by S Lawrence
Loki moves to Asger, drawing her gaze. She is lost in power. “Guardian, you must reach her. She is going to kill us all,” Loki screams over the fury blowing around them.
Shifting and ignoring the pain of it, he buries his hands in the soil, Asger reached for the Mother and for the Tree. “Help her!” he begs them. “Ylva! Come back to me, I need ye,” he calls to her, his voice filled with pain. “Mate!”
She screams, “Help Me!” She is unable to stop herself or the power. Lunging to his feet, he fights his way to her. Wrapping her in his arms, he takes her mouth in a punishing kiss, devouring her, swallowing all the hurt, pouring love into her. So lost in each other they did not notice the power ebbing away until her mother cried out. Asger pushes Ylva behind him just as Odin stabs at her, he flinches waiting for the pain but it never comes. Ylva holds the knife with her power, eyes narrow on her grandfather. Eyes berserker blue but filled with love instead of rage. “Goodbye, All Father. Do not come here again for I will not be so kind if you do.” She waved her hand and he vanishes.
‘Where did you send him?” Loki asks.
“Valhalla. Thank you for all your help, Trickster.” She turns, looking at the great wolf, she moves to his side and runs her fingers in his fur. “You led us on a merry chase. Thank you for giving us time.” she whispers as she hugs his neck.
“Mother.” Tears slide down her cheek as she crosses to Morrigan. “Father, I...”
“No daughter, he had longed for Valhalla for many years. None of this is your fault. If anything, it is ours. We did not count on the dragon’s wild magic.” She rubs Ylva’s hair like she did when she was little.
Asger moves to their side, limping from his burns. Ylva reaches for her earth magic and power floods his body, healing him. “Nice,” he chuckles while flexing his shoulders.
“It was the truth you know, we’ve been chosen. They mated us and made us stronger together. They showed it all to me. Our joining has been harder than it will be for those that come. We stayed four until now. Now we are two, stronger than our separate parts. Each new guardian will have only one mate, one soul that matches both man and dragon. Man and dragon will be one. Together, they are all stronger.” Asger shifts and she climbs on his back, laughing as he dives off the edge of the cliff. Gliding down before flapping his wings to climb, they turn and head out to the sea. He dips his wing in the water, spraying her. Those still on the mountain can hear her laughter and his growls as the sun rises, bathing them in its fiery light.
Morrigan and Danu look at each other. One mate. One destiny. But Ylva and Asger were the first, the first flame of the fire.
The End
Dear Reader,
I wanted to add a little note just to clarify a few things. This first Guardian’s merging with his dragon is different than all that will follow. Asger and Ylva was special in their needs. The four souls needed a little longer to merge fully with each other. Other guardians will only deal with the two souls, their mates will not be at the ceremony. The magic will search through time and space for those that match them perfectly.
Also, a little about Ylva and why she didn’t fight at first. I had some feedback about she should have fought and not let the Berserker run wild, but you see she had to the magic demanded it, knew that for them to merge completely it had to choose. It had to have its freedom and choose Asger and the dragon.
I hope this answers a couple questions if you had them.
Susan
https://sglawrenceauthor.wixsite.com/website
https://www.facebook.com/sglawrenceauthor
If you loved the story so far keep an eye out for Greek Fire coming in the fall. It is Emma and Jason’s story but we get to see more of Aislin and Kai. And of course my favorite druids will be along for the ride. See sneak peek below:
It was the silence that woke me. Growing up in New Orleans, there’s always noises. I have never heard such silence. Rolling over, I realize I have no idea where I am. All I know for sure, is I’m not in the hotel room where I fell asleep. Looking around I see I’m in a room with no windows; I don’t fail to notice the camera in the corner near the door. I see the tiny red light flashing, telling me that someone is watching me. I might not know where I am, but I know who has me, the mysterious Order that took Aislin. My heart pounds at the thought, images of what she described to me running through my head. I know she glossed over what happened to her, and I shudder thinking of what might be coming for me. Sitting up I scoot to the back corner of the room, pulling my knees to my chest. A disembodied voice comes over a hidden speaker, “I see you’re awake.” I try and fail to school my face; I know my terror is stamped upon my features. “Fear not, my girl, I can tell from the look on your beautiful face, your friend told you of her time upon the ship. The one who had her isn’t here; we are not deviants. You are merely here to draw the ones we want to us.” I raise my chin, pulling a look from my dancer’s arsenal, a look of disdain. “Please excuse me, if I don’t take your word for it, but you’ve drugged me obviously and brought me here against my will. In my book, that makes you no better than the one who had my friend.” I lace my voice with contempt. Silence greets me; I look around my, well, cell. That’s what it is a jail cell, a white cell with nothing but a bed in it. Thinking back to Aislin’s story, I’m super grateful I didn’t wake tied to a table. I’m no fool though; I realize that could happen any moment. I wonder how long I’ve been here, how long before someone realizes I’m missing.