“Your brother is right,” Hester sighed as she released Julius’s hand. “His fate is tied to yours. He will fight by your side until death parts you. So now your paths are clear. What say you Earl Magnar? Are you ready to face your destiny?”
A driver took us to the private airport in New Jersey and anticipation built in my chest as we arrived. Valentina sat between Magnar and I in the back of the limo, alternating between caressing our knees and biting her nails into them. Every ounce of pain she delivered was soothed away by her stroking hands. I delighted in the alternating sensations. Whatever she needed from me she could have.
Magnar and I had changed into fresh suits at her request and I had a high-powered rifle on my lap whilst Magnar remained armed only with his swords. I didn't know if the slayer had used anything but his own weapons before and wondered if Valentina would teach him one day. Jealousy pounced on me at the thought of them spending time together alone. Wherever she went, I'd be going too. And Magnar would have to accept it.
We pulled onto a runway where red lights stretched away from us on the tarmac. The limo parked beside my pride and joy: The Royal Nightflyer. My private jet. The pilot had it prepared, the engine already humming as we stepped out of the vehicle. I gazed at the shiny beast with a grin.
“It's yours,” I said to Valentina. “My whole airforce is yours.”
Valentina ran her fingers down my cheek and I shivered from her touch. “Thank you, Erik. I'll reward you well for it.”
My chest puffed out at her words and Magnar shot me an envious frown.
An SUV pulled up behind us and the redheaded girl led a line of four more Elite from the vehicle, all heavily armed with guns and swords.
“Angelica,” Valentina addressed her, smoothing down the creases in her jumpsuit. “Any more word from the base?”
“No,” Angelica answered. “I tried calling but there was no answer.”
Valentina pursed her lips. “Let us hope they are too busy executing our enemies.”
“Yes, your highness,” the girl replied with a wide smile.
Valentina slapped her across the face with a snarl. “We can’t be too hasty in our victory.”
“Sorry, your majesty.” Angelica bowed her head in shame, cupping her cheek.
I glared down my nose at her. Anyone who dissatisfied my love was no friend of mine.
“Come, boys,” Valentina commanded, leading Magnar and I up the metal stairway into the lavish jet. The cream interior practically shone with wealth. We headed past the first set of leather armchairs to a long couch beside a row of windows.
We laid our weapons on the edge of it as Valentina gestured for us to sit. I dropped down beside Magnar, his muscular arm rubbing against mine.
The Elite filed onboard and Valentina whipped a curtain shut between us as they remained in the front of the jet. I revelled in the privacy she'd given us, hoping she'd take advantage of it soon.
She turned to us with a wicked smile which lit a fire at the base of my spine.
She dropped into an armchair opposite us, buckling herself in and waving a hand for us to do the same.
I slid the seatbelt over my waist, gazing at Valentina with a lustful desire pooling in my stomach. Since we'd been interrupted in pleasing her, my body was raging to get near her again. I needed to fulfil her every desire. I longed to taste every inch of her delicious skin.
Magnar was struggling to figure out how his belt worked and I reached over and clipped it in place for him.
The jet took off down the runway at speed and Magnar shifted uncomfortably beside me as he gazed around at the plane. He'd probably never been in anything like it before and I could sense his concern.
Valentina frowned at him, a line creasing her porcelain forehead. “Get a grip, Magnar,” she snapped and his back straightened.
The plane lifted into the air and Magnar's brow furrowed heavily as we soared ever higher.
“Apologies, my sweet, these contraptions are alien to me,” Magnar said with a look of shame. “But I would go anywhere with you. I would board any strange vehicle so long as I could stay by your side and gaze upon the perfection of your face. It's just this...plane, it's so very unusual and-”
“Shut up.” She sighed, leaning back in her seat with a pout.
My gut churned at the idea that Magnar was displeasing her. I racked my brain for ways I could make this right and thumped my fist against Magnar's shoulder. He bowed his head, knowing he deserved the punishment.
Valentina’s eyes lit up as she gazed between us, digging her teeth into her lower lip. A hungry desire burned through me as she opened several buttons on her jumpsuit and slid her hand beneath her waistband as she stared at us.
I swallowed the thick lump in my throat, reaching for my buckle so I could go to her.
“No,” she purred, her eyes becoming hooded with pleasure. “Stay there, together.”
Desperation grew me in as I was held captive by her display, my body throbbing with the need to assist her.
She watched us with glee as Magnar leant forward in his seat, equally enraptured by her.
“Let us come to you,” he begged.
Valentina laughed her delight, clearly thrilled by keeping us waiting.
“We have only half an hour before we land,” she said softly. “That's not nearly long enough. I want our first time together to last hours and hours.”
I nodded as disappointment made my heart sink.
“But that's not to say we can't have a little fun,” she added with a slanted grin then twirled her finger through the air. “Face each other.”
I did as she asked, turning to Magnar with my brows drawing together. He gazed at me with a bitter defeat in his eyes. We couldn't have her...
In the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Valentina stroking the ruby at her throat. Its red glow fell over us and I sucked in a slow breath as Magnar became achingly attractive to me, my heart almost beating with how much I adored him.
He smiled dreamily, brushing his calloused fingers across the stubble on my jaw. I unstrapped the buckle holding me in place before releasing his too. He caught the collar of my shirt, dragging me forward so his lips met mine. I raised onto my knees, pressing him back into the sofa as desire unfolded inside me.
Valentina laughed breathily as she watched and I was spurred on, wanting to please her more than anything in the world.
“Now fight,” she purred and my love turned to aggression as I snatched Magnar's throat and started choking him. He threw a heavy punch into my gut and I hit the carpet at Valentina's feet. I shouted my rage at being beaten before my love.
He landed on top of me, throwing fierce punches into my face. I snarled, baring my fangs as I battled him off of me, rolling so I straddled him. I slashed my nails down his neck and the scent of his blood overwhelmed me.
Valentina gasped as she pleasured herself over our fight and I was spurred on as I dug my canines into Magnar's throat. He yelled in anger, shoving me away again as I swallowed a mouthful of his blood. He hissed between his teeth as blood poured onto the cream carpet, staining it a deep crimson.
“Love each other,” Valentina moaned and I blinked as the haze in my mind shifted once more. Magnar dragged me back down to kiss him and I revelled in the sound of Valentina finding her release because of us, her moans filling the air like the delightful sound of a peacock’s cry.
“Enough,” she sighed heavily and my love returned to her and only her. I crawled off of Magnar, rubbing my eyes as my mind adjusted to the will pressing against my soul. We knelt at her feet and she gazed down at us with her mouth parted.
“When we've won this fight, you may have me,” she promised and I groaned with how much I wanted that, leaning down to press a kiss to her foot.
“We're not worthy,” Magnar sighed, dropping down beside me to kiss her other shoe.
“You will be when the twins are dead,” Valentina said, lifting her legs and pressing her heels down on our backs until we
were bent beneath her like the dogs we were. She rested her feet on us and I eyed Magnar with a satisfied smile.
The plane shuddered and Valentina stiffened in response. The air grew thick and I caught Magnar’s gaze beside me as I sensed something was wrong.
A velvet voice dripped over me and a memory of who it belonged to came to mind. Idun, the beautiful goddess who helped Valentina was here.
Hello Valentina, how are you enjoying your position as queen? Idun purred and a heavy golden light danced at the edge of my vision.
“Very well, Idun, thank you for all you’ve done for me,” Valentina answered, a softness to her tone that I wished she’d use with me sometimes.
I do not want thank yous, Idun whispered dangerously and Valentina’s feet shifted off of our backs, allowing us to turn.
I searched for the goddess before me, but the only thing visible was a ribbon of golden light twirling through the air.
I want the ring, Idun hissed.
Valentina stood between us, clasping her hands together. “I’ll get it for you, I swear.”
The golden light shifted and the enchanting goddess stepped from its shimmer to stand naked before us. Her pale skin was wrapped in red silk that snaked about her body, between her thighs and over her breasts. Everything about her was intensely alluring. But no one could compare to the beauty of my queen. Not even this deity who seemed to be made from beauty itself.
“I am a patient goddess,” Idun purred, her smile like a crescent moon. “But my patience will come to an end, Valentina.” Her eyes fell on me and Magnar and she released a laugh that sounded as merry as the tune of songbirds. She moved toward us on bare feet, gazing down her perfect nose to where we knelt. “Magnar...Erik, how good it is to see you behaving for once.”
Valentina sent a sharp kick into my side and I blurted an answer, “Whatever pleases my love.”
“Yes.” Idun frowned as if she were disappointed my heart didn’t want her like it did Valentina. “You owe me an answer.” She curled her index finger and her power stretched through me, moving my muscles so I rose to my feet before her. “Who has the ring?”
My memories seemed veiled under a thick cloud, but I slowly extracted the information she wanted. Idun was looking for Andvari’s ring. I’d refused her the knowledge of who had it once but I couldn’t recall why.
“Callie Ford has it,” I said and Magnar nodded eagerly from the floor.
Idun’s eyes flashed with rage. “Of course. I should have guessed. The defiant little slayer who abuses my gifts.”
“I have news of her whereabouts,” Valentina said quickly. “We’re going there now. I’ll bring you that ring. I’ll cut it from her dead hand when she is laid to waste at my feet.”
“Good.” Idun’s gaze drifted from Valentina to Magnar. “How are you enjoying your betrothal these days, Magnar?”
His eyes lit up and envy grew in me that he shared a mark with the woman I loved, branded on his flesh. I wished to cut the same mark into my own skin, if only my accursed body wouldn’t heal it. Valentina had kept her slayer marks after I’d turned her and I adored that about her.
“Oh, Idun, I cannot thank you enough for pairing me with this wondrous woman. I cannot begin to express the magnitude of that gift.” Magnar reached for Valentina and she caressed his bicep with a smile that racked my bones with jealousy.
Idun laughed deeply, her golden hair dancing through the air with her joy. Her eyes fell to Valentina once more, penetrating and dark. “Don’t forget who you are in debt to, Valentina. If Andvari comes asking for that ring, you will not give him this answer.”
“Yes, your greatness, of course,” Valentina promised, bowing her head.
Anger rolled through me at my queen’s submission to this god. She deserved to be bowed to by the deity herself. Couldn’t Idun see how dazzling she was?
“Bring me that ring, Valentina. Or I will take that necklace back,” Idun warned, before turning away into a golden mist and parting from this world.
I turned to Valentina, my heart lifting as her eyes dragged over me.
Touch me, please touch me.
“Back on the floor,” she commanded both of us and we immediately fell to our knees.
“My legs are tired,” she sighed, dropping onto her seat and propping her feet up on our backs once more.
Happiness shone through my chest like a rainbow as I gave my love what she needed.
This was definitely the best day of my life.
My knees and shoulders were beginning to lock up with cramp when Valentina finally removed her heeled shoe from my back but I was just pleased to have been able to offer her aching legs some reprieve.
“Get back in your seats,” she said dismissively. “We’re about to land.”
I pushed myself upright, moving to sit on the couch opposite her once more. Erik leaned over me to fasten the safety belt around my waist and I frowned in confusion as I remembered his mouth pressing against mine hungrily. Why had I wanted that so much at the time when I didn’t desire it at all now? My gaze fell on Valentina and she smiled knowingly, caressing the ruby which hung from her throat.
I leaned forward, aching to be closer to her again.
The plane juddered around us and I gripped the arm of the couch as my gut plummeted. I had no idea how this contraption sailed through the sky and as I glanced at the view beyond the nearest window, a deep sense of unease clawed at my insides.
We were so high up. Higher than should have been possible. It was as if we walked in the heavens with the gods themselves. It didn’t seem right. It wasn’t natural.
“For the love of the gods, comfort him Erik. I can’t bear to watch him squirm,” Valentina snarled.
I dropped my head in shame as Erik slid his hand onto my thigh. “It’s alright, Magnar,” he murmured, squeezing my leg reassuringly.
“I know,” I replied, sitting up straighter and leaning back against the seat. If my discomfort was upsetting my love then I would have to banish it. She needed me to be strong. And I refused to disappoint her with my insecurities.
Valentina eyed Erik’s hand on my thigh with an excited glimmer in her eyes. I had been about to tell him to remove it but if it was giving her pleasure then I would happily leave it in place.
The plane angled down steeply as we began our descent and I worked hard to keep my face neutral at the unnatural change. I was sure we were about to plummet into the ground but neither Valentina nor Erik seemed afraid of the fact so I focused instead on the woman before me. She was so beautiful. Her hair was the most perfect shade of brown. Somewhere between the thickest, deepest mud and the roughest bark of a tree.
The plane bumped to the ground and I couldn’t help but flinch.
Valentina scowled at me and I pursed my lips in anger at myself.
“Your Highness? There’s a helicopter taking off at the far end of the airfield!” Angelica announced as she swept the curtain aside and looked in at us. “Should we take off again to chase them or-”
“Let me out of here,” Valentina snapped, unbuckling her safety belt as she stood. “I can handle a helicopter.”
Erik leapt up and followed her as she headed towards the front of the plane. I tried to follow too and frowned down at the belt which secured me in place as it stopped me from rising. I growled in frustration as I failed to figure out how to remove it then just ripped the damn thing free, tossing it to the carpet by my feet as I stood.
I snatched my swords from the floor by the couch and followed Erik to the front of the plane, shoving the Elite aside as I went. They recoiled from me, glaring angrily as a mortal treated them so. But I wasn’t going to let them stand between me and my love.
“Why does this slayer have a place at your side?” one of the males growled irritably. He had a red scar healing across the bridge of his nose and I vaguely remembered that I’d been the one to give it to him before… before something… we’d been fighting...
“Because I like the way he tastes
,” Valentina hissed as the plane began to slow and she pulled the door open. The wind billowed into the confined space, pulling my hair out behind me. “And if you don’t like it, Andrew, then you can answer to me.”
She leapt out of the plane before he could finish his apologies and I threw a fist into his face for good measure. The rest of the Elite lunged at me and I laughed as I followed Valentina outside before Andrew could get close enough to retaliate.
I fell into a roll to allow for the plane’s momentum and quickly sprung to my feet again on the concrete. I released a breath of relief to find my feet on solid ground at last and was glad that Valentina wasn’t paying any attention to me.
The wind whipped around me as my love drew a storm to her. The air hummed with electricity, lifting the hairs on the back of my neck and sending a shiver racing down my back.
Erik landed beside me, running to stay on his feet before moving to my side. He eyed the dirt on my suit with a frown before brushing it off. I guessed he believed our love wouldn’t like the fact that I’d made a mess of the outfit she’d selected and I gave him a nod of gratitude.
Beyond a wall at the far end of the runway, the helicopter was climbing into the sky. Anger licked along my spine as I watched it rising higher and higher. The people onboard that vessel had wronged my love. They needed to stand and face their deaths. Not run like cowards in that ungodly contraption.
Valentina laughed as thunder crashed above our heads and lightning spiked through the sky.
The wind picked up and snow started to fall as my love unleashed the full force of her magnificent powers.
“Go after them. I want to be sure they’re dead once I bring down that helicopter,” Valentina growled.
“Yes, my love,” I replied.
“Anything, my queen,” Erik agreed and we took off along the runway, racing after the flying machine as it whirled into the sky, battling against the pull of the wind which was building into a raging vortex.
I sprinted as fast as I could, charging along the hard ground until we reached the end of the runway. Erik raced into one of the huge buildings which blocked our way on to the left. The front of it was open and more flying machines lay within it waiting to be used. I ignored the door he’d taken and leapt at the wall ahead of me instead. I scaled it quickly, launching myself from the top of it and slamming into the dirt on the far side.
Age of Vampires- The Complete Series Page 137