The young woman ambled into my hidden cavern, oblivious to me standing within the shadows in the darkened corner. I remained still, quiet as a small mouse. I did not want to startle this beauty that suddenly decided to grace my presence. She was but a graceful angel, soaked to the bone, shivering from the winter raging outside.

I had the powerful sudden urge to wrap her in my arms.

Covet her.

Take her away.

And never let her leave my sight.

Instead, I lingered hidden within the shadows of the cave, pressing myself against the ragged rock wall. She did not look my way, yet how could she? I was leaning against the darkest corner of the cave, hidden behind a wall that jutted out. I would not be found unless I desired to be.

I watched her take a pile of brush and twigs from underneath her cloak and began creating a fire from rocks she found near the pool of water. I marveled at her intelligence. Most women I knew could not endure residing in a cave within the mountainside at night. They would cower in fear, whimpering and crying for help.

But this woman...

My blood suddenly turned heated as she took off her black cloak. My fists clenched in excitement, and I forced myself to barely breathe as I watched. I waited on edge for her to take off more clothing, but she simply laid on the ground using her generous cloak as a headrest and blanket.

I inwardly sighed. What a disappointment...

She stared into the flames for a few minutes before deeply sighing and closing her eyes. I waited for a period of time, delaying until she was completely unconscious before I moved toward her body.

I crept silently, flinching when my boot sent a small stone scurrying across the small cave. The woman stirred but did not wake. I let out a breath in relief.

This woman was simply beautiful. Odin took special care in creating her, that was obvious. She was tall for a woman, perchance reaching my shoulder. Even from beneath the cloak and the feeble light of the small fire I could make out the ample curves of her hips.

Perfect for birthing strong sons, I grinned with satisfaction at the realization.

Her hair was varying shades of gold, every tone different. I reached out a hand and touched a few curls near her brow; it was soft as a butterfly's wing. Most of the golden ringlets rebelled and escaped the braid that held them back away from her face. Her cheeks were flushed from the fire and I assumed her trek up the mountain. Her lips were full and the delicious color of blood, tempting me. Long dark lashes framed her eyes, black as coal, faintly brushing her cheeks. Her heart-shaped face was peaceful, serene. She was an angel.

An angel I wanted to bring down to hell with me.

I smiled, deciding then that I would take her back with me to the clan. She would become my bride, my dronning, who would rule beside me.

With my new plan in mind, I circled around her until finally sitting down across from her by the fire. I guarded her for a few hours, flicking my gaze between the fire, the entrance and her. The sun was gaining strength, breaking through the small covering of the cave, illuminating her sleeping form.

I continued to watch over her until I heard shouts and loud voices coming from the bottom of the mountain. I rose from my side of the dying fire, a slow rage building in my chest at the possibility of invaders. This woman was mine, mine to protect, and mine to keep. I had a hunch that these voices were looking for her, my discovered angel in the flesh.

I peered out from the protective covering of the cave, pulling the branches slightly off to the side. I silently snarled in fury at the sight. I watched a group of men in the valley below, a few on horseback and the rest on foot.

Dahlsten warriors.

There were not very many, it would only be slightly difficult to kill them all. But not impossible.

I traced the sword lightly at my hip. Those lowly pathetic beings shall die if they tried to take her.

I glanced back towards the sleeping angel. A strong part of me urged to take her now, to enter her hidden warm sheath, make her scream with pleasure and sudden pain. My lips curled at the thought of her head thrown back in bittersweet pleasure, writhing underneath me as I took her maidenhead. My breeches tightened with the delicious image in my head.

But, sadly, my desires would have to wait. I sighed softly in exasperation.

For now, I would take her away before the others would find her here. I quickly extinguished the small fire, the embers hissing at the invasion of water. I watched her in caution, thinking she could wake from the sound. No movement. My angel must be exhausted.

Filling the waterskin pouch from the pool, I stored it away for when she awoke. She would need her strength for the long trip back to my clan's village.

I lifted her limp body from the cold floor, softly brushing her curls away from her angelic face. Without another glance, I left the cave, watchful of the men below. Not one man glanced up towards the mountain. Fools. They claimed the Oksskolten mountains were a part of their territory and yet, my men and I stroll into this portion of land every week unattacked. How amusing.

I followed a trail only known to my scouts and myself to the other side of the mountain where my horse awaited in the valley. The Dahlsten clan would have to wait until later. Aderick would have to wait. My plan would only be put on hold. For the time being.

Within the thick woodland, my horse stood tied to a tree, and he nickered at me in recognition once I came into view. The large black beast stared down at me with wild abandon and a trace of fear. I simply raised a hand and he lowered his head in submission. With a simple flick of my wrist, the knot of the reins freed the worn bark. I cradled the angel's sleeping body in one arm then hoisted us up into the saddle.

Turning away from the mountain, I began the trot back toward the clan village. It would be nearly a half weeks time until we safely reached the walls of my clan.

The unforeseen appearance of the Dahlsten warrior's at the mountain with numerous armed men in one setting was unusual. And so shortly after my angel's arrival in my hidden cavern did not go unnoticed either.

This woman, the angel was of importance to them.

How...I did not know. Only the angel and time would tell.

The young damsel shifted in my arms, and I naturally slowed my horse down to make sure she was comfortable. She was to be the future queen, after all. She muttered something softly, and I had to lean down near her mouth to hear her murmuring until my cheek rested on her head. Her head tossed, shifting my weight off of her. I smiled slightly at her unconscious attitude. A fiery one, I could tell. The more enjoyable to break to my will.

"Aderick..." She mumbled before becoming still with slumber.

I froze in surprise. Sudden glee bloomed in my chest. A cruel wide smile graced my face as I suddenly realized that my angel was the Jarl's bride-to-be...the only surviving daughter of the recently deceased Dirk Haraldsson, Jarl of the Haraldsson clan.

My plan was going perfectly so far.

And yet...

What I held in my arms was not only an angel but a gem, the last final piece to my plan.