by Lora Edwards
“What’s the plan,” Flynn asked them.
“There is a security system. I took the liberty of taking it out when Erik ran in, but whoever has Ovidia and now Erik knew we were here, so there is no need for secrecy.”
“Do you think he has moved them,” Delphine asked.
“No, it has only been minutes since Erik and I arrived,” Stuart replied.
“Then there is no need for stealth. Let’s go rescue our friends,” Bran said before tearing the door off its hinges.
Teagan lit a ball of soft white light to illuminate the pitch-black darkness, and the team plunged down the stairs.
Stanton lifted his head at the sound of the ruckus. “Foiled again. The institute people are quick. I will be going now, but you haven’t seen the last of me. Goodbye—for now.”
Stanton made for the far side of the room just as Bran and the rest burst out into the open space.
Stanton pressed a hand to the wall and a panel quickly opened. Before he could slip through, Teagan reached out a hand and muttered a quick spell. Stanton froze in his tracks; the only things able to move were his eyes, which were wide and frightened.
“Nice job Teag! You’ve been practicing,” Ovidia said to her friend with a smile.
“Thanks Vid, and yes I have.” Teagan smiled brightly.
“What do we want to do with him,” Bran asked.
“Kill him,” came the rough reply from Erik, who was starting to move around from his prone place on the floor.
“As delightful as that would be, we need to take him in. He will be able to give us valuable information about the society of others he has gathered. He is human, so we need to find out how he got here. He shouldn’t be able to time travel without the benefit of a mirror,” Ovidia said, looking sad at the prospect of not killing Stanton.
“Ovidia, why do you have to be so practical?” Erik groaned as he rolled to a sitting position, holding his aching head.
Bran walked over to Stanton and roughly cuffed him with the manacles he produced from his pocket. They glowed slightly as they clamped around Stanton’s wrists.
Teagan muttered another incantation, and Stanton blinked and looked around.
Anger lit his eyes. “You might have thwarted my plans, but there are others, and you cannot stop us all.” He let out a hysterical laugh as Bran led him out of the room, his cackles continuing to echo eerily down the stairwell.
Teagan walked over to Ovidia and cast a spell, releasing her from the chains, then she immediately wrapped her friend in her arms. “I am so glad you’re safe,” Teagan whispered in Ovidia’s ear.
Ovidia held her tight before stepping back. “Thank you Teag.”
“I owed you one.” Teagan smirked, recalling the time when Bran and Ovidia had rescued her from the clutches of Jack the Ripper.
Ovidia snorted and rolled her eyes before turning to Erik, her face a cold mask. She reached down, offering him a hand, and helped him stand.
Behind them, Teagan ushered Delphine and Flynn up the stairs, allowing the two privacy.
“Ovidia, what you overheard…I should have told you about the pact when I first saw you again, should have told you when I proposed. I wasn’t with you because of an alliance, that was just a side benefit from my kingdom. I love you, I have always loved you, and I always will.” He looked into her eyes, willing her to believe him.
Ovidia looked at him, staring into the eyes of the only man she had ever really wanted. “I believe you, Erik, and I love you, but I need to know that there are no more secrets, that from now on, we will be partners, and we’ll be honest with each other in all things.” Ovidia watched him.
“I give you my oath that I will always be honest and forthright with you.” He took her hand and whispered, their clasped hands glowing with cold blue light for a moment.
Ovidia gasped and looked up at him. “You vowed—you know what happens if you break a vow.”
“Yes, and every moment of torture would be worth it if I broke your trust again.” He stepped forward and slowly put his arms around her, bringing his face close to hers, giving her ample time to pull away. He brushed his lips softly over hers once, twice. “It’s time to go.”
He reached for her hand and she gave it to him then they walked out hand in hand.
Epilogue
“Again,” Ovidia commanded.
Delphine wiped the sweat out of her eyes and hefted the sword with her aching arms. They had been at this for hours, and Ovidia was a demanding taskmaster. She had gotten better over the past weeks, but there had been little praise from Ovidia. She had learned so much about herself, the world, and fighting since coming to the institute, and she felt as if she had found the place she was meant to be. She had slipped into this life almost effortlessly. She still missed the island and her family, but she felt that she finally had a purpose.
Ovidia had taken her shopping, and what a wondrous experience that had been. Ovidia was a whirlwind, and the closet that had once been empty was now brimming with new items in fabrics and textures Delphine had never seen. Teagan had taught her about the modern world, how the institute functioned, and its history.
The two women had taken her under their wings, and the three often had drinks after work or gathered at one of their apartments for a girls night—that is, when Delphine could pry her friends away from their men. Teagan and Ovidia had both chosen well. Ovidia and Erik seemed happy, and just the previous night, Erik had gotten down on one knee and proposed to Ovidia again.
It felt good to see her happy; she deserved true, lasting happiness.
Delphine had not seen much of Flynn in the past weeks. He had been busy, as had she, figuring out the next move against the society.
“Sorry to interrupt your practice, ladies, but there’s been some news.” Erik came striding into the practice room, and a grateful Delphine lowered her sword.
He walked over to Ovidia, giving her a long lingering kiss.
“I hope you have some actual news and didn’t just come in here as an excuse to do that.” Ovidia frowned at Erik, but there was a smile in her eyes.
“Do you really think that little of me,” he asked, but then all playfulness vanished from his face. “I actually do have some news: Stanton has taken his own life in custody. He must have somehow learned that we were preparing to use truth serum on him, as all other forms of interrogation have failed. He refused to give up the members of the society.”
“I would like to say I’m saddened by the news, but I’m actually glad the bastard is dead.” Ovidia folded her arms across her chest, daring anyone to disagree.
“As am I, love, but there is more: he had been keeping a journal while in custody, and before his death, he attempted to burn it. We were able to salvage most of it, however it has been written in code. Armand has the best code breakers in the institute hard at work on breaking it and as soon as they have the new location he will send a team.
“I want in,” Delphine said, still panting slightly from the practice.
“Yes, I second that,” Ovidia said.
“I have been assured by Armand that we will all be a part of the team that he sends,” Erik reassured the women.
“Now, I will let you ladies get back to practicing.” He gave Ovidia a smoldering look and strode out of the room again.
Delphine hefted the sword once more. She would be ready, and she would stop these people. It was what she was meant for.
She smiled a slightly feral smile and gestured for Ovidia to advance.
THE END
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Copyright © 2018 by Lora Edwards
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For Aunt Lora, you always believed in me, and you are greatly missed.
Chapter 1
“Fish girl, I think you have gotten better,” Ovidia declared as she swung the heavy broadsword toward Delphine’s head once again. Delphine swiftly dodged it, bringing her own sword up to block the blow and feeling the vibration of it down her arms.
“I have been practicing,” she said as she swooped, aiming low. Ovidia followed the movement and was barely able to knock the blade away before it made contact with her body.
Dancing back and holding up her hand to stop the practice, she nodded approvingly. “It shows.”
Delphine lowered the sword, rolled her aching shoulders, and stretched out her arms. Her upper body, already strong from swimming in her Siren form, had become even more so as she worked with Ovidia to improve her fighting skills. Delphine had plaited her long hair, its ombre of blues and greens highlighted by the simple hairstyle.
Ovidia the Valkyrie was beautiful, tall, and slim with well-proportioned curves and long flowing blonde hair. She looked every inch the warrior as she stood tall and sheathed her glowing sword, which simply vanished into the ether. Ovida was a woman of contrasts, a warrior one moment, a beautiful sophisticated lady the next. Delphine’s new friend had quite the dichotomy inside of her, with a love of fighting and a bloodlust worthy of any warrior while her other side loved Jimmy Choos and designer clothes, not to mention her enthusiasm for dancing.
Delphine shook her head and smiled. She was happy for Ovidia; her good friend finally felt right in her own skin, and the next day she would be marrying the love of her life. The betrothed couple had gotten off to a rocky start, but now, in Ovidia’s homeland of Kvenland, they would seal their bond.
“Leave it to you to want to work off your pre-wedding jitters with a little sword practice,” said a voice from across the room. The two women turned toward the speaker and a smile lit Ovidia’s face.
“Teag, you made it.” She crossed the room and hugged her oldest friend.
“Yep, Bran was finally able to tear me away from my books.” She lowered her voice. “Teagan, the bloody books will be there when we get back home. Your oldest friend is getting married.” The three friends laughed as Teagan did an admirable impression of her husband, Bran.
“Dragons are not known for their patience.” Ovidia laughed.
“Don’t I know it,” Teagan grumbled before turning to Delphine with a smile. “Delphine, how are you? I wanted to say how much I appreciate you being so kind when I ramble on during your history lessons.” A slight blush of embarrassment warmed Teagan’s cheeks.
Delphine smiled. The blush only made Teagan lovelier with her peaches-and-cream complexion, emerald eyes, and long red hair. Delphine wondered what she looked like when she let down the glamour that hid her fae side. Teagan was the product of two powerful supernaturals, a high-ranking witch and a fae prince. She had been spelled until just a few years ago to forget everything connected with the supernatural world, including her own magic, and both Teagan and Delphine were still learning the ins and outs of the Institute of Paranormal Research and Rescue, where they worked.
“I found it all quite interesting, Teagan—no reason to be sorry,” Delphine reassured her.
Ovidia rolled her eyes. “You’ve gone and done it now, fish girl. She isn’t going to restrain herself anymore and we’re going to be inundated with boring historical facts. I hope you’re ready.”
“Vid, that isn’t nice.” Teagan elbowed her in the side.
“I look forward to it.” Delphine smiled gently.
“Are you ready for all this until-death-do-us-part stuff,” Teagan asked Ovidia.
Ovidia’s expression softened at the mention of her upcoming wedding. “I am more than ready. It feels like this has been coming for a long time, and I can’t wait to have Erik as my husband.”
“I am so glad you two finally found your way back to each other. It was hard to see you so sad,” Teagan said softly, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
“Hey, what are those? I wasn’t sad—I was perfectly content in my life without him.” Ovidia stubbornly crossed her arms over her chest.
Teagan sniffed back her tears. “There was always a sadness there, even at times of joy, just behind your eyes. Now it’s gone and it makes me so happy.” Teagan’s eyes again shimmered with tears.
“No need for tears. You’ll get me started.” Ovidia grabbed Teagan in a hug, tears filling her eyes.
Delphine stood off to the side, tears welling in her own eyes at seeing how much the two of them loved each other.
Ovidia had been engaged to Erik once. He had broken their engagement, telling her it was for the good of his kingdom as he was to enter an arranged marriage with a woman from a neighboring kingdom. Ovidia had later found out that Erik abdicated the throne to his brother, Calder, who married Alexandra, Erik’s intended. The pair had been in love for some time. Erik had not returned to Ovidia after abdicating, instead going away to complete dangerous secret missions for Armand, the head of the institute.
Armand had paired Ovidia and Erik on a mission to rescue Delphine, and Ovidia learned of his betrayal at the start of the mission. Through their swashbuckling adventures with the pirate Blackbeard to rescue her from the clutches of the Society for the Eradication of Unnaturals, they had fallen in love again.
What a beautiful love story, Delphine thought to herself, wiping away a tear. She hoped one day she would be able to find a love as strong as what these two women had with their men. Delphine sighed as Teagan and Ovidia turned to her.
“Sorry you had to witness that little spectacle.” Teagan smiled as she wiped away her tears.
“Don’t apologize. Your friendship is beautiful to behold.” Teagan and Ovidia reached out to Delphine and pulled her into a hug. The three women broke out in laughter.
“Do you see this,” Bran asked Erik and Flynn as they stood in the doorway of the practice room, watching as the friends laughed and hugged.
“Weddings make women a bit crazy—that’s what my da always said,” Flynn said, amused.
Erik just nodded with a big smile on his face. It was good to see Ovidia so happy.
The women turned and looked at the men.
Bran frowned and strode across the room, seeing the drying tears on Teagan’s face. “Love, why are you crying? Do you feel alright? Did something upset you?” He pulled her in for a hug.
Ovidia was too busy talking with Flynn and Erik to hear the low exchange, but Delphine eyed the couple curiously.
Teagan saw Delphine’s look and smiled through another blush. “It’s nothing, Delphine, just his overprotective dragon nature.” She gently pushed Bran away.
He roughly pulled her back to him, eliciting a startled laugh from Teagan. He then winked at Delphine over his wife’s head, and she winked back at him with a small smile.
“Bran, quit manhandling my best friend—she has to come with me. We have just a few more wedding details to sort out.” Ovidia strode ove
r and tugged Teagan out of her husband’s embrace with an exaggerated eye roll.
Bran gave Teagan a look. “I will be fine,” she told him quietly.
“All right ladies, it’s time to leave the men. We have important matters to see to,” Ovidia announced as she marched her two friends out of the practice room. Delphine looked back, and Flynn flashed her a saucy wink. She chuckled and gave her head a gentle shake as she hurried out of the room behind her friends.
Delphine woke up chilled. She didn’t know if she would ever get used to the freezing temperatures of this world. Sliding out of bed, she rushed over to the ornate stone fireplace. She waved her hand over the fire, whispering the enchanted word Ovidia had taught her, and bright blue flames immediately flared to life, dancing cheerfully in the stone fireplace and warming the room quickly. Delphine sighed as the heat seeped into her skin. Grabbing a thick velvet robe that hung on a hook on the back of the door, she wrapped it around herself as she went to the window to look out at the sea.
She was about to turn back when she noticed a flash of silver scales in the water. She started then pressed her face to the glass and saw the flash again, and then another. She had heard rumors of mermaids living in the colder oceans, fierce fighters who had adapted to the colder, harsher waters of the north, and why not here in the land of the Norse gods?
Delphine hurried to throw on a pair of wool pants and boots, pulling on the fur cloak Ovidia had left for her after making a comment about how “fish girl has thin blood.” Delphine then hurried out into the cold clear morning.
She found a staircase built into the side of the cliff, hewn out of the rock. Delphine carefully picked her way down the steps until she was level with the sea, protected by a small cove. Water lapped gently at the steps, unlike the way it crashed at the rocks farther down.
Delphine stood shivering in the furs, thinking it must have been a trick of her eye. She had a nice warm grotto to swim in courtesy of a mage from the institute so she would just go back up to her room and have a quick swim before she needed to go help Ovidia dress for the ceremony.
“Are you going to stand there and shiver or join us in the water, cousin?”