Viking's Ransom (Viking Ancestors: Rise of the Dragon, #4)

by Purington, Sky

  In fact, he let go so intensely that he barely had the strength to keep his weight off of her as she trembled and shook beneath him. Determined to keep her close, he rolled onto his side and pulled her back against him. He had no idea how long they stayed that way before he was hard inside her again and unable to do anything but move, to fill her over and over.

  This time was less rushed as he kept her back to his front and nibbled along the side of her neck, then kissed her softly along her jaw until he caught her lips. All the while, he manipulated the soft flesh between her legs as he moved, drawing out a long, slow, languid release from her as he kept moving.

  “Eirik,” she groaned, trembling yet again as he kept her on the edge for as long as he could before he couldn’t hold back anymore. With one last deep thrust, he took her with him as he released long and hard. So hard that their dragons needed to recover and they finally slumbered. When he opened his eyes again, the moon was halfway across the sky, and she was sound asleep in his arms.

  He took stock of his surroundings, well aware that something had stirred him awake. What though? He carefully sat up without waking Kenzie, peering left and right before he heard what must have woken him.

  “Father? Are you there?”

  “Dagr?” he called out, as he slid into the water and made his way out from underneath the archway. “Where are you, Son?”

  “I am right here, Father,” Dagr responded. “Can you not see me?”

  For a split second, a mere blink of the eye, he saw his son standing on the shore in front of him before he vanished again.

  “I saw you,” he called out, shocked because it actually had been his son. Not an illusion. He had just seen Dagr in Helheim. “Are you still there?”

  “I am,” Dagr called back, sounding a bit further away this time. Not only that but his voice suddenly sounded far more distressed. “Go back to Kenzie, Father! Go back before he gets her!”

  Though momentarily torn between trying to keep his son safe and returning to Kenzie, his dragon took over and gave him no choice. He had to protect his mate. So he turned, determined to do just that, only to find that Dagr had been right.

  Kenzie had been in danger.

  Because now she was gone.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  KENZIE SAT UP abruptly the second she heard Dagr calling for Eirik only to find herself in Helheim’s version of where she had been before. Stunningly beautiful, the water flowed like molten silver into a mesmerizing whirlpool of indescribably glorious colors. Yet all she could see as stark fear twisted her gut was Eirik wading through the water beneath the archway before he faded then vanished.

  Unconcerned with getting her clothes wet, she murmured a chant to redress herself then followed him, certain she was going to find something out there. Soon enough, she was proven right when she spied Einnar standing on the shore opposite Dagr, eying Eirik's son with palpable hatred. Floyd stood in front of the boy like a statue, his eyes locked firmly on the enemy dragon.

  “You’re keeping him at bay, aren’t you Floyd?” she whispered before Einnar’s gaze slowly narrowed on her, and his eyes flared with one very pissed off inner dragon.

  “Shit,” she mumbled, not sticking around to make conversation but determined to get Dagr to safety as she splashed through the water, leapt onto the shore, scooped up the boy and began running.

  “Hel,” she screamed into her mind praying the goddess could hear her. “Come get Dagr! He’s in trouble!”

  “She was there just like Father before she vanished,” Dagr said, obviously following her thoughts. “If you see a cave, hide there. We are safest within the rock.”

  Not needing to be told twice, she raced along until she spied a small cave and ducked into it. She set Dagr down, urged him to tuck himself back a ways, then grabbed a few hand sized rocks for weapons and kept an eye out. Seconds later, Floyd set up shop outside the cave with his back to her, frozen once more as he looked into the forest.

  “So why are we safest within rock?” she asked, her eyes glued to the woods.

  “Because it is made of the seer’s mountain,” he informed. “And Skáld’s dragons do not do well around anything born of Vanaheim. It makes them very uncomfortable.”

  Right, she had heard of the Vanaheim Willow in the midst of Skáld’s Domain. How it was a safety point for Sigdir dragons and their allies. Now she wondered considering this whole Realm was created by pulling on Vanaheim magic if there wasn’t a method to Níðhöggr’s madness when he created this place. It was certainly something to keep in mind as the war continued and more enemies came.

  She remained on guard a good ten minutes before she finally looked Dagr’s way and spoke softly, concerned. “Are you okay, sweetie? I know all of that was a little scary.”

  He nodded, his ebony eyes watching her curiously.

  “Good.” She nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll get you back to your mom if it’s the last thing I do.” Then she considered him. “What do you mean she was back there?”

  “She was back there, trying to speak to Father, but he only seemed to hear and see me.” Sadness and worry churned in his eyes. “Then I saw Einnar and knew he wanted you, so I told Father to go protect you.”

  She wasn’t sure which bit of information to focus on first.

  “You mean...your father actually saw you?” she said softly.

  He nodded as happiness momentarily lit his eyes. “It was not for long, but yes, he saw me.”

  “That’s wonderful.” She nodded, so happy for him, for them both. “That’s great news.”

  “I think it’s because of the thinning veil between the worlds,” he offered.

  “Or maybe more,” she whispered before she focused on the other curious thing he had said. “While I know you’ve been getting separated from your mother here and there, has she ever not been able to communicate with your father?”

  He shook his head. “She was very upset.”

  I bet she was, Kenzie nearly said but bit her tongue. The fact that Hel could not communicate with Eirik was daunting on several levels. It said far too much about the fluctuating state between worlds.

  “I’m sure it’s just because of this place,” she assured Dagr, offering the warmest smile she could muster. “The dragon who made it is a bit of a trickster.”

  “So the god of this place then?” he asked as he decided he’d had enough of the shadows and plunked down beside her.

  “I suppose you could call him that,” she conceded, keeping her voice light. Dagr might be a demi-god born of the underworld, but he had a surprisingly lighthearted nature as far as she could tell.

  “So why would he be trying to trick my mother into not seeing Father?” He cocked his head and considered her. “Is it because he wants you and Father to be together?”

  “I’m not sure,” she replied honestly, deciding she would rather remain that way with Dagr. “What would you think of that if he did?” Because she felt he deserved to know all the possibilities, and she was genuinely concerned about his opinion, she continued. “What would you think of your father being with me?”

  “You make him smile so I would like it.” He nodded, quite sure of himself. “And I like you.”

  “I like you too,” she replied and meant it. “So you see him smiling then?” She eyed him, wondering how much he’d actually been able to see. “You’ve seen him a lot since we began traveling together, haven’t you?”

  “Yes.” He nodded before he twisted his lips and made a sour face. “All except for when Mother keeps me away because you need time alone.”

  So Hel knew when they were having sex? Wonderful. But good she supposed, considering she seriously didn’t want Dagr seeing that.

  “She likes you, you know,” Dagr said, eying her with that adult look of his.

  “Hel?” she said, surprised. “Your mother?”

  He nodded. “She thinks you are a good choice for Father.”

  “And that doesn’t bother you?” she said soft
ly, convinced that it had to just a little.

  He frowned, clearly confused. “Why would it?”

  That’s when it occurred to her. Though Eirik and Hel were his parents, he had never seen them as lovers but friends.

  “Best friends,” he informed. “For as long as I can remember.”

  “I’m glad,” she replied, still somewhat shocked that he caught her thoughts so easily. “People deserve good friends.”

  Especially people like them.

  “Yes, they do,” he agreed, still eying her. “I think you are a good friend to not just Mother and Father but to me.”

  “I’m glad you think that because I am,” she confirmed. “And to the best of my ability, I’ll be here for you whenever you need me, Dagr.”

  “I know,” he said softly, resting his head on her shoulder. “Mother said you would be. That you would do anything in your power to keep me safe.”

  Did she then? Though it was true, it was a pretty heavy thing to say to your child when you had nothing to substantiate it. When you barely knew the woman you said it about.

  “I think your cat is my friend too,” he murmured. “He’s a good demi-god-demi-dragon protector.”

  “He is,” she agreed, smiling at Floyd who remained firmly in position, his eyes to the forest and his ears perked forward. “He has a sister, you know. And a dog too.”

  “I would like to meet them,” he said softly, growing drowsy. “Can I meet them someday?”

  “I would like that,” she replied. “And they would probably like it even more. Especially Harley.”

  “Why?”

  “Let’s just say he’s got a lot of love to go around,” she murmured as she wrapped her arm around his shoulders and tucked him more securely against her side.

  “So he would love me?”

  She bit her lower lip at the hope in his voice. Though he obviously hadn’t lacked in love when it came to his parents, they had clearly been the extent of it due to the life he had been given. One caught between life and death.

  “Harley would love you very much,” she assured. “As would Floyd’s sister, Pink.”

  “Then I cannot wait to meet them,” he whispered.

  Moments later, his breathing evened, and he drifted off. Immensely content holding him but still on guard because Einnar was out there somewhere, she kept an eye on the forest along with Floyd.

  One would think if he were coming he would already be here but, he hadn’t found them yet. So she called out to Eirik within the mind, hoping he would hear her. Find her. That perhaps when he did, the veil would fall away altogether and he could spend more time with his son.

  Even as she kept watch, she eased into what could only be the untouchable feeling of being near Dagr. Maybe because he was a demi-god, he emitted some sort of magical draw. Or maybe because he had come from Eirik who was most likely her mate.

  Whatever it was, she didn’t want it to end. She wanted to spend as much time with him as possible and get to know him. She wanted to see him smile over and over and never be sad or lonely again. To finally know all the people in his life that he had been barred from. The vast family and tribe that would show him endless love and happiness.

  Having called out to Eirik telepathically too many times to count she finally rested her head against Dagr’s and sank into the peaceful feeling of being close to him. So much so that her eyes drifted shut before a taunting, sinister voice jolted her to awareness.

  “You think to protect him,” Einnar growled, “when you cannot.”

  Her eyes flew open, to find the enemy crouching about fifteen feet beyond the cave entrance, his dragon eyes peering past Floyd and locked on her face.

  “Come with me now, and I will spare his life,” he said through clenched teeth, his eyes full of loathing as they flickered from Dagr to her. “Come with me now, and he will survive.”

  “I have your word?” she replied softly, careful not to wake Dagr as she pulled away and shifted closer. Yet she remained behind the protection of Floyd who clearly kept Einnar at bay.

  “You have my word,” he growled, his dragon eyes full of hatred and lust.

  She was about to go because this was what she had been willing to do, but an overwhelming swell of nausea and distrust suddenly stopped her in her tracks. Every bone in her body told her this was a very bad idea. That he was lying.

  Then horrible but familiar images began flashing in her mind just like before. Dagr with his little black wings flailing and his ebony eyes in pain.

  Then fire.

  So much burning, searing fire.

  “No,” she exclaimed seconds before not fire, but a wall of water came roaring at her.

  Going on pure instinct and a need to protect Dagr, she leapt out of the cave and shifted as a massive red dragon landed and flung a torrential amount of water out of his wing at the entrance to the cave. She had never seen a serpent quite like him. He was vicious and steaming with rage, so scarred, it was terrifying.

  Recognizing that not just the sheer amount of water but the magically enhanced speed of it would kill Dagr in an instant, she covered the cave entrance with her body facing inward, braced her wings on either side and took the onslaught of torturous water. For a split second, she swore she felt Tess there too, lending her extra strength. Being there for her even as her body felt like it was going to rip in two.

  “Kenzie,” Dagr cried, his eyes terrified as they shot open and met hers. “Let goooo.”

  No, absolutely not. Because if she did, he would die. She was sure of it. It didn’t matter if they were in Helheim or Níðhöggr’s Realm; this water was unnatural and could reach him anywhere. So she kept her eyes with his, struggling to hold on and remain unafraid as she spoke within his mind. “Stay strong and hold your breath if I can’t hold on. This dragon is using magic to throw far too much water at us.”

  It felt like it was funneling an ocean’s worth of water at breakneck speed. Who was he? Why was Einnar allowing him to kill her when he so clearly wanted to take her prisoner?

  That’s when she heard the enemy dragon roar, “Stop!”

  But it was too late.

  Far too late.

  Her neck and wings snapped under the pressure, and all went dark.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “KENZIE!” EIRIK ROARED, racing through the forest only to skid to a halt when he found her unmoving in Rokar’s arms on the forest floor. His cousin’s stunned eyes met his as he fell to his knees beside them.

  “Is she,” he began to say but couldn’t get the words out. Please don’t let her be dead. Not when he had only just found her.

  “No,” Rokar replied, his voice gruff, his eyes both sad and a little crazed. “She still breathes.”

  When Eirik went to take her from him, sharp words stopped him in his tracks.

  “Do not move her yet, dragon.” Vigdis dropped to her knees beside them with everyone else standing behind her. “Do not move her any more until we know the extent of her injuries.” Her eyes went from Rokar to Eirik. “We heard the commotion and came immediately. What happened here?”

  Eirik filled them in on what had happened from his perspective which he knew full well was different on Kenzie's end. “I think she must have crossed over into Helheim.” He narrowed his eyes on Rokar. “Yet here she is in your arms. What happened, Cousin?”

  “Water,” Rokar growled, blinking several times as though caught in a nightmare before his eyes leveled with Eirik and he explained. “I was dreaming of the day I lost my family, then battling a dragon unlike anything I’ve ever seen.” He shook his head, confused. “We were underwater, rolling on the ocean floor, before he seemed to sense something, bared his teeth in pleasure then escaped me.”

  “Escaped you?” Eirik frowned and shook his head, cupping Kenzie’s cheek, terrified because he could barely sense her. “What does that mean?”

  “It means it seemed to sense it had crossed over into Helheim, and then it sensed even more,” he said. “When it
did it shot out of the ocean. I followed it here where it battered Kenzie with water that almost seemed to be part of its dragon.” He ground his jaw, clearly battling a slew of emotions. “Tess told me she was trying to help her sister stay strong, but it was hard from so far away.”

  Rokar went to speak, but the words caught in his throat before he cleared it and managed to continue talking. “I attacked it again, but it was too late...she was broken.”

  “No,” Shea sobbed, falling to her knees beside Eirik as he tried to process what Rokar had just said.

  “What does this mean?” Shea's eyes met Vigdis’. “What’s going on with Kenz? I can’t sense her telepathically. It’s like she’s a million miles away.”

  While Leviathan grunted a slew of curses and began pacing, Vigdis placed the pad of her thumb on Kenzie’s forehead, closed her eyes and began chanting. Within moments, the seer opened her eyes again. “We must get her back to the Fortress and pray King Sven can help her.”

  “Sven, right, because he can heal,” Shea rambled as Davyn crouched beside her and rested a supportive hand on her shoulder. “But what’s wrong with her?”

  Vigdis’ eyes went from Shea to Eirik. “We should get her there as soon as possible but not via Helheim lest it weaken her.” She shook her head. “She should not be weakened any more than she already is.”

  “What ails her, seer,” he ground out, needing an answer. Desperate for some kind of assurance that she was going to be all right. “And can I lift her or should we try to transport her some other way?”

  “The damage is already done so you can carry her,” she said softly. “Because of the injuries her dragon sustained, your mate is paralyzed from the neck down.” She touched Kenzie, closed her eyes and murmured another chant before meeting Eirik’s eyes and remaining perfectly blunt. “I just cast a spell that will keep her as comfortable as possible until Sven sees to her...”

  He swallowed back emotions, never more grateful for the seer’s level mind. When he was young, someone had been paralyzed in their village but only from the waist down. So he knew a portion of what she would be facing if Sven could not heal her.