by S. T. Bende
My heart thundered against my ribcage. “I like you too,” I admitted. “And for the most part, I’d have chosen the path the Norns gave me—except the princess part, that’s just . . .” I rolled my eyes, and Viggo laughed. “But I can’t spend the rest of my life with you just because we have the same wing tattoo. If we end up together, it needs to be something we choose—not something anyone forces us into.”
“I agree.” Viggo’s dimple deepened. “How do you feel about dating?”
My pulse quickened. “Dating’s fine, I guess. Wait, how does that even work here? Does Alfheim even have movie theatres or comic book shops?”
Viggo stared blankly. “What’s a comic book?”
“An illustrated, multi-paneled story that . . . hold up. You seriously don’t know about comics?” Wing tattoos or no, I was not marrying some guy who didn’t understand the fundamental difference between Marvel and D.C.
“Svartalfheim and Midgard had different things, I guess.” Viggo shrugged. “You’ll have to teach me.”
“Oh, I will. The first thing you need to know is that there are two main comic franchises—one’s lighter, and one’s super dark. Obviously, my favorite franchise is—”
“The light,” I finished at the same time Viggo said, “The dark.”
He shot me a rakish grin.
“What?” I blurted. “No way. The depth of character development, code of honor amongst the superheroes, and of course, the extensively developed female characters within the lighter franchise, make it a far more engaging fandom. You’ll see.”
“I guess I will.” Viggo winked. “So, assuming you have some of these comic books lying around somewhere, is that what you want to do for our first date? Read?”
I arched one brow. “Tread lightly, Sörensson.”
“I didn’t say it was a bad thing.” The twinkle in Viggo’s eyes betrayed his lie.
“Never mind. You don’t deserve to discover the wonders that are comic books. We’ll just have to do . . . whatever it is you did for fun on Svartalfheim.”
“Bone carving? Not exactly the best first-date activity.”
Ew.
“Come on, Glitre.” Viggo tugged me closer. His fingertips sent a sea of tingles dancing along my arm. “I’m sure we can think of something to do.”
“I could always kick your butt in the training center,” I offered. “Again.”
“Mmm. As fun as that sounds, maybe we could . . .” Viggo lowered his head to mine.
“Yes?” I breathed.
Viggo’s emerald eyes darkened a shade. He slid his hand behind my head and gently angled my face upward. My chest trembled with a shaky breath, and Viggo lowered his forehead to mine. His nose lightly swept my cheek before trailing my jawline. A wave of goosebumps blanketed my skin as he brought his lips to mine and pressed lightly.
Yum.
A pulse shot through me as Viggo pulled me against him. His tongue traced my upper lip, eliciting a surge of heat that ricocheted all the way down to my thighs. My lips parted and Viggo seized the opportunity, sweeping the inside of my upper lip before delving deeper. His tongue moved against mine for an endless, toe-curling beat. Blood pooled just below my navel as Viggo pulled back to nip lightly at my jaw. A jolt shot through me, and I gasped as Viggo slid his hands up the back of my shirt to caress the tender skin between my wings. My hands flew to his chest, my fingertips tugging the thin fabric of his shirt as I pulled him to me. His chest rumbled at the increased contact, and he returned his attention to my bottom lip, sucking with just enough force to send a fresh surge of blood coursing due south. I moved closer, not wanting even an inch between us.
“Mmm,” Viggo groaned. He lifted me onto his lap, gripping tight as he lowered himself to the mossy earth and cradled my body atop his. I was careful to keep my weight off his injured leg, but when he lifted his hips to press against mine . . .
Holy. Freaking. Helheim. Screw planning. I just wanted to do this on our first date. And on every date after. Forever.
Viggo laced his fingers through my hair and pulled gently, separating our lips in a frustrating display of . . . was he being chivalrous? Now?
“Sorry,” he murmured.
Why? In Frigga’s name, why was he sorry?
“I probably should have waited until our official date to do that.” He gently rolled me off of him, turning his head to the side so he could rest his forehead against mine. “After we read all the comic books.”
My fist connected with his shoulder, earning a chuckle. “Forget it, Sörensson. You don’t deserve them.”
“Aw, come on.” Viggo nipped lightly at my bottom lip. I barely contained my whimper. “I promise I’ll be good.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” I shimmied closer, so our chests were touching. “Or that I don’t want you to keep . . .”
Viggo’s eyes deepened a shade. “Sure thing . . . Your Highness.”
I swatted his arm, and he reached up to grab my wrist. He brought my palm to his lips, kissing it softly. The embers in my heart blazed anew as I moved my hand up to cup his square jaw. His stubble was rough against the pad of my thumb as I pressed my mouth to his and wiggled closer. He groaned before releasing my hand to grip my waist, pulling me tight against him.
To hell with dating. Or ruling. Or any of it. I just wanted to stay in this meadow.
Forever.
When my lips were swollen and my cheeks flushed, I nestled comfortably in Viggo’s arms. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was exactly where I belonged.
“We’d better get back.” Viggo stroked my hair. “The Protektors have probably returned from Midgard, and I’m sure your friends are wondering where you are.”
I sighed. “Plus, we want to be there when Ondyr arrives. Once word gets out he’s friends with Key Boy, the Styra are going to be all over him.”
“Key Boy?” Viggo raised one eyebrow.
“Long story. Jande can explain.” I sat up, and Viggo did the same. “Hey, any chance Ondyr’s into guys?”
“I never asked.” Viggo shrugged. “But I’m sure as Helheim glad you are.”
“You are pretty lucky you landed me.”
“Mmm.” He pulled me in for another delicious kiss. “I am extremely lucky to be mated to you.”
“Dating me.” I blinked up at him. “We’re taking this slow, remember?”
Viggo’s dimple popped. “Whatever you say, Glitre.”
He grabbed his crutches and pushed himself up onto his good leg, then offered his hand to help me up. I took it with a smile, not letting go as we soared away from the waterfall and over the forest. I didn’t know the first thing about being a princess—or co-queen, yikes—or a Verge Key or the protector of Alfheim. And I definitely didn’t know the first thing about dating my mate-marked training partner. But as Viggo and I made our way back to campus, and I took in the view of the realm that I was destined to rule, I sent a silent thank you to my parents. They hadn’t lived to see the fall of the barrier, but the love and light in their hearts had given me a chance to make a difference. And for that, I would be forever grateful.
It took less than five minutes to reach the Alfheim Tree, where Elin’s arms were locked fiercely around Larkin, and a very confused-looking boy was surrounded by a swarm of Styra. When Finna, Jande and Wynter pulled the boy free from the hormonal horde, his face shone—first with gratitude, then with admiration. He appraised Jande shyly, his cheeks reddening as he shook my friend’s hand. My heart swelled. Jande would have his happy ever after. That truth flowed through me with absolute certainty.
As we touched down in the meadow, Viggo arranged himself so he could lean on his crutches while still holding tight to my hand. Soon he’d want to welcome Ondyr, I’d want to meet my cousin, and we’d both want to celebrate with our friends. But for now, he simply smiled. “What do you say, Glitre? Are you ready to rule this crazy crew?”
“Not in the slightest.” I stood on my tiptoes to kiss Viggo’s jaw. �
��But I’m ready to take on our next adventure. One day at a time.”
“One day at a time,” Viggo agreed. He lowered his head to claim my mouth in a maddeningly slow kiss that left my heart thundering in my chest. When he finally pulled back, I was flushed, breathless, and completely and totally at peace with my destiny . . . and everything that went along with it.
Once upon a time the Norns decreed I was fated to guide the realms to peace, as princess of Alfheim. But I intended to do something more. I intended to dedicate my life to making sure that everyone with a kind heart had a place where they were free to be themselves, regardless of where they were born or who they chose to love.
And I intended to do it with Viggo Sörensson at my side.
Aura’s adventures continue in:
Alfheim Academy: Dark Faerie
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR READING AURA’S STORY!
Reviews of this book and others are hugely appreciated, and make my author heart sing.
If you’re looking to check out any of my other Norse-inspired young adult fantasies, start with:
- PERFEKT ORDER (the Norse God of War’s story); then try
- ELSKER (the Norse God of Winter’s story).
And if you love time-travel, adventure, and Vikings, check out VIKING ACADEMY, where a seventeen-year-old girl lands in a world where Vikings rule the seas and dragons roam the skies, and the only thing more dangerous than the chief who takes her captive is the rival who steals her away.
If you want to connect with me, you can find me on Twitter or Instagram (where I share Norway/Disney/hiking photos, and book teasers), or sign up for my Reader’s Group to get monthly updates and freebie alerts.
TUSEN TAKK!
Find out what happens when Aura meets her match in . . .
ALFHEIM ACADEMY: DARK FAERIE
Ruling a realm was never going to be easy. After stepping into her royal role, sixteen-year-old Aura Nilssen quickly discovers the dark side of ruling the light realm. Although she’s determined to steer Alfheim off its course of self-destruction, an unyielding tyrant remains equally resolved to stop her. When Aura uncovers the depth of Alfheim’s corruption, she sets out to recover the allies she needs to protect her home. But when she meets a girl whose background mirrors her own, Aura learns she has powers she never knew existed. She’ll need Viggo’s help to master her abilities . . . but is their new relationship strong enough to survive the reality of who she is?
In the face of dark magic, powerful enemies, and the unlikeliest of allies, Aura discovers the true nature of her own duality. It turns out that she’s more than just the crown princess of Alfheim. She’s a dark faerie.
And she’s just met her match.
Read DARK FAERIE now!
Want more of the älva?
See the world they fill with magic, in …
VIKING ACADEMY
Erik held me until my shoulders stopped shaking—whether it was a minute or an hour, I couldn’t tell. The only things I knew for sure were:
(1) I was trapped a thousand years in the past, with little hope of ever going home. And,
(2) I was wrapped in the arms of the most absurdly gorgeous Viking to have ever walked the face of the Earth.
Maybe my old life was overrated.
When seventeen-year-old Saga Skånstad discovers an antique dagger, she’s instantly sucked into a world where Vikings rule the seas and dragons roam the skies, and the only thing more dangerous than the chief who takes her captive is the rival who steals her away. The heir of Norway’s most feared tribe is fierce, cold, and absolutely unyielding. With intruders encroaching upon his borders, Erik Halvarsson has little patience for the girl whose ignorance threatens his very existence. He enlists Saga in the magical Valkyris Academy, where she learns the skills she’ll need to protect herself from foreign raiders and domestic terrors. But nothing can protect her from falling for the one guy in all the world she’s absolutely forbidden to choose . . . or from risking everything to unlock the secrets that haunt him.
When darkness threatens Saga’s new home, she must decide whether to return to the life she’s always known, or fight for a love she never could have imagined. Her decision will determine a legacy—not only for Saga, but for the world she never knew she was fated to lead.
Read VIKING ACADEMY now!
Meet the God of War’s Norse crew, in …
THE ÆRE SAGA: PERFEKT ORDER
All's fair when you're in love with War.
For seventeen-year-old Mia Ahlström, a world ruled by order is the only world she allows. A lifetime of chore charts, to-do lists and study schedules have helped earn her a spot at Redwood State University’s engineering program. And while her five year plan includes finding her very own happily-evah-aftah, years at an all-girls boarding school left her feeling woefully unprepared for keg parties and co-ed extracurricular activities.
So nothing surprises her more than catching the eye of Tyr Fredriksen at her first college party. The imposing Swede is arrogantly charming, stubbornly overprotective, and runs hot-and-cold in ways that defy reason…until Mia learns that she’s fallen for the Norse God of War; an immortal battle deity hiding on Midgard (Earth) to protect a valuable Asgardian treasure from a feral enemy. With a price on his head, Tyr brings more than a little excitement to Mia’s rigidly controlled life. Choosing Tyr may be the biggest distraction—or the greatest adventure—she’s ever had.
Read PERFEKT ORDER now!
And read more about the world of S.T. Bende at www.stbende.com.
Also By S.T. Bende
Meet the Valkyris crew in VIKING ACADEMY.
VIKING ACADEMY
VIKING CONSPIRACY
VIKING VOW
Meet the Norse gods in:
THE ÆRE SAGA
PERFEKT ORDER
PERFEKT CONTROL
PERFEKT BALANCE
PERFEKT MATCH
-and-
THE ELSKER SAGA
ELSKER
ENDRE
TRO
TUR (a novella)
THE ELSKER SAGA: COMPLETE BOXED SET
Meet the faeries in ALFHEIM ACADEMY:
ALFHEIM ACADEMY
DARK FAERIE
Meet the demigods in NIGHT WAR SAGA.
PROTECTOR
DEFENDER
REDEEMER
And introduce your Padawans to STAR WARS!
Complete list of S.T.’s Star Wars children’s titles
at http://www.stbende.com/star-wars
Stay in touch with S.T. at www.stbende.com.
And find pronunciations, translations, and info on all things Asgardian on S.T.’s website at WELCOME TO ASGARD.
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Acknowledgments
This story has been a long time coming. Over the years it’s been through countless re-imaginings, multiple rewrites, and more stops and starts than I ever saw coming. But at its heart, it’s always been about the enduring powers of kindness, and compassion, and understanding, and love. Things have changed a lot since I first met Aura, and I hope that in reading her story, you’re inspired to share your light with the world. We need you!
As always, I owe endless gratitude to my beautiful family—nobody spreads love and joy quite like you do! Thanks to my longtime editor, Lauren Clarke of CREATING ink, Antonella Iannarino, and Carmen Jenner—your sharp eyes and thoughtful feedback made this story what it is. Thank you to Alfheim’s earliest readers, Alison, Kristie and Stacey—I’m so grateful for you, always. Takk to Mariana, Laura and Lorna, who make sure this Viking ship always stays on course. And a huge thanks to the readers who have supported these Norse stories from day one—I couldn’t do this without you!
And tusen takk to MorMorMa. Always.
About the Author
Before finding domestic bliss in subur
bia, internationally bestselling author S.T. Bende lived in Manhattan Beach (became overly fond of Peet’s Coffee) and Europe…where she became overly fond of McVitie’s cookies. Her love of Scandinavian culture and a very patient Norwegian teacher inspired her YA Norse fantasy books. And her love of a galaxy far, far away inspired her to write children’s books for Star Wars. She hopes her characters make you smile, and she dreams of skiing on Jotunheim and Hoth.
Learn more about the world of S.T. Bende at
www.stbende.com.