Jord

by S Cinders

  "Your family is safe," he said firmly. "Those who have gone to the Ghost Realm are content and only worry about you."

  He let her hand go, and Flora slumped back against the couch.

  Clarence was on his feet. "What did you do to her?"

  Quin turned, and Clarence took a step back when he saw the glowing fire in Quin's eyes. However, Quin wasn't angry and answered respectfully.

  "I allowed her to see her mate and those who passed into the Ghost Realm. She was troubled and her soul wasn't at peace. She will be fine; a trip between realms, even in your mind, can be exhausting. Let her rest."

  Jesse's lips trembled. "Can you show me Titus and Ava?"

  Quin nodded. "I can show you an image of when I was with them. But I can't see where they are currently. My gift doesn't work that way. I can travel into the Ghost Realm and have dominion of the animals of the sea. That, and the ability to see my memories and others clearly as if it were happening."

  "What did she show you?" Gemma asked.

  "It was a large pack house, I am assuming. The air was thick, and the scent of the sea licked at me. About twenty wolves sat around a campfire."

  Jesse said, "That was the night she came back to us. The USULF demanded that she leave, or the rest of her pack would be slaughtered. Thank you for helping her. She has carried such grief that it has worried us all."

  "She was showing you the Smithson pack house in Georgia. That is on the other side of the country when you leave the fey," Clarence added. "Those who believe in the resistance have gone there. Flora and Jesse have woven spells into the grounds to try to keep the USULF out. It is their only safe haven."

  Gemma stood and walked over to Quin. "When do we leave?"

  "Clarence will sneak you out the same way you came, through the sex club. We will be back as soon as I can distract my parents enough to get you the time you need."

  Chapter 12

  Gemma felt the heat of the beast through his dragon scales. Riding a dragon was something that she never in her lifetimes had ever considered a possibility. But then, neither had involved traveling to the human world. Life had always had one purpose, to serve the Asgard royalty.

  She lived, ate, and breathed the Valkyrie life until being a warrior wasn't just second thought, it was who she was. Gemma hadn't realized how much of her personality had been sucked out of her until she met Quin.

  He was unlike any other god whom she had ever known. The Norse gods had their fair share of good and bad, just like in any other circumstance. But there was a selfishness that went along with the power that she assumed all gods possessed.

  Quin was different. In some ways, he could be fierce. His dragon form was certainly intimidating, and Gemma was still a little weirded out by his gift of sight. The man was so perplexing. A combination of fierce warrior, legendary shifter, god of the seas, and yet he had a sense of humor and was at times even vulnerable.

  Gemma felt an odd sensation in her chest when she thought of him. It wasn't anything that she wanted. Warriors didn't have tender feelings and certainly not about species from alternate realms. She just wished that her heart didn't thud against her rib cage quite so hard when he smiled at her. And then there was the sex…

  Gemma wasn't new to sexual relationships, but with Quin, there was laughter and teasing. In Asgar, and certainly while serving in Valhalla, sex had been short, pleasurable, and then one went about their own pursuits.

  With Quin, she felt the need to savor every moment. A part of her felt anger, like her body was betraying her. Perhaps that feminine side that wished to be pleasured within an inch of her life was rearing its head again?

  Wind hit her with a blinding force and Gemma nearly lost hold of Quin's back as he ducked from the massive black dragon that had appeared out of nowhere. She recognized Quin's brother, Titus, in his dragon form.

  The only question was how Titus had known where they were. Gemma and Quin were not even close to the state of Georgia.

  Quin immediately changed flight and started to follow his brother into a canyon of jagged red rocks. In the night sky, it was hard to see the majesty of it all. The heat of the desert was similar to Los Angeles, so wherever they were, it was far from the ocean.

  Titus flew into a particularly dense population of rocks and then seemed to disappear. Quin followed, not even slowing down. Gemma couldn't help the scream that escaped her lips.

  "Are you going to open your eyes?" Quin's amused voice stopped her scream. He shifted back into human form and cradled her in his arms. "I wouldn't take you into harm, Gemma. You know that, right?"

  Of course, she did.

  Gemma scowled and was about to say those very words when a feminine shriek of happiness startled her. Turning to see further into the cave, Gemma saw Ava running toward them.

  "I thought you were dead. I thought we were too late!"

  Tears of joy gathered at the edges of Ava's eyes.

  "Did Quin find you?"

  There was a slight awkward pause where Gemma and Quin glanced at each other.

  "We found each other," Quin answered, wrapping a protective arm around Gemma.

  Titus and Ava noticed the gesture but didn't say anything.

  "Why are you here?" Quin looked around the cave. "I don't understand why you weren't in Ava's apartment."

  "Everything is being watched," Ava answered. "The library where Zoe and I worked had a gas leak explosion. I don't believe that was an accident. There were things moved in the apartment, but nothing seemed taken. Titus insisted that we leave and find a more secure location."

  "With the cliffs and caverns in this canyon, I can't imagine that you get anyone snooping around." Gemma touched the walls. "What is this place?"

  "The locals call it Zion National Park. It's a name based on the Christian faith, speaking of a hill in Jerusalem. There is also a fraction of people in the millions that consider Zionism their religion and it is a mixture of Christianity and African Traditional Religion."

  "There is magic in this area. I could feel it when we flew in." Quin tilted his head. "Is that why you stayed here?"

  Titus nodded. "I felt the magic as well and knew that we would have some form of protection. Come deeper within the cave; there is much to speak about, and I am sure you both need rest and something to eat."

  * * *

  Deep in the caves, the hot air turned to a pleasant sixty degrees. The fire they lit to cook the cougar was now dwindling. Everyone had eaten their fill, and Quin and Gemma were able to tell Titus and Ava all about their adventures with the fey.

  "Your sister is anxious to meet you, Ava."

  Ava bit her lip. "But Titania and Oberon weren't."

  Quin shook his head. "You misunderstand. I think Oberon is in a precarious position. Titania wields a lot of power and she isn't happy about a bastard child. That being said, Oberon helped to get us out. The fey are strange with their emotions; it is hard to tell what they are feeling."

  Gemma nodded in agreement. "But I know that Jesse and Flora were very excited."

  Titus frowned. "Excited to see her, or excited to have more to fight the battles that plague their people. The unrest of the Lycans isn't something that is new to me. I just don't see why we would ever help them. They fought with the Vernomi against the fey; does no one remember this?"

  Quin reached out and touched his brother's hand, throwing them both into a vision. Once he removed his hand, Titus nodded grimly. Quin turned to Ava, "Do you wish to see your sister?"

  Ava reached out and grabbed his hand. "Please."

  Chapter 13

  "You know…" Gemma ran her fingers up Quin's bare chest. "When you do that second sight thing, it's incredibly sexy."

  Quin's breath hitched as he watched her staring at him. Her fingers were tracing his muscles absentmindedly. Every touch drove him that much closer to grabbing her and fucking the woman within an inch of her life.

  "I have never thought my gift to be sexy," he said as he grabbed her hand, but in
stead of pushing her away, he yanked her closer to him. Their bodies collided, and the heat inside of him flared even higher.

  "Some people just don't realize how damn sexy they really are." Gemma blatantly rolled her hips, causing Quin to bite back a moan.

  Quin dipped his head and brushed his lips gently against hers. "I think you just want to ride my cock."

  His cocky smirk caused her to laugh, the smile causing his heart to skip a beat. Quin knew he shouldn't be noticing the shiny way her hair fell down her back or how vibrant and beautiful her eyes were in the firelight.

  They had eaten their fill and talked for hours with Titus and Ava. Sadly, there wasn't a general consensus made. Titus still felt that helping the wolves was wrong. He insisted that it wasn't their battle to get involved in.

  Gemma had been open and honest with everyone. She explained about the portal, the lies; there was complete disclosure.

  When they went to sleep, Gemma had been worried that she would be on her own. The last night they spent together, she'd practically had to force him to sleep with her. Not that they both hadn't enjoyed every damn minute of it.

  "I like you for more than your cock." Gemma pinched his nipple, hard. "Although I do have to admit it is your best feature."

  Quin grabbed her, causing Gemma to squeal with laughter. He then proceeded to tickle her ribs. Gemma gasped, and peals of laughter escaped her lips.

  "Stop!" she begged. "Stop!"

  But Quin was having too much fun. "I refuse to stop until you admit that I have multiple good features."

  Gemma's eyes met Quin's, and his hand stilled. The teasing light in those almond shaped eyes made him want to tuck her against him and never let her go.

  "Fine." She was huffing, trying to pretend she was angry. "Your face is passable."

  "Not good enough," he growled and tickled her until her legs were wobbly and they both fell to the floor of the cavern. He took the impact of the fall, knowing that he was much heartier. A dragon preferred sleeping in a cave, even if there wasn't a bed.

  Gemma straddled his hips and pushed his hands above his head. Quin was clearly letting her take the lead; he was interested in what she would do.

  Her face was rather close to his, and she took the opportunity to kiss him softly. It was like she was tasting his lips for the first time. The kiss was almost innocent compared to some they had shared. But in other ways, it was incredibly intimate. This wasn't a kiss of two people fucking. It was the kiss of someone who cared about the person who was receiving it.

  Quin moaned and fought the urge to deepen things. It felt like there wasn't time for all of the things he wished to do to her.

  Gemma's hands released him, and she broke the kiss to sit up, her bottom brushing against his length. Then, slowly, she pulled her dress over her head.

  Quin's eyes widened when she grabbed her small tits and began to play with them. His hands automatically went to her hips and then her ass. He moved her back so her pussy was over the top of his cock. The only thing separating them was their clothes.

  "Quin," she gasped when he began to thrust slowly upward. "Let's take the rest of these clothes off."

  Quin shook his head. "You were putting on a show; I need to see how it ends."

  Gemma's smile widened. "You want a show?"

  Quin raised a brow. "Obviously."

  Gemma pushed on his chest and got to her feet. Then she pulled the remainder of her underthings off. Once naked, one of her hands slipped between her legs and the other went to her breast and continued its gentle ministrations.

  Quin cupped his dick and began stroking himself as he watched her. Gemma placed her foot on a boulder so he could see more of her pussy.

  "Stick your fingers inside," Quin commanded roughly.

  Gemma moved her fingers back and slid them inside, making a little noise of pleasure.

  Quin growled, shoving his underwear off and grabbing his hard cock. "Enough, I need you!"

  Gemma shrugged and continued to pleasure herself, moving her fingers back to her clit and rubbing faster and faster.

  Quin's breathing hitched, his eyes glued to the space between her thighs that glistened with moisture. She was so wet that some of her juices spread to her thighs.

  Gemma's eyes flashed before she closed them, her body shaking as her orgasm ripped through her. Before her pleasure had completely ended, she was plucked off the ground and his thick cock was thrust inside of her.

  Gemma dug her hands into his shoulders, her nails piercing his skin. This was everything she needed. No matter how many times they were together, it seemed that she always needed one more time.

  He lifted her up and down on his length, her tight sheath the perfect fit for him.

  "Gemma," he grunted her name, fucking her faster, needing her like he had never needed another.

  "More, Quin, harder," she begged as she locked her legs around his back, her heels digging into his ass.

  It was just what he needed to spur him on. The faster he went, the louder she screamed, and then she was coming, yelling out his name. Quin was spurting deep inside of her, the words he had never intended to say tumbling from his lips, "You are mine. I claim you! You are my mate."

  Chapter 14

  Gemma scrambled to get away from him. Their sweaty bodies were so entwined, it was difficult, but she persevered.

  "What? What are you doing?" Gemma gasped, feeling that all the air in the cavern had fled and she was barely finding enough to cause her lungs to fill.

  Quin frowned. "I should think it would be obvious. I am falling in love with you."

  Gemma shook her head, the wild dark blonde curls falling haphazardly around her. The shiny strands looked like spun gold in the firelight. And despite all of the lovemaking, Quin could feel himself grow hard again.

  "I can't. I don't get married or do relationships."

  Quin nodded. "That is good, because, as my mate, that would be frowned upon."

  Gemma growled at him, "I am serious. The Valkyrie are sworn protectors. They don't wander off and fall in love. That doesn't happen."

  Quin rose and took a step toward her. He didn't care that he was stark naked. A dragon felt best when freed from conventional things like clothing. He also liked that she was naked, his small little imp who challenged him at every turn.

  "You are my mate," he said calmly.

  Gemma scrambled back. "You stay back!"

  Quin grinned and moved closer. "I believe I am the god, and you are the warrior. So, I find it amusing that you insist on giving me commands. It is almost like you think you are my match, my mate."

  Gemma darted to the side, but Quin was faster. His hand locked around her wrist and he pulled her toward him. Her heart was thumping wildly in her chest; he could feel the rapid heartbeat under his thumbs.

  "I won't hurt you," he said softly. "What are you afraid of?"

  "Quin, I can't be your mate. My life, my existence, is tied to Valhalla. This can't be right."

  "My brother has mated with a demi-god, and my other brother with a cross breed, half dragon, half fey. I really don't see how a Valkyrie is that different. Have you taken religious vows or something?"

  Gemma frowned. "No, it is just not done."

  Quin held her close. "There are many things in life that are not done, simply because no one has had the courage to do them before. If you are turning me away because you do not think you could ever care for me, that is one thing. But don't turn me away because you are afraid."

  Gemma stiffened in his arms. "I am not afraid of anything."

  "Good," Quin said decisively. "Because we are leaving now before Titus and Ava wake. I have a feeling that if we wish to follow this plan of yours, we will not be getting any help from them."

  "We can't just leave," Gemma sputtered.

  Quin released her, and a shimmering light surrounded him as his body began to change. Gemma moved back, knowing that he would grow far larger when in his dragon form.

  With a sig
h, she waited until he was finished and then climbed up on his back.

  "We are still going to talk about what you said earlier," she hissed into his scaled ear.

  A snort of smoke followed by a guffawing sound erupted from the dragon. Quin was laughing at her.

  Gemma shook her head ruefully. Even as a dragon, her Quin was always recognizable.

  And then she froze. He wasn't her Quin. He was just Quin, and she was just Gemma, but a part of her really wanted him to be hers. She just didn't know if she was brave enough to chase after it.

  They took to the skies, thankful for the charm they had been given to hide from the humans. The journey seemed long and arduous. But thankfully, Gemma was able to sleep a little. There was only one time that she slipped from his back and Quin insisted on carrying her in his claw if she was going to sleep.

  The warmth from his scales as she curled up inside of his hand sent her straight into dreamland. Quin smiled to himself, thinking that his mate was just about the most adorably stubborn creature that had ever been created.

  It was later, the next day, when they finally reached Georgia. But instead of looking for the pack house, Quin went straight for the ocean. He stopped to allow Gemma down on the sand, and then, in true dragon form, he dove into the depths of the sea.

  Gemma waited and waited; he had been just a small figure in the distance when he first dove into the green depths.

  She waited for him to come up and get a breath. But as time ticked forward and there was no Quin, she began to panic. Without thought to herself, Gemma wadded into the water, ignoring the chilly temperature.

  When the waves crashed down upon her head, she fought to stay afloat but continued to swim out to sea. She had no idea what she could do to save him or even if he was hurt. But the thought of losing him was not one she could deal with.

  Gemma dove beneath the waves frantically, feeling around her and holding her breath for as long as possible before she had to claw her way back up and take another agonizing breath.