by Amy Sumida
“Cats and dogs,” Arach shook his head. “Even if it works between them, their very blood is against them. Better to have different personalities than different blood.”
“That sounded suspiciously racist to me,” I narrowed my eyes on him.
“And that sounded uncomfortably human to me,” he shrugged. “Think like a goddess or a faerie, A Thaisce. Supernatural races are not like humans, who can have healthy children together despite what race they are. They are beings with two very different magics sustaining them. It is closer to breeding animals than people.”
“It's kind of a horrible comparison, but I've thought it myself a few times,” I grimaced at him. “The difference is deeper than the color of their skin. It's magical DNA. But magic breeds all the time. If it didn't, we wouldn't have people like Lugh.”
“Lugh, and his kind, are rare. His birth was a miracle in more ways than one,” Arach said. “Whereas you are lucky enough to be able to control your magic DNA, mix it as you see fit. You can guarantee a good mix. So even though you have Intare and Froekn within you, our children were born healthy dragon-sidhes.”
“Well-” I was about to correct him, and remind him that Brevyn was only dragon-sidhe because of my mother, when he cut me off.
“Both of them are healthy dragon-sidhes,” Arach gave me an unyielding look.
“Men,” I sighed and rolled my eyes.
“Speaking of which,” Arach stopped dancing and nodded to someone behind me. “I believe you have some men waiting for a dance with you.”
“Thank you,” Azrael smiled to Arach as the Dragon King handed me over to the Angel of Death.
“Don't leave yet,” I said to Arach as Az swung me close.
“I won't,” Arach promised. “I'm going to indulge in some wine and conversation with your Ganza,” he nodded to where Kirill stood, leaning against the castle wall. “Come and find me when you're done dancing.”
Arach headed off and I watched with a little concern as he went to stand beside Kirill. After his recent issues with Lesya, I wasn't sure if a conversation with her father was wise. But they were grown men and my husbands. I had to trust them to handle themselves. So I focused on the husband I held. One husband in the hand was worth two in the... er... never mind. That took an unforeseeably naughty turn.
“Luke and Holly seem to be enjoying themselves,” I said.
“They love these parties,” Az gave his parents an indulgent smile. They were dancing a few feet away from us. “And the fact that Samantha asked Dad to make his 'famous roast beef' didn't hurt either. I think she's his new favorite Froekn.”
“I'm glad that appeased him,” I chuckled. “I hate having to refuse his offers to host the Yule party every year.”
“He knows he lives in Hell,” Azrael grinned. “And he knows it's an unsettling journey just to get to his front door. He only pretends to forget.”
“He really needs to see about opening a tracing point in his house.”
“You know he doesn't want that kind of vulnerability,” Az shook his head. “It's bad enough that Hell has so many entrances, Dad doesn't want one of them to be in his own home.”
“But he can ward it,” I protested.
This was an old argument.
“And we know a god who could break those wards in a heartbeat,” Az cast a look at Torrent.
Torr was sitting on the edge of the veranda with his girlfriend, Artemis. They both had their legs hanging over the side, and seemed to be having an animated conversation with the swimming lions.
“That's just Torrent,” I huffed.
“I know, but now that Dad knows it's a possibility, he definitely won't put in a tracing point.”
“Then he won't be having as many parties in Hell as he'd like,” I made a face. “That is such a surreal sentence.”
“We live a surreal life,” Azrael said.
“I suppose we do,” I mused as I watched Morpheus fly Sarasvati over the grasslands, while her husband, Brahma, scowled up at them.
“If you don't come down this instant, Sara,” Brahma shouted, “I'll call in the flying monkeys!”
“Yes, we definitely do,” I agreed.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Arach left late that night. By the time we said goodbye, most of my other men had gone to bed. Or, in Re's case, home. Only Odin was still awake, waiting for me by the elevator. I got into the cage with him, and slid into his arms as we rode it up to the top floor.
“It was a good night,” Odin said softly as we headed into the bedroom.
“Yeah,” I smiled as I saw how full my bed was.
My three other husbands were passed out in it, and various tones of snoring filled the night. They'd obviously been hitting the various god wines hard. Possibly even some Hellbrew. I sighed, and wondered how I'd be able to sleep amid all that.
“Come upstairs with me,” Odin suggested.
“Alright,” I took his hand, and let him lead me up the stairway on the right.
It curved up in a spiral, through a widening tower of stone. Windows were cut through the walls at intervals, letting in the cool night air, and giving me glimpses of my Africa inspired territory. My new dragon boat slept peacefully on the mirrored lake, looking like Nessie posing for a picture.
“I love that ship,” I said. “It's beautiful.”
“Well, it may not be as useful as a sun connection,” he winked at me, “but I think it will be the source of many happy memories.”
“It definitely presents another option for enjoying the outdoors,” I agreed as we reached the door to Odin's bedroom.
He opened it, and led me into a round room with two windows set opposite from each other. Odin's bed was placed against the wall between them, a monstrous wood frame holding a mattress covered in crisp cotton sheets. Odin was used to the chilled air of Asgard, and he was most comfortable in cool weather. My territory could get a little too warm for him, so he tended to keep the windows open, and use a sheet for a blanket.
“I'll need more than that,” I waved at the top sheet. “I'm a tropical woman. Though I suppose I could raise my body temperature.”
“It's fine,” Odin went to a wood chest at the foot of the bed, and pulled out a velvet blanket.
After tossing the blanket on the bed, he walked over to me, and helped me undress. I did the same for him, in the comfortable silence and steady routine that came with marriage. We smiled at each other, and his hands coasted over my body, pausing at my stomach. A strange look came over his face, but it was gone too quickly for me to analyze. Then he scooped me up and slid me onto the bed.
Odin crawled in beside me, pulling the sheet over us, and then adding the blanket over me. He tucked it around me, and then tucked me in against his chest. Thick arms slid around my waist as his chin came to rest just over my head. I was pressed firm against him, breathing in the clean scent that was Odin, and feeling perfectly content, when he spoke.
“I want more children.”
“What?” I lurched back and stared into his face.
“You know I do,” he frowned. “Why are you acting so surprised?”
“I know we talked about it, but I thought we'd wait,” I rubbed at my head. “Odin, I'm beginning to feel like a baby factory.”
“I don't want you to feel pressured,” he pulled me back down. “I just want you to know how I'm feeling. I had children with you, but it was when you were Sabine. That was a different you and a different time. I want a child with this you in this time.”
“I understand that,” I swallowed hard, feeling my chest constrict. “I love you, and I want you to have that. But Trevor wants his son, Azrael wants the twins, and Arach's talking about having more children as well.”
“Arach?” Odin scowled.
“Don't give me that look,” I shook my head at him. “You know how important children are to a kingdom.”
“What about my kingdom?”
“You mean the one that has three heirs already?” I asked him.
“Fine, I see your point,” Odin huffed and lay back, creating a space between us. “Maybe I'm just feeling jealous, a little left out.”
“You know you have nothing to feel jealous about, and as far as this baby goes, she'll be raised by all of us,” I laid my head beside him on the pillow. “What is this really about, Odin?”
“Something Thor said,” he sighed.
“Thor?” I asked in surprise. “What did he say?”
“That children have a way of either ending a relationship or strengthening it,” Odin shrugged. “He's right, they do.”
“So?”
“So I'm watching you strengthen your relationships with Arach and Kirill, knowing that Trevor will be next, then Azrael,” Odin's jaw clenched. “I will have to wait till you are strong with all of them, before it's my turn.”
“Odin, we have two sons already,” I reminded him. “We're plenty strong.”
“I know you think of Vali as yours,” he said gently, “but he isn't. Not by birth. It's the pregnancy,” he laid his hand on my belly, “and the birth that really bonds a mother to her child. And by that reasoning, you can't possibly feel as connected to Vidar either, not like you are with Brevyn and Rian. Because you didn't give birth to him. Not this you.”
“I'm trying really hard not to kick you in your nuts right now,” I growled.
“Vervain, you know it's true,” Odin took my hands, “and there's nothing wrong with it. It doesn't mean you don't love Vidar or Vali, and it certainly doesn't mean you love me any less than you do Arach or Kirill. But you don't have the same connection. It's just not as strong.”
“I am connected to them,” I denied.
“Not like you are to Brevyn and Rian,” he squeezed my hands. “You said it yourself. You told us how you could sense them in the womb, how you can still feel them now. Do you feel that way with Vidar or Vali? Did they suffer like Brevyn and Rian when you cut your ties to them? Or were they fine because there were no ties to sever?”
Well that shut me up.
“I will not play favorites with my children,” I sat up, pulling my hands away from his angrily. “I love them all.”
“Vervain, stop it,” Odin chided. “Don't talk to me like that. I'm your husband... for the second time. I know you. I know you love your children. I know you love me.”
“Then what is this about, Odin?” I turned to him in frustration. “What do you want from me?”
“I told you,” he said gently as he sat up. “I want to have the same connection as the others. I want a child with you in this lifetime. That's what I want from you.”
“But you don't want to wait till last,” I grimaced.
“No, I don't,” Odin slid his arms around me, and pulled me into his lap. “But I will. I understand that I must wait. I just need you to be aware that I feel jealous and neglected for these reasons. Can you give me more of yourself to make up for it, even while you hold another man's child?”
“If that's what you need,” I whispered, and laid my head back on his chest. “You'll have more. I promise.”
“Good,” I could feel him smiling, and then he lifted me, getting out of bed.
“What are you doing?” I asked as the cool stone of the tower wall touched my back.
“I'm showing you that I can give more too,” Odin smiled wider as his hands slid lower, scooping up beneath my thighs. “It's only fair.”
Odin pushed me up the wall, and I floundered for a second, until I caught the stone molding around the nearby window. He had me balanced on his palms, his face level with my womanhood, and then he slid my knees over his shoulders. Odin's hands came up to stabilize me, holding me firm, one hand set on my rib cage and one at my hip. Then he lowered his face to me.
My nails shifted into claws, digging into the stone. Cool air shivered over my skin as his hot mouth made love to me. The scent of him, fresh mountain air with a hint of male, rose up to mix with mine. Lust, man, and woman; all together in one heady perfume. My lioness purred and I melted into Odin. I willed away my claws with hard-won focus, so I could lower a hand into his silky hair, and hold him closer. I couldn't see his face, he was hidden by the curve of my stomach, but it somehow made it even sexier.
Odin's hands shifted, sliding up to massage my breasts, grown heavier with the pregnancy. He groaned with me, his mouth becoming more insistent, tongue lashing and lapping. The sounds were nearly as sexy as his hidden mystique. I came with shocking, and sudden intensity. When the tremors began to subside, I thought he would let me down and carry me back to bed.
But he didn't.
Odin had so much more to give, just as he promised. He gave and gave and gave, and by the end of it, I was more than willing to put some extra effort into making sure he had enough of me in return. Odin would not feel neglected, not if I could help it.
Chapter Thirty-Five
A few days later, we were having another party on Christmas day. It wasn't a Christmas party though, it was a birthday party for Horus, and we were having just a few friends over to celebrate. Fenrir and Emma had been included, but the rest of the Froekn stayed home. Besides the Great Wolf and his wife, there was the God Squad and some of the Intare, those who weren't out celebrating Christmas with their girlfriends.
“What in all the realms is this?” Horus held up a collection of black, nylon straps and steel hardware. It was his gift from Pan.
“It's a sex swing,” Pan said brightly. “You're welcome.”
“I don't want your perverted present,” Horus growled and started to throw the swing at Pan, when Hekate caught his hand.
“Now, now,” Hekate pried the box from Horus, “let's not be hasty.”
Pan giggled gleefully.
“You seriously want this... device in our bedroom?” Horus gaped at his fiance.
“It doesn't have to be in our bedroom,” she shrugged.
“Where would we...” Horus seemed to recall something. His eyes took on a devious glint, and he grinned. “As you wish.”
“Wait,” Pan stopped laughing. “What? Where are you going to put it?”
“I'm allowing the intimate gift,” Horus said primly. “But I will not allow you to have a mental image of where it shall be. Go find another couple to fantasize about.”
We all burst into laughter.
“I think he actually won that round, Pan,” I noted.
“I absolutely did,” Horus smirked.
After Horus had opened the rest of his presents, I went into the kitchen to start some coffee and tea. Fenrir followed me, under the guise of helping. He leaned against the counter as I poured coffee and tea into carafes, then set them on trays. When I finished adding pitchers of cream, bowls of sugar, and lots of mugs, Fenrir finally spoke.
“Will you help me look for Morrigan?”
“What?” I blinked up at him. “Now?”
“No, not now,” he chuckled. “Whenever she pops up again. Your dragon senses, combined with those goggles of yours, add up to some serious tracking ability, and my wolves could use the help.”
“I don't know, Dad,” I rubbed my belly pointedly.
“Yeah, I understand,” Fenrir nodded, “that's why I wanted to speak with you privately. Morrigan may not even show herself until after the babe is born. So it shouldn't be an issue.”
“If that's the case, then of course I'll help you,” I said immediately. “We both owe her a serious ass-whooping.”
“We do,” he agreed seriously. “More than that. I intend to kill that woman.”
“I understand,” I said.
“No, I don't think you do, Little Frami,” he chucked me beneath the chin. “You feel the same rage as I do, I'm sure. She nearly killed Kirill. But for me, it goes beyond the harm she caused my family. It's about safety. We fought hard and long to find a sanctuary, and then even harder to make a reputation for ourselves. Becoming assassins wasn't just about the hunt or the money,” Fenrir sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. “It was about sending a message. Mak
ing the other gods fear us.”
“So that they wouldn't hunt you,” I whispered.
“Yes,” Fenrir's jaw clenched. “Re has finally done the right thing, and told the truth about me, but it will take time for the gods to accept it. They are cemented in their spite. It will be difficult for them to swallow the fact that I'm not the monster they made me out to be.”
“And meanwhile, Morrigan runs loose after blatantly attacking the Froekn,” I began to understand what he was getting at.
“Exactly,” Fenrir smiled grimly. “You're a leader, you know that your men are only as safe as their own strengths make them. And the most important strength is that which others believe you to possess. It's a lot like worship from humans; without the belief, we have nothing. Our enemies will come for us as soon as they perceive us to be weak.”
“So you need to make an example out of Morrigan?” I didn't like the way that made me feel, but I also knew it was a wise strategy. Fenrir had to think of the Froekn first. They were his family.
“Yes,” he picked up a tray with one, massive hand, and balanced the unsteady weight easily. “Will you help me, Little Frami?”
“You can always count on me, Dad,” I went up on my tippy toes to kiss his scarred cheek. “Always.”
“Thank you,” Fenrir gave me his wolfish grin. “I'll call you when we have anything on her.”
“And then we'll hunt,” I followed him out to our friends and family. The shadows conjured by Morrigan's name withered in the light of happy faces and laughter.
Chapter Thirty-Six
We were in the middle of a game of Cards Against Humanity when Odin's cell phone rang. He frowned when he saw who was calling, making the rest of us nervous enough to stop searching our cards for the naughtiest selection. We all watched him carefully as he answered the call.
“What do you mean 'The rooster is crowing'?” Odin asked. “Sven, have you been watching those spy movies again?” A pause, and then Odin's face went pale. Well, paler. He was a Norse god after all. “Gullinkambi crows?” he whispered.