears. “And now I think we can both enjoy the rest of breakfast.”<br><br>Loathe as she was to move from his lap, Kara stood and reached across the table to bring his plate closer. She placed it in front of him, then sat down in the chair next to him to finish up her pancakes. Though they weren't piping hot, they were still very good. It did not take her long to finish her stack, then sample the bacon and drink some of the orange juice. <br><br>Kara chuckled at her sudden realization. “I don't even know where we are, or what city this is. And I find it does not matter so much now.”<br><br>She stood and pressed a kiss to Hallbjorn's cheek. “I want to get dressed, because your outfit is putting me to shame.” Kara winked at him, then went to get ready. <br><br>Their clothes had been cleaned and returned, and she grabbed what she wanted to wear before heading into the bathroom. Kara indulged herself into a quick shower, then dried her hair and brushed her teeth. Since Hallbjorn was dressed so nicely, she chose one of her nicer, but not to risqué outfits. <br><br>Her dress was a deep wine red and silky soft. Delicate gold was used for the straps that went over her shoulders. She had no idea if it was real gold, but it felt nice and cool against her skin. Only a hint of cleavage showed from the heart shaped bust. The dress reached down to just above her knees in the front, but then the cloth grew longer so that it reached her ankles from the back. She completed her outfit with her knee high, soft leather black boots that had the six inch heels. <br><br>After applying a little bit of eyeliner and mascara as well as the cherry lip gloss, she was ready. Kara packed up her things in the bathroom, then stepped out into the bedroom. One of the bellboys must have brought up one of her smaller suitcases. When she put it on the bed and opened, so she could pack her clothes, she found a very large book already inside. <br><br>“Hallbjorn?” She called out to him as she picked up the book. It looked ancient but finely made. There was no title on the cover, but on the first page she found T<em>he Book of Lore</em> written in calligraphy. <br><br>Kara looked up at Hallbjorn when he came into the room. “Did you give me this?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>08-10-2016, 22:26:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Females usually freeze into their immortality at some point in their twenties - whenever they become best able to survive." Hallbjorn answered. "There is no set time, and only a soothsayer could truly know when. Certain types of immortals - even born ones - require a triggering event to fully complete their transition into immortality." There was much about the Lore that was fluid and uncertain. It could be a year before Kara's body froze into immortality.<br><br>He was glad to be able to eat and that both of them could enjoy the food. The Berserker did not so much like sitting beside her as he did sitting across from her - it was easier to look at her from across the table then beside her for him, but he was not going to complain or voice that preference to the young woman. He feared that she would take it ill. Soon Kara got up to get ready, pressing a kiss to his cheek. He gave her a small smile as she went, then returned to finishing his meal.<br><br>When Kara merged from the bathroom dressed up nicely, Hallbjorn watched her intently, taking the details of her appearance. It was very obvious his gaze was upon her from the moment she opened the door to the moment she called out to him as she picked up the book. He tried to think of some winning phrase to say to her because it seemed to Hallbjorn that it was a requirement of him to say something in the moment - females needed their males to say something about their appearance at times like these. Staring with an intensity to bore through rock was insufficient. The Berserker found that he could not come up with some suave phrase as he rose and walked over to where Kara stood.<br><br>He came to stand behind her and placed his large, warm hands on her shoulders. "You look very nice." The man said awkwardly, obviously unused to even trying to compliment females about their appearance. He looked over her shoulder, and his vision allowed him a strong vantage from which to see the hint of cleavage that Kara's dress displayed and the ancient book that she held.<br><br>"I did not give this to you." The Berserker said, and he did not know where the old book came from. He looked down at the book and his mouth was a thin line on his face. There was no sense of danger at the moment, but he felt ill at ease about the thing showing up now. It meant that someone knew the pair of them were there. That could be the mysterious player who wanted Kara's life, or it could be Nix. The former had no reason to give Kara such a thing, and Nix . . . Nix played hard to nudge fate in the direction she wished for ends only scrutable to her. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>08-10-2016, 23:29:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara thought she hid her reaction to the small smile that Hallbjorn gave her very well. It was the first time she could remember him smiling, and she knew then that she wanted to give him a reason to turn that small smile into a big one. Just so long as other women weren't looking at him when he smiled, because even that one small peek made her knees feel weak. <br><br>As she stood by the bed, she was very aware of Hallbjorn coming up behind her. At least with her heels on he was only a foot taller then her. His hot gaze on her as she packed made her want to twirl to show off her dress, and put a bit more sway in her hips as she walked. Feeling desirable and sexual, and wanting to turn a man's head was a new experience for her. <br><br>His big, warm hands on her shoulders had her leaning back against him. When Hallbjorn told her that she looked nice, she smiled with pleasure and glanced back at him so he would see just how much his compliment made her happy. <br><br>Kara leaned back against his chest and began to flip through the pages of the book when he told her he had not given it to her. From her cursory glance, the book seemed to be a run down of different species of the lore. It was something she was sure she'd lose herself in reading. But at the moment, the question of how it had ended up in her bag made her a little nervous. <br><br>“I think maybe we should, Hallbjorn. I don't want to be here if more strange things or people show up.” Though Kara knew that Hallbjorn could handle anything, she did not want to take the chance. He had suffered through enough wounds. <br><br>After packing up the rest of her things, she walked beside Hallbjorn with her hand in his as they checked out. A quick stop for gas soon saw them on their way. Kara took Hallbjorn's cell phone and entered in some information. <br><br>“We're in El Paso. If we drive all night through, I think we can make it to San Antonio.” She relayed to him as she checked out the travel times on Google maps. Kara glanced up at Hallbjorn with a hopeful look on her face. “Maybe we can visit the Alamo before we leave in the afternoon. I think they'll be closed by the time we get there.”<br><br>She had decided to mark a few roadside attractions off of her list, because they had spent a lot of time between the renaissance festival and shopping. Yet while Kara wanted to reach New Orleans, she felt a bit worried about reaching their destination. She didn't know what Nix would reveal to her, and Kara wasn't in a hurry to end their road trip. <br><br>After a bit she gave into her desire to read the Book of Lore. Kara did a quick search through the pages to see if she could find the section on the Djinn, and blew out a sigh of frustration. “It would have been too easy, I suppose, to find information about the Djinn in this book.”<br><br>But she did find information about the vampires, and boy was there a lot to know about them. Kristoff, the person Hallbjorn had mentioned fighting alongside, was in fact the king of the Forebearers. When she read how that faction of vampires was created, she paused for a moment. “Was Helgi turned by Kristoff, Hallbjorn? Is that how you came about fighting alongside the Forebearer king?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>09-10-2016, 00:09:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I do not know Helgi's sire." The blond man answered as Kara posed her question. He glanced her way, and then down at the book that seemed not to have information about the Djinn. Perhaps it was an old copy. The Berserker had heard tell of magical versions of the Book of Lore that updated themselves in real time to reflect the goings-on in the Lore, and this book seemed mundane. <br><br>"I doubt that Kristoff sired Helgi, however. My brother was not a warrior when I died and that remained the same whenever I spoke to him. As the book no doubt says, Kristoff is the Gravewalker, and he sires only the greatest warriors who swear eternal allegiance to him." The idea sat vaguely ill with Hallbjorn. In a sense what Kristoff did usurped the role of the valkyries as choosers of the slain. How many warriors might have been plucked from mortal battlefields if they had not accepted Kristoff's dark compact to rise as the walking dead?<br><br>"I came to fight alongside the Forebearer king in earlier days, when his army was smaller. His war with the Horde was going ill and so he turned to mercenaries to swell the ranks of his forces. He offered rich pay for extremely hazardous work. Kristoff offered anyone their weight in gold if they would fight him against the Horde. It was very profitable for me." The blond man related to Kara casually. <br><br>His thoughts turned back to his brother. "The only times that I know Helgi to have been violent was in defense of his own life, when he was pursued by the Berserkers I told you of. And when I came for the sword I entrusted him, he believed that . . ." Hallbjorn paused, taking a moment to school his features, to hide a hurt that yet festered, "he believed that I would try to murder his Bride in revenge for giving that sword up." He let out a slow breath. It was a long time since he had thought of such things. "That he would think that of me was a worse betrayal than giving up the sword, though it led to a hundred years in a hell plane, dying each day." His voice was very neutral as melancholy swept over him. <br><br>He was silent for a few moments, then he let out another breath. "Forgive me." The blond man entreated Kara. He reached out and put a hand on her knee, his hand on her bare flesh, and gave her a gentle squeeze. "We can visit the Alamo if you wish." The tall man told her, to make up for his morose behaviour. "And after we could go to a nice steakhouse, then a late film in a theater. If it would please you." He glanced Kara's way to see how she would react.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>09-10-2016, 00:42:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara closed the book and sat it beside her when Hallbjorn began to tell her of his time fighting alongside Kristoff. It was difficult to reconcile the man that she knew to the one that was a hired sword. She wanted to ask if he had only chosen to fight for the side of good, since the Forebearers seemed leagues better then the Horde. But Kara came to realize that in Hallbjorn's long life, there was undoubtedly things that he had done that he was not proud of. What truly mattered was who he was now, and Kara believed him to be a good and decent man. <br><br>She did not miss that brief flash of pain in his voice when he spoke of the broken trust between Helgi and himself. Hallbjorn was so good at schooling his expression that she might have dismissed it as her imagination, except that what he told her had to have pained him. Because it did pain her. <br><br>Kara did not understand entirely what he was telling her, because it felt as though he was only sharing pieces of the whole story. Her breath caught though, when he told her that he had spent a century in a hell plane where he died every day. When his hand moved to rest on her knee, she covered it with both of her hands. <br><br>She was already shaking her head before he finished. “I don't need a steakhouse or a movie or anything, Hallbjorn. Because you have nothing to apologize for. I want to know everything about you, even if it is difficult for me to hear.”<br><br>Kara picked his hand up in both of hers, and brought it to her lips so she could kiss his palm, then placed it back upon her knee. “Will you please tell me what happened?&nbsp; What made the sword so special, and why did he give it up?” Kara frowned, because even though he said he was in a hell realm, she did not fully understand what that meant. “How did you end up in a hell realm, and how did you escape?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>09-10-2016, 01:12:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn paused and was unsure where to begin. He was not sure he wanted to tell her everything. <br><br>"I fought in a war between two demon kingdoms. I sold my sword to both, switching sides when one offered me more pay than the other. In the end, I was on the losing side, and in revenge for what the winners perceived as disloyalty, they cursed me. In a magical sense, as well as a mundane manner." The blond man clarified for Kara. They had said terrible things to him, but they had also wrought magic upon him to make suffer for changing sides five times during the course of the war. Though he had always made clear that his loyalty was only to gold, and that whoever offered the most would have command of his might. "This curse made me feel the anguish of all of the loved ones of those I killed in that war. <br><br>"The curse would be lifted when a primordial demon king was slain by my hand. A primordial is an especially powerful member of its kind, often among the very first of their kind. Its defeat was considered impossible. But after searching for many years, I found that there was a sword that could kill this demon king if it was brought to bear against him. And I spent many years searching for it. My search was discovered by those who cursed me, and they sought to take the sword from me and destroy it. I turned to Helgi for aid - I bid him to trace to a place only he knew and keep the blade secret. Then I went to end those who hunted me.<br><br>"When I returned to Helgi, he had found his Bride. While I was away, he was visited by a soothsayer who offered to reveal the name and location of Helgi's Bride in exchange for the sword. Perhaps if I had told Helgi the nature of the sword and what purpose I intended to turn it to, he might have chosen differently. I merely told him it was important to me. Or perhaps not. You read in the book how the vampires are walking dead until their Bride brings them back to life? It is not difficult to see how a piece of metal counted for so little in the face of finding a Bride." Hallbjorn told Kara. He understood the choice that Helgi made. To exchange a sharp piece of metal for the one being in all creation that could bring him back to life must have seemed like a bargain. "He reasoned that if I had found the sword once, I could do so again.<br><br>"But I did not search. I resolved to fight the demon king with my own strength. It was a foolish choice. It was easy to venture to the hell realm that demon king resided in - I simply paid a witch to fashion for me a portal to where I wished to go and the matter was done." He glanced at her. "Surely you have read C.S. Lewis? There are many other realms than this Earth, female, linked to it as Narnia was written to be linked to Earth. And like Narnia, in some the passage of time is different. There are portals that occur naturally, and portals that can be fashioned to travel between them. Some are so indistinct from this Earth that you could not tell the difference, but others are much harsher and inhospitable to life." Hence the descriptor hell realm. "Some are large and others are small.<br><br>"At best I was able to fight the demon king to a point where our injuries incapacitated us both. And by dawn in that place we rose again to fight anew. I say that I spent a hundred years thus . . . but it was a hundred year here. In that realm, in the state I was in . . . I easily lost track of days and could not mark the passage of time." The implication being that Hallbjorn could be older than he told her he was, and could have spent longer locked in unending combat with a primordial demon king because he had no reliable way to keep track of time. <br><br>"My escape came at the hands of Nix, the Ever-Knowing. She brought the sword to me, and with it I at last killed my enemy permanently." Hallbjorn at last reached the end of that story. "And because of that, I have done her bidding ever since. Her inconsistent lucidity has meant that she infrequently called upon me, but always I answered her call. As when she set me to guard you."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>09-10-2016, 01:52:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara was surprised that Hallbjorn had fought for any demon kingdom when she considered the savagery that he had unleashed upon the ones who had come for her. She supposed that with such a long passage of times, allegiances, alliances, and friendship must change more then a human was used to. <br><br>Her heart stuttered when he told her the nature of the curse that they placed upon him. Kara could not imagine what he must have suffered through, to feel that unending anguish day in and day out. He would have had to command an astonishingly rigid control over himself to keep from going into a rage or going flat out crazy. <br><br>All that time as he sought the sword he suffered, and the only way to end his suffering was to kill a primordial demon king. It was clear that Hallbjorn never gave up, and that made her feel pride for him, even as she mourned what he had suffered through. Kara's hands gripped Hallbjorn's hand more tightly when he told her of Helgi's betrayal. It must have been devastating for him. <br><br>She nodded in response to his question. That particular fact about vampires, that they really were the walking dead until they found their mate, would have caused her fear for what her future held. But Kara believed that Hallbjorn had already brought her body to life. <br><br>It was obvious to see that Hallbjorn understood the reasoning in Helgi's decision to give up the sword, but that did not mean he had forgiven his brother. And it was a lot to forgive. The book had spoken of how important brides were to vampires, but it was an example such as this that made her understand just how far they would go for their one fated mate. Yet even Kara's understanding of that fact did not lessen the anguish she felt for Hallbjorn. <br><br>She listened wide eyed when he told her he went to fight the primordial without the sword. Hallbjorn must have been close to his breaking point from what he continued to suffer and his brother's betrayal. As much as she wanted to know what happened next, there was a part of Kara that was not sure she could take it. But she resolved herself to be strong for him. Hallbjorn deserved that from her. <br><br>Kara swallowed against unshed tears when Hallbjorn told her of the century, or possibly more, that he was locked in that never-ending battle. Learning that Nix delivered the sword to him made her want to thank the woman profusely. <br><br>When Hallbjorn finished speaking, Kara moved closer to him on the bench seat. Her arms slipped around him and she pressed her face to his shoulder as she hugged him tightly. After a few moments, when she felt like she could speak past that lump in her throat, she said to him, “I wish I could have taken that pain from you. I wish you had never had to experience those horrible things. You deserve happiness, Hallbjorn. You've had enough suffering.” The strength of her conviction rang in her voice, and she meant it with her whole heart, regardless if he believed he deserved it or not. <br><br>After her crushing need to hug him had passed, she reluctantly pulled away. It could not be easy to drive with her clinging to him. “Have you spoken to your brother since, Hallbjorn? Have you explained the curse you suffered, or what you had to do to end it?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>09-10-2016, 03:11:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When Kara moved closer to him Hallbjorn anticipated her embrace. He shifted his arm to accommodate her need to hug him and managed to drive just as well with her hugging him and one arm occupied with hugging her back. The vehicle stayed in its proper lane and they were in no danger of crossing the meridian and plowing into an oncoming vehicle. It was a nice gesture, but Hallbjorn would never let Kara take any pain from him. Especially not when it was because of one of his actions or choices. <br><br>He felt a spike of fear when she mentioned that he deserved happiness. He was not sure if he knew how to be that way.<br><br>"I have not." Hallbjorn replied to Kara's question. "I did not explain the curse or what I had to do to end it." The blond man related this to her in a neutral tone. "It did not seem like it would matter. I would have forgiven Helgi if he asked me to, the very moment I learned he gave away that sword. But he did not. His God and his Christ, perhaps, but not me."<br><br>Hallbjorn looked over at Kara. His expression was thoughtful as he looked at her, and there was an obvious working of his mind going on behind his blue eyes. Whatever those thoughts were, he did not share them when his attention turned back to the road. Whatever he had tried to suss out he had not managed to successfully, and so put it aside. "My brother and his Bride live in New Orleans. My brother considers himself unaligned - neither Forebearer nor Horde, not Vertas or Pravus. His Bride is a dryad - a type of nature Fey. The dryads are aligned with the Vertas League, but that alliance of 'good,'" one could hear the air quotes, "is more fragile and tenuous than a house of cards."<br><br>He was silent again for a time. "Do you want to meet Helgi and his Bride?" Hallbjorn asked, though he believed he knew before asking that she did.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>09-10-2016, 04:25:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara's gaze turned to the darkened landscape as they drove on. There were very few cars on the road and all around them was darkness. They had passed out of the city and were in one of the wide stretches of America where it seemed no one lived. She couldn't see a single light out in the distance. <br><br>She was saddened to learn that there was such a divide between the two brothers. Kara truly believed that if Helgi knew what his brother had gone through and how important that sword was to him, he would beg Hallbjorn's forgiveness. Hallbjorn had already stated that he was ready to forgive Helgi. <br><br>Before Hallbjorn asked if Kara wanted to meet Helgi and his Bride, Kara had already been planning on how to make such a thing happen. Helgi lived in New Orleans. It would not be too difficult to swing by his place. <br><br>Kara's voice was soft at first when she spoke. “I would like to meet them very much.” She turned towards him, and there was determination in her gaze. “I really think if he knew what you had gone through, that your brother would seek your forgiveness. Family is important, Hallbjorn. His wife is your sister now, and you may one day be an uncle. Its time to fix your relationship with your brother.”<br><br>Thinking of Hallbjorn's family made her think of her own. “I wish I could talk to my parents and let them know I'm okay, but they are at a dig site and their sat phone is broken. They might try to contact my boss, Butch, though. Would you mind if I sent him an email? I don't think anyone could track us that way.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>09-10-2016, 05:01:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				There could be other obstacles. Hallbjorn had never tried to make contact with Helgi, but the inverse was also true. Helgi had not once tried to make contact with his brother. Perhaps the bridge was burnt completely, leaving no way to reconciliation. But he saw the determination in her gaze and while he could probably beat that down and have it so that she would never meet Helgi and his Bride, Hallbjorn did not think that was a victory worth the cost. Nor, honestly, something that he really wanted. Once, Helgi had known where to turn when he was in need. In turn, in a time of need, Hallbjorn had turned to Helgi. But after, Helgi had his Bride to support him. Hallbjorn had no one until now. He had Kara now, but he was resolved not to lay burdens upon the young woman's slender shoulders. There was strength in her but she was not ready. In time she would grow. <br><br>"I do not mind." The Berserker told her. His phone sat on the dash and was plugged into the electronics system to charge. "If you wish to send an e-mail to your friends as well, please do so." The man felt a stab of guilt that he had never considered letting Kara contact her friends. They were mortals - they should be off-limits for direct harm. They might be surveilled, but the law of the Lore forbid creatures of the Lore from harming them. He was confident that he could protect Kara if they faced more dangers because of this. <br><br>The matter of her parents also weighed on Hallbjorn. It was not truly an option to demand that Kara cut them out of her life. But when she was not a mortal and she could not remain in that world. Even if it were only for infrequent visits, they would notice that she never aged . . .<br><br>His mind considered the problem, but Hallbjorn found no solutions as they drove through the night. <br><br>Eventually they reached San Antonio, and Hallbjorn knew where he wanted to stay. This was not the first time he had come to this city. He had stayed, in the past, in economy lodgings but that was not what he was going to select for Kara. If it were just him then it would not matter. But for Kara Hallbjorn founded he wanted to spoil her. What better use could there be for the wealth that he had accumulated over his long life? The Berserker drove into the heart of down to the Grand Hyatt hotel, and there he parked. The twenty-four story building would give them a grand view when they were checked into a Monarch Suite. As with all things, money ensured that the pair were able to skirt rules and secure the accommodations that Hallbjorn desired for them. The hotel was also within walking distance of the Alamo, so they were very close to a site that Kara wanted to visit.<br><br>When they were in the expansive suite, Hallbjorn glanced at a large flatscreen. "What would you say to having room service sent up and watching another film together?" The large man asked her. She seemed to have enjoyed that at the last hotel. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>09-10-2016, 05:36:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara spend some time debating over just what she should write in the emails to her boss and her friend. She didn't want to make them think that she was in danger, and she hoped that no one had discovered the scene at her parent's house. In the end, she decided on a short message to her friends, telling them she was on a road trip. To her boss, she wrote that she would be taking a leave of absence, and for him not to worry. She included her apology about the short notice, and asked him to relay to her parents that she was fine if they should contact him. <br><br>She felt lighter after she sent off the emails. Kara had not realized how much it had weighed on her to let those she cared about know she was safe and happy. After she set the cell to recharge, she leaned over and kissed Hallbjorn on the cheek. “Thank you. I really needed to do that.”<br><br>Soon Kara took the book back onto her lap and used the light over her seat to read. Music on one of the satellite stations played softly in the background. Aside from that, the drive was mostly quiet. The exception was when Kara found something particularly interesting and mumbled such things as, “Puss demons. That sounds horrible.”, and “I wonder how one has three parents. That must be confusing to the valkyries.”<br><br>One of the first things she scanned through the book for was information on berserkers. Sadly, there was not much more then what Hallbjorn had already told her. Though she did find a bit written about Aiden the Fierce. She felt sorry for the poor berserker who was doomed to reincarnate over and over in search for his love, Reginleit the Radiant. <br><br>The approaching lights of the city had her putting the book away, then rubbing her eyes. Reading under such low light was not fun. She was ready for her enhanced vision any time now. When they reached the city, Kara's face was nearly glued to the passenger side window. San Antonio was far, far different from Jackrabbit Junction. It had to be the biggest city they encountered yet. <br><br>When Hallbjorn pulled into the Grand Hyatt hotel, Kara's eyes traveled up, and up, and up further. She knew he was spoiling her, but it didn't stop her from enjoying it. Excitement was written on her face when she turned to look at Hallbjorn. “We get to stay here?”<br><br>As they checked in, Kara managed to stop gaping at everything long enough to hand a bunch of more clothing over to the concierge to have cleaned. Even as she held onto Hallbjorn's hand while they made their way to the elevator, she was grinning with amusement at the sight of such big cowboy hats on the few men that were around. Their very large belt buckles had her choking on a laugh. While she had seen belt buckles and cowboy hats in her home town, they had not seemed so large. <br><br>Once they reached their suite, Kara paused before she made her mad dash to check everything out. “I'd love to, Hallbjorn. But tonight you pick the movie, because I want you to enjoy it too.” <br><br>Then she was off as she checked out the living room, the dining room and kitchen, their bedroom, and the bathroom. She gasped at the sight before her, then called out to Hallbjorn, “That bathtub is huge!”<br><br>Kara saved the balcony for last. She pulled back the curtains, then slid open the sliding glass door. Being so high up made her feel a moment of vertigo, but she was able to work through it. She just had to not look directly down. But she was able to look out over the city, and the view took her breath away. <br><br>“Hallbjorn, have you seen this?” Kara's voice was high and breathy as she held onto the railing. Lights glittered all around below them, and they seemed to go on forever. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>09-10-2016, 06:42:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Oh, yes." Hallbjorn replied when Kara turned to ask him if they were staying at the Grand Hyatt. Her reaction pleased him and he was able to feel like this made up in some way for his morose behaviour during the drive. It was easy to see how much his mood affected Kara, and when his mood was poor it dragged her down too. And Hallbjorn did not like to drag her down. Perhaps it was just because Kara was a compassionate person, or perhaps it was an affect of being mates.<br><br>Her amusement on the way in was a pleasant sight to behold, and he was glad that she was having a good time of it. The large cowboy hats and belt buckles seemed a little silly to Hallbjorn too, but then, he of all people had no room to judge. He thought his gold aviator glasses had been <em>really cool</em>. <br><br>Having the choice of film fall into his lap put Hallbjorn into a tough position. He did mind watching a movie that he did not enjoy if it was one that Kara liked. It was more important to him that it was something she liked than anything else. She was off in her mad dash while he called down for room service. He ordered a pair of filet steaks, asking for rare for Kara and medium rare for himself. To go with them he picked the baked potato and a bottle of water for each of them. There was something on the menu called chocolate sin cake that he decided on a whim to try and asked for that for them to share. <br><br>He was hanging up when Kara called out that the bath tub was huge. He considered putting the size of it to use. It was easy to imagine sharing it with Kara. He stopped himself before his imagination could get too far and he risked getting carried away. He let a long breath and calmed himself, walking to where Kara stood at the balcony. He came up behind her and put his hands around her waist, holding her without changing the way she stood. He looked out over the lights the glittered below them and found it in himself to be awed at the sight. The woman in his arms was a big part of it. <br><br>"No." The large man told her. "This is the first time I have seen this particular sight." He leaned forward and kissed the top of Kara's head gently and softly. The gesture was meant not to distract her too much from the sight while satisfying his urge to show her some affection. "I am sorry that I did not enjoy City Slickers, Kara. But I liked to hear you laugh." The big man told her while they took in the sight of San Antonio at night. One of his hands moved from around her waist to settle over one of her small ones at the railing. He dipped again, and this time he kissed her bare shoulder and up her neck, stopping when it reached her lower ear. His body was warm against hers and his breath was as well when it wafted on her skin.<br><br>With his lips hovering just below Kara's earlobe he paused to smell her, drawing in a slow breath through his nostrils. "The last time I came to San Antonio I stayed in a Motel 6. It was just a place to close my eyes for a few hours. The experience was unimportant to me." He nuzzled his cheek against her and then straightened up behind her, standing close so that her back was touching his front completely. "I am glad that I could see this with you for the first time. If not with you, I do not think the sight would affect me at all."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>09-10-2016, 07:28:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara's lips turned up in a contented smile when Hallbjorn stood behind her and put his hands on her waist. His hands were so big that she thought he could probably circle her waist with the span of them. Even though there was a touch of coolness to the air, she could feel the heat of his body at her back. <br><br>“It feels like we're above the stars with the way the city lights sparkle.” Kara sighed happily, her feet shifting slightly so that their bodies were just a breath away from being pressed together. The touch of his lips to the top of her head filled her with warmth. She chuckled softly when Hallbjorn apologized. “Oh, Hallbjorn. You don't need to apologize for that. We can disagree on movies sometimes, and I'll still love you just as much.”<br><br>When he moved one of his hands to rest on her own, she felt surrounded by him. Kara felt cherished in his arms with his big body protecting her. This moment in time was another memory that she wanted to hold onto always. If this was just a glimpse of the happiness that Hallbjorn could bring her, then she there was no doubt in her mind that she wanted to spend the rest of her long life with him. <br><br>Then his lips touched her bare shoulder and began moving up her neck. Kara forgot how to breath. Her hands gripped the balcony hard and forced out a ragged breath. Hallbjorn's breath fanning over her skin made it feel as if an inferno had been lit inside of Kara. Her knees felt suddenly weak, and she had to lock them to remain standing. She throbbed between her thighs as her body responded to his touch. Her need for him grew so much that she was nearly in pain. <br><br>When his body pressed against hers, Kara felt weak from the need to rub herself against him. Her voice was low and sultry and she forced out a reply. “I love sharing new experiences with you.” That was the last rational thought she had for the next few minutes. <br><br>Kara slowly turned around and drew her gaze away from the city lights. She pressed herself against Hallbjorn as her breasts rose and fell quickly with each breath. Her glowing amber eyes locked onto his, Kara's arms slipped around him and her hands slid up his back. Her fingers explored the ridges and valleys of his muscles, and then Kara leaned up on her toes and pressed her lips to Hallbjorn's throat. <br><br>She kissed a trail up the pulsing artery in his neck. Kara could feel her fangs growing, but this had nothing to do with blood. She opened her lips and slowly scraped them along Hallbjorn's flesh without breaking his skin. Kara's tongue then licked along the path soothingly. <br><br>When she realized what she was doing, and what it could mean, Kara's hands fisted on the back of Hallbjorn's shirt and she pressed her forehead to his chest. Her voice was ragged when she spoke. “I'm sorry, Hallbjorn. I know I shouldn't tempt you, but I ache so much its almost painful.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>09-10-2016, 07:54:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The sensation of Kara's fangs slowly scraping along his skin thrilled Hallbjorn in a way that he did not know was possible and was in no way prepared for. His eyelids slammed shut and his nostrils flared as he fought back against a surge of pleasure that battered against him with primal, elemental force. It threatened to overwhelm him, and it brought to mind the force of the berserker rage. What Kara did to him threatened to make him lose control as much as going berserker had once. How curious that a woman scarcely more than a score old should have much power over him - perhaps more! - than the god-given rage that was the birthright of Berserkers.<br><br>Her tongue felt good as well, and it kept fresh in his mind the teasing sharpness of her fangs with its contrasting softness. <br><br>"It is my fault, Kara. I caused this in you." The man said, taking responsibility and feeling foolish. He should not have kissed her. He should have known that during her transition it would take so very little to spark her to great need. Virtually all immortals had heightened sexual appetite during their transition to immortality. <br><br>Hallbjorn lifted Kara up, holding her to his chest. He took her back inside, closing the sliding door behind them but not bothering with the curtain. The large man carried her to the bedroom and laid her down on the bed, resting above her on her knees. When she was on her back he kissed her lips, brushing his slowly and gently against hers at first for a few passes, then keeping them together. One hand supported his weight while the other hand moved to bunch up her dress, pulling the front above her knees higher still until it was above her waist. That large hand splayed over her exposed stomach, skin on skin, and softly stroked at her body.<br><br>"You must keep your hands above my waist. My chest, shoulders, or face only, female." The man said in a strong tone that he had never used with her before. It was controlling, domineering. His words were hot breaths against her lips and spoken with the raw difficulty he had keeping himself in control. <br><br>His lips moved and he kissed her cheeks before returning to her lips. When he returned to her lips, each time it was with a more firm, deeper kiss. His tongue teased at her lips each time he returned, but he did not try to steal into her mouth yet. The hand at her stomach slowly moved down, but because Hallbjorn's hand was so large it did not matter all that it was not a quick advance: his big hand was between her thighs in no time at all. His large fore and middle finger stroked at the lips of her sex through the fabric of her underwear, the touch gentle but sure. His thumb found her clitoris and gently circled it while his fingers stroked her nether lips, working to soothe the ache that he had forced upon her.<br><br>His tongue eventually worked between her lips, seeking her tongue out. He brushed it against hers experimentally and in an exploratory manner at first, gradually taking things further and stroking her tongue sensually with his own. His breathing was deeper than normal, but he was not out of control at the moment. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>09-10-2016, 08:46:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara wanted to tell Hallbjorn that she absolved him, that she loved it when he touched her and she didn't want to give it up. But the strength of her need stole her words away. All she could manage was a little whimper as her hands moved up to grip his shoulders. She was in agony, the height of her sexual need far exceeding what it had been for the last few weeks. <br><br>When Hallbjorn picked her up, she clung to his shoulders. Her boot clad feet came nowhere near touching the floor. Flashes of heat spiked through her, burning hotter and hotter. She only dimly became aware of Hallbjorn laying her on the bed. As his lips touched hers, her body clenched and her nails dug into his shoulders. The look on Kara's face gave testament to the razor edge between pleasure and pain that she was suffering. <br><br>Instinct had her thighs parted when he began pushing her dress up. With her knees bent, the heels of her boots dug into the bed. She could feel cool are wash over her thighs and stomach. That coolness seemed to touch her through her silky black panties, and it was a shock to realize just how wet she was for him. <br><br>Hallbjorn's hand on her stomach drew another whimper from her. Kara's body trembled as he stroked her skin. His command sent another thrill through her, the strength of it coaxing her to whisper, “I promise.” At that moment she would do anything for his touch. Questioning was beyond her. Kara needed to obey. <br><br>Kara's hands remained on Hallbjorn's shoulders as her nails dug in. She didn't mean to hurt him, but the feverish pitch of her need blocked out any rational thought. When his lips found hers again, her eyelids slid shut. It took very little for Kara's lips to part under his coaxing kiss and as he teased her with his lips, she tried again and again to suck his lower lip in between her own. <br><br>Hallbjorn's hand between her thighs, touching her just where she needed him had Kara groaning against his mouth. Lightning shot through her veins, and her body wound up so tightly that she thought she would break. Kara could feel the heat of his fingers as he touched her, causing her panties to slide along her smooth, bare flesh. <br><br>She trembled harder beneath him, and lost her breath completely when his thumb found her clitoris. That impossible coiling tension within her wound more tightly until it all of her muscles began rigid. Hallbjorn's tongue slipped between her lips, and soon her own was touching and tasting him. <br><br>Kara was mindless with need, and just when she thought she could not take anymore, her release tore through her with such ferocity that she screamed, long and loudly, against Hallbjorn's mouth. It was more powerful then anything she'd ever known. Her hips bucked against his fingers, and it seemed like it took forever for her her body to calm down and for Kara to have control over herself again. <br><br>Her head fell back on the pillow, then her arms fell to the bed with her hands above her head. All of her felt boneless and so satiated that when she opened her eyes to look at Hallbjorn, Kara's expression was like a cat who'd gotten the cream. Her eyes slowly returned to normal, but the look in them, the one that said he was her beginning and her end, the most magnificent being she'd ever encountered, that did not fade away. <br><br>“Wow.” She told him simply, then giggled happily. He'd clearly broken her ability to think.&nbsp; <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>09-10-2016, 09:23:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn remained propped up above her until her eyes opened. Then, as the amber faded from her eyes, he moved to lie down beside her. He thought about tasting the wetness on his fingers - she had been so wet - but ultimately he discarded that notion. It might excite her - it would excite him! - again and with excitement came that ache that was like pain for her. And Hallbjorn did not want her to hurt. Her nails in his shoulders had not hurt him. Her nails had not become claws yet, and besides, he was accustomed to much greater physical trauma than that. <br><br>He gave Kara a small, soft smile when she proclaimed 'wow.' He was struck by the expression that preceded it. While she giggled softly, he detected a soft rap on the door to their suite. "Our food is here." The large man told her softly, leaning over to gently brush his lips across hers. Then he rolled over and his feet touched the floor and he went off to meet the bellboy. It was a strategic withdrawal. He was tempted to do more to Kara - to give her more first experiences of this nature. But that was too risky. Gods, only this was too risky. He could hurt her or worse so easily. Some of her strength had come in, but there was no telling if she was more resilient than a mortal yet and if he harmed her it could leave a mark that would last for eternity. And it only got worse from there. <br><br>Hallbjorn tipped the bellboy and wheeled the cart with their food in. He brought it to the bedroom. There was a large flatscreen there too - there was another out in the main sitting area, and Hallbjorn had thought for them to sit at a table and eat while they watched a film. Hallbjorn moved around the bed and arranged some pillows, then propped Kara up on them. Maybe it was not strictly needed but he wanted to. He thought about it for a moment, and then he moved to remove her boots. It should not have excited him to remove her footwear, but it did. He also liked them on, and he thought about her wearing them while they made love. His hand grasped the heel as he worked one boot off, and he could imagine it digging into his flesh as her legs wrapped around him. With motions that showed he was exercising a lot of control, Hallbjorn stood each boot up neatly at Kara's side of the bed.<br><br>He moved over and grasped the remote and her plate from the cart, sitting down close to her. The large man turned on the television. He used the remote to navigate the selection of on-demand films, and found one that he enjoyed. He selected a Wuxia film titled House of Flying Daggers. It was a film that was as much about drama and emotion as it was stylish visual and choreography. As the film began, Hallbjorn began to cut Kara's steak into pieces for her. The rich juices pooled around the meat, and Hallbjorn took care to dip a piece into the delicious red before he held the fork for her to eat. The plate was balanced on the blond Berserker's lap, and his free hand was cupped under the meat to catch any dripping so it would not spill on her and ruin her new top.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>09-10-2016, 20:29:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn announced that their food had arrived, and Kara's hands moved to push her skirt back down to her legs. She smiled against his lips as he gave her a soft kiss before standing. Even though she knew the bellboy would not come into the bedroom, she didn't want to take any chances. Hallbjorn was the only one who got to see her like that. <br><br>Her gaze followed Hallbjorn as he left the room, and she sighed with appreciation for how big and handsome he was, and for the way he moved. Kara should have at least sat up so she didn't appear as a lazy bones while lolling on the bed, but that orgasm had taken a lot out of her. She never knew they could be so powerful, or leave one feeling weak in the aftermath. <br><br>Kara could smell her rare steak as Hallbjorn rolled the cart into the bedroom, and it had her licking her lips. While they had eaten plenty of their munchies while they drove, it couldn't replace a full meal that they had skipped in order to make time. She was certainly glad that they had done it though. This hotel room was beautiful, the view was amazing, and there was much to see in the city. <br><br>When Hallbjorn stacked some pillows and propped her up against them, Kara grinned happily. Then, as he began to remove her boots, she laughed, “Goodness, Hallbjorn. You're spoiling me, and I think I like it very much.”<br><br>She did not miss how controlled his motions were as he set her boots on the floor by the side of their bed. Some of the blissful fog cleared in her mind, and she studied him when he wasn't looking. Kara remembered that he said he could hurt her if he lost control. That must have been the reason that he forbid her to touch him below the belt. He was so calm and controlled, and clearly not willing to even chance hurting her. Even though Kara didn't believe he really would hurt her, she would respect his wishes. Which meant she would not be bringing up anything about touching him until enough time had passed. <br><br>Kara was distracted from the start of the film because of what Hallbjorn was doing. It should have been embarrassing to be fed like she was a baby, but it did not feel like that to Kara. It felt as if Hallbjorn was taking care of all of her needs, and she cherished his thoughtfulness. The steak was perfect with just the right amount of bloody juice, and Kara savored each bite. <br><br>“This is really good, Hallbjorn. You knew exactly what to order for me.” Her eyes lit with happiness, and she was pleased to let him feed her the rest of her meal. <br><br>Kara's gaze wandered over to the television and the movie playing. Mei, the leading female, was in the middle of performing a beautiful dance. It was stunning to watch, and had her soon telling Hallbjorn, “I want to learn how to dance like that as well.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>09-10-2016, 21:13:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"It is a male's privilege to spoil his mate." Hallbjorn told Kara. He looked over her and showed that he liked doing what he was doing even though he needed to expend effort not to lose self-control and do something that risked harming the woman. He&nbsp; continued to feed her and paid scant attention to the film - most of his attention was on Kara, as it should be. It pleased him to watch her savor each bite and when she told him that it was good and her eyes lit with happiness, Hallbjorn felt good about himself with her praise. The Berserker had received praise in the past for his skill in battle, but it had never touched him. In the past the only thing that mattered was being paid on time and to the agreed amount. <br><br>Kara's opinion mattered to Hallbjorn. How she regarded him and how she took what he did. Perhaps in time he would know her better and feel less anxiety about pleasing her but now it was a very strong thing. <br><br>his eyes turned to the dance that the film depicted. It was indeed very beautiful. It would be better if Kara were performing it. "Then you will." Hallbjorn said to Kara, returning his attention to her. "When you are safe and immortal, you will be able to learn to do all that you wish." How easy it was to assume that they would have a life together. "I will find a dance instructor for you, and a place for you to practice." Money would not be an object. And if there was, by some long odds, no one within the Lore who knew the dances that Kara wished to learn he would buy the services of the dance choreographer of the film they watched now. It was well within his reach - he could have financed the film untold times over and still have funds left. <br><br>When Kara's meal was finished, Hallbjorn started on his own. He ate quickly and quietly, devouring the steak and potato easily. Food seemed to just disappear into his mouth at an astonishing rate. When he was done and their plates were on the cart, Hallbjorn grabbed the desert. "I thought we might share this." It was a very rich piece of chocolate and espresso cake. He settled in closer to her, his side against hers and an arm moving around her shoulders. His other hand held the fork and the dessert was balanced in his lap. "I saw it on the menu and it intrigued me. It was a whim." The blond man told her. He was not a man given to acting on whims. <br><br>"I like the romance in this movie. When I watched it for the first time it seemed to me that it must be what a meeting of fated mates must be like." Hallbjorn told her. "The world is one way, and then in one glance, everything changes."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>09-10-2016, 22:22:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara was preening at Hallbjorn's words. “I like it when you call me your mate.” Then her tone turned playful. “And I suppose I can suffer through you spoiling me.” There was no suffering to it. She loved that he was spoiling her. Kara was sure that she was seeing a side of Hallbjorn that no one had ever had the privilege of seeing before. <br><br>His certainty when he told her that she would learn to dance like that had her gaze moving back to his. What he was describing to her, the brief peek into what their future together would be like made her feeling like melting into a puddle of happiness. Hallbjorn's conviction that they had a future together let her know that he felt the same way she did, that he wanted what Kara wanted. She could not even imagine immortality and this new world without him. <br><br>“I would dance for you.” She told him softly. Hallbjorn made Kara feel like this beautiful, sultry woman. It was not something she was used to, but she was ready to jump into the role head first. <br><br>“What would you like to learn, Hallbjorn? Is there anything you don't know how to do that you want to try?” Kara wanted to know more of his hopes and dreams for the future, and if there was anything he wanted, she knew she would do anything she could to give it to him. <br><br>She was licking her lips when he brought the decadent chocolate cake to the bed. When Hallbjorn sat beside her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, she pressed herself in tightly against him. Even though he was so much bigger then her, Kara felt that she fit against him perfectly. <br><br>Hallbjorn's comment that he ordered it on a whim made her smile at him. He was always calm and controlled, and Kara knew that he did not give into whims of his own often. Even though he gave into her own. <br><br>Before she indulged in her first bite, she pressed her lips to Hallbjorn's throat in a delicate kiss. “Thats the way you make me feel.” Even though her world had changed with the knowledge of what she was, and what was out there, Kara knew that if none of that had happened, meeting Hallbjorn still would have rocked her world. <br><br>Bringing the fork to her lips, she took her first bite of the dessert, then groaned with delight. The blend of chocolate and espresso burst on her tongue, and the cake was so moist and perfect that it nearly melted in her mouth. <br><br>It would be too easy for Kara to eat the whole big slice, and she wanted Hallbjorn to have a taste of it. Kara drew her knees up under her, then used the fork to gather another bite, then held it up to Hallbjorn's lips. “You should taste this. Its really good.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>09-10-2016, 23:00:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"How to please you. How to live my life with you." Hallbjorn told Kara when she asked him if he wanted to learn anything. It might be a cheat, but that was his answer. He dared not confess fully how much being with her scared him and challenged his self-image, and how easily he found himself doing things that he never would before for her. "I never imagined a life of ease or happiness for myself before I met you. You read about Berserkers in the Book of Lore." The blond man knew that it was probably one of the first entries she perused, if not the first. "'A berserker's lonely life is filled with naught but battle rage and bloodlust.'" He quoted to her. "Without you I had no reason to think that I was special or that there was more for me than any of that. I saw Aiden the Fierce and Reginleit the Radiant together and I never once thought that I would have what they had with each other."<br><br>His hand stroked her arm slowly. He almost wished that he had led a different life - without hope for a mate, Hallbjorn had filled his life with black deeds. He did not have anyone to share his life with, and so he did not care how he darkened it. And now he had Kara. But he also knew that the life he lived brought him to this fated point, and if his actions were different he would not be here now, as he was. <br><br>And Kara did not reject him at all. She accepted him utterly. Even seeing him at his most terrifying. His heart swelled to bursting remembering how she had approached him after he fought four turned Lykae.<br><br>She kissed his throat and it brought him back into the moment. It made him remember her fangs on his skin. He gave her a small smile and he used his arm to squeeze her closer. He watched her bring the cake to her lips and watched her take that first bite very intently. Her groan of delight made his small smile grow just a little. She changed her position and decided that it was her turn to feed a bite to him. The fork was poised before his lips and he thought about kissing her then and tasting the dessert on her lips and mouth. He kept his eyes on hers as he moved his head forward to take the fork between his lips and take the bite of cake. It was every bit as good as she said it was. He let it melt in his mouth to enjoy the flavour, savouring it before he swallowed. <br><br>"It is very good." Hallbjorn told her. "I want you to know, Kara, that when your fangs were on my skin, I liked it." He was not sure if she had been able to tell, but he had a sense that even if she had been able to tell, it was important to her for him to say it. "When we can be together intimately, I want you to know that you are free to use your fangs on me as you please. It will not hurt me, and I think that you fangs are cute." He told her, letting the grey seep into his eyes as he did. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>09-10-2016, 23:27:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara laughed softly at his answer. “You already please me, Hallbjorn. Very much so. As for sharing our lives, I think thats something we'll both be learning together.” Her friends had often shared with her their growing pains in some of their relationships, and she knew that things would not always be so wonderful. But Kara also knew that they could work through anything. <br><br>His admission touched her heart. Hallbjorn had lived for so long, but joy seemed to be missing from much of his existence. She ached to make him understand that he was not alone anymore, and that he was so much more then he thought. But for him to really believe that, actions would speak louder then words. Kara needed to show him each day that that his life could be fulfilling and happy, and that he deserved it all. <br><br>Mixed with the pleasure of how good the cake tasted was her happiness to see Hallbjorn's smile grow. He had not yet achieved a smile that transformed his whole face, but Kara was not giving up. One of these days he would smile and laugh while not holding anything back. <br><br>Kara had been staring at his lips when he told her he liked her fangs on his skin. Her gaze snapped up to his and she shivered with delight as the gray took over his eyes. Just the thought of what he was inviting her to do had her fangs growing. Part of that was the thirst inside of her growing, but a big part of her was thrilled to learn that something she did brought him pleasure. Not to mention the fact that her fangs touching his skin had felt more intimate and pleasing then she had realized it could. <br><br>She smiled radiantly when he told her that he thought her fangs were cute. There was no hiding her fangs behind a closed lip smile this time. Kara wanted to be immortal right that instant so that they wouldn't have to hold back. Impatience bloomed inside of her, and she huffed through her smile. “I hope it doesn't take too long to complete my change.”<br><br>“You would not mind if I saw your past, as some vampires can do when they take blood?” The importance of his answer to that question showed in her expression. Kara didn't know exactly what she would see. Would she experience every little detail of his life, or would it only be the most important parts? It was hard to decide if it felt like a total violated of his privacy or a thing that would bring them closer together. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>10-10-2016, 00:05:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Seeing how important that answer was had him searching for the right words. And while he searched he had to keep himself from closing up again, to defaulting to a schooled expression that showed nothing. His forefinger traced along her arm. "You deserve to know the kind of man I am and what I have done." He told her. "I think that if you see my past you will not reject me. Because of everything that you have shown me of yourself. One part of me wants you to turn away from me, but another needs you to see what I am and accept me anyway." He swallowed, showing vulnerability and watching for her to be hurt that he would say part of him did not want what they had. "It was very important, that night I fought the Lykae, that you were able to overcome your fear of me and take my hand."<br><br>Hallbjorn lifted a hand to cup her cheek and he traced his thumb over her lips as he had before. But he gently teased at the seam of her mouth with his thumb until she yielded to him and he traced her fangs with the pad of his thumb. He was careful and sure - the man did not cut himself on her fangs but the slightest slip would see his skin split. He lowered his hand after he touched all of her fangs, moving it back to his side. <br><br>He looked at her with a soft expression. He wanted her change to be complete too. There was a certain weariness in his eyes, as though he were tired of being in control all of the time, and he wanted to stop holding back. But it was gone so fast that it was easy to imagine it as a play of the light. "When you tended to me it was . . . since I was a boy, I could count the number of times another has taken care of me on one hand." He told her softly. It was his own fault, he realized, for never letting anyone else in. But then, what other comradeship could he have had? Drunken, boorish brawling with other Berserkers? Meaningless sex with whatever random female decided to splay her legs out of boredom or pity? Even the Lykae did more in their off-hours than that.<br><br>"I think that I could handle your fangs on my neck." Hallbjorn told her. "Or my wrists. If I did not touch you at the same time. We could have that for now." He told her bravely. It was true and honest, but also again, he was trying to give her something to make up for being morose. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>10-10-2016, 00:53:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara was not hurt by what Hallbjorn told her, even when he said that part of him wished she would turn away from him. Her smile was tender and understanding, and her words soft when she spoke. “Falling in love is a little scary, I think, for both of us. There are so many thoughts and emotions that are new to me, and sometimes it can be overwhelming. You've been alone for a long time.” That she'd been able to piece together from what he had told her. “That is a long time of relying only upon yourself and not opening up to anyone. But I believe that together we can work through anything.”<br><br>Her lips parted when his thumb teased them, and Kara's gaze never left his eyes as he touched her fangs. The uncertain thrill that he might cut himself upon her fangs, and she could taste his blood was certainly there. But Hallbjorn's gentle exploration of her fangs had Kara feeling that she was not a freak because of them. She didn't try to hide them in shame. He made her feel normal, and cherished. It was a gift that had her heart brimming with love for him. <br><br>Kara saw that quick flash of emotion in his eyes, but she could not exactly decipher what it meant, and then it was gone. His revelation that Hallbjorn had received so very few moments of someone taking care of him caused Kara to take one of his big hands in between her own. “I want to take care of you, Hallbjorn. Even the very strong need someone to care for them now and again.”<br><br>What he offered her next had her raising his hand, and bringing his inner wrist close to her lips. Her eyes turned to his wrist, and the vein she could see pulsing just under his flesh. She wanted what he offered her very much. The temptation to taste him had her eyes closing. Kara brought her mouth closer. Her hot breaths fanned over his skin. <br><br>Yet instead of sinking her fangs into him, she kissed his inner wrist softly, then lowered his wrist back down and smiled tenderly at him. “Tomorrow, if you still wish it, and only if you are sure, I will drink directly from you.” She did not want to test his control more then she already had tonight. It was also important to Kara that he have no doubts or reservations about her drinking from him. <br><br>Thirst still gripped her, since she had not had any blood to drink since that morning. Even though her fangs refused to recede, Kara still manage to eat a good portion of the cake. And for each bite she gave herself, she also offered one to him. Kara would never have thought it so appealing to feed her man, but she found she liked it a lot. <br><br>She looked back at the television, then grinned at Hallbjorn. “I think we missed half of the movie.” It was not something that bothered her, though. Kara was soon curled up against his side with her head resting on his chest and her arm draped over his stomach. <br><br>Even though they had missed much of the movie, she watched the rest of it raptly. Kara's hand fisted in the material of Hallbjorn's shirt every time the characters drew closer. It was obvious how much she was enjoying the romance and adventure. The few times she had sleepily yawned, she managed to stifle the noise. They had traveled a long time today, and Kara could have easily fallen asleep as she was with Hallbjorn then if not for her thirst. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>10-10-2016, 01:29:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn was holding his breath as Kara raised his wrist to her lips. He could feel each of her hot breaths in incredible detail. He could feel the heat radiating from her face and mouth. He gave a gentle, soft sigh when her lips touched his skin. It felt nice. It was not her fangs on or in his flesh but he was not disappointed at all that she did not give him that here and now. Another male might have been but he was glad of what he received and counted himself lucky to get so much as that. He nodded when she told him she would drink directly from him tomorrow and his body trembled with the news in anticipation. <br><br>They finished the cake, sharing it and alternating bites. It was very pleasant to do so with her, and he wore a small smile the entire time. Although they shared this desert he believed that if this was peanut butter cup ice cream she would not be sharing a drop with him. When she mentioned that they had missed a large part of the movie, he shrugged without a care. It did not bother him either. They had a long time to watch movies together. They could catch the parts they had missed another time. For now, at least, it seemed they had so much time.<br><br>While they watched the rest of the movie Hallbjorn's hand stroked Kara's hair softly. He could tell she was tiring and caught her yawns despite how she stifled the noise. His poor little mate had such a big day. The movie ended, reaching its tragic culmination, and Hallbjorn turned it off as the credits began to roll. He kissed the top of Kara's head and took the cart with their dishes out to the hall, leaving it there to be retrieved whenever a member of the hotel staff happened along. He returned to the bedroom and began to disrobe until he was in nothing but another pair of black boxer shorts. The large man removed the band at the end of his braid and shook his hair out, letting it fall over his back and shoulders before he turned over to his sleepy mate.<br><br>"Time for bed, female." He told her in a soft voice, and he began to undress her, taking care to remove her dress gently. He left her wearing only her silky black panties, but put on the undershirt that he had worn throughout the day on her as a top. It was very large on her, still warm from his body, and it smelled very much like him. The Berserker dimmed the lights, and crawled into bed with Kara, positioning them with her back to his front. When they fell asleep, his arms were around her waist and his head curled forward so that his mouth was near the back of her head.<br><br>This time, Hallbjorn would not be the first to wake. Perhaps it would be a consequence of Kara's thirst, or something else. But when she would awaken Hallbjorn's arms had shifted. One arm had inched upwards and the bottoms of her breasts were brushed by the top of his upper arm, with the contour of one breast edged by his wrist and the metacarpal of his thumb. The other arm had drifted low, crossing her belly at an angle, leaving his fingers to curl around her hip and the pad of his hand resting on her mound. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>10-10-2016, 02:21:00</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				With the way that Hallbjorn stroked her hair during the movie, Kara was half asleep at the end. She grumbled a little when he left the bed, then pulled his pillow into her arms and pressed her face against it. She was so sleepy that she wasn't even thinking about changing for the night into one of her pajamas. <br><br>Hallbjorn's voice had her peeking up from the pillow, and even with how tired she was, Kara took pleasure in the sight of him wearing only his boxers. His hair was free of the braid, and she wanted to dip her fingers into that platinum blond length. <br><br>She felt only a hint of alarm when he began to undress her, but this was her mate, and Kara was grateful that he was taking care of her. While he worked on removing her dress and bra, her fingers moved up to tangle in his hair and she sighed happily. “I love it when you wear your hair lose.” She hoped he understood her her sleepy murmur. <br><br>If he had not worn her out so thoroughly, Kara's body would have burned with need as it was revealed to him. As it was, she could hardly keep her eyes open. She was more then happy to wear his shirt, and even lifted it to her nose so she could take in his scent. She went eagerly into Hallbjorn's arms when he joined her on the bed again. His big body felt like it was surrounding her and protecting her, and in seconds she fell asleep. <br><br>The only dreams she had were of that temple carved into the rose colored stone. Kara woke up after four hours of sleep, though she felt like she slept the whole night. Her attention was not on the open curtains, or the afternoon sunlight that filled the room. It did not hurt her at all. She wasn't even thinking of her thirst when she awoke. <br><br>Because as she woke, she became very aware of Hallbjorn's hands upon her. A quick glance confirmed that he still slept. Desire rushed through her body, and she struggled to remain completely still. That didn't stop her breasts from growing heated, or her nipples becoming hard little nubs against Hallbjorn's shirt. His hand was so close to her breast, and the need for the heavy weight of his palm to capture her breast had her panting softly. <br><br>Even worse then that torture was where his other hand was. She could feel the heat of his hand on her mound. If Kara shifted her hips even a tiny bit, she would be able to rub herself against that hand. <br><br>Frustration welled within her, because her shirt and panties were separating her skin from the feel of his. She wanted them off at once, hating the barrier they provided. Her own hands rested on the pillow beside her head, and her fingers curled into fists as she tried not to move his hands right to where she wanted them. <br><br>Kara needed a cold shower. The coldest. Or to sit in a tub of ice water. That might cool her off. She started naming the different kinds of plants that grew in Arizona, but she was so flustered that she couldn't recall a thing. <br><br>She didn't want to wake up needing him and feeling starved for his touch. He'd given her a glorious release just last night. Kara wanted to give him the same. Her lips tingled as she imagined kissing a line down his chest, and then putting her lips on him lower. Taking him into her mouth. <br><br>Gah! She started reciting the constellations in her head. Kara would not take advantage of Hallbjorn in his sleep. She demanded that she show some of the restraint he had. Regardless of her wishes, her body started to move. Her hips pressed back tightly against him and she started to writhe. “Hallbjorn.” She gasped his name, her voice thick with a little worry and a lot of sexual frustration. If he didn't save her, she was going to pounce him. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>10-10-2016, 03:06:35</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Hellbjorn's eyes shot open when Kara murmured her name. He saw the open curtains and immediately cursed himself. The man was not aware of the precise placement of his hands as he woke, only that his woman had called his name in need. The precise need that she voiced had not yet registered and he thought it was because of the sun harming her. Hallbjorn swiftly rolled over on top of Kara, pressing his broad body over her and blocking the few rays of sunlight that leaked in.<br><br>A second later it registered that she had not cried out in pain, and he could not detect any of the sensory stimulus that would follow a vampire exposed to sunlight. That meant Kara could go out in the light of day! It was such a good thing to know. Now she could continue to enjoy the day time activities that she always had. It was one less thing that she lost. And he detected no other presence in the room but the two of them.<br><br>The position that Hallbjorn found himself in had an unfortunate side effect of having his groin pressed to Kara's soft, pert backside. His shaft was pressed against the cleft of her two lower cheeks, but it did not stir because Hallbjorn managed his desire. With the threat of danger passed, he was better able to assess the situation and the need to keep his control firm redoubled as he became aware of the needy state of his mate.<br><br>"I am sorry, mate." Hallbjorn said, shifting again to lie back on his side. He was keenly aware of where his hands were, and he did not move them away. He would not torment her thusly. His lips dipped and he kissed her neck, laying a trail of sweet kisses from her ear to her shoulder. The hand nearest to her breasts rose to cup one of the rounded rises there. His huge hand completely engulfed her breast, covering every bit of it. His touch was warm even through his shirt, and he gently massaged what was soft, supple, and no doubt sensitive flesh. He ground the palm of his hand against her hardened nipple.<br><br>"You will have release." He promised her, and the other hand did not move but merely tilted so that his fingers could again find her sex, rubbing her lower lips through the silk that covered them. Hallbjorn worked his wrist and the pad of his hand rubbed her clit in a sure pattern that began slow, but gained tempo as her body began to respond. "I will not leave you to suffer this pain." The man said to her, breath hot on her skin as he kissed back up to her ear. Each kiss was strong and grew stronger the closer he got to his target. When his mouth was near her ear Hallbjorn captured it in his mouth, nibbling at his flesh with white straight teeth. <br><br>His hands seemed to know just the right places to touch at just the right times to push all of Kara's buttons. Maybe it was just that his immortally keen senses let him read her body's responses well, or it was because of what they felt for each other that he was able to do all of the things her body wanted. The large man worked Kara's body with his big hands, doing everything to pleasure her without any greater desire than to have pleasured. He was taking care of her need her now with no concern for himself.<br><br>And it was difficult not to want for himself. To keep his shaft soft when it yearned to become hard enough to shame steel. They would both become undone if he were to lose himself. Even though at the moment he would kill for what he wanted between her legs. <br><br>"Release for me, Kara." Hallbjorn told her in his strong, domineering tone of voice. His eyes were grey as he spoke, his hands insistent as he touched all of the places that brought her pleasure.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>10-10-2016, 03:52:12</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara's squeak was muffled against her pillow. Hallbjorn was on top of her, and after she had a second to overcome the startle, she softened beneath him. The feel of him on top of her, with all of his body pressed against her took away any sense of control she had. If he had not held her down so completely, she would have been rubbing herself against him. <br><br>He shifted too quickly, and she whimpered at the loss of feeling him on top of her.&nbsp; Kara's noises of complaint vanished when his lips moved to her throat. She gasped loudly when his hand cupped her breast. Need tore through her like an inferno, and she could not remain still. She pressed her breasts&nbsp; forward to feel more of his touch, and as Hallbjorn's fingers squeezed her flesh and his palm ground against her hard nipple, her eyes rolled back in her head. Her breasts felt so warm and heavy, and each touch of his hand sent jolts of lightning down between her thighs. <br><br>Hallbjorn's fingers on her panties proved just how wet she was again for him. Kara parted her thighs and her hips began rocking against his hand. His fingers against her swollen nether lips had her toes curling. Kara's hands gripped his arms, as if to assure that he kept his hands on her. <br><br>His teeth on her earlobe made Kara cry out, and the realization dawned that she really liked the feel of his teeth on her skin, too. Hallbjorn touched her exactly as she needed, and when he commanded her to come for him in that dominant voice, she broke apart. Kara screamed her release as her nails dug into the skin of his arms. Tears escaped the corner of her eyes at the strength of her orgasm. <br><br>It took a long time for her body to calm down, and when it did she looked to Hallbjorn with an expression that said he'd just taken her to heaven. Her fangs grew on the wake of her satiation, because Kara's thirst for blood was now foremost in her mind. She glanced down at his arm, then back over her shoulder at him. <br><br>When she spoke, her voice was throaty from her screams. “Have you thought about letting me bite you?”<br><br>Kara shifted slightly in his arms so that she was laying more on her back. She wanted to see on his face and in his eyes if this was something he truly wanted. Because even though she wanted it desperately, if she detected any hesitation in him, she would not be able to drink directly from him. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>10-10-2016, 04:25:37</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				After Kara's body calmed down, Hallbjorn moved his hands away from her breast and her sex. He positioned them at her waist again. He noted that her fangs grew and he thought that she must be thirsty. Her scrutiny on him showed that he was pleased to have made her release so powerfully, happy to be able to tend to her need and leave her satisfied. With her face turned to him he was looking at her mouth and her fangs, taking them in with lightly grey eyes.<br><br>"Yes. I think in the same way that you think about my hands on your body." He admitted, and there was no sign of hesitation. "It is what I want, female." The man told her and there was no hiding his certainty, nor anything to dilute it. Unless he had become as good a liar as Loki himself during the night he was telling the unvarnished truth. Because he needed them to have this - because he accepted the part of her that was vampire, and because he needed her to accept him knowing what he was. Without it his past would haunt him in a way that would create a wedge between them despite both of their best efforts.<br><br>"We should do it in the bath." The large man said to her. It was a practical consideration that showed his thoughts were not entirely in the same line as her thoughts about him touching her. But there was a lot of overlap. A venn diagram would show a lot of common ground. His hands were tempted to begin exploring her body some, but he did not want to distract her from the matter that they were currently discussing. Caressing a hip or stroking a shoulder might give the impression that he was not completely committed to her taking his blood, with the attendant possibility of her seeing his memories. <br><br>"Do you believe me?" Hallbjorn asked, his eyes moving from her mouth to her eyes. "Do you believe that I want this with you?" 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>10-10-2016, 05:18:23</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara's toes curled when Hallbjorn called her female, and told her that he wanted to feel her feeding from him. There was absolutely no sign of hesitation, and Kara did not doubt him whatsoever. Her face lit up when he suggested that they share a bath while she fed from him. <br><br>“I believe you, Hallbjorn.” She replied in answer to his question. Her eyes had not stopped glowing amber since she had awoken, but while before it was because of her need, now it was because of the depth of her emotion. <br><br>In her excitement, she scrambled out of bed. Hallbjorn's shirt on her hung down to&nbsp; almost to her knees and it was so broad in the shoulders that it slipped down one of her slender shoulders. She quickened her steps, eager to get into the tub, but then froze. Kara stood right in front of the open curtains, and she finally realized that the sun must have shined into the room all day. <br><br>A look of wonder came over her features as she held her arms up and looked at the sunshine upon them. She felt no pain, and no discomfort. In fact, the sun on her skin felt wonderful, as if she were soaking up energy. Tentatively, Kara made her way to the sliding glass doors and opened them. She held her breath before stepping out onto the balcony. The sun enveloped her completely, and her amazement at being able to stand in it kept her from appreciating the view in the daytime. <br><br>She turned and looked back towards Hallbjorn. “I can stand in the sun.” Kara's voice wavered, because she was so relieved and happy that she could cry. “We can travel in the day and I can see more.”<br><br>Then Kara was looking upon Hallbjorn, and that fact seems less important. “Bath.” She grinned, then made her way to the bathroom. What she was about to share with Hallbjorn was much more important then her standing in the sunlight. <br><br>The bathtub was massive, and enclosed in pale marble. There was a step leading up to it, and inside it looked like the water would come up to Kara's shoulders. It even had jets, which she turned on after she turned on the water. Kara made sure that the bath would be nice and steamy, and as it began to fill, she poured in a generous helping of the complimentary bubble bath. <br><br>Kara turned her attention to Hallbjorn. She knew what part came next, and the fact that he had seen her nearly naked last night helped her to push away any shyness. She gripped his shirt by the hem, then lifted it up her body and over her head. Kara kept looking into Hallbjorn's eyes as she let the shirt drop. Her breasts were not small, but neither were they too large. They complimented her frame perfectly. Her nipples were pink, and the cool air on them as well as Hallbjorn's regard had them hardening. <br><br>She took a deep breath, as she had before walking out into the sunlight, then bent over to pull off her panties. It was perhaps not done in the most seductive manner, because that simply was not Kara. When she straightened, she nibbled on her lower lip and kept her hands from covering herself. Her body was sun kissed with a light tan all over. Her legs were smooth and long, even for her short frame, and her sex was smooth and bare. <br><br>This was the first time Hallbjorn was seeing her completely naked, and it had Kara toeing the marble floor and asking him shyly, “Do I look all right to you?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>10-10-2016, 06:45:52</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn lay in bed after Kara scrambled out. He watched her react to the realization that she could go out in the sun. It was something that he wanted to have them try, once she was immortal - he had not wanted to risk her being burned by the sun and having to carry a scar for the rest of her life. When she at last turned back to him, that small smile was there waiting for her. He was glad for her and pleased that the day was not lost to her forever when it was so obvious how much she enjoyed it. <br><br>He got up when she went into the bathroom, trundling along after her. There was no hurry to his motions because he got to see something wonderful in Kara at every moment this morning. The big man did not want to rush and risk going so quickly that he missed something else about her that he could treasure forever. <br><br>When he saw how much she liked this bath, he resolved to have one built in his home. Or to buy a house that already one. Or both. It was difficult to truly decide as he watched her start to draw the bath. He was amused that she began to pour in a generous amount of the bubble bath, taking a moment to see them sud up as the tub filled with water. <br><br>He sensed her attention on him and gave her his full attention. Granted she had always held almost his complete attention - a fraction only had gone to observing the contents of the tub - but there was no division as he watched her disrobe in front of him. His eyes became filled with a tempest so furious that it deserved its own name. His nostrils flared at the sight of her topless. It was different now, seeing her undress in this way then when he had undressed her to get ready for bed. There was a deliberate baring of her body here that added a dimension to her nudity. <br><br>Hallbjorn's breathing deepened just a touch, and his heartbeat increased slightly but notably. If she had her full senses she would be able to tell how his heart at first skipped a beat and then pounded just slightly more furiously. It took everything that Hallbjorn had to stay where he was and to keep his arms by his sides. It was very exciting, and it only got worse when Kara bent to remove her panties. Hallbjorn liked the way he did it. He liked that this was a new experience for her and for them both. <br><br>He saw how she bit her lower lip as she straightened and could tell she was resisting the urge to cover herself. That was more seductive than anything a nymph, nereid, or succubus could have done as far as Hallbjorn was concerned. <br><br>"No." Hallbjorn said to her shy question. The way she toed the marble shyly was intoxicating. His voice was thicker than normal and there was extra tension to his shoulders as he walked towards Kara. He took her chin with a curled forefinger beneath it and a thumb upon it, tilting her head up to him so that she could see the raging tempest in his eyes. He dared not let it show anywhere else in his body, but in his eyes she could see the fullness of what the mere sight of her body did to him. If he were any other male, right now, she would be in danger from him. The desire to take her would be more than a male less concerned with self-control could master, and a wanton male in the throes claiming a mortal mate was a tale that could only end in tragedy.<br><br>"You look perfect, Kara." Hallbjorn told her, and his voice was very dark and very dangerous. Then he withdrew his hand, as though he no longer trusted himself to touch her. He went to the waist band of his boxers, and paused, as if he thought he could not trust himself if he did not have the garment in place. But his mate was bare before him and he would not deny her the sight of him. Of all of him. <br><br>Hallbjorn pushed the boxers down and they pooled around his ankles. He stepped out of them and kicked them aside to stand nude in front of Kara. The large man stepped back so that she could look her fill. The muscles of his thighs led up to his groin. And there he was even larger than one might have thought even for a male of his size: Hallbjorn's flaccid shaft lay thick and long over a large sac that held a pair of very large testicles. It was a size and length that would have been intimidating even if it were his penis fully erect, but this was it at peace. It was not just the strength of him that he worried about: Hallbjorn knew he would grow much larger if he allowed himself to be aroused, much thicker than a can of soda. It would be difficult for Kara to accommodate - if she could at all - even with an immortal body.<br><br>He gave her some moments to take that in, and then he turned around slowly for her. Hallbjorn reached a hand up and pulled his hair away from his back and over his shoulder, to give Kara an uninhibited view of his back and backside. His back was broad and muscular, the fair skin darkened by the two ravens in flight. They looked like they belonged there and that it would somehow be wrong if they were absent. His ass in the flesh was much nicer than covered in fabric. It was taut, muscular, and everything a woman could desire to sink her nails or teeth into. The tall man gave her time to soak in that sight as well before turning back to her. <br><br>Hallbjorn did not speak, but he waited silently for her evaluation of his body as well.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>10-10-2016, 07:36:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				That small smile that Hallbjorn gave her made Kara feel as if she was wrapped in a warm blanket. She carried that feeling with her as she made her way to the bathtub, and then undressed for him. It seemed to her that he was smiling more, and it renewed her faith that soon she could give her carefree smiles. <br><br>If Kara had not been suffering from shyness, she would have seen the way Hallbjorn reacted to seeing her naked. Yet now when she looked at him, he seemed even more rigid and in control then he had ever been. A hurt look flashed in her eyes when he answered her with a no. But then he was in front of her and tilting her face up towards his, and she saw what she did to him in his eyes. The gray of them was mesmerizing, especially when they blazed with such intensity. <br><br>Kara felt like melting at his next comment. His words touched her, but the tone he used had her heart pounding. Hallbjorn was a dangerous, powerful man. Kara knew that. She also knew that he would never hurt her. But the knowledge that a man like him could desire her so furiously was unimaginably alluring. <br><br>Her eyes grew wide when he pushed his boxers down his body, then stood before her in all of his naked glory. The sight of it had Kara's knees feeling weak, and she was forced to sit on the lip of the tub. Her gaze started at his strong, proud face, then traveled slowly down his body. Hallbjorn was magnificently muscled, with shoulders broader then any quarterback. The tattoo on his chest drew her attention, and she longed to run her fingertips over it and trace the design. <br><br>Hallbjorn's stomach was washboard hard, with not an ounce of fat. Kara wanted to run her tongue over the expanse of it to feel those hard ridges. Then her gazed dipped lower, and her jaw dropped in disbelief. Though Kara had never seen a man naked in person, she had studied human anatomy as one of her many college courses, so she knew what to expect. <br><br>But this... It took her breath away, and worried her as well as delighted her all at once. The question of why he was not erect did not last long in her mind. If Hallbjorn had the strength to control his body to such an extent that he could control the berserker rage, then it stood to reason that he could control other aspects of his body. <br><br>It should have been embarrassing with how long she looked at his length, and at his heavy sac. Kara's fingers gripped the bathtub rim to try and curb her desire to touch him, but there was no stopping the way she wet her lips with her tongue as she gazed at him hungrily. A hint of concern flashed in her eyes, because she knew when he grew hard, he'd be much bigger. She didn't know how she could take him inside of her. But then her mind went a different direction, and she whispered softly, “However will I take that into my mouth?” It was not a question she expected an answer to, because she didn't realize she asked it out loud. <br><br>When Hallbjorn turned around for her, Kara hissed in a breath. Her gaze feasted on his strong back, that wonderful tattoo that she needed more time to touch and explore, and then down to his muscular behind. At that moment, she was thinking on how very much she would like to sink her nails and her teeth into one of his taut cheeks. <br><br>Kara felt out of breath when Hallbjorn finally turned back around. Her eyes were dazed as she looked up into his. “My mate is the most magnificent man ever created.” Kara told him in a tone that held wonder, because she did not know what she had done to deserve so much. <br><br>The feel of bubbles touching her behind had her quickly turning to shut off the water. Kara stood, and was proud that her legs only wobbled a little bit. She was loathe to take her eyes off of Hallbjorn, because her glowing amber gaze could not get enough of him. Kara's refusal to look away from him had her clumsily climbing into the bathtub. <br><br>The bubbles came up to her chin, and the water lapped her shoulders. Kara moved to the edge closest to Hallbjorn, and hooked her arms over the edge. She crooked her finger at him, inviting him to join her in the steamy hot water. It was only a passing thought that she was still thirsty, but that need crawled to the foreground again. <br><br>“Hallbjorn.” Kara said, in a sultry voice that she did not recognize as her own. “Will you let me touch you everywhere after I feed?” She really hoped that he would tell her she could, but even though she'd be frustrated if he told her no, she would understand. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>10-10-2016, 08:29:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Of course Hallbjorn enjoyed Kara's eyes on him, but it was more enjoyable to see how delighted she was with him. He enjoyed the way she had looked at his length, and at his muscles. The hurt when he told her no at first had made him feel a sting of guilt but it was almost balmed by her reactions. He would not forget that misstep. He could hear heart pounding in her chest. He smiled just a little wider when she praised his body.<br><br>He moved to join her in the bubbly water when she crooked her finger at him. Each curled of it pulled at him with an invisible force. When he lowered himself into the water beside Kara he was pensive at her question. He wanted to give her leave to touch him everywhere. He wanted her to have everything that she wanted from him. And while she had a complete trust that he would not hurt her the blond man did not share the same confidence. <br><br>He would just have to control himself, Hallbjorn resolved. The man could not deny not her. Not when she wanted it so much. Not when she was about to give him something that he wanted so much. Denying her would be so . . . unfair. <br><br>The large man drew Kara to him with one arm, allowing their submerged bodies to touch with nothing in between them. His hand moved up and down her back, his fingers trailing over her spine. He did not move his hands anywhere risque - though all of Kara seemed that way now that she was in front of him and naked, using a sultry voice that seemed so very different from the young woman that he knew. Or maybe not so different . . . just a layer not yet fully revealed. Hallbjorn liked that Kara was not a practiced, sultry seductress. He had seen enough of those and found he liked her honest reactions and unpracticed entreaties most. It thrilled him that she had taken off her panties as if she were just doing it to take the garment off - that it was not some striptease game. That was sexy in a way that Hallbjorn could only have with her.<br><br>He had experienced the practiced actions of a professional before. It was not so much, perhaps, that it was practiced, but that it was empty. That it was a motion to go through. He could not shake the association in his mind. <br><br>And Kara's innocent little toe scraping along marble assured he was even now only thinking about her. And what she wanted. <br><br>"Yes, I will let you touch me everywhere. <em>After</em> you feed." He said, relenting from the limitation he put on her from the night before. The large man kissed her lips lovingly. He was in no rush for everything. This was the first time he was bathing with his mate. There was no need to force past it. Every second of this was 'the good part.' He reached with one arm for soap that was, thoughtfully, within reach from the bath. If he had shorter arms he would have needed to move, but he had reach and could stay just where he was. He dipped the bar of soap beneath the water and began to rub it along Kara's back, gently rubbing the bar over her skin in a slow, easy pace. His other hand followed in the bar's wake, massaging her flesh with his big, rough hand. The touch was sure and confident, but his eyes still raged with a powerful storm that belied the calm of his touch.<br><br>"Let me feel your fangs on my collarbone, but do not bite yet." Hallbjorn whispered to her as he worked down her back with the soap and his hands. He had her touching his front with her own completely; her breasts were pressing flat against his chest and he could feel the points of her nipples against him. His hard abs were unyielding against her feminine softness, and the hot thickness of his length touched her, along with the large, full sac that accompanied it. His hands were getting very close to the beginning of the pert roundness of her bottom - a sad reality of his large hands against her small body: every touch would conquer so much of her, even at the languid, savouring pace he chose. But Hallbjorn strove to make every second of contact count.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>10-10-2016, 09:03:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The water lapped up to Kara's throat when Hallbjorn joined her in the bathtub. She went to him happily when he put his arm around her and pulled her close. Kara parted her thighs so she could straddle his lap. Even when he was not erect, the feel of their bodies touching their caused her eyes to dilate and her lips to part. <br><br>He felt slippery and wet and perfect against her, and she loved how with each breath he took, the movement of his chest teased her breasts. Kara was pressed completely against him, and it felt as wonderful as she had imagined. Her fingers moved up to his hair and curled around his long strands. She didn't take her gaze away from him. <br><br>The condition he gave her for touching him had her nodding quickly in agreement. Her reward was his lips on hers, and the love she felt in his kiss had her groaning softly into his mouth. She shifted slightly in surprised when his hand moved to her back, bringing the bar of soap with it. Kara tilted her face back so she could keep looking into his beautiful gray eyes as he began to rub the soap up and down her back. Her expression was tender and vulnerable. She didn't want to disappoint him in any way, and her lack of experience made her worry that she would fail to please him as much as she wanted to. <br><br>“Hallbjorn, I love you.” The words burst from her lips, because he caused her to feel so much that if she didn't share some of it, she thought she would burst. Kara's eyelids lowered halfway, so that only a bit of her bright amber gaze was visible. His hands washing her back were relaxing her, making her feel more sure of herself and peaceful in this new setting. <br><br>When he told her how he wanted to feel her fangs on him, Kara nodded slowly, then licked her lips again. Her hands remained in his hair, though she tenderly drew the platinum length away from his throat and over his shoulders. She leaned down so that her mouth was close to his throat and his collarbone, but she did not use her fangs immediately. Kara didn't want to rush this either. She placed delicate kisses along his collarbone, then up his throat to just beneath his ear. The feel of Hallbjorn's hands moving closer to her behind had Kara's hips moving as she offered up that part of her to his touch. <br><br>Her fangs were already elongated, and they tingled with anticipation of what was to come. Kara followed Hallbjorn's directions, and she lightly scraped her fangs over his collarbone. To soothe his skin, she slowly licked the path her fangs had taken, after which she nuzzled his throat and sighed with content. <br><br>Kara dragged her fangs over his pulsing vein, then kiss and licked his skin. She was taking so much pleasure just exploring him this way while his hands worked up and down her back. After scraping her fangs over the juncture between his shoulder and neck, then licking it better, she whispered softly to him, “Please, Hallbjorn?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>10-10-2016, 09:59:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				At her declaration of love Hallbjorn's stormy eyes grew even more so, flashing a more intense colour as lightning would punctuate a normal storm. "I love you, Kara." Hallbjorn told her in return and he meant it from the depths of his heart. The tender, vulnerable expression on her face fire protective instincts in him like nothing else. There was no way she could fail to please him. None at all. Even if she sat there and did nothing Hallbjorn would be pleased to a great degree, more pleased than he ever had been in his long, lonely life.<br><br>His breath hitched as she moved his hair away to comply with what he wanted. His hands found the rounded curves of her bottom and he washed and massaged the supple flesh there with his strong hands. The roughened surface of his hands caressed the softness of her backside, working at the muscles with delicious, sure strokes. The kisses that she pressed to his collar had him shivering with anticipation. <br><br>He felt a groan of pleasure arising at the first light scrape of her fangs. Hallbjorn almost stifled it and held it back from Kara, but he let the sound free from her lips. Both so that it could serve as encouragement and so she could know that was she was doing pleased him and made him feel good. Her tongue followed where her fangs touched, and then she nuzzled along his neck afterward at his neck. <br><br>The pulse would be strong there for her to feel beneath her cheek, faster because of what she did to him. The vein she dragged her fangs over throbbed even more strong at the touch of them. Hallbjorn's hands cupped her bottom and he stroked the cleavage between them with the tips of his fingers when she pleaded with him softly. His right hand moved forward and teasingly stroked the folds of her sex in a lazy stroke.<br><br>"Take what is yours, mate." Hallbjorn answered in a thick voice. His big hands moved slowly from her bottom to her thighs, stroking her there lovingly and surely. He steeled himself for the pleasure that would come with her fangs in his neck. The blond man was sure that he would enjoy it, because it was his cute little mate. "Drink as hard and deep as you wish. It is all for you - to the last drop." Even if she were to take every last drop of blood from him, it would not kill him. He was an immortal, and his body would simply regenerate the lost blood.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>10-10-2016, 21:23:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The way Hallbjorn's eyes grew even more stormy when she told him she loved him, and the depth of the emotion in his voice when he returned her love, made Kara want to hold onto him for eternity and never let him go. What they shared was so much more powerful than anything she could have ever imagined. It was no wonder she'd never responded to any man before him. Hallbjorn was the other half of Kara's soul. <br><br>As she teased his throat, Hallbjorn's hands on her behind made her murmur with pleasure. His massage made her feel boneless while at the same time what they were about to share had her feeling powerful. Kara didn't understand how her body could feel both weak and strong, it seemed so incongruous. But being with Hallbjorn was unlocking all kinds of feelings in her that she delighted in exploring. <br><br>His groan electrified Kara, because she felt more sure of what she was doing. It let her know that Hallbjorn was enjoying this as much as she was. She wanted to hear more sounds like that coming from him. Kara reveled in the fact that she could tempt her berserker with the ironclad control. <br><br>When his fingers stroked between her cheeks, she gasped at how wickedly good that felt. Then Hallbjorn's fingers teased her sex, and Kara whimpered. He'd already given her a powerful release this morning, but Kara felt that she could never get enough of her Hallbjorn. <br><br>He let her know that it was time, and rather then striking out and sinking her fangs into his throat right away, Kara released her grip on his hair. One arm slid around his neck, so that she could hold him in place. Her other hand braced on his shoulder. Kara lifted herself lightly to get a better angle, and the movement caused her body to slide along his deliciously. <br><br>She pressed a tender kiss right over his pulsing artery. Kara would have lavished Hallbjorn in kisses and affection right then for what he was giving her, but her fangs had fully extended and thirst gripped her. She parted her lips as she closed her eyes, and then as gently as she could, Kara sank her fangs into Hallbjorn's throat, at precisely where his artery pulsed. <br><br>His thick life's blood welled up in her mouth, tasting better then anything. It was hot in her mouth, and after she took her first swallow, a low growl of pleasure came from deep inside of her. Kara's grip on Hallbjorn tightened, with a peek of her immortal strength showing itself. Then she drew more blood into her mouth, and her body trembled with how right it felt, how perfect Hallbjorn tasted, and how much she loved him. <br><br>With no warning, a powerful orgasm stole through her, making Kara feel like her veins were filled with lightning and that her blood was boiling. She writhed against his chest, whimpering between each draw of blood, while each swallow seemed to prolong her release. Her toes curled, and her nails dug into his skin. Kara's small form shook from the intensity of her release. It felt as if the earth shifted beneath her feet. She knew then that she would never drink from another, that no blood would ever be as satisfying as his. <br><br>It came to the point where Kara's body had nothing left to give. She felt satiated and full, and so amazingly alive. Her fangs shortened, but she still kept her lips sealed on Hallbjorn's flesh. Kara soothingly licked the two small puncture marks, reveling in the last bits of his blood on her tongue, but also needing to assuage the pain he might have felt. <br><br>She kissed his punctured flesh softly, then pulled back so she could look into his eyes. Even though her eyes still glowed amber, her expression was tender. She looked to see if he was in pain from what they shared, or if he felt weakened from blood loss, but he did not seem to have been affected negatively. Kara's hands moved to Hallbjorn's cheeks, and she traced her fingertips along his cheekbones, then his jaw, before her hands came to rest on his chest. <br><br>Kara smiled with content as she said, “You taste like sunshine, and growing things, but also a hint of snow, and a hint of the ocean.” She had never seen snow, nor the ocean, and Kara did not know how she recognized these things in Hallbjorn, but it was unmistakable. There was also this new feeling from her feeding that stole into every cell of Kara's body. She felt a connection to Hallbjorn, stronger then what they shared before. It felt unbreakable, and Kara knew that for the rest of her life, Kara would be tied to Hallbjorn, and only him.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>10-10-2016, 22:58:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn was at first tense with anticipation as Kara maneuvered herself into position. But when her lips pressed a tender kiss to his neck he relaxed. He let out a breath and resolved to give himself over to what they were sharing as much as he dared. Time seemed to slow down and he felt the tips of her fangs pierce his skin a millimeter at a time. It did not hurt. It was not like any of the innumerable times his skin had been pierced by sword, or arrow, or claw, or any of the long list of things that others had used to cause him harm. Hallbjorn wanted to loll back his head and he relaxed to do it. Kara's grip kept him where she wanted him for the bite, and he relaxed back into her grip. His entire body seemed to relax and for the brief time when her mouth was at his neck drawing out his blood all of Hallbjorn relaxed and was not a rigid pillar of iron.<br><br>A long, low groan escaped his lips as pleasure burned pleasantly through his veins. He could tell that he was experiencing an orgasm. Even if his penis was soft and he was not ejaculating, he knew that what he was experiencing was an orgasm. His breathing deepened and he moaned as Kara licked the small wounds at his neck after she was finished. <br><br>It took him a few seconds to open his eyes when Kara's mouth pulled away. He lamented the loss of it, and his body tensed again as he recovered. He opened his eyes to see her amber ones searching for his reaction. "There was no pain. Only pleasure, mate." Hallbjorn told her. His eyes were slightly hooded and a little glassy in post-orgasm, but he was recovering quickly into the Hallbjorn that she was accustomed to and knew best. <br><br>He gave a small chuckle as she described what he tasted like. He looked at her lips and the contented smile she wore. And although he was unaware of a particular anxiety she felt, he was assuaging it as he leaned forward and kissed her mouth. His tongue teased the seam of her lips and found her tongue, gently caressing it with languid strokes. He could taste his own blood along with her but it did not affect this kiss in any way. <br><br>The large man drew back, his chest rubbing her breasts wonderfully. His hands moved to rest at her hips. "I found release in your bite." The blond man told his cute little vampire mate. It pleased him well that she seemed to enjoy biting him as much as he enjoyed being bitten. There was no way to really put into words how much Hallbjorn enjoyed Kara's pleasure - it was more important to him than his own. His mouth twitched. "I promised that you could touch me anywhere you wished after you fed. The time is now, mate. What will you do?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>11-10-2016, 00:10:21</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The look in Hallbjorn's eyes when he told her he had felt only pleasure caused Kara to be immensely pleased. She treasured the way his body had relaxed beneath hers as she fed from him. He always had such ironclad control. She couldn't imagine how hard it must be to never relax, and that he allowed that to happen with her filled her with wonder. <br><br>She sighed with delight when he kissed her. Kara's tongue was eager to slide along his, and taste Hallbjorn. He said that they could be bad kissers together, but Hallbjorn's kisses were swoon worthy. She had difficulty believing he did anything badly. He had not even needed to touch her to make her orgasm. Kara was still dazed by what just happened. <br><br>When Hallbjorn broke the kiss, Kara smiled at him with delight. Her eyes widened with surprise to learn that he had found his release also. Since they had to abstain from going all of the way, she now knew what she would do to give him as much pleasure as he gave her. <br><br>“I intend to help you find your own release often, then.” Kara replied with a touch of impishness in her smile. It did not hurt that feeding from him also gave Kara her own release. She'd known more pleasure in the last few days with him then she'd ever experienced in her life. At times Kara worried that she was turning into a little nympho since she could not get enough of him. It was a far cry from how she felt before he came into her life. <br><br>Kara nibbled her lower lip when he asked what she would do. Then she grinned as she made her decision. “Soap, please.” She held out her hand, and when Hallbjorn handed her the soap, her gaze went to his strong shoulders. She worked up a lather in her palms, and then had him hold the soap so she could get to work. <br><br>There was a lot of Hallbjorn to explore, and Kara enjoyed taking her time. She started by using her soapy hands on his wide shoulders. Her intent was to wash him as he had done her, but also touch her fill. Her palms moved in slow circles as she covered the breadth of his shoulders, and then she began to work her way down his arms. <br><br>Kara may have spent a bit too much time enjoying the way her palms gliding over his muscular arms, because she had to use the soap to lather her hands often before she returned to touching him. When she reached his hands, she took one of his in both of hers, and worked the soapy lather down his palms, and then paid careful attention to washing each of his fingers. After Kara finished with one hand, she moved onto his other and treated it to the same attention. <br><br>Her focus landed on his chest next. Before she brought her palms to his skin, her lips trailed tender kisses over the tattoo covering his heart. Kara's hands soon took over for her lips, and there was no hiding the amount of joy she received to be able to explore him at her leisure. Her careful ministrations continued down to his washboard stomach, but she did not reach out to touch his length or his heavy sac just yet. <br><br>After finishing with Hallbjorn's front, she slid her arms around him so she could soap up his back. It made Kara's body press flatly against his, and she grinned up at Hallbjorn as her breasts slid along him thanks to the soap. There was so much of his back to explore with her hands, that it took some time, even though she was not able to reach all of it. <br><br>The next part had her cheeks pinkening as she parted the last of the bubbles so she could look down upon him fully. Kara slid back on his legs so that she would have enough room to explore. She looked back up into his eyes and admitted softly, “I have never been with a man before. I've never touched a man like this, and never let one touch him as I've let you. Will you let me know if I do it wrong, or if its too much?”<br><br>It was only after Hallbjorn reassured her that her soapy hands tentatively reached beneath the water. Kara was fascinated with the feel of him when her fingers slide along his thick length. Even though he was not hard, it did not diminish her delight in touching him. Kara tried not to touch him in too much of an arousing way. They were both satiated, and what she was doing now was meant more to explore her mate. She didn't try to stroke him, but rather tenderly let her fingers learn every bit of her man. <br><br>One of her hands dipped lower so that she could cup his heavy sac. Kara's expression showed that she liked how heavy he felt in her hand. She liked how all of him felt in her hands, but when she brought her gaze back to Hallbjorn's, there was a touch of worry in her eyes. “Are you sure we'll fit together, Hallbjorn?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>11-10-2016, 01:17:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn handed over the soap when Kara asked for it, placing it in her outstretched hand. Then he watched her clean him and touch her fill. It felt nice to have her small hands on him. There was a lot of him to touch and Kara seemed intent on not leaving any part of him ignored or bereft of her touch. The time she spent enjoying herself was not time that Hallbjorn begrudged her. He cooperated with her when the need arose so that she could have the experience that she desired.<br><br>When she slid back, he could tell that she was preparing to touch the parts of him that were purely male. Kara looked up at him, and delivered her soft admission. It pleased him to know that no other man had touched her like he had and that she had never been with one. He knew that her friends had teased her about that. It did not really hinder Hallbjorn's enjoyment of things that Kara was not a practiced master of a thousand liaisons. It was not as though he were a professional, conqueror of a thousand women's beds. They pleased each other and that was enough, was it not? <br><br>He reassured her softly. "I will." The large man told her. There was not really any danger of her doing it wrong. It being too much though . . . there was a very real danger of that. Her small, sudsy hands went beneath the water and found his thick length. Any touch of hers there was going to be arousing, and Hallbjorn's body tensed with how difficult it was not to let it become too much and lose himself in what her touch did to him. He breathed more heavily and his heart beat faster. <br><br>When she looked up at him with worry, there was a part of Hallbjorn that liked to see that. It was terrible of him, but gods help him, there it was. Hallbjorn raised a hand and cupped Kara's cheek. "It will not be easy. I will prepare you to receive me and be very and slow at first." The large man told her. Even if she were fully immortal it would be a very tight fit for her to take him inside her body. But it was possible. "Fate would not bring us together if we were not a match." The man assured his mate. The pad of his thumb gently rubbed the softness of her cheek.<br><br>"What are you going to wear today?" The Berserker asked, easing the subject to something less tense but no less interesting to him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>11-10-2016, 01:51:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara could detect Hallbjorn's breathing change, and to her surprise, she could even hear his heart beat quicken. There would come a time when she'd explore that part of him with her mouth, but now was not it. She had not wanted to torment her mate, but simply knew all of him. <br><br>She smiled sweetly at Hallbjorn, even though thoughts of him preparing her, and what that might entail excited her. Kara's hands moved up to Hallbjorn's chest, before her arms slipped around his neck and she held herself close to him. She felt reassured by the certainty in his voice, and it helped to ease her worry. <br><br>Kara turned her face into his palm and kissed the center of it, before answering his question. “I have a backless blue dress I've been wanting to wear, but I could go with a pair of white linen shorts and a turquoise top. I don't think I should dress too fancy for the Alamo.” A thought took hold, and she tilted her head to the side as she considered Hallbjorn. “You could always chose what I wear today.”<br><br>Having Hallbjorn pick out what would please him most for her to wear was a very alluring thought. It was another instance of her realizing that she liked something that before she had given no real thought. Hallbjorn was helping Kara to learn more about herself in ways that exceeded the Lore world. <br><br>“Should we start getting ready, and head out for breakfast?” Kara asked, then glanced at the open door and the fading sunlight. “Or dinner, that is.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>11-10-2016, 03:15:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Let us start to get ready." Hallbjorn said to Kara. As tempting as it was to stay in the bathtub with her longer, it would be good to get started. He let the water out and rose from the tub, carrying Kara with him. Her arms were still around his neck and his arms around her ensured that she was perfectly supported. He set her down on the floor and grabbed a towel. Hallbjorn took the time to dry Kara off from head to toe, working the extra fluffy luxury towel over every inch of her body. He may have lingered in certain places - like her breasts and bottom - in a bid to torment her a little, but that was a male prerogative. <br><br>"I chose the white shorts and top for you." The tall man said when Kara was dried off and released her to finish getting ready while he dried himself off. When he finished with himself he brushed his teeth and brushed out his hair, leaving it to air dry. Since they were planning to go visit the Alamo Hallbjorn chose a simple combination of black jeans and a black t-shirt. Since his hair was there was not really anything he could do with it and was left loose. Kara could enjoy it. <br><br>"One of the wonders of being immortal is that any meal is whatever you want it to be." Hallbjorn told Kara when they were both ready and had collected all of their things. "When you become fully immortal, your body will always return to the same state. You could eat nothing but ice cream for a week and not gain an ounce." The man told her, glancing over at her. "What would you say to getting some sandwiches, some drinks, and taking it with us to the Alamo? How does that sound to you?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>11-10-2016, 04:17:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara laughed with delight when Hallbjorn picked her up and carried her out of the bathtub. After he set feet on the floor and began to dry her with a soft, fluffy towel, her look turned heated. Kara kept her hands on Hallbjorn's shoulders as he used that towel to torment her breasts, and then her bottom. Her fingers flexed over and over and her breath came in short pants. By the time he finished, she was flushed from the slow burning arousal he awaked in her. She suspected he knew exactly what he had done to her, and that he enjoyed it. <br><br>“Wicked Berserker.” Kara murmured as she turned to get ready. Luckily, her legs only wobbled a little bit. <br><br>Kara made quick work of brushing her teeth, then pulling her hair up into a ponytail. The clothes she'd given to be cleaned had already been returned, and she dug through the pile to find what she wanted. After choosing a pant and bra set that would match the shirt, she slipped on a pair of white linen shorts that went to her mid thigh. The material was thin, and sure to allow her to stay cool in the hot Texas weather. <br><br>She pulled on the sleeveless top, which was a rich turquoise color and silky soft. The material hugged her skin, with the hem shorter then she was used to. It revealed a strip of skin on level with her belly button. Kara looked down at the cleavage her shirt showed. It was too much, but more then she was used to. Patricia, the sales clerk, had told her that she looked stunning in the shirt. <br><br>Kara finished the outfit with a slim golden chain that circled her waist, and then her wedge sandals with straps that closed around her ankles. After she applied a bit of mascara and lip gloss, she saw Hallbjorn dressed with his hair loose and beautiful. She wondered if he had any idea how handsome he was. <br><br>“Don't tempt me.” She grinned at his comment, because she loved her ice cream. “Will they let us eat inside?” Kara had never heard of a museum that had allowed her that. Then again, she'd never been to one before. <br><br>She took one last look around the hotel room. “I'll miss this place. I hope we can come back here someday.”<br><br>After they stowed their belongings in the truck, Kara took his hand. “Lets walk there. Its not too far away, and we've been cramped up in the truck for days.”<br><br>Their walk was pleasant, and the last rays of the sun as well as the heat felt rejuvenating to her. There were plenty of sandwich shops to chose from, but when Kara saw a stand that sold gyros, she told Hallbjorn that she simply must try one. The line was a little long, and by the time they both had their food, the sun had set completely. <br><br>By the time they reached the Alamo, it was to find them locking up for the night. Disappointment took over her features. “I didn't know they closed so early.” Kara said to Hallbjorn. There was, however, a sign that said they had evening tours. When Kara asked the museum employee out from about them, he informed her that they usually had to be scheduled in advance, but there was an opening that evening. Although the cost for just the two of them would be five hundred dollars. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>12-10-2016, 04:20:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn thought that as a rule food was probably not allowed at the Alamo, but he also believed that, as with all things that involved dealing with mortals, money would pave the way. He made a mental note that Kara enjoyed this place. Perhaps once she was safe and her life was not a point of attention between a mad soothsayer and someone willing to pay demons to take her, they could spend more time here. Perhaps a week or two - see what else San Antonio had to offer and relax afterwards in this room.<br><br>He nodded when she suggested that they walk. It was why he had chosen this hotel. <br><br>Hallbjorn had absolutely no issue waiting in line with Kara for the gyro she so desired. He had never tried one before, but he had sampled a similar dish called döner. They placed had lamb on offer and Hallbjorn was glad for that option.<br><br>The large man was somewhat dismayed to see Kara's disappointment when they saw the place locking up. If he had to, he resolved that he would pay whatever price they demanded to stay open. There was, thankfully, the option of the night tour, and he did not balk at the price the employee stated in the slightest. The blond man pulled out his wallet and handed over five one hundred dollar bills to pay their way. He gave over an extra hundred so that they could bring their sandwiches inside. <br><br>The tour was quite informative. The guide spoke about the history of the the Alamo as a mission and some background on the Texas Revolution. There were displays of the various important figures involved, such as James Bowie, and letters and journals of men who fought in the siege. The tour ended with some of the effects of the battle, and some displays about how the Alamo was depicted in television and film. While they were on the tour, Hallbjorn walked with his arm around Kara's shoulders, holding her to his side, nestling her up beside him. When the tour was concluded they were in the gift shop, which sold all manner of knick knacks and memorabilia. Some of the things were simply Texas-inspired. None of it struck Hallbjorn's eye. Of course, he would buy anything that Kara wished for herself.<br><br>When it was all over and they left, Hallbjorn kissed the top of Kara's head. They were the last ones out, and the employees completed locking up. Only some members of the staff remained behind to clean; most went home. Hallbjorn was enjoying holding Kara close, and was going to kiss her again but he tensed, and turned his head to the shadows. A breeze carried the scent of demons with it, and in the shadows of the Alamo a trio of demons waited. One of their scents was especially foul, carrying with it a sense that whatever emanated it was an abomination. Hallbjorn's brows knit together, and his breathing started to come faster in anticipation of entering a rage state. <br><br>The three demons began to advance to where Kara and Hallbjorn stood. One of them was incredibly massive, standing some eight feet all, looking a lot like the Hulk from one of Marvel's films, but with very pale, milky skin interrupted only by black veins. The massive thing had a pair of horns that curled back around its skull, ridged like those of a ram. Its eyes were black but shot through with pulsing red veins. It wore only a pair of ragged breeches and a crude cape, both made of worn wool. The other two demons were handsome things, like the ones that had attacked Kara in her home. <br><br>One of the handsome demons nodded at Hallbjorn and the larger one lunged with incredible speed. Hallbjorn pushed Kara away, and not a moment too soon: the big demon hit Hallbjorn with the force of a freight train and the two hurtled away. Hallbjorn called upon the Berserker rage, and his muscles swelled with divine power. The two began to exchange fearsome blows, but the large demon seemed more than a match for Hallbjorn. The demon was in a mounted position over Hallbjorn and was raining down brutal blows: for every punch Hallbjorn gave, the demon delivered two from its superior position. <br><br>"Hello, Kara Walker. You're a very difficult woman to find." The handsome demon smiled, revealing a mouth with fangs. He had a shining knife in his left hand with a wavy blade that he tilted this way and that, letting it catch the light. The blade had a green hue as if it was coated with something. "And you have such a formidable protector. Do you how many of my brethren he killed? Our margin on this job has disappeared. We had to deploy a vampire demon. Do you know how difficult those are to create and control? But we signed the contract in blood. No backing out." The demon tsked ruefully. His partner traced behind Kara, taking her arms.<br><br>Hallbjorn saw through blurred vision what was happening with Kara. He grit his teeth and shoved. The massive vemon proved immobile. But seeing the flash of the knife, Hallbjorn reached deep and drew on more and more of the rage. His body swelled more than it had in a very long time and his control frayed to ragged edges as he felt the rage pounding in his veins like lightning and liquid fire. With a brutal shove he dislodged the vemon, sending it flying. He was up with the same motion, and launched himself at the knife-wielding handsome demon. Hallbjorn hit hard, slamming a massive shoulder into the demon just as it was bringing the blade down to stab Kara's chest. The knife went clattering to the ground before it could make contact. Hallbjorn felt his fury and it was like he was a boy again. The left side of his face was a mask of blood where the vemon had busted him open the hard way, and his nose was broken at an odd angle. Some of his teeth were missing - they would grow back. His shirt was gone from the swelling of his body and already bruises the size of dinner plates decorated his chest. <br><br>But none of that stopped Hallbjorn from striking the demon who dared to threaten his woman with a knife.<br><br>Hallbjorn's fists rained down too fast for a mortal eye to perceive. But they made contact, striking until there was nothing left of the demon's head but red ruin and Hallbjorn was striking pavement more than he was demon. The vemon recovered by that time and threw itself once more at Hallbjorn, hitting the blond Berserker in the face with a vicious left that staggered Hallbjorn. The demon followed it up with more crude blows, forcing Hallbjorn back with each one. Eventually Hallbjorn rushed the vemon and wrapped both huge arms around its waist and squeezed even as it clubbed away with fists like anvils. Eventually there came a sharp, loud crack like the discharge of a gun, and it was Hallbjorn breaking the vemon back. The creature went limp, and Hallbjorn dropped it. It fell in a heap and Hallbjorn grasped its horns like handles, bracing its body with a knee on its spine. Hallbjorn twisted, and the vemon's head came free.<br><br>The remaining demon drew a knife of its own and held it to Kara's neck. "No further, Berserker. Or I spill her precious blood." It said in a voice far from firm. "And stop resisting me, female! We'll trace away and this will all just be a bad dream."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>12-10-2016, 05:51:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara should not have been surprised by Hallbjorn's willingness to pay the exorbitant amount, and his generosity with the museum worker. She'd seen him show how willing he was to pay whatever price for Kara, and each time it surprised her and then left her heart swelling for him. Her mate always made sure to take good care of her, and to see to her every desire. <br><br>During the tour, Kara was captivated by the rich history. It took her a bit to finish her delicious gyros, because she was focused on paying attention to what the tour guide said, as well as looking at everything she could. When she was finished eating, she took many pictures, and had the tour guide taking pictures of her and Hallbjorn standing together in front of the various buildings. Hallbjorn's arm keeping her pressed to his side was more then welcome, and Kara's arms were often looped around his waist.&nbsp; With their differences in height, it should have been difficult to walk so seamlessly together, but they did so perfectly. <br><br>When they finished the tour and were in the gift shop, Kara picked out a small porcelain piece that had the image of the Alamo raised that stood out on the surface. “So we can remember this place.” Kara smiled at Hallbjorn. Lacking a purse, she carried it in her hands like a tiny treasure. <br><br>Hallbjorn's kiss atop her head had Kara smiling happily up at him. “Thank you so much. I really enjoyed that tour. Jackrabbit Junction does not have much history.”<br><br>They had just exited the museum onto a street that was deserted, and Kara felt like she was floating on a cloud with the way Hallbjorn kept her so close to him. His head lowered, and she tilted hers up to received the kiss she thought was coming. But instead of Hallbjorn putting his lips upon hers, he tensed up. <br><br>Kara felt herself begin to tense, because she knew whenever Hallbjorn was like this, something bad was about to happen. She looked on in horror as three demons came into the week light of the street lamp. One of them looked like something from a nightmare, and fear coursed through Kara's veins when she beheld him. <br><br>Before she could blink, Hallbjorn had pushed her out of the path of danger. She stumbled, then found her balance. Kara looked on in horror as the monstrous demon rained blows down upon Hallbjorn. The porcelain piece slipped from her hands and shattered on the pavement. <br><br>She had to help him. Kara knew that she must do something. She did not think that anyone was as big as Hallbjorn, but the scary demon proved her wrong. Terror froze her solid, and Kara could not find the breath to scream. Her eyes darted to the demon he called her by name. Tremors worked through her muscles at the sight of the wicked blade the demon held, that glistened with what she thought was poison. <br><br>When one of the demons traced behind her and grabbed her arms, her paralysis broke. “Please,” she rasped in a voice filled with fear, “leave us alone.”<br><br>Then that knife was coming towards her, and Kara cringed, as if that would protect her. She expect to feel the searing pain of her flesh being parted, and one thought whirled through her mind. She wanted more time on this earth with Hallbjorn. <br><br>But the blade never touched her. Hallbjorn, her big, beautiful berserker, tackled the demon to the ground. He looked impossibly larger then he had the last time he'd given into rage. She should have been repulsed the way Hallbjorn turned the demon's head into a red stain, but those thoughts had no place in Kara's mind. Hallbjorn was injured. She needed to help him. That determination had her struggling as the other demon held onto her. She stomped his foot, doing little good in her sandals, and tried to break his grip. <br><br>Never had Kara felt weaker, because she could not budge the demon holding her at all. Tears of frustration, of fear, and worry for Hallbjorn kept falling down her cheeks unbidden. The demon's vice like grip was hard enough to bruise her arms as she fought to free herself. At a sound like a gunshot, Kara looked up to see Hallbjorn had finished off the monster demon. <br><br>She sucked in a harsh breath when she felt cold, sharp metal touching her throat, and she stilled. And then, what the demon said caused something to snap inside of Kara. He was going to take her away from Hallbjorn. Anger coursed through her, like molten lava. Instead of glowing amber, her eyes seemed to contain flames. She felt power building inside of her, consuming her. <br><br>“You will not take me from my mate.” Kara growled, and then the power broke free. Flames consumed her, and the demon behind her had no time to make a sound. And inferno erupted from her like an atom bomb, reaching out in a circle and destroying everything in its path. The only thing left untouched was Hallbjorn. Raging fire swirled around them, burning more fiercely until the color of the flames transition to blue and white. <br><br>With the threat now gone, Kara closed her eyes and tried to draw the flame back inside of her. Slowly, it returned to her and seeped back into her skin, leaving her unharmed. Nothing was left of the demons but ash, and even their two daggers were twisted clumps of molten mettle that soon solidified on the pavement. <br><br>Kara looked at Hallbjorn, and gave a soft cry of relief. Her flames had not hurt him, even with how hot they had grown. She rushed over to him and took in the extent of his wounds. Her lower lip quivered with worry as she lightly touched him in the few places he was unhurt. <br><br>She felt panicked, because Hallbjorn was injured, and her pyromania show was sure to attract someone. They had to get back to the truck, but she didn't know how she could get him there. Kara was so distraught that she did not notice the whirlwind that circled their feet, then grew taller around them. <br><br>She felt a tugging in her stomach, and the next thing she knew, she and Hallbjorn were standing beside the truck. Before Kara could say anything, weakness had her stumbling and beginning to fall. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>13-10-2016, 03:38:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn had a moment of disorientation as they appeared instantly at the truck all the way from the Alamo. It was not enough that he failed to catch Kara as she fell, though. The blond Berserker caught his love in his arms, swollen with divine power and muscles surging with untold might. He was in a world of pain, but none of that mattered because Kara was safe. He hoped that it was only the use of her unknown powers that had caused her to fall and not some injury. He gave her a once over and did not see any sign that the demons had harmed her - their blades seemed to not have cut her precious flesh. <br><br>Despite the hurt he was feeling, Hallbjorn opened the passenger side door of the truck and got Kara secured in the seat, settling her in and buckling the seat belt. He shut the door and made his way over to the other side, biting back a flare of pain. Several of his ribs were broken, and it made breathing difficult. It would be a welcome respite if he could simply pass out and let his body regenerate while he was unconscious, but that was not an option. He did pause to twist his broken nose back into place, biting back against the pain of that on top of everything else.<br><br>Hallbjorn's body shrank, diminishing from its enlarged state as he let the rage go. That brought with its own fatigue, and Hallbjorn felt the weight of it keenly. But he pulled himself into the driver's seat and started the engine. He drove out of the hotel parking lot and made his way east onto the interstate highway. The large man glanced over at Kara with a worried expression as he drove. "Kara? Are you alright?" The man asked. He did not expend the effort to mask the worry he felt, letting it show in his voice. His control was better spent staying awake and resisting the debilitating fatigue that followed the Berserker rage and the pain of his many injuries. His eyes were grey, although the blood had the left side of his face covered by hair that had gotten stuck to his skin. The platinum strands were stained crimson by their exposure to his blood. At least it hid some of how badly beaten he was.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>13-10-2016, 04:32:47</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara didn't know how long she lost consciousness. The last thing she remembered was Hallbjorn's arms catching her before she fell onto the pavement. When she came to, it was to Hallbjorn's worried voice. Kara opened her eyes and looked down at herself in confusion. Then it was as if what happened broke through her muddled mind. Her gaze shot to him, and she took in how injured Hallbjorn truly was. <br><br>“I think I am.” She whispered, and pushed everything out of her mind other then the need to take care of Hallbjorn and get them away from El Paso. She took a deep breath, and assessed herself, then told him with more surety. “I'm better. It felt like I had after the first time I used fire, but the weakness is gone now.”<br><br>It was true, and furthermore, she needed Hallbjorn to believe that, because he was in no shape to drive. Seeing him so hurt made her eyes begin to water, but she refused to let them fall. If even one escaped her, she was sure she'd fall apart, and Hallbjorn needed her right now. <br><br>Kara looked back at Hallbjorn, and was sure she could not hide her worry for him. “Take the next exit and pull over so I can drive.” There was steel in her voice, and she would not take any refusal from him. <br><br>The realization that she'd killed a man, a demon, was something she shoved out of her head. Kara would do it again, because nothing would take her away from Hallbjorn. As she looked at him, the urge to touch him was overwhelming, but he looked so badly hurt that she didn't want to make it worse. <br><br>As soon as Hallbjorn exited the freeway and pulled into an empty parking lot, Kara jumped out of the truck. She opened the back door and started shoving what she could to the floor, then putting her luggage and other large items in the bed of the truck. Kara's felt stronger then before, but she didn't know if it was her immortality showing or simply the gut wrenching fear she felt for Hallbjorn. She was like a whirling dervish as she cleared a path for him to lay down. <br><br>Once she was done, she went to the driver's side of the truck and pulled it open. Her heart clenched as the cab light illuminated Hallbjorn. “Oh Hallbjorn.” Her voice was thick with worry. “Come lay in the back seat. I think we need to keep driving, and I'm sorry for that. I know it will hurt, but we can't chance running into more of those demons.”<br><br>Regardless of how much bigger he was then her, Kara did what she could to help him out of the truck, then into the back seat, where she further helped him to lay down and stretch out. His legs might be a little cramped, but she did her best to make him comfortable, even using her pullover sweatshirt as a little headrest for him. <br><br>Kara cupped his uninjured cheek tenderly as she looked down at him. Her lower lip began to tremble again, but she sucked it back up into her mouth. “I want to clean you up and bandage you, but I think it would make you hurt worse. Just close your eyes, and try to rest, and I'll take care of you.”<br><br>She brought her lips to his, and her kiss was feather light so as to not hurt him. If he weren't so badly wounded, and their need wasn't so great to get out of town, Kara would be curled in his arms at that moment and seeking comfort over what happened. <br><br>As it was, her need for comfort was not something they could afford right then. Kara gently shut the door, making sure that Hallbjorn's blood stained hair and head were well clear of it. She got into the driver's seat and plotted the course into his navigator, and then they were off. <br><br>Kara drove straight through the night, and most of the day. She dare not pull over, even for coffee. It wasn't long into their journey before Hallbjorn fell asleep. It was hard to stop looking back at him to make sure he was truly sleeping and it wasn't something worse. By the time he woke, they had driven eight hours and were just about to enter the city limits of New Orleans. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>14-10-2016, 04:08:31</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn's sleep was shallow and fitful. He roused a few times as they drove, but it was thankfully when Kara's eyes were not upon him. There was nothing either of them could do about his condition, and Hallbjorn endured in silence whether awake or asleep. Kara pressed on through the remaining distance to New Orleans. Hallbjorn woke to see a sign telling them they had entered the city limits. He was proud of her for keeping it together and pushing so far on her own. <br><br>He sat up, and told Kara to pull over. When she did he stepped out of the truck and went over to spit up some blood and bone fragments, coughing violently as he did so. Then he returned to the truck. "I am proud of you, mate." Hallbjorn said to Kara as he re-entered the truck. "You did well in a difficult time." He raised a hand to stroke Kara's cheek, but saw how bloody and dirty it was, and lowered it before he reached halfway to his mate's face. Rather than mar her skin, he did not touch her. "Let me drive. You rest now." He said, and this time he would not take any refusal from her. <br><br>Hallbjorn took the wheel and drove to an estate near the north of city limits. It was bounded by a tall brick wall topped with wrought iron spikes. There was a gate of the same metal, and he pressed a button on a small device on one of the shade guards of the truck. The gate opened and Hallbjorn drove up a long, winding driveway to an antebellum mansion. It was a large white building with an enormous covered porch in the front. The grounds were somewhat lackluster, with a few large willow trees serving to break up the monotony of grass. <br><br>After he turned off the truck's engine, Hallbjorn went to the passenger side of the truck and took Kara in his arms. He was careful not to get her messy, but it was nigh impossible. It was just blood, though. It would come out. He carried her in his arms whether she needed him to or not, and carried her inside the mansion that was his - their home. The interior of the mansion was very spartan - it had few personal touches in the entrance and as they went upstairs there was no real soul to the place to be perceived. It was a house but it lacked those things that made it a home. <br><br>Hallbjorn's ultimate destination was his bedroom. It was very large and dominated by an enormous four poster bed. The frame was made of oak and had the panel had black curtains that could be drawn around the bed. There was a large, comfortable looking mattress with black silk sheets, more large pillows than one person could reasonably need, and a very thick comforter. A rosewood nightstand stood on either side of the bed. The room had its own fireplace, and before it lay an authentic bear fur rug. A writing desk and chair sat near a window overlooking the grounds, and a flatscreen was set on the wall so that one could watch it from the bed. There was a small table beneath with a cable box, dvd/blu-ray players, a clock and other electronics. Beneath the table was a shelving unit that was lined with dvds and blu-rays of different television series and films that formed Hallbjorn's collection. A doorway within the bedroom led to a large adjoined bathroom and a view of the gold and white marble decor was visible.<br><br>The Berserker laid his mate down on the bed, pulling back the comforter. He removed her footwear and left them on the floor beside the bed, then tucked Kara in. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>14-10-2016, 05:26:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara nearly sobbed with relief when Hallbjorn sat up and told her to pull over. Worry tore at her again when he began to cough so violently. When he climbed back into the truck, her gaze roamed over him, and it seemed as though his wounds were healing. She was going to tell him how scared she'd been for him, and how she wished she could have done more, but his praise made her hold her tongue. Her Hallbjorn was alive. That was all that mattered. <br><br>She longed to feel his hand stroke her cheek, but the moment passed. Kara still worried about touching him, because it looked as though every part of him must hurt. When he told her it was his turn to drive, she did protest at first. But then the exhaustion she'd held at bay took her over. Kara switched seats with him, but not before saying, “Hallbjorn, I can't lose you.” <br><br>As they drove, she kept gazing at him, just to make sure he was recovered enough. But Kara could not fight the lethargy that seeped through her bones, and soon she fell asleep in the passenger seat. <br><br>She was only faintly aware of being lifted up into his arms. Kara's arms circled his neck by reflex, and she nestled her face against his throat. Sleep took her again before they entered his home. <br><br>As she slept, she dreamed of the rose colored stone that had been carved to make a beautiful temple, right into the side of a mountain. Then her dream shifted. Kara was swept into the past, into a poorly lit, smoky building with what could only be Viking men in some sort of celebration. Or perhaps they just drank and ate and were raucous like that all of the time. <br><br>Kara saw Hallbjorn as a boy. He was never small, but he was so young, and his serious expression reminded her much of the man she loved. She knew she was dreaming, and that it had to be one of Hallbjorn's memories, but that did not stop her from trying to protect the boy when one of the big men came for him. It was shocking at how well he fought, how at so young an age he had slain other berserkers. Hallbjorn had told her that he killed the ones that had come for his brother, but she had thought he was much older when it happened. <br><br>Everything she saw only made Kara want to cherish Hallbjorn and make him happy. It was with those thoughts that she awoke to find herself in a strange place. Kara sat up in the lavish bed, and immediately began to look around for Hallbjorn. When she didn't seem him, she slipped out of the bed and tried to orient herself. <br><br>The bedroom was so large, it dwarfed her own back in Arizona. Even though the decorations were sparse, it was well furnished. Kara wanted to find Hallbjorn first, else she would have explored the room. As she made her way out of the bedroom, she became disoriented again. The home she was in was huge, and while the few furnishings were high quality, it felt almost as if no one lived there. <br><br>“Hallbjorn?” Kara called out as she swept down the staircase. She knew he would not have left her, not if he could help it. The thought that he might have been hurt further or worse had her rushing through the mansion without noticing much of it in her question to find her mate. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>14-10-2016, 23:57:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				While Kara passed through the mansion, she did find things from the truck had been brought int while she was asleep. Their snacks were in the kitchen, and many of Kara's clothes were brought into Hallbjorn's bedroom. <br><br>Her rush came to an end when Hallbjorn put his hands on her shoulders, standing behind her. His hands moved down her front, brushing over her chest as they moved to settle over her stomach. His arms enfolded around her, enveloping her in his scent and his warmth. The man was wearing only a pair of loose fitting black sweat pants, the drawstring tied and draped down his front. So there was a lot of skin pressing against Kara. He was bathed and clean, smelling of him and faintly of soap. <br><br>"Be calm, female." Hallbjorn told Kara gently from behind. The most obvious of his injuries were healed - including the mark of her bite. That mark he missed, because it showed that he belonged to her. Beneath the skin his body still worked to regenerate, but it was mostly repaired and soon would be done. Barring any further harm. <br><br>His hair was loose and it fell over Kara, presaging as he dipped his head to touch his lips to the top of her head. Hallbjorn remained that way for several long moments before he lifted his head again. "Why do you search for me so urgently?" He asked the young blonde woman softly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>15-10-2016, 00:41:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara stopped as soon as she felt his hands on her shoulders. When Hallbjorn moved them down the front of her body and his palms brushed over her breasts, her nipples hardened and she leaned back into him. She rested her hands atop his and closed her eyes. He smelled clean and wonderful, and the heat of his chest warmed her through her shirt. <br><br>His words and his gentle tone calmed Kara and the tension melted away. Hallbjorn's hair draped over her, teasing her sensitive skin in a way that made her toes curl. His lips on her head had Kara remembering how to smile again. <br><br>When Hallbjorn asked why she sought him so urgently, Kara slowly turned around in his arms. She was met with the sight of his bare chest, and her small hands were soon touching him as she explored his skin. She leaned in to press her lips lightly over the tattoo that covered his heart. <br><br>“I thought perhaps there had been another attack.” Kara answered him honestly as she tilted her head back so she could look into his eyes. Her fingertips rose to touch his cheeks as she sought to confirm what her eyes told her, that he was indeed healed and alive there with her. <br><br>In fact, he looked mouthwatering, and when she glanced down at herself, she saw still still wore the clothes from yesterday, along with a few smears of his blood. Her lips turned up in a wry grin. “I'm suddenly feeling very grubby.”<br><br>But Kara made no move to leave the safety of his arms. When she realized that she'd seen some of her things in the bedroom and other items that they'd accumulated through the trip, her eyes widened with surprise. “This is your home?” She had not realized he lived in New Orleans. She knew his brother did, along with his mate. That they lived in the same city and had not spoken for so long brought her need to fix their relationship to the fore. <br><br>“Do you think we can visit your brother soon?” On the heels of that thought was another. “Is Nix here? Have you spoken to her?” Mixed in with both of those thoughts was the desire to explore his home more thoroughly. Then she wanted to explore him. Already her gaze had moved to his throat and the strong pulse there, making Kara's fangs lengthen. <br><br>“I need you, Hallbjorn. Are you well enough for me to feed from you?” If he was not, she would resolve herself to drink animal blood. But the thought of that kind of blood held no pleasure for her. <br><br>She wanted her Hallbjorn. She wanted to drink his blood. Kara also longed to feel all of Hallbjorn. She wanted to make love to him, and hated that she was still so breakable. Her patience for her immortality to kick in was growing thin. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>15-10-2016, 01:01:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorned tilted his head to one side, and then the other, looking Kara over. His hands gripped her and the man's hands were strong and warm on her. "You feel perfect to me." The large Berserker told his mate.<br><br>"I live here." Hallbjorn confirmed in the face of Kara's wide-eyed surprise. It was perhaps ostentatious and more space than he would ever need, but it was peaceful and far from other people. Hallbjorn could spend days without another person coming within miles of him out here. <br><br>"We could go visit Helgi as soon as the sun goes down." Hallbjorn told Kara. But he shook his head at the questions regarding Nix.<br><br>"The Ever-Knowing has many plans and concerns. I tried to contact her by cell phone, and was unable to make connection. She will be in touch when it suits her." The Berserker said to Kara. He was not very concerned about speaking with the Valkyrie. Some underestimated her because they thought her madness made her weak, as if she were not a being thousands of years old and the first of her kind, a daughter to god and goddess. Hallbjorn liked to think that he underestimated her less than others, but there was more than anyone was privy to know about the Valkyrie. <br><br>Hallbjorn nodded his head when Kara told him that she needed him. Even if he were unwell, he would consent to her fangs in his body. He could feel her eyes on his throat and the anticipation to relive that experience had him tremble like a race horse just before the gate opened. One of his large hands moved away from Kara's back to brush back his hair, tucking it over his shoulder and behind his ear, giving her full and unimpeded access to his throat. <br><br>Then Hallbjorn lifted Kara up so that her mouth was level with his throat, supporting her in such a way that she could maneuver to her ideal angle. <br><br>"After you drink your fill, there is something I wish to show you."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>15-10-2016, 01:52:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The way Hallbjorn looked her over as he held her in his strong hands, and then reassured her that she felt perfect to him had Kara smiling at him with pleasure. Her hands moved to his chest and she rested her palms on the muscular expanse. Delight filled her because he found her perfect. <br><br>When he told her that it was his home, she looked at their surroundings, and it was evident that she found his place lovely. All it would need were a few personal touches, and the thought of putting her mark on it, so that it belonged to both of them appealed to her greatly. <br><br>“I forgot for a moment that Helgi is a vampire, and not a normal person.” She had thought she was totally settling into being an immortal, but sometimes it still struck her with surprise that she was now in this new world. <br><br>Kara nodded with understanding when Hallbjorn spoke of Nix. “I am content to wait for her.” She still had questions, many questions, but none of them weighed heavily upon her. She was content to spend her time with Hallbjorn and enjoy every new thing that he showed her. <br><br>The motion of Hallbjorn sweeping his hair off of his neck nearly made Kara groan. It was not something she would have thought incredibly sexy before, but now it showed his willingness to take care of her and trust her. That was a heady feeling. <br><br>When he lifted her, Kara's legs wrapped around his waist and her bare heels dug into his sculpted behind. Her arms slipped around his neck and her gaze latched onto that strong pulse of his throat. <br><br>The feel of her body pressed so completely against his made Kara ache with need. She knew that his blood would bring her relief in more ways then one. This act between them was not something Kara ever wanted to rush. <br><br>She nuzzled his throat softly and inhaled the scent of him deeply. Kara's lips kissed a soft trail up his throbbing artery. When she scraped her fangs along his flesh, her fingers dug into his shoulders. Kara loved the feeling of her fangs teasing him like that. It shot desire straight to her core. <br><br>Her fangs slid into his flesh slowly. Hallbjorn's hot, powerful blood filled her mouth, and Kara drank greedily. With each suck, she could feel her release growing closer. It had her grinding her center against his stomach and rubbing her breasts against his chest. The way her shirt and his chest abraded her hard little nipples had her groaning against Hallbjorn's throat. <br><br>Kara drew in a last mouthful of blood, and as she swallowed, pleasure rippled through her. She pulled her fangs out of Hallbjorn, and her head tossed back as she cried out her release. She totally lost herself in that pleasure, unaware of how she moved against him. Kara's eyes glowed amber as she looked back at Hallbjorn. Her cheeks were flushed as she licked up the last of his blood from her lips. <br><br>Leaning forward once more, she pressed a kiss to where she'd taken blood, then moved her head again so she could kiss his lips. It was a tender kiss, even though she wanted to deepen it. But she remembered he wanted to show her something, and so she tilted her head back and smiled lovingly at him. <br><br>“Thank you.” Kara told him, and while she had finished feeding, she did not feel the need to unwind her legs or arms from him. “What did you wish to show me?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>15-10-2016, 02:23:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn enjoyed the little kisses and the scraping of Kara's fangs that teased before the deed itself. He closed his eyes and waited, every second a delicious bit of anticipation and her attention. Then her fangs slowly sunk into his flesh and his blood surged to fill her mouth. Each time her mouth sucked he felt pleasure lance through his entire body. He exhaled a fierce breath through his flared nostrils. He locked his knees in preparation of reaching the peak of pleasure that would arrive. He could feel Kara grinding and rubbing herself against him and liked it.<br><br>The man gave a long, low moan as the orgasm hit him. It came in waves and his body trembled with each one, shaking at what he was feeling. He held Kara fast to him and there was no worry that he would fall or drop her despite the strength of the pleasured release her body brought to him.<br><br>She kissed him, and Hallbjorn kissed her back. It was a tender kiss and Hallbjorn enjoyed that tenderness with her. It was not something that he imagined having with a female. As she did not feel the need to unwind her limbs from him, he felt no need to let her go. Hallbjorn shook his head when she spoke. He wanted to show, not tell. He carried her down into the basement, walking down a long flight of stairs that carried them underground. The basement area was just as sparse as the upper floors, and showed visible evidence of being strongly reinforced. He came to a large door, as one would find on a bank vault, and he placed his palm on a scanner. The device analyzed his palm print, and chimed at a positive match. There was the sound of weights moving and sliding within the walls and the vault door opened to admit them.<br><br>Within were several chambers filled with riches. There was one room filled to the ceiling with bars of solid gold and platinum. Another was filled with ancient weapons that thrummed with power. Another room had esoteric objects, such as what looked like the skin of a giant lizard whose scales were made of incandescent sapphire, a crystal skull, and orange and red feathers each a foot long. <br><br>But Hallbjorn carried her past these things and brought her into one room. There were old viking things in this room: drinking horns rimmed with silver, ancient banners and shields preserved against the ages, and the like. There was a stand with several stacks of ancient coins from ancient kingdoms laid out in display. Near it was another display with ancient jewelry from the early viking period. It was this stand that Hallbjorn approached.<br><br>He raised the glass cover over the display gently and reverently with a single hand. He gazed upon a brass Mjolnir charm for a time. This was an old thing, and from Hallbjorn's glimpsed memory it could be recognized as a thing he wore when he was a boy. Then he grasped a simple ring of gold and drew it out of the display, replacing the glass. The ring remained clean and lustrous, its shine wanting only for lack of polish over many long years. It was a sign of its purity, but otherwise, it was not really anything special to look at it. It had no engravings, markings, or embellishments to set it apart or distinguish it as a piece. It was a simple band, just slightly too large to sit comfortably on any of Kara's fingers.<br><br>"This ring is my gift to you." Hallbjorn told Kara, holding it before her eyes. He looked down at it, and the gaze carried the memory of centuries past. "King Ragnar gave this ring to me. It is the first spoil from raiding I ever earned, and I have kept it with me since I was thirteen." His gaze rose from the ring to Kara's eyes. Really, all of his wealth was now for her, to provide for her and spoil her. He wondered if she would be disappointed he did not give her something grander, such a necklace of platinum with diamonds the size of hen's eggs that was on display in a different room.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>15-10-2016, 03:19:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It was hard to know that they couldn't enjoy each other fully until she had finished her transition, but the knowledge that Kara could give Hallbjorn such pleasure when she fed from him helped to&nbsp; ease that ache from unbearable to something she could handle. She found that she really enjoyed helping him release. The long, low moan made Kara shiver with delight. Even though she felt his body tremble, she had faith that he would not drop her. Not even when she was writhing so wantonly against him. <br><br>Kara was content to be carried by Hallbjorn. As he strong along the first floor, she planted soft kisses on his cheek as she tried to relay how utterly head over heels she was for him. It was only when they started to descend down another staircase that she looked at their surroundings. She had read enough about Louisiana to know how rare basements were. It was a testament to how old the house was, since from what she could recall, they did not include basements in newer homes. Kara loved the house all the more because it would have a long history. <br><br>The basement was so sparse, that she wondered what he could want to show her. But then&nbsp; Hallbjorn made his way to huge vault door. Kara looked on with growing interest when he&nbsp; used a hand scanner. With the door, the technology, and the way the basement had been reinforced, he had to have something very interesting locked away. <br><br>Despite those thoughts, she was not prepared for what they walked in to. Kara's jaw dropped when she saw a room filled with gold and platinum bars. The wealth in that one room alone had to be staggering. She couldn't even conceive how much it was all worth. In fact, Kara wondered if they had actually entered into Fort Knox. <br><br>They passed by another room, and she could feel the power given off by the weapons Hallbjorn kept in there. Kara glanced around, wondering which one was the sword that had freed him from the hell realm. Then she spotted some kind of reptile skin that had the loveliest shade of blue. She was sure there must be a story behind it, as well as the crystal skull and the huge fiery feathers. <br><br>Yet Hallbjorn did not slow down, as if the items held no interest for him. Meanwhile, she was still trying to pick up her jaw. One thing was for sure. Her mate was a fascinating man. What he had accumulated spoke of a very eventful life. <br><br>When he carried her inside of another room, Kara gasped at what she saw. The drinking horns, the banners and shields, and so many other items stood out to her, because she had seen the like in her dream of him. Hallbjorn had kept these things for so long, and he clearly treasured them. That meant that she did as well. <br><br>Kara looked down as Hallbjorn raised a glass cover, her eyes finding the charm that reminded her of Thor's hammer. She remembers that he wore it when he was just a young boy. Kara longed to touch it, to feel connected to his past, but she dare not. It was so old that she worried about damaging it in any way, even if it were from the natural oil on human skin. <br><br>Hallbjorn reached for a ring, and Kara's heart squeezed. She forgot to breath for a moment. It didn't matter to her that the ring was plain. She had never been into flashy jewelry. What mattered to her was that Hallbjorn was giving her an actual ring. <br><br>Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as love swelled inside of her for Hallbjorn. “I will treasure this always, Hallbjorn. You've had it a long time, and it means much to you. Because of that, you could not have gifted me with a more beautiful ring.”<br><br>Kara handled it delicately, even though it was clearly sturdy. But it meant so much to her, that she didn't think she'd ever treat it lightly. Unfortunately, it did not fit on any of her fingers. But she did know another way she could wear it. Kara unhooked the golden chain that wrapped around her hips. She looped it through the ring several times, then doubled the chain up before slipping it over her head. The shortened length allowed the ring to nestle between her cleavage. <br><br>When she looked back up into Hallbjorn's eyes, Kara cupped his cheeks with her palms. “Hallbjorn, you have given me the world.” She didn't mean that in the sense of money. He could live in a shed and have no money, and she would still love him with her whole heart. What Kara referred to was the love Hallbjorn felt for her, and the way he was with her as she experienced every new thing, the way she knew he watched her as she delighted in whatever new experience. Also, with Hallbjorn, she felt brave and free, and ready to deal with anything. <br><br>When she kissed him again, Kara poured her entire heart into the kiss. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>15-10-2016, 05:18:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn returned her kiss in kind. His lips were fully upon hers and they parted, his tongue teasing along the seam of her mouth. His tongue stole into her mouth and his tongue stroked hers. His hands stroked Kara's back in long, smooth, and sure movements. It was a good, true, loving kiss. He let it go on for a long time, just the pair of them massaging each other's lips with their own, their tongues coiling and dancing to a primal, erotic beat made up of their hearts so much in love for each other. When he pulled away from her his eyes were filled with grey. His heart beat slightly faster and his breathing was deepened. Then he carried her out of the vault, sealing it behind him.<br><br>The large man carried Kara back up to his bedroom, and there he set her down. Though he was sure she was loathe to let him go, he gently broke her grasp from him and had her sit at the edge of his bed. Hallbjorn stroked Kara's cheek with the back of his curled fingers, brushing her smooth skin in affectionate circles. Then he moved to her top and slowly raised up and pulled it free from her body, letting it fall to the floor after he took it off of her. The man traced the strap of her bra over one shoulder for a moment, trailing the tip of his finger up and over, up and over as he looked at the way the garment cupped her breasts and taking the time to appreciate how his ring looked nestled between her breasts. Then he moved his hands behind her and deftly unclasped her bra, and slowly removed it, peeling it away from her with teasing slowness. <br><br>"You cannot touch me. I do not permit it." Hallbjorn commanded Kara, his gaze taken up fully with his woman's breasts. He watched them rise and fall with her breathing but did not touch them. <br><br>Yet.<br><br>"Perhaps if you are a good girl I will permit you touch me in the shower after. But <em>only</em> if you are good."<br><br>He urged her to lie back with a gentle hand at her shoulder, and then he went for her shorts. He unbuttoned and unzipped them slowly and surely. His large hands lifted her hips and he slid her shorts off of her in a single long, smooth motion that had the tips of his fingers tracing along her hips, over her thighs, and then down along her knees. Hallbjorn's gaze went to her panties, and his big hand slowly stroked over her mound and then the lips of her sex. He gave her nether lips a dozen slow, teasing strokes before he hooked a finger through the fabric and pulled the garment down her body in a languid pace. Her panties were eventually to join the rest of Kara's clothing on the floor, and Hallbjorn looked over Kara's body with an appreciation for it that only a man in love could give.<br><br>His hands went to her wrists, and Hallbjorn placed them over Kara's head, crossing them there. "You must keep your hands here, female." Hallbjorn told her in a deep, commanding tone, finally meeting her eyes once more. Once he was sure he understood, he released her wrists and his hands moved to cup her breasts, softly and gently massaging them at first. If she moved her hands at all, he would stop until they returned where he bid her keep them. His efforts would only resume once she complied with him. <br><br>Hallbjorn knelt at the side of the bed, leaning his huge, iron-like body over Kara's. He kissed her collar bone and down over her chest, coming to her right breast first. His hand yield to his mouth and he licked a long, winding circle until he came to the areola. Then his tongue lapped over it and Kara's nipple, leaving the flesh moist with his saliva. Hallbjorn blew over it gently, and then took her nipple into his mouth. He suckled gently and first, and then more firmly. As the flesh stiffened in his mouth he ran the edge of his teeth over it without biting down, simply teasing the hardness of his teeth after the softness of his tongue. He granted her left breast the same attention, kissing across to it from the right. He gently bit at the skin between them as he went. Nothing hard enough to mark her, but hard enough to excite. <br><br>He spent a long time at her chest, alternating attention between both sweet mounds. The attention he showed was not an act of a man who found her body wanting. There was, as always, a sense that he held back, but it was familiar. Once she became immortal she could know him without it, and he could let his passion fully unfurl.<br><br>When he moved to kiss a trail down her stomach it was not so much because he was satisfied of her breasts, but because his hunger for other parts of her needed to be addressed. But as he kissed down her stomach Hallbjorn moved at a controlled pace. Her midsection benefited from his control - if he were less in control of himself he might have ignored that part of her and fallen on her sex with wild abandon. His hands moved from her breasts and to her sides, trailing down in time with his mouth. When he kissed Kara's mound, Hallbjorn's hands were at her hips and he moved to part her legs to take the place he desired between them. When he had that place and she was open and exposed to him, Hallbjorn moved his hands to Kara's hips to ensure that she would not move.<br><br>Hallbjorn's eyes flicked up along Kara's body briefly, giving her a smouldering, possessive look. He treasured her more than anything he possessed. All of the wealth that was stored in the basement meant nothing if he could not have her. Then his eyes fell back to her sex, and his tongue escaped his mouth to lick from the base of her sex to her clit in one slow lick. Hallbjorn's tongue was large enough that it was not as long a lick as he wished, but the man drew it out as much as he could to torment his mate. Again and again he licked her sex with languid strokes of his broad tongue, and his hands at her hips ensured that she would be able to do nothing but endure until he chose otherwise.<br><br>He did relent, eventually, moving his mouth up to suckle on her clit. One of his hands moved from a hip to tease at her sex, and he worked the tip of his forefinger into her tight sheathe gently and slowly. He did not penetrate her deeply, wanting to save her maidenhead for when they could make love for the first time. But he worked what he could in and out of her body while he sucked on her clit. At first gently, but growing more intense. And as with her nipples, he alternated sucking with teasing strokes of his teeth.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>15-10-2016, 06:38:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>Despite the fact that Kara had orgasmed not long ago when she took his blood, the way he kissed her lit her body again, and desire soon tore through her. Kara's fingers moved up to Hallbjorn's hair, and she held on tightly as she gave into their kiss completely. When he broke their kiss, Kara's eyes were incandescent amber once more. Her chest rose and fell with her panting breaths. Her body was aroused to that nearly painful degree, and she thought she would go mad without him touching her. <br><br>Kara did not look away from his eyes as he carried her out of the basement, then up to the second floor and into his bedroom. When he set her on the bed, her hands fisted at her side to keep from pulling him back to her. Her eyes closed and her lips parted as he stroked her cheek. When Kara opened her eyes again, her voice was breathy as she told him, “I need you so much.”<br><br>She was rewarded when he pulled her shirt up and off of her. Her arms moved to make it easier for him, and then her hands returned to the thick blanket so she could grip it. Kara's gaze became hooded as Hallbjorn stroked the strap of her bra. Her back arched slightly, causing her breasts to lift up in offering. <br><br>When he unhooked her bra and drew it down her arms, it felt as if fire was coursing right beneath her skin. Kara's breasts became heated under Hallbjorn's gaze, and her nipples peaked into hard little buds. She wanted to groan when he told her she could not touch him, but the reward he offered had Kara nodded her head. “I promise. I will be a good girl.”<br><br>Just saying those words to him had her pulse beating between her thighs. Kara gripped the blanket tightly to keep from touching him. When he guided her down to her back, her heart beat faster, causing her breasts to rise and fall more rapidly. Her lack of experience made her unsure of exactly what Hallbjorn would do to her, but Kara would give him anything. <br><br>She bit her lower lip as he removed her shorts. His strong hands moved her so easily, and even that sent a thrill through her. The trail of his fingertips along her hips, then down her legs served to tease her. Kara pressed her thighs together, trying to alleviate that ache between them. As Hallbjorn's hand began to stroke her, Kara's legs fell open. She was already incredibly wet, even through her panties, and the feel of his hand teasing the plump, swollen folds of her sex had her sucking in harsh gasp of air. <br><br>Kara raised her hips up, showing just how needy she was for his touch. He kept teasing her and stroking her through her panties, and just when Kara thought she could take no more, he easily pulled them off of her. The cool air touched her glistening lips, causing her to shiver at the delicious sensation. <br><br>When he took her wrists and moved them over her head, she did not move her hands other then to grip the blanket. “I promise.” She told him in a breathy voice. Kara would not dare to disobey, not when he used that commanding voice. She would not be able to take it if he stopped because she didn't do as he told her. <br><br>When his lips found her collar bone, and then began to kiss down her chest, her back arched once more as she so eagerly offered up her breasts to him. Hallbjorn's tongue on her sensitive flesh had Kara rubbing her thighs together. To lay there without touching him became so difficult that her hold on the blanket turned into a death grip. <br><br>“Hallbjorn!” Kara cried out softly when his tongue found her stiff little nipple. The breath he blew over her wet peak caused her hips to buck once before she got herself under control. <br><br>Then he took her other nipple, and the the edge of his teeth nearly made her jump out of her skin. Kara moaned from the sensation. The attention Hallbjorn lavished upon both of Kara's&nbsp; breasts, and she thought she might have lost her mind for a time in the haze of pleasure and need he whipped up inside of her. The nip he gave her in the valley between her breasts made her whimper in delight. Kara was past the point of being able to control the needy sounds that Hallbjorn brought forth from her. <br><br>She was in agony from how he teased her breasts. It was a miracle she had not found her release for his mouth on her aching flesh. When Hallbjorn began to kiss a trail down her stomach, Kara forgot how to breath. His searing kiss on her mound made Kara breath in a ragged gulp of air. She began to think she might not survive what he was doing to her. <br><br>Her thighs only gave a token bit of resistance when his hands parted them, and then Kara spread her legs wide enough to accommodate Hallbjorn's big frame. It was a relief when his hands gripped her hips, because she knew she would not be able to budge them from his hold. It was difficult enough to keep her hands in place, and she found herself wishing he would have tied them up. Before that thought would have shocked her, but now Kara understood the need for it. <br><br>Her gaze met his when he looked up, and the look he gave Kara claimed her to her soul. Her own eyes were filled with a near delirious need, her forehead creased as she straddled the line between pain and pleasure. <br><br>Hallbjorn's tongue gave her lips a long, slow lick, and when it touched her clit, Kara was undone. His iron hold kept her hips from moving as she screamed her release. It stole through her with a strength that left her dazed, and Hallbjorn was only getting started. <br><br>He took no mercy on her, and those wickedly long, languid strokes&nbsp; of his tongue gave her no time to recuperate. Hallbjorn was working her body back up to a feverish pitch, causing her to tremble beneath him. Her lower lip quivered, this time from being right on the cusp. <br><br>Then his mouth suckled on her clit, and Kara felt the world explode. Her feet shot out straight, and her thighs became rigid with tension. Her screams grew louder, and she didn't realize she was asking for mercy and begging for more. <br><br>By the time he worked the tip of his finger inside of her tight sex, Kara was wet and ready for him. She calmed from her orgasm just long enough to savor that fullness of his finger inside of her. Hallbjorn's hands were big, as were his fingers. Kara's sex still clenched in pulses from her last release, and it gripped his finger tightly. <br><br>Hallbjorn started working that finger in and out of her, and with his tongue still tormenting her clit, she was brought right back to the precipice. The look she gave him was touched with worry, because Kara didn't know how much more she could take. <br><br>Then her berserker used his teeth on her sensitive clit, and nearly passed out from the intensity of her release. Her voice grew ragged and hoarse from her continued screams. She struggled to writhe beneath him, to buck her hips. Kara's thighs pressed against the sides of his face. Her head thrashed from side to side. Her skin held a sheen of sweat, and strands of her hair stuck to her cheeks and neck. <br><br>It felt like it took forever for her body to calm down, and for Kara to remember who she was. It was the most powerful orgasm of her life, and when it over, her thighs fell apart and she lay limp upon the bed. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>15-10-2016, 07:04:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn gave a low, rumbling sound of satisfaction from deep in his chest when Kara's body lay limp on the bed. He was pleased that she was so responsive to his touch. The large man savoured the taste of her on his tongue, his face very near her sex. Slowly he withdrew his finger from her tight sheathe and there was only the warmth of his breath against her flesh to unite them. He glanced at her thighs and considered kissing the smooth skin there but he decided for the moment that Kara had had enough; when she recovered more he would revisit the impulse. <br><br>The large man looked at Kara's limp, post-orgasm body and he felt desire. It was so strange to feel it. So long without desire and now he was wanting. Hallbjorn gathered Kara up, closing her legs and lifting her up to his chest. He rose up and crossed to the middle of the bed on his knees, laying down and laying Kara beside him. The young woman was beside him, her bare body against his mostly bare one. He reached over her and pulled some of the comforter over her. But his big arms were still around her as well, and one of his hands went low on her back, the bottom of it just at the rise of her bottom. The other stroked the strands of her hair away from her cheeks and neck, leaving her face exposed to him.<br><br>"This will be better when you are frozen in your immortality." Hallbjorn promised Kara. "Everything I made you feel will be magnified." <br><br>And she would be free to touch him while he pleasured her. Although Hallbjorn imagined there would be times when he ordered her not too, because it turned him on to know how much she struggled not to move while he worked her body. Was it wrong? He did not know, but it was there. <br><br>"But what shall we do about your throat?" Hallbjorn said with concern, and moved the hand that had stroked her hair to rub at her throat with a forefinger. His brows drew together. "Would taking more blood soothe?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>15-10-2016, 07:45:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn's rumbling sound made Kara's lips pull up in a contented smile. When he withdrew his finger from her, she missed the fullness that she felt with it. His hot breath on her slick sex made her shiver. It was a relief when he pulled back, because she was not sure she could take more at that moment. <br><br>He gathered her up in his arms, and Kara snuggled against his chest. She was still dazed from her multiple releases, and her body was soft, warm and pliant in his arms. When he lay her down on the bed, then joined her, she had enough strength to press herself tightly against his powerful body. His arms and the thick comforter soon had her feeling warm and peaceful. <br><br>Kara closed her eyes as Hallbjorn brushed her hair away from her cheeks and neck. His fingertips were so close to her behind, and even though she was fully satiated, she still desired to feel his hands on her there. <br><br>Her eyes opened and she gave him a look of disbelief. “I have a hard time thinking that anything could be more wonderful or powerful then what you just did to me. I'm still a little dazed from it.” Kara told him, her voice a whisper because her throat hurt from how long and loud she had screamed. It caused her voice to be throaty, and there was no hiding how sore her throat was from him. <br><br>Kara's hands moved up to his chest since she was finally able to touch him. Her fingers curled, lightly kneading his flesh with her small nails. “I didn't move my hands at all during it.” Kara relayed to him with a bit of pride, because refraining from touching him had been incredibly difficult. <br><br>She smiled tenderly at the concern that Hallbjorn showed for her throat. His finger rubbing it was soothing, and she sighed happily. Yet when he mentioned her taking his blood once more, a look of worry took over her features. “I do not think I could survive another orgasm. Not just yet, at least, and taking your blood always gives me a release. Perhaps after we shower?”<br><br>Even though she mentioned the shower, Kara didn't know how she would be able to stand up during it. But Hallbjorn had told her that she could touch him if she behaved, and Kara would take any chance she could get to touch him. “Was I a good girl?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>15-10-2016, 08:20:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Another time then, female. I do not want to harm you. I only desire to soothe what was harmed." Hallbjorn said in the face of the look of worry that crossed Kara's features. He had not meant to worry her. The large man simply wanted to soothe the injured part of her, and he continued gently rub her throat. He did not like his mate to be hurt at all. It made him regret what he had done to her. It seemed very much like it had been too much now. <br><br>"You were a very good girl." Hallbjorn told Kara. He was tempted to tease her over the past tense and ask if her question meant she was not going to be a good girl anymore. "There is no hurry to shower. Do you want to wait and recover so that you can savour your reward properly?" The large man asked Kara, wondering whether she would take that offer or want to have her hands on him as soon as possible.<br><br>A practical part of Hallbjorn thought it was stupid of him to delay her hands on him. That part reasoned that he would be best able to resist her charms if she touched him in the state she was in. But another, larger part wanted her to have her due and enjoy the reward she had earned through her compliance. The hand at her back stroked her skin in a long, slow circle. "If you can be a good girl for just a little bit longer, I will make you a very happy girl too." He murmured softly to her. "All I want you to do is rest and recover. Can you do that for me, Kara?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>15-10-2016, 09:02:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara felt like preening when Hallbjorn called her female again. She thought she saw regret in his eyes, and Kara wanted to soothe him. She regretted nothing. The irritation of her throat was nothing compared to the pleasure he gave her. Kara knew that Hallbjorn would never harm her. To please him by making herself better, she would gladly drink his blood. <br><br>Her brow smoothed, and she smiled with pleasure when he told her she was a very good girl. Hallbjorn's offer made it incredibly difficult to decide. She nibbled her lower lip, then told him softly, “I want to touch you, and I want to put my mouth on you.” Kara wasn't sure if that would be too much for his ironclad control. If he told her that was something she could not have, then she would refrain. All bets were off though, after she reached her full immortality. <br><br>Hallbjorn's offer to make her a very happy girl sent her thoughts whirling, because she was wondering what more he could do to her. The decision warring within her showed on her face. The urge to be bad was very strong, but if she could be patient for a while longer, she would please him with her choice, and discover what he had planned for her. Then she would be able to touch him. <br><br>“I'll be good.” She smiled softly, but that smile turned impish as she added, “For now.”<br><br>Kara moved up enough so that she brush her lips over his throat. Her nails dug lightly into his chest as she whispered, “Never regret making me feel so wonderful, Hallbjorn.” This time, Kara did not give him a warning, other then the feel of her lips on his neck. Her fangs sunk slowly into his flesh. <br><br>She thought that if she could limit herself to one or two sips, it would be too fast for her body to find release. Hallbjorn's blood was too potent though. Kara could not relegate herself to just a sip or two. She pulled several mouthfuls from him, and groaned between each swallow. <br><br>When her release came, it shuddered through her and stole the last of her strength. Kara licked his wound, then kissed it softly. She nestled her face against his neck and sighed with delight. “My throat feels much better now.” Kara's voice was no longer scratchy and had returned to its smoothness. <br><br>Her eyes felt heavy, and she thought perhaps just a small nap would suffice. Kara fell into a light sleep as Hallbjorn cradled her in his arms. A hour later she woke, after a dreamless sleep, and felt rejuvenated. Her arms lifted over her head and she stretched her body lazily, while enjoying how it caused her breasts to slide against Hallbjorn's chest. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>15-10-2016, 09:25:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn raised an eyebrow when Kara mentioned wanting to put her mouth on him. It fell in line with the words she had not known she had uttered when she had seen him nude before. He decided when she chose to be good that she could have that when they showered and she would have free rein to touch him. But there was a part of Hallbjorn that wondered what he was getting himself into. Kara had a power over him that no one ever had before and he wondered if he would ever be able to resist it like he did his emotions or his Berserker rage.<br><br>Or if he wanted to.<br><br>Hallbjorn's breath left him in a quick rush as Kara took his blood without build-up or warning. He might have meant to murmur her name, but nothing came from his lips but a pleasured grouping of syllables. He moaned with each pull she took from him, eyes hazing over as she gave him pleasure that had his large body rocking with it. He was glad that she felt better. He was unable to bring himself to speak before Kara felt into slumber, and he simply rubbed his cheek against her hair. <br><br>He cradled her while she napped. He could tell when she woke again when she stretched and rubbed her breasts against his chest. If her gaze fell upon his face he was smiling. Wider than ever, but not yet the full-faced expression she wanted to evoke in him. Hallbjorn pushed the comforter off of Kara and lifted her up, cradling her to his chest as he carried her into the bathroom that adjoined the bedroom.<br><br>The bathroom was large. The decor was all in gold and white marble. There was a very large sink and vanity, and Hallbjorn had a tooth brush sitting in a cup on top of it. There was a rosewood brush with boar bristles opposite the cup. Other male necessities like a razor, shaving cream, and aftershave were absent because he did not need them - he had been clean shaven when frozen into immortality. There was tooth paste and mouthwash in the vanity. A pair of large white towels hung suspended from a rack near the shower.<br><br>The shower was large too. It was a large enclosure of frosted glass that had a door that would open and close. There would be ample room for both of them. Within there were some bars of soap and a bottle of shampoo within a recess meant to hold them. The shower had multiple heads and jets. And while it would not be obvious until the shower was turned on, there was a lot of water pressure.<br><br>Hallbjorn opened the door for Kara. <br><br>"Go inside and close your eyes." The large man said to Kara. When she was inside and her eyes were closed, Hallbjorn undid the drawstring for his sweat pants and let them fall to the ground, kicking out of them when they pooled around his ankles. Then he stepped into the shower with her, closing the frosted glass door behind him. He turned the nobs, turning on all of the heads and jets so that they had hot water spraying at them from many angles and soon steam was rising up. <br><br>Hallbjorn wondered if he would regret it, but he let himself feel the arousal he kept at bay. Blood rushed and hammered in his veins, and he felt a twinge that was at first unpleasant. It had been hundreds of years since he let himself feel this, but for Kara . . . it would be worth it. The throbbing was painful at first and became an ache that only she would be able to soothe.<br><br>"You may open your eyes now, Kara." Hallbjorn said. He was glistening with the hot water, and it ran in steady streams down his muscular body. But there was a very large difference from the last time he was naked with her:<br><br>Hallbjorn allowed himself to be hard for her, and he was. To compare his organ to steel would be an insult. His erect length was so hard that it could crush diamonds. And he was so very thick and long for her. Thicker than a soda can, and longer than her forearm and fist. Several veins throbbed prominently from the based of him to just beneath his crown, which flared wide and pink. The foreskin nestled around it. His sac remained heavy and large, but it was drawn taut to his body because of the arousal he was letting himself feel for her.<br><br>"Have I made you a very happy girl, Kara?" Hallbjorn asked her. "Did I fulfill my promise to my good girl?"<br><br>He gestured over his body with a hand. "All of this is yours to touch, in any way you want to touch. Your hands, your mouth . . . all of it is for you."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>15-10-2016, 19:41:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara saw Hallbjorn's smile and her heart skipped a beat. He was so breathtakingly handsome, especially when he smiled. She had faith that one day soon, his smile would be unfettered. Kara did not begrudge Hallbjorn's stern control over his emotions and his body, because it had been necessary for him. But she did feel a little thrill when she imagined him releasing his absolute control. <br><br>Her arms slipped around his shoulders as he picked her up and carried her into the bathroom. Kara took in every detail. It was decadent and lovely, but it needed a bit of a woman's touch to warm up the area. The only thing that kept Kara from sharing her thoughts on what touches she wanted to add to his home was the uncertainty if they had reached that point in their relationship. She thought it best not to bombard her man with change after he'd lived such a long, solitary life. <br><br>The shower was massive, with more heads and jets then the shower in their hotel. She thought she might like it as much as that large tub they had used. When Hallbjorn placed her on her feet, she stepped into the shower and then closed her eyes. To keep herself from peeking, Kara covered her eyes with her hands. That turned out to be a very good thing, because she could hear Hallbjorn taking off his sweat pants. <br><br>She heard him stepping into the shower, and Kara's heart beat faster. She had been thinking so much on exploring his body that the hot spray of water startled her. Kara had forgotten she was in the shower. That was how much Hallbjorn affected her. <br><br>The water was nice and hot, and seemed to come at her from everywhere. It felt good on her muscles, like it was kneading them. Kara was quickly soaked from head to toe. She pushed her wet hair back from her face, but kept her eyes shut tightly until Hallbjorn gave her permission to open them. <br><br>When he gave her permission, Kara opened her eyes. Her gaze met his, and then her eyes were following the drops of water that cascaded down his strong chest. She followed those drops lower, then sucked in a breath at the sight of Hallbjorn hard for her. Kara had not realized until that moment just how much she needed to see his length so hard and heavy for her. While she did not doubt that he desired her, this proof sealed that knowledge. <br><br>Kara's eyes turned glowing amber as her gaze feasted on the sight of him. His question, and the permission he gave her to do whatever she liked had her closing the distance between them. Kara wrapped her arms around him and hugged her body tightly to his. His length was hot and hard, trapped between their two bodies, and she could not stop herself from rubbing against him to feel more of it. <br><br>“Yes, Hallbjorn.” She smiled radiantly up at him. Kara preened at being called his good girl. “Thank you so much.” It was perhaps odd to thank him for such a thing, but Kara could only express what she felt. <br><br>She kept her eyes on his as she slowly lowered herself to her knees. The movement had his length pushing between her breasts, and that sensation was so intriguing that she swore she'd explore it fully at a later time. <br><br>Kara knelt before him, and her gaze fastened onto the bounty before her. She licked her lips with anticipation. Her hands moved to his thighs as she fought an internal debate on what part of him she wanted to touch and explore first. <br><br>Being on level with his erection made her realize how truly big he was, and now Kara understood why they needed to wait. She was unsure that she could take him into her, and that hint of worry flashed over her face briefly. But then she remembered that he said he would prepare her. Hallbjorn was her mate, and she had to believe that they had been formed for each other. <br><br>Kara's patience evaporated, and her hands moved to his heavy sac. She was fascinated by how it hung closer to his body. She cupped him gently, then licked her lips again before leaning in closer. His hard length brushed along her cheek, and she nearly turned to nuzzle that part of him until she got control of herself. <br><br>Her lips were soft, and her kisses delicate upon the smooth, silky skin of his testicles. Other words to describe what she was kissing rose to mind, dirtier words that she'd learned from her friends, but she was still to shy to utter then. <br><br>The look upon her face was one of pure rapture as her kisses covered the flesh she cupped in her hands. Then Kara gave into the urge to lick his heated skin. Rapture shone on her face as she used her tongue to explore the crease that divided his sac. She began to pay equal attention to both swollen portions. While he would not fit in her mouth, Kara was able to suck on each one. She lost track of time as she enjoying herself thoroughly with that part of him. <br><br>Then Kara pulled back and looked at the crown of Hallbjorn's turgid length down to the base of him. She took him in her hand, but her fingers could not close around him. Kara brought her other hand to try and circle the girth of him that way, and her fingers just barely touched. <br><br>He felt like silk pulled over steel, and Kara delighted in stroking her hands up and down his jutting hardness. Drops of water offered a tantalizing temptation as they clung to his crown, and Kara dipped her head so she could lick them off. She closed her eyes then as she moved so that her cheek could glide along the side of him. In fact, she nuzzled against his hardness, and then lamented not having done so with with his heavy sac that. <br><br>That thought had her returning her attention back to that part of him, and she nuzzled her cheeks against the silky skin of him there. After she fulfilled that urge, Kara returned her attention to his shaft. She delighted in running her tongue up underneath it, and the feel of his veins there had her murmuring with delight. <br><br>Kara brought her attention to his crown, and she licked her lips again. She didn't think she could fit the size of even that part of him into her mouth, but she still laved his broad head with her tongue in leisurely strokes. The slit of his crown begged to be explored, and she took delight in teasing her tongue along it. <br><br>When her lips finally sealed around just the tip of what Hallbjorn had to offer, Kara groaned as she sucked on that hard flesh. She lost herself so completely, that her fangs accidentally dragged along the head of him. <br><br>That sensation was like a drug to Kara, and when she lifted her mouth off of him, her fangs grew. They tingled, and she wanted to sink them into his length. She was full with blood, but Kara desired with a shocking intensity to drink from him there. She wanted his blood and his release to mingle in her mouth. <br><br>Kara looked up at Hallbjorn, and her need, her desire to experience that was plain to see. She did not hide her elongated fangs. Her need gripped her so strongly, that she could not even put it into words. The most she could verbalize was a groaned entreaty. “Please.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>15-10-2016, 20:27:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It made the blond male glad that Kara was happy. It was what he wanted for her. That was really more important to him than his own pleasure. He took in her reaction to his body and his hardened length and it made his heart swell to know that she felt well rewarded for her good behaviour. There were more things that Hallbjorn wanted to do to Kara, but this was the time of her reward and he was not going to interfere with what he promised her. <br><br>The feeling of her body pressing against his and rubbing along his length earned Kara a low, long sound of pleasure. Hallbjorn's eyes hooded just a little at this. The feeling of his length moving between her breasts had his breath hitch and his length give a particularly powerful throb with each heartbeat it spent between the soft, supple flesh of her breasts. It was as though Hallbjorn's flesh craved being in the valley formed by her breasts and was trying to tell her by reaction just how much it liked that warm, smooth entrapment.<br><br>Then she was on her knees and Hallbjorn could only keep himself standing when she began to explore him. Her face and mouth and tongue on different places elicited different sounds from Hallbjorn. Her tongue there might achieve a quick moan, while her lips just fractions of an inch elsewhere would force a drawn out groan. There were many different sounds that the man made for her, because of her, and while there may have been the variety of a full choir issuing from the lips of one man they all spoke to one basic truth: that what Kara was doing was causing Hallbjorn a great deal of pleasure. It was not only his lips that communicated this to the young blonde woman, but the rest of his body. His penis led the way in showing just how much her actions affected Hallbjorn, but the rest of him shook and trembled at intervals and in response to the different things that she tried. Suckling seemed to make him tremble, while licks sent shakes through his large frame. While his reactions were muted by the need not to give himself over to what she was doing and letting his immortal lust become unfurled, there was nothing that Kara did that did not result in a reaction from her tightly wound mate. He let her see as much as he could of what she was doing to him as he dared.<br><br>The laving of her tongue at the slit of his crown had her rewarded with drops of pre-seed. They issued forth from his glans in fat droplets, granting her a new taste of him. They came more quickly and the flow of droplets became a constant stream when her fangs scraped against his very sensitive pink flesh. The feel of her fangs on him at what was possible the softest and most vulnerable place on his body had Hallbjorn release a long, lilting moan of utter delight. He almost spent from the feeling of them on him. If only Kara knew how her accident had almost brought her large lover to his knees and made him undone. <br><br>When she looked up at him after Hallbjorn's vision was fogged and his mind taken up in equal measure by his control of himself and the pleasure of her fangs. When he was able to be cognizant enough of her that he could tell she was looking up at him for permission - he barely heard her small entreaty - it was still with a look hazed over with pleasure.<br><br>Hallbjorn nodded his head. "You have my permission." Hallbjorn told her in a voice thick with heady pleasure. "I promised my good girl that she could touch me in any way she wanted if she behaved. And my Kara was such a good girl." He told her sweetly and lovingly. Then something else came over his face, and the word he spoke to her was in the tone of voice that she dared not disobey:<br><br>"Bite."<br><br>If she acted on her need and the permission he gave her, Kara would be rewarded very well. Her fangs in his penis would not hurt him, but instead send him irresistibly into orgasm. And if it were possible for a male to have a multiple orgasm, Hallbjorn did in that case. Kara's efforts would yield to her a surfeit of his fluids: enough blood and seed to fill her mouth many times over. Every time his cock would throb and shoot his seed it would cause blood to flow as well, mingling the white and red in a twinned for her to drink down. And during the long release, Hallbjorn would not give a quiet moan or a muted groan stifled by teeth: no, his head fell back and he roared. It was a long and loud cry of pleasure that filled the bathroom with his cry of release, and it did not end until he finished his length spend of seed.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>15-10-2016, 21:11:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara learned Hallbjorn's body with the help of his noises of pleasure. She used his groans and the way his body shook to memorize just which way to touch him and taste him. The fact that her strong Berserker let his control slip enough so that she could see how strongly she effected him made Kara feel powerful, as though everything she did pleased him. It was a heady sensation that pleased her powerfully. <br><br>The pearls of pre-seed that swelled from his crown were utterly delicious to Kara. The salty taste of it delighted her tongue, making her eager to taste more and more of him. When her fangs accidentally scraped over his sensitive flesh, the increase of his pre-seed from droplets to a steady stream was the first indication of how much he liked what she did. <br><br>Her body was already flush with need, where it felt like all of her blood had concentrated in her breasts and between her thighs. Kara had not known that giving him pleasure would arouse her so fiercely. Considering what he'd done to her earlier, she was eager to return the favor. She felt so wanton with him that even as she waited for his answer, her tongue flicked out along his crown so she could taste more of pre-release. <br><br>Hallbjorn's permission had both of her hands gripping his length as she held on tightly. She loved seeing the pleasure written on his face. But then that look changed to one of dark, passionate dominance, and she could not refuse his command. <br><br>Kara did not tease him with her fangs, or prolong the moment. She wanted to continue being good for Hallbjorn, and when he told her to bite, she did. Her lips wrapped around the tip of him, and her fangs slid into his delicate skin. <br><br>As she drew his blood into her mouth, she was rewarded with the hot spray of his release filling her mouth. Kara sucked and drank each succulent mouthful. Nothing could have dragged her away from this moment and this experience with Hallbjorn. Her body coiled tightly with each swallow. She did not think anything could taste better then his blood. Kara had been wrong. His hot seed mixed in with his blood was like ambrosia to her. She couldn't stop sucking and swallowing. <br><br>Hallbjorn's roar rocked through Kara, and she could delay her release no more. She came hard, and in between each swallow, she cried with sweet relief. Those cried vibrated through Hallbjorn's shaft for a long while, lasting until he had given Kara all of his seed. It was only then that she lifted her fangs from his skin. Her mouth rose up off of him, and Kara planted tender kisses on the tip of his crown, lavishing it with love in her gratitude. <br><br>When she fully pulled away, she sank down to her heels, because Kara's legs felt a little wobbly. She looked up into Hallbjorn's eyes as she licked one last drop of his ambrosia from her lips. “That is now my favorite flavor of Hallbjorn.” She grinned with satisfaction, then slowly rose to her feet. <br><br>Her legs did wobble a bit, but it was not of much concern to her. Hallbjorn would not let her fall. Kara slipped her arms around his neck and leaned up onto her toes. Her lips found his in a long kiss that relayed just how thoroughly she had enjoyed his gift to her. <br><br>Kara rested her head on his chest and sighed happily. She did not need to ask Hallbjorn if he enjoyed it, because it was obvious that he did. There was no doubt that she had delighted in it as well. In that moment, everything was perfect. <br><br>“I think I can have more patience until I can turn fully, as long as you let me do that to you often.” Kara tilted her head back, and rested her chin on his chest as she looked up into his eyes. “You have me wrapped around your finger now.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>15-10-2016, 22:31:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The Berserker's large arms found their way around Kara's body quickly and without any conscious thought on his part when his made rose to her feet. It was where she belonged and where his arms belonged and his body knew that so deeply there was no need for his mind to direct the limbs to take their proper place. Her arms found their way around her neck and Kara leaned all of the way up to kiss him, and Hallbjorn dipped to meet her. <br><br>The water was still hot and would be for much longer still. They could stay in for an hour or more before they would have to worry about that, even with the high water pressure and many jets. <br><br>"Yes." Hallbjorn murmured at Kara as she revealed how much it meant to her to drink from his length. "I have the perfect leverage to ensure your best behaviour whenever I want it." He said in a teasing tone, and dipped his head to kiss the tip of her upturned nose. But she had him wrapped around hers. She could be devastating to him and could compel him to do as she wished. <br><br>His hands roamed her back and he reached out for the shampoo. He stepped a little bit away from her and gave her a smile. "As much as you enjoy drinking, I would like to release onto your body and see you wearing my release." Hallbjorn told Kara as he pumped some shampoo into his hands and began to massage it into her scalp. "To release all over your breasts and have you lick them clean." His eyes were grey and they greyed just a little more as he the fantasy flitted through his mind. <br><br>He worked his fingers deftly and surely on her head. "I want to wear my hair in a braid tonight." The large man told her. "I know that you enjoy it loose but tonight . . . your mark is on my neck and I want every to see that . . ." He paused, and swallowed. "I want everyone to see that I belong to you." He finished shampooing her hair and left it there as he reached for the soap, lathering up his hands and beginning to massage her neck and shoulders. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>15-10-2016, 23:11:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara fit in Hallbjorn's arms perfectly. She murmured with pleasure against his lips, and was so happy she felt like she was floating on a cloud. Steam filled the enclosed shower, the rejuvenating heat of it as well as Hallbjorn's blood and seed that filled her made Kara feel strong enough to handle anything. <br><br>She grinned at his teasing tone, then nearly melted when he kissed the tip of her nose. “I'm so glad I waited for you, Hallbjorn.” In the past, sometimes Kara thought she had been defective because she wasn't drawn to any man, and the constant nattering of her friends, while not meant to be cruel, made her feel lacking. Now she realized that her body and her heart were waiting for her mate. <br><br>His next words made her shiver and her lips part. Kara was almost panting at what he described, and her eagerness to feel his seed on her body could not be hidden. As he began to shampoo her hair, her nails dug lightly into his chest. His fingers massaging her head made her sigh with content. “I want that very much.” She told him in a heated voice. “I want to feel your seed between my thighs, and on my bottom, too.” <br><br>Kara almost suggested that they play out that fantasy right that moment, but when Hallbjorn spoke again, her mind was drawn to other thighs. Kara gazed at the two tiny puncture marks on his throat. She glanced down at his length, and where she'd feed from his as well. When she looked back up into his eyes, her smile was full of happiness. Hallbjorn wanted others to know that he belonged to her. <br><br>As Hallbjorn lathered his hands in soap, and then began to massage her neck and shoulders, she felt tension draining away that she was not even aware she had. Kara poured some shampoo in her hand, then leaned up on her toes so she could wash his hair. It was a bit difficult, given his height and his broad shoulders, but she managed. <br><br>“Wear your hair braided, so everyone can see how I marked you, and know that for me there is no one else.” It pleased her greatly that Hallbjorn wanted to show off her mark. While humans might not understand it, she thought it would help keep the Lorean women away. Kara had not seen a Lorean female yet, but she could not conceive of any woman not having her head turned by Hallbjorn. <br><br>She left the shampoo in his hair, then lathered her hands with soap and began to mimic Hallbjorn's motions with her own as she washed him. “Where else do you want to take me tonight? I've read a lot about New Orleans. I need to see it, to know I'm really here.” Kara explained to him, “I don't recall most of the final trip here, only that I need to get you to safety so you could heal.”<br><br>Kara's look turned teasing. “We missed the ball of yarn, and the mud pits. I think I can put aside that disappointment though, since there is much more to see here.” She paused in her ministrations and asked him excitedly, “Are we near the ocean? If so, can we go out during the day to see it, maybe tomorrow?”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>16-10-2016, 00:05:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"And your statue broke." Hallbjorn said, remembering sadly how the little porcelain piece that Kara had wanted at the Alamo had broken into so many pieces when the demons scared her into dropping it. He felt badly about that. If he had been stronger, better prepared, then things would have gone differently. He let her down. The statue could have been something of hers to put . . . wherever she might have wanted to put it. There was a lot of room for her to put her things in the mansion.<br><br>"We could go to the French Market. I think you would enjoy a visit to Café du Monde. There are a lot of different things to see. Many street performers play there. It is a quintessentially New Orleans experience to go there. It is also close to Jackson Square - there is a lot to see there also." Hallbjorn told Kara, trying to think of what they could do after dark and after visiting Helgi. <br><br>"The ocean is nearby. We can go visit tomorrow." Hallbjorn told Kara, unable to refuse in the face of her excited voice. "There are a few choices. The closest is less than an hour away." His hands did not pause on her body and he worked on her back and stomach, then made quick work of her breasts so that they did not start more than they wanted to finish. His hands dipped along her legs, and he knelt to clean her bottom and lower, taking his time with her long legs before he rose again. <br><br>"We will likely encounter other Loreans when we go out into the city other than my brother and his bride. Are you prepared for that?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>16-10-2016, 00:39:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“My statue broke, but you lived. You are far more important to me then any knick knack.” Kara smiled softly at Hallbjorn. He had not failed her in any way. With all of the scary things she'd witnessed, his fighting that monster demon and the injuries he received from it were the most frightening. But he had lived, and he was with her here and now. Kara was very grateful for that. <br><br>She nearly bounced with excitement when he told her of the different places they could see. “I've heard of that cafe, and the funny little donuts they have. I'd love to try one. I want to experience walking down Bourbon street with you and seeing Jackson Square. I assure you that any place you take me tonight will please me.” She was glad that he made quick work of cleaning her breasts, because it was too easy for him to fill her with desire.<br><br>“Less then an hour away?” She whispered with a bit of awe. The ocean was closer then she realized. Kara was glad that she bought a bikini, though she wasn't sure she wanted anyone to see her in it other then Hallbjorn. “Maybe we can have a picnic on the beach.”<br><br>Kara's hands only paused when Hallbjorn knelt before her. Even though she was satiated, her breath still caught when his put his hands on her behind. When he tended to her legs and her feet, Kara felt cherished completely. <br><br>She didn't answer immediately, instead she bent over so she could take care of washing his legs before moving behind him and soaping his taut behind. As her hands spread the lather of soap over his back, she spoke in a thoughtful tone. “The Loreans we've met so far, with the exception of the store clerk, meant us harm. But they can't all be like that. You're a good person, and Nix isn't so bad.”<br><br>Kara finished washing him, and came back around to his front. She put the soap away, then quickly rinsed the shampoo from her hair. “I am curious about other Loreans, and I think I would like to at least peek at them, to see what they are like when they aren't trying to hurt us.”<br><br>She looked back up into his eyes and smiled with reassurance. “I trust you to keep me safe. So yes, I am ready.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>16-10-2016, 01:25:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The Berserker nodded, and let the water wash away the soap and shampoo from his body. As nice as it would be to stay in the shower with her for the rest of the day or longer, there were other things that they had planned. He turned the water off and let it continue to run down his body before he stepped out. The towels were perfectly within his reach and he grabbed one for himself and one for Kara. He dried himself and stepped out of the huge shower, retrieving a plain blow dryer from the vanity. He plugged it in and began to use it and the comb to dry out his hair. <br><br>"While you were sleeping I looked through all of the clothes that you had picked out. I spent a very long time looking at a little black thong with a bell on one side." Hallbjorn said. He cast her a knowing glance over his shoulder. "If we are going to meet my brother and you do not want me to murder every Lorean male we encounter, please pick something that is not bold." The words did not disapprove of any of the bold choices that she had made - he merely asked her to reserve them for his pleasure. Then he returned to preparing himself for going out, working on his long hair and the process of drying it so he could do something with it.<br><br>Eventually he was able to and he deftly wove his hair into a beautiful pair of thick french braids. Each of them were capped with ivory bands to hold them shut. They were scrimshawed pieces from a creature that had gone extinct five centuries ago and was native to another plane. He entered the bedroom and went to a closet to reveal that his wardrobe consisted of black, black, and more black. The only splashes of colour were some deep red and deep purple ties that hung within, and a few dress shirts of the same. He selected a pair of crisply pressed black slacks that did wonderful things for his long legs and narrow - for his frame - hips. He threw on a black undershirt and a purple silk dress shirt over it, and he considered briefly but ultimately decided against a tie. He left the few top buttons of the dress shirt open and spent some minutes adjusting the collar of his dress shirt this way and that way, admiring the puncture marks on his neck where Kara had bitten him. Eventually he was satisfied with how his neck was displayed. He wore a pair of black dress shoes that had been made specifically for him by a fey cobbler, and the glossy black leather conformed to his feet like butter.<br><br>"Do you prefer to wear your hair loose, Kara?" Hallbjorn asked his mate. He imagined buying her barrettes and other accessories so that she could wear it up, but that was his pleasure, and if she did not share it he would not demand it of her. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>16-10-2016, 02:03:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara took the towel Hallbjorn offered her and quickly dried herself. Her hair was not nearly as long as Hallbjorn's, so it took less time to dry it. She still wore the necklace with his ring, and as she looked at herself in the mirror, her eyes were drawn to it as it nestled between her breasts. She was lightly running her fingertips over it when Hallbjorn spoke. <br><br>A blush graced her cheeks when he told her he'd found her little black thong with the bell. She took no offense to what he told her. In fact, it pleased Kara greatly that he was so possessive of her. “I will chose something more tame.” Though she certainly planned to wear something more fancy then jeans. <br><br>After brushing her teeth, Kara went to look for her clothing. The sound of Hallbjorn drying his hair in the bathroom was comforting. When she opened a door she thought might be the closet, she found a whole bunch of black clothing inside the walk in. None of her clothes occupied it though. It turned out there was another walk in closet that held her things, and that was a good thing. All of the things she'd bought were already taking up half of the closet space. <br><br>Kara decided to wear a form fitting white dress. It wasn't incredibly tight on her, so it was still comfortable. The material was smooth against her skin, and also light and airy. It came to just above her knees and left half of her back uncovered. It wasn't scandalous, so she hoped that Hallbjorn would be pleased. The bust was a bit snug, but after trying to adjust the strap that went behind her neck, she figured it was meant to be that way. <br><br>Underneath she wore matching white satin panties and a lacy white bra. The outfit was finished by a pair of white satin high heels. When Kara looked at herself in the mirror provided in the closet, she deemed herself respectable enough. <br><br>Hallbjorn was dressing when she walked through the bedroom on her way back to the bathroom, and she almost stumbled at how delicious he looked in his purple silk shirt. He was so amazingly good looking that it should be a sin. <br><br>Kara was applying a coat of lip glass when Hallbjorn asked about her hair. She smiled at him, admiring how he had done his hair. As she put on a bit of eye liner and mascara, she answered, “I like to wear it loose and done up, but I don't have much talent in elaborate hairdos, unfortunately.”<br><br>Though there was one thing she could do to her hair. Kara had to search for some bobby pins, and after finding them she pulled her blond hair up into a simple French chignon. Now the only thing missing was a pair of earrings that would highlight her bare neck, but she could do without. <br><br>Satisfied that she looked classy and sexy, but would not send Hallbjorn onto a killing spree of male Loreans, she joined him back in the bedroom. “Do I meet your standards, my mate?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>16-10-2016, 03:16:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				After Kara presented herself she was subjected to Hallbjorn's scrutiny and appraisal. He looked her over with a darkly possessive look on his face, walking a slow circle around her to see her from every angle. His approval was already secure and unconditional, of course, but he made a show of looking over all of her for his own delight and because she had gone to effort to make herself look nice. That effort deserved notice and acknowledgement. <br><br>"Oh yes." Hallbjorn said in the richly sinful voice he typically used to give her commands. He traced a finger over the part of her back that the white dress left bare, moving it in a random pattern that swept his warm, rough finger pad over her skin.<br><br>"In honesty," Hallbjorn said in a softer, sweeter tone, "you could wear a garbage bag and roll around in the mud and I would still find you beautiful." He leaned and kissed on of her shoulders. "Tonight I will be the envy of every unmated male who sees you." The Berserker told her, and took her hand, leading her from the bedroom and out to the truck, pausing only to grab keys and wallet on the way out. <br><br>As they got into the truck Hallbjorn felt a measure of anxiety. And some fear. He imagined the pair of them showing up at his brother's home and being rebuffed by a brother who wanted nothing to do with him. He was quiet as they drove, touching Kara sporadically. He was not sure if he should let her see it or shut himself off entirely. <br><br>Helgi's home was a nice, large red brick building in a suburb of uptown. It had a large fence overgrown with vines and flowers, and the large lawn had many tall trees that seemed unaffected by the hurricane that had ravaged the city. The lights were on inside and a pair of sedans were parked in the driveway. Hallbjorn parked on the street, and did not immediately get out. He looked over at Kara for a moment, showing her how much he was worried about how he would be received, and then he let the mask of neutrality fall over his face and there was no feeling to see upon his face at all. He stepped out of the truck and walked up to the front door with Kara. The light sound of easy jazz was available to Hallbjorn's immortal hearing but it might be too soft for Kara's ears.<br><br>Hallbjorn raised a hand and pressed the doorbell. It chimed and he heard murmurs within wondering who would be calling at this late hour. <br><br>The door opened and Helgi and his Bride looked out in surprise. They looked first at Kara, and then up at Hallbjorn. <br><br>Helgi looked a lot like Hallbjorn. There was a lot of similarity in the face, but Helgi was much less . . . severe. He lacked the edge that Hallbjorn had and was softer in manner. He was also not as tall - though at six feet and four inches Helgi was still a tall man. His build was leaner, but then, most men were in comparison to Hallbjorn's muscle-packed body. Helgi's hair was a champagne blonde that was shorn short in a monkish cut. He was dressed in a pair of jeans and a grey t-shirt, his feet covered in a pair of woolen socks. This was what Hallbjorn might have been, if fate had laid out a different path for him. <br><br>Helgi's bride was roughly Kara's height. The woman had rich dark brown hair and her skin had light copper tan that helped to set off her green eyes. She wore a plain summer dress of green and was barefoot. Her figure was a great deal fuller than Kara's, and her features were more classically considered beautiful - but Hallbjorn did not gaze at her with anything except acknowledgement. Helgi, though, looked at his bride and kept a protective hand on her in an echo of the way that Hallbjorn looked and touched Kara.<br><br>The interior of their home was a cream colour, with the lights slightly dimmed to give everything a cozy atmosphere. There were paintings - water colours and oils - in view hanging from the wall.<br><br>"Greetings Helgi, Lyrata." Hallbjorn said, breaking the silence. "This is my mate, Kara." Helgi and Lyrata glanced between the two, and Helgi was the first to lay eyes upon the bite mark on Hallbjorn's neck. "Kara, this is my brother Helgi, and his Bride, Lyrata." The blond Berserker said in introduction.<br><br>"Hello." Helgi said, and he and Lyrata took a step back, opening the door further. As they did there was a small glint of light on metal, and the sword in Helgi's hand was briefly visible. "Please, come in. This is . . . this is unexpected. But not unwelcome!"<br><br>"Yes." Hallbjorn acknowledged, ushering Kara inside with a hand low on her back. Lyrata smiled at Kara, but when she regarded Hallbjorn that smile did not reach her eyes. <br><br>"Please, make yourselves at home." Helgi said, putting the sword back into a sheathe hidden in the vase of a potted plant near the door. He held out an inviting and leading arm towards their living room. Inside there was a fire burning in a fireplace, and the flames danced merrily, giving off warmth and heat. There were several large love seats and a couch arranged around a coffee table and set up so that it could view a large flat screen mounted against a hardwood wall. The television was displaying a paused recording of a current crime procedural. There was a small plate of crackers and cheese, with one cracker paired with a piece cheese showing nibble marks where it was left mid-bite. A wine flute filled with blood-infused wine sat nearby.<br><br>"It's a pleasure to meet you, Kara." Lyrata said to the young woman. <br><br>"Yes. Yes, very nice to meet you." Helgi said, looking as if he was worried putting the sword away was premature. "And Hallbjorn, it's been so long . . ." Hallbjorn walked over to the fireplace and took a poker from the stand, and moved the burning pieces of wood around.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>16-10-2016, 04:42:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara delighted in the way that Hallbjorn appraised her. The look on his face made her shiver, especially now that he'd shown her how amazing he could make her feel. Her knees felt a little weak when he used that rich, deep, and powerfully sinful voice. Kara's lips parted as he ran his finger over her bare back, and her breaths came a little faster. <br><br>His next comment had her laughing. “I don't have a garbage back in my wardrobe, luckily.” Kara's eyes softened when he kissed her shoulder. She kept hold of his hand and followed him outside like a silly, love struck fool. Kara took in her surroundings, with the massive trees and the green, green grass. She did not think she'd ever consider a place to be home if it was not in the desert, but here, with him, she could live happily ever after. Even though the night was chillier then she was used to, Kara was not really bothered by it. <br><br>She could tell that Hallbjorn was nervous on the drive, and sought to distract him from what was coming. Kara began to tell him about her dreams of the rose colored carved temple in the side of a cliff. As she spoke, she borrowed his cell phone and entered in various search terms. Kara was not at all sure that she would find any such place, so when her search turned up a picture that came straight out of her dream, she gasped. <br><br>“Its the ancient city of Petra, in Jordan.” Kara told him, and when they came to a stop light, she held the cell up so he could see the picture. “It looks exactly how I dreamed, except in my dreams, the doorway there seemed a little different. Though I'm not sure how to explain just why.” Kara saved the page on Hallbjorn's cell so she could read up on it later. <br><br>Soon they arrived at Helgi's home, and even though it was smaller then Hallbjorn's, the yard was lovely. Kara was not used to so much green. Even the smell of the plants and flowers were different from what she knew. It delighted her to be in the midst of so much greenery. <br><br>When Hallbjorn hesitated after they parked, she looked over at him and smiled tenderly. Kara took his hand in hers, and kissed his palm. “Whatever happens, I'm right here with you. We'll face it together.”<br><br>She remained pressed to his side as they made their way to the door, and had to calm her own fluttery nerves after he rang the doorbell. Kara wanted everything to go well for Hallbjorn. She was committed to fixing his and Helgi's relationship. <br><br>When the door opened, Kara had to do a double take at Helgi and the similarities in appearance he had with Hallbjorn. Even though he looked relaxed, Kara thought Hallbjorn the more handsome brother. She would not change a thing about Hallbjorn. He was her perfect made. Helgi's bride was beautiful, and not what Kara expected at all for a dryad to look like. She had been imagining bark like skin. That was obviously not the case. <br><br>Kara squeezed Hallbjorn's hand gently to let him know she was with him in anything. Though he showed no emotion and the couple before them wore looks of shock, she smiled pleasantly in an attempt to ease their nerves. <br><br>After Hallbjorn introduced them, and they were invited into the home, Kara followed Hallbjorn into the living room. The sight of crackers made her aware that she was hungry, but not unbearably so. Smelling blood mixed into wine made her curious about how wine would taste with Hallbjorn's blood. <br><br>She worried for her mate, because she could sense his tension even though he gave no outward sign. Kara's heart ached to make this better for him. She turned her attention to Helgi and Lyrata as she seated herself on their couch. <br><br>“You have a lovely home, and I'm glad we finally get to meet.” Kara said. “When Hallbjorn told me about you, Helgi, and that you were a vampire, I asked him to meet you. I'm a half vampire, something I only became aware of a week ago, and there are things I've not yet discovered or figured out.”<br><br>She paused, wondering if she should poke the elephant in the room. When Kara looked at Hallbjorn and saw him standing so solitary by the fire, she became resolved to do anything for him. <br><br>Kara turned her attention back to Helgi with a determined set to her shoulders. “Family is important, and brothers should never be at odds for as long as you two have been. Hallbjorn was cursed to feel the suffering of all he killed in a demon war. His curse could only be lifted by killing a primordial demon that seemed to have no weaknesses.”<br><br>Her eyes held a light sheen of tears as she recalled what Hallbjorn had gone through. “Years went by, where he felt that pain day and night. He finally found a way to kill the demon king. That is why the sword was so important to him. When it was gone, he chose to fight the primordial demon without trying to recover it. That decision led him to a century of suffering a never ending fight in a hell realm. If Nix had not brought the sword to him, he might still be there.”<br><br>That thought spurred Kara to stand and moved over to Hallbjorn. She rested her hand on his arm to give both himself and her comfort. When Kara looked back at Helgi, she let him see that she did not cast judgment on him. “Hallbjorn understands why you gave the sword away. He told me that a vampire would do anything for his bride.”&nbsp; Kara smiled warmly at Lyrata, then looked back to Helgi. “Do you want your brother back?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>16-10-2016, 05:32:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helgi and Lyrata sat together on a love seat when Kara took a seat on the couch. They shifted their glances between her and Hallbjorn. Lyrata settled herself close to Helgi, and he put an arm around her. The dryad placed a hand on her husband's chest, offering him support in the way that Kara supported Hallbjorn. <br><br>Helgi looked over at Hallbjorn with a crestfallen expression as Kara explained what his choice had really cost his brother. "I never knew . . . how you suffered . . ." Helgi murmured and dropped his face into his hands. Lyrata gripped his shoulders. "When the soothsayer came to me, she told me that you would find the sword again . . . it would only be a matter of time, another century at most. But she said if I didn't give the sword to her then I would have to wait a thousand years for my bride and there were mounting odds that she would die in an Accession. I thought it would just be more time spent searching far-flung planes . . . not . . ." Helgi's voice cracked with emotion.<br><br>"And it was an offer with an expiration of five minutes." Lyrata added. "Five minutes to weigh a century against a millennium."<br><br>Hallbjorn looked over at Kara, and he grasped her hand, giving it a squeeze to thank her for being able to say what he was not. <br><br>"You must know, Berserker," Lyrata said as she comforted her husband, "that it was Nix who tempted my husband." <br><br>Hallbjorn stiffened just slightly with that knowledge. It was not something that he had known. <br><br>"I never wanted this rift between us." Helgi said. "I looked for you after you came for the sword and I didn't have it. After I found my nerve." Helgi admitted with some shame. "I was so afraid of you when you showed up again and I didn't have it."<br><br>Hallbjorn looked down at the ground. "I was very fearsome then."<br><br>"You're very fearsome now!" Helgi said. "I thought . . . I thought you were finally coming for revenge tonight." Lyrata stroked his shoulders soothingly. <br><br>"I am not a kinslayer." Hallbjorn said. "I do not . . . hold your choices against you or condemn the path you took." He turned to face his brother.<br><br>"Then why?" Helgi asked. "Why did you forsake me? I've prayed for forgiveness, even though, God help me, I'd make the same choice over again, even knowing what I know now."<br><br>Hallbjorn nodded his head slowly. It did not hurt him that Helgi admitted this. Now that he had his own mate Hallbjorn understood with his heart as well as his brain the choice Helgi made. <br><br>"I never asked you to forgive me, did I?" Helgi said, realization suddenly dawning upon him. "It's not that I gave up the sword. It's that I betrayed your trust and never told you I was sorry about that. All of these years fearing your reprisal, knowing you were alive but thinking you hated me . . . because . . ." The man looked for confirmation from Hallbjorn and received it in a curt nod. Helgi's hands went to his face and he gave a shriek of grief and pain. Hallbjorn cross the room to where Helgi sat, and Lyrata stood. Helgi's body was wracked with silent sobs.<br><br>"I'm sorry, Hallbjorn." Helgi said quietly, and Hallbjorn embraced his brother. The two men hugged.<br><br>"I forgive you, Helgi. I am sorry that I made you suffer this, Helgi. I am sorry that I marred your life of happiness." Hallbjorn told his brother. <br><br>Lyrata moved to Kara's side. "Let's give the boys the room, hmm?" She said softly, and led Kara into the kitchen. The kitchen was very nice and modern. The appliances were all stainless steel, and there was a black marble counter top surrounding the stove top with chairs set on the opposite side so that people could see food cooking. Pots and pans hung from a set of overhead cabinets. A fridge and freezer combination thrummed in the background.<br><br>Lyrata grabbed a plate and set about putting out what she could for Kara. "I'm sorry for the poor hospitality." She gave Kara an apologetic smile. "We weren't expecting company and my husband doesn't eat, so there isn't much at hand." Lyrata was able to set out some crackers, grapes, and some cheese. It was nice cheese - a creamy brie that paired well with the grapes. "We have blood wine. Would you like a glass? It's a very full-bodied red infused with elk's blood. My husband tells me it has a richer, earthier flavour than cow or pig's blood and . . ." She traced a finger to her collar. "Well, between us girls, he says it's not earth-moving, but about the best one can do when they can't drink from their mate."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>16-10-2016, 06:20:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara's heart broke for both Hallbjorn and his brother Helgi. She remained silent next to Hallbjorn as Helgi made his revelations. There was so much pain in Helgi, and while she knew the revelations of what happened in the past needed to be shared so the brothers could fix their bond, she took no pleasure in the fact that her words brought him pain. <br><br>She dredged up a sad smile for Hallbjorn when he squeezed her hand. But it was a relief to see the gratitude in his eyes. Kara had worried that she butted herself into their business like a clumsy rhinoceros. <br><br>Lyrata informed them that it was Nix who had come for the sword, and Kara grew angry. She would be having words with that valkyrie. To know that Hallbjorn had indebted himself to the very creature who had taken the sword in the first place made Kara feel that her mate had been sorely used. That was something she would not stand for. <br><br>Kara did not understand how Helgi could think he brother would kill him and his mate. Did he know Hallbjorn so little? Just because he was a mercenary did not mean her man had no honor. She had never detected any desire in Hallbjorn to harm either of them. <br><br>And as harsh as her next thought was, Kara could not help but think that Helgi showed a certain kind of weakness because of his fear of Hallbjorn. She believed that if Hallbjorn thought someone, even his brother, was coming to kill him, he would meet the threat head on. The two brothers were obviously very different. But they were brothers, and she would never speak those ill thoughts of Helgi. <br><br>Kara had never been a religious person. Her parent's careers had led them into discovering past cultures that worshipped many different gods. Instead of growing up attending church, she grew up to stories of a variety of godly beings. So when Helgi said that he asked God for forgiveness, she held back the urge to shake her head. The one he needed to ask stood beside her. <br><br>Helgi then realized what he had failed to before, and the hug the two men shared had Kara clasping her hands to her chest. There was real love there, and Kara so desperately wanted Hallbjorn to have his brother in his life. <br><br>At Lyrata's suggested, Kara gladly followed her into the kitchen so the brothers could have time to bond. She sat down at the island and faced the kitchen as Lyrata began to put together a plate of food. “Think nothing of it, Lyrata. We did sort of just drop in.” She smiled at the dryad, whom she already liked. <br><br>Kara spread some of the creamy brie cheese on a crack, then popped it in her mouth and savored it. “Hallbjorn and I will most likely go out to eat since he's showing me Bourbon street later. This is the first time I've ever been to New Orleans.”<br><br>Lyrata's openness about Helgi drinking from her made Kara feel more comfortable around the woman. She didn't feel like she needed to hide anything, and she wanted to be honest, since Kara hoped to count Lyrata as a sister. “I drank from Hallbjorn before we came here, and honestly, I'm not sure I can go back to animal blood. Also,” she blushed, “I get tipsy very easily, and I do not want to make an idiot of myself the first time meeting my new family.”<br><br>“Hallbjorn told me you're a dryad. Could you explain to me what that means? I haven't had a chance to read about your kind in the Book of Lore yet.” Kara asked, with obvious interest in her voice. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>16-10-2016, 07:17:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Ah, well, you're in for a treat." Lyrata said with a smile. "There's so many nice places to eat on Bourbon Street!" The woman seemed very excited for Kara. "You're so lucky! Part vampire and able to eat. I dragged my husband all over town when we first moved here." The dryad said, leaning on the island. She propped herself on her elbows, linked her hands, and rested her chin them.<br><br>Lyrata waved her hand at Kara's worry of making an idiot of herself. "You could dance on the table and belt off-key show tunes and my husband and I would think you an angel after what you did tonight." <br><br>And for what Kara had done, Lyrata was more than happy to answer her question and give information.<br><br>"Dryads are a type of nymph. Nymphs are generally neutral in the Lore - we don't take sides and sit out the Accessions as best we can. We live in coveys that fit our, hmm, shall we say affinity? There are nymphs of air, clouds, water, stone, trees . . . all of these things have a type of nymph to watch over them. We can hide in our element. It makes us wonderful eavesdroppers. Dryads are the nymphs of trees. We watch over them, protect them, and we can heal them. But also hide behind them. Some of us have the ability to teleport between trees we have visited." Lyrata explained. "And of course, well, nymphs are a fairly hedonistic species. We love sex. Love, love, love it. With anyone willing. Some look on how willing nymphs are to take any pleasure with any partner that catches their eye at any time they feel they urge as a downside and they slut shame us hard. But nymph coveys are neutral grounds that are never lacking in visitors. Very few are willing to violate the neutrality of the nymph coveys. When they do, they're banned from all of them and are an enemy of all nymphs. And there's a lot of males very eager to get into the good graces," Lyrata wriggled her eyebrows suggestively, "of all nymphdom by offing our enemies."<br><br>She stood and stretched her arms over her head. "Of course, I'm loyal to my husband. My days of free love are over and I only regret that I did not find my man sooner." She looked over at Kara. "But ah, you don't think that of me! It's so nice to see that." Lyrata said with genuine affection for the young blond. "You're young yet, and you don't have the prejudices of the Lore imprinted on you. It must be wonderful to be able to see everyone as they are, and not as your elders condition you to." The woman looked wistful.<br><br>"I almost let prejudice keep me from my husband. Vampires have a bad reputation with nymphs. We're not as hardy as some other species of the Lore. A vampire with a mind to could drink a nymph to death. Several have. It hasn't endeared them." Lyrata hugged herself and shook her head to ward off the memories of past obstacles. She did not want to dwell on them when there was so much potential in the future.<br><br>"I'm so happy and so grateful that you spoke up like you did, Kara." The dryad told the young woman with unrestrained emotion. "I love my husband, but I'm not blind to his flaws. He needed this, and I could never read your mate well enough to get either of them to this point." She smiled. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>16-10-2016, 08:15:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara found herself leaning in as Lyrata spoke, and soon had her chin resting on her linked hands. She was touched by the dryad's words, that she and her mate would always think Kara an angel. When she began to tell Kara about what a dryad was, she held Kara's rapt attention. <br><br>“I could not possibly think badly of you. Not when you're being so kind to me. Aside from a store clerk, you and Helgi are the first Loreans we've encountered that aren't trying to harm us. It gives me faith that there are more kind Loreans out there.” Kara told her. When the dryad thanked her for speaking up and remarked upon not being able to read Hallbjorn, Kara's smiled softly. <br><br>“I would do anything for Hallbjorn. Its hard to believe that we've known each other for less then a weak. Because in that time, I've fallen completely head over heels for him. I had difficulty reading him at first as well, but now, even when he holds his cards close to his chest, I can tell if he's happy or bothered.” There was a bit of a dreamy look in her eyes, and Kara did nothing to disguise it. <br><br>“He's so thoughtful, and kind and giving. I would go through everything, all over again, just to be with him.” What Kara would endure for him had her thinking of Nix, and she shared her thoughts with Lyrata. “If Nix had not sent him to protect me, we might have never met. I still feel anger to think that she orchestrated removing the sword from his grasp. Honestly, I do not know what to think of her. She's very confusing.”<br><br>It felt really good to be talking with another woman, and one that was a Lorean. Regardless of a nymph's love of sex, if they were all this kind, she wanted to meet more. “I'm so happy that we came here, and so glad that I got to meet you. I hope you don't think it too odd of me to think of you as a sister.”<br><br>Kara's vulnerability showed in her last remark. She really liked Lyrata, and hoped that the woman would not make fun of her for wanting this bond between them. Kara didn't think that she really would, but Hallbjorn had warned her that Loreans could be mean. Then again, he meant that in regards to her being a vampire, and Lyrata certainly did not mind that aspect of her. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>16-10-2016, 21:17:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"It is strange when it happens to you." Lyrata agreed. "Even if you have strong bonds with others it can't compare to finding your true mate. It's frightening how intensely you feel for them, and they for you, at first. It changes everything." The dryad spoke from experience. "But it's rewarding if you give yourself over to it and let things be as they were meant to."<br><br>On the subject of Nix, Lyrata nodded. She rose, and decided to pour herself a glass of wine. It was a light white wine that was mildly effervescent. "And if she had not orchestrated taking the sword from Hallbjorn, Nix would not have been in a position to send him to protect you. He might have been on on some far-flung plane fighting in a different war, or fallen on some distant battlefield, or otherwise lost. And if he killed a demon king by his own hand alone, he might not have returned to Gaia at all - he might be sitting on a dark throne, ruler of everything that belonged to the primordial demon." Lyrata sipped her wine and hugged herself. "Nix's ability to see the future is incredibly powerful, and I don't think she ever turns it off. And she works to manipulate Accessions, and these affect the whole of the Lore. We are microscopic pieces in a much larger system."<br><br>The woman smiled radiantly when Kara spoke of her happiness and gladness. She shook her head. "We are sisters. You are always welcome here." The dryad told Kara warmly and unconditionally. Lyrata set down her glass and moved around the island and took Kara into her arms, hugging the much younger woman.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>16-10-2016, 22:09:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				What Lyrata told her about the mate bond resonated deeply with Kara. It was so wonderful to have a woman to talk to that understood things things. She imagined that she might come to Lyrata for advice from time to time. It struck Kara then, that she did not miss her girlfriends back in Jackrabbit Junction as much as she thought she would. Perhaps it had something to do with the warmth and maturity that came from Lyrata. Kara had realized long ago that her friends had lacked a certain level of maturity, and sometimes when they picked on her virginity, it became very annoying. <br><br>She mulled these things over as Kara partook of the grapes and crackers, as well as the cream cheese. What Lyrata told Kara next about Nix floored her, and then went a long way to riding her of the anger she felt. “I had not even thought about all of the things that might have kept us from meeting.” Her attitude changed towards Nix, when she considered that Hallbjorn could be ruling some hell realm and she'd still be alone. <br><br>Lyrata's declaration that they were sisters almost brought tears of happiness to Kara's eyes. When the dryad hugged her, Kara stood and returned the hug wholeheartedly. “Thank you so much, Lyrata.” <br><br>She broke their embrace and smiled with delight at her new sister. “Maybe we could make plans for the four of us to get together once a month, and do something fun. I'd suggest dinner, but I don't want Helgi to feel left out. But I am quite partial to board games and perhaps we could try bowling once. I've never bowled before.” Not to mention, the image of Hallbjorn bowling tickled her pink. <br><br>“May I have your phone number, so we can chat about it? I sort of crushed my own cell, but I'm sure Hallbjorn will let me use his.” Speaking of Hallbjorn, things seemed very quiet from the living room. Maybe Helgi had time to calm down. “Do you think they've had enough time together?” She left out her selfish thoughts on how she missed her mate already. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>16-10-2016, 23:07:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"That's the thing about Nix. Sometimes she's cruel to be kind." Lyrata told Kara with a quirky smile that communicated that Lyrata had some mental gymnastics of her own in her past to get over the Valkyrie's manipulations. <br><br>"Of course I'll give you my number. I'm sure we can arrange for something." The dryad said warmly as Kara proposed that the two couples get together once a month. She nodded at mention of the two men having enough time.<br><br>"Yes. I think we should go check on them. We don't want them to get too much in too fast." Lyrata said, nodding at the wisdom of it. And she shared a look with Kara that showed that she missed the company of her man as well. <br><br>When they returned to the living room, the two brothers were standing in front of the fire place. Each had their hands clasped behind their backs and they were quiet, but it was not a hostile gap between them now that they were that way. As soon as Lyrata entered the room Helgi traced to her side and his arms found their way around the dryad, openly seeking comfort while he worked to process the intense emotions of the night. He put a head on one of her shoulders and Lyrata stroked his head soothingly. <br><br>Hallbjorn walked to Kara's side, and he nodded in acknowledgement to her. He took her hand in his own but kept himself controlled. <br><br>Lyrata looked up to Hallbjorn. "Let me give you my number. Kara's suggested we try to plan a couple's night once a month. Board games and bowling were discussed." The woman said with a playful tone and conspiratorial look at Kara. Hallbjorn nodded and handed over his phone to the dryad. Helgi recovered and watched while Lyrata programmed their numbers into Hallbjorn's phone: a cell for her and Helgi, and a landline to the house. <br><br>"I'm sure that Lyrata's said it," Helgi began, voice heavy and thick with emotion, "but you're both welcome here. No matter what. Whether you just want to drop by to visit or if you need a place to stay or if you're in trouble. Especially if you're in trouble. You're our family and I want to be there for you." He swallowed and forced himself to smile through roiling guilt that was visibly gnawing at him. <br><br>Hallbjorn nodded. "Maybe I can leverage a family discount at the nymph coveys." He remarked in a dry tone tone. Lyrata and Helgi were quiet at first, and then they laughed when they realized that Hallbjorn had cracked a joke. Lyrata placed a hand on Hallbjorn's bicep and smiled.<br><br>"Of course. Anything for my mate's brother." She said. "I'm sure you two have a busy night planned, and I can tell Kara's eager to see the Big Easy. I'm sure you'll show her a good time." <br><br>Helgi and Lyrata bid the two their farewells and Hallbjorn and Kara made their way to the truck. When they were inside Hallbjorn let out a long breath and relaxed a little.<br><br>"Thank you for giving me my brother back." Hallbjorn said. He knew that he did not have to tell Kara how important it was. He put his hand on her knee as he drove them to the French Quarter. One of the first places he took her was to Cafe du Monde, where they could get the infamous cafe au lait and beignets. With those treats in hand he walked easily along the street and paused at a jeweler's shop that was still open.<br><br>The shopkeeper was a rather tall fellow with a slim but powerful build, like an Olympic swimmer. He had fair coloration and strikingly handsome features, very regal and out of place for this sort of establishment - it had a sign outside that said they bought gold with no questions asked, which seemed more than a little shady. The clothing he wore also seemed ill-suited to him: a blue polo shirt with a name tag that read 'Tom' and a pair of blue jeans. "I don't want any trouble, Berserker." The shopkeeper said as Hallbjorn entered, ushering Kara in with a hand on her back. The door hit a little bell that chimed beautifully.<br><br>"And I bring none, Ljósálfr." Hallbjorn said easily. It was one of those moments where he looked neutral but Kara was able to tell he was bothered. The shopkeeper relaxed a little and a hand beneath the counter relaxed. "I wish only to engage your services. I gave my mate a ring, but it does not fit." Hallbjorn walked up to the counter with Kara, guiding her with the hand at the small of her back. He removed the chain that she wore it on from her neck, and placed the ring on the counter for the elf to examine.<br><br>"An easy enough task. The gold is very pure." The elf commented, squinting just a little. "Let me see your hand, dear." Tom asked Kara. "Which finger do you wish to bear this ring?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>17-10-2016, 00:05:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara was in full agreement with Lyrata. She believed that Helgi would need time to soak in everything that had happened tonight, and even though Hallbjorn would never complain, she thought he should have time to get used to the idea of his brother being back in his life. <br><br>She looked at the two brothers, standing in the same position next to each other, and a soft smile touched her lips. Kara did not worry about the silence, since Hallbjorn was often silent. It was not a bad thing. <br><br>Kara was a little startled when Helgi traced, since she had bad experienced with people who did that, but it was soon forgotten as Hallbjorn came and took her hand. She looked into his eyes as she tried to get an idea of what he was feeling. Though he showed nothing, she thought he was handling it all very well. <br><br>While Lyrata programmed their numbers into Hallbjorn's cell, Kara felt the urge to offer Helgi some comfort. His offer meant a lot to her, since she and Hallbjorn had been through a lot, and it would be nice to have someone they could both rely on. Kara embraced Helgi in a quick hug, and hoped she did not upset him with it. <br><br>Her lips twitched with mirth at Hallbjorn's joke, and then Kara began to wonder what kind of things she'd see in a nymph's covey, aside from sex. Perhaps she could talk Hallbjorn into them visiting one in the future. <br><br>Kara's spirits were buoyed as they left Helgi and Lyrata, but she kept sneaking glanced at Hallbjorn to see how he was taking it all. After they climbed back in the truck, his words had her leaning over to kiss his cheek. “Anything for you, Hallbjorn.”<br><br>There was no hiding Kara's excitement when she was able to try out the beignets from the Cafe du Monde. The coffee was stronger then she was used to, but she still enjoyed it. What froze her in place was the sight of the Mississippi river. It was only a glimpse in-between a few buildings, but the size of it blew her away. “I never realized there were rivers that big.”<br><br>But there was so much to see, that she didn't remain still long. Kara was licking the powdered sugar from the last of her beignets off of her fingers when Hallbjorn guided her into a jeweler's shop. The jeweler's words let her know instantly that he was a Lorean, and by the little peek she had of his pointed ears, she thought she might know what kind. He had to be an elf, unless her book was wrong and there were male valkyries. <br><br>Hallbjorn's intentions for bringing them in there touched Kara's heart. She drew closer to the counter and offered her left hand. “On my ring finger, if you please, where one normally wears a wedding band.” <br><br>It did not take long at all for the elf to resize the ring, and as they waited, Kara slipped her arms around Hallbjorn and rested her head on his chest. “Thank you, Hallbjorn.” She smiled happily. <br><br>After the ring was resized, and worn on her finger, she admired it as they made the short walk to Bourbon street. When they reached it, they found it to have a lot of people walking down the street, some of which went from bar to bar. Kara had not realized there would be so many drunk people about, but she tried not to let it bother her. <br><br>Instead, she delighted in the beautiful buildings that lined the street. There was so much wrought iron railing, and the blend of French and Spanish architecture was lovely. Kara soon had Hallbjorn's cell in her hands and was taking pictures of anything that struck her fancy. “There is so much history here.” She told him breathily. “I could love this place for that alone.”<br><br>They came across a few bands that were playing jazz on the street, and Kara stopped with&nbsp; Hallbjorn at each of them to listen and applaud them. After that, she was happy to follow Hallbjorn's lead as they made their way through the crowds. <br><br>They soon came to a less raucous area of Bourbon street. Gas lamps overtook the somewhat gaudy neon lights, and there were fewer people. Hallbjorn was leading her to a place called Galatoire's. “What is this place, Hallbjorn?” She smiled at him, eager to see whatever he wanted to show her. Kara hoped that the line at the door would not be too much of a problem. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>17-10-2016, 01:27:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				There was, sadly, no getting around the line up at Galatoire's for one of the first floor dining room tables. The tradition of first come, first serve there was still place. With expanded dining facilities, Hallbjorn was able to grease the wheels and secure them a table in the second floor dining room without any trouble. The pair had a table near a window overlooking Bourbon Street, and although it was not as fine a tradition as waiting in line to eat on the first floor it still promised a very nice experience.<br><br>After they were seated and their orders taken, Hallbjorn glanced out the window. "There is a steamboat that still sails up and down the river twice a day. We could make a reservation to ride it if that interests you." He told her, reminded of how she was blown away at the size of the Mississippi river even in the glimpse between a few buildings. <br><br>"I know that so far you enjoy New Orleans." Hallbjorn said as he unfolded a napkin and placed it in his lap. "But if you are more comfortable in the desert we could move there when everything is resolved. I do not have a problem living in Jackrabbit Junction if you want to live there again." The large man told Kara and he meant it. It would not really matter where they lived to him so long as it was somewhere that Kara could thrive. The climate of Louisiana was different from that of Arizona or even neighboring Texas. <br><br>He had his phone out and was looking over the pictures that Kara had taken on their way here. "Hold up your hand." Hallbjorn told Kara, meaning the one with the ring. When she did he took a picture of that also. It belonged in there with everything else they had seen tonight. It was to commemorate the first night she wore it, although he imagined that there would be so many more in the future where it graced her finger. If she ever took it off. There might never be a reason that she would need to take it off. <br><br>"If New Orleans does agree with you, I was considering a small renovation to the house." Hallbjorn continued, putting the phone down on the table. "I recall how much you enjoyed the large bath at the Grand Hyatt. We could have something like that added to the house here. There are some baths, but they are small and conventional tubs. Nothing that we could share, least of all as we did at the hotel."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>17-10-2016, 02:10:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara was not disappointed by them eating on the second floor at all. It afforded them a better view of Bourbon Street from the window they were seated near. She was unaware of of the tradition of sitting on the first floor, and even if she had been, Kara would still be happy with their current table. <br><br>She nibbled her lower lip as she looked over all of the fancy items on the menu. Kara chose Oysters en Brochette for their appetizer, because it was certainly something she had never tried before. Neither had she ever tried gumbo, and the duck and andouille gumbo soup sounded delicious to her. Just in case neither of those items agreed with her, she played in safe for the main dish by picking the Shrimp Clemenceau. <br><br>Hallbjorn's suggestion about the steamboat excited Kara. “I would love to ride an an actual steamboat.” She longed to see the river in the daytime as well, so she could wrap her head around the size of it. <br><br>Kara took a sip of water and mulled over Hallbjorn's offer to live in Jackrabbit Junction if she wanted to. She shared what she was feeling as she told him, “I thought I would miss the desert, and before I didn't think I would want to live anywhere else. I thought I would miss my friends, and perhaps it makes me a bad person, but I don't. I do miss my parents, and I would like visit them when they return. I think they would like you very much. I think I could be happy here in New Orleans. I would like to give it a try.”<br><br>Kara held up her hand when he asked, and grinned when he took a picture of her ring. “I may be turning you into a Shutter Bug yet. My father says I get my love of taking pictures from him, since he's a photo-journalist.” <br><br>Hallbjorn's thoughtfulness touched Kara. She had been a little afraid that he might react badly to her wanting to make any changes to his gorgeous home. Kara should have had more faith in her mate, because he had never denied her anything she asked for. “I would really like that.”<br><br>Mentioning her parents brought another matter to mind, and Kara's look grew worried. “Hallbjorn, I don't want my parents to come home and find the mess we left behind. It would scare them badly, and lead to a lot of questions that I'm not sure I should answer.” Her voice lowered, even though they had enough privacy, and she leaned forward as she asked, “Do Lorean bodies stay around like human ones? Is there maybe some kind of Lorean cleaning service we can use to take care of the mess?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>17-10-2016, 03:21:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn nodded and took in everything that Kara said. "It will make things easier if you do not miss them." Hallbjorn told Kara. He'd had few friends, if any, but there were people he had grown accustomed to and when they had died their absence had been unpleasant. He did not want to think about what it would mean if her parents were mortal and how it would affect Kara. It was very clear that she cared and loved them very much. <br><br>"The bodies are already dealt with. There are certain scavengers called 'low creatures' that take care of such things." Hallbjorn told her softly and quietly. As for the fire, that would be more difficult to conceal. "As for the fire damage . . . the most likely solution would be to contract the House of Witches for a spell." <br><br>Hallbjorn had chosen to order oyster rockefeller for an appetizer, and the duck and andouille gumbo and the duck as an entree. The menu did have options for steaks but if they were eating at a place like this it seemed more appropriate to pick something that spoke to New Orleans' unique culinary offerings.<br><br>"What would you tell your parents about us?" Hallbjorn asked Kara as he glanced out the window. "They would want to know how we met and what made you feel so strongly for me in so little time. And why you would leap to move so far away to be with me." His eyes flicked back over to her. "There is very little that I can truthfully tell them about myself." He gave her a sympathetic look. "These are things we need to consider before I can meet them." It was not a flat refusal or an attempt to dissuade her from having her parents in her life, but identifying the obstacles as Hallbjorn saw them. Even though it could put them both in danger if Kara's adoptive parents were mortals - and there were several Loreans fostered by mortals - and they revealed more than they should, attracting the punishment of the gods.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>17-10-2016, 04:12:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara did not think she ever wanted to meet the low creatures, or know exactly what they did with the bodies. The thought sent shivers up her spine. Though she was interested in meeting actual witches, the decision to do that could wait. Her parents would not be home for months, and she doubted that anyone would stumble upon the mess in her parent's home. Break ins just did not happen in Jackrabbit Junction. <br><br>The points that Hallbjorn brought up about what they could and could not tell her parents gave Kara much to think about. She was quiet as their appetizers were brought out. The oysters tasted salty and different, but she didn't shy away from the new experience. <br><br>Kara kept to her thoughts as the plates were cleared and their soups were set down. She only faintly paid attention to the spiciness of it. She didn't know how she would explain Hallbjorn to her parents, or the love that she felt for him that had developed so quickly. Her parents would also question why she had chosen now to travel, since she never had before. Lying was not something that Kara liked to do. <br><br>The beautiful dinner they were sharing was overshadowed by the sadness that she felt, and the uncertainty of what to do. After their main dishes were brought out, Kara didn't eat immediately. She looked up at Hallbjorn, and the turmoil she felt was easy to read in her eyes. <br><br>“What would be your advice, Hallbjorn?” Kara asked him softly. “Did you keep in contact with your parents after you became immortal?”<br><br>Just when she thought she was getting used to her new life, something like this would come up, and Kara was hit with how much her life had changed. She did not regret what she was, because if she'd been human, she would not have Hallbjorn. But it was still a lot for a small town girl to handle without stumbling a bit along the way. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>17-10-2016, 04:31:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn regretted the timing of what he told Kara. He could tell that her mind was not on the food in front of them, and he wanted her to enjoy the meal. But he had ruined that. He ate in silence as well, and for him it was not a comfortable silence. It was rare for him to find silence uncomfortable, but with Kara's mood so strongly in contrast her to excitement and energy before at seeing Bourbon Street he could not enjoy it. But he was not sure how to break what he created.<br><br>"This is not something that I had to contend with in all my long years of life." Hallbjorn admitted to Kara. He forked at his entree and began to eat while he looked at her sadness and hating how impotent he felt in the face of it. The source of it was not something that he could bludgeon away. <br><br>He glanced up at Kara when she asked about his parents. He thought he had told her their fate, but it seemed that he had overlooked it. "Ah, Kara, my parents, my sister, and the rest of my family . . . they perished at the hands of the Berserkers who hunted Helgi." The man said softly. It was something that no longer bothered him. It was so long ago and so far removed. "They were long in the grave by the time I became immortal."<br><br>Hallbjorn reached across the table and put a hand on one of Kara's. "I am sorry for the timing of this." He told her. "If your parents can keep the secret, then it is possible that you can tell them everything. But if they are curious people who will use this knowledge to uncover more about the Lore," and to Hallbjorn it seemed very real, since her father was a photo-journalist and his mother, presumably, was the one who dug up things, by the process of elimination, "then we will need to withhold from them or lie. I do not relish the idea of lying, and I do not think you find it palatable either."<br><br>"If you really, truly trust your parents and they matter enough to you to risk the wrath of the gods, then my advice is to take what you want. It is not wise, but the cautious path was never my way." Hallbjorn said to Kara. He squeezed her hand.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>17-10-2016, 05:08:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“Oh, Hallbjorn.” Kara said softly. Now it made sense. He'd been so young when he began his quest to become immortal. She could tell he was not bothered about it after all this time, and so she didn't push the subject. Though Kara did wonder if he'd ever had a chance to be just a boy. <br><br>Learning about Hallbjorn's loss so early in life made Kara realize how lucky she was to still have both of her parents. She was unsure if her parents could keep such a thing secret. Kara wanted to believe that they would for her, but both parents would want more answers then she and Hallbjorn alone could give them, and that might send them looking for other Loreans. <br><br>That Hallbjorn would stand by her decision helped to ease much of her sorrow. When he squeezed her hand, she trailed the fingertips of her opposite hand along his knuckles. Kara smiled lovingly at Hallbjorn. “Its nothing we need to decide right now. I'm sorry for being in a mood. I'd much rather we enjoy the rest of our meal.”<br><br>Her shrimp was succulent, and Kara offered up one of them for Hallbjorn to sample. She also stole a taste of his duck, and it tasted wonderful. Next time they came there, she was going to try that dish. <br><br>While they ate, she looked out the window and pointed out some of the wildly dressed people on Bourbon Street bellow them. Kara had a good time looking at some of the human statues, and then a small group dressed in black, Victorian style dresses. There was a juggler that passed by, and even a few ladies dressed like burlesque dancers wearing feather crowns. <br><br>Before she knew it, she was finished with her meal. When they were asked about dessert, Kara spotted something on the menu that she just had to try. Her black bottom pecan pie was soon brought out, and at the first taste, Kara did a little shimmy with how delicious it was. <br><br>“Do you think we could get a pie to take home?” Kara grinned at Hallbjorn, and tried not to be embarrassed by her silly response to such a good dessert. “We can wait another day to explore more. I'd like us to go home. Maybe we could watch a movie, or do something else.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>17-10-2016, 05:29:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Do not apologize for your feelings." Hallbjorn told Kara when she apologized for being in a mood. It was alright with him for her to feel how she wished. She did not have to control herself the way he did. There was no need to for her to shove everything in a box and lock it shut. <br><br>He nodded when she said that there was time, and Kara seemed to improve after that. She enjoyed the meal and that was all that Hallbjorn could ask for. He was very glad that she was able to. He looked out the window at the people she pointed out, and it pleased Hallbjorn that she had a good time seeing all of the variety of costumes that people sported. <br><br>Hallbjorn delighted in how much Kara enjoyed her dessert, and of course he could not refuse her when she asked if they could get a pie to bring home. He enjoyed her reaction. She could think it was silly but it made Hallbjorn feel good to see her enjoying herself. Knowing that it would please her so much and he could watch her do that little shimmy more was something that he looked forward to.<br><br>"Of course, Kara." Hallbjorn told her, and he settled the bill and purchased a pie of them to take home. He carried it out. "I have to make sure that the pie can get home." The Berserker told Kara, and gave her a small wink. <br><br>When they got into the truck, he secured the pie in the back, and took the wheel. "What did you have in mind for 'something else'?" Hallbjorn asked Kara when it was just the two of them and no one else to overhear. The large man had things in mind as to what that could entail - there were things that he wanted to do to his cute little vampire mate, but they were unchaste and he was not sure that she intended for his mind to go in such a direction. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>17-10-2016, 06:10:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“Hallbjorn!” Kara gasped, then burst into laughter at his teasing remark. She slapped his arm playfully. He was already irresistible, and he was more so when he teased her. She savored these little hints of humor from him. It was something that had her smiling all the way to the truck. <br><br>Kara climbed inside, then looked at the pie he sat in the back-seat, and quirked her eyebrow at him. Her mouth quirked up in a grin. But then he was asking what she had in mind when they got home, and she tried to think of something she could tell him that would not give up her diabolical plans. <br><br>She was going to seduce Hallbjorn. Kara sucked on her lower lip, and then gave him an innocent smile. “Oh, I thought I would slip into something more comfortable.” In an attempt to distract him from asking what else she had planned, Kara pointed out various interesting sites along the ride home. Yet somehow, she didn't think he was fooled. <br><br>When they pulled up in front of the mansion, she asked him sweetly. “Would you mind putting the pie away while I get changed? We should not trust me alone with it.”<br><br>As he headed to the kitchen, which she still had yet to see, Kara slipped off her high heels and ran up the stairs to their bedroom. Her mad dash to change resulted in her outfit scattered on the floor of her closet. Bobbi pins were the next casualties as she set on letting her hair loose. <br><br>Kara found the black thong panties with the little bell, and pulled them on. Then she slipped into the sexy little red nighty. After approving herself in the mirror, she made her way into the bedroom. <br><br>Her feet led her to the fireplace, and she quickly saw how to turn the gas on for it. Warmth washed over her legs. The next few moments was spending with Kara walking back and forth over the fur rug. She wasn't pacing, but instead was enjoying the feel of the fur rug. With each of her steps, the soft ringing of a bell could be heard. <br><br>Kara lowered herself to her knees, and then leaned forward on her hands so she could delve into how good the fur rug felt. It was at that point that she noticed Hallbjorn had returned. Her expression said clearly that she'd been caught. <br><br>Instead of being embarrassed, Kara decided to roll with it. She gave a small shake of her behind, making the bell ring again. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>18-10-2016, 03:53:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn could tell that Kara was trying to distract him and divert his attention, but he let her. He looked at everything that she pointed out to him, and acted interested. And he was, because she was pointing them out. Even if it was just to keep his from asking more about her plans. <br><br>When they got home, Hallbjorn nodded. He took the pie into the kitchen, and took his time. It was placed in the fridge easily enough, and he glanced at the clock on his phone. The large man decided that to look through all of the photographs that Kara took. He thumbed through them and was quietly amused at the mad dash that had taken Kara upstairs to change. The large man had scrolled through all of the images twice, and then he set about texting the House of Witches about a spell to clean up Kara's parents' house. He doubted that they had anyone near Jackrabbit Junction, which would mean a bill padded with travel expenses. But it was important to Kara and the last thing they needed was for Vrekeners to take it upon themselves to keep the Lore a secret from her parents. <br><br>It seemed as though Kara had enough time to change and carry out whatever preparations she might have in mind. Hallbjorn removed the ivory bands on his hair and shook out the long french braids, letting his hair go loose as she preferred it to be. His long footfalls carried him up the stairs and soon he entered the bedroom. He paused at the sight of her enjoying the fur rug in front of the fireplace. It was lit and he felt the warmth of it. <br><br>His eyes were drawn to her behind when she gave it a shake, making the bell ring. He looked over the pert, firm, rounded mounds of her backside, basically laid bare. The nighty was not in a position to cover it and the thong certainly did not. He paused in the doorway, and his eyes turned to grey at the sight of her like that.<br><br>"I do not think that you intend to be my good girl tonight." Hallbjorn said to Kara, unable to take his eyes away from her ass. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>18-10-2016, 04:33:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara's eyes turned amber in response to the way Hallbjorn's gaze remained on her behind. She had never gone about seducing anyone, but she thought this might be a good start to thinks. His comment made her smile wickedly. “Not even a little bit.” Kara told replied. <br><br>She stood slowly, and made sure to put a little extra swing in her hips as she approached him. Each footstep made the bell on her thong ring playfully. When Kara reached him, she didn't touch him right away. Instead, she mimicked what he had done to her earlier, and slowly walked a circle around him. Her gaze was hungry as it roamed over his body. “All of this, and its all mine.”<br><br>He had let his hair down, and it had Kara moving closer to his back. She gathered the platinum length of his hair in her hands, then rubbed it against her cheeks. Then she tugged up his shirt, revealing the broad expanse of his back and the ravens tattooed to one side. Kara delighted in pressing soft kisses over Hallbjorn's tattoo. <br><br>When Kara stood in front of him, need pulsed through her. He had not even touched her yet, and already the lips of her sex swelled and glistened. Her breasts felt heavy and full, and there was no hiding how her nipples hardened against the thin material of her nighty.<br><br>Her bare feet moved to stand on each of his boot clad feet, and her arms looped around his neck. Kara pulled herself tightly against him, then leaned up on her toes. Her lips were a breath away from his when she whispered, “The question is, what are you going to do about it?” <br><br>&nbsp;
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>19-10-2016, 03:36:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn's eyes stayed glued on Kara's backside as long as was possible. When her standing made that impossible, his eyes stayed at her hips. He was very aware of every playful ring of the bell attached to her thong. He did not moved when Kara circled him, but he followed her with his eyes as best as he was able to. He felt her pull up his shirt, and then kiss along his tattoo. The ravens trembled under lips as the muscles roiled beneath Kara's lips in response to her kisses.<br><br>She stood on his feet and looped her arms around his neck. Kara's body was pressed tightly against him and he could feel the hard points of her nipples pressing against him. The woman put herself up onto the tips of her toes. Her lips were very close to his and she whispered what sounded like a challenge to Hallbjorn. "Hmm." Hallbjorn made the deep, rumbling noise. <br><br>His arms went around her, and the flimsy fabric of her nightgown may as well not have been there for all that it separated him from her in a tactile sense. His strong arms were hard and warm against her body. His hands moved and each one gripped a bare cheek of her behind. His thumbs rested on the waistband of the thong, and one of them flicked the bell a few times to make it ring. His big, strong hands were rough and warm on her bottom, and provided more than ample coverage to the pert, rounded flesh there. <br><br>The large man lifted Kara up, and he hoisted her over one shoulder. One arm secured her legs, and the other moved to rub her backside. <br><br>"Whatever I want." Hallbjorn said finally. He drew back the hand at her behind and then brought it back quickly and sharply, swatting her bottom with minimal force. Enough to warm her flesh but not enough to cause her genuine harm. His big hand caught both of her cheeks. He gave her another little spank as he turned towards the bed, and rubbed her warmed bottom afterwards. He gave her bottom a spank with each step, and thankfully - or not, as it might be - Hallbjorn needed very few steps to reach the bed. <br><br>Hallbjorn placed Kara down on the bed, laying her face down from him. Hallbjorn drew the string of her thong aside, exposing her sex without taking the tiny garment off. He knelt down by the edge of the bed, and used one hand to pin her front down and the other to hold her hips still with her bottom in the air. The Berserker leaned in and gave Kara's sex a long, slow teasing lick from her clit to the base of her sex, but he did not stop there. His tongue went just a little bit further, finding the tight pink hole nearby. Hallbjorn lapped at it with his tongue, teasing her pink star with his large, wet organ. He circled it several times, and then worked his way way up and down with quickly strokes. After several minutes of attention he formed his tongue to a hard point and plunged his tongue in and out of her rear entrance in slow strokes, penetrating her at a pace that increased slowly until it reached a fierce tempo.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>19-10-2016, 04:33:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara did not miss the way Hallbjorn kept looking at her behind. It reminded her of a shark locking onto its prey, and it sent a thrill through her. She came to the conclusion that she loved that little bell, and would buy many more panties that had them. The look that Hallbjorn kept giving her made Kara feel like lava was flowing through her veins. <br><br>As she stood on her toes atop his feet, her gaze lowered to his perfect lips. Kara could feel that rumble all through her body, and soon she could feel her pulse between her thighs. Her breath hitched when his hands moved to her backside. Kara had never realized just how much she would love the feel of his rough palms covering her butt. <br><br>Then Hallbjorn began flicking her bell, and Kara thought that the tables were about to be turned on her. When he lifted her up to drape her shoulder, Kara laughed with surprise, and more then a little delight. This was nothing like when he'd carried her in this fashion before. Now his hot, rough hand was rubbing the silky skin off her rear, and Kara's eyes drifted shut at the sensation. <br><br>She just barely registered his words when his hand slapped her bottom. Kara yelped with shock at what he'd just done, and then groaned at how delicious that sting on her bottom felt. But Hallbjorn was not finishing spanking her. The bell on her panties chimed with each contact his hand made with her flesh, and she would have cursed the traitorous bell if she could have stopped gasping and showing just how much she liked what he was doing to her. She was sure that the imprint of his hand was on her rounded flesh. Being marked like that by him made her toes curl. <br><br>Before she knew it, she was face down on the bed. Kara scrambled up onto her hands and knees as Hallbjorn drew her thong to the side and cool air touched her heated flesh. Kara was about to look over her shoulder at Hallbjorn, when his big hand moved to her back and pushed her down onto the bed. She couldn't even move her hips with his grip on her there. It proved that he had absolute control of her, and Kara was determined to find some way to disobey, to be a bad girl. <br><br>But then his tongue was on her, and her thoughts scattered. Kara cried out as his tongue teased over her clit, then slid up between the glistening lips of her sex. When his tongue reached her tight rear hole, she would have come off the bed if not for his hold on&nbsp; her. “Hallbjorn!”<br><br>What he was doing to her was such a wicked, naughty delight. The feel of his tongue tasting her there, even lapping at her little pink star drove Kara wild. She struggled to move, even though there was no where else she would rather be. His attention to that part of her body had her thighs trembling and her toes curling. <br><br>Kara's face was buried in the duvet. Thinking to tease him, she moved one of her arms beneath her and slid her fingers over her clit. But then Hallbjorn was pressing his tongue inside of her, and Kara's hand dropped. All thoughts of teasing him back were lost. She forgot how to breath. His tongue felt huge in that part of her as it stretched her tight rear hole a little wider with each thrust. <br><br>She trembled so hard that the bell started ringing again, but all she could hear was blood rushing through her ears. Hallbjorn's pace increased, and before she could even get over the shock of what he was doing, her body came apart into a million different pieces. Her tight rear passage squeezed around Hallbjorn's tongue again and again.&nbsp; Kara's screams were muffled against the bed as her release took her over. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>20-10-2016, 03:47:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The way that Kara responded to everything that Hallbjorn did was a marvel to the tall man. He could never have conceived that a female would enjoy what he did to her to the degree that Kara did. It must have been why fate paired them together. <br><br>After Kara found her release, Hallbjorn showed her mercy and allowed her to recover. He removed his tongue from her tight rear entrance and moved to sit on the edge of the bed, letting his hands move from her body and give her freedom of movement. He looked at her bottom while she recovered and wondered how she would be able to receive him there. That opening was so small and he was so large. It would be difficult for her, even if he prepared her with his fingers, working to stretch her open. <br><br>Hallbjorn moved a hand over her rounded bottom and gave it a spank, reddening the skin of one cheek and leaving a mark that would not last out the hour. But for now it was a sweet, stinging pain. He enjoyed watching her bottom give under his hands and how her flesh jiggled with the force. It was perfect for him.<br><br>The large man's other hand rose to his mouth and he put his smallest finger in his mouth, moistening it with his saliva. Then he lowered it to Kara's bottom and teased at her pink star with the tip of that moistened little finger. He gently began to ease it in, but he gave her opening a lot of time to grow accustomed to something entering it. Only when he body relaxed did Hallbjorn press more inside of her, gradually easing it in until his smallest finger was sunken completely inside of her bottom.<br><br>"When you are immortal, Kara, I will take you this way as well." Hallbjorn said to the young blonde woman. His voice was dark and sinful. "Imagine it - all of my strength bent to pleasing your body, and all of my flesh inside your body." The Berserker slowly worked his finger in and out of Kara's rear entrance, but as her body grew accustomed to it he picked up the pace, letting it grow faster and more intense. He even reached a tempo where he made the bell ring - however, when Hallbjorn sensed that Kara was near release, he would stop and let her calm down before resuming, only to halt again whenever she reached the precipice. He knew full well what he was doing, and if she ever looked at his face there was only a small, arrogant smile on the Berserker's face to meet his bad girl's gaze.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>20-10-2016, 05:49:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				After Hallbjorn released her, Kara's knees slipped off the bed until she was bent over the edge. It took her a few moments to catch her breath, and she had barely recovered from her orgasm when his hand slapped down on her behind. The feel of that smack dragged a groan from her throat. It was sinful just how much she enjoyed him spanking her. It caused the bell to ring, and Kara knew that any time she heard a bell in the future, she'd think of this night. <br><br>She quickly scrambled up to Hallbjorn's lap, where she straddled his thighs. Kara's hands clenched his shirt tightly when he wetted his pinky finger with his mouth. Her eyes grew wide as he lowered it to touch her little pink star. Kara's berserker was nowhere near done with her, and all she could do was hold on to him. That finger teasing her tight little hole had Kara whimpering with need. Her body was already winding up and needing more of him. <br><br>Slowly, she relaxed against Hallbjorn's chest. Her cheek rested over his heart, and her body seemed to melt. When he began to press the tip of his finger inside of her, Kara felt a surge of pleasure that was so sharp that her body jolted. She heard a ripping sound, and when she looked at Hallbjorn's chest it was bare, with the remnants of his shirt and undershirt still clenched in her fists. <br><br>Kara would have questioned how she'd done that, but then Hallbjorn was pressing his finger deeper inside of her. Her forehead rested on his chest as she felt everything he was doing to her. Each time she felt that it was too much, that she couldn't take anymore, he gave her body time to adjust. <br><br>Her small pink star was incredibly tight around his finger, and as her sex pulsed, it did as well. Hallbjorn's finger was stretching her wider and giving her a sensation of wonderful fullness. Kara's hands reached up to grip his shoulders, but the rest of her body was utterly relaxed. Her hot breath fanned over his chest, and every sound of pleasure she made was muffled against his skin. She had never imagined anything could feel so good as what he was doing to her. <br><br>After a very long time, she felt his knuckles against her body. Kara looked up into Hallbjorn's eyes. Her own eyes were a glowing, burning amber. Her plump lips were parted as she panted, and her face was flushed from her earlier release, and from the tremendous tension and pressure building up into a tight coil of pleasure within her. <br><br>His words elicited a visceral reaction from Kara. Her fangs grew and her tight little bottom clenched his finger fiercely. Logically she didn't know how she'd take him there, but logic had nothing to do with the aching need she felt for what he described. “I want that Hallbjorn. I need to feel your body claim mine in all ways.”<br><br>Then his finger was moving again, and Kara could not think or speak. Her face pressed against his chest once more, and she gave herself over to the exquisite feeling of his finger moving in and out of her. As he thrust his finger faster, her nails dug into his shoulders, and her cries of mounting pleasure made it impossible for her to hear the bell ringing. <br><br>Kara was so close, so incredibly close. Her forehead creased and her breath began ragged. Her toes were already curling, and she was right on the cusp. She was sure the next thrust would send her over the edge. Only, it didn't come. Kara sat there in shock, aroused out of her mind, and not understanding what Hallbjorn was doing to her. <br><br>Again he worked her to the precipice, and it felt as if that coil of delicious need inside of her grew tighter. Kara was so aroused, her sex so wet, that it soaked through Hallbjorn's pants where she sat. Her body tensed, and she knew her release would be powerful. But then Hallbjorn stopped again. <br><br>Kara lost track of how many times he tortured her like this. Her sobs of need turned into screams of near release, only to be denied by Hallbjorn time and time again. She lifted her face to him, revealing the anguish she was in, and then saw his arrogant smile. This was no hidden smile, or an inkling of one. This was her man smiling fully, even if it was the most wicked of smiles. <br><br>She would have rejoiced, if she could have formed any coherent thought. One thing she did know was that if she bit him, if she drank his blood, she would find the release she so desperately needed. Her mouth lowered to his nipple, and she scraped her fang along the sensitive flesh, but stopped herself before she went any further. <br><br>Kara wanted Hallbjorn to give this to her. She wanted to deserve it, and not steal it. She turned her face up towards his again and begged, “Please, oh god, please, Hallbjorn. Please.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>21-10-2016, 03:51:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn felt a delight in tormenting Kara. He watched her get close to the edge and stopped before she could find release. Her cries filled his ears and he knew they would not reach that special pitch that signaled that she reached climax unless he permitted. Her anguish did not move him to avert his course, and he denied her again and again without mercy. "I am doing this to you, female," Hallbjorn whispered in a voice that was dark and rich as molten dark chocolate, "because you chose to be bad." He brought his lips close to her ear, as if he would grace it with his teeth, but then he pulled away with only the heat of his breath on her skin to show for his mouth's proximity.<br><br>Eventually Kara ran her fangs over her flesh and he was ready to stop her from sinking her fangs into him. He knew that if she did that she would find a release he was not yet ready to give her. But her fangs only scraped along his flesh. It pleasured him to feel her fangs on his body, but he did not let it show. A bad girl did not get to see that. "That is a little better." Hallbjorn murmured softly to her when she did not try to take his blood without his permission.<br><br>She begged, and Hallbjorn tilted his head to one side and then the other, evaluating her pleas. The finger that penetrated her continued to do so at a rich, sinful pace. His other hand moved and gripped Kara's neck, and he forced her head back with his strong grip. That hand at her neck held her immobile. Once again he showed his complete control over her body.<br><br>Hallbjorn lowered his mouth to Kara's and kissed her hard. His lips claimed hers completely and forcefully, and he invaded her mouth with his tongue. His tongue found hers and stroked it slowly, delectably, and with purpose. Then his tongue parted from hers but did not leave her mouth. Instead he ran it over the sharp edge and points of her fangs, lacerating his tongue multiple times on her burgeoning fangs. It hurt to cut himself that way, but soon his rich blood flowed into Kara's mouth. Hallbjorn showed none of the pain those cuts caused him. Every beat of his heart had more and more blood flowing into Kara's mouth, and his tongue found hers again in a bloody French kiss.<br><br>His finger worked swiftly and surely into Kara's backside, and this time he would let her find the release that he denied her. He would keep working that finger in and out of her body even when she reached climax, working to draw it out as long as possible, intent on wearing her out as much as possible.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>21-10-2016, 05:26:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When Hallbjorn told Kara why he was tormenting her, she was whimpered softly. There was no contest between what he made her feel when she was a good girl, and what he was doing to her now. Kara vowed that she would never be a bad girl again. She needed her release so badly that it bordered on pain. Her pledge to be a good girl was further cemented when he drew his mouth away from her ear. Hallbjorn knew how much she liked the feel of his teeth on her body, but he denied her even that small pleasure. <br><br>She was beyond desperate when she begged him for release, and would have done anything for him to give her what she wanted.&nbsp; Hallbjorn's fingers curled around her throat, and while he did not hurt her, his grip was unbreakable and controlling. That made dark desire course through her veins like lightning. Her hands moved to his wrist, but not in an attempt to break his hold. Rather, she needed to hold onto him for dear life. <br><br>Then his mouth was on hers, and Kara had no choice but to surrender to his hard kiss. Her lips parted, welcoming his tongue inside. He used it to stroke hers sinfully, and she was utterly seduced by what she knew that tongue could do. Kara loved the feel of her fangs scraping over Hallbjorn's flesh, but the sensation of him scraping, even cutting his tongue on her fangs was exquisite beyond words. <br><br>His blood filled her mouth, and Kara sucked on it hungrily. Each swallow was followed by needy little sounds deep in her throat. The taste of Hallbjorn was sending her over the edge, and this time her viking did not deny her. Kara came so hard that she was rocking her hips and riding his finger. Her behind thrust back to meet his finger again and again, growing more frenzied with each passing moment. <br><br>Even as her orgasm soon leached the strength from her body and her hips grew still, Hallbjorn did not relent. Another release stole over her, followed by another. Kara's hands dropped from his wrist and fell to her lap. If not for his hand at her throat, she would have fallen against his chest. The only part of her that seemed to still be working was her mouth as she continued to swallow his blood. <br><br>But the cuts he had given himself could not last long with his ability to heal. When Kara licked the last of the blood from his mouth, and then his lips, she broke the kiss so she could turn her head to one side and rest her cheek on Hallbjorn's wrist. Keeping her eyes open took far too much energy. Even with the position Hallbjorn had her in, when she closed her eyes, sleep tugged at her until she was barely conscious. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>22-10-2016, 00:32:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When Kara was at last barely conscious Hallbjorn stopped thrusting his finger into her behind and slowly pulled it free. He relented in holding her throat, and lifted an arm to hold around her back. He supported her in his arms and then laid her down on the bed, tucking her in under the covers and positioning her head on one of the big, soft pillows. The Berserker wondered if he had been too cruel to her. It seemed that she had enjoyed at least some of what he did to her, but perhaps he kept her on the edge of release too long. He smoothed the hair away from Kara's face and patted her shoulder gently.<br><br>He rose and disrobed fully, pulling off his pants. The lap of them was soaked with Kara's arousal and he put them aside to be laundered along with his underwear. His shirt was a complete loss. There was no salvaging that garment. It could be replaced easily enough. Then he padded off into the bathroom for a quick shower. He felt oddly restless. When he was finished, he left Kara in the bed to recover. <br><br>He spent the time while she slept on the phone with a member of the House of Witches, going over the specifics of the mystical clean-up of Kara's home in Jackrabbit Junction. As expected, the bill would be padded with travel expenses, and the witch in question was ruthless in her negotiations for them. Eventually Hallbjorn secured a contract with terms that were not entirely too heinous, and hung up. Then he spent some time using his computer, perusing Amazon and other online retailers. He made a few purchases. At one point he went and made a cup of coffee for himself, grinding up expensive beans with an expensive home grinder that only did small batches at a time. But it was alright because Hallbjorn only used them in a small French press that made a mug anyway. It was so good that he drank it black - there was no bitterness at all that needed the masking of cream or sugar.<br><br>When Kara woke Hallbjorn was in the large kitchen sitting at a table by himself. His coffee cup was beside him resting on a saucer, empty. He was looking out a window onto the grounds, taken up with his own thoughts. Rain was falling in large droplets, and the black clouds in the sky showed no signs of relenting. It seemed like the beach was out of the question.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>22-10-2016, 01:11:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara nuzzled her face against Hallbjorn's chest as he picked her up, and then laid her down on the bed. The hint of a smile graced her lips until she grimaced slightly and shifted onto her side. Her behind was still sore, but even that was fading as he tucked her in. She fell fully into sleep within seconds. <br><br>She dreamed of the ancient city of Petra once more. Kara also dreamed of the first time she and Hallbjorn met, and it was from his perspective. But when she woke, the dream was hazy and she could not recall anything specific. <br><br>Kara first noticed that Hallbjorn was not in the bed with her. Only a little bit of the early morning light made it into the room, and the sound of rain falling let her know why. She was drawn to a window and looked on with delight at the fat drops of rain and the black clouds. This was not something she was used to seeing in Arizona. The rainstorms there were few and far between, and never sported such angry looking clouds. <br><br>As she shifted, that damn bell rang, reminding her of the night before. Kara both hated and loved that bell now. Her bottom still ached a little bit, so she headed to the shower in hopes that the hot water would soothe her. She stood in the shower for a long while, soaking up the heat of the water and eventually feeling refreshed. <br><br>There was a chilly bite to the air from the rain, so when Kara dressed, she pulled on jeans and a top. Unfortunately, most of her tops were a variety of camisoles and not very warm at all, so she also slipped into her pullover jacket. After she tugged on her socks and tennis shoes, she made her way downstairs. <br><br>It wasn't hard to find where Hallbjorn was. She followed the scent of heavenly coffee. As her nose led her to the kitchen, she paused for a moment to appreciate how large the area was, and how nice the counters and appliances were. Kara felt the urge to cook in it, but dismissed it quickly, because she did not want to burn down Hallbjorn's house. <br><br>She found him sitting at the kitchen table and looking out one of the large windows. Kara slipped up behind him and wrapped her arms around him in a hug. She kissed Hallbjorn's cheek, then rested her chin on his shoulder. <br><br>“You were awake all night?” There was no judgment or scorn in her voice, just a simple desire to know what her mate had been up to. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>22-10-2016, 03:36:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Yes. I felt restless." Hallbjorn told Kara when she approached him from behind. He lifted one hand to touch one of the arms that went around him. "I am sorry if I was too unkind to you last night." The large man told her softly. "I thought to be deliciously punishing, but perhaps it was not so." He exhaled and let his hand come to rest on the arm of his chair. <br><br>The sound of Hallbjorn's phone sounded in the large mansion. Hallbjorn removed Kara's arms from the hug and he rose to answer the phone on the kitchen counter.<br><br>"This is Nix and Bertil! Put me on speaker phone!" Nix said before Hallbjorn could say anything. He complied with the mad Valkyrie's demand. "Aw right Big H and Lil' K it's me Nix I be rocking mad visions: I'm seeing the two of you rolling down to Errol's in the Lame-mobile and then Lil' K you'll get some of the answers that you crave. There will be a dashing genie prince in attendance, and I have it on good authority he has eight-pack abs that say 'Open Sesame' when he flexes them. I of course will be there sitting in the most desirable table in the establishment in the finest of company sipping Crystal from a goblet fashioned from the skull of someone's enemy. They may or may not have been my enemy; I can neither confirm nor deny. What I can disclose, however, is that things will be off <em>multiple</em> chains."<br><br>There came the sound of a bat screeching, and Nix giggled. "Bertil says be there or be square but," and at this point Nix began to stage whisper, "we all know that Hallbutt will be square whether he's there or wherever. Anyway, Nix out." Then there came a jostling sound as if Nix had dropped her own phone. This was confirmed moments later, as Nix muttered to herself that dropping a phone was not at all like dropping a mic. The call terminated abruptly thereafter.<br><br>The Berserker glanced down at the phone and felt skeptical about taking Kara to Errol's, but there was no alternative. Nix foresaw it, ergo they went. And he did not have to look at Kara to know that she would be eager to go and meet another genie so that she could learn more about her people. "I need a few moments to prepare." Hallbjorn told Kara, and then went to get fully dressed. He had changed only into a light silk shirt and pants and they were meant to be pajamas. He went up into the bedroom and changed, emerging in a pair of black jeans, a cream coloured turtleneck, and a long black leather duster. He had a pair of heavy black leather boots on his feet that his jeans were tucked into that went up to mid-calf.&nbsp; He also had a pair of sunglasses on - the kind he wore when they first met. His hair was drawn back into a long tail and held in place by a black leather clasp. He would have liked to braid it but doubted that Kara would have the patience for it.<br><br>When the pair were ready it was into the truck and out into the city. "Errol's is a drinking hole for the Lore community in New Orleans. The Vertas factions congregate there." Hallbjorn explained to Kara as they drove. It was not a particularly long or short drive, and it took them into prime Bayou country. The structure's simplicity contrasted with the expensive cars parked outside; the collection of vehicles outside amounted to several million dollars worth of automotive hardware. Some models were worth hundreds of millions on their own and were part of production runs that were in the low double figures. The sports cars made Hallbjorn's truck look incredibly pedestrian by comparison.<br><br>There were a few demons and nymphs outside, wedged between cars or in other dark spots and engaged in various sexual acts without any shame. The sounds made it plain that all participants were too busy enjoying themselves to care if they were seen. The music and raucous sounds from inside the bar almost drowned them out. Almost. <br><br>Inside was the perfect image of a bayou juke joint. The juke box was playing a country tune suitable to the locale, and many different types of Loreans were drinking and enjoying themselves. Demons were pounding demon brew, fey were playing darts and drinking wine, Lykae were rough housing and downing whiskey straight from the bottle. At a table near the back was a group of Valkyries, and one of them waved at Kara as she entered. The woman was raven-haired and golden-eyed, with a goblet fashioned from a skull in her free hand. A bat perched upon her elengant shoulder, and that made her identity plain: Nix the Ever-Knowing. <br><br>There was a very attractive male sitting with them, who was politely trying to deflect the semi-drunken attention of two short Valkyries with lush, curvaceous figures. They stroked his chest with fingers sporting curled claws, and he politely tried to disengage them but enjoyed no luck. His features were regal and noble; he has dark, glossy black hair that curled in a rugged and unkempt way; his eyes were a rich emerald; his skin was smooth and the colour of rich caramel. He was wearing a white silk shirt that complimented broad shoulders and a wide chest that tapered down, but more was hidden by the table. His eyes widened with surprise to see Kara, but also great delight.<br><br>As the two approached the table, a group of Lykae broke away from the bar and moved in an intercept course towards Hallbjorn. The Berserker noted them, and paused.<br><br>"Go ahead without me." Hallbjorn told Kara. And then he moved to go meet the Lykae.<br><br>"Lil K!" Nix called out to Kara with a crystal voice. "C'mon! I've got a spot saved for you!" The valkyrie patted a spot in the booth beside her. "And Aladdin's dying to meet you!" <br><br>'Aladdin' winced at being introduced in such a manner, but nevertheless smiled welcomingly at Kara.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>22-10-2016, 05:28:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara smiled softly, even though Hallbjorn could not see it. Her heart warmed when he told her he worried about last night. “You weren't unkind to me. I enjoyed it all very much. But you did give me extra incentive to behave.” She would have said more to reassure him, but just then the phone rang. <br><br>She moved to the counter next to Hallbjorn when he put the call on speaker phone. It was a bit difficult to decipher what exactly Nix was saying because of her colorful descriptions, but Kara got the gist of what the valkyrie was trying to relay. Her eyes darted up to Hallbjorn's. It was easy to see that Kara was very interested in meeting another djinn. She had been starting to wonder if she was the only one. <br><br>Regardless of her mounting excitement, when Nix insulted Hallbjorn, Kara was on the verge of yelling at the soothsayer. But then it sounded like Nix's cell had dropped, followed by her muttering before she hung up. <br><br>Hallbjorn left the kitchen quickly to get dressed, but Kara remained where she stood and looked at the cell. There was another djinn, and she would be meeting him soon. She had so many questions. Kara would also be meeting Nix for the first time. It was time to find out who kept sending people after her. All of the answers she craved were in reach, and Kara found herself suddenly feeling extremely nervous. <br><br>She tried to calm herself and do away with her nerves, but it wasn't working. When Hallbjorn returned, she followed him silently to the truck. Once they were on their way, his explanation of what Errol's was only increased her anxiety. Kara wasn't even looking at the scenery. She was nibbling on her lower lip and her hands were fidgeting. <br><br>When they pulled up to Errol's, it looked unimpressive. Which was a stark contrast to the vehicles parked out front. She had some knowledge of cars, and the wealth that was in that parking lot alone was shocking. <br><br>During the short walk to the door, Kara didn't realize what the people in the parking lot were doing. After a particularly loud moan, her eyes widened with surprise as she took a closer look. Kara had never seen people just going at each other in public, and from the glimpses she got, her cheeks turned red as she blushed. <br><br>It was a relief to step inside and escape what she'd seen in the parking lot. But then Kara looked around the bar, and her jaw dropped. There was so much to see everywhere, and from what she had read from the Book of Lore, she thought she was able to figure out what species a few of the people were. <br><br>One thing was common for all of the women though. They were all breathtakingly beautiful, and dressed to show that off. Kara suddenly felt like the ugly duckling in the room, and completely underdressed. She felt she looked slovenly next to how fine the women there looked. <br><br>Her eyes landed on a dark haired woman with a bat on her shoulder, and it could only be Nix. When she waved, Kara returned the gesture shyly. Kara saw the skull that Nix drank from and grimaced slightly. Her attention then turned to the handsome man who sat beside her. There was no denying how attractive that man was, but for Kara, Hallbjorn would always win the contest. <br><br>When Hallbjorn told her to go without him, she looked to see what the problem was. The men who were making their way to him had red hair, and her gut clenched in realization of what they were. She wanted to go with Hallbjorn, but then Nix called out to her, and Kara found herself approaching the woman's table. <br><br>She sat down opposite of them at the table and ignored the half empty glasses that littered the surface before her. Any intention Kara had of asking Nix why people were after her when she introduced her to the other genie. He smelled of cinnamon, and she wondered if that was intentional, or perhaps something like a signature scent that some of the immortals had. <br><br>“Aladdin?” Kara asked politely, because she highly doubted that was his name. <br><br>The man chuckled and shook his head. “My name is Tarek, and it is an honor to finally meet you, Princess Kara.” <br><br>Kara choked at being called that, but kept her silence when Tarek continued, “You have your father's eyes.” <br><br>She froze, and it felt like her heart flipped in her chest. “You know my father?”<br><br>“Oh yes.” Tarek told her fondly, “He was my mentor when I was younger. I never met your mother, but from what King Jamal, your father, told me of Inessa, I can see her in you as well. She had to have been an uncommonly beautiful woman with a pure heart to have so thoroughly claimed King Jamal's heart.”<br><br>Kara finally knew her father's name. Learning that he was the king of the Djinn was a trifling thing next to learning his name. She had wondered for so long, and having that answer now made Kara want to cry with happiness. <br><br>When she gained control of herself, she asked, “Where is my father? Why did he not keep my mother with him?”<br><br>Tarek's expression grew sorrowful. “I have learned of your mother's passing, and I'm sorry that you were left alone for so long. King Jamal would have come for you, but circumstances in Janna prevented it.”<br><br>Though that really did not answer her question, Kara tilted her head to the side and asked, “Janna?”<br><br>“Janna is the realm that the Djinn live in.” Tarek explained. “In fact, the King has sent me here to guide you to Janna. He is very eager to meet you.”<br><br>Kara's heart beat so hard that it bruised her ribcage. She leaned forward, and in a voice breathy with hope, she whispered, “I can meet my father?”<br><br>Tarek smiled, and there was a hint of some hidden emotion in his eyes, but she did not know what it was. “You need only come with me, and all of your questions will be answered.”<br><br>Kara leaned back into her seat as thoughts raced in her head. She desperately wanted this, but was a little frightened of heading off to some other realm. Knowing that Hallbjorn would be with her did help to calm her some, but it was still a big event in her life. She looked to Nix, who had been busy coddling her bat during the conversation. <br><br>“Nix, should I go?” Kara asked, to which Nix responded. “Totes, Lil K. Bertil thinks you'll have a rockin' time. Don't you? Yes you do!” The last was directed at her pet. <br><br>Kara had learned to brush off Nix's oddness after those phone calls. She remembered what Hallbjorn told her about the soothsayer, and also what his brother's mate had said of the woman. But still, she felt a little unsure. <br><br>“May I have time to think on this, Tarek?” Kara asked.<br><br>“Of course. I'll be in town for a few days. Just call me when you make your decision.” The djinn told her. He seemed fine with giving her time, and that helped to reassure her. Kara was about to ask for his cell number when he held out a cell to her. “My number is the only one programmed into it. Nix told me you didn't have a cell of your own, so I figured this would make things easier.”<br><br>Kara reached out for the cell and accidentally knocked over a glass. The contents of which ran down the table and onto her arm. Whatever it was smelled noxious and made her nose wrinkle. She quickly righted the glass, then accepted the cell. “I'm so sorry. Let me go clean this up and I'll be right back.”<br><br>She stood and slipped the cell into her pocket, then made her way for the bathroom, which was surprisingly clean. Kara removed her sweater and after a bit of time trying to get whatever was in that glass out of it, she ended up tying it around her waist. A few minutes later she returned to the main room. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>22-10-2016, 06:34:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				While Kara had her conversation with Tarek, Hallbjorn was outside. His past again reared its ugly head, and the blood feud with the MacRieve clan asserted itself. There were six Lykae, with hardly as many centuries of life between them. Perhaps it was for the best. Hallbjorn knew there was no cure for this restless feeling inside him and perhaps a fight would help to take his mind off of it.<br><br>"What is that Gaelic phrase you use? The one that translates 'let the dog out of its kennel.'" Hallbjorn said with detached disdain as the Lykae moved to surround him. They all snarled and snapped at the insult. <br><br>"It's 'let the beast out of its cage!'" One of them snarled. <br><br>"Then do it. You have no hope at all, but if you show me your beasts you may not completely shame your clan." Hallbjorn said as he breathed in the lightning and let his body surge and swell with the rage of gods. He grew in stature and turned hideous and terrible to behold, and six pairs of eyes turned blue in response. Six beasts came to the fore and overlaid the men arrayed against Hallbjorn, and sixty claws were turned against him. <br><br>But as the Berserker said, they had not a hope. The blond giant laid into them without mercy, shattering bone with every strike of his huge fists. They crumpled like clay before iron, and after a single strike four of them did not rise again. Two showed they were made of sterner stuff, and these two Hallbjorn beat into submission using the Lamborghini of someone who would soon hold no love for him. The ferocity of the melee ensured that it lasted less time than the tupping one of the demons gave to the nymphs.<br><br>Hallbjorn sat on the crumpled wreck of the Lamborghini he had used as an impromptu melee weapon, and surveyed the unconscious Lykae. They would recover. And they would think this defeat enough to seek further vengeance. It had never bothered Hallbjorn before. But now it threatened Kara.<br><br>"I was told that you were an enemy of the Lykae, and now I understand why you remain a <em>living</em> enemy." Tarek said as he surveyed the Berserker's handiwork. "I admit that when Nix the Ever-Knowing said you would make the perfect guardian for Princess Kara I had misgivings. You have a reputation for being . . . more disciplined . . . than others of your kind, but . . ." Tarek trailed off and spread his hands out wide. "I see that those fears were ill-founded. You delivered the princess safe and sound."<br><br>Hallbjorn looked at Tarek with a carefully schooled expression, betraying nothing, showing nothing but ice. The djinn let his hands fall down and he carefully stepped over a puddle of Lykae blood. <br><br>"The laws of Janna are very strict regarding outsiders. One of your kind would be regarded as the worst type of unclean. It is impossible for you to enter Janna under any circumstance - only the gods could see you upon the hallowed sands of my homeland." Tarek began. "You have done a great service and for that you will be paid in full, honouring the contract between us. But that is the end of it. I have explained to Kara what it will mean for her to come home, Berserker." At this Hallbjorn's expression did not waver, and Tarek seemed as though he expected at least a small rise. It would have served his agenda if Hallbjorn had gotten angry and struck him. He expected the Berserker to be as his kind were reputed to be. "And she was very receptive to the idea. She gladly accepted a cell phone so that she could contact me when she finished setting her affairs in Gaia in order." Tarek frowned. "Will you interfere with this, Berserker? I am given to understand you have some small sway over the princess, who feels a debt to you for performing the service you were contracted to . . . so I must ask if you will try to stop her from seeing the home she yearns so deeply to see and returning to the land and people she belongs with."<br><br>Hallbjorn looked Tarek in the eye. "She is a free woman. It is her choice." Tarek opened his mouth. "I will not attempt to influence her decision." At this the djinn smiled as if all was well in the world. He turned on his heel and entered the bar. He returned to Nix's table just as Kara returned from the washroom, and he took his seat again.<br><br>"Welcome back, Princess Kara." Tarek said warmly. Hallbjorn followed after, several long steps behind. The Berserker did not sit at the table, and looked on with an expression so devoid of emotion that he could have been carved from marble. "I spoke to your guardian - we had matters of payment to settle, and I informed him about the invitation to Janna that we extended to you." Tarek looked to Hallbjorn, who said nothing on the matter.<br><br>"Is my debt to you settled, Valkyrie?" Hallbjorn said tonelessly to Nix, who looked up from the antics of Bertil eating complimentary peanuts. <br><br>"Hmm? Oh, yeah. We're even stevens now, home slice." Nix said with a casual wave. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>22-10-2016, 06:57:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara's gaze went to Hallbjorn as soon as she entered the main room. It was obvious that something had happened, because his knuckles looked as if they had taken a beating. But Hallbjorn guarded what he was feeling. In fact, he showed nothing. When he did not look at her, Kara became worried that he was more hurt then he was letting on. <br><br>She sat at the table, and frowned when Hallbjorn did not sit down as well. Then Tarek drew her attention. Kara was confused by what he meant when he said there was a payment to settle. But then Hallbjorn asked about his debt being settled, and she was able to piece together what was going on. <br><br>Kara didn't want to linger, because she worried about Hallbjorn. She stood and smiled at Nix and Tarek. “It was very nice to meet you both. Tarek, I will call you later.” Because whatever she decided, he deserved the courtesy of at least being informed. <br><br>Tarek stood, and gave her a gracious bow. “I look forward to your call.”<br><br>Nix simply blew her an air kiss before returning her attention to Bertil the bat. Kara shook her head, then left the bar with Hallbjorn. She could not miss the wrecked car in the parking lot, or the six werewolves that were groaning in pain. Her heart sped up as she recalled other times she had seen such things. Instinct made her want to leave immediately with Hallbjorn and get away from the threat. <br><br>It seemed that Hallbjorn was more then ready to leave. After they were in the truck and the bar was out of sight, she turned to him and reached out to touch his hand. “Did they hurt you, Hallbjorn?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>22-10-2016, 07:24:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"No. I am unharmed. They did not touch me." Hallbjorn informed Kara in a simple, direct manner. He did not look at her when she asked her question or when he delivered his answer to her. The Berserker drove calmly and surely. In his mind Tarek's arguments took root, feeding the part of him that already felt that Kara deserved better. And now it was revealed that she was the princess of the djinn, heir to some other plane. One that considered Berserkers the lowest of the low. And Hallbjorn knew full well why anyone would think that. He did himself. <br><br>And it seemed like Kara came around to this way of thinking, too. And why not? The choice between a Berserker and being princess of a whole plane and rejoining a people one was always curious about was no choice at all. And she would be free of Hallbjorn's past. The djinn would protect their royal. <br><br>"Should you not be thinking of Janna instead? You want to know about your parents and where you came from so much. And now you do." Hallbjorn said. "Everything is only a phone call away." The blond man said calmly, in a voice like the frozen surface of a lake. There were hidden depths behind his words, but no way to discern them from the unyielding surface. <br><br>"Do you even want to pack anything? Everything you want or need would be yours for the asking. You are royalty." The large man added. Rich as he was, Kara stood to have the wealth of an entire realm as hers now. The people would fall over themselves to give her whatever she wanted to make her happy. And it followed her father was a king. He would have armies to protect Kara. There was just no chance for Hallbjorn, and he could not bring himself to try.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>22-10-2016, 08:00:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara's hand dropped back onto her lap without touching Hallbjorn's hand. He seemed calm, and she believed what he told her about being unhurt, but his behavior was still off. She didn't understand it. Then again, there was so much to absorb from their meeting that she had trouble wrapping her mind around any of it.<br><br>When Hallbjorn spoke of Janna and her parents, Kara smiled with a touch of wonder. She did not think she'd ever get to meet her father or know who he was. Added to that was being able to learn about what she was, and hopefully a way to control her powers. But mixed in with her anticipation about seeing her father was the realization that Hallbjorn sounded cold. He had been distant in the past, but not like this. She could not make sense of it. <br><br>When he asked her about packing and mentioned her royalty, she frowned and looked out the window. She certainly did not feel like royalty, nor did she really care about that aspect of meeting her father. Kara just wanted to know him. Hallbjorn already provided for anything she could want. <br><br>She thought for a moment about the need to pack, then shook her head. “I don't need to pack anything.” Because Kara did not plan on staying in Janna. She intended for her and Hallbjorn to go there and meet her father, but not to stay there. Kara preferred their home in New Orleans. Nothing would change that. Though she would like to visit her father often. <br><br>As they pulled up to their home, she turned towards him. “You're all right with all of this?” Something was up with him. Maybe the revelations about her father and Janna were as big a shock to him as it was to her. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>22-10-2016, 08:24:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She did not even want to take anything that he bought for her. That hit Hallbjorn hard, but he hid it completely. Of course not. Why bother with it? There was nothing more to say on that front. Hallbjorn let it drop and there was nothing more from Kara until they reached his mansion. The antebellum edifice probably seemed so inferior to the palace she would live in now. <br><br>As Kara turned towards him, Hallbjorn turned away as he got out of the truck. "Yes." He answered her. He turned back towards her but it was to close the door rather than to face her. "This is a decision that you need to make for yourself." He told her, and then closed the door. When she got out, he faced her.<br><br>"It is obvious that you want this. Tarek explained it to me." The Berserker said. "He told me everything that he told you." The blond man told her in a dull, emotionless voice. "I have always allowed you what you wanted. Do you think that it would be any different now?" The man asked, but it was not a question that demanded an answer; it was posed to make a point. He did not understand why she bothered to get into the truck with him if she wanted nothing that was hers. There was no answer that he could figure out, non conclusion he could draw. <br><br>"If you feel like you need to explain yourself to me - you do not. I understand, Kara. Truly I do." The blond man could only imagine that, perhaps, she felt that she owed him some personal explanation because he saved her life. But that was not necessary. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>22-10-2016, 08:58:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn turned away from her and got out of the truck. That hurt Kara, especially when he would not look at her. When he shut the door on her, she could feel her heart splintering. Kara opened her door and stepped out into the pouring rain. Hallbjorn didn't even come to her side of the vehicle. He was so cold, and so totally cut off from her. <br><br>She didn't understand what was happening, and intended to ask him what was going on, but when she met him in front of the truck, his words stopped her. What Hallbjorn was telling her made it sound as if he was sending her on her way, but alone. <br><br>“You're not coming with me.” It wasn't a question, it was a revelation. The rain obscured her tears, and it was all she could do to hold herself together. Kara hugged her arms around her middle as if she could keep her heart together. His words came back to her. Hallbjorn said he was breaking her heart. Maybe she should have believed him. <br><br>“Your received your payment for protecting me.” Had it all just been about the job? She did not want to believe that. “Why would you want more?” She felt discarded by him, even as she prayed that he would tell her he wanted a life with her, that he loved her and he would never let her go. <br><br>“This is goodbye?” She whispered to him, then sucked her lower lip into her mouth to keep it from trembling. <br><br>Even faced with his coldness, and this chasm between them, Kara did not want to accept that this was the end of them. She needed Hallbjorn more then air. This couldn't be the end. It had to be a misunderstanding. Hallbjorn loved her. Didn't he?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>22-10-2016, 09:19:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The way that Kara threw it in his face that he was not coming with her was painful. She did not have to say it out loud. Tarek had told them both the ways things had to be, and Kara made her choice. Hallbjorn was not going to stand in her way and keep her from a better life. This was the time when he broke her heart. Nix told him it would come. He did not understand what Kara wanted now. He did not know what she wanted him to say or do. <br><br>She had a chance to get back something. She had two living adoptive parents who loved her, and a people who wanted her. She was royalty among her kind. If Tarek was any example, the djinn were a species of the Lore that no one would need to be ashamed of being. All Hallbjorn could ever have had with his own kind was days spent in mindless violence and night in mindless debauchery. All of her life Kara had been loved and now there were people who loved her enough to claim her and pay someone who was something they despised greatly a fortune to ensure her safety. <br><br>He wanted more than his lonely life now. Before Kara he was resigned to his life. <br><br>And now he loved Kara. He loved her enough to let her go. <br><br>"Call Tarek, Kara, before you catch a cold." The Berserker said to the young woman, and then he walked away. <br><br>It was the most difficult thing he had ever done, but it was also the most selfless.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>22-10-2016, 10:15:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When Hallbjorn walked into the house and shut the door, Kara's heart broke completely. She didn't know how long she stood there in the pouring rain and crying silent tears. She didn't remember turning and walking back up the long drive until she past the gate. Kara had never felt pain as she felt it now. She had never felt so lost and alone. Hallbjorn did not want her anymore. <br><br>Kara called Tarek on the cell, because she had no other place to go or anyone else to turn to. She could not go back to her mortal life, and she would not go to Helgi's. It would be more then she could handle to explain to him what had happened. <br><br>When Tarek answered, Kara's voice was empty. It was not like when Hallbjorn refrained from showing his emotions, but rather a reflection of the deepest sorrow she felt. “I'm ready to meet my father.” She looked up and turned in a circle, then said, “But I don't know where I am.”<br><br>If Tarek sensed her grief, he wisely said nothing about it. “I have GPS on the phone. I'll be right there.”<br><br>He hung up, and before she even had time to put the phone back in her pocket, he was before her. She didn't question how, or even hear anything that he said. Kara could only think of Hallbjorn. Tarek put his hand on her shoulder, and a whirlwind formed at their feet, then climbed higher. <br><br>In a flash, they had left the rainy Louisiana day, and traveled to a hot desert night. If Hallbjorn was with her, she would have marveled at everything. The way the sand beneath her feet seemed so fine, or how the stars shined so brightly in the sky, and the way rose colored cliffs surrounded them. <br><br>Kara followed Tarek as he led her through a small canyon. She took no joy in what she was seeing, or that she would soon meet her father. They came before the carved temple that she had seen so often in her dream, but Kara only gave it a passing glance. Tarek could have been speaking to her the whole time, but she paid no attention. <br><br>Then he led her through the doorway, only they did not come out the other side. There was a sense of the world turning over, and then a shattering pain inside of her. When they emerged on the other side, Kara was down on her hands and knees and panting. The worst of the pain had passed, but Kara was unsure if she could stand up on her own at that moment. Especially since she would rather curl into a ball and sob her heart out. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>22-10-2016, 11:18:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Tarek waited beside Kara, and there was a group of grim-faced men who stood before Kara as well. These men wore blue jellaba and had curved swords at their waists. Each of them had a look of a professional warrior. Their features were similar to Tarek's, though most lacked his his handsomeness but none were ugly or displeasing. Tarek was simply singularly handsome. Some women looked on from nearby, dressed in woolen djellabas of muted earth tones. <br><br>"Come along now, princess. Please. The king is waiting." Tarek urged, and knelt beside Kara. He took hold of her upper arm with a soft, smooth-skinned hand and brought her to her feet with superhuman strength. The men in blue formed a line of equal numbers to either side of the pair, and Tarek dragged Kara along. He did not appear happy about her current state but kept his own counsel. But unlike Hallbjorn, Tarek either was incapable or disinclined to hide anything and the way he was forced to drag Kara along exasperated him. <br><br>The weather was very different from Louisiana. It was very warm, like the desert of Arizona, and Kara was drying rapidly just from being there. The road they walked along carried them past many stone buildings made of unadorned red bricks, and there was no hint of vegetation. The people all grew silent as the group walked by, and the djinn looked, however briefly, at Kara and Tarek before they averted their eyes and turned away. <br><br>Their ultimate destination was an impressive palace surrounded by high walls of smooth white stone. The walls were so well made that there was no visible seam between individual stone - it all appeared to have been made from one greater whole. And with the magical nature of the Lore, it all might have been created ex nihilo by some act of power and will innumerable years ago. The grand gate to the palace had many more guards like the men who escorted Kara and Tarek. These guards wore fearsome brass masks that concealed their faces and were designed to strike fear into enemies. The guards were armed with spears and shields, the latter of which were as tall as the men who wielded them, ready to be locked together to form a wall.<br><br>There was no challenge by these guards and the gate was opened to admit the small group further. There was a splendid fountain in the courtyard before the palace, but it was dry and devoid of water. The statue depicted several impossibly gorgeous women frolicking and carrying vases that would have poured water if any were available. <br><br>"This is Jamal's daughter?" A man asked in a deep voice. It belonged to a figure dressed in a golden jellaba. He had dark, straight hair that was slicked back with pommade and a mustache and beard slicked into fine points with the same. His eyes were rimmed with heavy kohl and he smelled of exotics oils.<br><br>"Yes, King Kaseem." Tarek said, dropping to one knee, and he relinquished his grip on Kara's arm. The guards did the same. Kaseem regarded Kara with the casual, affected detachment of a monarch. But the scrutiny was intense and that belied the affectation of detachment. The king stroked his beard as he regarded Kara.<br><br>"Welcome home, my dear. You should never have been left alone." Kaseem said with the sort of warmth that was entirely at odds with his severe attitude and appearance, and in strong contrast with the coldness of the Berserker who scorned Kara. He grasped Kara's shoulders and then hugged her closely and without reservation. "But you are home now, and I think that Janna's energies will have a good effect upon you. I will show you to the Eternal Flame when you are properly taken care of, dear. All will be well. You will see." Kaseem told her, smiling broadly and showing straight white teeth.<br><br>The warmth was gone when he regarded Tarek. It was then that Kaseem was again commanding and a king. "It is unfitting for a member of the royal family to wear Gaian clothing. Take her to be garbed as befits her station! Only the finest silks will suffice! I will meet with her in the red chamber." Kaseem said imperiously, and then walked away, followed by an entourage of a dozen other djinn. Some were guards, others were lesser nobles, some servants and flunkies of the sort no monarch could do without. <br><br>When Kaseem was an appropriate distance away Tarek rose. He pursed his lips and looked to Kara. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>22-10-2016, 19:30:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara wanted to shy away from Tarek's hold on her arm. His hand was too smooth. It had none of the calluses that adorned Hallbjorn's hand. In fact, everything about Tarek seemed soft in comparison. As he dragged her to her feet, she saw the guards that surrounded her and Tarek. Their big swords made her feel a twinge of unease. <br><br>As Tarek dragged her along, that unease inside of her grew. It was only the thought of meeting her father that had her not fighting the way Tarek marched her along. The worry building inside of her made her tears cease. Kara did not like the way anyone who looked at them quickly averted their gaze. That spoke of fear, and for the first time, she wondered just what kind of ruler her father was. <br><br>The warm air reminded her of Arizona, but that was where the comparison ended. Something about Janna felt stale and off. As they made their way through the strange village, it dawned on her what was missing. There was no breeze in Janna. Even the calmest days in Arizona had a slight breeze. But here, nothing stirred the air. Then Kara realized that she saw no life other then the people. There were no insects, no flies, or even ants on the ground. <br><br>She thought she should have seen a stray dog or cat somewhere along the road or even a bird in the sky, but there were none. Kara also noted the lack of any vegetation. She saw no trees, no plants, and even weeds seemed missing. Everything felt stagnant, from the air she breathed to the cloudless blue sky. <br><br>The palace they approached seemed in sharp contrast to the homes they had passed. It was beautifully made and seemed to stand out like a jewel. Kara looked at the imposing wall that surrounded it and found she didn't like how it looked so unnaturally perfect. Her gaze was quickly drawn to the guards that stood before the gate. The masks they wore had Kara slowing, but Tarek's grip on her arm made her keep pace with him. <br><br>For all the grandeur she saw once they passed the gate, the waterless fountain stood out painfully. Hearing her father's name drew her attention to a man who used far too much hair gel. She could tell he was someone important by his dress, and when Tarek and her guards dropped to their knees, it only furthered that belief. <br><br>But when Tarek referred to the man as King Kaseem, she knew something was horribly wrong. Tarek said her father was king, and she highly doubted that there would be two in this realm. Kara remained standing, and though she wanted to ask just what the hell was going on, she was afraid to do so in front of so many armed men. Kara knew her history. One did not disrespect a king or bad things would happen. <br><br>Kara was stiff and unmoving when King Kaseem hugged her, and suddenly wished she pulled her sweater back on so she could feel less of him. But she vaguely remembered losing her sweater before entering the portal. Regardless of the warmth he showed her, Kara could not dredge up a smile for him. She did not trust that warmth, and felt her lack of trust was justified when he turned harshly upon Tarek. <br><br>After he gave his commands and swept away with his crowd of people, she turned and looked at Tarek. “Where is my father?”<br><br>But Tarek did not answer her. Instead, he gripped her arm and dragged her inside of the palace. He ignored all of the questions she posed to him. Kara started to realize that she had not been brought to Janna as a returning daughter of a king, but rather as a prisoner. She was left wondering what Kaseem's plans for her were. <br><br>Tarek led her to a door and guided her inside, then stood outside of the room and shut the door. When Kara looked around the room, she saw six women who wore plain woolen robes. A sunken bath was in the center of the room, and a few of the women were filling it with steaming water. The scent of exotic oils was heavy in the room.<br><br>When the women approached her and tried to take off her clothing, Kara balked and told them no. But the fear on their faces as they looked towards the closed door ate at her. It could not hurt to take a bath. Kara relented, and soon found herself naked. She had no time to even be embarrassed, because the women were like a whirlwind around her. <br><br>Soon she was in the tub and being washed by too many strange sets of hands, yet every time Kara protested, the look of fear on their faces made her give in. She grew frustrated when the women did not answer any of her questions, or speak at all. After they bathed her, they waxed and plucked and tweezed her until she thought she would go mad. <br><br>The exotic scented oils that they rubbed into her skin soon helped to ease the pain from being waxed to within an inch of her life. There was no part of her they did not tend to, and Kara's cheeks were continually red from enduring all of it. <br><br>A silk dress was brought to her, and the color of it reminded her of new pennies. It was not like the robes she'd seen everyone else wore. The dress was sleeveless and tight around her breasts. It cinched just beneath them, and then down to her hips. The rest of the dress flowed freely around her legs, though there was a slit up one side that rested far to high on her thigh. <br><br>She was given matching sandals to wear, with laces that wound up her legs to her knees. Kara sat patiently as khol was applied to her eyes and her hair was brushed out. But when one of the women tried to take her ring, she snarled. Kara would not give up Hallbjorn's ring. It was all she had of him now. <br><br>Kara had enough primping. She marched to the door and opened it, and saw Tarek right in front of the door. The guards were against the opposite wall. With surprise on her side, she grabbed his shirt and pulled him into the room, then shut the door. The women squawked at a male being in their area and soon left through another door. <br><br>She folded her arms and glared at Tarek, “Where is my father?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>22-10-2016, 22:03:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Tarek showed frustration at Kara's actions. He pursed his lips and looked down at her with a look that had little patience for the way she was going about things. <br><br>"Jamal is dead. He died in a civil war that is responsible for the state of things now." Tarek said, his voice a harsh, angry hiss. "His body was given over to the Eternal Flame, to return the holy power of the king to its source." The djinn said. "King Kaseem is linked to the Eternal Flame now, and its divine power fills him, making his every action and word divinely inspired and absolute. His word is law, life, and death." The man told her, showing the same that the women did when Kara proved obstinate in allowing them to perform their tasks.<br><br>"This gives me no pleasure, Princess Kara. I loved Jamal like a father and I do not wish to see you treated this way - but there is more at stake than your or my convenience. Janna is dying. The Eternal Flame that sustains this realm is - impossibly! - waning and some of the sages believe it may gutter out within a century, perhaps two." Tarek said to her, his features turning ashen with despair. "You are a direct descendant of the royal line. The realm and the people are your responsibility by birth. King Kaseem knows of a way to restore the Flame to its rightful state, and you have a role to play." Tarek said earnestly, his green eyes bright with emotion. <br><br>"I understand that you are young, but are you prepared to put aside your own desires and do what is best for others?" Tarek asked Kara pointedly. He looked down at the ring that remained on her finger. "Or are you set upon clinging to your own desires?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>22-10-2016, 22:52:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Her father was dead. Kara had lived her life believing that she would never meet him, or that he had already been dead. When Tarek had lied to her and told her that she could meet her father, it had given her such hope that she had never had before. It was that hope that was just destroyed that hurt her the most. <br><br>Kara listened to Tarek go on about Kaseem's divinity, and she thought it a bunch of hogwash. Kaseem did not strike her as an all powerful being. It was a bit sickening to think that his people believed his every action and word was holy. She had read about other kings from the human world that said they were divine instruments of god. Things had not ended well for those kingdoms. <br><br>The fear that Tarek felt when he spoke of Kaseem, struck Kara as a fear not for the divine, but of a tyrant. Her anger towards Tarek lessened when he spoke of his love for her father. Perhaps he was just a tool in the bigger scheme of things. The despair he showed her when he spoke of Janna dying kept Kara from running out of their and trying to find her way home. Back to Hallbjorn. That thought cut her though, because she had nothing to go back to. <br><br>“I did not ask for this responsibility, and I do not want it.” Kara told him, though her voice lacked any anger. She felt sympathy for the djinn. The fear they felt was very real, and she had seen how their world seemed wrong, how it seemed broken. <br><br>“But I will help, if I'm able. Within reason.” She shook her head. “Though I don't know what I could possibly do. I have no control over my powers. I am no savior.”<br><br>Kara looked down at her ring, and her heart lurched. She could not and would not forget Hallbjorn. Even now she wished he was with her. She missed his arms around her, and she missed those little half smiles he gave her. Even though he did not want her anymore, it did not stop her from wanting him. <br><br>“Take me to King Kaseem so I can hear what his plan is.” Kara sighed with defeat. She assumed it would be some ritual that had more to do with belief then any actual power to change. Hopefully it would not involve slaughtering a goat, especially since it did not seem like they had any animals. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>22-10-2016, 23:23:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Tarek could not and did not hide his disappointment when Kara balked at her responsibility. He shook his head slowly. "Your father would be disappointed to hear you speak this way." Tarek said to her in a low voice. "He was a great man who accepted his responsibilities with dignity."<br><br>Tarek said nothing more and led Kara through the palace. The guards fell into step, flanking them once more. The interior of the palace was very splendid, and many grand decorations covered the walls in the form of beautiful paintings that depicted desert scenes that were remarkably full of life and joy. One painting depicted the waterless fountain in the courtyard as it must have been at its prime, with young djinn dancing around it and tossing the petals of desert roses in the air while other figures took their ease - a slice of life captured forever with such realism and skill that it might have been a photograph. There were busts of ancient djinn and statues that seemed to capture a zest and lust for life that seemed entirely absent in the djinn now. <br><br>Kara was led to a chamber near the center of the palace. It was marked with a red door and the interior was the same. Within there was a low, round table and many cushions to relax upon rather than chairs. Kaseem was already present, and he sat with three other djinn who were dressed in silvery and red robes. Black-clad guards with silver masks stood at the walls, their imposing arms folded over their chests. The king and his entourage were sipping green tea with mint and eating dates, discussing some minor matter. As Tarek was admitted within with Kara, a demon was making a gracious bow to Kaseem before tracing away. The demon was very handsome - the very same handsome species that Kara had seen hunting her.<br><br>Kaseem smiled broadly and swept his hand over the cushions. "Please, darling, sit. Be comfortable." The words and invitation were spoken warmly, but with what Kara knew now, it was no invitation at all. He gave Tarek a long-suffering look and waved the djinn away. Tarek gave a low bow and backed out of the room. <br><br>"You are a much more pleasing sight, now, darling. Your clothing is much more suited to your royal station." Kaseem said with a wide smile, looking Kara over with an unbecoming forwardness. "But ah? What is that bauble you wear?" He gestured towards the ring at her finger. "A crude piece of Gaia." His lips turned to a thin line and he turned to one of the robed men beside him. "Have the servants responsible whipped. Twenty lashes each." He said casually, and the djinn addressed rose swiftly.<br><br>"It shall be according to your divine will, my king." The djinn said, and swiftly left the room.<br><br>Kaseem reached for a date and took a small bite, chewing slowly. "Were you defiled by some Gaian male?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>23-10-2016, 00:01:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It hurt to hear Tarek tell her that she would be a disappointment to her father. That was not the kind of thing anyone would take well. Kara resolved herself to not show the tumult of emotions she was feeling, the loss of Hallbjorn, of the hope of meeting her father, and of this realm not being what she had thought. <br><br>She followed Tarek silently. Her gaze was drawn to the beautiful paintings. There was life in them. There was happiness. She saw none of that now. When they pasts the busts of djinn, she wondered if a likeness of her father was there, but Tarek did not slow his pace, and so she had no time to study them and see if one bore a resemblance to her. <br><br>Kara did not want to pass through the red door, but Tarek's words about duty and dignity rang in her ears. She saw a demon bowing to Kaseem, and understanding swept through her. Kaseem had been the one to set those demons upon her. Now she was here, with the mastermind behind all of those failed attempts. Kara was in greater danger then ever, and she did not have her Hallbjorn to protect her. <br><br>She sat at Kaseem's command and tried not to show the fear she felt. Though she did not like Tarek, she wished he had not been dismissed. Kara was now alone with unknown dangers. <br><br>Kaseem's gaze on her made Kara's skin crawl, and she wished she had been wearing one of those formless robes. Her lips parted when he pointed out her ring, and she looked down at her hand. The punishment he so easily ordered of those women shocked Kara. “Please, its not their fault.”<br><br>But Kaseem ignored her statement, and then the djinn was gone to doll out punishment. It was Kara's fault, all because she did not want to remove the only thing she had of Hallbjorn. Kara slipped her hands under the table. <br><br>Kaseem was not divine. He was a monster. When he asked his vile question, Kara answered immediately. “I was not defiled.” What she and Hallbjorn shared had been beautiful and loving. At least, she believed it had been. But if he loved her, why did he send her away?<br><br>She swallowed the knot of tears in her throat, and when she spoke, she tried to sound respectful, if only to spare others being hurt. “Why did you send those demons after me? Some of them tried to kill me. What is it that you want from me?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>23-10-2016, 00:32:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kaseem seemed pleased when Kara told him that she was not defiled. He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Good. Good." Kaseem murmured, and finished his date. The other djinn sipped their tea, but they stiffened when Kara dared to question Kaseem. The king arched a black eyebrow, as if he could not believe that Kara dared to question him. <br><br>"Did they?" Kaseem said with anger that had his hands trembling. He glanced to another djinn. "Go make my displeasure known to the demons. Take the Sons of Silence. And when the demons understand the depth of my displeasure, find out who attempted to undermine me by seeking the death of Jamal's heir." This djinn nodded and left the room quickly. Kaseem picked up his cup of tea and drank from it, allowing the warm liquid with its mint tones to help calm him. <br><br>Kaseem let out a terse breath. "Gaia is a vast realm compared to Janna, and the rules of the Lore preclude openly employing the many gifts that we djinn are fashioned with. And it is a realm that King Hakam - Jamal's father - rightly restricted djinn from traveling to. These demons, who sell the lives of the clan for money, are better versed in the realm. They were merely tools to find you. Their task should have ended with finding where Jamal hid you and returning to me with your location. However, I am divinely favoured, and sent Tarek to find you in time to have you brought here." He was quite pleased with himself and lay back in a cushion.<br><br>"Because of your father's actions, the Eternal Flame does not burn as it should. It is the divine source of this entire realm and our people - if the Flame perishes, so will Janna and all djinn. When Jamal's body was returned to the Eternal Flame, the power Jamal took from it should have returned to the Flame, but that is not the case." Kaseem said with vexation. "But you, who bear Jamal's blood, will be the key to setting the Flame to right again. You will become my wife, and through your link to me, I will inherit Jamal's link to the Flame as I should have. When our marriage is consummated, the Flame will be restored and with it, Janna."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>23-10-2016, 01:07:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara was unsure how to feel about Kaseem's order regarding the demons. She had no sympathy for them, because they had hurt Hallbjorn and dogged her every step, but she did not want there to be further violence because of her. Whatever the Sons of Silence were, it sounded ominous. <br><br>Even though those around her ate and drank, Kara could not touch what was offered to her. She thirsted and she was hungry, but she would not partake of anything the king had to offer. She had not fed from Hallbjorn that day, and the thought of drinking anyone else's blood disgusted her. Kara hoped that she would be strong enough to go without. <br><br>She listened to Kaseem, and latched on to any information regarding her father, and now her grandfather. But the king's bloated arrogance about being divinely favored soured her to ask anything further. <br><br>When he revealed his plans for her, Kara shot to her feet. Perhaps she would have been better off to hold her tongue, or pretend to go along with his plan until she could escape, but the thought of his hands upon her elicited a violent response from her. <br><br>“I will never marry you!” Her lips curled in disgust. “You sicken me. You're a cruel and arrogant king. There is nothing divine about you. Maybe the Eternal Flame, whatever the hell that is, perishes because you should not be king.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>23-10-2016, 01:57:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kaseem's eyes blazed amber with the anger he felt at Kara's disgust and defiance. "You dare?!" The man shot to his feet in a blur, and his hand shot out with inhuman speed as he delivered a back-handed slap to Kara's cheek. "This disrespect is a result of Gaia's poison and Jamal's perversion. His seed took root in dead soil and the result is an abomination." It was Kaseem's turn to show disgust. <br><br>"You could have known the pleasures of heaven in my bed," Kaseem told Kara, reaching and grabbing her face with a hand whose strength was at odds with how soft and smooth it was, "but I promise you will know only the torments of hell." The king said virulently. He held her fast and forced a kiss upon Kara, his lips pressing against hers in an unpleasant and unwanted manner. His tongue sought to invade her mouth but he did not get far - the offending organ struck upon one of her fangs and the king recoiled at the pain of having his tongue sliced open. It forced some of his blood into Kara's mouth, and the disgusted king shoved Kara to the ground. <br><br>"Take her away! Get her out of my sight!" Kaseem raged, and the guards outside entered. Two moved to either side of Kara and each grabbed an arm, hoisting her up and dragging her from the chamber while Kaseem looked at his own blood on his hand from touching his bloodied mouth. The king seethed at the sight. The guards dragged Kara through the palace and into a quarter that seemed to be reserved for females - the only other djinn that they encountered were females who kept their eyes downcast. Tarek was nowhere to be seen.<br><br>When they came to one chamber, a plain servants' room, the guards stopped. Within was a djinn woman who looked no older than 30, but carried herself with a manner that spoke to far greater age. She glanced up from a book and took in the sight of the guards, and then Kara. <br><br>"We did not know what else to do." One of the guards holding Kara said. "The king commanded we take her away, but not to where. She is Jamal's heir, and I would not take her to the dungeons of my own will. None of us would." <br><br>At this, the woman looked at Kara and her expression softened. "And her face? Did he do this also?" The guard nodded, and the woman frowned. "Leave her to my care." The woman said and waved the guards away. They left, and the woman put her book away and rose, walking over to Kara and ushering her into a finely made, if plain, wooden chair. <br><br>"My name is Amina. At one time I was a nanny for the children of the royal family." The woman said, kneeling in front of Kara and taking her hands. "I would have taken care of you, if things had gone differently. You look so much like your mother, but I think," Amina said as she looked at the red mark on Kara's cheek, "that you have your father in you as well." She let go of Kara's hands and went to pour some water in a basin, to which she added a few herbs. She swept her hand over the basin and the water immediately began to steam. She dipped a white cloth into the steaming water and then returned to Kara's side, and gently dabbed at her cheek. The warmth of her concoction soothed the young woman's flesh, taking the sting and ache away. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>23-10-2016, 03:19:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara didn't have a chance of trying to run. Kaseem moved so fast, and then pain exploded in her cheek. She raised her hand to her stinging cheek. She'd never been struck before, and the sudden violence of it shocked her into immobility. Kara cringed when he grabbed her face, but she could not break his hold. His kiss made her want to gag, and when his tongue invaded her mouth, she thought she truly might. <br><br>The taste of blood filled her mouth, and Kara wanted to spit it in his face, but Kaseem shoved her to the ground and she involuntarily swallowed it. Her show of spirit only lasted until the guards had picked her up and taken her from the room. <br><br>As they guided her down various hallways, Kara began to tremble. She could not escape. How could she hope to get away from people that were so inhumanely fast. Hallbjorn was not coming for her. She was shaking so much that soon the guards hold on her was not so much dragging her, but supporting her. <br><br>Her lower lip trembled and tears filled her eyes when they came to another room. Kara didn't know if she could handle anymore cruelty. It took all her might to keep those tears from spilling. But what she saw inside of the plain room was a&nbsp; kind looking woman. Perhaps Kara should have been suspicious, but it seemed what she had endured had not fully destroyed her belief that most people were good. And she so desperately needed kindness in that moment. <br><br>The guard's words about why he did not take her to the dungeons had her turning her attention to him. Kara began to see more then the fearsome&nbsp; strength and hard countenance. Perhaps not everyone here was her enemy. <br><br>She touched her stinging cheek when the woman noticed it, and offered no fight when she led Kara to sit. Amina's kindness helped to ease most of Kara's trembling. The woman's kind touch as she took Kara's hands in her own had Kara giving her a watery smile. She winced immediately, because even a smile hurt her throbbing cheek. <br><br>The tears she held back finally fell when Amina spoke of her parents. Kara sniffed loudly, then whispered to the woman, “Its very nice to meet you, Amina.” It seemed nothing could rid her of her manners, and she blushed at her inane words. <br><br>Kara looked on with wonder as she watched Amina heat the water. Tarek had used his powers to make them travel, but she had been too upset to pay attention. Kara expected the touch to her cheek to hurt, but it was gentle and soothing, and soon her tears stopped falling. <br><br>“Thank you for your kindness, Amina.” Kara closed her eyes and sighed softly as her immediate fear washed away. When she opened them again, she hesitantly asked the woman. “Has Janna always been like this? Was my father a ruler like Kaseem? How did he die?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>23-10-2016, 03:47:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"You are welcome, princess." Amina said, wiping away Kara's tears, and when she was done with the cloth she returned it to its place. She soon moved to another chair and set it across from Kara, and sat facing the young woman. <br><br>"Perhaps, to an outsider, Janna may have always seemed this way. But I tell you truthfully that it was once a better place. There was life in Janna, and the people had better lives. A desert is not devoid of life, and Janna was no different. There were many different living things - plants and animals that drew sustenance from the land, which was enriched by the Eternal Flame. Rains were infrequent but enough, and there were many oases where water rose from underground lakes. There were rose gardens in this palace, once." Amina said to Kara. She sat with her hands folded in her lap. "And many other plants besides. There used to be many orchards filled with palm trees. I remember taking your father to them and watching him play among them for hours."<br><br>She let out a nostalgic sigh and looked at Kara. "Your father was a better ruler than Kaseem. No man is wholly good or evil, but your father had more good in him than evil. I know this in my heart. He was an idealist, and that blinded him to faults in other men. Kaseem wanted to repeal isolationist policies that his father put in place, but he did not account for how deeply seated fear of outsiders and the other realms was in some of the other nobles. And he did not see how much Kaseem hungered for power. Kaseem managed to turn enough of the nobility against Jamal to cause a civil war, and in fighting that war, Jamal died. There are several accounts that detail Jamal's death, but I do not know which is true and which are false. I never saw his body - I do not think his remains were given proper funeral rites." Amina said bitterly. <br><br>Amina glanced at the ring on Kara's finger, and she gave the simple gold band a sad expression. "Jamal could not understand, even with the past strife between djinn and vampire, why his mate was so divisive among his followers, and he could not conceive of how deeply some of the hardliners hated her. He was not alive when the djinn and vampires went to war, but there were those who were still alive from those days in power, particularly in Janna's military. Kaseem played to those old hatreds to gain support from several generals, but in the end, Kaseem betrayed them too. He took their heads and the palace whispers that Kaseem deals regularly with outsiders in private while publicly denouncing outsiders."<br><br>Amina reached over and gripped Kara's hand, gently turning it to see the ring from different angles. "They killed the male who gave you this, didn't they? Did he fight bravely when they told him he would not be permitted to make the journey to Janna?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>23-10-2016, 04:27:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara listened to what Amina told her, and felt sadness for the people of Janna. It must have been beautiful before life began to fail. She could not imagine the fear the djinn felt as the desert beauty around them began to die. The image Amina's words brought to mind, of her father being just a child and playing among the palm trees brought a smile to Kara's lips. <br><br>She latched on to everything Amina told her of her father and what Janna used to be like. Her hatred of Kaseem grew when she learned that he was behind the death of her father. Kara believed that if not for Kaseem, her parents could have been together. Even if her mother still died from sickness, she would have grown up knowing her father. That future had been stolen from her by a power hungry monster. <br><br>Kara's eyes widened with surprise to learn that there had been a war between the djinn and the vampires. The love her parents had found must have been extraordinary to break that old hatred between the two species. It hurt her heart to learn of such a painful past, but Kara was thankful that Amina was answering her questions. <br><br>She looked down at her ring as Amina held her hand to gaze upon it. Kara's gaze snapped up to meet Amina's, and she could not find her voice at first. Hallbjorn had never told her that he wouldn't be allowed to come with her. Tarek had not told her that, either. But Kara remembered Hallbjorn saying that Tarek told him everything. <br><br>Kara shook her head as she went over everything they said to each other after meeting Tarek. Hallbjorn had started being distant right after that meeting. Could Tarek have told him he wasn't invited? Tarek had manipulated her. It was not so hard to believe he had done the same to Hallbjorn. Knowing what the king wanted from Kara, there was no way he would have allowed her mate to come with her. <br><br>Hope soared inside of Kara. Maybe Hallbjorn did still love her. Tarek could have planted the seeds of discord between them, and that would explain Hallbjorn's behavior. At no point did he deny his love for her. She began to see everything in a new light. Kara's gaze sought out Amina's. She leaned towards the woman, and took her hands in her own. Desperation touched her features as she said, “Hallbjorn, my mate. He didn't leave me. He didn't cast me aside. We were tricked by Tarek. Hallbjorn thinks I left him.”<br><br>Her voice was tremulous when she told Amina, “I have to get back to him. I have to explain. I need to escape from here.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>23-10-2016, 05:03:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Amina took in Kara's reaction with quiet calm. The desperation that Kara displayed saw the older djinn lower her eyes to the floor. "How did Tarek get so lost?" She murmured to herself. <br><br>Kara's tremulous pleas had Amina raise her eyes to Kara's. "My ability to dance upon the wind was stripped from me, Kara. And even if I still had that gift, I am not strong enough to cross the barrier between realms and take you to Gaia. I am sorry." The woman genuinely sorry and her grief at her inability showed in her features. "Even if the barrier that seals Janna from other realms were open." <br><br>"Can you not trace? Your mother's people had this gift." Amina broached the matter as the door to her chamber opened, and Tarek stumbled in. He was shirtless, and it was not for the sake of vanity. He too had felt the lash, and his back was crossed with long lacerations where it had opened his back. <br><br>"Amina, I . . ." Tarek began, and then saw that Kara was there. He stopped and swayed on his feet. "Kara, I . . . Kaseem told me his plan. This was never what I believed was in store for you!" The djinn said to her, imploring her to believe him with deep earnesty. <br><br>"Tarek, can you pass the seal between Janna and Gaia, and bring Kara's mate to her?" Amina said in a tone that held no sympathy for Tarek despite his injuries. In light of what he did and what stood to happen because of his actions, there was very little sympathy he deserved. Even if he was now suffering for his part in the scheme, he was an important part of it. <br><br>"I . . . the seal will not be lifted until tonight. Kaseem will have goods from outside brought into his private chambers, and then I could dance the winds to Gaia, but even with the seal open, I cannot bring an outsider to Janna. Only the king or one of the gods can allow one who is not djinn past the barrier and into Janna. Kaseem will not permit something as unclean as a Berserker into our realm." Tarek countered, his face beaded with sweat as he suffered. <br><br>"Then take Kara." Amina said. "Take her from this place and Kaseem's machinations."<br><br>Tarek shook his head. "Kaseem will not stop and after what was done to me, I'm . . . too weak. I couldn't bring another with me so far."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>23-10-2016, 05:40:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Regardless of Kara's situation, she did not like being the cause of Amina's grief. She squeezed the woman's hands gently. Amina's question about tracing had Kara's forehead furrowing, because she thought she might have danced upon the wind, as the woman called it, once before. But that memory was hazy since she and Hallbjorn had been running. <br><br>Tarek burst into the chamber, and despite what Kara felt about him, she gasped at the angry red lash marks upon his back. Blood seeped from his open wounds, and she could not fathom how much pain he must be in. When he told her that he was innocent of knowing Kaseem's true plan for her, Kara believed him. It was probably foolish to trust in him at all, but the look he gave her was too honest. <br><br>Kara was not sure she wanted to know just what kinds of goods Kaseem was having delivered to his chambers. The fact that he was having something brought to him from earth showed his hypocrisy with the way he had reacted to her ring. It seemed Kaseem lived a life of double standards. <br><br>She stood abruptly when Tarek called Hallbjorn unclean, and made her way towards him. Kara desired to hit him strongly. She did not even have to hear him admit what lies he told to Hallbjorn, because Kara was sure that he had. Knowing that, the urge to smack him grew, but she controlled it. Tarek had been hurt enough. <br><br>“Do not ever call my mate, Hallbjorn, unclean again.” She told him with fierceness. <br><br>Mercy for him had her helping Tarek to the chair she had just vacated. Kara looked at Amina and said, “Even though he does not deserve, can you tend his wounds?”<br><br>She stood aside, and then began to pace back and forth as Amina saw to Tarek. Several times she tried to “dance the winds”, but nothing came of it. It felt as if Kara's power was depleted. The need to return to Hallbjorn was overwhelming, only equaled by her desire to escape Kaseem. <br><br>After some time, Kara turned back towards Tarek. “Why did he beat you, Tarek? What is he having delivered?” If she could not escape, she had to know what awaited her. “Is there no one that can stand up to Kaseem, or help me escape?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>23-10-2016, 06:10:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Tarek wisely bit back a retort when Kara got in his face about Hallbjorn. He was led to Kara's vacated chair. When Kara asked Amina to tend to Tarek's wounds, the woman nodded her head. She would have anyway - despite whatever Tarek did, Amina's compassion for another outweighed how judgemental she might feel. She worked to clean his wounds and give him something to ease the pain of them. <br><br>"I told him that the idea of marrying you was wrong, and I demanded he tell me how that would restore the flame. There were no answers given." Tarek said and hissed as Amina worked. "Kaseem is having alcohol, magical intoxicants, and other Gaian vices brought for his use and the use of his inner circle. He outlawed palm wine and in private he drinks Gaian whiskey by the bottle." The djinn said. "And nymphs. He's hired several nymphs to come and entertain."<br><br>Amina finished cleaning and bandaging Tarek's wounds. The woman sighed deeply into her hands. "Kaseem was very thorough in purging his enemies. I doubt anyone with the power to oppose him has the will to. Kaseem has made things very comfortable for his most loyal supporters." The woman looked over at Kara. "Do you think that your mate would find a way to come for you, Kara? Write a message for him, and Tarek can deliver it."<br><br>"That's foolish. He'd probably kill me on sight!" Tarek interjected.<br><br>"You'll find a way to deliver this message." Amina said tersely, in a stern tone that brooked no argument. "That is, if you hold any hope that your mate would come for you, if he knew the truth." Amina turned her eyes back over to Kara, asking the young woman whether she believed that this course of action had any chance of success.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>23-10-2016, 06:48:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara thought better of Tarek when he told her of how he incurred Kaseem's wrath. She had not forgiven him though. That would only come if she could escape what was coming and reconcile with Hallbjorn. Her heart hurt every time she thought of how he must believe that she abandoned him. <br><br>She grimaced upon learning just what Kaseem would be up to later. He was horrible while sober, and she had little hope that drinking or taking drugs would make him easier to deal with. The nymphs made her thing of Helgi's mate. If Kara could get a message to her through the nymphs... She shook her head at the thought. Kara did not want to be anywhere near Kaseem when he indulged himself in any of his vices. It might quicken what he planned for her. <br><br>Kara took hope when Amina mentioned writing a note. There was not even the slightest doubt in her when she said, “Hallbjorn will come for me. If he knows I need him, and that I love him, he will come for me.”<br><br>Amina sat her down at a small desk and gave her some thick parchment to write on, as well as a quill and ink. The quill was not easy to write with, but she did the best she could. Kara looked down at the parchment, and had to fight the urge to tell Hallbjorn everything. It would take too long, and time was not on her side. <br><br>She took a deep breath, then began to write.<br><br><div align="center"><em>Hallbjorn, we were both deceived. If I had known they wouldn't let you come with me, I would have never agreed. I love you, with all of my heart and soul. <br>I need you now more then ever. The Janna king plans to force marriage and other things upon me. <br><br>Please come for me. Please find a way, and please bring my ring back to me.<br></em></div><br>Kara read over the letter, then set the quill down. She was reluctant to remove her ring, but it would help Hallbjorn believe that the letter was genuine. Also, she did not want Kaseem to take it from her.&nbsp; Kara set the ring next to the parchment, then added to the letter.<br><br><div align="center"><em>I love you more then peanut butter cup blizzards. I will never doubt you again. <br><br>Your eternal mate, <br>Kara</em></div><br>She blew on the ink to help it dry, then folded the letter up and put it in an envelope Amina gave her. Kara slipped her ring inside of the envelope, then handed it to Amina, who closed it with a dab of wax. <br><br>Kara looked over at Tarek. “How long before you can deliver it? And when does Kaseem plan to come for me?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>24-10-2016, 02:07:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Not until the evening. Another six hours at the earliest. I am not sure when Kaseem plans to come for you, but it is in an inauspicious day today." Tarek said. The young djinn rose with Amina's help and went to lie down on one of the servants' cots that lined the room. Amina went about preparing tea, and offered a cup to Kara when it was done. The fluid was refreshing and soothing, with ingredients to calm the nerves. There was a lot for that tea to combat but it was the best that the woman could offer in terms of material support. Tarek slipped into a fitful sleep, regaining some of his strength in doing so.<br><br>"I think that we have three days." Amina said to Kara. "In three days there is a holy day, and many kings in the past have chosen that day for royal marriages. It is believed to bring good fortune upon the union, but I think Kaseem will simply use it as a means to appear more legitimate. Perhaps, to pass the time, I could tell you stories about your father and of better days?"<br><br><hr>Tarek awoke some time later. It still pained him to move, but he took the letter with determination. He lingered at the doorway. "Kara," the djinn began, eyes going to the ground, "forgive me for what I said about your father. I . . . I no longer think I can speak for his beliefs." The young djinn then left abruptly, unwilling to face any reply Kara could give. His features showed that he felt shame now for those words. <br><br>Amina took Kara to the kitchen, and the two women were given food to bring to their chamber and eat. Amina drew cautious glances from the kitchen staff, and none would meet Kara's eyes. They were all thoroughly cowed and Amina seemed like an untouchable to them. They were given bread and a pot of lamb sew to share. The pot was not large but would have enough to satisfy both women. They returned to the chamber in the servants' quarter and ate. <br><br>Some time after their meal finished, a guard dressed all in black, wearing a silver mask, entered without announcement or fanfare. He dropped a severed hand that grasped a piece of bloodied parchment. The hand had been severed from its body violently, and the parchment was tattered and so soaked with blood that anything written upon it was illegible. It had been ripped open. The guard said nothing after leaving the gruesome message, but it was easy enough to infer that this was Tarek's hand, and the parchment, Kara's message.<br><br><hr>Three days passed with no word of Tarek and no appearance from Hallbjorn. Amina and Kara were generally left alone, and free to go where they chose within the palace, but they were always shadowed by a guard in black wearing a silver mask. <br><br>On the eve of the third day Kara was seized by several guards in silver masks. They took her to a different chamber with waiting serving women. One of the guards thrust Kara inside, and he spoke in a chilling voice, "if you do not meet the king's expectations, each of these women will be tortured and then fed to dogs." He told her, and closed the door. Once again Kara was tweezed, waxed, bathed, and anointed with oils. Her eyes were kohled and she was dressed in a silken wedding dressing with rich gold decorations. <br><br>When she was at last prepared, the guards in silver masks took her into the center of the castle, where the throne room was. The room was huge and open, with tall marble pillars veined with gold held up a vaulted ceiling. In the middle of the room was a deep recess thirty feet across and as many deep. Within guttered a black fire that occupied less than a tenth of that recess - but Kara knew instinctively that the flame should fill the whole thing and blaze a bright blue. <br><br>Sitting in a golden throne was Kaseem, dressed in a red robe, wearing ornaments of state that looked off on him. They fit him ill - these were things meant for greater men, and Kaseem's lack of character seemed to shine brighter with how sword of Janna's kings sat ill on his hip and the crown sat poorly on his brow. More of the silver masked guards awaited, along with members of Kaseem's inner circle. They were men like him - twisted, corrupt men who lusted for their own power and advancement, without any care for the realm so long as their bellies and coffers were full. One of them in particular was especially fearsome: a tall warrior all in black who wore a silver sash. He had a silver mask, but it hung from his belt and was fashioned to be even more fierce than those of the rank and file. He stared at Kara with undisguised lust; it was entirely conceivable that once Kaseem married Kara and took his pleasure from her that he would allow his flunkies the use of her body for their own pleasure as well. <br><br>The guards brought Kara to stand between the flames and the throne, and Kaseem smiled an especially evil smile. His face was heavily painted and kohled, but it did not conceal the flush of intoxication. He rose to his feet, and he spoke smugly: "this could have been the happiest day of your life, my dear, if you had not chosen to be an ungrateful little bitch." The king said in a voice dripping with venom. "Now, it will be a happy day for me and mine only. Once I'm done with you, all of my inner circle will enjoy your body. They will be permitted to slake any perversion they wish on you - you might think to scream for mercy, but your mouth will be too full of cock to-"<br><br>Before he could continue there was a sound like thunder, and the palace shook. Kaseem shook and almost fell. He was forced to grasp the throne to brace himself. Some of his flunkies, more inebriated and also unprepared, toppled to their feet. Only the guards kept their footing, and the ones holding Kara ensured she stayed upright as well. <br><br>The sound came again, and once more the palace shook. Kaseem looked at the guards, his face turning dark red. "Find out what's happening!" He shouted. Some of the guards teleported away, sandstorms forming at their feet and carrying them away. Kaseem waited impatiently. A minute passed without a repeat of the sound. Then the sound came again, and with it the palace shaking, but this time there was the sound of ancient timbers breaking and falling. One of the guards returned, holding his side. All of his ribs were a mangled mess, and blood flowed where those broken ribs had pierced his flesh.<br><br>"The gates, my king!" The guard said in a pain voice. He removed his silver mask to breathe easier, and blood flowed down his chin. "We are under attack . . ."<br><br>Kaseem stormed forward to the guard, eyes widening with anger. "What? How? This cannot be! How many are at the gates?"<br><br>"I . . . do not know." The man said. "The only . . ." He began but then the loss of blood took its toll and the man lost consciousness. Kaseem shrieked with fury. He turned to everyone, and his anger only grew and his eyes turned amber.<br><br>"Why do you all stand idle when Janna is under attack! Go! Take up arms and defend your king!" Kaseem howled. The warrior in the silver sash was the first to go, and then all of the guards save the two who held Kara. Some of his inner circle went as well, but others were too drunken to manage. These, Kaseem kicked and berated until he had no more force to do so, face dripping sweat. He returned to his throne, breathing heavily. He reached into his robe and withdrew a long, elaborate golden pipe. He held it to his lips with trembling hands and called a small flame to life, lighting the end of the pipe. He breathed deeply, and soon narcotic smoke flowed from his nostrils as he exhaled.<br><br>But whatever relaxation he won was lost when, some minutes later, the warrior in the silver sash reappeared. The sound of battle - of weapons singing and clashing, of men crying out in pain and those cries cut short, filtered into the throne room. <br><br>The warrior appeared on his knees, and he had his sword in one hand. The other was desperately trying to wrest a hand from his throat. The hand was connected to a forearm, severed from its owner near the elbow. The skin was unmistakably fair and pale: it was the hand of Kara's beloved. Even severed from his body, Hallbjorn's had tenaciously clung to its grip on the warrior's throat, and he was forced into the dangerous position of stabbing the fingers and severing them to get it free. The warrior was at last able to breathe, and he fell forward, bracing himself with his free hand.<br><br>"Well?" Kaseem demanded.<br><br>"There is only one man, my king." The warrior said in a hoarse voice. "Nothing stops him. I saw a dozen blades pierce his chest and he did not relent."<br><br>"If he still lives then why did you return here?" Kaseem said and rose to his feet, striding towards the kneeling warrior.<br><br>"I will not be killed by such an unclean one!" The warrior said. "You cannot believe-"<br><br>But he was cut off as Kaseem coaxed into life a blade of fire, and swung it. The flame was sickly and black, not at all like the blue flame that Kara had once commanded. The warrior's head was struck from his body. <br><br>Kaseem turned to Kara in a rage and gripped her by throat. The guards holding her loosened their grips and stepped away. The king lifted Kara by this hand-hold, and then he hurled her towards the black flame. "Burn, you Gaian bitch!" Kaseem shouted.<br><br>At that moment the door to the throne room opened, kicked off of their hinges.<br><br>Hallbjorn stood in the doorway. He was covered in a hundred wounds. His left arm was mutilated, and the hand missing. His right eye was gone, and a cut to the right side of his face laid his teeth bare in a slasher smile. His right hand gripped a warhammer, but he dropped the long-handled weapon and drew a sword from his hip. <br><br>"Go! Take him!" Kaseem said to the two remaining guards who had held Kara. They looked slowly from their king to Hallbjorn, and then at each other, before they teleported . . . somewhere else. Kaseem howled in fury, and this almost cost him his head. Hallbjorn threw himself across the room, and his sword almost separated Kaseem's head from his neck. The evil king raised his sword of sickly flames, and it blocked the steel the Berserker wielded. But the force of the blow staggered Kaseem and forced him back several steps.<br><br>"Unclean!" Kaseem shrieked, and held forth a hand, summoning a tongue of flames that swept over Hallbjorn, burning the Berserker's flesh. The Berserker was unphased and moved forward and swung his sword in a brutal arc that cut the fire-spewing hand free from Kaseem's arm. The king gave a cry of pain, and he barely blocked a downward stroke of Hallbjorn's sword. Hallbjorn's swollen, burnt, and bleeding flesh strained against the fiery blade, and Kaseem was forced down to one knee. Hallbjorn raised his sword and brought it down again and again, hammering at Kaseem's defense. Each time the sword pushed Kaseem's fiery sword further down until Hallbjorn's sword cut down into Kaseem's body. The king's cry of pain was ear-splitting, and the sword of fire guttered out as Kaseem lost the will to maintain it. <br><br>Hallbjorn lifted his sword again, and this time, with nothing to halt the singing steel, he struck Kaseem's head from his shoulders. <br><br>Kaseem's head fell, and rolled away. The crown fell from his brow and rolled in a separate direction.<br><br>Hallbjorn breathed heavily. "Kara?" He asked. His voice was heavy with strain. "Where are you? I cannot see you." The large man turned his head this way and that, but he was blinded completely now. The black flames had taken that from him.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>24-10-2016, 03:44:21</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The tea Amina offered Kara did help a little bit, but nothing could totally erase her worry and fear. She had three days for Hallbjorn to find her, and Kara had faith that he would. That faith allowed her to relax enough to hear Amina tell her about her father, and about some of the history of Janna. It was all fascinating, and she wanted to share what she learned with Hallbjorn. Kara just hoped she would have the chance to. <br><br>The words Tarek spoke just before he left earned Kara's forgiveness. While she would never be happy about what he'd done, she could forgive him. Especially since he was putting his life on the line to deliver her letter. If he had not run out of the room so fast, she would have told him that she forgave him. <br><br>Kara was actually enjoying herself as she listened to Amina's stories while eating the delicious lamb stew. There had been an uncomfortable few moments when Kara brought up her need for blood, but Amina had graciously spilled her own blood into a cup for Kara to drink, and reassured her that Amina would take care of that need until she was reunited with Hallbjorn. <br><br>When a guard came in the room with a severed hand attacked to the letter she wrote, Kara began to tremble and she could not stop. After the guard left, she looked inside of the envelope and could not find her ring. Kara believed Tarek to be dead, and that Hallbjorn was not coming for her. She was inconsolable for the rest of the night, and tears coursed down her cheeks until she at last fell asleep. <br><br>Even in her dreams, Kaseem terrorized her. This time with his memories. Kara saw where Kaseem had hidden her father's body and preserved it. The plans he had for it were to horrible to remember. The perversions Kaseem indulged in were a blur in her mind, but she remembered the face of every djinn that had wholly sided with him. She also witnessed Kaseem's cruelty to his own people, and understood now why they were so cowed. She would not wish that treatment on anyone. <br><br>When she woke, it felt like she had not slept at all. To keep her mind off of what was coming, she asked Amina to teach her a bit about how to control her powers, and learn what she was able to do. The djinn had the power to create and manipulate the four elements, and it was whispered that the Eternal Flame bestowed more power on rulers who were worthy. <br><br>By the third day, Kara was able to show some control over fire and water, but earth and air still eluded her. Though Amina told her she was showing tremendous progress for such a short period of time. But it was not enough, not to Kara. If Hallbjorn did not come for her, she needed a way to fight Kaseem. <br><br>Every day she practiced the use of her power to prepare, and every night she prayed to any god that Hallbjorn would come for her. <br><br>When the guards came for her, Kara had no hope left. She did not fight the women who were to prepare here, because it would serve no purpose, and because she did not want them harmed again because of her. She was almost in a trance and not paying attention to anything the women did. <br><br>Even though she wished that fog would have remained, to shield her from what was to come, it lifted when she entered the throne room. Her gaze moved to the black flame, and it felt wrong to her. She understood what Amina was telling her, and Kara could see how the flame was twisted, impure and diminished. <br><br>Kara took in those that filled the room, and she knew what their looks meant. She had dreamed of what they did to unfortunate djinn women, and it made her tremble without ceasing. Kara would have fallen if not for the guards' hold on her, and she could not hide the fear she felt as she looked upon Kaseem. What he planned to do to her, and how he informed her that he would share her made the blood drain from her face. <br><br>Then the sound of thunder filled her ears and she could feel the ground shaking. She would have laughed at the king and his cronies as they lost their footing if she had not been so terrified. <br><br>The sound came again, and the palace shook with it. Kara gasped and her eyes went wide. She dared to hope that Hallbjorn had come for her. She fought the hands that held her, desperate to turn and see the door, to see Hallbjorn, but their grip was unbreakable. Kara looked on with disgust as the king threw a hissy fit, and then tried to relax. <br><br>“Hallbjorn has come for me. You will not survive.” Kara told him, and there was no doubt at all in her voice. <br><br>But then the warrior with the silver sash returned and she knew the hand that clutched his throat. That hand had touched her so many times, had calmed her fears, soothed her when she cried, and made her experience heaven. Her Hallbjorn was wounded horribly, and Kara could do nothing to help him. She had never felt so weak and helpless. <br><br>She had no time to try and dodge Kaseem's hand when it gripped her throat. Kara couldn't scream. She felt bones in her throat crunching and could not make a sound. Then she was flying backwards, and into the pit of fire. The sick fire burned over her, and Kara knew what agony Hallbjorn spoke of. Oh god, she was burning and she couldn't move, couldn't scream in pain. <br><br>Then the pain ceased. Kara's inner fire burst from her and fought the black fire. Her blue fire consumed the sick fire, burning hotter and higher until it reached through the opening in the ceiling and touched the sky. The last vestiges of her mortality were seared away, and immortality embraced her fully.<br><br>In that moment, knowledge suffused her. She knew how the djinn and vampire war started, and why the vampire brides wall died. Kara knew how what was bringing about the end to that horrible curse. The Eternal Flame held so much power that it became painful to bear as knowledge flooded her, filling her up, letting her know how to heal the land, and how to heal herself. <br><br>Kara used the flames to heal her crushed throat. Hearing Hallbjorn's voice had her riding a tongue of flame out of the pit, and when she saw him, she wanted to cry. But Kara remained strong, because she knew how to make him whole again. She went to him, and her hands cupped his cheeks. Kara moved onto her toes, and her lips pressed against his. <br><br>Her fire did not burn him. Instead, it restored him. The flame slid over his body like a warm wind.&nbsp; His wounds were soon healed, and his hand grown back fully. His eyes were healed, and he was able to see again. That fire, that piece of Kara and Janna, stayed within Hallbjorn, and became a part of him. <br><br>When Kara stepped back and Hallbjorn looked upon her, he would see a swirl of blue flames, and in the center of those flames was the outline of a woman. Kara's features were indistinct. She had truly become a creature of fire. <br><br>Slowly, the flame began to dissipate from her. Kara's features returned as the last of the flame licked at her skin. Her eyes glowed amber with traces of blue, but the look in them was full of love for Hallbjorn. <br><br>“You came for me.” Kara said in a voice thick with tears. “Hallbjorn, I love you. We were tricked. I did not know what Tarek told you. I would have stayed with you if I had.” Her voice became too choked with tears, and Kara gave into them as she hugged herself to his chest. She trembled against him and sobbed freely with her face pressed against his chest. <br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>24-10-2016, 04:28:56</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				If Hallbjorn's newly restored eyes did not recognize the creature of fire that stood before him, his heart did. He let the sword slip from his fingers. The blade fell to the ground with a clatter, but it did not hold Hallbjorn's attention in the slightest. He was too glad to see Kara again to question the turn of fortune that saw him instantly healed without having to suffer days of regeneration. She was there, in front of him: his mate, his love, the soul that matched his own.<br><br>"It seemed like a trap at first." Hallbjorn told Kara, working his large, strong arms around her and holding her tightly to his chest. "Tarek claimed you wrote a letter, and that he had read it, but in his escape djinn guards mutilated him and the letter was lost." One of his hands cradled the back of Kara's head and he lowered his cheek to nuzzle it against the top of hers. "He said that in the letter you wrote that you loved me better than peanut butter cup ice cream. At the time, it seemed unbelievable." The big man teased Kara gently. But coming from Tarek's lips and the way they had parted . . . Hallbjorn had disbelieved. He had watched every moment she spent crying in the rain, and watched every step she took down the long driveway until she passed the gate of his mansion. Every step he had wanted to stop her and ask her to reconsider. "But I knew if there was even a small chance that Tarek was telling the truth, I had to come."<br><br>"It was for love of you, Kara. I did not want to stand between your home, your people, and your father. I thought that was the choice you had made - those things over me." His grip on her grew stronger as he said that, forcing her more tightly against his iron-like body. "And I am sorry that I hurt you." The large man said. Then he loosened his grip upon her, and he hooked a finger underneath her chin to raise her face to him.<br><br>And then he kissed her. He showed her that he loved her. His kiss was everything that romance novelists strove to capture in their prose. It was his love, his passion for her in the meeting of their lips. The hand at her chin moved around her neck to cradle her nape, and his other hand was splayed low on her back. The kiss was full and strong and deep, and Hallbjorn found it bittersweet because he could taste her tears as well as her lips. When their lips parted again Hallbjorn was out of breath for how long he kissed her, and his eyes were grey and sad for how much he had hurt her.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>24-10-2016, 05:20:45</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara's arms slipped around Hallbjorn's back as she clung to him. It was only when his arms held her tightly that her sobs grew quiet, though they still shook her small frame. Having Hallbjorn with her crowded out any relief she would have felt about Tarek being alive, and reaching her mate. At that moment, Hallbjorn was the only one she cared about. There was no room for anyone else. <br><br>When he spoke of Tarek relaying what she wrote, Kara whispered, “Its true. I can live without ice cream. I can't live without you.” She would never touch the stuff again if it meant she could stay with Hallbjorn always. <br><br>She shook her head when he told her that he believed she'd chosen Janna over him. Kara wanted to explain what she felt to him, but at that moment emotion clenched her so tightly that she could not speak. When he tilted her chin up, she looked at him with her amber and blue flecked eyes.<br><br>Then his lips were upon hers, and he held nothing back in his kiss. Kara melted against him, and she poured all of her heart into their kiss. Her hands moved up around his neck and she stepped up onto his toes. Her fingers tangled in his hair and she breathed him in deeply. Kara's trembling passed, and her tears stopped falling. She had her Hallbjorn back. Everything would be okay now. <br><br>When their lips parted, her chest rose and fell quickly as she caught her own breath. “I only want you, Hallbjorn. Only you. You are my people. Your home is my home. I would never chose anything over you.” She smiled softly and rested her hand on his cheek.&nbsp; Her eyes widened when she saw that her fingernails were black, and then when she looked closer, she realized she had claws. She would freak out about that later. There were more important things now.<br><br>“I don't want to be here anymore. I just want to go home with you.” She told him softly, then glanced around the chamber and her brow furrowed. “I didn't get to meet my father. He was already dead, and had been for a while. I would like to give him a proper funeral before we leave. It will bring life back to the land.”<br><br>Kara looked back at Hallbjorn, and it was clear that the final decision rested in his hands. She knew that he would give her whatever she asked for, but Kara did not want him to think she would ever take him for granted. “Will you help me?”
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>25-10-2016, 03:31:24</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				"I will." Hallbjorn told Kara. He ran his hands over her face, wiping away the remains of her tears. He cupped her face tenderly and lovingly, and the sadness he felt at hurting her and doubting her showed in the stormy grey of his eyes and the expression on his face. He did not hide those things, nor how relieved he was that she was safe. <br><br>"There is one thing, first." Hallbjorn told Kara and his hands went away from her face. He dipped a hand into a pocket and he pulled out her ring. His other hand found hers, and lifted it up. Hallbjorn placed the gold ring on her ring finger, where it belonged. He gave her a vulnerable half-smile, and then they were ready to give her father a proper funeral. Hallbjorn recovered his sword and hammer, and Kara took them both deeper into the castle. There was a hidden room that opened by depressing certain hidden panels in a pattern that Kara knew from her dreams of Kaseem's memory. Within there was a raised dais where Jamal's mummified remains lay. <br><br>Hallbjorn carried those remains, and the pair returned to the throne room and the purified flames. While there was a lot of ceremony that came to be associated with the funeral of a king or a djinn of noble standing, the knowledge that the flame bestowed upon Kara allowed her to know that they need only commend Jamal's body to the flames and speak their farewells for the man to be properly at rest and for Jamal's link to the Eternal Flame properly severed. Once the body was lowered into the blue fire of the Eternal Flame, they consumed the body. The flames consumed the body completely, leaving behind nothing physical of Kara's father, but when the last part of him burned away the effect was immediately palpable. The very air around them seemed to grow sweeter and fresher. <br><br>Outside, rain began to fall. It was warm and plentiful. Plants began to spring from the ground, their growth accelerated by the power of the Eternal Flame returning life to the land. The process was exaggerated, but this would have happened were Jamal properly commended to the Flame upon his death. The fountain in the courtyard began to fill with water that flowed from a replenished underground source. <br><br>The rain fall did not last very long. Janna remained very much a desert land, but life was restored to it, and in time the land would fully recover. Given time and guidance, the people could as well. <br><br>Amina found the pair of them, and she was joined by a guard in blue who wore a broad sash. His clothing was dirty and he was gaunt of figure. She appeared from nowhere, a dervish depositing her before them. The woman was whole and restored; everything that was taken from her by Kaseem returned with the corrupt king's death. "This is my husband, Raju. I found him in the dungeons. He served under Jamal as captain of the palace guards and after Kaseem took power, he was imprisoned. I believed him dead." Amina's eyes shone with unshed tears. It was a time that was greater than her tears. "What happened to Tarek?" Amina asked Hallbjorn.<br><br>"He is recovering at the temple on the other side of the portal from Janna to Gaia." The blond Berserker replied. He looked over at Kara. "Helgi and Lyrata are looking after him." <br><br>Amina nodded. "With your leave, Kara, Tarek was instructed how to rule. He knows how. And with me by his side, to advise him, I could ensure that he can be the man Jamal knew he could be." Amina had a sense that Kara did not wish to take the crown of Janna. At least, not yet. "And when you are ready, the way to Janna will be open."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>25-10-2016, 04:52:50</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara smiled softly at Hallbjorn as he wiped her tears away. It touched her more then she could say that he was letting her see his emotions. But she wanted to erase the sadness in his eyes, and vowed that she would in the coming days. She wanted her mate to smile again. They had both been through far too much. <br><br>She gasped when he pulled her ring from his pocket, and fought to keep fresh tears from spilling. Kara's fingers trembled when he slipped it back on her finger. “I thought I would never see my ring again.” When Hallbjorn smiled, it was so vulnerable and sweet that she kissed his lips softly. <br><br>As they made their way to where her father was hidden, Kara remained close to Hallbjorn's side. She battled the ugly memories from dreams of Kaseem, and if Hallbjorn had not been with her, Kara didn't think she'd be able to face Kaseem's hidden lair. <br><br>Kara didn't know how to feel about the funeral for her father. She had never met him, but she wished she had. Through Kaseem's memories, she saw how regal and brave her father had been in life. It was one of the few good things that came from tasting Kaseem's blood. <br><br>Not wanting to stay anywhere near Kaseem's body after the funeral, she took Hallbjorn's hand and led him outside to the courtyard and the fountain that was filled with water. The rain fell upon them, but Kara did not mind. She turned her face up to the rain and sighed with pleasure. She could feel the land, and all that was Janna come alive. By the time the rain stopped, Kara felt as if much of the last few days had been washed away. <br><br>When Amina appeared before them, Kara hugged the woman and told Hallbjorn, “This is my friend, Amina.”<br><br>While she was nervous at first of the guard, Amina's explanation set her at ease. Kara would have hugged him as well, but he seemed so fragile that she ended up touching his shoulder with her hand. “I'm glad you are free, Raju. Kaseem will never be a problem again.”<br><br>Exhaustion hit Kara when she learned that the means to get home was so close. She leaned into Hallbjorn's side. “Tarek, I believe, will be a better man then he was, and I trust you Amina. I'm fine with him ruling. I don't want to be a queen, or even a princess. Just promise me that the people of Janna will be free to make their own decisions, and they can come and go as they please. The portal is permanently open.” It had been since she walked through it. Kara's blood had broken the control Kaseem had over the portal. It was another thing the Eternal Flame had showed her. <br><br>Amina gave her word, and this time when Kara walked through the portal, there was no pain and she was with her mate. She hugged Lyrata and smiled at Helgi, but felt to tired to do much more. <br><br>Then she and Hallbjorn were home and Helgi and his mate left for their own home. Kara leaned on Hallbjorn as they made their way up the stairs. She was happy to be back home, but the smile she gave Hallbjorn was very tired. <br><br>When Hallbjorn went to take a quick shower to wash the blood off, Kara joined him in the bathroom. She didn't want to be out of sight of him. After grabbing one of his shirts from the hamper that smelled of him, she quickly stripped and changed into it. She washed the khol off her face, and when Hallbjorn was finished showering, she climbed into bed with him. <br><br>Sleep took her instantly, and Kara did not even hear his offer to give her blood. She snuggled up against him and slept for a long time. Thankfully, there were no dreams. <br><br>When she woke, it was to find Hallbjorn holding her tightly to him and already awake. Kara needed to unload and share all she had seen and experience since she stepped foot into Janna. She spoke for hours. Kara told him of how the djinn once freely moved about the mortal realm. That her grandfather's daughter, the sister to her father, had fallen in love with a vampire. The vampire was one of the Horde, and whether it was an accident, or intentional, had killed her aunt. <br><br>Her grandfather hunted down the vampire and killed him, and in his anger and grief, he cursed the vampires with a plague that killed all of their women. Because he wanted them to know what it felt like to lose someone so dear. But her grandmother took mercy on the vampires, and gave a way for the curse to be broken. It would come from the union of a vampire and a djinn, from a daughter born to them. When that daughter reached immortality, the curse would be no more. In fact, it was already broken, and had been from the moment Kara reached her immortality in the Eternal Flame. <br><br>Kara's grandfather, who had gone mad with grief, sealed the djinn off from everyone. He would rather keep his people trapped in Janna then allow the curse to be broken. Such a powerful curse took its toll on her grandfather, and he perished. <br><br>Her father, who was only a child when his older sister died, came to rule the djinn. He was curious about the world, and his secret travels led him to Kara's mother. Inessa had come from a place called Dacia, a place the plague could not touch. Once she left Dacia, she could not return, and her father knew his love would suffer from the curse. He wished to bring Inessa to Janna, where she could live. He wanted to open the portal and Janna to the rest of the Lore. <br><br>Kaseem, in his hunger for power, seized upon fear and old prejudices, and led a civil war that killed so many djinn, along with Kara's entire line. Kaseem had already been corrupt, and his rule had been horrible. <br><br>Kara told Hallbjorn of Kaseem's violence to her, and his plans for her. It was like she experienced it anew, and she trembled and cried through much of it. But when she told him of Amina, and her kindness, Kara was able to smile again. She shared with him how Amina had begun to teach her to use her powers, and how she had seen signs of kindness among the other djinn who were so beaten down. <br><br>It wasn't until her stomach rumbled that she stopped talking, and then Kara turned a bashful smile up at him. “Do we have any pie left?”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>26-10-2016, 03:14:28</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				While he held Kara and waited for her to waken, Hallbjorn had time to take in the wonder of her turning into a creature of flame. He wondered whether that was a singular blessing or some ability that she possessed due to her royal blood. And he marveled too at being made whole so quickly. It would have taken days to regenerate to the point of being whole again. Days of pain and suffering. The Berserker was not a man to shy away from pain. But still, what his mate had done for him was an uncommon thing.<br><br>Kara woke and she spoke for a long time about everything she had experienced and learned. Hallbjorn held her tight throughout. When at last her rumbling stomach interrupted and she asked about the pie, he gave her an amused smile. She wanted pie for breakfast? As far as Hallbjorn was concerned she could have whatever she wanted.<br><br>"The pie is still there." Hallbjorn told his mate. He pulled the covers back off of both of them, and he got up, nestling Kara to his chest. One arm went under her knees and the other around her back, supporting her body that way. He carried her down in the kitchen and set her in one of the chairs. Then he fetched the pie out of the fridge and fetched a plate, knife and fork. He cut a very large, generous piece - he cut a whole quarter for her - for Kara, and set it in front of her. Before she could attack it, though, he picked her back up and took her place on the chair, sitting her down on his lap with his arms around her waist. Then she was free to take on the piece of pie at her leisure.<br><br>"When you are finished, would you like to take blood?" Hallbjorn asked softly, raising a hand to brush Kara's hair away from her neck and shoulder. He dipped his lips and kissed just below her ear, and then righted himself. His arm returned to join the other around her waist. The large man did not have the mark of her fans on his body and he wanted that back. He wanted to reaffirm that connection with her. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>26-10-2016, 04:51:48</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara was happy to be nestled in Hallbjorn's arms as he carried her down the stairs and to the kitchen. Her arms slipped around his neck and she leaned up press her lips against his throat, then trails kisses along his jaw. Kara loved the way his hair draped over her, washing her in the scent that was purely Hallbjorn. Before he set her down in one of the chairs, she whispered into his ear, “I missed you so much, Hallbjorn.” <br><br>She watched him move about the kitchen with a smile on her lips, and then began to laugh when he cut a quarter of the pie for her. “If that is a challenge, I gladly accept.” Kara's laughter was perhaps not as carefree as it had been before going to Janna, but she knew it would not stay like that forever. With Hallbjorn, the fear and pain of the last few days were already fading. <br><br>Kara had just picked up her fork when Hallbjorn lifted her from the chair. She giggled as he took her seat, then settled on his lap. Kara didn't attack her pie right away, because she wanted to take a moment and savor the feel of his strong arms wrapped around her, and the heat of him against her back. <br><br>When Hallbjorn offered his blood, Kara's eyes instantly turned amber. She breathed a little faster as he kissed right beneath her ear. “I would like that very much.” Kara wanted to feed from him, and have his blood erase Kaseem's. But what had her eyes glowing and her breath quickening was the thought of what would happen when she took his blood. Kara knew she'd find her release in the act, and it instantly made her realize that she was truly immortal now. She and Hallbjorn could make love. Kara was caught between not wanting to rush anything and needing to finally have him inside of her. <br><br>After a moment she began to eat her pie, and tried to distract herself from those thoughts by enjoying the taste of it. It did taste wonderful, even after three days in the fridge. Kara was sure that she could have eaten the huge slice Hallbjorn had given her, but she wanted to share it with him. <br><br>She wiggled around on his lap until her legs draped over to one side, then grinned at him as she held up a bit of pie on her fork. As he ate it, her eyes lingered on his lips, causing her to lick her own lips. Kara began to eat more of her pie, though shared a number of bites with Hallbjorn,&nbsp; using that time to try and get control of her body. <br><br>“I'd like to stay home today with you, Hallbjorn.” She relayed to him softly after finishing her last bite. “I just want to stay here, with you, where its safe and we don't have to deal with anything.”<br><br>Kara knew that Hallbjorn would not deny her. Even though she did not want to be a princess, he treated her like one, and she loved that about him. <br><br>After pushing away her plate, she looked her arms around his neck and turned on his lap so that she could straddle him. The need for him was still there, just as it would always be. Kara did not want to hide anything she felt for him. She wanted him to know that she would always want him. <br><br>Her fingers sifted through his long hair and pushed it over his shoulders as she bared his throat. Instead of going right for his strong vein, Kara leaned in and pressed a tender kiss to his lips. One of her arms slipped around his neck with her hand tilting his head slightly to the side. Kara looked into his eyes for a long moment as she savored being so close to him again. <br><br>With her lips parted, her fangs slowly extended. Kara lowered her mouth to his throat, and felt the strong pulse of his blood. Her other hand rested on his shoulder to brace herself. She teased him by scraping her fangs along his throat and right over the pulsing beat of his heart. Kara's tongue soothed his flesh, and then her fangs teased him again. She kept teasing him in such a manner until she could not take it any longer. <br><br>Her fangs sank into his throat, and Hallbjorn's hot blood filled her mouth. Kara groaned with pleasure right before swallowing. She drew more blood from him and sucked down each mouthful. With each swallow, her body became more flushed with need. Her nipples turned hard as they pressed against his chest, and the folds of her sex grew slick and plump. <br><br>Then Kara's release came, and she shattered against him. Her cries were muffled against his throat between each swallow and her hips bucked mindlessly. When her body calmed down from her orgasm, Kara licked where her fangs had sunk into him, then kissed his wound before nuzzling where his shoulder met his neck.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>26-10-2016, 05:35:30</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn ate when Kara held up the few bites of the pie to him. He should have eaten something more, but there was not an opportunity to cook that morning. He had not taken care of his body's needs while separated from Kara, but the young blonde woman did not need to know that. She had endured her own trials that Hallbjorn was well aware of after she shared them with him. <br><br>He nodded when she expressed a desire to stay home that day. He did not want to go anywhere either. "That is alright with me." He told her and kissed the top of her head. <br><br>Kara moved to straddle Hallbjorn, and the Berserker trembled with anticipation of her next actions. His breathing quickened just a little, and his heartbeat grew somewhat faster. She pressed away his hair and her mouth moved to his lips. It was a nice, tender kiss that Hallbjorn enjoyed. He liked when they could share things that were tender and gentle. It was for him a welcome change and respite in a life where so much was fierce and violent and rough. His head moved where Kara's hand coaxed and his neck was laid bare for her. <br><br>Hallbjorn grew hard under Kara at the first brush of her fangs along his skin. That hardness only grew more intense as she teased him with alternating kisses and brushes of her fangs. Hallbjorn loved every moment of it and let her know with low moans of pleasure at the feel of her teeth. His hands tensed and loosened where they rested over the small of her back. <br><br>Then her fangs sank into his flesh. Hallbjorn's eyes closed and he relaxed into Kara's grip. His breath caught and orgasm rolled over the Berserker, drawing a lengthy, low moan of unmistakably male pleasure. He kept enough control over himself to keep from spilling his seed - it would just be a waste to loose it into the black sweatpants he wore. A waste and a mess. All too soon it seemed that it was over and Kara's fangs left his neck. She licked the wounds and kissed them, then nuzzled against him.<br><br>"I missed you very much too." Hallbjorn said to Kara. His voice was soft with the after-effects of climax. "I missed having the mark of your fangs on me." The big man teased a finger up and down her back, running his finger over the shirt. "You are immortal now, Kara. We can make love. But . . . it is your first time to make love ever, and because of that, I want to be able to make it worth the wait. Can you wait a little longer before go so far with each other?" Hallbjorn asked. He did want to make it worth the wait, and something that she would always remember fondly. "We could still enjoy each other as we have before." He was not asking her to go without completely.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>26-10-2016, 06:53:44</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				It would be so incredibly easy for Kara's arousal to roar to the surface again. Hallbjorn made the most delicious sounds when he found his release, and she loved that she could make him feel that little bit of control. That he allowed himself to grow hard pleased Kara more then she could say, because she loved knowing the effect she had on him. <br><br>Yet still, she was nervous about going all the way. Hallbjorn was very large, and while she was sure that he would do everything to ensure it was not painful, Kara still felt a twinge of worry. So when he asked her to wait, her arms tightened around him as she hugged him. When she leaned back so she could look into his eyes, her own had returned to their usual honey brown. She smiled brightly at him and said, “Yes, I can wait, Hallbjorn. It makes me feel better that we aren't rushing into it.”<br><br>Her smile turned playful when she told him, “And I would like it very much if we can still enjoy each other like we have. But first I would like you to show me the rest of your- our home. I think I've only seen the kitchen, the basement, and the bedroom, and I'd like to see it all.”<br><br>Kara's hands slid down from his shoulders to his bare chest, letting her savor the feel of his heat and his strength. She felt peaceful when she was with him like this, and more comfortable around him then she'd been with anyone else. <br><br>That feeling allowed her to confess to him, “I'm not sure if you know this, but vampires go through a thing called nesting. I read about it in the Book of Lore, and it helped me to understand what I feel when I look around our home. I want to really make it our home, and...” Her brow furrowed as she sought to explain herself better. “I need to put my stamp on it. If that makes sense.”<br><br>Then Kara smiled at him before adding, “But the bedroom stays the same, because I love it. You have the perfect amount of pillows, which I cannot stress how important that is. I would like us to make the rest of the house feel like home, the same way the bedroom does.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>27-10-2016, 03:39:03</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				"I assumed that in time we would find ways to make this place as much yours as it is mine. I consider it ours now and whatever will make you at home here I want." Hallbjorn told Kara. "Whether that means bringing your things from Jackrabbit Junction here, or getting new things that you want, or both." The large man said. He was tempted to hike his shirt up and fondle Kara's bare bottom, but they would never get to see the rest of the house that way. "I contact the House of Witches and I got a bill for their magical clean-up. There is no evidence of there ever being a fire and everything is good as new there." <br><br>Hallbjorn leaned in and gently kissed Kara's lips. He held it for a long, sweet moment and pulled back. His eyes were still faintly grey. There were still many emotions roiling within him at having her back. "Let us go." Hallbjorn said, and he picked up Kara in the same way he carried her from the bedroom. So much of the flooring was hardwood. He would need to get her some new bunny slippers so that her feet would not get cold walking on it. <br><br>On the ground floor there were many rooms that were just empty, large enough to serve as bedrooms or studies. There were three washrooms with a toilet, sink, and vanity. There was a large living room with an actual wood stove. It had a large black leather couch, a large coffee table in rosewood, a truly enormous flatscreen television mounted on one wall with all manner of electronics hook into it - a stereo, cable connection, blu-ray/dvd player, and things of that nature. The living room had a wall facing the back of the property and looked out over a partially covered porch. The porch was empty but very big. There was a garage attached to the mansion and <br><br>Upstairs was very similar. Apart from the master bedroom, only one room had anything in it. It was room adjacent to the master bedroom, and there Hallbjorn had a collection of non-magical weapons and the supplies for cleaning and caring for them. He had several swords, axes, hammers, and knives. This room also had a desk and basic desktop computer with as fast an internet connection that he could get this far from the city proper. Upstairs had also had three washrooms, but these were significantly larger and included a bath tub and shower. <br><br>The emptiness of the rooms spoke to the emptiness in Hallbjorn's life before Kara entered into it. "There was nothing in my life before you, Kara." It was not figurative. Hallbjorn held Kara close and kissed her softly. He looked at her tenderly and with all of the love in his large heart when it was done. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>27-10-2016, 04:41:45</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara really liked the idea of bringing things from Jackrabbit Junction to their home, and it showed in her eyes. When she figured out how to ride the wind, she'd ask Hallbjorn to go with her. While being a part of the Eternal Flame had taught her much about using her powers, she had not tested some of those abilities yet. She wasn't really in a rush to go anywhere right then either. It could wait. <br><br>When Hallbjorn told her that he had already had her parent's home taken care of, Kara felt profoundly touched by his thoughtfulness. Her fingers gripped his long hair and she had to hold herself back from turning that gentle kiss into something more. “Thank you, Hallbjorn. That means a lot to me.”<br><br>She smiled when he picked her up in his arms, and her hands linked behind his neck. Kara was glad that Hallbjorn wasn't letting her go, not even to walk on her own. She needed this with him, especially after their horrible days apart. <br><br>As Hallbjorn showed her around the bottom floor, Kara already began thinking of little things that could make it more of a home. There were enough empty rooms to chose from, and she almost worried that she wouldn't be able to fill them all up. <br><br>While he gave her the tour, she told him what she was thinking. Kara wanted to turn one of the rooms into a library. Another one would make a good study, where they could set up computers for the both of them. She debated on if they should make one of the rooms a guest bedroom, because while it would be the courteous thing to do, she didn't want anyone there with her and Hallbjorn for even a night. At least not yet. <br><br>The living room was very nice, it just needed some pictures and splashes of color. When she saw the back porch, Kara informed Hallbjorn that they would be getting rockers for it, so that she and him could have ice tea out there, as was proper for this area. <br><br>She was mulling over what to do with the upstairs rooms, and marveling at Hallbjorn's extensive collection of weapons when his words squeezed her heart. Kara murmured softly against Hallbjorn's lips, and when she pulled back, she told him with absolute surety, “You will never be alone again, Hallbjorn. I am with you for eternity.”<br><br>The need to be closer to him, to show him exactly how much she loved him had Kara's eyes glowing amber. She cupped his cheeks, and then leaned in to kiss along his jaw. Her lips moved to kiss his eyelids, and then at the corner of his mouth. He had been wounded horribly in those places, and she wanted to kiss those memories away. <br><br>Kara whispered to him, “Take me to the bedroom, Hallbjorn.” While he carried her, she nuzzled his neck and nibbled his shoulder in-between kisses. <br><br>Once they reached the bedroom, Kara had Hallbjorn set her on her feet. She looked up at her strong berserker as her fingers loosened the drawstring of his pants. With more daring then she had previously shown, Kara slipped her thumbs into the waistband, and then dragged his sweatpants down his hips until they pooled on the floor. Her gaze locked onto his length that was so very big and hard for her, and the reaction in her body was instantaneous. <br><br>Need and desire rushed through her, making Kara throb between her thighs. She felt her claws curl. That was a new sensation for her, but she liked it. Her achy nipples kept brushing against the fabric of Hallbjorn's shirt. Kara looked up into his eyes, and then drew the shirt up over her head and let it fall to the ground. <br><br>She wanted to touch him all over, and explore him with her mouth. But Kara did not forget the rules he instilled when they had been together like this before. She wasn't sure if that had changed, so instead of giving into the urge to touch him, she asked him with a breathy voice, “May I touch you now, Hallbjorn?”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>27-10-2016, 05:04:10</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The temptation that Hallbjorn felt to deny Kara was very powerful. Not because he wanted her to go without, but because he wanted to touch her and lick her sex until she climaxed again and again. It was made all the more difficult when she stripped herself and stood in front of him fully exposed and the hard pink nipples on her breasts pointed at him. He wanted to take them into his mouth and soothe her ache with his lips and tongue. He looked at her body with a deep hunger that he did not hide. <br><br>He took a step closer to Kara and the large organ that was her focus brushed against her stomach. The hard, heated flesh rubbed against her smooth skin and lay heavily upon her. Hallbjorn's hands moved to smooth Kara's hair back over her shoulders and he stroked her neck and shoulders with his thumbs. "It is very difficult to let you have what you want, mate," Hallbjorn told her in a voice thick with desire, "because I want so much to do wanton things to you. It is so tempting to throw you on the bed and force your legs apart so that I can use my mouth as I please upon you." But his big hand cupped her cheek and he gave her a smile. "But you may touch me however you please." The large man told her, and lowered his hand, letting it brush over her shoulder and then come to rest at his side. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>27-10-2016, 06:31:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The hunger in Hallbjorn's eyes made Kara shiver, and when he stepped closer to her, she swayed towards him. The feel of his hot and heavy length against her stomach made her sex clench and her lips grow plump and slick. She leaned into his touch and her hands moved to his chest as he stroked her neck. <br><br>What he told her next had her body tensing and her claws digging into his chest. It felt like fire was coursing through her veins, and she had to fight the urge to tell him yes, to beg him to do just as he described to her. Her eyes grew brighter as she looked into his. Kara was both glad that he gave her permission, and frustrated that his lips were not on her that instant. <br><br>In a voice gone rough with the force of her need, she told him, “I want that. I need that. But first, I want to feel your seed on my breasts.”<br><br>Kara's hands urged him back towards the bed until he was sitting on the edge. When she moved her hands away, she frowned to see that she'd broken his skin with her claws. “I'm sorry. I'm still getting use to my nails.”<br><br>Hallbjorn's blood beckoned to her, causing Kara to lean forward and lick up the droplets of blood on his chest. The wounds were already healing, which was good. Because her need for him was too strong to be denied. <br><br>She trailed wet, hot kisses down his chest, but did not go to her knees right away. Instead Kara leaned slightly over him, and her hand took hold of his length. She brought it to rest between her soft breasts, then looped one of her arms over her breasts so she could trap his hardness between them. <br><br>Kara looked up into Hallbjorn's eyes, wanting to see how he reacted as she began to move her body. It was not an act she was at all familiar with, but Kara did indulge herself in what she was doing. There was so much of Hallbjorn that Kara was able to draw out her movements. She liked the feel of him so hard and trapped between her breasts, and reveled in the feel of her skin gliding along his. <br><br>When she glanced down at the crown of him pushing up between her breasts, Kara licked her lips. She wanted to taste him, but she did not want to rush through what she was doing to him now. But after a few minutes, her need grew to great. <br><br>Kara knelt down between his legs after freeing his rigid length. She took him in her hand, though her fingers had no hope of closing around him. After placing a tender kiss on his crown, she lowered her mouth to his heavy sac. Her other hand cupped him there, and held that part of him up as an offering to her lips and tongue. <br><br>She was not sure how much time passed as she indulged herself in licking and sucking on the silky smooth skin of his sac. Kara's lips sealed around one of his balls, and she groaned as she sucked on it, and then she repeated that action on his other one. <br><br>When she moved her attention to his length, her tongue trailed up the underside of it. Though she lamented that there was so chance she could fit him inside of her mouth, Kara thoroughly enjoyed herself in making it up to him. <br><br>Her tongue found that slit on his crown, and there she truly did lose herself as she licked it and explored it with the tip of her tongue over and over. When it began to offer up thick, pearly drops of Hallbjorn's pre-cum, Kara's tongue worked faster as she sought to taste more of it. Hallbjorn tasted like heaven to her, and she could not get enough of it. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>28-10-2016, 03:58:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"It is alright." Hallbjorn assured Kara when she apologized for breaking his skin. He gave a small sound of pleasure when she licked away the droplets that formed. He wondered whether she would feel the same when those same claws broke his skin during the throes, or whether she would enjoy it then. Her kisses down his chest had the muscles under her lips rippling and a series of small, pleased groans escaping the Berserker's lips. <br><br>He gave a particularly long groan when his length became captured between the warm, soft flesh of Kara's breasts. His eyes were hooded and foggy with pleasure as Kara worked her body up and down along his hardness. His hot length throbbed powerfully between her soft breasts, and it was obvious that Hallbjorn was enjoying what she was doing very much. He gave several moans of pleasure at what she did, and let himself relax into this embrace. <br><br>A small moan of protest escaped Hallbjorn's lips after those few heavenly minutes passed and Kara let his length free from her breasts. She held him in her hand and began to use her mouth on him, and the sounds of pleasure Hallbjorn made renewed. He gave several pleased moans and groans as Kara worked her lips and tongue over his sac, treating his balls perfectly. His head lolled back and Hallbjorn closed his eyes, letting himself just sit there and relax as Kara gave in to her hunger to taste him. <br><br>It did not bother Hallbjorn at all that he would not fit in Kara's mouth. It was alright with him. He began to leak pre-cum from the tip of his length as Kara's mouth and tongue worked to experience in full and beyond that part of him. It seemed that Hallbjorn's moans would not end. One simply carried over into another. More and more of the thick fluid that presaged his climax flowed and Hallbjorn himself growing closer and closer to the plateau with every stroke of Kara's tongue. <br><br>"I am very close, Kara." Hallbjorn said to the young blonde with a voice thick and heady with pleasure. "I will spill my seed in moments." He warned her, so that she could adjust him to spill that seed on her breasts if she wished. Or perhaps she would simply keep her mouth there and she would have all of his thick, hot seed in her mouth. Hallbjorn grit his teeth and gave a grunt of pleasure. Soon enough he would orgasm. He felt the first inklings of it and his organ began to throb . . .
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>28-10-2016, 04:41:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara treasured every sound of pleasure that Hallbjorn made. This was her fierce berserker, who showed nothing to the world. But with her, he now hid nothing. She loved how he responded to her touch, and grinned at the sound of protest he made when she moved her breasts away from his length. Kara had enjoyed that particular way of pleasing Hallbjorn, and she promised herself that she would treat him to the feel of her breasts pressing against his hardness often in the future. <br><br>Her tongue could barely keep up with the thick pearls of Hallbjorn's pre-seed. But Kara did not give up. She was too addicted to his taste. When he warned her that he would soon find his release, Kara wrapped her lips around the tip of him. Her hands moved up to try and wrap around his length so she could stroke him. Kara found herself greedy to drink what he offered, and she didn't want to waste a drop by letting it fall on her breasts. <br><br>Hallbjorn's organ began to throb, causing Kara to suck on him harder. When she felt the first of his release fill her mouth, Kara closed her eyes and drank him down. Hallbjorn was filling her mouth so quickly, but that was just what she wanted. Kara kept sucking hungrily on the tip of his length, swallowing mouthful after mouthful, while her hands stroked him as if to get every last drop. <br><br>After a long while, she had swallowed all he had to give, but Kara did not move her mouth away. She teased and licked at the slit on his crown, and would have been happy to swallow more of him. Kara never thought she'd be so greedy like this with a man, but Hallbjorn was constantly helping her discover new things about herself. <br><br>When at last she moved her mouth off of him, Kara smiled up at Hallbjorn with a look of impishness. “I got greedy.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>28-10-2016, 05:07:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"That is alright. There is more for you whenever you desire it." Hallbjorn told Kara as she looked up at him with her impish smile. Maybe he would need to hold her down and find release by thrusting himself between her breasts if he were to see his seed painting her rounded breasts. The thought made his face darken with desire. It was tempting to try that very act now. He was still fully hard and ready for more, ready to give Kara more. <br><br>Hallbjorn leaned forward and putting his hands at Kara's sides, just beneath her arms. The large man lifted her up off of her knees and came to his feet, lifting her with him. His strength was such that her petite frame was like nothing at all to him. He put her in the center of the bed, and crawled up to hover over her on his hands and knees. <br><br>He looked down at her and it was not difficult to see his expression, even though his hair cascaded down around his head and over Kara. It no longer mattered that his platinum blond tresses obscured the light. And the look on his face was one of hunger and desire. Hallbjorn lowered his head and captured Kara's lips completely, brushing his against hers in a strong, deep kiss. His hands moved to her breasts and covered them completely, massaging those rounded globes. His forefingers and thumbs found her hardened nipples and rolled them, working to soothe the hardened flesh with his attentions. Hallbjorn sucked Kara's lower lip between his and raked his teeth along it, inside and out, before releasing her flesh and invading her mouth with his tongue.<br><br>Hallbjorn pressed a knee between Kara's legs and worked them apart, moving to anchor himself between her parted thighs. His tongue stroked hers and he tasted her. He also used his tongue to tease her fangs, skirting their razor edge without cutting himself on them. No mean feat, but Hallbjorn managed. His huge penis rested heavily against her belly, lying flat and hot on her. It throbbed against her skin powerfully with each fast beat of his heart.<br><br>He broke their kiss abruptly, and looked down into Kara's eyes with a dark, sinful expression. "Where did you like my tongue most? On your sex or behind?" Hallbjorn asked Kara in a rich, delectable voice. While he waited for her answer, his mouth moved to her neck and he bit her there, leaving little light marks at first, but as he grew impatient for her answer he bit her harder, even enough to break the skin. He left six or so bite marks on her neck, and his lips were crimson with her blood. "Tell me, mate." Hallbjorn demanded of her in a voice that was to be obeyed.<br><br>After she did answer, Hallbjorn gave a satisfied little purr, and he kissed down her chest. His hands left her breasts and his mouth took up the fight. His right hand moved between Kara's thighs and he stroked her sex with his finger finger, working from her clit to the bottom of her nether lips and then back up. Hallbjorn's mouth found Kara's right breast and he kissed to her nipple, which he took into his mouth. The Berserker sucked on that nipple hard, and then bit down on it. He did not draw blood from that part of her but he came so very close. He licked over her nipple after, circling it with his tongue. Her other breast was soon lavished with the same treatment. <br><br>The finger at Kara's sex slowly dipped inside her. Hallbjorn worked that big middle finger of his between her lower lips a little bit at a time. She felt so very tight around him. Even as slick as she was it took some work for him to get a little inside of her. But Hallbjorn was patient and took his time until he reached her maidenhead. There, he went no further and let his finger rest inside her, feeling Kara's inner walls clench against him. He worked his finger in a slow circle as she adjusted to having him within her sex in even that way. After a time when she seemed to have adjusted well, Hallbjorn worked that digit in and out, slowly penetrating and re-entering her. His pace increased in tempo when Hallbjorn sensed Kara could handle it. All the while his thumb worked her clit, teasing and circling her little nub to add to the sensations.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>28-10-2016, 06:41:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When Hallbjorn told her that there was more if she desired it, her attention was drawn again to his length, which was still gloriously hard. Kara licked her lips, and was intent to discover just how much more there was when his hands slid under her arms and lifted her up. She made a little sound of protest when he settled her on the bed, but it did not last long. Not after she took in his sleek gracefulness as Hallbjorn crawled up over her on his hands and knees. <br><br>His blond hair was like a curtain around them that blocked out the rest of the world. She would have grabbed handfuls of his hair and rubbed it over her body if she had not seen that look of hunger in his eyes. Kara trembled beneath him as need tore through her. When Hallbjorn's mouth took hers, Kara's arms wrapped around his shoulders and her claws dug into his flesh. <br><br>Her back arched as she pressed her breasts more firmly into his big hands. The feel of his rough palms abrading her hard little nipples had her whimpering against his mouth. Kara's claws broke the skin where they dug into Hallbjorn's back, and this time she was not sorry. The way his fingers teased her aching nipples had Kara's hips bucking. Her need to be filled bordered on pain, and it was more intense then anything she'd ever felt before. <br><br>Kara's thighs parted for Hallbjorn's knee, and her legs wrapped around his hips. The feel of him so big and hard against her stomach had her hips rolling as Kara tried to rub her sex against him. <br><br>Hallbjorn's tongue teasing her fangs had Kara growling. That sensation drove her absolutely wild, causing Kara to writhe beneath him. When he broke their kiss and asked where she preferred his tongue, Kara was trying to catch her breath. She really wanted him to toy with her fangs again. <br><br>Then his question registered, and Kara found it impossible to chose between the two. His wicked tongue made her feel unimaginable pleasure, and she craved it to tease and fill both of the choices he gave her. Kara was struggling to answer when Hallbjorn's mouth moved to her throat. The feel of his teeth on her flesh made her feel delirious with need, but it was nothing compared to when he broke her skin and left his mark on her. <br><br>“More! Oh god, Hallbjorn, mark me!” She gasped loudly. Kara wanted the mark of his teeth all over her body. That edge of pleasure and pain had her sex clenching over and over. <br><br>She thought him sexy before when he crawled up over her,&nbsp; but the sight of her blood on Hallbjorn's lips was the most erotic thing she'd ever seen. His demand tore the answer from Kara's lips. “My bottom.” Kara panted with need. <br><br>Hallbjorn's satisfied little purr made Kara's toes curl. As he moved down her body, her hands moved to his hair and tangled in the long strands. She jolted beneath him when his finger teased the lips of her sex. They were already so swollen and wet from what he'd done to her, that Kara was amazed she didn't orgasm instantly from his touch. <br><br>Her legs unwound from his hips and then Kara dug her heels into the bed. She bucked her hips, needing to feel his finger tease over her clit. She was right there on the edge of her release, and Kara could not stop the hungry, needy sounds that escaped her lips. When Hallbjorn's lips wrapped around her turgid peak, Kara's body tensed. That coil of need within her tightened. Then Hallbjorn bit her hard, and Kara came undone. <br><br>She screamed as her orgasm tore through her. Kara's hands held Hallbjorn's mouth close to her breast as she bucked wildly beneath him. When he bit her other breast, it tore another orgasm from her. Kara was still recovering from that release when she felt Hallbjorn's big finger press inside of her needy sex. Hallbjorn's hands were big, and his finger pushing slowly inside of her felt incredibly big. <br><br>Kara worried if she could take his thick finger inside of her. Already her sex was clenching around it. Hallbjorn had already caused her to peak twice though, and it helped ease the way for his finger. She was recovering from her release, and lay on the bed in what felt like a boneless heap. She closed her eyes so she could concentrate on the feel of him filling her, and as his finger pressed deeper, Kara murmured with pleasure. <br><br>It took some time until his finger stopped fully. Hallbjorn had shown such extreme care with Kara, that it had not hurt at all. In fact, that fullness inside of her had Kara's breaths coming faster. If she had thought it felt good just to be filled by him, it was nothing compared to when he started moving his finger in and out of her sex. <br><br>Kara leaned up on her elbows, wanting to see Hallbjorn's finger thrusting inside of her slowly. Need was coiling within her again. His thumb teasing her clit had Kara panting. But over that sound, she could hear how very wet she was with each thrust of his finger. Hallbjorn's speed increased, making her need coil tighter. <br><br>“Hallbjorn?” She gasped, unsure if she could handle what he was making her feel. Already her thighs twitched and her legs grew tense. Kara fell onto her back as her forehead creased. The pleasure was becoming more then she could handle. Kara's clit throbbed madly under Hallbjorn's thumb. She whimpered as her hands moved down to his shoulders and her nails dug into his flesh. <br><br>Then Kara's release seized her, and her sheath contracted around Hallbjorn's finger. She screamed so loudly her throat soon ached. Her body bucked wildly beneath him as her sex clenched around Hallbjorn's finger again and again. Kara's release was so powerful that sweat beaded on her skin, and by the time her orgasm passed she was gasping for air. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>28-10-2016, 09:04:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				After Kara's third climax left her beaded in sweat and gasping, Hallbjorn shifted to lie down beside her. His turgid, heavy length remained on her stomach, the heated weight of it keeping contact with her despite Hallbjorn's new position. He left his finger within her, but he only filled her with it. The blond male allowed his mate a respite and time to recover from what she experienced. When her breathing evened out a little more Hallbjorn slowly inched his finger free from Kara's incredibly wet sex. It pleased him how wet she became for him. <br><br>Hallbjorn brought his finger up to his mouth and licked it clean of her fluids. He was slow in his actions, savoring the taste of his best beloved. It seemed all too soon the taste of her was gone from his skin and Hallbjorn was tasting only his own flesh and so he ceased, moving his arm so it draped across Kara and his hand touched nothing in particular. He wanted to run his hand all over Kara's body but he did not want to cause her to feel more than she could handle. <br><br>"Can you bear any more, or do you need more time to recover?" Hallbjorn asked Kara gently, raising a hand so that his fingers could gently stroke at her throat. He would relent if she could not bear more, but Hallbjorn had a few more things that he wished to do to Kara. They could wait, but he felt the edge of his desire and would dearly enjoy to have that edge blunted with satisfaction. He stroked at her hair, smoothing it away from her face and tracing the pads of his fingers over the edge of her, stroking over the curve of her ear and along her jaw. "Perhaps you need some ice cream to soothe your throat?" He asked her and cocked an eyebrow at her, lips turning up into a playful half smile.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>28-10-2016, 18:20:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara's arms moved up above her head to rest on the bed. Her eyes were glazed over, and a satiated smile pulled at her lips. She groaned softly when Hallbjorn slowly pulled his finger free of her and wanted to sulk at the emptiness she felt. But then she was watching Hallbjorn as he licked her release off of his finger. Kara licked her own lips as she watched Hallbjorn's tongue.&nbsp; There was still traces of her blood on his lips, and when she looked down her body, she could see bloody lip prints around her nipples. <br><br>She was still floored by the pleasure Hallbjorn had given her, and there was a dreamy look in Kara's eyes as her hand moved near her throat and her fingertips traced over his marks on her body. His length on her stomach felt hot and heavy, adding to the feeling of being surrounded by Hallbjorn. <br><br>Kara turned her head so she could look into Hallbjorn's eyes. A pleasant shiver coursed through her when his fingers stroked her throat. His touch was so gentle on the curve of her ear and along her jaw. Kara took hold of his hand and brought it to her lips so she could kiss his palm. <br><br>She chuckled when he brought up ice cream. “I want you far more then I want ice cream, even my favorite kind of ice cream.” Her voice was scratchy, but already showing signs of improving. In fact, Kara was feeling stronger by the moment, and was thankful for her immortality. She might actually have a chance of having enough stamina to meet his. <br><br>“I'm ready for more.” Kara told him as she turned onto her side. Her mouth moved to his, but instead of kissing him, her tongue flicked out to lick along his lips. A contented sound came from her throat as she tasted her blood and release on his lips. Those lips had given her such a beautiful playful half smile, and seeing Hallbjorn come closer to a full smile made Kara want to give him everything he could ask for. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>28-10-2016, 21:18:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I know." Hallbjorn told Kara when she said she wanted him more than ice cream. And he did. Deeply and truly, he knew that. "Maybe there is one thing we could add to the bedroom - we could get a little fridge/freezer to sit just beside the bed and we could keep it stocked with your favourite ice cream for breaks between rounds or just while we spend time in bed." His room had a television and all of the accoutrements, so it was easy to imagine the two of them curled up and watching something. <br><br>Then she said she was ready and turned onto her side. Hallbjorn anticipated a kiss but was surprised when she simply licked his lips. It was a nice surprise. <br><br>With his mate ready for more, Hallbjorn rolled Kara onto her front and slid over her. He brushed her hair over one shoulder and bared her back. He kissed the base of her neck and then trailed a line of kisses along her spine, going neither slow nor fast. The pace was just right to appreciate every inch of her that he covered. In time he reach the woman's waist, and then he gave a low growl of desire that was just a little dark and dangerous. <br><br>Hallbjorn began to kiss all over her bottom. Those kisses were at first gentle, but they grew harder and stronger the more of her soft, supple flesh he covered. In what seemed like no time at all he was sucking her on the flesh of her bottom, and raking his teeth along her there. And after both lower globes were bright and shiny with his attention, Hallbjorn bit down hard on her right lower cheek. He broke her skin and marked her hard, tasting her blood. He did not have the taste for it that a vampire did but it did not bother him. <br><br>Then his big hands engulfed both cheeks of her ass and spread them apart wide, exposing her most intimate parts completely to him. He could see the tiny pink star and the lips of sex in every detail. Hallbjorn gave a long, low grunt of possessive pleasure. "All mine." He murmured to himself sinfully.<br><br>His head moved forward and his large tongue licked the area between Kara's lower cheeks. He devoted several agonizing minutes to those long licks, and then he focused his attention on Kara's tight little rear entrance. He circled her pink opening with his tongue, licking over it and teasing as a prelude to what would come next. He took the time to enjoy her and to prepare her both. Hallbjorn groaned into Kara's backside, thoroughly loving what he was doing to her and not hiding it one little bit. At least, not intentionally: his penis was throbbing madly and his arousal leaked freely, pooling beneath him on the sheets. <br><br>Hallbjorn formed his tongue into a hard pointed and teased at Kara's pink star. He slowly worked his tongue into the tight ring of her backside, giving her time to adjust so that it would be a completely pleasurable entrance. He worked his tongue deep inside of her, and his face was pressed as closely as it could be to her bottom. Her soft lower cheeks were pressed against his face, providing him with a soft rest for his face while his tongue madly worked inside of her body. The large man was determined that he would make Kara reach climax twice by pleasuring her bottom with his tongue, and he would keep at it until he had what he desired.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>28-10-2016, 23:38:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara's face lit up when Hallbjorn spoke of putting a mini freezer in the bedroom. All of it appealed to her. The idea of them going rounds in bed, or just spending time in the bedroom, and her having her ice cream nearby. She nodded quickly, showing him that she was totally on board with that idea. He spoke of going rounds, and that had her claws curling. <br><br>When Hallbjorn turned her onto her stomach, Kara rested her cheek on her joined hands. Her eyes closed as she enjoyed the feel of his lips on her skin. “We should get a mirror in here, too. I want to watch us.” The idea was scandalous, but Kara did not blush or stumble through an explanation. She knew Hallbjorn would not make fun of her, or object to that kinky bit of herself that she was discovering. <br><br>Kara sighed softly with delight as his lips worked their way down her back. Her body became totally relaxed. Her berserker lavished her body with attention, and Kara enjoyed it thoroughly. But then he growled, and the sound of it made her shiver. Her hands moved out from under her head and tangled in the blankets as she lifted her behind in offering to him. <br><br>When Hallbjorn's lips began to kiss all over her behind, Kara murmured how much she enjoyed that. But as they grew harder, she gasped and squirmed beneath him. She did not consider trying to escape his mouth, because everything he was doing to her had her sex clenching and need coiling inside of her. <br><br>By the time his kisses included the scrape of teeth and suction, Kara was gasping and gripping the blankets tightly. It was different from being spanked, but left her behind aching all the same in a way she utterly enjoyed. When Hallbjorn's teeth broke the skin on her lower right cheek, Kara cried out with pleasure sharply. <br><br>She was resting on her elbows and trying to look over her shoulder at him when his hands spread her cheeks. Kara felt totally exposed to him, and she loved it. Her sex throbbed as her lower lips swelled and grew wet. Her nipples were hard little peaks, and with each movement they brushed against the blanket which only heightened her need. <br><br>“Only yours.” Kara gasped. If his hands were not holding her still, she would have thrust her behind higher for him. Hallbjorn had a way of making her behave wantonly, so that there were times she was not certain that she wasn't' a nymph after all. <br><br>“Oh god.” She moaned as his tongue licked between her bottom cheeks. Kara's knees braced on the bed and her thighs spread. When his tongue teased her tight pink opening, she pushed up on her hands and pleaded him breathlessly, “Please, Hallbjorn. Please.”<br><br>Then she was rewarded by the feel of his tongue pushing inside of her, and stretching her tight pink hole. Kara's upper body fell back down onto the bed and she pressed her face into the blankets. She could feel how tightly his face was pressed in-between her spread cheeks, and it thrilled her to know he was so hungry for that part of her. <br><br>His tongue started a tempo that stole Kara's breath. She writhed as his hold kept her bottom in place. Each thrust of that tongue pushed her closer to the edge, and then Kara was pushed over. Her body exploded, and pleasure ripped through her as her muffled cries filled the room. <br><br>But Hallbjorn did not stop, he did not relent in working his tongue in just the way she needed it. Before she'd barely come down from the first orgasm, another one pulsed through her. Kara screamed as her toes curled and her claws tore into the blanket. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>29-10-2016, 00:47:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As Kara came down from her second climax Hallbjorn slowly allowed the pace of his tongue strokes to lessen. His intent was to draw out the last bit of pleasure he could and to extend the sensations he was making her feeling rather than to force her up at the highest plateau of sensations. He removed his tongue at last from her backside and released her bottom, rising up behind her and letting his hands move away from her ass.<br><br>He moved up along her body, and had his length fall between her lower cheeks. His hot, heavy length pressed into the cleavage of her bottom and Hallbjorn planted a hand on either side of Kara's shoulders. He worked Kara's legs closed and rocked his hips back and forth, rubbing his tumescent hardness between the rounded mounds of her bottom in a slow rhythm that helped to soothe some of the ache he felt from being so hard for so long with so little attention paid to that part of him. He let out a lengthy groan, enjoying the feel of her soft flesh against his hardness. He spent several minutes rubbing himself against Kara in this way before he pushed back onto his knees.<br><br>He moved a hand to pull Kara's hips up and angle her as he wanted her. His other hand went to his length and he angled it between Kara's slick, wet thighs. Hallbjorn pushed the swollen crown of his length between Kara's legs, positioning himself just right to slide all of that hard girth between Kara's closed legs. The upper side of his length sawed against Kara's clit and the upper portion of her sex as Hallbjorn's member moved forward. He did this until his hips met Kara's backside, and he moved his hands to hold her waist. Then he drew his length back, the motion smooth and lubricated by Kara's arousal. It was not the same as if he filled her body, but it was a lot like what Kara would experience when they did finally become as one.<br><br>Hallbjorn worked himself between Kara's closed thighs, pleasuring himself with her body that way. The thrusting ensured that his hot thickness rubbed against her clit coming and going, working her sensitive flesh in a way that was very different from his fingers or tongue would. Hallbjorn gave irregular grunts of pleasure, and his pace grew faster the more and more pleasure that he felt. Hallbjorn held Kara fast while he thrust, keeping her just where he wanted her. There was very little give in his powerful grip; while she could wriggle a bit there would be no escaping the position Hallbjorn held Kara in until he let her be free. <br><br>It was a long time before Hallbjorn did change Kara's position. He let out a particularly sharp grunt and roughly flipped Kara onto her back. The Berserker moved up along Kara's body and straddled her upper body. his heavy sac hung down between her breasts and Hallbjorn put the leaking crown of his penis between Kara's lips just in time for the first of his seed to spray into her mouth. More and more of it followed in a steady torrent. Each throb of his huge length saw more fill Kara's mouth for the greedy little woman to swallowed down. It was a long time before Hallbjorn finished, and when he did he gave his length a single stroke to work out that last bit of seed for Kara, letting that large pearl of seed drip down onto her lips. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>29-10-2016, 01:37:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara's body went loose beneath Hallbjorn. The way his tongue still worked inside of her combined with her last, strong release left her dazed. She was aware that he lifted her hips up, but couldn't form enough coherent thought to wonder what he would do to her next. Whatever he did, she knew she would love it, because Hallbjorn knew just how to touch her in every way. <br><br>Her arms were stretched out over her on the bed. Kara offered no resistance when Hallbjorn urged her legs closed. Her bottom remained raised in offering. She sighed softly when his hot, heavy length pressed between the cheeks of her bottom. Kara looked up over her shoulder, and lost her breath all over again. Hallbjorn was magnificent to behold. He was so darkly sensual, like some pagan sex god. She loved the way his body surrounded hers and his hair teased over her heated flesh. <br><br>When he began to rock his hips, and she was treated to the sensation of his length sliding back and forth between the mounds of her pert bottom, Kara murmured to him, “I love the way that feels.”<br><br>She would have been content to let him continue to use her body in such a way, so when he pulled away she was surprised. Hallbjorn pulled her up onto her knees, though her upper body remained on the bed. She was wondering what he was going to do to her next when she felt his impossibly hard, long length sliding along the slick folds of her sex. <br><br>Kara groaned loudly and her thighs squeezed together more tightly. His hardness was trapped perfectly against her sex as her thighs kept him pressed tightly to her. She enjoyed that sensation alone, but when he began to move, it tore a groan from her. Kara could feel all of that hardness so perfectly against the slick lips of her sex that parted for him. The top of him dragged against her clit and left her panting. Kara's hand reached up under her to press him against her stomach with each of his forward thrusts. She was so slick and wet that her hold on him soon grew slick with her own arousal.<br><br>A low, sweet orgasm stole through her. While it was not as powerful as the ones he'd given her before, it was perfect in the way it filled her body pleasure. Kara found that the feel of his hips meeting her backside was something she wanted much more of. She imagined that it would feel like that, with him pressed against her bottom, when they fully joined, and she wanted that fiercely. She wanted to experience all of those new sensations with the way his body would move against hers when they were finally together. <br><br>When his thrusts grew faster, the hard ridge of him gliding a lot her clit made her whimper as another release claimed her. It was just as subtle and sweet as the one before, but this time she could not hold back her moans. She thought she could have come many more times, so when he pulled away, she grumbled loudly, then squeaked when he flipped her onto her back. <br><br>Kara looked up at him with wide eyes, but then her gaze fastened on his length as he brought it closer to her. The feel of his heavy sac teasing her breasts had her arching her back. But then the tip of him was between her lips, and Kara instantly began to suck on Hallbjorn's flesh. Her hands moved up to grip his hips and her claws dug into his flesh. <br><br>She was rewarded quickly with his hot seed filling her mouth, and had to swallow again and again. There was so much of it, and she didn't want a drop to escape. Kara wanted all of his release, she lavished in his thick, hot seed as it slid down her throat and warmed her from the inside out. She sucked and swallowed every new mouthful as her eyes locked on to Hallbjorn's. <br><br>At last, when he squeezed out that final drop onto Kara's lips, she looked like the cat who got the cream as she licked it up and took it into her mouth. Kara smiled lazily up at him as her arms stretched over her head. She felt languid and perfect, and Kara could have happily taken a nap right then and there. <br><br>“Was that round two?” She grinned up at him. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>29-10-2016, 02:58:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Indeed so." Hallbjorn said, shifting to lie down beside Kara on the bed. While he recognized that she did enjoy what he did to her, it was difficult for him to feel as satisfied with himself about it as when she was rendered utterly helpless and boneless with orgasm. The male promised that he would try harder to make things better for Kara in the future, to make what she felt compare with the heights she had enjoyed before. Perhaps her limits would be greater now that she was immortal and Hallbjorn needed to step up his efforts to match the added stamina she would have as an immortal. He would hold back more before allowing himself release to give Kara greater pleasure. It was what he wanted for her. She trusted him to satisfy her needs forever, and he did not want to ever leave Kara anything less than completely satisfied.<br><br>The large man was lying on his side, and he curled his lower arm to rest his head on. The other moved to languidly touch Kara's side, moving up and down over each of her ribs. The man looked over her nude body for the pleasure of looking at her. He did it just because he could. He watched how her breasts rose and fell with each breath and moved on lower to her stomach and legs. <br><br>"I never watched you touch yourself when I was protecting you." Hallbjorn said, his eyes on Kara's stomach, looking over the dip of her navel. His eyes slowly moved up her body, with a layover at her breasts, before he found her face and eyes. "I want to watch you touch yourself now. Like you did all of those times I looked away." He told Kara. "Show me how you pleasured yourself when you felt that need, Kara." <br><br>There may have been a time when Hallbjorn would have expected that to make Kara's cheeks flush with embarrassment. No longer. If they flushed at all - and there was no guarantee they would - Hallbjorn knew it would be because his little vampire mate enjoyed the idea of showing off for him. A lot of her cute shyness about things were gone, and her time in Janna was no doubt in part to blame, but it was also Hallbjorn felt that Kara was coming into her own. <br><br>"And tell me what thoughts were in your mind when your hands were on your body, searching for release." The blond man demanded of her. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>29-10-2016, 04:46:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara turned onto her side so that she mimicked Hallbjorn's pose. The love she felt for him welled up inside of her and shined through her eyes. It was not a moment where she needed to share what she felt for him, because her look showed it clearly enough. Hallbjorn was her world. She loved the way he treated her, and the way he touched her. She loved his thoughtfulness, and she loved the knowledge that she would spend the rest of her life with him. <br><br>Right at that moment, she loved the way his eyes roamed over her body. His touch was soothing to her, and she cherished it. Her friends from Arizona had shared stories about men that got what they wanted and then bailed, and it was something that always horrified Kara. But she knew with absolute certainty that he would not leave her. They would not be parted again. <br><br>His words should have alarmed her, but instead the thought of touching herself while he watched sent a thrill through Kara. Her eyes blazed with the need that thought brought forth in her. Kara took a deep breath, then lay onto her back again. Her fingers itched to show him just how she liked to touch herself. But his next demand gave her pause. <br><br>Kara looked into Hallbjorn's eyes. She would never willfully disobey him, because she wanted to be his good girl. Kara's voice rang with honesty when she said, “Before, when I was consumed with need, it would become painful if I didn't find my release. But I never actually thought of anything other then my need to have an orgasm.” Her brow smoothed, and she gave him a deliciously impish smile, “But I can tell you what I'm thinking about now when I touch myself.”<br><br>When he did not object, Kara closed her eyes. He was her fantasy incarnate. She knew what she wanted to tell him, and what she wanted to describe. Though Kara rarely if ever used course language, what she was thinking could only be described with those terms. But Kara trusted Hallbjorn. She trusted that he would no think badly of him, and that he would not look down on her. <br><br>Her hands moved so that her fingertips trailed over her throat and then her shoulders. “I love feeling your lips on me. I love it when you mark me with your teeth. I want to be branded like that with you, so that anyone who looks at me will know that I belong to you completely.”<br><br>Kara's fingertips trailed down her chest and then over the swell of her breasts. Her nipples were already hard, aching buds, and that ache only increased as she circled them with her fingertips. “Your mouth feels so hot when it touches my skin. It feels like flames licking me. Feeling your tongue laving my nipples, and your mouth sucking on them makes me achy between my thighs.”<br><br>Her fingers moved to her nipples, and she pinched them over and over, as she imagined Hallbjorn's mouth on them. “When you use your teeth, God, my clit starts throbbing like mad, and it feels like I will die if I don't have you inside of me.”<br><br>Kara's breaths came faster as she spoke, causing her breasts to rise and fall. Her thighs parted and she drew up her legs so that her knees were bent and her heels dug into the bed. “I want, I need, to have you straddle me, and press my breast tightly around your cock.” Her hips rolled from picturing it, and her voice became breathy. “And then, I want you to start slow, and tease me with how big and hard you are, and how you feel sliding back and forth between my breasts. But then, I want you to start thrusting faster and harder, and not hold back.”<br><br>She wet her lips, and while one hand remained on her breast to flick and tug on her nipple, her other hand trailed down her stomach. The urge to start teasing her clit was strong, but she held back, and instead ran her finger up the seam of her swollen, slick nether lips. “I want to feel you tease me here, too. I want to feel you like I did a few minutes ago, but I want you to grind your dick against me when you move your hips.” <br><br>Kara's finger kept tracing up and down the seam of her folds as the tip of her finger teasingly parted her lips. “Then I want to feel the head of your cock&nbsp; touching me just like this, and parting me just like my finger is. I want to feel how big you are as you slid up and down my lips and drive me crazy with need.”<br><br>Her forehead furrowed and her back arched with that powerful imagine, and then Kara could not stop herself from slipping a finger inside of herself. Her other hand left her breast and moved between her thighs, so she could tease her clit. Kara groaned loudly as her body flushed with need. “I love what you do to me here with your tongue. I love the way you're so hungry for me, wanting to taste all of me. And the way your teeth scrape along my clit...”<br><br>She was panting now as her body writhed. Kara's finger began to thrust inside of her while her other finger circled her clit. “Your finger felt so good inside of me, but I want more.” <br><br>Kara had to slow down her fingers, or else she would have come right then. She swallowed loudly before continuing. “I loved how tightly you fit me when you thrust against my ass. Your tongue there...” She moaned loudly, and her fingers began to speed up again. The finger inside of her pumped quickly as her other one grazed over her clit again and again. <br><br>“I want your dick inside of me, stretching me so wide, and your body pressed tightly to mine. I want you to trap my hands above my head with one hand, and I want your other hand on my ass, squeezing it, slapping it, and then your finger pressing inside of me. And then I want you to take me so hard-” Her words were cut off as she screamed. Kara's release tore through her body, turning it rigid as pleasure pulsed through her. Then as that pleasure turned white hot, she bucked her hips wildly as she cried out. <br><br>Kara wasn't sure how long she came for, but when it was over she felt limp. Her hands rested on top of her sex and her head tilted to the side so she could look at Hallbjorn. Her smile was a little timid, but a whole lot satisfied. Her eyes felt heavy and her body worn out from all of the times she'd come. <br><br>Her voice was soft when she asked him, “Did I please you, Hallbjorn?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>29-10-2016, 06:35:44</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn nodded when Kara told him that she thought of nothing when she touched herself before. He knew that she would not lie to him. He did not object to her saying that she would tell him what was on her mind as she touched herself at his behest, and soon she began to play with her body and describe the things she imagined. He watched her face as she began to explore herself, and then followed her hands as they moved down her body. He split his attention between what her hands were doing and looking to see the pleasure on her face as she played with herself.<br><br>When Kara's hand moved lower, Hallbjorn sat up to get a better view. He watched her begin to tease her sex and his hand went to his own length. Hallbjorn wrapped a large hand around his slick length, still wet with Kara's release, and he began to slowly pump his hand up and down on that organ to ease some of the ache he felt. His arousal was entirely from watching Kara's self-pleasuring; his hand on his length served only to soothe the aching hardness of his length.<br><br>As Kara played with her sex and she came close to her end Hallbjorn focused entirely on what she was doing between her thighs. His hand continued to slowly rise and fall along his length. The motions were relatively quiet and he hoped that it did not ruin the moment to hear the slick travel of his fist along his penis. But soon Kara's words were cut off by her orgasm that continued for a very long time and he knew that she had been fully into what she was doing. While she recovered he stopped stroking himself and let his hand move away from his penis, and lay back down beside Kara so that he would be there for her eyes.<br><br>He nodded and gently kissed Kara when she posed her question. "You did. You pleased me very well." Hallbjorn told Kara. "My perfect, good girl." He said to her lovingly and affectionately. This was one of those times when having a nice big bath tub would be perfect. Hallbjorn wrapped his arms and picked Kara up. "Let us go get cleaned up." He told her. He noted as he picked her up that her claws had done some damage to the comforter but it did not bother him. He would just have to remember to remove such things in the future if they enjoyed each other on the bed. Or take more control of her hands - either restraining her or keeping those cute black claws on his flesh. It excited him when she drew his blood with those claws - which was probably part of the point of them. To keep mates close and to excite them. <br><br>Hallbjorn carried the post-orgasm puddle of boneless girl that was his mate Kara into the bathroom, holding her tight and close to his chest. <br><br>He entered the big shower and turned on all of the jets, and soon hot water was sluicing away the sweat and other fluids from their bodies. Steam filled up the air and the overhead vent sucked it up and away. Hallbjorn relaxed with Kara in his arms. Even with his enormous body and arms encompassing her the woman was exposed to the hot water because there were just so many jets and so much coverage. He shifted the woman in his arms and held her against him with one arm while the other reached for the soap. He worked the bar in his hand until it was covered in suds and he gently washed her face and shoulders with one hand. Hallbjorn made quick worked of her upper body, spending far less time on her breasts than he wanted to but not wanting to inflict more on Kara in the state she was in. Then he washed her stomach and sides, moving to her hips. He shifted her, swapping her from one arm to another to wash her back. It was maybe awkward and more trouble the necessary, but he really did not want to let her go and he wanted to cherish her with his touch and take care of her.<br><br>The want and need to was especially strong after she had complied so fully with what he demanded of her. She had been such a good girl for him. <br><br>His hand moved over her bottom and Hallbjorn knelt to wash her legs. His hands were only briefly on her bottom and between her legs. It was not something that Hallbjorn particularly enjoyed, but he was efficient in cleaning her. Anything more and it would have escalated into something more with her body. That would not, perhaps, have been such a bad thing. When he was finished with her legs Hallbjorn stood up and stroked Kara's face lovingly.<br><br>"You were such a good girl, Kara." Hallbjorn said to her in a rich voice that was quietly intimate. "If you think that you can handle it, I think you have earned a taste of your favourite flavour of Hallbjorn. If you still have room after all of the seed you already drank." His length still stood so undeniably hard and ready for her. Hallbjorn's thick penis throbbed, filled with blood. "But if not, you can save this reward for another time." Hallbjorn's hand moved to run through the wet strands of Kara's hair, smoothing it away from her face and threading through it. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>29-10-2016, 07:33:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara melted into Hallbjorn's kiss, and then smiled with pleasure when he called her his perfect, good girl. It filled her with warmth inside to know that she had pleased him. As he picked her up in his arms, Kara rested her head in the crook of his neck. Her arms draped over his shoulders and her feet swayed as he carried her. Kara whispered softly to him, “I still prefer it when you touch me.”<br><br>She felt perfectly cradled against his chest, and felt no urge whatsoever to move. The hot water hit her body with all of those pulsing jets, and it felt delicious. Her hair was soon wet with strands sticking to her throat. Kara smiled when Hallbjorn shifted her to one arm so he could wash her. She loved that he was not about to set her down, and she had no fear that he would drop her. <br><br>When he used his soapy hand to wash her face, she giggled happily, then shut her eyes and her mouth so no soap would get in. The bite marks on her shoulder and neck were already healed, so she felt no sting from the soap. As Hallbjorn tended to the rest of her, she kept her gaze on his face. He loved her. His actions said it loud and clear. Hallbjorn had told her that he loved her, and it was things like this that reminded her and showed her again and again. <br><br>His hand was quick when it washed her sensitive parts, saving Kara from being filled with a burning need for him yet again. She still felt languid and sleepy, but a bit of strength returned to her. Kara quickly realized that Hallbjorn was still hard. She'd never heard of anyone having stamina like him, and wondered if it was something immortals could do. It seemed like so long ago when he didn't allow himself to grow hard for her, and now that he was letting her see how she affected him, Kara wanted to soothe the ache he must be feeling. <br><br>Hallbjorn only set her on her feet when he washed her lower half. Kara braced herself by putting her hands on his shoulders. The position afforded her the stunning view of his back through his wet hair and how his muscles danced just beneath his skin with each movement. <br><br>He stood up before her, and his hands on her face had Kara closing her eyes briefly to indulge in his touch. But his next words had her opening her eyes and looking down his body, to his very impressive length. Kara licked her lips and felt her fangs growing. She looked back up at Hallbjorn and smiled, “I will always have room for you, and I will always be greedy for more.”<br><br>With his hands delving into her hair, Kara slowly lowered herself to her knees before him. Her hands moved up to grasp his thick member and bring the crown of it to her lips. Kara's tongue flicked out to lick the slit. The urge to lick it more had her looking up at him with a lopsided smile. “Its hard to refrain.” In fact, she would have given into her urge if she had not been so tired. But nothing would get in the way of her tasting him, and bringing him relief. <br><br>Kara scraped her fangs along the thick head of him, and then did so once more. After that, she had no more teasing in her. She wanted to drink him down. Kara's lips sealed around the tip of his length, and her fangs slowly sank into his flesh. Blood filled her mouth, and was soon joined by Hallbjorn's seed. <br><br>With her first swallow, Kara's own release sizzled through all of her veins. Her hands squeezed him more tightly as she cried out against his flesh, and then she was swallowing again, and it caused her release to last longer, until her legs grew wobbly. Still, Kara drank Hallbjorn down greedily as she lavished in the taste of his blood and seed mixed together on her tongue. <br><br>Her release had robbed her of all her strength, but Kara did not stop swallowing and sucking on Hallbjorn until those delicious hot spurts of his seed ceased. She withdrew her fangs, and then kissed the mark she left. <br><br>Kara was too exhausted to get back on her feet. In fact, she swayed for a moment before resting her head on his thigh. “Hallbjorn, I'm so sleepy. Can we go to bed?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>29-10-2016, 08:10:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn experienced a very intense release when Kara bit his penis. He enjoyed her taking his blood and seed in this way. His head fell backwards and his eyes hammered shut as the intense waves of pleasure hit him. His hands shut so tightly that the skin of his knuckles grew ever fairer. His jaw clenched hard, the muscles of his face standing out starkly. The Berserker was left to breathe deeply when it was over. He felt Kara's face against his thigh and he looked down at her while he recovered from what he experienced. He felt a powerful wave of guilt as she asked him if they could go to bed, telling him that she was so sleepy. She was so exhausted that she could not rise under her own power. Hallbjorn turned off the jets of water and picked Kara up again, holding her to his chest and feeling very bad about himself privately for making her endure so much. <br><br>He grabbed a fluffy white towel from the rack and set about drying Kara. He held her firmly as he worked, drying them both off. When they were both dry Hallbjorn replaced the towel and carried Kara to bed. He pulled the covers back and brought them both beneath them. The large male settled his small mate perfectly, putting the comfiest pillows under her head and holding her just right so that she would be comfortable and know his touch while she slept. He kissed her lips gently before sleep claimed her completely. <br><br>He softened while she slept. Hallbjorn did not go to sleep himself, not completely. The man closed his eyes and dozed a little, but it was a light and transient state that was half-awake and half-asleep at best. The big man did not mind lying like this with his mate in his arms while she got the sleep and rest that she needed. A part of him wanted to get up and have something ready to eat for when she woke, but he did not think it would be wise to let her out of his arms and not be there when she woke. He knew that she needed it and so he would give her it, always. Instead he passed the time thinking about clothes for Kara. Things he would like to see her wear. His thoughts were surprisingly tame and he never really imagined her in lingerie. He was used to seeing her in own style, and that was in normal girl clothing. That was more than enough to make Hallbjorn happy. The short shorts that she wore at times were very exciting in their own way and showed off her delectable legs that were so long for her frame. Seeing her in a pair of daisy dukes with some heels - as incongruous as the combination was - seemed to occur more and more in Hallbjorn's mind while Kara slept. <br><br>When Kara did awaken, Hallbjorn greeted her with a gentle, loving kiss. "Hello there, sleepyhead." He said to her in a gentle tone, even though it was his fault really that she had gotten so tired out.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>29-10-2016, 22:27:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara was only somewhat awake as Hallbjorn lifted her up and took her out of the shower. She held onto him as he dried her with a fluffy, soft towel, and then nuzzled her face against his neck as he carried her to bed. Then he had her in his big, comfortable bed and it was so hard to stay awake. The last thing she remembered was the kiss he gave her, and then Kara fell fast asleep. <br><br>When she woke, she was snuggled up against his body with the blanket pulled over them. Kara felt totally refreshed, and by the light coming in through the windows, she guessed it to be late in the afternoon. She murmured softly against Hallbjorn's lips, then grinned at him. <br><br>Kara put her hands on Hallbjorn's chest and gently pushed him so he lay on his back. She crawled up on him so her body was stretched out on top of his, and her elbows rested just above his shoulders. Her face was lit with happiness as she looked down at him. “I had the most wonderful day because of you. There is no better mate then mine.”<br><br>She wanted to rain down her affection on him, and spent the next several minutes planting kisses on his cheeks, along his jaw, on his forehead and then on the tip of his nose. Kara gave him an Eskimo kiss on his nose. When her gaze met his again, her eyes had regained much of the excitement and zest for life that she had before Janna. <br><br>“I think, to celebrate today, we should have Chinese food. Like, a whole bunch of it. I want to taste everything.” Kara gave him a silly grin, and did not even mind her serious case of bed head. <br><br>She leaned up so that she was sitting on his stomach with her hands braced on his chest. “We can have it delivered, and then maybe watch the Lord of the Rings trilogy, or Vikings, whichever one you like.”<br><br>“Or, we can go out to eat, and then afterwards pick up the mini fridge for my ice cream.” Kara looked around the bedroom, wondering just where they should put it. “And a mirror for in here.”<br><br>Then her gaze found where she had torn the blanket with her claws, and she gave him a wry smile. “And a sewing kit, so I can fix the blanket. Then we might just need to get me mittens.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>29-10-2016, 23:56:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara awoke and pushed Hallbjorn onto his back, and so the large man went, complying with his mate's desire to arrange him. Kara's happy face looked down on Hallbjorn and it made him glad to see that expression on her face. She moved on top of him and soon she was kissing all over his face.<br><br>when she finished Kara had a lot of plans for the remains of the day. Hallbjorn listened while she spoke, and when her gaze found where she tore the blanket he followed and shrugged. It did not bother him that she had torn it in her passion. The thought of her wearing mittens during sex had him give a little amused twitch of the lips. He doubted that any mittens would last long at all. <br><br>He thought about what she proposed. They could go out for things tomorrow. <br><br>"Let us order Chinese food. We can get one of everything." He told her from his position beneath her on the bed. He kept his hands down by his sides and did not reach up to touch Kara because he did not want to risk inflaming her passions with an idle touch on bare skin. Hallbjorn shifted just a little beneath Kara to reach the night stand and his cell phone, and he searched for a Chinese food place that would deliver. He called them and placed the outlandish order, and then reached over for his wallet and withdrew his credit card, reading off the numbers to a disbelieving employee at the other end of the line. And because it was such a large order it would be a very long time before it was ready and then more time to be delivered.<br><br>Hallbjorn hung up and replaced the phone, looking up at Kara. "We can go out and get all of those things tomorrow. Even mittens, if you like." The blond male told Kara, and gave in to his impulse to touch her. He grasped her hands and kissed each of her black claws. "But I do not think that mittens will keep these claws at bay." He was very careful not to cut himself on her claws. Then he put his arms around her and picked her up, carrying his little mate into the bathroom. There, he urged her to brush her teeth and while she did that he set about brushing her hair, doing what he could to mitigate her case of bed head. Hallbjorn did what he could and enjoyed the act of brushing Kara's hair. He was very careful with her hair and he was never too rough with the brush. The mirror on the vanity gave Kara a way to brush her teeth and watch Hallbjorn at the same time, if she so desired. <br><br>When Hallbjorn was done with Kara's hair, he quickly brushed his own teeth.<br><br>"I would prefer to watch Vikings." Hallbjorn told Kara when they were finished in the bathroom. "Do you want to watch in the bedroom or the living room?" He asked his mate. Either location suited him. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>30-10-2016, 01:14:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara saw that little twitch of Hallbjorn's lips, and it made her grin. The urge to kiss him again was there, but Kara thought perhaps he deserved a few minutes respite after her kiss attack moments ago. <br><br>She bounced just once on top of him when he told her they could get one of everything on the menu, and then she was able to restrain herself. The last thing Hallbjorn needed was her bouncing like a happy little twit on top of him while he was ordering their food. <br><br>When he was on the phone, Kara could hear the conversation perfectly. Her astonishment at being able to hear it so clearly, without parts cutting in and out, soon gave way to mirth when she heard the employee's response to Hallbjorn. Kara covered her mouth with her hand to smother her laughter. <br><br>Hallbjorn took her hands into his, and as he kissed each of her claws, she melted. Her eyes shimmered with tears that did not spill, but gave proof to how much his gesture meant. Kara had not been sure if he would like that new, odd part of her. She had never considered claws to be a good thing, but as his lips touched her black claws, Kara decided she could be happy with them, because Hallbjorn accepted that part of her. <br><br>When he picked her up, she wrapped her legs around his hips and held onto his shoulders with her hands. The emotions that played over her face were a testament to how much she loved and adored Hallbjorn<br><br>At his urging, she climbed down from him and set about brushing her teeth. She hummed while brushing her teeth thoroughly, and then using the mouthwash. But her eyes constantly watched Hallbjorn as he brushed her hair. It was not something she thought a man would ever do, or even like, but she could see that he liked doing that for her. He was patient and careful enough that she felt no snag when the brush found some tangled locks. <br><br>Her fingers itched to brush his hair, but he brushed his teeth so quickly that she was only able to brush out the end of it. Then again, it wasn't like she could reach up to brush all of it. <br><br>“In the living room, please. We're going to need that big coffee table for all of the food.” They were back in the bedroom, and she was very aware of being buck naked. Kara headed to her closet, but paused before entering. She was not sure if she was ready yet to be separated from Hallbjorn by even one room. <br><br>Kara took a deep breath. Hallbjorn wasn't going anywhere. They would not be parted again. Even with that reminder, Kara rushed into her closet and grabbed clothing, then came back into the bedroom to where Hallbjorn was. <br><br>She blushed without looking up at him and offered an explanation, “I don't like being apart from you.” Kara slipped on her pink pajama short shorts, and then pulled on a black sleeveless pajama top. <br><br>After Hallbjorn pulled on some pants, Kara gathered up the blanket and a few of the pillows and made her way out of the bedroom and to the stairs. The pile rose over her head, and she laughed as she admitted defeat for carrying it all on her own. “Hallbjorn, I need help please.” <br><br>Once they reached the living room, she looked at the wood burning stove. It wasn't really cold in the house, but as night came fully, it would get chilly. Kara nibbled her lower lip as she concentrated on the wood inside. She pulled on that power within her, directing it to do as she wished. <br><br>When the wood in the stove caught fire, Kara jumped and gave a cheer. “Hallbjorn, did you see that? I made a fire!”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>30-10-2016, 02:04:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"It is alright." Hallbjorn said to Kara when she blushed without looking up at him. He gave her a look of love and concern that was also a look of understanding. Even though she seemed more and more like herself Hallbjorn understood it would take time before the terror she suffered through would lose its hold on her completely. He put his hand on her back and gently rubbed it over her skin, and withdrew it to allow Kara to pull on the clothes that she picked. Hallbjorn took Kara's hand and took her with him into his walk-in closet. He filled that area with his body, but he was there with Kara while he pulled on a clean pair of sweat pants and tied the drawstring. When he was done he patted the top of her head affectionately and kissed her forehead.<br><br>Hallbjorn grabbed the DVDs and carried them, watching with amusement as Kara tried to carry the large pile of pillows and blanket that she had accumulated. He felt something light bubble up inside him and he did not recognize what it was. He moved to Kara's side and helped to take some of her burden from her. <br><br>They reached the living room and Hallbjorn placed the pillows and blanket on the couch, then turned to see what was taking up Kara's attention. Then the wood in the fireplace burst into flame. It was a surprise - he had not expected it to happen, although he knew Kara could control flame and she had mentioned her friend helping her to learn to control her powers somewhat. <br><br>Hallbjorn could not help but feel light-hearted to see Kara give a cheer and a jump at her success. He came up behind her and wound his arms around her waist, and placed himself very close to her. He dipped and placed his chin at the top of her head. "I see that." Hallbjorn told Kara. His lips dipped and he kissed the top of her head gently. "I do not want to start a fire, but I like what you are wearing. It is very cute. My good girl is very pretty in pink." The Berserker told Kara with love and affection. If he were less in control of himself Kara would be feeling just how much he liked it, but her mate was able to curb that feeling. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>30-10-2016, 02:42:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara was deeply touched that Hallbjorn understood why she needed to be near him. His hand on her back was big and warm, and soon she was completely relaxed. She thought she must have been smiling like a simpleton as he took her hand and led her to his closet so he could dress. Sweat pants were not supposed to look that sexy on a man, but Kara loved seeing Hallbjorn in them. She liked the drawstring, and could not help but think of tugging it lose with her teeth. <br><br>In the living room, when he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, she leaned back into his body and sighed happily. Kara loved how completely he surrounded her. She felt warm and happy inside, and was delighted when he told her he liked her in pink. <br><br>Kara turned in his arms and smiled up at him. “Maybe when we go shopping for clothes again, you could help me pick out a few things? I think I would like that very much.” She was happy that he liked what she wore, because Kara was aware that her taste in clothing couldn't be considered 'very sexy'. It wasn't like some of those clothes she'd seen the women at Errol's wear. But if Hallbjorn was happy with her fashion choices, then so was she. <br><br>“Prepare yourself, Hallbjorn.” She told him with mock seriousness. “Because tonight I am going to teach you how to do something called 'vegging out.” Kara tried not to grin as she continued. “It will involve sitting on the couch for hours and watching tv, and pigging out on food and... Oh! We need drinks and plates.”<br><br>She took his hand and tugged him into the kitchen with her. Kara released his hand to open the fridge. She bent over slightly and looked inside. Though she did not crave any drink in particular, aside from what Hallbjorn gave her right from his body, she went with a diet Coke, and then grabbed what he wanted to drink. <br><br>After setting them on the counter, she grinned at him. “Don't tell me where the silverware and plates are. I want to learn our kitchen.” With that, she was off and going through the drawers until she found the forks and spoons. That left only the plates to fetch, and when she found them, they were in the cabinet on the top shelf. <br><br>Kara reached up, and then grumbled when she was unable to touch them. She leaned against the counter while standing on her tip toes, and her fingers just barely brushed against him. “Hallbjorn, help me please?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>30-10-2016, 03:28:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"If you want me to. But I am happy with what you wear of your own choice." Hallbjorn told her, further confirming that he was happy with her fashion choice. It was alright with him if she did not wear clothing that had everything she had out on display for everyone who cared to look. It was more than alright, actually. Her body was for him alone and he did not want other males looking at it. He gripped her just a little tightly and a flicker of possessiveness flashed over his face. Then Kara was addressing him with mock seriousness and Hallbjorn did not try to resist grinning - he simply did. <br><br>Then she was tugging him into the kitchen. Hallbjorn had some Cherry Coke as well as diet, and he asked for one of those for himself when Kara was grabbing drinks. His eyes were drawn to her as she bent over slightly. By the Gods, just that little bend was enough to draw his eyes and he enjoyed the sight far too much than seemed proper.<br><br>His eyes followed Kara as she explored the kitchen, going through all of the draws and cupboards until she found what she was after. Hallbjorn leaned back against a counter and was content to wait. He saw that she found the plates and he watched her struggle to get at them. His blue eyes saw her fingers just barely brush them. So close and yet so far. When she asked for his help, he walked over and stood behind her. He grabbed her by the hips and lifted her up so that she could grab them down. Maybe some rearrangement was in order. The plates did not need to be that high up. <br><br>"I guess we should add a step-stool to our list." Hallbjorn said, gently teasing Kara as he lowered her to the floor and set her on her feet. His hands stayed on her hips. "Or maybe not . . ." He murmured, and brushed his lips over the top of her head before he let her go and they took the things they needed into the living room to get ready to veg out.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>30-10-2016, 04:55:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn's grin made Kara feel like she was walking on clouds. She was so pleased by it that she gave him a quick, loving kiss. She had no idea that Hallbjorn had been looking at her behind as she bent over. If she had, she would have been tempted to bend over more often. <br><br>When he came up behind her and lifted her by his grip on her hips, Kara was startled into a surprise laugh. He lifted her so easily. While she knew that she was small and petite compared to him, it was still thrilling to feel and see the signs of his strength. She tried to scowl when he joked about a step-stool, but Kara could not hold onto it. She loved it when he teased her, because she knew it was a side of him no one else ever saw. <br><br>As he set her on her feet, and his hands remained on her hips, Kara's eyes closed and and she savored the feel of him all around her. A touch of lust rushed through her, but Kara put it aside. For now, at lease. Or else the poor delivery man would have a difficult time getting them to open the door. <br><br>Kara went with him into the living room, and set up the plates and the drinks on the coffee table. Next she tackled the pillows and blanket and arranged them just so. While Hallbjorn took care of getting the show&nbsp; ready, Kara crawled up onto the couch and pulled the blanket over her lap. A place right beside her was ready for him. <br><br>While she realized the television was big before, seeing it turned on and playing was a bit of a jaw dropping experience. “That tv is massive. Did you get it from a movie theater? I've never been to one, but I imagine that it must feel like this.”<br><br>Kara grinned up at him, then patted the couch beside her. She held back the urge to take pictures of them watching a show at home, because that would just be silly. It didn't stop her from wanting to capture all of these special moments that she shared with Hallbjorn. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>30-10-2016, 07:29:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn gave Kara an amused grin when she asked if his television came from a movie theater. It was not quite that huge, although it was definitely on the side of excess. He joined her on the couch and settled in close beside her. He would not have objected to capturing the moment with a picture, but he did not feel the impulse to do so himself. He put an arm around Kara's shoulders and let her nestle in against his side.<br><br>He started the show and they were able to get a few episodes under their belts before the food arrived. Although Hallbjorn had seen the episodes they watched already, it was enjoyable to watch them again with Kara. It was difficult not to feel a little bit nostalgic for the times that the show depicted. They were so long ago that Hallbjorn did not really know what was accurate and inaccurate from a factual standpoint, despite living in those times. It felt true to him, and it was difficult to watch the scenes that showed Ragnar's family as a family. <br><br>There came a chime from the front door. The delivery of their food would be at the gate. Hallbjorn rose and went to a panel near the front door and pressed a button to open the gate and allow the driver access to the long driveway. Hallbjorn took Kara's hand and went to get his wallet, which was in the bedroom. He was sure she would have followed, not wanting to be apart from him, if he had walked away without consideration for her. But Hallbjorn did show consideration for her. By the time they came to the door and opened it, the driver had just pulled up. The driver's vehicle was laden with brown paper bags that contained their order. Hallbjorn looked at how crammed full the small vehicle was, and went out to help get things out. He carried the food from the vehicle to the doorway and between the Berserker and the driver they had it all unloaded eventually. Since Hallbjorn had given a credit card number, the food was already paid for, but the big man gave the hapless delivery driver an enormous tip for their troubles. The driver seemed surprised that there was not an obvious party or something going on, but made no comment and gladly accepted the money Hallbjorn gave and left after wishing them a good night and that they enjoyed everything.<br><br>Hallbjorn and Kara then carried everything to the large table in the living room. It took them a few trips, and everything smelled so good. There were different kinds of rice, noodles, rolls, soups, as well as chicken, beef, pork, and prawns served up in different sauces. The requisite fortune cookies were there too, but Hallbjorn doubted that they would have room by the time that they finished eating. <br><br>Hallbjorn made a plate for himself and took a wonton soup, settling back into the couch and waiting for Kara to do the same. He bit into a deep fried prawn, enjoying the crunch of the battered exterior. <br><br>"Did you have a chance to enjoy much Chinese food in Jackrabbit Junction?" Hallbjorn asked Kara. "I know you like to take pictures. Do you want to take a picture of all of this? Our first veg out pig out together." The big man asked, eyes alight with amusement and a small grin playing on his face. "It is our first real meal together, with this as our home." He said, thinking it was significant. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>30-10-2016, 20:00:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara stuck her tongue out at Hallbjorn when he grinned at her.&nbsp; Of course, she was grinning right back at him. When he joined her on the couch, she pressed in tightly to his side and draped her legs over his lap. Kara took his free hand between both of hers and placed them on her lap. <br><br>It had been some time since she'd seen the first season of Vikings, and Kara found herself enraptured once more by that glimpse into the past. That she was sitting right beside someone who came from that time, and knew those people, filled Kara with wonder. Perhaps later she could ask him questions, but right then, she was content to simply enjoy the show with him. <br><br>Kara jumped up when the door chimed and happily followed Hallbjorn upstairs to their room to get his wallet. She grabbed his cell on the way back down. It was such a simple thing, that Hallbjorn would hold her hand and take her with him, but it touched her deeply. She couldn't stop smiling at him because of it. <br><br>When he opened the front door, Kara hid her body to the side and only peeked her head out. She didn't want anyone but Hallbjorn to see her in her pajamas, and added a robe to the list of things they needed to buy in the near future. <br><br>Her mouth watered at the smell of all the Chinese food. Kara held her hands behind her back so she would not be tempted to start pilfering what had already been brought up to the doorway. When the driver spotted her, she gave him a cheery wave, then smiled at Hallbjorn's generosity as he tipped the man. <br><br>It didn't take much time at all for her and Hallbjorn to carry all of the bags to the coffee table. Kara set about taking all of the containers out of the bags and opening them. Each new, delicious scent of food had her stomach growling. When she fixed her own plate, Kara put a little bit of everything on it, just to sample it at first and decide what she liked the most. <br><br>Instead of starting with the soup, Kara settled back onto the couch with her full plate. Her fork was held at the ready as she looked at all of her choices. She looked up at Hallbjorn and chuckled. “With a population only a bit over a hundred people, we were kind of sparse on any restaurants or fast food joints. I have tried Chinese food before though. Sometimes the senior center would have potlucks. Occasionally someone made a dish or two of Chinese food. It never lasted long. Not with me around.”<br><br>When he suggested taking pictures, Kara set her plate back on the coffee table quickly. That was all of the encouragement she needed, and the next few minutes were a flurry of her taking pictures of all of the food laid out from different angles, of Hallbjorn on the couch, and then the both of them together with their plates. The last few she needed the use of Hallbjorn's longer arms. <br><br>Kara was satisfied that they had properly documented their first meal at home together, and then settled back on the couch again with her plate. Then she was trying out all of the different dishes, which had her groaning after each delicious bite. Though one of the things she sampled was spicy and hot, and had her eyes watering and Kara panting as she fanned her mouth. <br><br>When she tasted the lemon chicken for the first time, the tang of it and the sweetness hit her tongue just right, making Kara do a little shimmy of delight. She quickly looked to Hallbjorn with her eyebrow raised, wondering how he was taking her antics. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>30-10-2016, 20:38:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Should I perhaps have ordered a few pizzas as a back-up for me?" Hallbjorn teased Kara lightly, implying that she would eat so much that he would be left hungry after he got whatever was left. He gave her a little half-smile to show that he was only teasing, and the lightness of his comment showed in a glimmer in his eyes. <br><br>As Kara took pictures of everything he was glad to comply. He enjoyed how much she enjoyed taking pictures of everything, and when she needed his long arms he was glad to help out. Kara's good mood was infectious and Hallbjorn found he had a good time taking the pictures of them together, although it was a fault of his inexperience that some of the pictures may have captured mostly Kara's bare legs or her chest. But this was only because Hallbjorn was not an experienced hand at taking photographs, and absolutely not because he had some ulterior, mischievous motive. <br><br>Hallbjorn watched Kara eat and he was very pleased to watch all of her reactions to each dish. He enjoyed every groan she gave with each bite. It just hammered home that this was his Kara back. The unreserved joy that she showed at everything affected Hallbjorn deeply and he let it showed how much he liked to watch her discovery and even when she tried something spicy and hot and had to pant and fan her mouth Hallbjorn loved every second of it. He held back a laugh because he did not want her to think that he was mocking her. When she came to lemon chicken it seemed to Hallbjorn that Kara had found a favourite and that little shimmy of delight seemed to seal his conclusion.<br><br>"I delight in watching you." Hallbjorn told Kara when she looked over at him with an eyebrow raised, a question silently posed. "It makes me happy to see how much you enjoy everything. I see your enjoyment and it makes everything better for me. I think of how many meals I have eaten in my life and I never enjoyed any of them as much as the ones I shared with you. Even when I dined at the tables of kings I did not find so much happiness as when we had snacks together in the truck." The large man told her. He showed his trust for her in confessing this to her and opening himself up. It may have made him vulnerable, but he did not feel vulnerable because Hallbjorn could not conceive of Kara exploiting this and using it to hurt him. The thought never entered his mind.<br><br>He speared some beef and broccoli, eating the seasoned food slowly. "It is a good thing that I do not care for lemon chicken, because after seeing how much pleasure it brings you I could not deny you a single bite."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>30-10-2016, 21:29:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara grinned at Hallbjorn's remark. She knew he was teasing her, and was happy that he was doing it more and more often. Her look turned sweet and innocent when she informed him, “Its not my fault you didn't order enough food.” Then she looked at the spread on the large coffee table and laughed, because there was so much food that she wondered if it would all fit in the fridge. She was really doing him a service by making sure whatever leftovers there were could fit in the fridge. <br><br>She already had plans for all of the pictures they had taken. Tomorrow she would ask Hallbjorn about getting her a laptop and a printer, along with a whole bunch of picture frames, so she could print out the pictures they had taken all along their trip and now at home. Then she could get to work on putting the framed pictures up on the walls. Kara didn't worry about asking Hallbjorn for such expensive things, because he had proven time and again that he was happy to provide her with whatever she wanted. <br><br>When Hallbjorn told her that he delighted in watching her, Kara set her plate on the coffee table and turned towards him. She got on her knees and was careful not to disturb his plate of food when she moved her hands to his shoulders and leaned in close. His trust in her, and the way he opened up touched her deeply. <br><br>“I have never had so much fun and felt so alive then I have with you, Hallbjorn. Those&nbsp; valkyries have got it so wrong when it comes to what you are truly like. But thats okay, because they don't deserve to see this side of you that you show only to me.” Kara then brushed her lips along his, because she needed to show him how much she loved him. Her tongue flicked against his lips, then slipped into his mouth and brushed against his tongue, giving him the taste of lemon chicken. <br><br>She was reluctant to break the kiss, but pulled back anyway. Because even that with him stirred her body. But Kara did refrain, because there was still a lot of the night left to both eat, and then later touch Hallbjorn and enjoy him fully. <br><br>“I love you, Hallbjorn. Immortality would be a burden if I did not get to share it with you.” Her words were honest and full of emotion, because she knew without a doubt that he was what made such a long life appealing. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>30-10-2016, 22:25:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn was happy to hear Kara's words and he was very receptive to her kiss. But like her he was reluctant to escalate it. That kiss was something that could quickly become something more. They did not need to just yet. There was so much more time for them. "I love you Kara." Hallbjorn replied. He reached up and stroked his mate's hair, and stroked her cheek lovingly. <br><br>"All of my life I have been waiting for this, and I did not know it." Hallbjorn said gently to her with a tender expression. He began to eat again, and played a few more episodes of the show. The two of them watched and ate together, and they were able to eat a lot. When they were full they needed only to wait a little bit and then they were ready to eat again. That was the way it went with Chinese food and being immortal did not change. When at last they had enough and had watched all of the episodes of Vikings, Hallbjorn was content to sit with Kara on the couch, his arm around her and her body close to his. <br><br>After a while, though, Hallbjorn got up and he and Kara took what was left over from their huge meal into the kitchen. It took some work to get everything into the fridge, but they managed. The waste basket was full of empty food containers by the time they were finished. Hallbjorn washed their plates and the many utensils that they used, then left them to air dry on a rack for that purpose. Spots did not really bother him. Then he took Kara back into the living room. <br><br>Hallbjorn turned off the large television and noted that they had everything that they needed on the big couch. So he re-arranged the pillows a little bit and moved onto the couch, bringing Kara along with him. He lay down on his side and had her lay alongside him as well, covering them both in the blanket and arranging pillows under her just right. "I think it is too much effort to go all of the way upstairs, hmm?" He told her quietly. "I love you Kara. Sleep well." The large man told his mate, and gave her a sweet and tender kiss goodnight.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>30-10-2016, 23:28:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sitting there, in their living room while eating take out and watching the television gave Kara a sense that she truly was home. Sharing it all with him made it all the sweeter. She was home. She had Hallbjorn. No worries bothered Kara. It felt like they were on a mini vacation from the world, and she could not have been happier with the way the whole day had turned out. <br><br>Throughout dinner, Kara used just a hint of her powers to make the Chinese food nice and hot, and keep their drinks cold. At first she worried she might blow something up, but it was very easy once she decided to do it. The use of her powers right then was not something she made a big production of,&nbsp; or even mentioned to Hallbjorn, but she was sure that he noticed. <br><br>Kara was so completely stuffed, that she groaned a bit when they went to put the food away. She leaned on the counter and smiled as she watched Hallbjorn wash the dishes. This was her mate. That thought would never cease to surprise or please her. She must have done something good in life to deserve such a wonderful man. <br><br>When they went back into the living room, Kara yawned loudly. She was happy to slip under the covers on the couch and press herself right up against his side. Her arm and one leg draped over him and she smiled sleepily up at him. “Sleeping here is good.” She confirmed, and then returned his tender kiss. “I love you, too.” <br><br>Then Kara nuzzled her face into his chest, and within moments she was asleep. The couch was comfortable, but apparently not as much as Hallbjorn. Sometime during the night she ended up on top of him with her face against his neck and her fingers tangled in his hair. <br><br>When she woke, it was to the midmorning sunlight streaming in through the window. Hallbjorn was warm and comfortable beneath her. Kara didn't move, because she liked right where she was. She was unsure if Hallbjorn was awake, but the sight of his pulse beating strongly on the side of his throat called to Kara. <br><br>Her fangs lengthened as her thirst awoke, but Kara held off for a moment. She wasn't sure if she should wake him before she drank from him. But then she began to think it would be a very nice way to wake up. <br><br>Kara's lips were delicate on his throat as she pressed tender kisses to his flesh. Her lips parted, and she placed her fangs right over that pulsing vein. Then, with deliberate slowness, she gradually sank her fangs into Hallbjorn's throat. Blood welled up in her mouth, and Kara swallowed it down. <br><br>Her body trembled as she instantly found release. That sweet release was only prolonged as she swallowed more of his powerful, thick blood. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>31-10-2016, 00:04:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn woke to Kara's tender kisses on his neck. He had very little time to take in what was happening, even with her deliberate slowness. She had moved on top of him at some point during the night and remained there. Her fangs broke his skin and slowly sank into the flesh of his throat, piercing the blood vessel there to give up his thick red blood to her thirst. The first of his blood was swallowed. Kara sucked at the punctures for more and his body yielded the crimson liquid to her mouth, delivering more and more of his potent blood until at last Kara was sated.<br><br>Hallbjorn moaned throughout the act, experiencing a rush of pleasure as always. Orgasm seized him and Hallbjorn's eyes jammed shut tightly as he felt good feelings suffuse every fiber of his being. <br><br>He decided not to be completely idle. A big hand crept down Kara's back. His hand worked underneath the waistband of her pajama shorts and Hallbjorn's middle finger found the lips of Kara's sex. He found them wet with the release she was experiencing from drinking his blood directly from the flesh. Hallbjorn stroked those wet lips and then slowly sank his middle finger into Kara's sex. He could feel her sheathe contract around his thick finger as he filled her and the release she felt from blood still worked through her. She was still swallowing when he had his finger as deep within her as he was willing to go. Hallbjorn stroked the finger in and out of her, using a moderate pace to sink his digit in and out of his mate's little sex. <br><br>When Kara was finished swallowing Hallbjorn sunk a second finger into Kara's sheathe. He added his ring finger to the mix and gave her time to adjust to being filled even more and stretched wider. The man was careful and gave her body as much time as it needed to grow accustomed to accommodating more. Eventually Hallbjorn's big fingers were sliding easily in and out of Kara's slick sex. <br><br>Hallbjorn's other arm was wrapped around Kara, holding her against his body. He did not hold her very tightly, but just to keep her close. Although he could not imagine that she would try to go anywhere, and she was free to writhe as much as she wanted to and she could even push her hips against his hand if she wanted. But her movements would not stop him from pleasing her body as he wished to.<br><br>"I am not sure what to think about this, Kara." Hallbjorn told his mate. "Were you trying to be a good girl with a nice wake up, or a bad girl with a naughty one?" The man asked her, his tone a mix of playful and dark. As he asked the question he started to push his fingers into her harder and more roughly, because by that point she was ready to take them that way and he knew that she would love it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>31-10-2016, 00:56:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The feel of Hallbjorn finding his release beneath her had Kara sucking on his throat harder and drawing more and more blood from where her fangs pierced his throat. Then his big hand slipped inside of her shorts, and his finger teased her plump, wet folds. Her grip on his hair tightened as she pushed her behind up in the air. She was still riding the wave of her release when his big finger pushed inside of her sex. <br><br>Pleasure burst through Kara, making her next orgasm take her hard. She cried out against his throat as his finger stretched her sheet and filled it. When his finger started stroking and thrusting inside of her, she forgot all about taking his blood. Her hands shot down to her hips and she pushed her shorts down over her behind and as far as she could down her&nbsp; thighs. <br><br>Her face was tilted up, and ecstasy creased her forehead. Kara's eyes were squeezed tightly shut, hiding how her amber eyes glowed. She was concentrating on breathing, and working her way through that release. Her hands moved up to his chest, and she would have been satisfied if that was all he gave her that morning. <br><br>But then he began to push a second finger inside of Kara's tight sheath, and Kara trembled on top of him. He took his time, so as not to hurt her, but her sex was already so wet and greedy to feel more of him fill her. She felt so very full and her small body clenched over and over around his two fingers. <br><br>When he began to thrust both of them inside of her, Kara's nails dug into Hallbjorn's chest as she hung on for dear life. Her eyes opened, and the look in them was frantic and hungry for what he was doing to her. Kara's cheeks were flushed with pleasure and need, and the feel of Hallbjorn's palm moving on the cheeks of her behind only heightened what she felt. <br><br>Kara couldn't remain still. His arm around her allowed her had enough give so that she could give into her need to move. She started moving back and forth on top of him as she tried to meet his thrusting fingers. Her breasts were aching, feeling hot and heavy, and her turgid little nipples were abraded with each slide against his body. <br><br>She wanted to rub her clit along his length, but she dare not lower her hips, because Kara was sure she'd die without him filling her up with his fingers. Her eyes were dazed, but she managed to lock onto Hallbjorn's gaze as he spoke. Kara's voice was breathy and hitching with each thrust of his fingers. “I swear, I was being a good girl. I wanted to wake you up nicely. Please don't stop.” Her words were rushed and sincere, and touched with a hint of begging because she wanted him to treat her like a good girl. <br><br>Kara loved his playful and dark words to her. She would have loved for him to say more to her. But then his fingers became rough, and thrust into her with more force. The palm of his hand seemed to slap her behind, and Kara became crazed. <br><br>She screamed as another powerful orgasm tore through her. Her movements on top of Hallbjorn became frantic, her hips wildly trying to meet each of his hard thrusts. The way he was giving her just what she wanted, touching her in the way she needed, made it so that Kara could not stop coming. And she did not want him to stop. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>31-10-2016, 01:38:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Do not worry." Hallbjorn told Kara. "I believe you." The large man said. The arm around her waist shifted and his other hand moved to grip one of her lower cheeks while the other hand continued to roughly and forcefully ram his fingers into her sex, just like she wanted them. Hallbjorn drew them apart slightly, stretching her just a little further open. The hand at her lower cheek squeezed her soft flesh and then smacked her there. Hallbjorn alternated between gripping her hard and smacking her bottom. The blanket on top of them did not hamper his efforts in the slightest. The only thing it accomplished was to slightly muffle the sound of his hand on her behind, but both of them had hearing sharp enough to hear it.<br><br>Hallbjorn removed the two fingers he had in her sex. Before Kara had a chance to protest, however, the hand that had been smacking her bottom took over. Three of Hallbjorn's fingers filled Kara's needy sex and there was only the slightest of lulls before his fingers were filling her again and again. He worked them in at a greater tempo, penetrating her faster and faster. She would be at greater liberty to move on top of him now, if she were so inclined.<br><br>Hallbjorn's other hand shifted slightly, and the big middle finger, so slick with Kara's wetness, moved to find the pink star between her bottom cheeks. Hallbjorn slowly worked that finger into her, taking great care so that it would not hurt Kara. He let her body adjust to the big finger working into her before giving her more. He was very patient and took his time, working the finger in a slow circle and letting it rest as more and more slid into Kara's bottom. Soon all of his big middle finger filled her backside and Hallbjorn let her adjust. His finger was quite deep inside of her and opened her up more than his little finger did. <br><br>When Kara's body was ready, Hallbjorn slowly worked his finger out of her bottom until only the barest tip of it remained inside of her. Then he worked it back in to the limit. He was patient and slow with that part of her, treating it with care and delicacy. The three fingers in her sex worked in and out at a much more furious pace, filling hard and fast. It was a very stark contrast that was lessening with time. Every stroke of his finger in Kara's backside would grow faster and more forceful just as much as she could take it, until at last there was no difference in how fast and how hard each of her holes were being filled. His hands smacked against her bottom cheeks hard at the end of their alternating thrusts.<br><br>Kara could not stop coming and he did not want her to stop. He was so very hard beneath her. The rigid length of him was like an iron bar along his thigh, the flared crown pointing towards their knees. It was very hot, even through his pants. But the blond male was not thinking about his pleasure or release at all. The only thing on his mind was Kara's satisfaction. He wanted to give her much as she could handle and maybe some more on top.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>31-10-2016, 02:12:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara pushed her behind hard against Hallbjorn's hand as he gripped one of the cheeks of her bottom. Her lips parted and she gasped as she could feel his fingers stretching inside of her. When his hand on her behind came down in a hard smack, Kara jolted upright. Her hands braced on Hallbjorn's chest and her nails curled and dug into his flesh. <br><br>Ecstasy and agony were written on her face. Each slap of his palm had her body tightening up and clenching, which made her sex squeeze mercilessly around his fingers. Each of his smacks tripped her into another orgasm, until Kara was aware of nothing but the pleasure Hallbjorn was giving to her. <br><br>She was not aware of how her breasts were exposed, her shirt having ridden up over them when she was writhing on top of Hallbjorn. Neither was she aware of her claws making quick work with her shorts and ripping into them so that they clung to her in tatters. The only thing she could do was feel, and hold onto Hallbjorn. <br><br>Kara nearly sobbed when his fingers pulled out of her. She was on the verge of yelling at him to put them back. But then her eyes grew wide and her breath caught. Three of his fingers pushed inside of her needy sex, stretching her open further. She had not thought she could feel more full then she had moments ago, but this new sensation was amazing. <br><br>Another orgasm gripped her, causing Kara to scream between clenched teeth. Her tight sheath squeezed his fingers, and she was rigid and umoving,&nbsp; except for her claws which pierced the skin of Hallbjorn's chest. <br><br>Kara bit her lower lip, unaware that her fangs had pierced her plump lip. Because Hallbjorn was pushing his big finger into her bottom. Her eyes closed and she gasped for air. It was beyond her to even worry about feeling pain, since he was using a bigger finger then last time. With the way his other fingers filled her over and over, it seemed like there was no recovery time between her releases, and they only became harder and more exquisite with his finger pushing into her tight rear hole. <br><br>The contrast of his fingers inside of her sex, taking her so roughly, and the slow, patient pace of the one filling her bottom were at such contrasts that Kara could only hold still and sob as another release claimed her. <br><br>But then the fingers of both hands seemed to work in concert, and the result had Kara thrusting back hard against them. The wet, slapping sound of flesh was loud, even with the blanket muffling the noise. Each of Hallbjorn's rough, heady and delicious thrusts inside of her had Kara's body jolting and her breasts bouncing. <br><br>She was beyond frantic, beyond wild, and unaware that she had begun speaking. Kara was pleading with him to not stop, telling him how much she needed it, and how good it felt. Her words were broken up by her gasps and cries of pleasure. <br><br>Kara had no idea how many times she had come, but the last one was so powerful that she could have sworn she blacked out for a few seconds. Because one second she was riding his fingers just as hard as he was claiming her while screaming so hard her throat hurt, and then the next second she was laying on his chest and gasping for big lung fulls of air. Her entire body glistened with a sheen of sweat, and trembles still wracked her from head to foot.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>31-10-2016, 03:13:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn enjoyed feeling Kara's claws on his chest, but he did not let it stop him at all. He continued to finger Kara front and back. He continued to pleasure her when she pleaded for him not to stop, when she told him how much she needed it and how good it felt. She had released so much but she still needed more and Hallbjorn was glad to give it to her. He worked his fingers into her hard, their passage slick with her arousal. <br><br>He did not keep track of how many times Kara found release. The blond male only noted that she did and it made him feel satisfied. Her gasps and cries of pleasure were beautiful to hear. He loved every sound she made. He enjoyed the sounds that his hands made on and with her body. <br><br>A truly powerful climax took hold of Kara, and it seemed like he broke her with it. She seemed to black out. She stopped moving completely for several seconds, except to tremble on top of him. Hallbjorn put his fingers into her and left them inside her. That seemed like a good point to end things for the morning. She glistened with sweat and Hallbjorn knew that she had shredded her shorts away from her body in a frenzy. Not that those shorts had been in his way any; such a thing would not have hindered him at all if she left them on fully. <br><br>Hallbjorn allowed Kara to recover from what he made her feel, relaxing with her body on top of him. He was aware that her shirt had ridden up to expose her breasts by sensation. The places where she pierced his skin with her claws were healed, but there was still wet blood on him. <br><br>"Clean up my chest, Kara." Hallbjorn told Kara when she had caught her breath and recovered enough to make sense of his words. "Lick up all of the blood you shed. Do not let it go to waste." It was not an admonishment. Simply a dark, sinful command for her to use her mouth on his body.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>31-10-2016, 04:23:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Eventually Kara raised her head so that she could look into Hallbjorn's eyes. She thought that she had had enough, and that she could not take any more, but when Hallbjorn commanded her in that sinfully dark voice, it caused her body to clench around his fingers once more. <br><br>Kara looked down at his chest, and saw that she had drawn blood with her claws. She wanted to obey him, and would have done anything he told her to. Her gaze returned to his as she lowered her mouth a breath away from his chest. Kara began to lick up the blood she had left on him. Her licks were slow and long as she cleaned his chest. <br><br>Her hips were no longer still. While she used her tongue on him, she moved her hips just enough to feel a bit of friction while riding his fingers. It was not enough for her to get totally worked up again, but she indulged in the slow pace and the way his fingers spread her so wonderfully. <br><br>Kara could feel the incredible hardness of his length as it brushed her thigh. It felt like it branded her with heat, even through the sweatpants he wore. Hallbjorn had given her so much, and she did not want to leave him aching. If she shifted herself just a little, she knew she could grind her clit against him. But didn't simply want to take from him, she wanted to give to him. <br><br>When she finished licking all of the blood from his chest, she looked up at Hallbjorn with eyes that still glowed. “What else will you command me to do?”<br><br>Kara's hand slipped down between her body and his, and her palm rested on what she could reach of his hardness. It was clear that she would be ready for more, if he only commanded it. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>31-10-2016, 05:11:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn laid back and enjoyed while Kara licked up the blood from his chest. Her long, slow licks ensured that it lasted as long it could. When she was done he glanced down to see her glowing eyes and took in her question. He felt her hand slip down between their bodies, with her palm resting on part of his erection. There was a pensive look on Hallbjorn's face and he shook his head.<br><br>"Nothing more. For now." The blond male said to his little mate. He kissed her forehead and then her lips. While his lips were upon hers he withdrew his fingers from her body and pulled back the blanket from atop both of them. Bits of pink fabric fell to the ground and clung to the blanket. There were remains of her shredded shorts stuck between them. Hallbjorn was not very concerned. They could clean up later. <br><br>"It is time to get ready for the day." Hallbjorn told Kara. "There are all kinds of different things we need to pick up." The tall man told her. He put his arms around her to steady her to his chest as he sat up and swung his legs over the side of the couch to the floor. He carried her up the stairs and into the bathroom that adjoined their bedroom, and once they were there he set her on her feet. She was bare save for the top she had almost wriggled out of, and Hallbjorn removed that from her. He tossed it into a laundry hamper, then unfastened the drawstring of his sweat pants before removing them and letting them join Kara's pajama top. <br><br>He took her hand and led her into the shower. Hallbjorn turned the water on and let it fall down on them. He took time and care shampooing Kara's hair, massaging her scalp while he did. After he was satisfied his soaped up his hands and began to wash Kara's body, taking his time with areas that were less sensitive but being more efficient with areas that were. When he was finished cleaning her Hallbjorn washed himself, quickly washing his hair and body. After they were both rinsed clean Hallbjorn turned the water off and led Kara out by the hand. He dried her with a towel and then did himself. He bid her to brush her teeth and again combed out her wet hair, then took care of cleaning his teeth. <br><br>When that was all done and they were back in the bedroom, Hallbjorn entered into Kara's walk in closet, leading with a hand low on her back.<br><br>"I need you to make up a list of everything that we need to pick up." Hallbjorn told Kara. "And anything that you want to be more comfortable and at home here."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>31-10-2016, 06:10:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara was surprised that Hallbjorn didn't want his own relief, but she accepted his decision. It wasn't like there would be a lack of pleasure in their future. She had him for eternity. She smiled against his lips, and only groaned a small bit when he pulled his fingers from her. <br><br>When Hallbjorn flipped the blanket off of them, she frowned as she saw the bits of pink fabric fly before falling to the ground. Kara didn't even remember doing that to her pajama shorts. It seemed that both she and Hallbjorn would be going through plenty of clothing. <br><br>She felt a surge of excitement he told her of their plans for the day. As Hallbjorn picked her up, Kara wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. Her ankles locked behind him, but she made no move to misbehave. <br><br>“Thank you, Hallbjorn.” Kara sighed in his ear. He was providing for her before she had even brought up the subject, and it served to reaffirm just how wonderful Hallbjorn was to her. <br><br>Kara stood still as Hallbjorn removed her top, and though she was behaving, it didn't stop her from admiring his body after he removed his sweatpants. Though from the look of the pile of laundry in the hamper, Kara felt the urge to start helping him out around the house. <br><br>But for now, she was more then content to stand under the hot sprays of the shower as Hallbjorn washed her body. Kara treasured these silent times with him, when nothing needed to be said. She only hoped that she made him feel as loved as he made her feel. <br><br>She smiled happily as he shampooed her hair. Kara would have happily returned the favor, and washed Hallbjorn, but he obviously was intent on their plans for the day because he washed himself quickly. <br><br>After they finished showering and he pampered her by drying her off, Kara went to the sink and brushed her teeth. While she did so, she looked into the mirror as Hallbjorn combed her hair. He took care of her so well that she didn't think the words existed to express just how much she loved him. <br><br>When they were in her closet, she looked up at him, and then jumped up so she could wrap her arms around his shoulders and hug him again. It was easy to tell from her actions just how much Hallbjorn pleased her. <br><br>Kara was only halfway paying attention as she pulled on a silky black thong with a matching bra. Her mind was already whirling with things she would like to get, both for the house and for her. What little worry she felt about not being able to buy Hallbjorn anything she was able to dismiss, because she believed Hallbjorn would be pleased simply by providing for her. <br><br>After dressing in a pair of short white shorts, Kara pulled on a rich purple camisole. Sandals completely the outfit, and then on their way to Hallbjorn's closet, she grabbed a pad of paper and a pen. <br><br>Kara started on the list as Hallbjorn dressed. They would need to visit a cell phone shop, an electronics store, and appliance store, a computer store, a clothing department, and someplace that sold art to put on the walls. Kara looked through the doorway and eyed the bed. They would probably need to go to a linen store as well. <br><br>And someplace that sold purses, because she missed her purses. That got Kara to thinking about getting a new wallet. Not that she had anything to put into it. She didn't have any of her old cards from her life in Arizona, and she really had no need for Hallbjorn to give her new cards. <br><br>Kara looked up at Hallbjorn with a slight frown gracing her forehead. “Hallbjorn, do I need an ID or driver's license for here? How does that work for an immortal?”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>01-11-2016, 03:25:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn dressed in a pair of black jeans and put on a plain black t-shirt. He wore a belt with a plain metal buckle that had been painted black. Black was a wonderful colour: it went with everything and always matched. Although it did show a lack of imagination that 90% of everything he owned was in black. <br><br>"It is probably a good idea to have them." He told her. "Most immortals do, although they are very skillful forgeries. We can go visit Errol's and find a dozen demons able to fabricate them. We should visit the bank and get you added to my credit card. Just in case." The large man said. It would not hurt for her to be on his card and to have her own with her name on it. And it was all part of the two of them being together. <br><br>"Let us have leftover Chinese food for breakfast." Hallbjorn said. "You may have pie also if you desire." The blond man told her with a hint of a smile. He put an arm around her and led her downstairs. He got out some plates for them, and he dug out what he wanted from their leftovers and asked Kara for what she wanted, then dug that out as well. They made plates for themselves. Hallbjorn did not opt to microwave his, and ate it cold. It tasted just as good that way.<br><br>"Do you want me to wear a ring to match yours?" Hallbjorn asked while they ate. He had her mark on his neck, and it was enough for Hallbjorn. He knew that he was loved. The promises that they had already made to each other were enough for him. Any immortal would be able to tell rather easily, if they saw Kara and Hallbjorn together, that they were a mated pair. But mortals would not understand how deep their bond was if they saw them. It did not matter to Hallbjorn if women stared at him, because he was oblivious to their attentions and utterly out of their reach. It mattered if other males looked at Kara. She was his, and he felt very possessive.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>01-11-2016, 05:11:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara's eyes grew large when Hallbjorn mentioned going to Errol's to get an ID from some demons. She tried to keep her fear from showing, because she wanted to be strong like Hallbjorn was. “Will they be nice demons?” Kara nibbled on her lower lip as she thought of all the demons that had come for her and hurt Hallbjorn. While she would like an ID, it wasn't worth it if Hallbjorn was in danger. <br><br>As much as she feared that idea, she was pleased by Hallbjorn's thoughtfulness when he told her he wanted to get her name added to his credit card. He was always anticipating her needs and wants. It all reminded her of that first night, when he had lit a candle for her and made sure it did not go out. <br><br>Kara grinned when he mentioned the pie. “It would be wrong to let it go to waste.” As they made their way downstairs, she hugged herself to his side and was struck again by how well they fit together. <br><br>After she had dished herself up a plate of Chinese food, with the slice of pie on the side, she took Hallbjorn's lead and ate her food cold. It was different from when it was hot, and just as delicious. Both of them managed to finish off half of the leftovers, so that she could actually see the back of the fridge now. <br><br>As she was eating her pie, she thought of Hallbjorn's question. Kara frowned as she responded. “I don't like women looking at your behind, like those women from the steak house. I think perhaps if you wore a ring, then they might not make those comments that they did while I'm around.” It turned out that Kara was the jealous type. <br><br>When they finished eating, she gathered up the dishes before he could protest and quickly washed them. Kara could have put them in the dishwasher, but she was content to wash them by hand. It was one of the few things she could do in a kitchen without burning food or starting a fire. <br><br>After drying her hands, she turned to look at Hallbjorn with one eyebrow quirked up. “Do you cook, Hallbjorn?” Everything in the kitchen looked high end, and Kara didn't think it was all just for show. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>02-11-2016, 05:25:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Perhaps. It is unlikely that they will want to harm you." Hallbjorn told Kara when she asked about the demons. He believed that she would be out of danger now. Without Kaseem alive to pay for her capture, there was no reason for any demons to pursue her. <br><br>Hallbjorn nodded when Kara said that she did not like other women looking at him and making comments. "We can add a visit to a jeweler's to the list then." He said. He wanted her to be happy and perhaps it would help like she thought.<br><br>Kara washed the dishes too quickly for him to protest her doing so or help out. Hallbjorn himself did not generally use the dishwasher because he typically would take a week to fill it. The man used very few dishes on his own.<br><br>"Sometimes." Hallbjorn answered when Kara asked if he could cook. He knew that she did not and it did not bother him. The blond male could not make anything as good as the foods that they enjoyed together. <br><br>With the dishes done it was time to go out. Hallbjorn made a detour to the basement and picked up a pouch of gold coins from one of the rooms in the vault. Getting Kara falsified documents was not something that he could pay for with plastic. On the way out Hallbjorn threw on a long black leather duster and a pair of boots. The drive to Errol's was rather quiet, but it was a time that did not need to be filled with words. Hallbjorn's hand rested on Kara's knee when it could; he only removed it when he needed to it for one of the vehicle's controls. <br><br>It was a similar scene at Errol's compared to their previous visit. The only difference was that they came in the light of day. That did not preclude nymphs copulating with random males without any care for being seen. Inside the drinking hole was no less occupied than before; the same variety of Lore beings were present but the specifics were different. Hallbjorn surveyed the crowd, and put an arm around Kara to keep her close as he wound towards his chosen target.<br><br>His chosen demon was a slender male demon with grey skin and stubby orange horns. He was drinking demon brew from a mug and playing cards with other demons of different species. None of them were of the handsome type that attacked Kara and Hallbjorn. "I need you to make documents and identification for my mate, Aron." Hallbjorn told the demon. The game the demons played conspicuously halted as Hallbjorn approached. <br><br>"Sure," Aron replied. "But it'll cost you extra. I might catch heat from the Lykae for doing this. Hell, just for being seen with you." The demon took a swig of demon brew. The other demons put their cards down and picked up their drinks, vacating the table. Aron raised his eyebrows in a helpless gesture. "Please, have a seat."<br><br>Hallbjorn pulled a chair out for Kara and took one near her. "I'd like payment up front, if you don't mind." The demon asked. Hallbjorn withdrew the pouch of gold coins and dropped it on the table. Aron grasped it and opened it, examining the coins. When he was satisfied, he closed it and tucked into his coat pocket. "Alright then." He pulled a bunch of papers and a few plastic cards out of his pocket and laid them out on the table. "If you could give me the name, date of birth, and so on . . ." Aron asked Kara, going through the various facts that would appear on a new driver's license, social security number, birth certificate, and so forth. As she spoke the demon wove his hands over each document, and the facts Kara spoke appeared upon the papers and cards, looking as legitimate as true documents by the power of magic.<br><br>While Aron led Kara through that, three men approached their table. Hallbjorn looked over and his face went inexpressive and impassive. The men had dark brown hair and bears, and it was unkempt. It looked as if they had gone years without combing and grooming their hair and beards. They smelled strongly of cheap beer and cheap whiskey, as well as unwashed man. Their beards showed foam from their beer around their mouths, and the trio wore attire one would expect from a television biker gang: jeans, leather chaps, t-shirts, and leather and denim coats. Their coats had a patch that showed a pair of ravens in flight upon the left breast. Each one of them looked on the edge of sanity, the skin of their faces that was visible flushed with blood. They were all in their late thirties, maybe early forties. <br><br>"Heard about you, boy," one of them said in a thick drawl. "You some kind of prissy boy, too good for the likes of the rest of us." He said to Hallbjorn. The man wavered from the alcohol in his system. <br><br>Before violence could erupt, a fourth Berserker arrived and commanded the trio to go and get sobered up. "Aiden the Fierce is reborn." This fourth Berserker told Hallbjorn. "He leads all Berserkers. Are you going to join, or will you be on your again this Accession?"<br><br>"I am my own man, Brandr." Hallbjorn said in a cold emotionless voice. "I have my own affairs to attend."<br><br>Brandr nodded, and looked over at Kara. "So I see." The other Berserker said, and left, herding the drunken trio of Berserkers out of Errol's.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>02-11-2016, 06:28:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara followed Hallbjorn down to the basement as he retrieved a bag of gold, and was a bit confused as to what he would be using it for. But when he threw on his long black duster, her thoughts scattered. Her mate was a stunningly handsome man, and she loved that air of danger around him when he was all decked out in black. He looked as he did when he came into her living room in Arizona. Except for the look in his eyes. He wasn't closed off to her now, and she knew she had his heart. <br><br>As they drove to Errol's, Kara thoroughly enjoyed looking around at the marshy landscape. She'd been unable to enjoy it the last time they had come. She gasped when she thought she saw an alligator, but Hallbjorn's hand on her knee reminded her that she was safe. One of those beasts didn't stand a chance against him. <br><br>When they reached the parking lot, the light of day revealed what she had only guessed at the last time they visited. Now she had a full on visual to go with the noises of Nymphs enjoying whomever they were with. Kara's cheeks were blushing a furious red by the time they reached the door, and she was glad to be inside. <br><br>She smiled up at Hallbjorn as he put his arm around her. Kara was very happy that he kept her so close, because she couldn't tell who in the bar were potential enemies or friends. As they came up to the table of strange looking demons, Kara felt like she was a bobble head, because her gaze was darting around the players at the table and how very different they were from the other demons she and Hallbjorn had run into. <br><br>Kara was in the process of giving Aron a little wave when his mention of werewolves made her stop. She wasn't sure what to think of the other demons leaving the table, but when Hallbjorn pulled out a chair for her, she dismissed what implications it might have and sat down. <br><br>Seeing Hallbjorn bring out the pouch of gold and drop it before Aron jarred Kara. She knew that fake identification wouldn't be cheap, but that was a whole lot of money her mate had just forked over. While Kara knew that he could easily afford it, and he had spoiled her with his money constantly, she was still unused to seeing such an amount spend without a care. <br><br>Kara leaned forward to look at the papers on the table. She caught a whiff of whatever the demon was drinking and it had her nose wrinkling. When Aron asked for her information, she cast a glance to Hallbjorn, and then answered Aron. Her eyes grew wide as she watched his hands and those blank pieces of paper turn into very real looking identification. <br><br>She felt Hallbjorn's tension beside her and when she looked at him, it was to see his mask of impassiveness. Kara turned to see what he was looking at and wasn't sure what she was seeing at first. She was still new to the Lore, and had trouble identifying most of the species. But when one of them spoke, she had a thought as to what they might be. When Brandr showed up, Kara nearly jerked with surprise. She remembered him from Hallbjorn's memories, and it confirmed that those men were berserkers. <br><br>Kara looked at Hallbjorn, and her hand reached out under the table to rest on his. “You are nothing like them.” She whispered softly to her mate. Now she understood why he thought so lowly of the other berserkers, and she wanted to assure him that others of his kind had not affected her opinion of him at all. <br><br>Aron drew her attention, and Kara continued to give him her information. It took another moment after she finished relaying it all for him to finish working his magic. When he was done, all of the documents were filled out and ready for her. “Thank you, Aron. That was impressive to witness.”<br><br>Though Kara didn't really like him because of the way he treated Hallbjorn, she was still polite with him. After she looked over the documents and judged them all correct, Aron took his stinky drink and made his way over to the bar. Kara folded up her new identification papers and put them in her pocket. <br><br>She turned to Hallbjorn, and her hand returned to his. “Thank you, Hallbjorn. Thank you for seeing to all of my needs. And now, I'd like to see to one of yours. This werewolf thing has got to end. We're on the same side as them. Is there a way we can speak to the Lykan king and get him to call his people off?”<br><br>Kara didn't want Hallbjorn to be under the threat of violence wherever they went. It must be so tiring for him, and it was no wonder he always kept his guard up. Also, there was the news of Aiden being reborn. Kara knew some of that story from the book of Lore and from Hallbjorn's memories. While she didn't think they were exactly friends, she still asked him tentatively, “Do you want to see Aiden?”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>03-11-2016, 04:16:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn glanced at Kara and then looked down at the table. He turned to survey the crowd within Errol's - it seemed that there were no Lykae present at the moment. Or those there were kept an uncharacteristically low profile. "Speaking to the Lykae king is easy enough. His throne is at Kinevane, a hall in Scotland. The place is not so secret." The Berserker told her. He paused, and he looked for the words to make Kara understand. "You think that I am good man, Kara. But you need to understand that in this, the Lykae are the wronged party. This a blood feud. I cannot restore the life I took to set the clan against me, and only blood can answer for blood. The matter will be settled when the Lykae have their revenge, and it is one that they are due." <br><br>Then there was the matter of seeing the reborn Aiden. He went by the name Declan Chase now, and by all accounts he was an enemy of so very much of the Lore for his actions as part of the Order. <br><br>"I do not wish to see Aiden again. I owe him nothing. I feel no obligation to follow him as the Berserkers think I should." Hallbjorn said on the matter. "They desire only my power, to command my strength." He glanced around again. <br><br>"Let us go to do other things. Where would you like to go first?" Hallbjorn asked Kara. She had the list of things to get and he would let her choose which things she wished for them to pick up first.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>03-11-2016, 05:13:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara frowned when Hallbjorn told her that the werewolves deserved their revenge. She hated the thought that they would keep coming for Hallbjorn. Though she thought she understood what he was trying to tell her, Kara was resolute when she informed him, “You might not have been a good man to them, but you are a good man to me. That is all that matters to me. You're mine.” She would keep him from being harmed by the werewolves if she was at all able. <br><br>When he asked where she wished to go, she smiled at him and took his hand. Kara led him out of Errol's and didn't spare the cavorting nymphs a glance as she led him to the truck. Once they were inside, she grinned. “I'd like to go to a mall. I think we can get a lot of what we're looking for there. Though I have heard that malls are a frightening place for mortal men. So if you feel the urge to flee, we'll leave immediately.”<br><br>It didn't take very long to reach the mall, and on the way Kara was able to enjoy seeing more of New Orleans. The mall itself was massive, easily much bigger then the other one they had been too. <br><br>When they went inside, they entered through the food court. Kara took a moment to look around. She wasn't hungry, but she was curious. There was a stand that sold a cranberry lemonade drink that she just had to try. After she ordered a big cup of it and Hallbjorn paid, Kara took her first sip. <br><br>Her lips puckered and the sourness and her face scrunched. But then she looked up at Hallbjorn and smiled as she told him, “I love it.” It was delicious in an unexpected sour sort of way, and every time she sipped from the straw her lips would pucker again. <br><br>Their first stop was to a boutique that sold purses and shoes. The prices were a big staggering to her, so she tried not to look at them as she found things that she liked. Kara chose a few purses and wallets, as well as a few extra pair of high heels and a some black ankle boots. She used one of the purses and wallets right away to stuff her personal information in. <br><br>A booth dedicated to smart phones was right outside of the boutique, and soon Kara was the proud owner of a new smart phone. The first thing she did was enter in Hallbjorn's cell number and take a picture of him to use as his contact image. <br><br>After that, they came to a store that sold winter wear, and Kara chose a pretty blue pea coat that came down to her knees. She wasn't at all sure when it would get cold enough to wear, but thought it might be soon. <br><br>Even though a camera was not on her list, when they passed an electronic store, she gave into her urge to get one. If Hallbjorn thought she was bad before with the camera on his cell, having an actual camera just escalated Kara's picture taking frenzy. <br><br>Kara's attention was on two things only; Hallbjorn and shopping. She barely even noticed the crowd of people inside of the mall. They came upon the Ideal Image store, and there she found an incredibly soft and comfortable pair of slippers to wear around the house. While it wasn't her bunny slippers, it had adorable cat ears and whiskers on it. <br><br>The only other thin she chose from that store was a fluffy white bathrobe. Everything else there consisted of gadgets and gizmos that she wasn't sure she'd have a use of. Though Kara did enjoy watching the little vacuum floor robot work in circles. It made her laugh to see the little thing work, especially when it came at her feet. <br><br>At the linen shop, Kara had Hallbjorn help her pick out a few more wonderfully soft bed sheet sets. Next they went to a clothing store where she picked up some t-shirts and a few more pairs of jeans. Then Kara took Hallbjorn with her to browse over the selection of candles in a store almost totally dedicated to knick knacks and brick-a-brack. She picked out a few candles that smelled delicious, that they could keep in the bedroom. <br><br>After they left that store, Kara took in the sight of Hallbjorn carrying a whole lot of bags. She blushed softly and said, “I'm sorry. I got a little carried away.”<br><br>Across the isle was a jewelry store right next to a Victoria's Secret. Kara smiled at Hallbjorn as she asked, “Would you like to pick out your ring here? It doesn't matter to me what it looks like. I only want you to be happy with it.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>04-11-2016, 04:54:01</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn did not object to carrying all of the bags. He was not frightened by the mall or anything within it. He was no mortal man. The trips to the various stores did not bother him, and he was content to follow along after Kara and pay for whatever pleased her. That was what it was all about. It was a male's duty and privilege to provide for his mate. <br><br>They seemed to at last be done, and Hallbjorn glanced towards the jewelry store that Kara pointed out. He shrugged. "We can look." He said. He entered the store and looked around at what they had. Some of the bands were not to his taste. He did not consider anything that sported a precious stone. While it may not have mattered to Kara was it looked like Hallbjorn wanted to be a little picky about the sign of his commitment to her. In the end, nothing suited his fancy, and he left without making a purchase. <br><br>Hallbjorn would have held Kara's hand on their way out, but there were too many bags. She had to settle for holding his arm if she wished. Hallbjorn stored all of the bags in the back of the truck's spacious cab. Their next visit was to the bank, and along the way Hallbjorn stopped for an iced coffee. He also purchased anything for Kara that she may have wished. In the bank it was not really very fun, but because Hallbjorn had a special, elite card the matter was handled by a man in a suit and they sat in a nice office off to the side rather than being served by one of the tellers. The man at the bank was very nice and treated the pair of them well, making everything very easy. He did not talk down to Kara, either, as some men did in these types of situation. He assured the pair of them that a card for Kara with her name with her name on it would be mailed out within the week. Hallbjorn also had him add Kara as a beneficiary to all of his holdings with the bank, in case anything ever happened she would get access to all of his wealth. He also gave them his card and warmly asked them to contact him if they had any banking needs. <br><br>As they left, he held Kara's hand. He got in the truck and drove them to the shop of the elf who resized the ring that Kara wore. There, Hallbjorn was sure he would find something that he would like. The elf was surprised to see them again, but the promise of profit was enough to soothe his nerves. Hallbjorn looked over the offerings on display, and then asked if there was anything else. Of course there was. In a back room, the elf had finer pieces. There were rings and chains and brooches and all manner of baubles, made with an immortal's skill honed over centuries and in materials faded from the knowledge of modernity and gathered in worlds other than Gaia. <br><br>Hallbjorn did not want anything gaudy and overwrought. But there was a ring. It was a band fashioned of platinum. Hallbjorn selected it, and the elf fitted it to him. Hallbjorn waited patiently, holding Kara's hand while the elf worked. When he was done, Hallbjorn paid and then donned the platinum band on his left ring finger. <br><br>They left, and Hallbjorn glanced left and right on the street. <br><br>"I think the only thing left is a small freezer for the bedroom so you can have ice cream in the bedroom?" Hallbjorn asked Kara.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>04-11-2016, 05:51:20</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara ordered a peppermint mocha from the coffee shop, and was pleased with the taste of it. When they went to the bank, it was much more grand then the small bank branch inside of the Piggly Wiggly grocery store. It was a little daunting, but the man who helped them was kind enough that she became comfortable. <br><br>Though she did feel a jolt when Hallbjorn added her as his beneficiary, because she couldn't stand the thought of anything happening to him. Thoughts like that had her holding his hand tightly, and then resting her hand on his knee as they drove to a familiar jewelry store. <br><br>She was happy with the ring Hallbjorn chose, because it fit him perfectly. When it was time for him to put it on, Kara took the ring so she could slip it onto his finger. She liked the look of that ring on his finger, showing others that he was hers and hers alone. <br><br>After they left, Kara grinned up at him. “The freezer, and then a laptop with a printer. That way I can order anything else from the internet.”<br><br>A Best Buy was not to far away, and there they found a mini freezer/refrigerator for the bedroom. When it came to the laptop, the salesman may have talked her into one that had more bells and whistles then she needed, but Kara was happy with her choice. There were also empty picture frames there that she could fill with the new pictures she'd make on the printer they chose. <br><br>After they had everything in the truck, Kara turned around and looked at the other stores. She nearly freaked out when she saw a Cold Stone Creamery. She took Hallbjorn's hand and nearly dragged him to the ice cream shop. <br><br>Inside, she was able to have them mix a few different flavors of ice cream with an overabundance of peanut butter cups. She knew she would love the one with white chocolate, and then there was the cheesecake flavored one, as well as chocolate, and also peanut butter. <br><br>When they left, she had a bag full of pint size ice cream containers. Kara was beaming happily and nearly strutting to the truck. Once they were inside, she turned to Hallbjorn and leaned in to kiss him. “You take such good care of me. I may be persuaded to share some of my ice cream with you.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>05-11-2016, 00:20:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn glanced over at Kara and gave her an amused look. "I am not so sure." He teased. "You reacted so strongly to seeing the ice cream shop." The man told her. She had, after all, almost dragged him into the place. She seemed to him so happy that they were able to make ice cream with so many peanut butter cups. Hallbjorn did not really enjoy those candies. <br><br>The blond man drove the pair of them home. The drive was pleasant and quiet. When they arrived he drove them up to the front of the house and began to carry everything inside. There were many bags and Hallbjorn needed to make a couple trips. But he soon enough had it all inside, and Hallbjorn parked the truck in the garage. He carried the freezer up to the bedroom, and made room for it by Kara's side of the bed. He plugged it in and it began to hum and grow cold. <br><br>The next thing that Hallbjorn did was to put on wash. He brought the basket with his dirty laundry to the laundry room, and the new clothing that Kara bought along with the new bedding. He put on a load. There was enough that it would need to be more than one.<br><br>When he was done that, he found Kara. "Are you going to transfer the pictures you took from my phone to yours?" The blond male asked his mate when he found her setting up her laptop and printer. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>05-11-2016, 01:14:48</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara laughed at Hallbjorn's response. She was in a wonderful mood, and could not find it in her to be embarrassed. “I couldn't help myself. We don't have one of those in Jackrabbit Junction.” On the drive home, she was smiling with content and enjoying all of the lush greenery. Kara didn't think she would ever grow used to seeing so much life. <br><br>When they got home, Kara was glad that they were back. Her feet were aching, even though it hadn't seemed like they did too much walking. She carried her laptop and printer, along with the supplies, inside to the living room, then slid out of her wedge sandals and sighed with relief. <br><br>While Hallbjorn was upstairs, Kara quickly cleaned up the tatters of her pajama bottoms, then folded up the blanket and put it on the stair railing. Then she gathered her things and took them into the kitchen, where she was able to start setting it up on the breakfast counter. She planned on ordering a desk later on, and was happy enough to be in the lovely kitchen. The counter was big enough that she didn't take up much space. <br><br>She was kneeling on one of the high chairs at the counter and rubbing her feet when Hallbjorn found her. The laptop was starting up and the printer was already plugged in and ready. <br><br>“Yes, please.” She smiled at him, then held her hand out for his cell. Luckily the laptop came set up out of the store, and it did not take long at all for her to use it. She copied all of the pictures on Hallbjorn's cell and saved them on the laptop, then made another copy for her cell. <br><br>The first picture she printed out was the one where they were both holding up turkey legs at the renaissance festival. Kara blew on it to make sure the ink was dry, then smiled fondly at the picture. “You kissed me for the first time there. I thought I was a was a horrible kisser.” Her fingertips brushed over her lower lip as she remembered that first kiss, and the way the rain started, before she had any control over such things.<br><br>“I didn't understand how you could possibly want a small town girl like me, when you were larger then life.” Kara set the picture down, then turned to Hallbjorn. She leaned up on the stool and wrapped her arms around his neck so she could hug him close. “You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>05-11-2016, 02:04:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn hugged Kara back, his arms moving around her waist while they embraced. He looked at the picture that Kara printed out. It seemed like a long time ago that it was taken. He kissed her and he knew that he would break her heart. <br><br>"You are nothing like any of the women I have ever met." Hallbjorn told Kara and he meant it as a positive thing. He found the valkyries generally to be vapid creatures, the nymphs too inconstant. The Lykae females were all set against him, and demonesses did not look often outside their own kind while males attempted them. "You are so sweet. Every time you cried out for me I could not resist taking care of you. Other Lore women would not have done so." He kissed Kara's lips, and it was tender and loving. <br><br>"It means a lot to me to be able to take care of you. It makes me feel needed." Hallbjorn said to her after the long, tender kiss of love ended. "I know that you want me, but that there is more than just want is important to me."<br><br>Hallbjorn had Kara sit down properly. "Print some more pictures." He told her, and sat down on the floor in front of her. Hallbjorn took one of Kara's aching feet in his hands and began massage and rub it. His touch was just right to soothe the ache that she felt, and he treated both feet to a relaxing rub. The big man took his time and worked tirelessly, enjoying the act quietly while Kara looked through images and printed more and did other things with her lap top. <br><br>When he was done, his hands traveled along her ankle and calf. Hallbjorn rested his face against her knee, and then he got up slowly and easily. His hands moved off of her leg and he looked at the screen of her lap top for a moment. <br><br>"I want to have the picture I took of your ring in the bedroom." Hallbjorn told Kara. He moved to stand behind her. His hands collected her hair and pulled it back in a single strand, then his hands moved to rest upon her shoulders. His touch was not heavy, but at the same time it was strong and sure. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>05-11-2016, 02:52:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn was such a big man. He had a big heart, and a big body, and when he hugged her smaller frame, she felt perfectly embraced by him. This was why no one else had tempted her. Because she was meant for Hallbjorn. He was her mate, and he was the only one that could make her so wildly happy. <br><br>There was love in Kara's eyes when he told her she was nothing like other women. She was very certain he was nothing like other men that she meant, and Kara was sure that even if she had traveled the world, that would still remain true. Her hands cupped his cheeks and she gave herself up to his kiss by pouring all of her love into it. <br><br>She smiled softly when he told her that he liked taking care of her. “I want only you to take care of me. You treat me so perfectly that it feels like Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music has nothing on me.” That was what Hallbjorn did to her. He made her feel like twirling on a mountain top while singing her heart out. She never would have believed she could love so deeply and be so happy, but with Hallbjorn she did. <br><br>Kara sat back down at Hallbjorn's urging, but she didn't start printing right away. She wondered why he was sitting on the floor. It was a question he soon answered as he started to massage her feet. Kara's head fell back and she groaned several times, because she was sure she was in heaven. <br><br>He was still working every bit of ache from her feet when she began going through the pictures and printing out the ones she liked the most. Some of them looked like they were taken by an amateur, and others looked perfectly done. She loved both kinds, because they were all memories of her and Hallbjorn. <br><br>There was a very nice picture of the two of them together from the Alamo, with the backdrop being some pretty plants and old stone. Another was a picture of the two of them on Bourbon Street while they stood in front of a pretty gas lamp. There were several more of the two of them together, and Kara was happy to print them all after cropping the pictures and making sure they looked just right. <br><br>Hallbjorn's face resting on her knee had Kara turning her attention back to him. Her feet felt wonderful. Her mate had magic hands. Her fingers sifted through his hair as she smiled down at him. For some reason, the way that he had rested his cheek against her knee moved her. Perhaps it was because he kneeled to no one, or it might have been because it was such a tender, unguarded moment. Whatever the reason, Kara liked it very much. <br><br>“I'll print it right up.” She smiled up at him, then turned her attention to the laptop as he pulled her hair back and rested his hands on her shoulders. The picture he spoke of was with her chin resting on the palm of her hand and her fingers resting against her cheek, perfectly showing off his ring on her finger. <br><br>Kara set it to start printing, and then had another idea. She tugged gently on Hallbjorn's hands until his face was beside hers. Kara moved his left hand back up to her shoulder, then twined her fingers with his so that their rings were together and visible. Then she used the laptop to take a picture of them like that. <br><br>It came out perfectly, and she sent it to the printer. The one Hallbjorn wanted was finished, and Kara picked it up and blew gently on it before handing it to him. “We have plenty of frames, and can hang them up all over the house. I think a lot of them would look good hanging in the second floor hallway.”<br><br>The sun was just setting, and the last of its rays lit up the kitchen. The day had gone by so fast, but that feeling came to her often when she spent her time with Hallbjorn. Kara turned in her seat so she could look into his eyes. She pulled him down for another sweet kiss, and then smiled at him. <br><br>“Did you want to stay in for the rest of the evening, or go out to eat?” Kara asked. “I kind of want to stay home with you. I hope that doesn't make me boring.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>05-11-2016, 05:45:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn took the picture from Kara and looked it over. He turned it this way and that. His appreciation for the photograph was interrupted by the real thing pulling him in for a kiss, and Hallbjorn returned it, laying the photograph flat on the counter top. Then she asked him about going out or staying in, voicing a preference for staying in. That did not bother him. They had spent a lot of time out and about today and in a lot of the time they had known each other it was out somewhere else. Staying in did not bother Hallbjorn. <br><br>"It is perfectly fine." Hallbjorn told his mate. "Do not worry about boring me. I love you the way you are." He told her. The blond male gave her a little half-grin, the left corner of his mouth perking upwards. <br><br>"I will make us something to eat." The big man said. He moved to the sink and washed his hangs. He walked around the kitchen, grabbing a couple of pots and a pan. He filled one with water and set all of them onto the stove. He set the water to boil. From a cupboard he drew out some spaghetti noodles, and set the package near the stove while the water rose to a boil. Hallbjorn salted the water lightly. From the fridge he drew out some ground beef, and found a bowl. Hallbjorn put the ground meat into the bowl, and then found some spices and seasonings, which he added to the ground beef. He mixed the spices and seasonings in by hand, and then set about forming the meat into small balls. He put them into the heated pan and they began to cook. Hallbjorn washed his hands when the pan was filled with cooking meatballs. He found a jar of spaghetti sauce in a different cupboard, and emptied it into another pot to warm. The water reached a boil, and Hallbjorn added the noodles to it. When the meatballs were cooked through, he transferred them to the pot of sauce and let them simmer.<br><br>Soon enough Hallbjorn grabbed plates and forks for them both. He tested the noodles with a fork and when he found them done enough set a strainer in the sink and emptied the water, separating the noodles from the liquid. He dished up noodles onto the plat and then used a large wooden spoon to pour sauce and meatballs on top of each portion. Hallbjorn took them to the table, and motioned with his head for Kara to join him at the table. <br><br>When she joined him, Hallbjorn began to eat. <br><br>"Tomorrow, do you want to practice teleporting?" The large man asked her. "Then we could go back to Jackrabbit Junction easily."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>05-11-2016, 06:38:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				That half grin that Hallbjorn gave Kara made her melt, because even though it was not a full blown smile, at that moment, it was enough for her. She was happy that she was the reason he showed that much. <br><br>Kara watched Hallbjorn move around the kitchen with a dreamy smile on her lips. He was so incredibly sexy all of the time, but what they were sharing then, a simple evening in where he was providing for her, felt so incredibly right. <br><br>Hallbjorn wasn't safe from her camera while he prepared dinner. Kara used her new camera to snap a few pictures of him, because it was a sight she never wanted to forget. She was glad that he took her need to capture such moments with pictures with such ease. <br><br>Kara turned to the pictures she printed out, and began choosing what frames to put them in. She set aside the one of her ring and the one with both of their rings together to put in the bedroom on the fireplace mantle. Tomorrow she could figure out where to put the other ones. <br><br>The aroma of what he was cooking soon had her mouth watering, but she refrained from getting in his way to try and sample it. Though when it was finished and dished up, Kara was right behind him and quickly joined him at the dining table. She breathed in the delicious smell of spaghetti, and when she bit into one of the meatballs there was no holding back her groan. “This is delicious. Thank you for making dinner.”<br><br>Her eyes widened when he brought up teleporting and Jackrabbit Junction. “I would like that very much. There are some things that I'd like to bring home with us. My parents aren't supposed to be back for another month, so we should be fine, since I need more time to figure out what to tell them. I can leave my number on the fridge though, where they will find it.”<br><br>Kara was silent for a few minutes as she enjoyed her dinner, but her thoughts were whirling. “When we go back there, I'd like to stop by the senior center. I want to be able to tell them goodbye in person.” Her lips quirked up in a grin. “And I'm sure the old women would like a look at you. They will think you're a big hunk.”<br><br>She paused for a moment, then tentatively said, “I know we haven't had a ceremony, and I don't think we really need one, but I'd like to introduce you as my husband. I don't know if that term is taboo to immortals, but Lyrata used it, and it is how I think of you.” Kara looked up at him and her eyes showed how important it was to her. She did not really think he would object, but she would never take Hallbjorn for granted. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>05-11-2016, 07:19:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn nodded when Kara thanked him for making dinner. He was glad that she enjoyed it. He ate while Kara spoke about what she wanted to do back at Jackrabbit Junction. The thought of going to the senior's center did not sit well with him. It was a vestige of the culture that raised him. The elderly, on their way to the straw death, touched off a vague sense of unease. But he would not protest against going. It was important to Kara to go and he would go with her and play his part.<br><br>He noted her pause, and he had a bunch of spaghetti wound around the tines of his fork. Those strands of spaghetti coiled around a meatball speared upon the fork and held it in. The blond male kept the tines of the fork touching the plate and waited for what came next. Again, Hallbjorn nodded to what Kara said.<br><br>"You are my mate and my wife." The male affirmed, his words letting her know that he did not object and that he mirrored her feelings. "I do not have a last name for you to take - in my time we did not have such things as now. Walker is a fine enough name, and it comes from your parents. Keep it and bear it in honour of them." The man said. It was a suggestion, not a command. An option that was there for her. If she wanted to take a name from him that could be accommodated. <br><br>"What sorts of things do you want to bring here?" Hallbjorn asked. He was curious to know more about Kara, and did not want to wait. He glanced down briefly at his spaghetti and began to eat again, but his eyes rose and his attention was mainly upon Kara. The rest was devoted only to keeping his shirt free of spaghetti stains.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>05-11-2016, 20:33:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara sighed with relief and smiled at Hallbjorn when he called her his wife and mate. She chuckled a bit when he brought up his last name, then shook her head. “I didn't even think to ask you what your last name is. I guess that means we still have plenty to learn about each other. I'll keep Walker for now, because its easiest and I don't want to forget my parents.”<br><br>She frowned slightly, because talking of her parents reminded her of the choices she needed to make. Kara loved her parents deeply, and did not want to give them up. Her friends she could give up, and in fact found it easier to do then she thought. She would say goodbye to the people at the senior center, and probably Butch, her old boss, as well. But giving up her parents saddened her. <br><br>Kara pushed that sadness aside, because they still had plenty of time. Hallbjorn's question brought a smile to her lips, and Kara closed her eyes for a moment as she thought. When she opened her eyes, there was a fondness in her expression. <br><br>“When I was a little girl, my mother bought me a tea set, because I loved having tea parties with her. I kept the tea set, because it was beautifully made and while I don't have tea parties anymore,” since her friends had scoffed such things, “I always want to remember those times that I shared with my mother. I would definitely bring that.”<br><br>Kara ate another bite of her pasta before continuing. “Then there are my pictures. I have pictures of me and my parents, and pictures of me growing up that I'd like to keep. Though, the one of me in the bathtub as a baby, I'm not so sure I want you to see that one.” She winked at him playfully. <br><br>“There is my baby blanket, which is the only thing I have from my birth mother. I want to keep that with me.” Kara didn't need to explain the importance of that, since she knew Hallbjorn would understand. She ate a bit more as she made a mental list of what else she wanted to bring. <br><br>“My clothes, because they are all in good condition and it would feel odd to leave them there. Also, I have a slew of text books from all of the different college courses I took, that would help fill up our library nicely.” Then she added, “And I do have some jewelry. Its nothing fancy, but there are pieces that mean a lot to me. Like the necklace my father gave me for a father-daughter dance we attended in middle school.”<br><br>When she looked down at her plate, Kara found that she'd finished her dinner. Upon seeing that Hallbjorn had finished his as well, she asked him, “Shall we do the dishes together?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>05-11-2016, 22:33:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn ate while Kara spoke of the things that she wished to take from Jackrabbit Junction. They all sounded like things that had a deep personal connection. It made sense to him that she would want all of those things with her. He did not think that she would ever forget her parents - Kara did not seem like the type of person who would do that. <br><br>When they were both finished and Kara proposed that they do the dishes together, he nodded. He was used to doing it alone and was fine with letting her get out of it, but since she seemed to want to do it, that was alright. He washed and left the drying to Kara. It did not take very long to accomplish the task since there were very few dishes and none of the cooking had left baked on residue or hard to remove bits. The pan had a non-stick coating on that made it easy to clean and it was dirtiest thing. But in no time at all the two of them were finished with the task, and the cleaned and dried dishes were stored back where they belonged. There was a step in the kitchen for Kara now, and the highest shelves were now within her grasp.<br><br>When they were finished, he picked up the frame pictures that were meant for the bedroom, and detoured in the living room to collect pillows to return to the bed. He carried things up the stairs with Kara by his side. He returned the pillows to the bed and he set the framed image of Kara alone with her ring on the nightstand on his side of the bed, folding out the little stand in the back of the frame so it could stand up. Hallbjorn took Kara into his closet and undressed, changing into a pair of black silk pajama pants. Then it was her turn to get ready for bed, and he followed into her closet. <br><br>They settled into the bed, using one of the new blankets that Kara chose. The large man lay on his back and put an arm around Kara, holding her close to his body. She fit beside him perfectly. "Do you want to watch some television now, or are you ready to go to sleep?" The blond male asked his mate softly. His hair was loose and formed a white blanket beneath him, some straying over his chest but only a few errant strands.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>05-11-2016, 23:54:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara liked doing the dishes with Hallbjorn. It was such an ordinary thing to do together, but it made her feel closer to him, and filled her with a sense of peace. She flicked water at him playfully, and when she used the stepping stool, she only grumbled once. Hallbjorn's hands on her would always be better then using it. <br><br>When they reached the bedroom, she set the picture of both of them on the fireplace mantle between two of the new candles. Then she joined Hallbjorn into his closet, where she had the pleasure of watching him undress. Need stirred in her, but if she were honest with herself, she was very sleepy. It didn't seem like a long day at all, but they had done a lot. <br><br>She loved that he still came with her to her own closet, and there she undressed completely. Kara chose a baby blue sleeping shirt that came down to her mid thighs and was very soft. It didn't look at all as sexy as Hallbjorn's silky pajama pants did, but it was comfortable. <br><br>Kara crawled onto the bed and yawned loudly. Her eyes were already feeling heavy, and when he pulled her against him she went happily. Her fingers stroked the few strands of hair that splayed over his chest as she smiled sleepily at him. “I'm ready for sleep. Thank you for a wonderful day, Hallbjorn.”<br><br>She tilted her head up so she could brush her lips along his, then nuzzled against his neck. Sleep took her quickly, and because she only seemed to need four hours of sleep, she woke up well before the sun. <br><br>As soon as she did wake, her thoughts turned impish. She wanted to surprise Hallbjorn this morning, and give him something she dreamed about from his memories. Kara was careful to not wake him as she left the bed. She tip toed to her closet, and grabbed a pair of jeans. She was missing scissors for what she planned to do, but her claws worked surprisingly well. <br><br>Kara pulled on her new pair of daisy dukes, with no panties beneath. She chose a tight pink t-shirt to wear, and went without a bra. Then she found among her pile of new purchases a pair of high heels. They were black, and had a strap that wrapped around her ankle. <br><br>Once Kara was dressed and ready, she peaked out of her closet to see if Hallbjorn was awake. She was a little self conscious about what she was wearing, but no one would see her in it besides Hallbjorn. With that thought, Kara stepped out of the closet completely and revealed her outfit to her mate. <br><br>“Good morning, Hallbjorn.” She grinned at him, and really hoped he would be pleased with what she wore. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>06-11-2016, 01:27:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				With Kara gone, Hallbjorn woke slowly after. His sleep was light and her absence disturbed it to a degree. Not enough to wake him but it was not so peaceful as it was when she was beside him. His body and mind recognized that she was not there, but that absence was not enough to trigger a response that would wake Hallbjorn. He shifted listlessly in bed, alone, but his shallow sleep remained. He did wake shortly after, but by that time Kara was gone. There was a warm spot on the bed where she had slept but Hallbjorn's hand moved over it and did not find her. His conscious mind did not immediately register that absence as alarm. They were in their home and there was nothing that seemed out of place enough to make him think that Kara was in any danger. He lay on his back and looked up at the ceiling. <br><br>"Good morning, female." Hallbjorn answered when Kara emerged from her closet dressed as he had imagined her several times. His blood must have betrayed this imagining to Kara, and now she had made it real. He looked her over and was pleased with what he saw. But he also noted that she had left him long enough to go and get dressed by herself. Perhaps she was feeling safe enough to be apart from him for a time now. That seemed good to Hallbjorn, and it registered as more important than what she was wearing, as much as that outfit was an effort to please him. Her feeling of security was very important to him.<br><br>Since she had dressed specifically to please him, Hallbjorn made a show of looking Kara over. His gaze traveled slowly over every inch of her. "Turn around for me, and do it slowly." Hallbjorn told Kara. As she did he looked at her with a palpable intensity, so that he believed she would be able to <em>feel</em> his eyes upon her, but in case that was lost he gaze a low whistle of appreciation when her back was to him. When her slow circuit was complete, an idea struck Hallbjorn. "Stay there." Hallbjorn told Kara, and went to fetch his cell phone. When he returned with it, he took a picture of Kara from behind. Then he took another, zoomed in on her bottom. He moved to her front and took several more of her.<br><br>When he was done, he looked at the screen of his phone and was pleased with his handiwork. He looked up from the screen with an impish look of his own. "You have only yourself to blame." Hallbjorn told her in a playful tone. She wanted to make him a shutterbug. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>06-11-2016, 01:00:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara stepped further into the bedroom, and liked the way her outfit showed off her long legs. She liked the way Hallbjorn looked at her even more. Her heart sped up when he told her to turn around for him slowly, and she was only too happy to give him what he wanted. <br><br>She could indeed feel his eyes on her as she slowly turned around. Hallbjorn's whistle had her grinning, and when she was facing him again, Kara ran her fingers through her hair and gathered it into a pony tail. She was hoping to tempt him with her body and her outfit. Kara's stiff nipples were already visibly poking against her tight t-shirt, and with her arms raised, it bared a good bit of her stomach to him. <br><br>When he told her to stay where she was, bit her lower lip in anticipation. But then Hallbjorn did something she did not expect at all. Kara looked over her shoulder and gaped at him when he took a picture of her behind. “Hallbjorn!” <br><br>She tried to act indignant, but there was a touch of amusement in her voice. Kara wasn't sure if she should be scandalized that he was taking pictures of her behind, or thrilled that the shutterbug fever had finally taken hold of him too. <br><br>Her lips twitched when he moved to face her, and Kara crossed her arms. She tried to give him a stern look, but was having a lot of trouble when all she wanted to do was laugh. <br><br>That impish look he gave her and his playful words had her gasping, then narrowing her eyes. “I see how it is.” With that, she marched over to where her own cell phone rested and picked it up. When she turned back to him, there was a devilish glint in her eyes. He did look utterly handsome wearing only those black, silky pajama bottoms with his glorious hair hanging loose. <br><br>Kara made a big production of lifting her cell up, and then she started snapping her own pictures of him. Though hers were not so much of his behind, but more centered around the front of him. “Fair's fair.” She told him as she continued to snap pictures and finally her giggles broke free. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>06-11-2016, 07:21:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn cocked an eyebrow when Kara made a big show of lifting her cell and taking pictures of her own. Since fair was fair, he did not try to stop her from taking her own pictures, especially when her giggles broke free. He continued to take pictures too, and he enjoyed himself. It was something fun that they shared but Hallbjorn intuited that this was not her original goal in the slightest. More likely she wanted to indulge in wantonness, and after a time Hallbjorn reached for Kara's phone, plucking it from her hand. <br><br>He kissed her, and pressed his body against hers, forcing her back towards the bed. He put her phone on the nightstand.&nbsp; With a hand he lifted up her pink top to expose her breasts. Hallbjorn took an image of those pert rises for his own pleasure, and left the pink top lifted up and over her breasts. The hand moved down to her slashed jeans, and he deftly undid the button and zipper, pushing them down to pool at her ankle. He took another picture of her groin, and then pushed her onto the bed and pulled open her legs. He thought about taking another picture but did not; he tossed his phone to the nightstand and it landed with a clunking sound. <br><br>Hallbjorn looked down on Kara and reached for her top. He liked it and did not want it to meet the same end that her shorts did, so he removed it from her completely, leaving her bare save for her heels. Those he did not bother to touch. <br><br>The large man moved Kara onto her front and raised her hips so that she was on her knees. He sat beside her, and captured her wrists above her head and pinned them to the bed with one hand. The other struck her bottom, raised to just where he wanted it: the right elevation to let his large palm strike her flesh. The impact left a red mark and set her flesh to jiggling. He then struck her other cheek with the back of his hand. Hallbjorn alternated striking each cheek of her backside in this way, keeping a consistent force and rhythm.<br><br>It was only when Kara's bottom was good and reddened that he stopped. He moved the hand that spanked her to find her sex, knowing that it would be wet and slick. She was ready to be filled, and Hallbjorn slid two large fingers along her nether lips. After a few tantalizing strokes he slid his thumb in between them, and penetrated her for several strokes until his thumb was slick and well-coated with her arousal. The thumb then withdrew and went higher, finding the tight pink star so near her sex. Hallbjorn worked his thumb into Kara's small body with characteristic care so that the intrusion would yield only pleasure for her. While he did that he penetrated her sex with his middle and ring finger. He used his wrist to work those two fingers slowly in and out as well as he could while his thumb worked its way into her backside.<br><br>When her body was able to receive him without difficulty, Hallbjorn worked both of her passages. His pace began slow but he increased the pace quickly until he was slamming his digits in and out of her body at a speed that took advantage of their greater than mortal bodies. No normal man would be able to thrust into her so quickly, and, were she yet mortal, she would not be able to withstand the speed and force with which he was entering her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>06-11-2016, 19:12:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The way she and Hallbjorn were snapping pictures of each other and being playful delighted Kara. She was sure that not even half of hers were actually in focus, because she was laughing too hard. It didn't matter though, because it was more important that she and Hallbjorn were having fun, even doing something so silly. <br><br>When Hallbjorn took her cell phone, she reached to take it back. But then his lips were on hers and his body was pressed against hers, making her back up towards the bed. Kara's hands moved to his chest and she groaned softly against his lips. <br><br>Hallbjorn lifted her shirt up over her breasts, and snapped a picture of them. Kara's eyes flashed amber and her breath quickened again. Her nipples hardened again, and her breasts soon felt heavy and hot. She should have been scandalized by him taking such a naughty picture of her, but instead it thrilled her. <br><br>Then he was undoing her daisy dukes and pushing them down her legs so that they pooled at her ankles. Kara gasped when he took a picture of her there as desire pooled inside of her. She landed on her back on the bed and bounced a bit. The way that Hallbjorn handled her made Kara's sex clench with need. She shook the jean shorts off of her feet and watched him with wide eyes. She had no idea what he was going to do, and that had her claws curling with anticipation. <br><br>Kara didn't fight him as he removed her shirt. Being naked in front of him and wearing only her high heels while he still wore his pajama pants added to the feeling that he was totally in control, and Kara found she really loved that added bit of kink. When he moved her onto her stomach and lifted her hips so that her knees braced beneath her, she had a little idea of what was coming, and it made the lips of her sex grow slick and her clit throb. <br><br>His hand trapped her wrists completely, and his hand was big enough that she couldn't sink her claws into the bed. Kara did jerk against his grip, but not in the hopes of getting free. She just needed to feel how unbreakable his hold was. <br><br>She gasped when his hand struck her bottom, the sound of his palm against her flesh seeming so loud in the room. Her rear cheek already stung, but that pain to her was transformed into pleasure. Hallbjorn began smacking both of her cheeks, tearing groan after groan from Kara's lips. <br><br>Her behind felt like it was on fire, and the last few strikes of Hallbjorn's hand had Kara's feet lifting and the muscles of her behind tensing. Not that she would complain about the heat in her cheeks. In fact, Kara's eyes had grown dazed and her sex was so slick that she could feel that wetness on her thighs. <br><br>Kara's body shuddered hard when she felt Hallbjorn's fingers glide along her plump nether lips. “Please, please, please.” She whispered in a voice laden with need. When his thumb pressed inside of her, she sobbed from her first release. He had worked her up to such a feverish pitch that she was incredibly responsive to his touch. <br><br>Her body was still reacting to that orgasm when he started to work his thumb inside of her tight rear hole. Kara's body clenched around his thumb, and the fullness she felt with it inside of her tripped her into another release that had her crying out. Then two of his big fingers were working into her sex, making her gasp for air as her orgasm was drawn out. Her face was flushed as her cheek rested on the bed. <br><br>She had only moments to recover from the pleasure he had just given her when he began to work all of those digits in and out of her, and she felt that coil of pleasure inside of her growing tighter and tighter. <br><br>Then Hallbjorn was slamming those fingers inside of her so incredibly fast and wonderfully hard. Her behind felt like it was being spanked again, and her body jolted and shook with the force of his thrusts. Kara couldn't breath as her pleasure mounted and and coiled more tightly inside of her, until it nearly bordered on pain. <br><br>And then she shattered. Kara screamed loud enough to make her throat hurt. Her orgasm felt like fire moving through all of her cells, to the point where it was overloading all of her senses. One release flowed into another, and then another as her forehead creased and she took on an expression of rapture. She felt like she had come undone, and then came back together into something better, something stronger, and wholly Hallbjorn's. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>08-11-2016, 00:33:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When Kara's releases were over he slowly removed his digits from her body and then he released her wrists from his grip. He sat beside her on the bed while she recovered, and worked to undo her high heels. The man removed them easily enough, and laid them down on the floor side by side. <br><br>"I will be right back." Hallbjorn told Kara while she was still recovering and too boneless and breathless to reply. He padded from the bedroom and downstairs. The large man made more noise doing so than he had to - he judged that he was making enough sound for Kara to hear every step he was taking and know where he was. He washed his hands in the kitchen, and then grabbed a bowl and a spoon. He returned with both of those things, entering the bedroom.<br><br>He went to the freezer installed in the bedroom and pulled out Kara's ice cream. He spooned out some of the white chocolate/peanut butter cup combination, and brought it over to Kara. The tall man sat beside her again, and held it out for her to take. The portion was a moderate one, but not unduly huge. <br><br>"When you are done your ice cream you may take blood if you wish." Hallbjorn said. "I do not know if being immortal will mean that you will need more or less blood now." The blond male told his mate. They would have to see how that appetite fared with her transition. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>08-11-2016, 01:30:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara stretched out on the bed and smiled as Hallbjorn removed her high heels. She murmured a soft acknowledgment when he said he would be right back. Kara felt deliciously boneless and was happy to remain in bed. Though when he left the room, she felt a tinge of panic as memories of those awful days in Janna came back to her. <br><br>But then she heard Hallbjorn stomping around, and that reassurance that he was with her helped push the panic away. Kara sat up on the bed, with only a slight hiss from her burning bottom. She grabbed Hallbjorn's pillow and hugged it to her body while she waited for her mate to return. <br><br>Kara grinned when she saw what Hallbjorn had brought back. She waited patiently as he spooned her out some of her ice cream, and when he handed it to her, she smiled happily, “Thank you.”<br><br>She tasted her first bite, and her eyes closed as she savored the taste of white chocolate and peanut butter cups. Kara looked at Hallbjorn and thought on what he said. “I don't think I fed last night, and I didn't have any problems. I guess we'll eventually figure it out.”<br><br>Kara didn't rush her ice cream, but it still vanished far too soon. She stood and set the pillow back on the bed before putting the bowl on the night stand. Moving in front of Hallbjorn, she worked her way between his legs. Love and affection showed in her eyes as she looked into his. Her fingers gently brushed his hair back from his neck and over his shoulders. <br><br>She didn't go for his throat right away. Instead she gave into her urge to kiss him. It was a tender kiss that tasted of her ice cream, and when she pulled away her fingertips trailed over his cheeks and along his jaw. <br><br>Kara leaned in to Hallbjorn and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She delicately kissed the flesh of his neck, then let her fangs scrape teasingly along his skin. When her fangs did sink in, it was slow and as gentle as she could make it. The first taste of his blood on her tongue made Kara's body tremble as a delicious release flowed through her. She drew on his blood, and swallowed it down. Her body pressed tightly against his as she drank from him, and after each swallow she gave a little groan of delight. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>10-11-2016, 04:18:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn closed his eyes when Kara kissed him. It relayed the taste of the ice cream that she had enjoyed. Hopefully the cold, creamy treat had soothed her throat some after the screams he had wrenched from her. His eyes remained closed when Kara pulled her lips away and trailed her finger tips over his face. <br><br>Her lips presaged the scrape of her fangs on skin. The feeling of her fangs on his skin had him trembling in anticipation of what was to come. Her fangs sank slowly into his skin, and his body shuddered as the pleasure shook through him. She drank his blood and it brought a sudden wave of pleasure that rose to its apex with great alacrity. Pleasure surged through Hallbjorn and he felt himself orgasm, issuing a long moan that carried almost through all of Kara's drinking.<br><br>When she drank her last, Hallbjorn's pleasure tapered down and receded. <br><br>He put his hands on her hips and let them rest there. His eyes opened and he looked at her with a relaxed gaze. "Are you ready for a shower, or do you want to stay in bed longer?" Hallbjorn asked Kara. They had a lot of time and they could lay around and relax for as long as they wished.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>10-11-2016, 06:08:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara loved it when Hallbjorn responded to her touch. She loved the way he trembled and shuddered as his release took him. His moan of pleasure filled her with happiness, because Kara liked very much being able to touch him as no other could. When she finished drinking, she licked at where her fangs had sunk into his skin, and then kissed the area softly. <br><br>She smiled down at him when he opened his eyes, and then gave the bed a look of longing. After a moment she shook her head. “I would like to practice on how to ride the wind with you.” Her brows furrowed for a moment. “But I think we should do it outside, because I don't want to end up inside a wall.”<br><br>Kara took him by the hand and led him to the shower. She turned on the water and made it nice and hot as he took of his silky pajama pants, and then took his hand again and led him inside. He'd always taken such good care of her, and this time she wanted to let him know how good that felt. <br><br>She commandeered the soap and worked up a thick lather, and then set about washing all of Hallbjorn's big, beautiful body. She gave all parts of him equal attention. Kara planned no seduction, and so she did not torment him by lingering on certain parts of him. When she was finished with soaping him up, she took the shampoo and thoroughly enjoyed herself as she washed his hair while standing behind him. Though she had to raise to her toes several times to reach the top of his head, which had her body brushing against his innocently. <br><br>Kara quickly took care of cleaning herself, and when they were both done she led him out of the shower, turned off the water, and then smiled at him as she dried him off with a towel. She slipped into her robe, then went to the double vanity so they could both brush their teeth, and then she stepped behind him again and towel dried his hair. Though the towel couldn't dry it completely, and so his hair was still damp when she began brushing it out. <br><br>“Hallbjorn, will you tell me something about you that I don't know?” Kara asked softly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>11-11-2016, 10:07:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn looked at himself in the mirror and thought about what to tell Kara. "There was a time that I was offered vampirism." The platinum blond-haired man said. "It was a very long time ago. Before I won Ohalla." He did not turn to face her, and as he experienced the memories of that time he did not feel the brush move through his hair.<br><br>"It was after a disastrous raid on England. We were out-maneuvered and outnumbered. Surrounded on three sides by enemies almost four times our number. One powerful attack broke our shield wall and splintered our army into many small bands of men trying to survive. Many died. Others fled and were killed quickly. I was part of a group that broke out and we made our way to an old fort. The English did not follow us to it, and that should have been a warning." Hallbjorn relayed this to Kara with a stoic voice. "The fort was home to a group of vampires. When night came the vampires roused and they fed upon those of us most wounded. The rest were driven into the night and hunted in a sadistic manner. By the time the sun came up only I and four others remained of a group of sixty.<br><br>"The oldest vampire came to me and another man. I thought I was too weak to rage, and the other man was a mortal. As brave as any I knew, but only a man. I . . . it has been so long. I do not remember his name." Hallbjorn looked at the mirror with an expression of curiousity and shame. It was not something that he should have forgotten. "The vampire offered to turn both of us. I refused. If I was to die, I was prepared to meet my end with a sword in my hand and a roar of defiance upon my lips. If I could not have Ohalla, I would have a seat in Valhalla. The other man . . . his nerve failed him. But before the vampire could try to turn him, I killed him. I plunged my sword into his heart, so that his life of bravery would not be washed away in one moment of weakness.<br><br>"The vampire laughed. And then I knew that my choice was right because the rage filled me. It came to me without calling. I killed the vampires. I butchered them, hacking their bodies to pieces. My sword broke, but it did not stop me." Hallbjorn glanced down at his hands and he wondered how they could be so pale when they had been so many times covered in so much blood. He was not feeling guilt, or shame at how much blood he had spilled. But he did feel a certain restlessness, as if his hands were too long clean and they needed to be stained crimson again. "Later that day I met a Valkyrie. She seemed so noble in that time. Not as they are today.<br><br>"Does this telling satisfy you?" Hallbjorn asked. "Anything I could tell you that you do not know will be like this."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>12-11-2016, 01:04:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara paused for a moment with Hallbjorn's revelation. Soon she resumed her attention to his hair as she listened to what he told her. It was strange to think she could have been a vampire, and she found that she was glad he was just the way he was. She would not change him. She was held in rapt attention as he told her of that night so long ago. <br><br>Her heart ached for what he and his fellow Vikings had endured, and what he told her about those vampires made her sure that she'd be happy enough to never encounter another beside his brother. She may be part vampire, but what she had seen and was now hearing about them, she did not feel as if she was part of them. <br><br>When he finished speaking, she came around Hallbjorn so that she could face him. She set the brush on the counter, and then took his big hands in hers. “I will never run from your past, Hallbjorn. But if it makes you unhappy to tell me of it, then we can leave the past in the past, and work on making happier memories for you now.”<br><br>Kara's words were earnest, and she meant them. She wanted to fill her mate's life with good memories, with ones that would bring a small smile to his lips. She leaned up on her toes and placed a loving kiss on those lips, then smiled at him. Hallbjorn was hers. He loved her and would protect her. That was really all she needed to know.<br><br>She led him by the hand to his closet so he could get dressed, and when he was finished she led him to her closet, where she dressed in jeans, sneakers, and the pink t-shirt she'd been wearing earlier. It was not a sexy outfit in the least, but it was comfortable, and if they were able to go to her home town today, she didn't want to be teased by her octogenarian friends for wearing something alluring. <br><br>Kara and Hallbjorn went into the back yard, and it struck her again at how very large his property was. She couldn't see the back wall, and the walls to the side seemed so far away. There was a kind of wild beauty to the back yard. The grass grew higher, and a bit away was a copse of small trees. <br><br>Her curiosity got the better of her, and soon she was leading Hallbjorn to the copse of trees. Kara was delighted when she heard the croaking of frogs. When they reached the young trees, she grinned happily to find a small stream meandering through them. Frogs sat lazily at the water's edge and their song was louder now as the pre-dawn light turned to a gloriously sunny morning. <br><br>The sun was soon steaming the dew off of the grass and causing a mist to lay low to the ground. Kara turned around and took in all of the beauty around her, and then smiled at Hallbjorn. “This is so beautiful, Hallbjorn. And its in your back yard, too! Aside from our bedroom, I think this might be my favorite place.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>13-11-2016, 00:24:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn dressed casually. He wore jeans and a t-shirt. The t-shirt was, in a change of pace, a deep purple garment. The jeans were a solid black without a hint of the colour fading. They were not tight, either, and fit loosely at his hips and legs. He cinched the jeans at his waist with a plain black leather belt. He donned a pair of running shoes that were all black as well - the things had come from a specialty store for the big and tall like everything that Hallbjorn owned that was not custom-made. Many Lore males were very tall and large, though, so there was a strong market for items made in their sizes and several species had tradesfolk who made their living by catering to the need for humongous shoes and clothing items.<br><br>The backyard had never really struck Hallbjorn as anything but a liability. The security concerns were all that entered his mind about it, but they had never truly weighed upon him because he did not care that much about his own safety. It was his preference to let anyone who would dare to invade his home to get within arm's reach, because that was where Hallbjorn was best able to handle enemies. Maybe now it bore revisiting. A ward on the walls, at least. More money for the witches. Somewhere, a witch gave an involuntary wriggle of joy at the money they did not know they were yet to make.<br><br>It pleased Hallbjorn that Kara enjoyed the backyard, however. He looked at the happiness writ on her face and felt lighter. The blond male looked around and tried to see it the way that Kara did, but he did not feel moved to enjoy the place the way that she did. <br><br>"I am glad that it pleases you." The tall man said to his mate. "Are you prepared to begin?" Hallbjorn asked Kara. He felt some trepidation; there was very little that he could do to help her learn how to use her gifts. Both sides of her heritage were alien to him. There was no wisdom that he could impart to her about what she was about to undertake, and the knowledge that the most he could do to help her was to open a vein if she grew tired so that she could replenish her strength with his blood was hardly a comfort.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>13-11-2016, 01:52:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara nodded at Hallbjorn's question and took a deep breath. She turned so that she was facing the house and concentrated on a spot about a hundred feet away. While she had the gist of how to ride the wind, thanks to the Eternal Flame, putting that knowledge to use was a bit difficult. <br><br>She could feel the power within her now. It felt like a hot burning coal in her center, which should have hurt, but to her it was soothing. The power she sought lay therein and all she truly needed to do was use it. <br><br>But as she stood there and tried to ride the wind, it just was not happening. Kara could feel the soft breeze, could understand how to control it and use it. She could feel the water in the stream and knew that she could control that as well. Kara could wield the fire within her, because that element was stronger to her then all others. And the earth beneath her feet was like a second heart beat. She could make the very ground shake if she wanted. <br><br>Which was why her inability to ride the wind even such a short distance away was starting to frustrate her. After an hour with no results, she turned to Hallbjorn with a frown on her face. <br><br>Then the frown melted away, as a thought came to her. “Stay right here.” She told him, with a hint of excitement showing again. Kara ran back towards the house, until she was standing on the spot she had been trying to reach. She turned back around and looked back at Hallbjorn. <br><br>He looked so strong and powerful and beautiful as he stood there. Kara wanted to be there with him. As soon as the thought arose, it was like something clicked inside of her. One moment she was standing a hundred feet away from him, and the next moment Kara was in front of him with only a foot separating them. <br><br>Her eyebrows shot up and her expression lightened. Kara jumped up and clapped her hands. “I did it!” Kara slipped her arms around Hallbjorn, and in the blink of an eye they were both standing in the dining room, and then in the bedroom, and at last appearing in the kitchen. <br><br>Kara might have overdone it by jumping them to several different places, because she suddenly felt a little dizzy. She held onto Hallbjorn and rested her forehead on his chest. “Oh, I should have taken that slower.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>15-11-2016, 03:25:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It seemed at first that the ability to teleport was eluding Kara. Hallbjorn was unsure why, and the expression of concentration on Kara's face showed that she was trying. There was no urgency or impatience on Hallbjorn's part. He waited. Time moved along, and it seemed that Kara was no closer to her goal an hour later. She had not moved an inch. The young woman left him, and ran towards the house. He did not know what she had in mind. She turned and looked at him, and then she disappeared for the briefest span of time before she appeared again in front of him. Could it be that she subconsciously did not want to be apart from him so much that that was what had stopped her, and the desire to be near him was what allowed her to finally teleport by her own will? Hallbjorn considered it, but ultimately let the thought go away. There was so much he did not know that made speculation pointless.<br><br>Kara's excitement at her feat made him smile a small smile. He did not have time to put his arms around her before they were in the dining room, then the bedroom, and at last the kitchen. It was only when they stopped there that he had the time to put his arms around her. Hallbjorn had to admit that the experience was disorienting for him too. <br><br>"I feel disoriented too." He shared with Kara. "Take a moment to recover, and then try to take us to the gate and see how you feel afterwards." The large man said to her. "For other species, tracing long distances can be draining, and more so when they take another with them."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>15-11-2016, 04:14:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn's arms felt good as they wrapped around her. The small smile he'd given her made Kara sigh happily. But instead of admiring that smile, she kept her face pressed to his chest until the worst of her dizziness passed. Some of it still plagued her when she tilted her head up and rested her chin on his chest. <br><br>“I'm sorry, Hallbjorn. I didn't mean to discombobulate both of us. I was just so excited to be able to finally do it.” Her lips turned up in a smile as she added, “And it was because of you that I could. My need to be close to you helped me to ride the wind.”<br><br>Kara's brow furrowed slightly. “I hope that you don't mind that I need to be with you so much. I know you have been alone for a long time, and it has to be difficult to adjust to having someone constantly around. You've been so thoughtful, so wonderful, with the way you've stayed by my side. Even when you went downstairs earlier this morning, I could hear you stomping around, and it made me breath easier.”<br><br>Her dizziness cleared up quickly, and she was glad it didn't linger. Hallbjorn's idea to try going to the gate first was a good one, but first Kara wanted to make sure he knew how much she appreciated everything he had done for her, and how none of it went unnoticed. <br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>17-11-2016, 03:55:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn nodded at everything that Kara said. It was difficult to adjust to having her being around constantly and how strong her need for contact and attention was. But he would never put it into words. It was difficult but it was necessary and worth it. The next thing that was done was Kara teleporting them to the gate. It seemed to go alright. Then from there she teleported them back into the house. It seemed within her power. After a few longer experimental jumps Kara appeared to gain enough confidence to try and take them to Jackrabbit Junction. During these trials Hallbjorn had her try and bring along a larger piece of luggage to bring her things back in, and it did not seem to wear on Kara unduly.<br><br>The two were then back in the small town in Arizona. Kara's power brought them into the living room. True to Hallbjorn's word the room had been bespelled to appear as if nothing untoward happened. There was no evidence of her fire or the demons dying in the room. A quick investigation of the house showed it no worse for wear for not having any human occupants for a couple of days. <br><br>They spent some time gathering the things that Kara wanted to take away with her. They were not rushed but it was not a slow process either, because there was so much that Kara wanted to do before leaving. <br><br>Once her things were packed and they planned to go to the senior's center, Hallbjorn paused. <br><br>"I feel at ease with seniors." He admitted to her. "I was not raised to look upon living to old age as a good thing. I do not want a straw death, Kara." Possessing Ohalla meant that he would not die because of the passage of time. The roll of years would not rob him of potency or render him mentally or physically infirm. He could only die from extreme violence: decapitation, or having his body so completely destroyed that nothing of it remained. "I will go with you, but these are your friends to bid farewell."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>17-11-2016, 23:06:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara understood what Hallbjorn meant. She certainly didn't want to cause him any unease, and would do her best to make sure their visit wasn't too long. She took his big hand in hers and smiled up at him with understanding and love. <br><br>She remained true to her word when they visited the senior center. Though Kara gave her friends at the center a more condensed and edited version of how she came to be with Hallbjorn, they either believed her or knew better then ask more questions. Kara could talk enough that Hallbjorn wouldn't need to at all, and she was able to shield him from their curiosity. Though when Gerty, a woman with tight blue curls close to her head, started applying flamingo pink lipstick and glancing several times at Hallbjorn's behind, Kara decided it was time to go. <br><br>There was no hiding the sadness she felt at parting, but Kara knew that it was for the best. Instead of taking them right back to her home, she took them to the Shaft, so she could tell Butch, the owner, that she was gone for good. It was a lighter atmosphere inside the bar, and Kara had an easier time saying goodbye. She was relieved that her circle of friends were in Phoenix for a concert, and wouldn't be returning. Those were people she felt comfortable enough saying goodbye to through email or on the phone. She would be too jealous to stand back and see how they would respond to Hallbjorn in person, so it was for the best. <br><br>Before leaving they enjoyed some truly delicious and big burgers that were cooked up in the bar's kitchen. They had been packing for a long time and night was already falling. Just smelling the food cook made Kara realize she was famished, and it was nice to sit down in a familiar surrounding and eat one last meal there. <br><br>They left before the place became crowded, and Kara took them both back to her home. Though she was still a little sad at saying goodbye, she felt she was ready to fully let go of the past and enter into her future with Hallbjorn. She just wished she could have seen her parents one last time. <br><br>Kara looked up at Hallbjorn and gave him a little smile. “Do you think maybe we can stay the night here, just for tonight? My bed isn't as big as ours is back home, but I'm sure it will fit both of us.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>19-11-2016, 04:21:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hallbjorn hid his unease like he did all of his other emotions, but there was no hiding it completely from Kara. She was his wife and mate, the love of his life. But he did not ask that they leave at any point, either by word or deed. He did his best to be polite to Kara's friends and show them the respect that they were due. He was glad when they did go. At the bar he had an easier time of things, and even went so far as to have a beer with the burger that was served to him. <br><br>He was able to relax again when they were back at Kara's parents' house. It was after dark and night. Kara looked up at him and posed her question, and he nodded his assent. He could not deny this to her. Hallbjorn took one of her small hands in his and led her up to her bedroom. <br><br>When they reached her bedroom, Hallbjorn looked around at the room from a perspective that he never had while he watched over her. It was a different way to see the room, and a different way to see the woman it belonged to. He approached the bed and pulled the covers back. He sat Kara down on it and knelt to remove her shoes. "There is something else we can do here tonight." Hallbjorn said, and he kissed Kara after setting both of her shoes aside. His kiss was strong and loving. "We can make another memory of this place." He did not think that she would ever forget it, but since this place was so special they could do something special there. Hallbjorn's hands moved to the hem of Kara's top, and he swiftly pulled it off of her, and let it fall on the floor. Her bra soon joined it, and Hallbjorn pushed Kara onto her back gently. His hands made swift work of the rest of her clothing, leaving her wonderfully nude. <br><br>Hallbjorn disrobed as well, and then joined Kara in her bed. He moved her to the center of it, and parted her legs. He anchored himself between her legs and his head dipped to join his lips to hers. Hallbjorn was erect and the long, thick, and turgid length of him lay imposingly upon the soft skin of Kara's stomach. He used one of his hands to support his weight, but the other moved to stroke Kara's sex, stimulating her nether lips. His thumb found her clitoris while his big fingers stroked every inch of her lower lips. When they grew slick and aroused under his touch Hallbjorn slipped his middle finger between them, entering Kara and filling her with his large digit. He worked the length of his middle finger in and out slowly at first, but the motion did not remain slow for long. Soon it sawed in and out of the young woman at a quick pace. His thumb continued to stroke and stimulate Kara's clitoris while his finger did this.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>19-11-2016, 22:25:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara was smiling as Hallbjorn led her up to her bedroom. She looked around the room when Hallbjorn did and grinned. It was nothing like their bedroom. Her room had a whole lot of pink in it. There were parts of it that were reminiscent of when she was a little girl, and then a teenager, as well as her current taste in decorating. It used to be the place she felt completely home at, and while she no longer lived there, just having Hallbjorn with her reinforced that any place she was with him was home. <br><br>She sat on the bed and the love she felt for him shined in her eyes as he knelt to remove her shoes. But then her eyes widened when he hinted at how they could make another memory in her old bedroom. Her heart nearly burst with love, and she whispered with emotion, “I would like that very much.”<br><br>When his lips found hers, she poured her whole heart into it, and when Hallbjorn broke the kiss, her eyes were shining amber with the depth of her emotion. Kara lifted her arms when he tugged her shirt off, and by the time he removed the rest of her clothing, her heart was beating faster and her breath quickened. <br><br>She lay on the bed and looked up at him with desire as he removed his clothing, and then wiggled her way to the center of the bed with his help. As Hallbjorn moved between her thighs and kissed her, Kara's arms wrapped around his shoulders and she groaned softly into his mouth. <br><br>The length of him was so hard and hot that it felt as if it were branding her stomach. When Hallbjorn lifted himself on one arm, Kara reached down between them with one hand so she could feel the heavy weight of him in her hand. She would have enjoyed exploring him, but when his fingers found her sex, Kara gave in to what he was making her feel. <br><br>The lips of her sex were already glistening when he touched her, and when Hallbjorn's thumb found her clit, Kara trembled. Hallbjorn's touch made it feel as if her whole body came alive. The folds of her sex plumped and her breasts grew heavy and hot. Her nipples hardened and Kara began arching to his touch. Both hands moved back up to his shoulders and her claws dug into his skin. <br><br>Hallbjorn's finger pushed into Kara's ready body easily. Kara's thighs spread apart wider, and her heels dug into the bed. The pleasure she felt from the slow pace of his finger soon ramped up as his thrusts inside her grew faster. His thumb kept stroking her sensitive clit, and it was not long before all of the stimulation had her crying out as her orgasm crashed through her. Kara rode his finger as her body bucked beneath his, making sure her release was drawn out. Soon she was clinging to Hallbjorn and her lips found his in a passionate and needy kiss. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>21-11-2016, 01:48:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As Kara's release reached its last ebb, Hallbjorn withdrew his finger from the folds of her wet sex. His hands moved to grip Kara's wrists and he pulled her hands from his shoulders. He was not careful and his strength ensured that her claws came away bloody from being dug into his flesh. The red fluid flowed along his pale skin and the scent of it filled the air. Hallbjorn pressed both of Kara's wrists to the bed above her head, crossing them so that one hand could pin them there. As always his strength was greater than hers and the grip was inescapable if it came to force against force - but Kara had other tricks up her figurative sleeve now and he only held her because she wished to let him.<br><br>Hallbjorn moved his hips and legs, repositioning himself between her wide open legs. The large man's length trailed along Kara's stomach as he moved. Guided by his free hand, the large, broad head slipped along her mound and over the hood of her clitoris. The thick flared crown of his penis swept over the plump wet lips of her sex. The impossible moment had arrived that Kara had wanted for so long. Hallbjorn did not tease her with himself, but pushed forward with his hips to press himself into the tightness of her sheathe. Then he waited. When Kara's body was ready Hallbjorn pressed more of his flesh into her body. The thick turgid length that was Hallbjorn's endowment forced the lips of Kara's sex very far apart and stretched her open very wide. In time he reached her maidenhead and claimed that too. But there seemed to be ever more of him as those powerful, strong hips worked just as much as Kara could take just as fast as she could take it. Whenever it seemed that surely that must be the end Hallbjorn pressed more of himself into his young mate. <br><br>When at last his hips were joined to hers there was so much of him inside of her. The crown of his penis pressed against her cervix, reaching far into her body and filling her as completely as she could physically be filled. After Kara was ready and recovered, Hallbjorn withdrew and entered her again, taking it just as slow as he body needed to accommodate his size. Hallbjorn took his time with Kara, moving himself to the pace her body set. His strokes were strong, sure, and undeniable. He played her body perfectly, filling her completely and overwhelmingly with his tumescent length as no other man could or would. They were paired for eternity and their fidelity to one another was assured.<br><br>In time Kara could take more powerful strokes and tolerate a faster pace. The slickness of her sex ensured that his thickness moved as easily as it could within her tight, clenching sheathe. Hallbjorn began to give his little mate long, hard thrusts that saw his length almost completely leave her only to return home in full with a sharp sound of flesh upon flesh at the culmination of their bodies becoming one. The free hand that Hallbjorn had eventually moved to slap Kara's behind, what parts of it he could touch. With her position it was not as much as she might like but Hallbjorn made it work as best he could. And his best was very good for her. His hand rang upon her flesh, warming and reddening it with every sharp spank. <br><br>When Kara's bottom was good and red he stopped and moved his hand instead to work his large middle finger into her rear. This was the finger that had been within her sex and so it was slick with her lusts. The tight pink star yielded to Hallbjorn's masterful manipulations, admitting the large digit into Kara's body. He worked it into her beautifully and just as her body needed it. <br><br>"Drink." Hallbjorn told Kara. "Take my blood while I am inside you." The blond male commanded the young woman beneath him. He continued to make love with her while she complied, his strong body rocking into hers. When her fangs did pierce his skin as he desired he found his release, and he filled her sex with his seed even as he filled her mouth with his blood.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>21-11-2016, 20:23:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara was still dazed from her release when Hallbjorn took her wrists in his hands and pinned her arms above her head. Her fangs grew when the scent of his blood filled the air, and she looked at those crimson drops trailing down his chest while licking her lips. Before she would have felt worry about hurting him, but Kara knew now that his threshold for pain was very high, and he did not seem to care at all about what her claws had done to him. <br><br>When he repositioned himself between her legs, the size of him had Kara's thighs spreading wider. The feel of the crown of his length gliding over her sensitive folds made Kara groan and tilted her hips up. She needed to feel more of him. She was so ready for him, to be one with him, even though she could not hide the bit of fear she felt about how very big he was. Kara knew that he would never hurt her, and she trusted him completely. <br><br>Her lips parted and her eyes closed as he began to press into her. Hallbjorn was so big, but he took his time. He let her body accommodate his size before giving her more. Yet even with him taking it slow, Kara found herself overwhelmed by how much he was spreading her sex open. She never knew she could feel so completely full. The pleasure that she was receiving had her toes and claws curling. <br><br>Then Hallbjorn took her maidenhead, and the sharp pain of it had her eyes watering. But the pain didn't last. She didn't know if it was because of how quickly her body healed, or because the pleasure Hallbjorn gave her overwhelmed the pain. But soon it was just a memory, and Kara was only feeling how amazingly full Hallbjorn made her feel, and how good it was to have him inside of her. <br><br>She had no idea how long he worked to fill her with all of his length, but at last his hips joined hers and he was still for a moment. Kara squirmed against him, because the feel of him pressing against her cervix caused an incredible pressure to build within her. She wrapped her legs around his hips and dug her heels into his behind in an effort to find relief from that pressure. <br><br>The movement had him brushing more firmly against her cervix, and suddenly that pressure exploded inside of her, causing a flood of ecstasy to fill every part of her. Kara cried out as her sheath clenched and pulsed around Hallbjorn's length. The release was more powerful then anything she'd ever felt. <br><br>Soon his body was moving, and the thick length of him was pushing in an out of her. It seemed that no sooner then she had her first release, another one claimed her. Kara cried out again as her body trembled and her sex clung greedily to Hallbjorn's length. Hallbjorn's pace grew faster and more powerful, and Kara was ready for it. She reveled in it, especially when his strokes became long and hard and she was able to feel all of him sliding in and out of her. <br><br>Her body burst into another powerful orgasm that had her screaming, and when she felt his hand slap her behind, Kara grew impossibly tight around him as her release caused her whole body to tense. Each smack of his hand prolonged her orgasm, until she was panting for air and trembling powerfully. <br><br>She had barely any time to recover before his finger was pressing into her tight rear hole. Having him fill her there while still thrusting inside of her drove Kara wild. Her body exploded with ecstasy again and again, until it felt as if she had no time between her releases. Hallbjorn's voice cut through the fog of her pleasure. Her hands broke his grip and her arms wound around his shoulders. Kara pressed herself tightly against him, and in her mindlessness, she sank her fangs into his throat. <br><br>Blood filled her mouth, and she drank greedily. The first swallow had her coming so hard that stars burst behind her closed eyelids. Kara bucked and writhed against Hallbjorn as she drank and he filled her with his seed. <br><br>Kara retracted her fangs when she felt his release end. She fell back to the bed with her arms tossed above her head. Her eyes were barely open and her smile was dazed. Her body felt so completely relaxed and satiated to the point that she didn't know if she could even move. <br><br>Still, she whispered up to him, “I love you, Hallbjorn.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>24-11-2016, 03:55:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I love you, Kara." Hallbjorn responded. Slowly he withdrew from Kara's body, withdrawing his length from her sex and his finger from her behind. He moved from between her wide open thighs, and closed them. He got up, and turned on several of Kara's nightlights before turning off the main light. Then he moved to lie down beside her. He turned Kara onto her side and pulled her body into his, her back to his front. He pulled the covers over the both of them, and it was not long before Hallbjorn fell into a deep sleep. <br><br>When they awoke there was some time spent lazing in Kara's bed. But they got up eventually and had to take turns in the washroom - it was not large enough for the both of them at once. If Hallbjorn had been smaller and more normal sized it might not have been possible, but with his stature there was no way. <br><br>After they had both showered and done their toiletries, there was some time for breakfast. There was nothing really elaborate about it - there was some bacon and eggs and Hallbjorn cooked that since Kara's domesticity was not ready for the preparation of food that was cooked outside of a microwave. Perhaps some day, but not today. <br><br>When the food was done and the two were eating, there came the sound of the front door opening. Hallbjorn stiffened and immediately readied for trouble. His hand reached for a knife that was not there, grasping for the hilt of the absent weapon. However, the large man was a Berserker and capable of doing grievous harm unarmed. He rose from his seat and wandered to the front of the house as a pair of figures that were momentarily unfamiliar to him entered. <br><br>They paused at seeing a complete stranger in their home, cautious but ready. Hallbjorn recognized them after a moment from several of the pictures Kara packed.<br><br>"Kara," Hallbjorn said, "your parents are home."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Berserker's Fated Match (Cold Heritage &amp; Holly Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Holly Marlow</strong> on <strong>25-11-2016, 21:10:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kara had not rushed towards the door, but instead lingered at the entrance to the kitchen. But when Hallbjorn told her who it was, she rushed out to hug both of her parents. “Mom, dad, you're home early.” She was surprised, but at that moment, she was incredibly happy to see them. Natalie and Bruce returned her hug, but it was clear their attention was on Hallbjorn. They even tried to push her behind them, as if to protect her. <br><br>“Berserker.” Her father said. <br><br>Kara gasped, and rounded back in front of them. “Hallbjorn is my husband.” She told them, and ignored their shocked expressions. Her hands went to her hips and she narrowed her eyes. “How did you know what he is?”<br><br>Her mother must have noticed her fangs, because she kept glancing at Kara's mouth. Natalie and Bruce shared a long look, then turned their attention back to Kara. Her mother took Kara's hand and squeezed it. “We did not know if your vampire half would be enough to bring you into immortality, but it seems that perhaps your other half was not human.”<br><br>As shocked as she was to hear her parents knowing anything about that, she was even more surprised when they both removed their necklaces, ones that they always wore, which revealed them to be not much older then her. The wrinkles and gray hair vanished, and Kara thought she might fall on her behind. <br><br>“It was a spell, so we could blend in better.” Natalie smiled softly, then took Kara's hand so she could lead her to the couch. There the four of them sat down and had a very long conversation, where her parents revealed to her that they were witches, and she told them about what she and Hallbjorn had been through in the last few weeks. <br><br>Their looks towards her mate softened. How could it not when she told them how he had saved her time and time again. Her mother looked at Hallbjorn with adoration, and her father looked upon him with pride. Though both of her parents were not ready to lose her to her husband so quickly, they were relieved that she had such a good man and by the end of the conversation they were talking of coming to visit very soon. <br><br>Kara's mind was still whirling with everything she had learned about her parents, but overall she was happy. She wouldn't have to give them up. Things were going to be okay. Then she was standing beside Hallbjorn as he picked up what she chose to take home, and her arm looped around his. She smiled up at him happily, and summoned the wind to take them home, and to the beginning of their new life together. 
			</dd>
		</dl>
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