“You were good to your people and the first of our kind on Midgard.” She squeezed his hand. “You deserved to get back what you lost...what was taken from you.”
“Erica didn’t just see but felt all of it just now, didn’t she,” he murmured. “When she saw this ring, she re-experienced what Maeva’s incarnate had when she was torn from Eluf.”
When Aunt Aella nodded, he frowned and said, “Why didn’t I see it right away as well?”
“Because she didn’t want you to,” Aella said softly. “She wanted you to enjoy the moment.”
His eyes stayed with hers. “Erica was going to say yes to the proposal, wasn’t she? She truly wanted to marry me.”
“Without a doubt,” Aunt Aella confirmed. “She wanted it more than she’s wanted anything.”
“Then why not just tell me afterward?” He shook his head. “Why leave?”
“Because it was hard for her, Kodran,” she said. “And it was better for me to explain than her. So a few moments to collect herself with her sisters seemed like a better alternative.” Aella stood. “She is in the great lodge now if you would...”
He didn’t wait to hear the rest but headed that way. The moment he entered, her eyes met his across the room. This time things would go as they should have. He strode in her direction and roared, “My people, you have met Erica, yes?”
The music stopped, and the floor opened as he approached her. The man who thought to pull her close bowed his head to Kodran and backed away.
“Have you met Erica?” he repeated as his eyes swept over the room.
When everyone nodded, he nodded as well and met her eyes. “And do you know who she is?”
Many nodded, but some looked curious. Women mostly. As if they knew but wondered if he would say it out loud. So he did as he dropped to one knee, held out Eluf’s ring and declared, “Erica has already accepted me as her husband, but I would like to ask her again...” His eyes searched hers as he held the ring at the tip of her finger. “Would you agree to be my wife...” There was no stopping his dragon as he saw red. “My mate.”
“I would,” she managed, her voice so soft he barely heard it as he slid the ring on her finger, scooped her up, ignored the cheers of the crowd and plunked her down the minute they went out the back of the lodge.
“You should have told me...” he began before she stood on her tiptoes, cupped his cheeks and kissed the words right out of him. He walked her into a darkened corner where nobody would see and lifted her against the wall.
“Don’t keep things from me anymore,” he whispered into her ear as he ground against her without removing their clothing. “You no longer have to face things alone.”
“I know,” she said, her voice husky, aroused. “I’ll try not to...”
“You mean you will not.” He kept thrusting against her center as she grew hotter and started moaning.
“Not sure how I feel about demands,” she gasped as he started to manipulate the juncture between her legs.
“Not a demand but a request.” His eyes met hers as he kept moving against her. “An insistent request.” He cupped the side of her neck as he slowed then started to roll his hips with each thrust. “From your husband.”
“Oh, screw me,” she gasped. “I can’t think straight...”
A second later, she chanted, and their pants were down just enough that he wasn’t grinding against her clothes anymore, but sliding deep inside. Hel she was hot and tight and clearly not worried about being caught if someone happened upon them.
Caught in how good she felt, he lost all reason. All he could do was feel. How much he wanted her. How deeply he would put his seed in her. His thoughts and actions were animalistic and far beyond his control.
Yet he wasn’t alone.
Erica muffled her groans against the side of his neck and moved just as eagerly until he couldn’t hold back any longer. He pressed deep and let go so hard, he sank to his knees. Moments later, she cried out against his neck as she found her own release.
Her breathing choppy, she murmured, “Something’s happening.”
“It is,” he managed hoarsely as she milked his cock. “And I can’t get enough of it.”
“That’s not what I mean,” she whispered. “The ring...”
He pulled back and glanced at it with alarm. It was glowing softly. “Is it hurting you? Is there pain?”
“Pain? No,” she murmured as her eyes drifted over his shoulder. “But maybe embarrassment.”
He glanced over his shoulder and murmured a chant to cloth them when he spied three hooded, robed figures standing nearby.
“Hello, Eluf,” one said. “We were once your kin on Vanaheim and have heard your summons for help.”
Chapter Seventeen
ERICA TRIED HER best not to stare at the otherworldly seers as they sat in Heidrek and Cybil’s lodge a while later. Like Eluf had been, they were tall and attractive. Two were men, and one was a woman. And not really blood related apparently. It seemed, as they soon learned, that Vanaheim seers showed no devotion to family after birth, but those pre-destined to be part of their individual inner circles.
Even Cybil seemed a little taken aback as she looked at them. Erica didn’t blame her. Where Eluf had certainly possessed a faint air of superiority, it couldn’t touch the arrogance of these three. Yet they felt familiar, and it was clear Kodran thought so as well.
“So Eluf put a summons in the spell that created the ring,” he said. “One that would bring you here once the ring was worn and,” he cleared his throat, “and not just our souls came together but our physical forms as well.”
“That is correct,” one of the male seers said. They had not provided their names because they said it was irrelevant. Erica might have made the argument that it was relevant to addressing them but bit her tongue. No need to rile the aliens who had come to help them.
“Interesting,” Kodran murmured as he looked from seer to seer. “So you were my pre-destined yet unrelated kin?”
“That is correct,” the woman said, her eyes a little stony when they met Erica’s before returning to him. “And I might have been more had the right mate for you not been born.”
Oh hell, wonderful. One of the aliens was already jealous of her.
When Kodran frowned, Heidrek spoke. “So Eluf left, and the three of you remained on Vanaheim.” His brows inched up. “That must have been difficult for you if you four were so close.”
“It was acceptable,” one of the male seers said. “We stayed, and some followed. They aged. We have not. But then time passes considerably different between our worlds.”
“Some seers followed Eluf?” Kodran’s brows slammed together. “There were more like Eluf here on Midgard?” He shook his head. “He wasn’t alone at the beginning?”
“Did you think Eluf did not procreate to create more seers?” The female seer gave him a less-than-impressed look as if she expected more from Eluf’s reincarnate. “We are not what you would call a-sexual, dragon.”
Ah, there it was. While the foreign woman was certainly jealous, she was also prejudiced against what Eluf had become. Erica glanced at the men. Were they against dragons too? If so, how was that going to work out considering they were here to defend them?
When Kodran glanced at Erica, she realized he was uncomfortable. More so, why.
“No worries, sweetie,” she said into his mind. “I kind of figured you must’ve slept with a woman or two before your wife was reborn and Maeva came along.”
“Which meant many of those seers were likely related to me.”
“Yup.” She offered a teasing smile. “So it’s a good thing I was a dragon, eh?”
“Yes, it is,” he agreed.
“We appreciate you coming to our aide,” Heidrek said to the seers. “Please let me know how we can accommodate you. We have spare lodges and plenty of food. And if you like, please join us to celebrate Kodran and Erica’s union.”
“We will rest and then be available whe
n we are needed,” one of the men said as he stood. “And only one lodge will be required.”
Erica’s brows shot up in surprise. Really? Were these three a ménage a trois?
Based on the way the female seer’s knowing eyes met hers, she’d say yes. It seemed she had done just fine after Eluf left seeing how she had two lovers...who were also pre-destined kin. She glanced at Kodran and bit back a smirk. Weren’t Vanaheim seers something?
“I’ll show you the way,” Cybil said before she led them out.
Meanwhile, Heidrek seemed contemplative as his eyes went to Kodran. “Do you trust them?”
Kodran thought about it for a moment before he nodded. “Yes.” His eyes went to Erica. “And you?”
“I do.” She looked at Heidrek. “They feel really familiar, and my dragon isn’t alarmed in the least.”
“Nor is mine,” Kodran said. “They may not be all that impressed with the decisions Eluf made, but they will support their kin, their own kind...even if he’s a dragon now.”
Heidrek nodded as he stood. “Come be with your kin so that we may celebrate your marriage.” He looked between them. “Or get some rest.” A wry grin came to his lips. “Though I know rest is not something that comes easily to dragon mates.”
Kodran’s eyes went to hers. “What would you like to do?”
She grinned. “We both know the answer to that. But,” she stood and took his hand, “I think it would be better to join everyone and celebrate. Your people should get the chance to know me better before we all go to war together.”
Though she knew he wasn’t thrilled with the idea of taking her anywhere but to his bed, he nodded, and they headed back to the main lodge. Everyone might be joyous, but it was obvious they were alert as well. Some drank but not much in case the summons came from Grant.
She proceeded to have a good time with her sisters and niece then spent ample time dancing with Kodran. He made it very clear he only had eyes for her which was sweet.
“Not sweet,” he murmured in her ear as he sat with her on his lap awhile later. “Just true.”
Then he kissed her. Another one of those hot, promising kisses that made her squirm. He seemed to enjoy dishing them out regularly and based on the way her sisters and their mates behaved with each other, it seemed to be a family trait. One that she more than appreciated. Lauren was right. This culture was certainly less uptight. And definitely more open with their sensuality.
Later, after spending a better time with her family than she would have imagined, Kodran grabbed some horns of ale and finally got around to taking her on a tour of the Fortress. They started at the armories, which were loaded with an impressive array of swords, daggers, maces, axes, shields and other weapons she had never heard of. He spent time describing what each did and set aside the ones he felt best suited her.
“You know I can pick out my own.” She smiled. “And I can fight a lot better now after all our revelations. The power we found coming together.”
“I know,” he said, appearing a little sheepish. “Would you rather pick out your own weapons?”
She understood the deep-seated reasoning behind his need to protect and nurture her by having some control over what she fought with. As it was, in another life, Eluf had spent a great deal of time trying to protect and keep Maeva safe.
“No, I like what you chose for me.” She looked over the weapons. “I just need you to know that I can handle myself.” Her eyes met his. “I can protect myself this time around, Kodran. I’ll be okay.”
“I know,” he murmured before he brushed his lips across hers. “It will just take time for me to stop feeling this way I think.”
“I get it,” she said as they left the armory. “I sort of expect us both to always feel that way about each other.”
He nodded then introduced her to his people as they made their way past endless thatched covered homes with ceilings that nearly sloped to the ground. It was obvious he was well liked and even more so now that their people knew who he had been. There was no prejudice here, only acceptance and good comradery between humans, dragons, and seers.
As they walked through the gates, she smiled at him. “Based on this village and your people, I would say that Eluf and Maeva accomplished what they set out to do.”
Kodran pulled her close as they walked. “So it seems.”
He was about to say more, but his parents were walking in their direction, so they stopped to say hello. She had enjoyed getting to know them over the past few hours. Because of Kodran and Erica’s shotgun wedding and wanting to be part of the celebration, his parents were taking turns with Kodran’s aunt and uncle, Raknar, and Veronica, watching over Naðr.
It was clear based on the way they looked at each other and a lustiness that put most to shame, that Kol and Amber were as much in love as the day they met. Who knew fifty-somethings could be so amorous? Not that they looked their age in the least. She tried not to check out his dad. Older men weren’t usually her thing, but it was clear who Kodran got his looks from.
Kodran glanced at her in amusement as he hugged them hello and apparently goodbye.
“We’re going to go rest for a bit,” Amber said before she embraced Erica. “Again, welcome to the family, sweetheart. We couldn’t be happier for you two.”
“Thanks,” she murmured, trying like hell not to blush as Kol squeezed her hand in greeting before he and Amber headed toward the village. She figured rest was the last thing they had on their minds.
“You do not need to be embarrassed because you find my father attractive.” Kodran chuckled as he took her hand and they headed for the vast docks and endless Viking ships. “Everyone understands.” He winked. “We Sigdirs are an attractive lineage.”
Her eyes widened at him. “What do you mean everyone understands?”
“All of we dragons are connected now, one way or another,” he reminded. “So thoughts such as yours were likely heard by everyone.”
“Oh, Jesus,” she muttered, unable to stop a blush. “So all our thoughts are shared now?”
“Mostly.” He shrugged. “Unless we don’t want them to be.”
She stopped and frowned at him. “Do you mean to tell me there’s a way to keep your family from hearing my thoughts and you didn’t tell me about it?”
“I thought if you knew how to block me, you did them as well,” he defended, a little smile still hovering on his lips. “Besides, our dragons don’t mind it in the least. It’s a way for them to feel closer to each other.”
“I think being able to block you is just part of all this. A way to protect my mate. Your family, however?” Erica shook her head and kept walking. “Let’s just say it’s time you teach me how to put up some barriers because I draw the line at your father thinking I’m checking him out.”
“Even though you were,” he teased.
“Kodran,” she warned.
“It’s complimentary to him. To any of us you think that about,” he said as he followed. “Dragons like praise, no matter how old they are.”
“I agree,” someone murmured into her mind with a chuckle. “Thank you, Erica.” Then, “And watch the comment about me being old, Kodran.”
Her eyes rounded on Kodran again. “Son of a bitch. Was that your dad who just spoke to me?”
“Maybe,” he said carefully and dodged when she whacked at him. “Come here,” he murmured and reeled her close before she could do it again. “Let me teach you how to block your thoughts from everyone else.”
“About time,” she muttered as he whispered a chant into her mind.
“There,” he murmured before he dropped a kiss on her lips. “Repeat that whenever you like and it will block anyone but me.”
“Good,” she said as she murmured the chant, took his hand and they continued down a dock. Yet a little twinge of something she couldn’t put her finger on started to fill her. A sort of unease.
“That’s normal,” he said softly as she admired the beautifully constructed ships. �
�It’s not always comfortable blocking our kin. In some ways, for dragons, it’s unnatural.”
“Ah,” she whispered, trying her best to ignore the unsettling feeling. The strange emptiness. “So how do I unblock my thoughts to them?”
Kodran whispered a chant into her mind. “Just repeat that.” His eyes went to hers, and that same amused smile continued hovering on his lips. “And just so you know, in general, our fellow dragons aren’t really paying attention to your thoughts. They, like you, simply find comfort in feeling your mind brush against theirs. In knowing you’re well and safe.” They stopped at the end of the dock. “We dragons, those of us connected through blood or mates, are very close.” He wrapped an arm around her lower back and pulled her close, still grinning. “The only reason my father caught your thoughts so easily is because you were near him and well, like Tait and me, he’s especially receptive to female appreciation.”
She chuckled and shook her head. “So it runs in the family.”
He answered her with yet another smoldering kiss before he decided to bring her on board what looked to be the largest ship in the fleet.
“This is Uncle Naðr and Aunt Megan’s boat,” he shared as he helped her down into it.
“I’ve heard about this,” she said, impressed as she took in the massive scale and workmanship of it. “The ship that, in some ways, started it all when they came together.”
He nodded as he walked her to the bow. “This, as well as the boat she and Sean built together.”
“Hell of a story,” she murmured as she stared up at the mast and tied sail. “Naðr’s not going to be happy when he wakes up to find Grant gone, is he?”
“No.” Kodran frowned. “He will be very upset.”
“Then here’s hoping Mema Angie gets Megan back here as soon as possible.” Her eyes went to his. “And then it will be...”
She didn’t finish her sentence because she didn’t want to upset him. But she knew what was coming for Megan and how sad it would be for all of them.
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