by Lora Edwards
“This is all mine,” she asked as she surveyed the apartment.
The first thing she could see was a large sitting room done in all different colors of the sea. The long couch was a beautiful seafoam with fluffy pillows in all the different shades of the ocean piled high, just inviting her to sit and have a cup of tea.
The side tables were made of elegant pieces of driftwood. Atop them sat brass lamps shaped like Sirens bursting from the sea, arms held aloft to hold the bulbs, the scales glittering in the soft light. It was open and airy and just what she would have picked for herself.
Delphine went to the next door and opened it. She felt tears fill her eyes. It was an exact replica of her library at home, the place she felt most herself and where she had spent so much of her time. It eased the homesickness to know she would always have this little piece of home so close.
She paused outside the door beside it. She could hear a sound coming from it, and she looked back at Ovidia, who smiled and gestured toward the door. It couldn’t possibly be…there was no way…and yet when she opened the door, it was. As she stepped inside, her feet were greeted by warm sugary sand. The sun reflected off of the water, and the smell of the sea filled her nose as the breeze ruffled her hair. There in front of her was the sea—not a pool, but the sea. She ran to it and let the waves break over her ankles.
“How?” She turned to Ovidia, who was leaning in the doorway.
“The institute has some master illusionists. It isn’t real, but it is as close to a sunny island as you’re going to get in the middle of dreary London.” She smiled at the wonder on Delphine’s face.
“Even if it isn’t real, it feels real, and that will help.” She ran back up the sand, marveling at the feel of it.
Stepping back through the door, the grains that had stuck to her feet disappeared as if they had never been.
“Best kind of sand there is—it won’t track all over your place.”
Delphine continued her tour, going into the kitchen filled with gleaming appliances. Soft dove grey granite countertops rested atop white wooden cupboards, the overhead lights bringing out the little sparkles in the granite.
“What am I supposed to do here Ovidia? I haven’t ever had to cook for myself.”
“Don’t worry yourself, fish girl. The institute assigns you a cook and housekeeper. Her name is Mrs. Sanderson, and she will be here at six to meet you.”
Delphine sighed, one weight off of her shoulders. She continued back through the sitting room to the other side of the apartment. It was so large and airy. Opening another door, she revealed the bathroom. It was done in different shades of purple, her favorite color, and the color of her scales in Siren form. The floor was done in a mosaic design and had the shape of a great twisting shell. The large jetted tub gleamed, and it was beautiful and relaxing.
Finally she opened the door to the master suite. She gasped; it was like a fairy tale come true. A large canopied bed with red velvet hangings sat in the middle of the room, the posts carved into intricate swirls. A large fireplace sat in one corner flanked by plush chairs, again in the same red velvet. A lamp sat on a table in between, a place to put her book and a glass of wine.
On one wall there was a mural of dancing courtiers, and her bed was made up in the same red velvet adorned with gilt swirls. It looked like the room of a noble from another century, something she was secretly fascinated with.
Ovidia strode over to the closet and tisked as she looked in.
“Fish girl, we need to do some shopping. This closet is practically empty.”
Delphine smiled. “Put that on the agenda.”
“All right, I think I will be off. I’ll let you get settled in. I can stop by on my way out to see if you’re up for dinner and drinks, and remember: if you need anything, I am right next door. Bran and Teagan are on the other side of me, and I think Flynn is just down the hall.”
Delphine nodded her head as she walked Ovidia out. Her mind was spinning with everything she had seen and learned in just a few hours.
As the door clicked shut, Delphine knew what she needed. Opening the door to the sea, she slipped out of her clothes and ran down the sand, diving into the water, and when she surfaced again, it was with a dazzling tail.
Chapter 19
Ovidia hoped the Siren wasn’t too overwhelmed; she had experienced a lot of change in a short amount of time.
Ovidia stopped at the next door, inserting her own key and letting herself into her apartment. She sighed; it was good to be home. Heading straight for the bathroom and her magical shower, she couldn’t wait to get into some modern stylish clothes. She had enjoyed the pirate outfit and the flowing beautiful dresses, but she was ready for a more Ovidia-like outfit.
Stepping out of the shower, she lathered herself in her familiar creams and lotions. Walking to her closet and putting on her underwear, she scanned the rows of outfits, trying to decide which she wanted to wear. She was going for drinks with Teagan, so she chose something understated but still sexy, as she planned to surprise Erik when she returned.
Slipping on her Louboutin heels, she sighed. She felt like herself again. She had let the berserker out of the bag and that had felt right and amazing, but she also valued this side of herself, and it felt good to look like herself again.
Leaving her place, she walked one door over and knocked on Delphine’s door.
“You feeling up to going out,” Ovidia asked when she opened the door.
“I think I’m good, Vid. I met Miss Sanderson, my brownie housekeeper, and she is going to make me dinner. I think I need some quiet tonight. Enjoy your dinner with Teagan and I’ll see you tomorrow at the briefing.” She smiled again as she closed the door.
Shrugging, Ovidia walked back past her own door and knocked on Teagan’s.
“Well hello gorgeous.” The smooth, smoldering voice came as the door opened. “It’s been a while—miss me,” he asked.
Ovidia took in the sight before her: six feet of gorgeous muscled male, pale skin, bronzed somewhat by the sun, stormy grey eyes, and silky black hair.
She smiled. “Hello Bran, I have missed you.” She hugged him then stepped into the apartment. “Where’s Teag?”
“She’s just finishing getting ready. She got wrapped up in some research project and lost track of time. Would you like a glass of wine while you wait?”
“That would be lovely—a red if you have it.”
Bran nodded and went off to fulfill her request.
Ovidia looked around. She had been there since the two had moved in together, but Bran was starting to assert himself. There were little touches of him all over the room, and she smiled. She was so glad they were happy and had found each other.
“Here you are.” Bran handed her a glass of red.
Ovidia sipped and closed her eyes. “I missed this—you always had the best taste in wine, Bran. Did you get everything wrapped up with the Ripper case?”
“Yes, it is all straightened out and he is where he needs to be—under lock and key. He still rants and raves about Teagan and how she is his soul mate.” Bran eyes darkened, the smoky grey taking on hints of red as the dragon’s protectiveness came out in him.
They both turned at the sound of Teagan’s voice. “Oh Bran, stop. He is locked away and will never have a chance to harm anyone again.”
Ovidia smiled at her. Since Teagan had come to the institute, Ovidia had stocked her closet, and it looked as if she was making use of it.
Teagan wore a tight purple dress that accentuated her curves. She had paired it with her favorite heels, also a gift from Ovidia. They were beautiful onyx and silver, the heel and the back of the shoe crafted into dragons with ruby eyes.
Bran’s eyes smoldered as he looked her over.
“Are you sure you need to be going out,” he murmured as he gathered his wife into his arms.
“Yes Bran, I haven’t seen Vid in ages, and you will be here when I return.” She returned the same smoldering look to him.
“Yes, princess. Waiting and ready.”
Ovidia rolled her eyes. “Come on Teag, we best get going or we will never leave.”
Teagan gave Bran one last sultry look and a quick kiss then turned to Ovidia.
“All right Vid, I’m all yours.” Picking up her purse from the table by the door, she followed Ovidia out.
Ovidia gave Bran a little wave from behind her back and heard his chuckle as the door shut.
“Teag, that dragon really loves you. I have never seen him so happy.”
Teagan sighed. “Yes he does. I am very lucky, but enough about me. I want to know all about you and Erik and the romance—oh, and the mission, of course.”
The women rode the elevator down and got into the car that was waiting to take them to their favorite low-key restaurant.
“It has been a whirlwind for sure, and I feel a bit unsettled about the mission. It all felt so easy.” Ovidia frowned at her reflection in the glass of the window as she watched London slide by.
“Easy? I would think being kidnapped by a lunatic who wants to kill supernaturals and escaping would be enough adventure for even you, Vid.”
“It’s not that, it just feels like he let us go, like he knew we would be able to escape and he has something bigger planned…I just can’t explain it.”
“It’s because he is still out there. You’re used to either killing or capturing the bad guy, so it would make sense that you would feel uneasy about one who is still on the loose.”
“Maybe you’re right, and that’s all it is.”
Teagan patted her leg reassuringly as they exited the car and walked into their place.
Maybe Teagan was right and she needed to quit worrying about things and just enjoy her visit with her friend.
“Ladies, it’s been ages! I’m so glad to see you,” the maître d’ greeted them.
“Hello Maurice. Work has been keeping us busy. Is our usual table available,” Teagan asked.
“Yes I believe it is. Follow me.” They followed him across the restaurant until they were seated at a table with a spectacular view of the Thames. “Here you are, enjoy your meal,” he said as he placed menus in front of them, bowed, and left.
“Okay, enough about the mission—I want to know all about how things got cozy between you and Erik,” Teagan insisted.
Neither woman looked at the menu; they had been there enough to know exactly what they wanted.
“Hello ladies, I’m Maura and I will be your server. What can I get you?”
“I’ll have the eggplant parmigiana and a glass of merlot,” Teagan told the waitress before looking at Ovidia.
“I’ll have the sea bass and a glass of chardonnay.”
“Excellent choices. I’ll have your wine in just a few minutes.” The waitress left and Teagan smiled.
“Okay Vid, spill.”
“There’s not much to tell, Teag. We had a few conversations and of course the passion was still there, then we cleared the air about a few things and it just happened.”
“Are you happy?”
“Yes, very. I have always loved him, and I always will. It feels right to have him back in my life, and he has already started talking about marriage and children.”
“Really? That is quite the turnaround.”
“I think these last few years have clarified what we both want. We grew into the people we’re meant to be, and now we’re ready to start our lives together.”
“Ooooh, I cannot wait to help plan your wedding.” Teagan practically squealed as their wine was placed in front of them.
“Don’t get too excited—we need to stop this killer before we start talking flowers and cakes and dresses.”
“Yes, yes, but I can still imagine all the fun it’s going to be.” Teagan took a sip of her wine and looked at her friend. “That is what you want, right—marriage and kids?”
“Yes, it is, and I love Erik, I’m just distracted by this case. I just have a bad feeling,” Ovidia said, sipping her wine then changing the subject to lighter things. She would deal with the sense of foreboding later.
“Vid, I’m stuffed. This place always has the best food.” Teagan leaned back in her chair and put her hand around her middle. “I can’t believe I let you talk me into that chocolate mousse. I’m going to have to be rolled out of here.”
“Such a drama queen. I didn’t force you to eat it, did I? Come on, let’s get you home. Your leggings are calling, I am sure.”
“You’re funny—correct, but funny.”
They chatted and laughed on the way back to the institute, and Ovidia began to relax. Teagan always had that effect on her. The wariness had eased somewhat, and she was looking forward to seeing Erik. She had a little surprise for him.
“Thanks for going to dinner, I know you have a lot on your mind.” Teagan reached for the door of her apartment but it opened before she could insert her key.
“I’m still here waiting, love.” Bran looked at Teagan with that same smolder in his eyes.
“I’ll leave you two to the rest of your evening, and I might stop by Erik’s place.” Ovidia smiled as Bran tugged Teagan through the door and shut it.
Ovidia wandered down the hall to where Erik’s apartment was. She hoped he was in there and not at the library going over the papers from Stanton’s study again.
As she raised her hand to knock, she noticed the door was ajar. Instinctively, she reached for her glowing sword. She heard voices inside, and they were raised in anger.
“Erik how could you? We talked about this. You promised.” She heard the familiar haughty voice of Erik’s mother.
“Mother, I promised nothing.” Erik’s voice was angry.
“It was implied that we would let you get this restlessness out of your system and then you would come do your duty to your family.”
“What duty, Mother? Calder is a fine ruler.”
“We don’t want you to rule, we want you to advise him. He needs advisors around him that he can trust,” she said primly.
“Mother, I have told you: I am not returning. I am staying here at the institute and I am going to marry Ovidia.”
“That again. I thought we were past all that. Your brother has already signed the peace treaty with her kingdom, so there is no more reason for you to go on with that farce of a relationship.”
“Mother…”
Ovidia let out an involuntary gasp. What treaty? Her kingdom and Erik’s had always been allies; that was part of the reason they had grown up together.
Erik turned toward the door and saw her standing there.
“Vid, I can explain.”
“What treaty Erik? Our families have always been allies.”
A cold smile crossed the face of Ragna. “Yes dear, but we wanted more. We needed your father’s army to help us to defeat the kingdom of Nuspelheim. He had allied to them as well and he needed to choose. Erik agreed to woo and win you to help your father decide. When Erik foolishly decided to abdicate and break the engagement, your father, an honorable man, honored the agreement.”
Ovidia stared at Erik. “Is that true?”
“Yes Vid, but I loved you—I still love you.”
“How am I supposed to trust that you don’t have something else up your sleeve Erik? How am I supposed to know if you’re telling the truth?” Ovidia turned away, striding down the hall. She couldn’t do this; she couldn’t be there. She had foolishly let him back into her life, and now this.
She heard him calling after her down the hall, but she didn’t stop. She just kept walking to the elevator and down the street then hailed a cab.
“Club Diablo please, and step on it,” she told the driver as she sat back in the seat. She would drink and she would dance, and in the morning she would go to the briefing and they would find Stanton. She would close her heart to Erik. He was a liar; their whole relationship had been a lie.
She stared out the window in silence.
The cab stopped in front of her favorite
dance club then she paid the driver and stepped out. She didn’t need him. She was a Valkyrie; she could find someone else, someone who loved her and didn’t lie and use her.
Ovidia entered the club, closed her eyes, and listened to the deep thrum of the base. She loved this club because they had the most amazing DJs. She walked to the bar and leaned over, winking at the cute bartender.
“Hey there Vid, it’s been a while.” He winked back at her.
“Work’s been busy, handsome,” she purred.
“The usual?”
“Yes please.”
He set a short glass full of amber liquid in front of her. Ovidia took the glass and drained it, causing the bartender’s eyebrows to go up.
“Put it on my tab, sugar. I’m going to go dance.”
“You got it.” He watched as she shimmied her way to the dance floor, and as if she knew he was watching, she turned and gave him a feral grin. He felt his heart beat pick up. He had a feeling that if he played his cards right, he wouldn’t be leaving alone at the end of the night.
He turned back to the waiting customers, tucking away the thoughts of taking the pretty blonde home with him.
Ovidia swayed with the music, she danced with cute guys, and she forgot. She made herself forget Erik and his betrayal. The next day there would be enough time to go through it, to get her mind back on the case at hand.
She heard a voice from behind her—“Hello Ovidia, we meet again,”—before a fiery pain spread through her body. She slumped forward and felt strong arms come around her as they “helped” her walk out of the club.
The bartender saw her slumping and frowned. She’d only had the one drink. Jumping from behind the bar, he ran through the crowded club, but when he got to the front, she had vanished with the man.
Running back inside, he pulled a phone off the wall and called 911. There was definitely something not right about what had happened.
He went back to serving drinks until a few minutes later when he saw the police standing out at the front door. Vaulting himself over the bar again, he told them what he had seen and the worry he had about the blonde. “Ovidia—her name is Ovidia.” They nodded and promised to canvas the area.