This is an original song inspired by the character of Athelstan in the History channel TV series Vikings.
The song is set at the end of season 2. Athelstan has returned with Ragnar after having been captured and nearly killed in England. He is having a crisis of faith between Christian and pagan beliefs. Towards the end of the song, there are also hints at Athelstan/Ragnar shipping.

This is purely fan art. I receive no remuneration from this work.

Music & Lyrics by Nicola Markus
Performed by Nicola Markus


Lyrics

I close my eyes to pray
But what words can I say?
Which god should I obey?
The gentle fall of rain reminds me of Christ's pain
But the thunder overhead, makes me think of Thor instead
My soul can never rest

My wounds are aching still
Scars that never seem to heal
Is it truly the Lord's will?
Must I be always crucified for these feelings deep inside?
Or will these pagan gods release me from my cross?
I don't know which way to turn

Lord, ravish me
Fill me up with your fire
Odin, Thor, Freyr
Grant my desires
Which path do I choose?
Help me find my way
My soul's torn in two
Breaking more with each new day

When I came home again
I hoped that I would mend
Back with family and friends
Some offer welcome, some disdain, but he still loves me all the same
I teach him prayers as we both kneel, try to discover the Lord's will
My unrest still remains

Only when I'm by his side
With feelings running wild
A kind of peace I find
I know that I belong right here, and I feel the gods draw near
Pray they grant me some release from these devils plaguing me
That drown me in the stormy seas

When my heart is free from pain
Maybe I'll learn to live again

Athelstan's Prayer - An Original Song for Vikings

Hear me read an extract from my MM short story Full Marks, which features in NineStar Press' Teacher's Pet anthology, releasing 12 March 2018. Find out more on my blog:

http://www.nickijmarkus.com/p/lgbt-anthologies.html

"Jacob Corby decides to attend his university reunion for one reason only: Professor Hobbs. Arthur Hobbs is surprised to see loner Jacob’s name on the attendance list, but it is enough to make him change his mind about going to the event. After all, he’s always harboured forbidden feelings for his favourite student."

Full Marks by Asta Idonea - Audio Excerpt

Today I am sharing an excerpt from my MM PNR novel Souls for Sale, which releases from NineStar Press on 26 March 2018. To learn more, keep an eye on my blog on release day:

http://www.nickijmarkus.com

"When demon Saul persuades comic book artist Tom to sign over his soul in exchange for a night of passion, little does he know what lies in store. Demons can’t fall in love—or so he’s been told—but he finds himself smitten and attempts to destroy the contract, desperate to save Tom from an eternity of torture.

With Saul and Tom forced to run, a showdown between Heaven and Hell ensues as the angels and demons argue over who owns Tom’s soul. But does either party have a stronger claim than Saul?"

Souls for Sale by Asta Idonea Audio Excerpt

This is an audio excerpt from my forthcoming release Beastly Businessmen & Guitar Gods.

Get your copy at all the usual retailers from 23 July 2018!

https://ninestarpress.com/product/beastly-businessmen-and-guitar-gods/

"They say magic doesn’t exist in our modern age. But is that really true?

Without magic, how could a stolen guitar or a lost shoe lead to love?

What could spark romance at a workplace assessment, or turn a mean-spirited monster into a man?

Six fairytales and myths receive a contemporary MM twist in this collection of stories, which prove that sometimes the mundane can be magical too."

Beastly Businessment & Guitar Gods by Asta Idonea (Excerpt)

Hear me read an excerpt from my MM superhero novel Super for You, Bad for Me, which releases from Dreamspinner Press on 14 August 2018.

Preorders available now from the publisher, with other buy links coming soon: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/super-for-you-bad-for-me-by-asta-idonea-9809-b

"Struggling actor Oswell Outterridge thinks he’s hit the jackpot when he’s chosen to play a scene opposite his idol, Kane Teague, in a superhero movie. However, things take an unexpected turn when the slime he accidentally ingests gives him telekinetic powers. Then Kane asks him out, against all expectation, and it seems that life couldn’t get any better—aside from the little matter of keeping his identity secret from his celebrity boyfriend.

Oswell goes from a nobody with little social life and few prospects for the future to dating the man of his dreams and using his superhuman abilities to defend innocents. Everything is perfect, and it seems he’s finally achieved a happily ever after worthy of the silver screen. But when a supervillain arrives, determined to defeat Oswell and win Kane’s affections, everything falls apart. In the ensuing conflict, Kane gets caught in the crossfire, and Oswell faces his toughest fight yet. Can he remain the hero he’s always imagined himself, or will a dark desire for vengeance change him forever?"

Super for You, Bad for Me by Asta Idonea (Excerpt)

An excerpt from my short story A Handmaid's Purpose, which features in Fantasia Divinity's Beneath Yggdrasil's Shadow anthology.

Available from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GVF269S

Norse mythology has a fascinating take on the universe and a pantheon of amazing gods and goddesses. Although there are many stories that have survived the ages, there are several tales that were lost to time. This anthology focuses on stories about Norse goddesses that have been mostly forgotten. There are many goddesses that we now know very little about, their origins erased from history. Who are these barely mentioned goddesses? Where did they come from? These are the stories that history did not remember.
Featuring 23 stories about Norse goddesses such as Sigyn, Ran, Idun, Nott, Eir, Angrboda, and many more! 
With stories by Cindar Harrell, Victor H. Rodriguez, Christine Morgan, Jade Black, Amelia Sirina, Jane Dougherty, R.A. Goli, Eddie D. Moore, Lisa M. Landreth, Tony Daly, Cassandra Schoeber, Aaron Hwang, Genevieve Gornichec, Matthew Wilson, Nicki J. Markus, Tahni J. Nikitins, DJ Tyrer, Kari Holloway, Claire Davon, Gerri Leen, Antonius M. Hogebrandt, David W. Landrum, and S. Locke.

A Handmaid's Purpose by Nicki J. Markus (Audio Excerpt)

Hear me read an excerpt from my MM holiday short story Barbies and Beaches.

"For the first time ever, Shane is not looking forward to the annual Boxing Day barbeque at Matty's house. He recently divorced, none of his friends know what to say to him now, and Shane is tired of the pity and awkwardness. Things take a turn, however, when he meets Matty's English cousin. Neil is struggling with the Australian heat, having left the UK after a bad breakup. When Shane suggests the two of them head to a secluded beach to cool off, the growing intimacy between them might make both reassess their current situation."

For info from: http://www.nickijmarkus.com/2018/12/new-release-barbies-and-beaches-by-asta.html

Barbies & Beaches by Asta Idonea (Audio Excerpt)

Hear me read an excerpt from my historical cogpunk action-romance For the Devil a Crown.

This story is free to read on my Tablo page at the link below. I will be adding a new chapter each fortnight from the beginning of March to the end of September, so do check it out.

https://tablo.io/nicki-j-markus-asta-idonea/for-the-devil-a-crown

London 1862

Clara, only child of Royal Mechanist Sir Miles Corvington, is not a young woman prone to jitters. However, she will need to draw on all her skill and fortitude in the dark days ahead.

Aided by the enigmatic but haunted Eldon Finch, she must find a way to combat the malevolent forces that threaten not only the queen but the entire world... before it's too late.

P.S. Had a bit of microphone trouble on this recording, and I apologise for the slight hiss in the background.

For The Devil A Crown by Nicki J. Markus (Audio Excerpt)

Hear me read an excerpt from my new MM PNR murder mystery story, Blood Is Forever, which releases from NineStarPress on 3 June 2019.

https://ninestarpress.com/product/blood-is-forever/

As a fae-vampire hybrid, scorned by all, Holden’s life has never been easy. The one bright spot is his job testing blood at supernatural crime scenes. It’s routine work, until the day he finds a victim he can’t read.

When one murder becomes two, and then three, it’s clear there’s a serial killer on the loose—one with a penchant for collecting hearts. Finding the bad guy could cement Holden’s career, but he’s drawing a blank. And it doesn’t help that the expert his boss calls in to assist him is the man Holden’s been crushing on for years.

With lives hanging in the balance, Holden and Val must solve the case before the killer strikes again. But will they come out with their hearts still intact?

Blood Is Forever by Asta Idonea - AudioExcerpt

Hear me read an excerpt from my MM holiday short story A Stitch in Time.

"When Connor’s friend signs him up for a crochet course, the last thing he expects is to find love. However, at the community center, he meets hunky Finn. There’s only one problem: Finn assumes Connor’s there for the boxing class, and Connor lets him believe it, worried Finn will ditch him if he knows Connor prefers crafting to upper cuts. Can they salvage the situation when the truth comes out?"

For info from: http://www.nickijmarkus.com/2019/12/release-day-stitch-in-time-by-asta.html

A Stitch In Time by Asta Idonea (Audio Excerpt)

Hear me read a short excerpt from my new MM contemporary romance short story Pirates of Romance.

Xander joins his local am-dram group in order to make friends. He certainly doesn't expect to fall for the group's playboy star.
Graeme is confident and easygoing. He believes in fun without commitment. However, all that changes when Xander gets under his skin.

Available now in eBook format from all the usual sellers.

For more information visit: http://www.nickijmarkus.com/2020/04/new-release-pirates-of-romance-by-asta.html

Pirates Of Romance by Asta Idonea Audio Excerpt

Nicki J. Markus / Asta Idonea was born in England, but now lives in Adelaide, South Australia. She has loved both reading and writing from a young age and is also a keen linguist, having studied several foreign languages.

She launched her writing career in 2011 and divides her efforts not only between MM and mainstream works but also between traditional and indie publishing. Her works span the genres, from paranormal to historical and from contemporary to fantasy. It just depends what story and which characters spring into her mind!

As a day job, she works as a freelance editor and proofreader, and in her spare time she enjoys music, theater, cinema, photography, and sketching. She also loves history, folklore and mythology, pen-palling, and travel; all of which have provided plenty of inspiration for her writing.

nickijmarkus

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