Night Aberrations - An Adult Paranormal Romance (Night Aberrations Series)

by Nelson, JD

  “How so?” He asked.

  “I cannot interfere, as you well know.”

  “It’s Freyr. He wants control of the elves.” I asserted.

  Myrgjöl nodded emphatically. “Yeah, what she said.”

  Kristian was pissed. “You were right, Emelie. Odin tried to take you from me.”

  “Look, I’m sure he thought he was doing the right thing, but it’s hard to see what’s going on when you’re not in the situation yourself. Myrgjöl will marry us now. This can finally be over.”

  “Who will give you away?”

  “Did you find Viggo?” I asked my grandmother.

  “I did. He’ll be here in two seconds.”

  Two seconds later, Nils, Jakob, Viveka, and Viggo appeared on the opposite end of the stage. They walked to us ignoring the gasps and whispers from the crowd. Viggo hugged me. “Hi, Kiddo! What’s going on, the Norn wouldn’t say anything?”

  “I’m getting married today. Actually, I’m getting married right now. Can you walk me down the aisle?”

  He eyed his brother. “Of course, but are you sure you’re ready to do this?”

  I laced my fingers with Kristian’s. “There’s no time like the present. Your brother is an honorable male and I believe his feelings for me are sincere. I’m ready.”

  Kristian kissed me lightly on the lips; he was taking all of this in his usual calm stride. “I will make the announcement while you ready yourself.”

  My heart was beating out of my chest. “Okay. I’ll see you soon.”

  Myrgjöl and Viggo walked me into the castle and straight into a bathroom. My grandmother was first to speak. “I have the perfect thing. It is a little risqué, as is most of the dark elf fashion, but it will be lovely on you. Maybe we will change your hair color too, just for the night.”

  In a flash, I was wearing a corseted black dress with a skirt made of layered taffeta and lace. I admired the dress, spinning around to watch the layers fall easily back into place. “It’s beautiful, Grandmother.”

  She grinned, and held out a mirror. “I had a feeling you would like it, but how do you feel about the hair?”

  I didn’t recognize myself when I saw my reflection. My hair was so different. She’d changed my color from white-blond to a rich auburn brown, and the flyaway curls I’d once had were replaced by a sleek, straight style. “How…how did you do this?”

  “Magic, of course. You look stunning.”

  “Perfect.” Viggo added. “Are you sure you don’t want to marry me instead?”

  “I wish.”

  “Me too,” he said, a sigh heavy in his voice.

  “Oh hush, Viggo. You’ll find your mate soon enough. Don’t say things you’ll regret.” Myrgjöl said, teasingly.

  He looked up with intensity in his eyes that I’d never seen before. “What do you know of her, Norn?”

  “Quite a bit, actually.” She pursed her lips. “Hold still.” Snapping her fingers, she dressed Viggo in formal elven attire. She must have dressed everyone at the same time because there was a loud cheer from the audience. She winked at us. “I guess they approve.”

  I hugged her tight. “You are amazing, the best grandmother in the world!”

  She squeezed me back. “Don’t I know it?”

  The crowd was deafening when Myrgjöl delivered us to the edge of the forest, just behind the center aisle. I could see Kristian and Jakob waiting on the stage, which had been lowered to only a step up from the ground. They were both, exceedingly handsome in their formal attire.

  “Your brothers clean up pretty well, Viggo.”

  He pouted playfully. “What about me? I look better than both of them put together.”

  I tucked my arm around his and smiled coyly. “You know damn well you do. Thanks for doing this. It means a lot.”

  He smiled. “I’m honored to do it, Sis.”

  Music erupted from invisible speakers, and I lost my breath.

  “Relax, Emelie, this will be over in a few minutes, then you can go back to charming the pants on my little brother.”

  I thought I would spontaneously combust from all the heat in my face. “Don’t you mean, charm his pants off?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t know, with my brother, you might be better off with the pants on approach.”

  I spotted Kristian watching us from the stage. He was wearing an anxious, but excited expression on his striking face. It would be a challenge staying away from Kristian after we were married. I was already so attracted to him that every warning I received just made him more dangerously sexy to me.

  Myrgjöl put her arm through my other arm and said, “You’re doing the right thing, and that already makes you a better Norn than your mother. She was never strong enough to take my place, but you are, honey. Though we all have the same abilities as Norns, a Norn with a good heart will be the best at what she does. I’ll see you up there.”

  The cheers from the wedding party grew as she vanished and reappeared on the stage.

  Viggo inclined his head. “Ready?”

  “Probably not, but let’s do it before I run away screaming.” I said, and we took our first step down the aisle. I looked straight ahead and tried to look graceful as I concentrated on not tripping on my hem. I was unbelievably nervous.

  In an attempt to loosen me up, Myrgjöl was grinning like an idiot and waving madly to me from the stage. The female was certifiable.

  When we were almost to the stage she boomed, “Welcome all to a union unlike any other. You are extraordinarily lucky to witness the marriage of the dark elf king, Kristian, and Lady Emelie, the hope of the light elves, my successor, and my only granddaughter.”

  The crowd was silent. Like me, they were all staring at their king, waiting on his reaction. With astonishment plain in his features, he motioned for me to talk to him in private. I silently followed him into the castle.

  “You are Wist’s daughter?” he guessed.

  “I am. I didn’t know she wasn’t an elf until after my parent’s death.”

  “Do you have the Norn’s abilities?”

  “I do.”

  He paced in front of me. “How could we have been so blind? We never suspected Wist of treachery. We thought Anders had persuaded her to change his Fate because he didn’t want to marry Viveka. Jakob was so in love with her, Anders wouldn’t have been able to take her away from him.” He paced the foyer. “This explains so much, but it also makes it glaringly obvious that your parent’s did an awful thing to you. I’ve known Soren was your Fated for my entire life. Everyone does. They’ve ruined your only chance at happiness for their own selfish reasons. That is…despicable.”

  “They haven’t ruined my future. I have just as much chance at happiness as anyone else does. Not many are Fated to their true mate.”

  “All of the Fates that Myrgjöl predicted are.”

  “Really? She must be very good.”

  “The best; it is considered the ultimate gift to have your future mapped by Myrgjöl, and she has named you as her successor; predicting Fates is unheard of for a married, mixed-blood inhabitant of Midgard. I believe your Grandmother is about to shake up our worlds. Things will be set right, and my wife will be the catalyst. You have no idea how proud that makes me to be chosen as your husband.”

  “Thank you for being so understanding, but I still can’t believe she outed me in front of everyone in the wedding party.”

  “You mean everyone in two worlds. It will on all of our worlds, but Midgard by tonight.”

  “What will happen?”

  “Well, first we will get married, next, we will take a honeymoon somewhere unnoticed for a while, and then we will live happily ever after.”

  “Very funny. I mean if there is any backlash.”

  “Ah, I don’t think it will be as bad as you fear it will be.”

  “I hope it isn’t, but I’m still super worried about my safety. Wouldn’t Odin just love to have the most powerful Norn’s granddaughter at his disposal?”<
br />
  He nodded. “You are right. This could be quite dangerous. I wonder what Myrgjöl was thinking when she did this?

  Myrgjöl popped into existence between us. “I was thinking that it is time she stopped hiding, and learned to take care of her own safety. If she’s going to take my place, she’ll need to be able to protect herself when under attack. It is inevitable that she will be under attack at some point. Norns are highly sought after. Emelie, you have to be especially careful, you have a tendency to overlook faults in favor of a good trait. It is one of the wonderful human characteristics you inherited from your grandfather.”

  Surprise was evident on Kristian’s face. “Human?”

  “Yes, human, my husband was from Midgard. He was a good, forgiving man. She is much like him.”

  “Thank you, grandmother.”

  “Not at all, dear.” She eyeballed Kristian. “What are your thoughts on these revelations?”

  “I feel…lucky. How many others have wives who have the power to stop a fruitless war, predict Fates, and see the good in creatures known for their lack of compassion?”

  “Not one.” Myrgjöl confirmed. “I’m glad to see you appreciate the gift that you’ve been given.”

  “I would be a fool not to.”

  I was starting to feel both self-conscious and scared out of mind. All of this was happening so fast. “Okay guys, I’m still just me over here. I haven’t performed any miracles or anything.”

  Myrgjöl hugged me. “I know you are overwhelmed, but I think it is better this way. It’s like pulling the bandage off in one fell swoop, instead of a little bit at a time. I’ll see you two out there on stage.”

  She disappeared and Kristian smiled broadly. “No one has ever looked as beautiful as you do right now.”

  I smirked. “I think that opinion might be a tad biased.”

  He came in close, towering over me, and caressed my cheek. “I can guarantee it.” He straightened and walked to the door. “I’ll give you a moment to yourself.”

  “I’m right behind you.”

  As soon as he left, I called to Soren. I didn’t think he would answer me, but I had a few things to say if he would listen.

  Soren, are you there?

  To my amazement, he answered right away. I am here.

  I took a deep breath to steady myself. I understand why you left, I think you did it in the best way you could.

  I couldn’t stay. Every moment with you made me more certain that I would never let you go. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

  I need to know something.

  Anything

  If I am able to bring peace to the elves and escape my marriage, will you still be waiting for me?

  I waited six thousand years for you; I will continue to wait until you are mine.

  I breathed a sigh of relief. I knew what I was asking of him was unfair, but I couldn’t bear a future without him in it.

  Soren,

  My love,

  I’m about to get married.

  He was silent for a long moment. Pardon?

  I’m about to marry the wrong male in front of the other warriors, all of Kristian’s top males, and their wives. Myrgjöl is presiding. Oh, and she just outed me as a Norn on live TV.

  He chuckled. You thought this would be the most appropriate time to call to me?

  I guess I’m kind of freaking out. They’re all waiting for me to come out and I don’t know if I can physically make myself move. I’m scared.

  Has he hurt you?

  No, he’s very nice. I started to cry.

  The sooner you marry him, the sooner you will be in my arms.

  He was right. I know.

  Be brave, little one, you own my heart. He whispered and then he was gone.

  I stood there not breathing for a few seconds and then robotically checked my makeup in the mirror. I didn’t look like myself, and I sure as hell didn’t feel like myself—maybe that was a good thing.

  Okay you can do this—harden you heart and walk out that door. I said silently to my reflection. Yeah right.

  A tap at the door revealed an impatient Nils. “So are we going to do this? Kristian is starting to look nervous out there.”

  “I just needed to talk to Soren. I’m coming now.”

  He held out his elbow. “Come on, Em—before the food gets cold.”

  “Thanks Nils, that’s just the reality check that I needed.”

  “I do what I can.” He quipped, and then he got serious. “Now, that you’ve been exposed to the worlds, I think that you should make sure to show that you are irrefutably the right choice for queen of Svartálfaheim. I’m going out with you. Just lightly hold on to the fur at my shoulder and try to look as cool as you grandmother.”

  “Not a problem. I am as cool as my grandmother.”

  “Not in a million years.”

  “Shut up, you ass. It’s supposed to be the happiest day of my life.”

  Nils was as tall as I was on all fours and looked adequately terrifying to the crowd. To my amazement, Jakob and Viggo went down to one knee when we passed them. They were really laying it on thick. It worked though. All the attendees were on their knees by the time I rejoined Kristian on the stage. He took my hand and kneeled in front of me, as well. I looked to Myrgjöl for instructions.

  Tell them to rise.

  “Please rise.” I called out.

  Myrgjöl stepped between Kristian and I. “Are there any who oppose this bonding?”

  There were some whispers of Soren, but no one stood up.

  “Excellent, Kristian if you will take Emelie’s hand and speak the bonding words.”

  Myrgjöl spoke in my mind. He will puncture his finger and then place the blood on your bottom lip. You will do the same and then you will both complete the ceremony with a kiss. There might be a little discomfort when your Fate with Soren is broken.

  Kristian’s gaze was intense as he pushed his index finger into his canine. He dragged his finger down my bottom lip. “Today I accept you as my Fated mate. Let us never be parted.”

  Do the same. Myrgjöl reminded.

  I lifted my finger toward Kristian. “Would you mind helping me out?”

  “Of course not.” He gave me a heated smile, no doubt remembering the moment we’d had on the night we met.

  He exposed a fang and I pricked my finger, dragging it down his lip. “Today I accept you as my Fated mate. Let us never be parted.”

  Myrgjöl spoke to the crowd. “The bonding words have been spoken. They will now seal their destiny.”

  Kristian leaned down and I lifted on my toes to meet his kiss. The instant our lips touched, there was indescribable pain. Soren’s mind opened to me, and his screams echoed mine, and Kristian’s.

  As abruptly as the assault started, it was over. Kristian was watching me like he’s never seen me before, and Myrgjöl was quick to hide the sad but resigned look she’d been wearing.

  “I have never agreed to release a Fate I have cast before, but in this situation I believe that bonding Emelie and Kristian will be for the better good. The war has separated the Elven people too long. It is time for them unite and be the great society that they once were. The bonding of your sovereigns is now complete. Long live the king and queen of Svartálfaheim.”

  The crowd rose to their feet and cheered with tears of joy and relief in their eyes.

  After hours of smiling until my cheeks hurt, and enough polite conversation to put me in a coma, Kristian announced that we were going to leave. I have never liked him more than I did right that second. I was so tired after all the day’s events. Being physically attacked, outed, and married all on the same day was exhausting.

  —Chapter Nine—

  Kristian took me to a hillside overlooking my new home. It was almost dark, but he’d gone to the trouble of having someone hang paper lanterns in the tree overhead, to light the plaid blanket spread out underneath. It was very thoughtful.

  “Are you hungry?”

&nbs
p; I hadn’t wanted to say anything before, but I was starving. “Yes, I could eat.” A house, a horse, or even escargot at this point, I thought to myself.

  “Last night I arranged to have a picnic brought to us here. I thought we could dine al fresco.”

  I tried and failed to stifle a laugh. “Al fresco?” It sounded as if he’d never said the words before.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say to you. You make me so nervous.”

  “Me? I’m about to jump out of my skin over here.”

  He leaned in to kiss me. “You don’t have to fear me. I won’t ever hurt you.”

  Axel appeared from nowhere and stepped up with an honest to goodness wicker basket in his hands. He set it between us and disappeared.

  “This is perfect, Kristian.” It really was. He had put so much thought into this. The fleecy warmness of the blanket was just enough to keep the chill away, and the selections of fruit that he insisted on feeding me were delicious. I only wished that Soren were here with us. Myrgjöl had lied when she said the Fate was broken between Soren and me; it wasn’t. Only now, I had a greater bond with Kristian along with the one I already had with Soren. I’d never wanted two males at the same time before. It was an unusual feeling.

  “Thank you for marrying me, Emelie. Now that I realize you did have a choice in marrying me, it means so much more.”

  “It was the right thing to do, and unlike my father, I don’t run from my responsibilities. I’m just worried that the dark elves won’t accept me now that they know I’m not one hundred percent light elf.”

  “Are you kidding, a Norn for a queen, they are overjoyed. We couldn’t hope for more. Our young are hardly ever given the opportunity to have their future predicted. You must know they want you because of what your father did, not because you were elven.”

  “I suspected.”

  “They will think that we’ve made the bargain of a lifetime. Any wrongdoings will be forgotten once you begin foreseeing their Fates.”

  “I don’t really feel comfortable doing that. What if I’m wrong—again?”

  “Again? Whose Fate’s did you align?”

  “The butler at Soren’s house and Katrine.”