"I want no one else," Athelstan counters, his voice soft snd gentle. Perhaps, that is part of the problem at the end of the day. It could have been easier if it were both of them wanting more than each other but Athelstan never did particularly make the easy choices, especially when it comes to this Viking. "I've never wanted anyone else the way I want you."

It is certainly true. With Judith the lust had been there but he never desired her to leave her husband. He never wanted more than the one time and that had been a mistake itself. He hadn't wanted dodger, not in any honest or real way.

"That's all I can ask of you."

Then he hesitates, his fingers toying with the bracelet again. "I don't..." He starts and then stops although its only to try and formulate his words carefully. "I don't want to know anymore," he finally says. Perhaps it's a juvenile method to create a bubble, a world that's a half truth thats fully believed. "About anyone. Can you try..." It isnt ragnar s fault or any thing of his doing that had brought the revelation of dodger. In the question are unspoken requests that follow the logical path of if he didnt want to know of Ragnar's lovers.

In truth, given the choice athelstan would take any opportunity to erase the knowledge from his mind but such miracles don't exist.