Pride of a Viking

by Sky Purington

  “I well understand,” Kodran murmured, following her thoughts. “I felt the same when I learned I was a seer in another life. It wasn’t that I was so opposed just...not precisely the person I thought I was before.”

  “I get it,” she said, grateful when he put a supportive arm around her. “I might not have figured out I was half dragon until I was ten or so but still...” Her eyes met his. “It’s all I’ve been, and I’m pretty proud of it.”

  “You should be. I am,” he said. “I still might be getting adjusted to the idea, but I’m starting to be proud of having been a seer too. So give it time.” His eyes swept over the cave. “You have a good way of thinking, Erica.” His eyes returned to hers. “Lifetime after lifetime, you fought for peace. You wanted dragons and seers to co-exist despite what was done to you.” He ran his finger along her jaw. “I’ve thought it several times since I met you that you’ve got to be one of the most courageous women I’ve ever met...in every life.”

  “You weren’t so bad yourself,” she murmured. “In every life.”

  When Kodran’s eyes lingered on her lips, she knew he wanted to kiss her but didn’t want to push it. She had been hurt by Hallstein so Kodran would not make the first move. Not until she said it was okay. So she took the decision out of his hands, stood on her tiptoes, cupped his cheeks and kissed him.

  Nothing felt like this. Like the taste of him. The feel of him.

  She knew Maeva had felt this very thing long ago. She had felt like she was coming home. That she had found her long lost mate.

  “That’s why it happened this way,” she whispered against his lips as the revelation hit her. The truth. “Odin finally gave us a chance to be mates in this life in a way that would never separate us again...or so I hope.”

  He pulled back slightly. “How can you be sure?”

  “I don’t know.” She shook her head. “But I’m right. I know I am.” Her eyes held his. “Nothing would ever, could ever, bind us like this. Dragon mates are forever.”

  “I would be lying if I said I didn’t like the sound of that,” he murmured. “Forever sounds good when it comes to you.”

  Erica was about to agree, but the other Maeva slipped through, and snarled, “Keep hoping, dragon.” She looked at him with disgust as she backed away. All of a sudden, he was the most repulsive thing she’d ever seen. “What makes you think you can ever get me?”

  It seemed based on his response, Kodran understood what was happening and handled her accordingly.

  “I’ve already got you, Maeva,” he growled. He backed her into the cave toward the shields. “You keep forgetting that you belong to me.”

  “I only belong to one man!” She struggled against him. “And it is not you.”

  “Are you sure?” He wrapped his hand into her hair and tilted her head back. “Are you really sure?”

  The moment they hit the center of the cave, the shields began to shimmer, and she began to settle. All the rage she felt dissipated, and the other Maeva receded.

  “I’m sorry,” Erica whispered.

  “Don’t be.” Instead of looking at her with disgust he kept her close. “She’s got her work cut out for her because I have no intention of letting her have you.”

  “You might not have a choice,” she reminded. “Either way, I wish you hadn’t seen that.”

  His brows knit together. “Why?”

  “Because I’m half her.” She shook her head and backed away, feeling raw and exposed. He had just seen her ugliness. “Because I have two personalities.”

  Kodran gave her space and said nothing right away, but she sensed his mind churning. He wasn’t sure how to handle her right now. All he knew was that he didn’t want her to bolt. He didn’t want to lose her. Not again.

  “No.” He shook his head. “You’re not half her, Erica.” His eyes went from shield to shield. “If these could show me all the outcomes of what I’m thinking, not one would end with you being her.” His eyes returned to her. “But every one of them would end in this. You and I right here, right now. Where all of this led us. Where I get the chance to tell you that I see great things.” He inhaled and shook his head. “I see you and me, and a war won.”

  “Do you see a war won if it means us being separated at the end?” she said as an idea suddenly took root. “Which wouldn’t be so bad because we’re dragon mates so would find each other again.”

  His lips turned down. “What do you mean?”

  Though it hurt and was the last thing she wanted to do, she had come too far and saw a new opportunity. “I’m talking about us finding a way to harness all of Eluf’s energy from another life into me somehow.” Her eyes swept over the shields before she looked Kodran’s way. “Then sending my other half into Hallstein’s waiting arms so I can infect him from the inside out.” She cocked a brow. “Let’s just call it a magically enhanced Trojan horse.”

  Chapter Eight

  “I WON’T ALLOW it,” Kodran ground out as he paced between the shields. “And you shouldn’t want me to, Erica.”

  “But I do,” she replied, determination in her eyes as she looked around the room. “It makes perfect sense. Fill me up with all of your power...Eluf’s from this life...and just imagine the possibilities?”

  “I am.” Kodran stopped, frowned and shook his head. “Your grand plan is to do what you’ve been doing all along but far worse. You want to sacrifice yourself to Hallstein until there is nothing left.” He couldn’t stop the rise of his voice any more than the red that skirted his vision as he thought about what she had endured. “Because he will take it all, Erica. He’s already got a hold on you. He’s already calling half of you to him.” He closed the distance and gripped her arms. “But I won’t let him.”

  “And how do you intend to stop him, Kodran?” she managed, her breathing as heavy as his. “Because you can’t any more than those of us across time and generations have been able to.” She jutted out her chin. “But now we just might have a chance.”

  “And how is that?” He shook his head. “On some whim that we can harness my power in another life and give it to Maeva? How would that even work?”

  When her eyes held his for a long moment, he knew he wasn’t going to like her answer. “By tapping into that power, giving it to me, then letting me go.”

  Kodran narrowed his eyes. Was she saying what he thought she was?

  “Let’s start at the first part of what you just said,” he growled as he resumed pacing. “How do you intend to tap into Eluf’s power?”

  When Erica remained quiet, and images filled the shields around them, he knew he had directed his question at the wrong person...or thing. His own magic in another time was providing all the possible scenarios to his question or idea.

  And every last one had Kodran between Erica’s legs and her groaning with pleasure.

  “No.” He shook his head and looked at her with disappointment. “I won’t have you lay with me out of duty and obligation like you did with Hallstein.”

  “I never actually laid with Hallstein. At least not mentally,” she countered. “And nothing about having sex with you would be duty or obligation, Kodran.”

  “No, just a means to an end that neither of us would enjoy,” he said. “Because, like everything you’ve done for years, it would be out of devotion to our people.”

  “And what’s so wrong with that?”

  “Everything,” he roared and kept pacing. He should apologize for his outburst, his anger, considering all she had gone through but Loki’s cock, she was asking for more of that. More brutality and suffering.

  Right up until the day she died and left him yet again.

  “I’m not giving it to you.” He shook his head. “No sex. No Trojan horse.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest and frowned at him. “So when I don’t want sex, you’re gentleman enough to stay away, but the moment I want it, you turn into a coward?”

  Kodran clenched his hands and shook his head. She knew how to get to
him.

  “I think we both know I’m not a coward.”

  “We do,” she said softly as she sat on a rock and shook her head. “For a second there, I had all sorts of things to say. All sorts of things that would make you feel horrible and guilt you into doing what I want.” She sighed and looked at him. “But in the end, all I can hope is that you see reason. Because this is the one and only way we can save our families and if you push past your emotions, you’ll see it too.”

  “All I see is a spontaneous plan that’s no different than what you’ve been doing all along,” he said. “Putting yourself in harm’s way and taking the fall for everyone.”

  “Wouldn’t you?” she asked.

  “In a heartbeat,” he responded. “But not unless I knew for certain it would only mean my own death. And only if I knew for sure it would destroy my enemy.” He crouched in front of her. “Can you be certain of that, Erica?” He frowned at the shields. “Because I’m not interested in testing your theory on the mere premise of how powerful Eluf might have been in another life. How powerful I might have been.” Kodran searched her eyes. “And when you decide to lay with me it will be because you want to and for no other reason.” He shook his head. “No ulterior motive.”

  “But what if—” she started to say, but he put a finger to her lips.

  “There is no what if, Erica.” He pulled his finger away, kissed her cheek and stood. “I know what you’ve been through, what you suffered, and I won’t add to that.” His eyes stayed with hers. “When the time’s right, I’ll show you I’m no Hallstein, and we’ll lay together. Once that happens, you’ll find your Trojan horse scheme impossible to see through.”

  “Will I?” she bit out. Though there was anger in her eyes, there was something else as well. Respect? “And how will you stop me if you’re wrong, Kodran?”

  “I won’t be,” he murmured. “Because you won’t let me be.”

  Erica narrowed her eyes. “I’m not a big fan of cryptic.”

  “Och, but I am,” came a chipper voice as Adlin appeared in front of one of the shields admiring himself. “Bloody hell, I was a good looking lad, aye?” He readjusted his tartan. “A fine cut to be sure.”

  “Now’s not a good time, Adlin,” Kodran ground out.

  “Aye, I know.” The Scotsman kept eyeballing his plaid. “You’re still working on unlocking the mystery.” He started strolling from shield to shield, pleased by how each offered a different perspective. “But somehow I get the feeling that you’re trying to sail past the mystery straight on to the finish line.”

  When Kodran frowned at Erica, she merely shrugged.

  “Once upon a time,” Adlin murmured, his eyes still on himself as he passed another shield. “I loved a very beautiful woman. My one true love.”

  Erica said nothing but narrowed her eyes at the ghost that appeared closer to around twelve winters now.

  “Are you not curious about what happened?” Adlin asked.

  “No,” Erica said at the same time Kodran said, “Yes.”

  “Yes, it is,” Adlin declared, dismissing Erica’s frown. “The truth was our connection was brief, but it was everything. She was the love of my life.” He stopped, locked his hands behind his back and rocked back on his heels as he looked at them. “I walked away from her to protect my people. To keep them safe.” Pain flickered in his eyes. “Looking back, I will always regret it. Do you want to know why?”

  “Yes,” Kodran said as Erica grunted, “No.”

  “Because I dinnae think that although I thought I was right, that I actually was, Erica,” Adlin said as he resumed eyeing the shields. “I think I became blinded with this all-consuming knowledge that things were supposed to go a certain way and sacrificing myself was just second nature. ‘Tis what I did. Those were my people. My clan.”

  “It sounds like you knew what you were doing,” Erica said.

  “Did I?” Adlin shook his head then shrugged. “I suppose in some ways I did, but in the long run I sometimes wonder if my kin and their offspring could have handled it just fine for the most part without me.”

  “Are you trying to tell me that my family would have been fine without me?” Erica said. “Because I’m pretty sure that’s not true.”

  “Nay.” Adlin leaned against a rock as his wise eyes met hers. “I’m trying to tell you that you willnae be fine without your family in the end.” He gestured at Kodran. “And you certainly won’t be fine without him, lass.”

  “But my idea is a damn good one,” she complained. “And seems more dependable than the alternative...”

  When she trailed off, Kodran frowned and tried not to be insulted. “You mean a plan based on pure speculation is more dependable than the strength of love that can form between you and me?”

  “I didn’t say that,” she murmured. “I just know Hallstein and the other Maeva have had a whole lot more time to connect. I know how strongly they’re capable of feeling about each other.” She shook her head and didn’t quite meet his eyes. “And you and I aren’t going to have that kind of time.”

  “We don’t need it,” he said, aggravated. “Because unlike them we’ve had more than enough time already. Several lives worth.”

  “He makes a good point,” Adlin murmured but snapped his mouth shut when Erica glared at him.

  She shook her head. “While your reasoning is sound enough, Kodran, it’s this life that’s going to matter the most in the end. The power of mating.”

  “And I agree.” He crossed his arms over his chest and frowned. “But I won’t do it for your Trojan horse.” He shook his head. “And now I’ll never know if and when the time comes if you’re lying with me for the right reasons.”

  “That is a conundrum to be sure,” Adlin agreed and again snapped his mouth shut when they both scowled at him.

  “So no sex between us,” Erica spat at Kodran.

  “Agreed,” he shot back.

  “Well that decision will get you nowhere fast,” Adlin commented, ignoring them when they glared at him again. “Mayhap you will change your minds as you continue your journey.”

  “Doubtful,” they said simultaneously as their eyes met.

  By the time they looked back, Adlin had vanished.

  Kodran needed a moment to cool off, so he returned to the cave’s entrance and stared out over the mountains. What he wouldn’t do to spread his wings and get lost in the freedom of flight. But he knew that would be unwise. Not only leaving her side but using magic to shift. Who knew if it might somehow alert everyone that they were here.

  He remained hurt that Erica thought they wouldn’t be able to find a strong enough connection once they lay together. That she questioned the strength of their potential love against Hallstein’s and Maeva’s. How was he supposed to prove otherwise? Worse yet, what if she was right? He shook his head. He couldn’t think that way. Could not even entertain the idea.

  Yet it seemed he must have because he heard Erica gasp. When he turned, she was looking from shield to shield. It appeared they had been processing his thoughts and providing multiple outcomes.

  Some showed what he assumed were the possible results of his first thought. How was he supposed to prove to her she was wrong? Some showed them in intimate, sensual positions. Others, simply laughing together. Some were white which must symbolize their ongoing journey.

  Others showed the possible scenarios if she was right about Hallstein and Maeva’s connection being stronger. And those were gruesome. Midgard was different. Dark, destroyed, eaten alive by evil. He got the sense all of their people were gone, and only Hallstein’s people remained. Humans were enslaved, used for hard labor and sexual entertainment. They were treated so inhumanely the species would likely only survive a few generations.

  Hallstein and Maeva’s world would be a horrible one.

  “We can’t let that happen, Kodran,” Erica murmured.

  “No, we cannot,” he agreed and tried to ignore the crushing pressure on his chest. He might hate it,
but she was right. It was too risky allowing Hallstein and Maeva to come together. They couldn’t take that chance.

  “We will lie together,” he finally managed as he eyed the shields. “Soon.”

  Erica nodded, clearly relieved. “Thank you.”

  “No need to thank me,” he grumbled, not pleased about any of this.

  “So...how soon?” she murmured.

  He hated that this felt more like an obligation on both their parts. That’s not how this was supposed to go. “Some of the shields showed us more positive things.” His eyes met hers. “Laughter, affection, love.” He glanced at the shields again. “And more journeying.”

  “Okay,” she said slowly. “So?”

  “So I think that means we still have a little time. Some more to see and feel first.” His eyes returned to hers. “While I understand your reasoning, I don’t want things to be forced between us, Erica. Because how different, really, would that be than what you experienced with Hallstein?”

  “Remarkably different,” she returned. “And you know it.”

  “I hope so,” he said as their eyes held for a long moment before she finally spoke.

  “All right,” Erica murmured. “You were willing to see things my way, so I’ll see them yours. We’ll give it a little more time.” She shook her head. “But not long. It’s too risky.”

  He nodded and glanced around, eager to leave this subject behind. “I suppose the next thing we should focus on is food.”

  She nodded in agreement. “I can help you hunt.”

  “You remember how to hunt then?”

  “I do.” She glanced around. “I just need something to hunt with.”

  “Easy enough.”

  He proceeded to carve spears out of sticks then they hunted before they made their way back to the hidden cave at the base of the Gungnir blade. Though some tension still remained between them, he had found the process of her hunting so entertaining he couldn’t help chuckling as he lit a fire and worked on a spit.

  “What’s so funny?” Yet her lips were twisted in amusement as she eyed the sad little mouse she’d managed to catch. “I know it’s not much, but in my defense, it’s been a lifetime or so since I hunted. I’m allowed to be a little rusty.”