by Setta Jay
“You took her from our side,” Dagur bit out.
“I did,” Pothos admitted. “We were linked. And now she is mine.”
Gefn loved when he called her that.
“She is a Goddess of Thule and my sister. Remember that before you overstep. You will treat her with care.”
“I will.”
She closed her eyes. “Enough! I’m tired. Pothos was forced to bring his healer here to save Spa and Velspar. Where were you when the Guardians of Thule were on their deathbed?”
“The beasts were only exhausted. I was tracking down Kara’s þrír so that they could help wake her. They’d traveled to her palace before attempting to get here. Remember that your sister is unwell because of his people!” He stabbed a finger at Pothos.
“After she went there and thought to take one of their Gods. You and Kara are too much alike at times. You mean well, but you are reckless.”
“You side with him now?” Dagur demanded incredulously.
“He did not attack our world. Do not let your guilt be the cause to place blame where it does not belong, brother,” she said icily.
Pothos watched in silence.
She and Dagur stared at one another for a long moment before he frowned. “He brought one of his people here! Spa and Velspar were in the care of Hroarr’s þrír. They were being cared for.”
“They almost died, Dagur.” Her brother needed to know that Pothos’ world was not the enemy. “And my male’s healer saved their lives. His world, Earth, has done nothing but good for us. We were in the wrong. And now I expect you to make part of that right.”
Her brother’s shoulders tensed, and she knew he wanted to argue more, but was glad he decided against it. “What do you want, sister?”
“I want you to send a spell through the ether to see when the darkness will reach Pothos’ world.”
He shook his head and sighed. “They only have two Gods in that world, Gefn. Though his other warriors are powerful… we cannot help them like you wish.”
She was getting a headache. “His other Gods are confined into spelled sleeping chambers.”
Dagur’s mouth dropped. “Have you told Hroarr any of this?”
“No. He was called away, and I’m leaving, so you will tell him. I need rest and some time for my maðr and me to get to know one another and our worlds.”
“Hroarr will not be pleased you have not shared this information.”
“I just have. When will we have an answer on the darkness and Earth?”
He crossed his arms over his chest before seeming to consider it. “A few days at the least.”
“I will check in then.”
He sputtered, “Days!”
“Yes, I am a newly joined female, and Pothos and I need time together.”
“Here?”
“Both here and in his world. I will be back.”
She grabbed her mate’s hand, more than ready to leave. “Is it possible to take Spa and Velspar with us?” she asked Pothos. She would not leave them so soon after nearly losing them.
“You cannot think to take them with you,” Dagur protested.
“I can. They always go with me. Nothing about that has changed.” Her brother was just blustering, and it was annoying her.
Her male smiled down at her with a wink. “Anything my Goddess wishes.”
And then they were teleporting away.
Chapter 24
Gefn’s Palace, Thule
“This is my home,” Gefn said as they stepped through a portal high in the snowcapped mountains of Thule. Pothos was taken in by the beauty around them; his female lived in a castle above the clouds. The charcoal stone face was built into the rock of the mountain, several stories high with a wide balcony. It was beautiful and tranquil there instead of cold.
He could feel her excitement in sharing this with him. She was proud of the massive structure and she should be.
“It’s incredible,” he said, gazing down at her with a smile. They’d spent the night at his home, where it was quiet, and then debated on where to start exploring. He’d won. She’d seen his home, and it was his turn to see her sanctuary, but before taking him to her home, she’d spent an entire day showing him different parts of Thule. He’d seen some of the villages and bigger towns of her world, travelling through each of the Gods’ territories, and they’d spoken with many kilt-wearing locals. He was definitely an outsider, so they’d been cautious and very watchful of him. Gefn and the cats’ obvious approval of him seemed to help alleviate some of the tension. Word of their joining hadn’t reached many of the places because they didn’t have cars or planes. He had seen ancient-looking ships and curious beasts; there were even massive steeds with eight legs. And damn, those bastards had been fast.
All in all, it was a successful day. The people of Thule seemed respectful and even adoring of Gefn. He didn’t see poverty or homelessness in any of the places they went. It was much like Tetartos in that respect.
As they ascended the steps to her home, a servant swept the door wide. She wore a plain dress of green with light-colored curls piled on her head. Her green eyes sparkled in obvious delight at seeing her mistress. She moved to him curiously, but without any hesitance in smiling. The female appeared to be in her thirties, with round curves and pink cheeks that eased him at once. Her musical voice was cheerful. “Welcome home, my Goddess.”
Gefn smiled as they slipped through the heavy wood door that led to a massive staircase. “Thank you, Eerika. This is my maðr, Pothos.”
He felt the female’s shock. “Oh my! Congratulations, my Goddess. Are we to prepare a celebration?” There was so much excitement in her features he felt a little bad when Gefn shook her head.
“We have a lot to see to before any celebrations. For now, I want to show him our home.”
“Yes, of course. Laire did not come with you?”
He could feel his female’s guilt at leaving the male behind. “Since this is a short trip home, I left Laire to relax at Hroarr’s palace.”
“I understand,” she said with a smile before scurrying off. He saw more servants. An older male who appeared in his forties and two women who looked closer to sixty. Gefn introduced them all as if they were family members. If he had to guess, he’d say some were truly related to Laire.
Thule was definitely old world. The stairway banister, carved by hand or magic, was intricately beautiful. The top of the stairs led to a long hallway that passed a library and a study before arriving at a hidden staircase that wound up to a massive bedroom suite with windowed doors to a balcony that looked down at the clouds. Her bed was twice the size of the oversized one he owned, and Spa and Velspar were already making themselves at home on the white blankets.
“What did you think of Thule?”
She’d taken him to a tavern down the mountain from her home, and he still remembered her eyes lighting up when he’d sampled the bitter brews. She was excited to share her world with him. And it was a good world, with people who seemed to govern themselves. The Gods were charged with ensuring the world itself was safe, that the wild elements were calmed and didn’t cause destruction where there were lives at stake. There was magic all around them. The people used it for power, for taking care of the crops… for everything.
“I like it,” he said honestly. She’d shared that crime was dealt with by magical mortals called the Forseti, who were born to the task of seeking justice. He needed to learn a hell of a lot more, but one day of portal jumping all over the place had eased some of his tension with regards to the Gods in Thule.
She moved to the glass doors and opened them. The look on her face when she breathed in the air was almost orgasmic.
“I love being up in the skies.” Something he could see by the way her eyes sparkled as she looked out at the clouds.
He pulled her into his arms and smiled down as he moved them outside, where the winds whipped lovingly at them. “How high would you like to be?”
His wings unfurled with
a wild burst of power, and her delighted laughter filled the air. He’d never get enough of that sound. He held her close to his chest as he launched them into the sky. Her legs wrapped around his waist automatically, and he wasn’t sure he’d ever known such bliss. Her head moved to rest on his chest as they flew above the clouds.
She whispered into his mind, I’ll never get enough of this. Of you.
He felt his heart clench and kissed her head. I’ll never get enough either, thea mou.
*****
Hades stood at the side of the war room, listening to information he’d already heard from his son’s check-ins. Once again the room was too damned crowded with his nephews, Guardians, mates, wolves, and he wasn’t pleased that Pothos wasn’t there to share this information himself instead of exploring Thule with that Goddess. Who knew if her information could even be trusted? It sounded to him as if Hroarr was only guessing on how to save their world.
Any information is good, my love. I know you’re anxious that he’s not here, but he’s learning what he can while getting to know the female he’s bound to. Keep in mind Sirena likes her, and Sirena doesn’t even like you most of the time.
He mentally grunted.
He heard Brianne point out, “The Thulians owe us after Sirena saved their cats.”
Drake growled over the chatter of everyone weighing in at once. “We’ll know more soon, but there are other issues to address. The Tria are obviously up to something. We’ve been dealing with escalating attacks, and they’re sending those damned serpents and hell dragons to strike cities in Tetartos. I’m sending more of you to patrol Hell to try to eradicate the worst of the bastards before they’re loosed here.”
Hades flexed his wings, readying to battle. Maybe he’d pay Apollo another visit. He’d generously allowed the Phoenix’s female a turn with the bastard because she wanted to know how the God had located her and her twin in Paris. Now, after the female’s enthusiastic interrogation, his brother was unconscious. If only she’d asked Hades, she would have had her answer before they’d found his damned brother, but the Guardians and their females were forever forgetting he was a God. It would have been a matter of trial and error. Immortals would be drawn to live in a location where the power of the Earth flowed heavier above ground. Simple. There were maybe a dozen such places in the human Realm, and not all were cities like Paris.
You never told me that there were such spots in the mortal Realm, Sacha pointed out.
You didn’t ask.
Since he was denied his time with Apollo, he would deal with Draken’s hell beast issue until the bastard was awake again. As much as Sacha wanted to lock the male away, Hades just wasn’t ready for Apollo’s suffering to end. Not yet.
I know, love. But not too long. He’s toxic, and I don’t like him anywhere near you.
He tucked his female into his side and breathed in her sexy scent. I may forgo his torture tonight to give you enough pleasure that you pass out with my tongue still inside you, agapi mou.
He smiled when he felt her shiver with desire. He decided to make quick work of the hell beasts so he could get home with his female within the next hour.
Chapter 25
Pothos’ Home, Tetartos Realm
Morning sunlight filtered in from the curtains as P held his female close. They’d had a few days of making love and exploring worlds, and now he lay awake with her tucked into his arms. Today was the day they would meet with Dagur and see what he’d discovered about how long they had before Earth was under threat. And he was anxious, instinctively knowing that he wasn’t going to like the answer. He had so much in this world to protect. And now in her world as well.
He’d found that the more he’d learned of Thule, the more he liked it.
Vane’s laughing voice in his mind jolted him away from his thoughts. P, I think you’re missing something, man.
What the hell are you talking about?
He could hear more laughter and then Brianne’s disgruntled, Come get your damned cat, P.
Fucking hell. He felt the link to the cats and saw Velspar was not in the spare room like she was supposed to be. Spa sauntered into their bedroom at that exact moment and made a humpf noise.
He felt his mate’s frustration as he demanded Velspar return. He had no doubt his mate was doing the same thing at the moment.
How the hell did she get there? And Do. Not fucking hurt her, Brianne, he growled at his bloodthirsty sister.
Then come get her furry ass. Your animal teleported directly beside Vane a minute ago. And now she won’t stop snuggling up to him. I guess you missed the part where the beast started crushing on my mate at the lake?
He closed his eyes and growled, Make sure nothing happens to her. We’re on our way.
The animal had to have acquired his ability to teleport with their blood bond, and that brought up the fact that he hadn’t had any trouble getting them through the confinement spell in Tetartos, either. He’d half assumed that was because of how powerful they were, but now he wondered if his blood was giving them too much access. If Velspar teleported directly to Vane, it wasn’t a stretch to assume the intelligent creature had found P’s telepathic links and located Vane among them. Fucking hell.
The damned cat certainly didn’t seem to be listening to them and teleporting away, either. She’d found what she wanted, and she was ignoring their calls to return. He’d have found this all fucking amusing if he weren’t feeling Gefn’s worry that something would happen to the apparently lovesick beast.
They both dressed as quickly as they could. His female had donned some of those sexy leather pants that hugged her ass. An ass he didn’t have time to pay attention to when they were forced to collect an errant beast.
He and Gefn teleported to the manor’s courtyard, and a moment later Spa appeared right next to him. He was so fucked. The beasts had his ability to teleport and could travel anywhere they damned well pleased. Drake was really going to love this. Not.
“Velspar!” Gefn commanded when they saw what was happening. The massive beast had her massive front paws on Vane’s shoulders and was rubbing her head along Vane’s as the big Demi-God laughed and scratched her fur.
Brianne pointed at the display while perching one hand on her hip. “P, what do you have to say for yourself? Aren’t you supposed to be controlling these things? Uri can control his hellhound, and Havoc is just a pup.” Just as his sister Guardian’s snide words were fully formed, he heard barking as the pup she referenced came barreling from the manor doors as if they’d called him.
P groaned, “I don’t see fucking Uri right now, Brianne?” He and Gefn needed to figure out some way to keep them from getting into trouble in Earth. Now.
Vane pushed Velspar back to the ground before scratching behind one pointed ear as they all watched Havoc’s approach.
“Havoc, no,” he commanded, seeing Uri and Alex coming from the opposite side of the manor.
Spa hissed, and just as P was about to put a stop to all of it, Gefn snapped, “Enough,” and caught all three animals in violent whirlwinds, moving both cats to her side and the pup next to Brianne. He heard rumbled yowling from the indignant cats while the pup woofed.
After a moment she released the wild power, and all of the beasts wobbled a bit, dizzy after being spun in circles.
“What the hell just happened?” Uri said as he moved toward the pup. Brianne and Vane burst into laughter.
“Well, that was worth it.” Brianne snorted.
He smiled, pulling his female into his side as he introduced his frustrated mate to Uri, Alex, Vane and Brianne, as well as Havoc, who seemed a little wobbly, but otherwise unfazed.
She smiled and nodded to each of them, but when Velspar started to move in Vane’s direction, he felt Gefn tense and swore the beast was about to go for another spin. “Do not even think it, Velspar,” she warned with power in her voice. He tried not to laugh as the cat let out a huff and sat staring at Vane. All the while Spa was issuing furious spitting
noises from her perch. They definitely had their hands full, but his female had controlled the situation well.
Gefn finally shook her head when the animals were all under control. She addressed Vane and Brianne, “I apologize for Velspar. I have no idea what’s gotten into her.”
Brianne groaned when Vane spoke. “All the kitties love me. I think she wants to see my lion half.” And then he got serious. “It was fine here, but it could have been dangerous for her if we’d been patrolling.”
“What happened?” Uri asked, and they explained what the cat had done. The dark-haired Guardian lifted an eyebrow beneath the dark sunglasses that protected his silver eyes from the sunlight.
Alex’s lips twitched as she scratched behind Havoc’s ear. “Drake’s going to love that.”
P snorted at that. The dragon was going to be furious.
P could tell Uri was using his bond with the hell beast to keep Havoc in place, but the pup was making soft whining noises in Spa’s direction. His big red eyes hadn’t left the temperamental feline. The two creatures were roughly the same height, but the hound was built a little narrower, similar to a very large Doberman. He was young, he just wanted to play, and Spa obviously found this beneath her.
The indignant cat actually turned her body so she wouldn’t be facing the pup.
“I’ll make sure she doesn’t do it again.” Gefn growled in both cats’ direction. In his mind, P was already thinking they were screwed. His female’s beasts were too damned intelligent and played by their own rules. He half wished Vane would have just shifted into his lion form and played with Velspar, but with his luck, the cat would have only become more infatuated.
Gefn started to relax into his side as she asked after Sirena.
After a moment of conversation and questions, Brianne informed them, “Everyone else is patrolling or they’d be here to meet Gefn and the cats. Drake and your dad have kept us updated, but it’s nice to actually see your damned face.”