In all actuality, though, they really didn’t need to worry about it. Dragons or not, their kin were Viking and used to sexual sounds. Their society was different than the twenty-first century. Far less inhibited and more open. Sex wasn’t something to hide behind closed doors if you didn’t want to. It was something to be shared with others if that was your inclination. Unless that is, you were dragon mates. But even that wasn’t cut in stone. There were several who enjoyed inviting others into their bed.
She already knew she wasn’t going to be one of those though. Neither was Sven based on how possessive of her he already was. And she was just fine with that. She was a one-dragon-kind-of-girl.
Though they kept their movements slow, pleasure built rapidly, filling her limbs with pulsing bliss though she had yet to climax. Their breathing intensified, and their heartbeats raced as heat increased between them and fire seemed to curl over her skin. She braced her hand against the tree and tried to stabilize herself as she continued moving.
Trying her best to keep from being too loud for Sage's sake if anything, she instead let loose telepathically with a variety of descriptive words. Some curses and some endearments, some urging him on and some telling him to slow down so that this would last all night. Then there were the words she said more often than not. Over and over, sometimes whispering them, sometimes roaring them. The words that drove them together faster than all the rest.
“I love you, Sven.”
Those words were still trailing into his mind when they climaxed simultaneously. She wasn’t sure if they groaned aloud or into each other’s mind, but it didn’t matter. She squeezed her eyes shut as potent pleasure blew through her and she began shaking. This orgasm felt different than the others.
Stronger somehow.
Moments later, she heard an all-too-familiar sizzling sound and her eyes shot open. The first thing she focused on was her hand braced against the tree. Her fingers were curled into the bark and scrape marks were obvious. Dragon talon scrape marks. Her dragon’s talons. Then her eyes widened on the ring.
“Sven,” she gasped as she pulled her hand back and eyed it. “Look.”
Though the ring still possessed his exquisite craftsmanship, it had been embellished with the same shiny black metal that his sword had. It ran in delicate lines around the outer edges sealing the flowers in stunning beauty. Sealing them in strength.
His eyes went from the ring to the ground beside them. “It seems Níðhöggr’s Realm very much approved of our encounter.”
Her eyes widened on the blade lying in the grass beside them. Identical in design to Sven’s, it was smaller and perfectly suited to her size.
“Now we have two blades,” she whispered as she picked it up, and held it between them. For a flicker of a moment, lightning raced up and down the blade then through every crevice of her ring before it sizzled away.
“It is nearly time then,” Sage mumbled in her sleep before she suddenly sat up and looked directly at them through the darkness. “It is time to continue our journey...” Her eyelids fluttered before she abruptly lay down again, her last words whispered before she drifted off.
“It is time to go to Skáld’s Ash.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
THOUGH THEY HAD tried to wake Sage the night before to find out more about what she had said, she slept far too soundly. So deeply there was no rousing her. She was dead to the world until the first stream of sunlight hit Níðhöggr’s Ash in the morning. Then she promptly sat up and smiled warmly at them all.
“Good morning,” she said softly before her eyes went to Emily’s ring and blade before she nodded. “So it’s true then.”
“What’s true?” Emily asked as Davyn handed Sage some meat on a stick and a skin of water.
“You have what you need for the final leg of your journey,” Sage responded. Her eyes went between them before landing on Sven. “You’re so much closer than you were but not quite there yet.”
“You refer to the ring and the newest blade then?” he asked. “We will need them as we try to find Skáld’s Ash?”
“Yes,” she responded bluntly before she began eating.
Halla sighed and shook her head, her behavior very contradictory this morning. When she wasn’t gushing over Emily’s ring and expressing how happy she was for them, she was sauntering around where Leif could see her. Vigdis wasn’t much better, targeting any male she could.
Leif, as it happened, had not moved at all overnight. He just stared straight ahead.
At some point, Håkon had plunked down in front of the fire across from Sage. That’s where they found him when they awoke. Just staring at her sleeping. Even now, his eyes were latched on her face, his expression unreadable. Sage, in turn, seemed refreshed and more normal today. So said the faint blush that stained her cheeks when her eyes brushed over Håkon.
“Brother, you’ve got to stop staring,” Emily finally said. “It’s a bit much.”
“It’s fine,” Sage assured. “He’s just getting used to things.” Her eyes met Emily’s, and her smile grew wider. “Congratulations on your engagement by the way!”
Naturally, Sage had somehow figured that out though it hadn't been mentioned since she woke.
“Thanks.” Emily met her smile before her eyes went to Sven’s. “I couldn’t be happier.”
Sven couldn’t agree more. At least when it came to her. For a split second, he feared she might say no but should have known better. And she told him so when they awoke before the others. The pre-dawn had proved as enchanting as the rest of this place. Everything living seemed to have a faint glow including the trees. Almost as if they were anticipating the sun before it even arrived.
The two of them had chatted telepathically for hours as they had always done, catching up on not only the time they were apart but reminiscing about their younger years. Their time together whether as friends or when those first sparks began to ignite. He wished they could remain that way forever. Sitting together with her head resting on his shoulder.
But it was not to be. Not yet. They had a journey ahead.
“So tell us what you meant when you woke last night, Sage,” Kjar said. “How did you know about Emily's ring and that a blade had appeared? More importantly, why did you say it was time to travel to Skáld’s Ash?”
“A place I gather you know the location of,” Vigdis said, her fingers trailing up and down Davyn’s arm in admiration even as she kept glancing at Leif and Håkon.
“I'm not sure how I knew about the blade and ring.” Sage shrugged. “As to the ash? I don't actually know its location.” She munched along, seemingly fearless as she spoke of journeying to such an evil tree. Her eyes went to the tattoo on Davyn’s arm before returning to her food. “But your kin does. Those who were marked.”
“By Skáld,” Sven said, hoping for confirmation.
“Most definitely.” Sage nodded. “He’s got a plan for Davyn and Håkon, and we need to figure out what that is.” She gestured at Sven and Emily’s blades, unexpected vehemence in her voice. “Then we need to cut the heads off that double-headed serpent so whatever he’s got in store is finished before it begins.”
“It’s already begun,” Håkon murmured, his tone suddenly different as his dragon eyes narrowed on her. “And you will see it through. You will give me my glory.”
“Oh, no, Sven,” Emily exclaimed as she leapt to her feet. “It's happening to him.”
Blackness swirled in Håkon’s eyes which meant Níðhöggr was communicating with him.
Or through him.
“Stay back,” Vigdis warned Emily as the seer sat beside Håkon. “Remember what I said about Ancient Matter. What I believe will happen. That he has been immunized because of your previous encounter with Níðhöggr.”
“No.” Emily shook her head. “You have to do something like you did for me.”
“Remember, it was more Sven that pulled you free,” Vigdis said softly. Though she held Håkon’s hand, she didn’t do anythin
g else. “If I don’t think he can pull free I will help him. You have my word.”
Sven pulled Emily back against him and wrapped his arms around her in comfort, murmuring, “It will be all right.”
Meanwhile, Sage kept her eyes locked with Håkon’s, not talking to him but to her ancestor. “I will do whatever you want just let Håkon go and keep my sisters out of this.”
“You are nothing without your army,” he responded, his voice grating and different. “Nothing without my army.”
“You might be surprised.” Sage narrowed her eyes, her inner dragon flaring in defiance. “As it turns out, I have some pretty powerful DNA.”
Sven frowned, not sure Sage should be handling it like this. If she was so determined to protect her sisters, provoking the dragon with all the power might not be the wisest move.
“You do not fear me,” Håkon growled.
“I do not,” she ground out. “I despise you for what you’ve done. For using your descendants for your own gratification. For being willing to sacrifice us for a moment of glory.” She leaned forward, a whole new fury in her eyes as she bravely faced off with Níðhöggr. “You lost the fight, asshole. Let it go.”
He could feel Emily grow more and more agitated as Sage incited Håkon’s captor.
A slow smile curled Håkon’s lips, and pride lit his eyes as he looked at Sage. “Fight well, dragon.”
Seconds later, Håkon buckled over and coughed out the same blackness Emily had before. Sage chanted a few foreign words, and the Ancient Matter vanished into thin air.
“Loki’s cock,” Håkon growled as his eyes cleared and met Emily’s. “That was one hell of a dragon.”
Though he would have preferred to give it more time, Sven released Emily so she could embrace her brother.
“Did the same thing happen to you that happened to me?” She held on to him for another moment before pulling back. “Did he swim underground first?”
“No.” He gestured at the tree. “He was standing beside that, but everything except the tree was as you saw it. Helheim and Múspellsheimr mixed until I felt Midgard drawing closer...then I opened my eyes, and everything was as it should be.”
Thankfully, Håkon seemed himself again as his eyes went to Sage. “You did not upset him with your words but made him proud. He thinks you will be a mighty warrior in his upcoming war.”
“Yeah, I got that.” Sage sighed and shook her head. “Sorry, everyone. I suppose I could’ve handled that a little less aggressively.”
“You are dragon,” came Leif’s unexpected voice as he eyed Sage. Everyone drew their weapons when they realized he was leaning casually against the tree. “You are supposed to be aggressive.”
Håkon’s eyes turned his way and narrowed as if the two of them hadn’t teamed up yesterday. “What did you do to me yesterday?” He frowned as his eyes flickered back to Sage, renewed confusion in them. “And when did you arrive?”
“Damn it.” Emily frowned and shook her head at Sage. “What’s going on with my brother? Do you have any idea? Because I’m getting sick of this.”
“What’s going on with me?” Håkon frowned at her. “I was the one ordered to guard this tree with our newfound friend.” His eyes went to Sven. “One I warned you about.”
“What in Loki’s Hel are you talking about, Cousin?” Davyn cut in, explaining what had happened as far as they knew. And it didn't include Håkon warning Sven about anyone. “Why don’t you tell us your version of what happened after you and Leif arrived here and started guarding the tree.”
Leif remained quiet, still casually leaning against the tree.
According to Håkon, Kjar ordered them to head this way. So they did and were bickering the whole way. From Sven’s take on it, he would say their dislike for each other was that of rival dragons after the same mate. Typical male dragon banter. Neither seemed to have any recollection of seeing Sage yesterday or of fighting Sven and his kin.
As expected, Kjar didn’t recall giving any such order nor did Vigdis or Halla remember hearing him do so.
“So this is the first time you’ve met Sage?” Sven asked Håkon and Leif.
“Yes,” both responded at once.
“You can lower your weapons,” Sage said softly. “Leif isn’t going to hurt anyone.”
Though Sven didn't like it one bit, he had come to the conclusion that like Håkon, Leif was under Níðhöggr’s influence, so there was no point keeping their weapons at the ready. Because the gods only knew when Níðhöggr would possess him again or manipulate their situation in general. Nonetheless, it would be foolish not to remain vigilant around him.
Sven nodded to the others that he agreed with Sage that they should sheath their blades. Yet he ordered them telepathically to keep a close eye on Leif at all times. If he did something threatening, they shouldn’t hesitate to end him.
Håkon, back to his old self, flashed their new guest a wide smile. “Welcome, Sage.” His eyes trailed languidly up and down her. “So nice to meet you.”
“Very nice,” Leif added, his gaze just as appreciative.
“Well, at least things are back to normal,” Emily muttered.
Sage nodded hello to Håkon and Leif then focused on Sven. “We should go soon.” Her eyes went to Emily. “Can’t you sense it?”
She didn’t have a chance to respond before Håkon spoke, focusing on something else entirely. His eyes flickered from Sven’s tattoo to Emily’s hand before a fresh smile blossomed. “Congratulations on many fronts it seems. Your tattoo is almost full of color now, no?” He pulled Emily into his arms and spun her once. “And at last you are marrying your mate! I’m so happy for you, Sister.” His eyes went to Sven, and he nodded. “Both of you.”
Emily laughed and thanked him before her eyes narrowed on Sven’s tattoo. “When did that happen?”
He shook his head, not sure, though he speculated it must have happened as a result of all that had transpired between them. Not just her agreeing to be his wife, but the ring, sword and most especially their lusting. His release had been stronger than ever. Their chemistry flaring ever brighter. Yes, it could be said it was that way because she was almost fully in heat now, but he felt it was more than that.
“The blade is still there though,” Emily murmured as she touched his tattoo. “A blade that feels like it’s barring our dragons from one another.”
“We should continue,” Sage said again. “We do not want to arrive at Skáld’s Ash once the sun goes down.”
“Why?” Sven asked.
“I’m not entirely sure,” Sage murmured. “But I know I’m right. Though it’s not the safest place to be during the day, it’s definitely not where we want to be after nightfall.”
“Then we won't be going there today,” Kjar said. “We would not even reach our ship before sundown.”
“Assuming our ship is the only way out of here,” Sven murmured, eying Sage. “Do you know of another way?”
“No, but you might,” Sage said softly. “Can you not find things with your gift, King?”
“Temporary king,” he muttered, still refusing to claim any crown while his father and King Heidrek might be alive. Were still alive. When Emily grabbed a piece of wood and started handing it to him to whittle and perhaps locate another exit, Sage shook her head.
“I sense you’ve already found it.” She considered him. “That you’ve seen the way without recognizing it.”
He started to shake his head when Emily slipped her hand into his pocket and pulled out the carving of Níðhöggr’s Realm. Her eyes went to Sage’s before she began studying the carving. “Perhaps on something he’s already carved?”
“Yes,” Vigdis murmured, her eyes not on the carving but Emily’s ring.
“I know it possesses the metal of Múspellsheimr,” Emily said softly as she followed Vigdis’ line of vision. “But deep down I guess I wish Níðhöggr didn’t leave his mark on this.”
“Actually,” Sage held out her hand, “may I have a
closer look at it?”
Emily nodded and tried to take it off but couldn’t seem to remove it. Though she frowned, Sven didn’t miss the flicker of relief in her eyes. She truly didn’t want it anywhere but where it was. “I don’t get it. It slid on easily, but it won’t budge now.”
“Because it’s yours,” Sage said softly. She took Emily’s hand and studied it. “And I don’t think Níðhöggr marked this.” Her eyes flickered between them. “This is all your inner dragons, and the power of your home world Múspellsheimr. I don’t know when you carved this, Sven but when you did your inner dragon was already protecting hers. Giving you answers long before you needed them in hopes to eventually keep her safe.”
“See here,” she continued as she pointed certain areas out on the ring. “If Emily wasn’t wearing this, you’d never see it but look, there’s a pattern to the shadows in these flowers. One seen more clearly not only because of the metal bordering them but the fact that the ring's actually on her finger.” She smiled as her eyes met Sven’s. “A map I’d say.”
“Really?” Emily peered at it alongside Sven. Not surprisingly considering how in sync they were, he and Emily exclaimed that they saw it at the same time. They scanned the landscape, seeing if it aligned with anything.
“Look there.” Sven pointed at a waterfall across the way. “Then there.” He pointed at another location near its base. “Does that not look like it might be a cave?” He eyed the ring again before gazing at the landscape. “Starting from this point, does it not all seem to follow the curves and stems of the flowers on your ring?”
“It does.” She smiled at him. “I think we just found our way.”
“No,” he whispered as their eyes held and heat simmered between them. “I think we’ve known the way all along.”
Their gazes lingered until Sage cleared her throat. “While I’m very happy that you’ve almost found each other, we really should go.”
“Almost?” Emily’s eyes shot to Sage’s because of the woman’s tone. “Why did you sound so ominous when you said that? We’re already engaged and totally in love. We’re together all the way.”
Viking King's Vendetta Page 20