Amy Sumida - Perchance To Die (The Godhunter Book 12)

by Unknown

  They'd always looked like Odin's eyes but they'd never held Odin within them. They didn't hold the spark, the steadiness, or cunning that had been there before. Now they looked on me with all of that and more. Odin's knowledge, his strength, his stubbornness, and his unshakable love for me shone in those amazing eyes like a beacon of light across dark water. He was back and he was leading me home.

  I ran to him and he lifted me up, his arms wrapping around me with Gungnir still gripped in one hand. The spear, it hadn't come for me but for Odin. Inside it was a piece of him, a piece he'd left behind to protect me. It had never occurred to me to reunite him with that piece, to use it to bring his memories back.

  “Odin,” I whispered against his cheek and I realized my whole body was shaking, the pain of my still healing wrists diminished under the wave of joy that rushed over me.

  “Vervain,” even his voice was completely Odin now, back to deep baritone I knew. What with the changes in his body, I could close my eyes and I'd never know the difference. “I didn't know, I couldn't remember. It was all so confusing. My mind was such a dark place.”

  “It's okay, I remembered for us both.” I touched Gungnir and felt the pulse of magic vibrating through it. My eyes widened as the truth hit me.

  I'd been wrong. So overcome with grief that I hadn't realized what I'd held. It wasn't just a piece of Odin inside Gungnir, it was all of his magic. With Odin's last breath, he'd sent his magic into the spear, intending to empower it as much as he could to protect me. The spear had kept his magic safe until it sensed the return of its true master. One touch and it had flown back into Odin, delighted to be reunited. I could sense the difference now. Gungnir still had its own magic but it was more peaceful after purging the excess power that had been filling it near to bursting.

  “I hope you never have to carry that burden again,” his amazing eyes were so intense, full of a mixture of regret and happiness. “Our memories were made together and were meant to be shared together.”

  I kissed him then, in the middle of that battlefield, and no one dared to disturb us. Gungnir seemed to radiate a warning, allowing us a few minutes to reunite, and I sank into that kiss. I let the relief consume me along with my love which had seemed to intensify for him. I guess losing someone made you treasure them even more. Whatever it was, covered with blood and gore, broken and bleeding, the kiss I shared with Odin in the midst of a mutant battlefield was one of the best I'd ever had.

  Wild and trembling, a pressure of flesh and magic, I never wanted it to stop but of course it had to. A fist swung through the air beside me as Odin jerked us to the left. My wrists still weren't healed and I needed to fight, so I blew fire on them, using my element to heal myself. It was the first time I'd ever attempted to heal myself and I was a little surprised at how well it worked. My bones knit together quickly and I was able to shift my hands into claws. As soon as I was ready, Odin and I set our backs to each other and we started fighting as a team.

  Then the sky flashed with lightning and the cry of birds filled the air. I looked up to see a flock of Thunderbirds circling down to the battle. The massive birds threw bolts of lightning and electrocuted several mutants before swooping down to carry them off. Soon the air became another level of the battlefield and the Thunderbirds dominated it. Bodies were tossed back and forth, mutants being torn to pieces or smashed on the earth. I swallowed hard and looked away.

  My dragon was trembling inside me, responding to the wild sounds of battle. The cries of the giant Thunderbirds echoed over the howl of wolves and the roar of my lions punctuated the screams and shouts of mutants and gods alike. I could barely restrain my dragon, she wanted out so badly, but I refused to leave Odin's side. She'd have to satisfy herself with claws and fire.

  The battle was long but the odds were in our favor, even mutants couldn't compete against gods. When it was over, a sea of mutant bodies laid around us and I was splashed with blood and bits of flesh. I shook myself free of most of the gore and searched the carnage for Teharon. I found him standing alone in its center, a deep sadness etched across his face.

  Teharon started toward Tawiskaron but before he could reach his brother, the sound of drums filled the air. Then a ghostly chanting began, soft at first but soon growing to match the strength of the drums. It was Native American, a rolling wave of sound, and it shivered the flesh on my arms. Teharon stopped and glanced up at the sky but it was empty. The Thunderbirds had landed and removed their feathered cloaks. I saw Kohana, chief of the Thunderbirds, staring up at the sky with a frown that matched Teharon's.

  Then sheet lightning fell and hit directly between Teharon and Tawiskaron. Teharon stumbled back as two men appeared, flanking his twin. They looked like twins as well, each with long black hair, deeply tanned skin, and Navajo features. They both wore a feather in their hair, just like Teharon did, but one wore black and one wore white. The man wearing the black feather had a dewy sheen to his skin and the one with the white had a bit of a golden look to his but other than that, they were perfect replicas.

  “Nayenezgani!” Mrs. E shouted. “Tobadzistsini!”

  The newcomers looked over to her and then to each other with unreadable expressions. Then they each took one of Tawiskaron's arms and all three of them traced away together.

  “What was that?” I ran over to where Teharon was standing. “Who were those guys?”

  “My sons,” Mrs. E had joined us. “They're war gods, heroes to our people, but they've ever been on the side of violence.”

  “Looks like Tawiskaron had some silent backers,” I grimaced.

  “So be it,” Teharon sighed. “At least now he knows his mutant army can be vanquished.”

  “Yeah,” I rolled my eyes. “Or he knows that he needs to make them stronger.” We all exchanged worried looks but when my eyes fell on Odin, I couldn't help but smile. “On the bright side,” I walked over to him and took his hand. “Odin's memory has returned.”

  “Odin?” Mrs. E looked over to him and smiled warmly. “Welcome back, my friend.”

  “Thank you.” Odin returned her grin.

  Amid all that death, my friends and I came together around my restored lover and celebrated life.

  Chapter Fifty-Nine

  We went back to Asgard that night, Odin and I, but we stopped first at Pride Palace to pick up a couple of wolves and ravens. A more delighted cacophony of animal noises, I've never heard before. It took a full fifteen minutes before Odin could extract himself from the pile of love that had hurdled itself upon him.

  We wrangled the happy wolves and ravens into their carriers and took them home, back to Valaskjálf, Odin's silver hall. The hall we'd lived in as a married couple back when I was Sabine.

  The animals were pleased to be home but they didn't leave Odin's side, coming close to tripping him numerous times and creating such a commotion that Vidar came down to see what all the fuss was about. When he saw his father, he started to cry, silent tears trickling down his cheeks. Odin pushed the wolves aside gently and went to his son, holding him while they wept together. That's when Thor showed up with Vali.

  Thor had left the battlefield and gone immediately to find his brother, knowing that Vali would want to be there to welcome their father home. Vali and Thor enveloped the two men and became one giant huddle of Viking gods, crying like babies all over each other.

  It was a beautiful sight and one that I'll never forget.

  When they finally cried themselves out, they broke the huddle and went straight to the fire for mugs of mead. How predictable. Damn Norse gods and their mead. It was like the go-to beverage. Everything ended with mead.

  So I joined them at the fire and gratefully accepted my own mug from Lili, who sat next to me and just stared at his father across from us. I knew how he felt, the overwhelming relief to finally have Odin back to normal. It was a huge weight lifted, a second chance for all of us, and also a lot to take in. Odin was really back. He was sitting there in a new body with his old memories. Afte
r fighting for this for so long, it was hard to believe it had finally happened.

  “I think my healing abilities are wearing off,” I announced softly.

  “What?” Odin shot a panicked look at me.

  “Didn't you bathe in Anubis' fountain not so long ago?” Lili looked over in concern. “That should have empowered you for years, especially on top of your recent drink from the grayel.”

  “I don't know what's going on,” I shrugged. “I've just noticed that my wounds aren't healing as fast as they did before.”

  “That shouldn't be happening,” Thor traded glances with Odin. “You're a harvest goddess now, that alone should add to your regenerative powers, not detract from them.”

  “I do heal,” I held up a hand to ease their concern. “It's just not as fast as it was before.”

  “It should be,” Odin said. “There's no reason for it to slow so soon.”

  “Unless,” Thor looked over at me with a considering stare.

  “Yes?” I made a go on expression.

  “It may be because you have the magic of multiple goddesses. You have three power groups to sustain, on top of three beasts. Maybe they take a greater toll.”

  It got very silent in the hall.

  “Does that mean you could become mortal again?” Vali looked on the verge of a break-down. He'd just got his father back and now this.

  “No,” I rubbed his shoulder. “I'm also fey, remember? I'm immortal now that the magic of my element has been released. I just won't have super healing abilities.”

  “We'll just take you for another drink,” Odin said decisively.

  “No,” I said just as decisively.

  “What do you mean no?” Odin nearly bellowed.

  “I don't need the immortality,” I kept my tone rational, “and I can heal myself with fire if my wounds are really bad. Phantasus said the sources of immortality can be drained and I won't add to that unnecessarily. I'd rather a god take the energy and not feel compelled to kill humans to get it.”

  “We'll talk about this more later,” Odin shook his head. “For now, let's be satisfied that we're all here together, alive and aware of who we really are.”

  “I'll drink to that,” I lifted my mug.

  We sat and talked late into the night and then the boys wandered off to bed and it was just me and Odin. The ravens were asleep in the rafters and the wolves on the furs in front of the fire. Odin just stared at me, the fire reflecting in his eyes and altering their color. I didn't like that. I wanted to see his true colors.

  “Are you tired?” He asked, voice husky with desire.

  “Not at all,” I smiled, “though I do feel the need to lie down.”

  He got to his feet and had me in his arms within two seconds. Soon the stairs were just a memory and I was lying beneath him in our massive bed, the heavy curtains pulled back so that the light caught his face. I lifted my hands to his cheeks and looked him over.

  “Are you disappointed in my appearance?” He asked cautiously.

  “Not anymore,” I stroked the blonde hair at his temples. “It used to be the face of a stranger but now I see you in it. The differences hardly matter anymore.”

  “How could I have ever forgotten you?” His beautiful peacock eyes were troubled, creased at the corners with regret. “I've loved you for so long, it should have been impossible to smother.”

  “You were in a battle against the body I put you in,” I shook my head and smoothed his temples. “It wasn't about how much you loved me, it was about finding yourself. Oh!” I blinked up at him. “Does this mean all your magic is back?”

  “Let's see?” He got a mischievous look in his eyes as invisible fingers trailed down my spine. I jerked and then sighed. “Looks like it.”

  “I would have waited for you,” I whispered as I threaded my fingers through his golden hair. “I would have waited till the world faded away for you to remember me.”

  “I'm glad you didn't have to,” he brushed his lips against mine and my clothes disappeared. Such naughty magic he had. “And I'm quite beyond waiting myself.”

  His kiss was gentle at first but soon became fierce, mouth lashing against mine as he nipped his way down my belly and licked even lower. There was so many sensations buffeting me, so many hands and mouths and fingers. Gripping, biting, licking, sucking. I finally pulled away and growled in frustration.

  “Just you,” I leaned my forehead to his. “Let the magic go for one night and just be alone with me.”

  “I thought you liked it,” he looked worried.

  “I do,” I assured him, “but not tonight. I want to be completely focused on you and that's hard to do when I'm reeling from pleasure.”

  “I guess I can rein it in for one night,” he grinned and settled between my legs. The breadth of him, the weight, was so comforting. So familiar. I slid my arms around him and he lowered his face to mine. Right before his lips touched mine, he stopped and whispered. “I love you. Through life and death and life again. I will always love you.”

  “And my heart is whole once more.”

  A Special Offer From the Author

  For all of you loyal readers who've come along on this journey with me and Vervain, I have a special offer. If you go on Amazon and review my first book, Godhunter, I'll send you an exclusive short story called The Raven. It's the story of Odin and Sabine's romance. I won't be selling it, you can only get it for free by leaving me a review.

  Simply email me at: vervainlavine@yahoo.com with the name you left the review under and I will send you either a pdf or epub file of the novella. Be sure to let me know which you'd prefer. If you've already left me a review, the same still applies, send me the name it's under and I'll be happy to send you the story. I truly appreciate the time you took to review the book.

  Reviews are so important to us authors, especially on Amazon, and one bad review can bring our rating down drastically. I've been successful in writing this series because of your support and now I need your help to keep my ratings up and to keep this series going. Good reviews help Godhunter get noticed and allow me the freedom to keep writing. Now's your chance to truly join the God War and save Vervain. With your help I can keep her fighting for as long as possible.

  Thank you so much for becoming a part of Vervain's world and please check out her blog on Tumblr at: http://vervainlavine.tumblr.com/ where you can get a glimpse into her daily life and see some of the things she's interested in. You can also follow her on Twitter, her handle is: @VervainLavine and you can get a free app to follow her blog on Google Play at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Godhunter&hl=en

  Keep Reading for a sneak peak at the next book in

  The Godhunter Series:

  Tracing Thunder

  Chapter One

  I sat among gods, counting wings.

  It was surprising how many winged gods I knew. There was Horus, Odin, Finn, and Loki who could all shapeshift into birds. Then Azrael, his father Luke, and all the angels and demons they'd introduced me to, who had wings without having to shift into an animal. And now there was Morpheus.

  The dream god was sitting across from me, staring at me with his shifting eyes of blue mist. It was nice to be able to see his true face finally and even nicer to know that he wasn't going to try and kill me. I don't think that applied to the rest of his family though.

  Morpheus was part of the Oneiroi, three Greek brother gods who could access and control the Realm of Dreams. Phobetor could take the form of either a lion or bear and Phantasus was into creating illusions. Those two really got into the role their parents had given them, of gathering energy by killing people in their dreams. They had learned to enjoy the killing but not so much for Morpheus.

  That's when I became involved. Morpheus tried to kill me in a dream, thinking I was mortal. Then he wouldn't stop bugging me. It all culminated in a nasty fight where Morpheus actually defended me. So I kind of forgave him his attempt at murdering me. The problem was, he and his brot
hers had been killing people because they and their parents didn't want to do Zeus' dirty work. You see, Zeus controlled the ambrosia, a drink that gave the Greek Pantheon their immortality. He only handed it out to gods who gave him their allegiance though and that allegiance included doing his dirty work.

  So that's why we were all in my dining hall at Pride Palace. We were trying to figure out how to get Zeus to give up the ambrosia. The rest of Morpheus' family hadn't been invited because to put it simply, I didn't like them.

  “But I drank from the grayel,” I finally added something to the conversation. “And I took a dip in Anubis' fountain. How could I use both forms of immortality when I'm connected to neither pantheon?”

  “You're not connected to any pantheon, Vervain” Odin explained gently.

  Odin. I smiled over at him. He was sitting on my right, a chair Trevor had given up for him since the whole Odin being alive thing was still kind of new. I appreciated Trevor's gesture since it was usually Kirill who gave up his seat to one of my visiting lovers. This time Kirill was on my left with Azrael beside him and Odin was on my right with Trevor. Seeing him with his new face and all that dirty blonde hair was kind of startling but in a good way. He looked good as a blonde.

  “Vervain?” He nudged me.

  “Oh,” I laughed a little at myself. “Sorry. Um, so because I wasn't born a goddess, I'm not restricted to a certain immortality source?”

  “Yes, exactly,” Blue nodded.

  “I can go and talk to Zeus,” Hades offered for like the fiftieth time.

  “No!” Everyone said together.