Page 17 of Baldr's Secret Mate

“What’s a Draugr?”

“According to this, some sort of undead creature created from warriors left to rot in the fields.”

“Well… we probably won’t have to deal with that?”

“I hope not.” He flipped through a few more pages. “However, there is a spell here for opening a door.”

“A door? To where?”

“It’s not specific.” He skimmed down the page, his eyes darting back and forth as he read. “But it seems like it’s all purpose, like it can create a door anywhere.”

“Can it get me out of this dome?” I asked, my voice filled with hope.

“I don’t know. But we can give it a shot.” He looked up at me, placing his hand on the dome. “I’m pretty tapped out for today, but I’m gonna try this anyway. I ate a couple of snacks on the way here and I’m starting to feel better now.”

“Okay,” I nodded, worry twisting inside my chest. “Just don’t overdo it, okay? I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”

He gave me a warm smile and I could’ve sworn I felt some affection seep through our telepathic connection. “I’ll do my best.”

I stared at him for a long moment. “So… uh… should I move or?”

“Maybe take a few steps back,” he chuckled nervously. “I’m not sure how this is going to go.”

I did as I was told. As soon as I was a handful of feet away from the dome, Baldr held out one hand, the spellbook clutched in the other, and our telepathic bond ceased. The moment it did, he started to chant on the other side of the dome. Although I could see his lips moving, the barrier blocked the outside world completely from the rest of my senses. Instead, I watched as a golden sparkling light began to coalesce in his hand. It ran up his arm, through his palm, and illuminated his outstretched fingers.With his middle and index finger he reached out to touch the dome and slowly began etching symbols into the side of it.

The air around me began to quake and shiver, like someone was shaking the entire place. It was similar to when Tyr let himself into my domain, but more violent. For a moment I thought everything might come crashing down around me. The thought of being crushed by the dome was one that filled me with fear. But no sooner had the thought crossed my mind than Baldr finished drawing his final rune.

He pulled the backside of his finger down the barrier, an eerie tearing sound echoing through the silent, snow covered world. I watched as a thin line appeared in the dome and then, all at once, it split open, letting the sound of the outside world in at last.

Several things struck me all at once. There was the slight breeze rustling what few dried leaves still clung to their branches, the rattling echoing over the mountain. In the distance I could hear an owl cry in the night only to be answered by another much closer. But what I noticed most was the gasp from Baldr’s lips as he saw me clearly for the first time in his life. And his jaw fell slack.

“You… You’re so handsome,” he said. But the moment the words left his lips, he turned bright red.

My heart leapt at his words, but I forced my feet to stay planted in the snow. I wasn’t entirely convinced all of this was real yet. After years and years of being trapped inside the dome, it felt almost wrong to finally be able to leave it. I knew my space like the back of my hand. Every rock, tree, and spring had its rightful place. But everything outside of the barrier was foreign and strange. Who knew what kind of dangers might be lurking out there to sweep me up and carry me away.

However, none of those worries stopped Baldr from stepping through the barrier, the book still clutched in his hand.The magic split around him like a curtain. As soon as he was inside it folded back together neatly. But my eyes were no longer on that. They were on Baldr.

My best friend in the whole world was close enough to touch for the first time ever.

“Can… Can I hug you?” I asked, my voice shaking as I stared at him.

“Yeah,” he nodded, a grin pulling at his lips.

I dropped my bag in the snow and ran, the thrill of it all taking over me at last. Colliding with Baldr, I threw my arms around his neck and held him tight. The feel of his skin against mine, his chest rising and falling, and the sweet honey-like scent of his skin brought tears to my eyes. I’d never experienced something so wonderful in all my life.

“Is… is this what it feels like?” I asked, holding onto Baldr tightly.

“What do you mean?”

“To hold someone?” I pulled him in tighter, refusing to let go as tears streamed down my cheeks. His warmth seeped through my clothing, filling me with a sensation I’d never felt before. It was like I was floating. “It’s better than I ever imagined.”

He smiled, squeezing me back. “Well, get used to it. Because you’re free now.”

“I can’t believe this is finally happening…”

Baldr leaned back, placing his hands on my cheeks and rubbing his thumbs over my stubbly jaw. “It’s not just a dream anymore.”

My heart sang as he touched me and it took everything I had not to tell him right then and there how much I cared for him. I bit my lower lip to stop myself from speaking out of line. Instead, I just stared back at him, the butterflies in my stomach making me nauseous.

---