Shatterproof

by Stein Willard

  “Is that it? The three of us?”

  “As far as I know, yes. The curse has only been used three times.”

  Aspen’s dark eyes closed. “That’s good. No one deserves to have to go through that, including us.” She pointed at the kettle “Do you need help?”

  Hlif shook her head as she arranged the mugs on the tray. “I’m just keeping busy.” She smiled as she looked up. “Still not used to many people.”

  “It gets better,” Aspen said quietly as she studied Hlif. “A god, you say.”

  “Demi-god. My mother was human and I spent my first twenty-five years as a human.” Since they were speaking frankly, Hlif had a few questions of her own. “And Cleo. How was it even possible?”

  “Hathor. It was her way of apologizing. Would you like children one day?”

  Hlif blinked slowly. She’d never thought about that nor had Bo even hinted at wanting a more permanent liaison with her. “I’m not sure.”

  “And Bo?

  Hlif glanced at the blonde where she sat talking to Aeron. It was good to see her in a relaxed mood after the past few days. She turned back to Aspen. “I don’t know. We still don’t know each other that well.” The coffee machine began to sputter and hiss behind her. “I’d have to ask.”

  “You should,” Aspen replied with a small smile. “Considering the centuries of pain and loneliness, you’ll be surprised by how much love you still have left in you. It will feel like it’s threatening to smother you, unless you share as much of it as you can.” She left to join her spouse on the couch.

  Footsteps came down the hall and Maxima came into view returning from the guest bedroom where she’d just put her daughter down for a nap. The woman was powerfully built just like Hlif. Maxima pushed her hands into the pockets of her jeans and looked around.

  “You have a beautiful house.”

  “Thank you.” Hlif was proud of her home. The moment she saw the building up for sale, she had bought and renovated it. It came up for sale during the economic collapse of 2008. A great deal was a great deal. The fact that she’d saved and invested well over the millennia, had made her very wealthy, but that was not a reason to be wasteful. Usually, when she felt like splurging, she selected several charities around the world and made large, anonymous contributions.

  “How does it feel to have everything under one roof?”

  “The temptation of overworking myself, at times, is quite strong, but I try to keep a healthy balance.”

  Maxima had a knowing look in her eyes. “Still struggling with insomnia?”

  “Does it get better?”

  “With a wife and child? Yes.” Maxima chuckled. “They’ve made it their mission to tire me out during the day. Some nights I can barely keep my eyes open after eight o’clock.”

  Hlif smiled. Falling asleep in Bo’s arms had been wonderful. It might’ve been a one-off for now, but if Maxima was to be believed, it was going to get better. Yet another thing to look forward to.

  The coffee machine stopped. “Coffee?”

  “Yes, thanks.” Maxima glanced at her giggling wife who was chatting with an equally tipsy-looking Magarethe. “Sara could use one, too.” Hlif handed her another cup. “We should talk some more. It would be interesting to hear your theory on how we fit into this world. Will we ever be completely normal?”

  Normal? Hlif didn’t know the meaning of the word. She’d never been normal a day in her long life. The offspring of a god, her life, was set on an alternative path. Normalcy wasn’t part of her future.

  “Don’t you feel normal?”

  Maxima’s eyes took on a thoughtful look. She took a sip of coffee. “Being normal is a relative term, I know. Yes, I have a wife and child and I live a wonderful, fulfilling life with them. That part of me I feel is normal. Then I have an accident; cutting myself, while I’m making dinner.” She glanced over her shoulder. “And the wound heals instantly.”

  Hlif could only stare at Maxima as the woman turned and walked away. She glanced at where Aspen sat, wondering if she had similar experiences. If so, then they do need to get together and talk. She filled three more cups and carried the tray to the lounge.

  ***

  By the time their visitors said their goodbyes, and thanks to Hlif’s bottomless coffee pot had all sobered up, it was already dark outside. As much fun as it was to have the group over, Bo was eager to have Hlif to herself. Observing the other women and witnessing the deep love and joy they shared made her ache to be close to Hlif.

  Bo and Hlif were alone in the lift going back up to the apartment after walking their guest to the vehicles. With no music playing and neither saying anything, the interior of the lift was quiet and tense.

  Bo threw sneaky looks at Hlif, her gaze settling on the woman’s hands, which hung comfortably at her sides. She wondered if those hands were itching to touch her just as much as she was dying to touch Hlif. She took a deep breath; hoping to clear her thoughts. Hlif was painfully polite and Bo doubted she would appreciate being jumped in a lift.

  The lift suddenly jerked to a stop and Bo glanced at the panel. Hlif had her hand on the emergency stop button. Bo felt her mouth went dry.

  Hlif was staring at her with raw desire in her stormy eyes. A pleasant thrill chased down Bo’s spine. The other woman had never looked at her like that before and Bo loved it. She took a step that brought her within Hlif’s personal space. The Valkyrie’s intoxicating scent enveloped her as Bo dragged large pockets of air into her suddenly starving lungs. Was this what it was going to be like every time she came this close to Hlif? Like her brain shorting out?

  Hlif ran her hands down Bo’s arms, leaving goosebumps in their wake. The stormy eyes now held a predatory look.

  “Kiss me, Hlif.” Her eyes fell on Hlif’s lips. She needed to feel those soft lips on hers or she might die. She ran her hands down Hlif’s chest and as she was about to reach for the slightly parted lips, Hlif shook her head.

  “Not here,” Hlif croaked. “I won’t be able to stop.” She pulled Bo into a tight hug. “Let’s get our jackets, leave a note for the others and then I’ll take you somewhere we won’t be interrupted.”

  Bo felt her disappointment vanish at hearing this. “I like the sound of that.”

  With a quick peck on Bo’s cheek, Hlif got the lift moving again.

  ***

  Hlif wrote a quick note to Magarethe and Harald to inform them that they’d be going out for the evening and would only be back the next day. She penned down her cell phone number and the security codes for the doors. Just as she stuck it to the fridge, Bo returned from the bedroom.

  “I also brought you a jacket.” She held out a duck down jacket to her. “Ready?”

  “Just a moment.” She walked to the library and grabbed a key, when she came back, Bo was waiting by the lift. She grinned at the woman’s enthusiasm and enjoyed the blush that rose in Bo’s cheeks.

  It was a bit chilly out, but it didn’t deter the Icelanders and visitors, who were out for strolls. With Bo’s hand in hers, Hlif led her down to the Old Harbour. The trip took them longer than the usual twenty minutes, with Bo stopping at several intervals to peer into shop windows. Hlif was happy to indulge her. She wasn’t much of a shopper herself, but she could see herself coming to like it, as long as it was with Bo. They finally reached the Old Harbour and Hlif steered Bo to the marina.

  The blonde turned to her with wide eyes and a happy smile. “You have a boat!” She sounded like a child who’d just been presented with her favourite toy for Christmas.

  Hlif wanted to kiss her then, but she settled for a warm smile.

  “Yes. I thought you might like it.”

  “I most definitely do.” She hooked her arm through Hlif’s as they walked down the walkway.

  The area was quiet, but the low voices of people visiting on the boats wafted down to them. Bo’s excitement was growing even more and she was practically pulling Hlif along as they passed the other boats. The marina was privately-owned and
since Hlif held a gold membership card, she was offered the opportunity to choose from the more isolated berths. They came to a stop before a 35-foot sailing yacht. It was Hlif’s pride and joy. She loved the sea and spent as much time as possible out on the water. She looked at Bo to find the blonde staring at the boat.

  “It’s bigger than I’d expected.”

  “It’s rather small for its class and perfect for shorthand sailing, given you have all the systems in place to share the load.” She climbed up the deck and reached out to help Bo up. She unlocked the cabin. “Watch your step.” She waited for Bo at the bottom of the stairs. “Would you like to have your tour now or tomorrow?”

  The pale eyes grew darker and a slow smile came over Bo’s face. “Tomorrow.”

  “Good choice.” Taking Bo’s hand, she pulled her to the aft cabin. The queen-sized bed looked inviting and Hlif turned to Bo and found her already looking at her.

  Time stood still as they looked at each other. All those many years ago, they had stood like this, too. Then, they had both been driven by a primal need to conquer each other. Hlif had wanted the haughty queen to submit to her. She had wanted Gurith compliant and begging, as she writhed under her. But at the first touch of their lips, Hlif had come undone. She had been the one who submitted completely to the mortal woman. The kiss had stolen her breath and turned her whole body inside out.

  Bo let out a shuddering breath. “If my memories and the visions are to be trusted, we’ve done this a thousand times and more.” She took a careful step forward until she stood so close, Hlif could feel the heat of her body. Her colourless eyes searched Hlif’s intently. “Then why do I feel so nervous?”

  Hlif ran her finger over the bruise under Bo’s eye. “The last time we found ourselves in a similar situation, we set in motion a destiny, which would survive death and Odin’s wrath.” She smiled tenderly. “Nothing about us or our situation should ever be taken lightly, since we don’t know what we’re setting in motion this time around.”

  Light eyes gleamed in the overhead light. “It sounds beautiful and scary at the same time.”

  Hlif leaned forward and kissed Bo’s forehead. “It wasn’t my intention to scare you.”

  “I know.” Bo’s eyes dropped to her lips. “Will you kiss me, Hlif?”

  Not needing a second invitation, Hlif complied. The first touch of their lips was indescribable. They were hurled back in time, across millennia and memories to a time and place when last their lips had met like this.

  Take my last breath and let it live inside you until we meet again.

  They broke the kiss, both of them trembling with emotion and Hlif wasn’t surprised at all to find her vision blurred by tears as she looked at Bo. She had relived that moment so many times over the nearly two thousand years and every time, she had cried as if her heart was going to break. This time, however, she was shedding tears of joy.

  ***

  The kiss left Bo dazed as she clung to Hlif. They had kissed before, as early as this morning, but nothing like this had ever occurred. She wiped at the tear that ran down the other woman’s cheek. It was so difficult to comprehend how much the woman had been through over the past two millennia. She’d given up so much for love.

  For her.

  She gently cradled Hlif’s face and stared into the warm eyes. Bo felt incredibly humbled and unworthy to be the recipient of this woman’s affection and sacrifice. At the same time, she wanted to be close to Hlif; the closest two people could be to one another.

  “I want to make love with you, Hlif.”

  “Yes.”

  Hlif unzipped her jacket, but Bo stopped her. She’d wanted to do this from the first moment she laid eyes on Hlif, when the woman had come to her rescue in the parking lot of the police station. Tall, powerful and heartbreakingly gorgeous.

  She eagerly rid Hlif of her jacket and shirt. After unhooking Hlif’s bra, Bo stood back to look at the Valkyrie. Her vision of the woman didn’t do her any justice. Hlif was perfection incarnate. A goddess in every sense of the word. Bo ran her hands down Hlif’s strong shoulders, over her small breasts to her tightly muscled stomach. She felt perfect too.

  Moving in, Bo placed a kiss on Hlif’s neck causing the other woman’s breath to hitch. The next kiss was on Hlif’s nipple, while Bo’s hand gently cradled the other one. She felt the nipple hardened under her lips as she suckled it lovingly. Hlif moaned softly and ran her fingers through Bo’s hair. Moving lower, Bo brushed her lips over the bands of muscle on Hlif’s stomach. She grinned when Hlif’s hands closed around her arms and she was pulled up into a hungry kiss. Bo continued her mission and reached for the buttons on Hlif’s trousers.

  Bo had to stop for a moment so Hlif could help her out of her jacket and sweater. The touch of the cool air against her naked skin made her shiver and Hlif gave her a quick kiss before she began work on Bo’s jeans.

  When they were both completely naked, they looked at each other. Bo felt her panties growing sleeker at the look on Hlif’s face as she looked at her. The Valkyrie was looking at her as if she wanted to commit Bo’s image to her mind forever. Her eyes were wide with awe and when she met Bo’s eyes, her face held a look of utter devotion.

  “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

  Bo found herself blushing furiously. Such praise was not new to her. She was well-aware of her appeal and the effect her looks had on people. Never before had a compliment affected her like this though.

  Maybe it was because Hlif saw more in her than anyone else ever would. She looked at Bo with more than superficial need like others had all her life. It had kept her from making any long-term connections with any of her many lovers. It alarmed Bo a little to think that she’d avoided commitment because she’d been forever bonded to another already.

  She quickly shook off the thought. This was another time, one where exclusivity wasn’t a given anymore. They still had a lot to discuss, but for now, they had some non-verbal dialogue lined up for the rest of the night.

  “And you’re simply magnificent.” When she kissed Hlif, she poured every single emotion she’d ever experienced in this intoxicating woman’s presence, into the kiss. Time slowed, almost to a standstill, as Bo tried to convey to Hlif what she knew she wasn’t ready to say yet. When the kiss ended, they stood holding each other— breathless and awestruck.

  Hlif was the first to move as she led Bo over to the bed and stretched out next to her.

  ***

  She had waited two thousand years to be close to this woman again and to hold her naked body against hers. Hlif ran her lips up the slope of Bo’s neck, licking over her strong pulse. She growled in satisfaction when the blonde tilted her head to allow her better access and Hlif gently nibbled at the soft flesh. Bo’s acceptance of her touch, made Hlif a little bolder. She slid over Bo and settled between her legs. The full-body contact felt wonderful and they clung to each other for a long, breathless moment. Bo finally lifted Hlif’s face from her neck.

  “I need more, Hlif.”

  Hlif eagerly fell on the soft mounds to taste the silky softness of Bo’s breasts. They were bigger and fuller than Hlif’s and she loved the sensation of the hard nipple scraping over her tongue. She drew the nipple deeper into her mouth and suckled. Bo’s hips arched off the bed and Hlif could smell the musky scent, which confirmed Bo’s readiness. There was so much she wanted to discover about Bo’ body.

  And she did.

  Hlif gently rolled Bo over onto her stomach, running her hands over the smooth skin of Bo’s back. Her lips followed the same path and she licked at the bumps that broke out on Bo’s skin, making the woman under her moan. She pressed soft kisses on each of the shoulder blades before she continued down the curve of her lover’s spine, tonguing every vertebra on her unhurried journey. Hlif lingered, licking and kissing the sensual dip of Bo’s lower back.

  “That feels so good, honey,” Bo murmured as she clutched the bedding tightly.

  Hlif believed she cou
ld make it feel even better as she slipped her hand over the curvy bum and underneath Bo until she reached the pulsing heat. Bo stiffened and threw a glance over her shoulder at Hlif. The icy blue eyes burned with a fierce hunger. Hlif slowly entered Bo all the while holding her gaze. She wiggled her fingers and watched as Bo’s eyes fluttered closed.

  “Don’t you dare stop,” Bo hissed as she arched her hips off the bed.

  Hlif did exactly that and Bo howled in displeasure.

  Bo rolled onto her back, but before she could voice her displeasure, Hlif calmly spread her legs and settled between them. The first taste of Bo almost made the top of Hlif’s head come off. Bo tasted wickedly addictive. Familiar and yet different. A glimpse at her lover showed the woman pressing back into the pillows as her hips began to roll sensuously.

  When Hlif entered her again, it was evident from the tiny quakes, that the blonde wasn’t going to last very long. Bo held Hlif’s head in position as she thrust and undulated, seemingly desperate to ease the building pressure. With legs that were shaking badly, Bo drew them up to brace herself as she rode herself to a blinding climax. She came with a smothered cry, clutching Hlif close.

  Chapter 22

  Bo woke to absolute silence surrounding her. A soft, fleece blanket covered her and it felt rather luxurious against her skin. She stretched languidly and registered a pleasant twinge between her legs. Bo shot into a seated position.

  Hlif!

  The cabin was dimly lit, but it was light enough to note that the place next to her was empty. Holy crap! She fell asleep soon after without taking care of Hlif.

  How embarrassing!

  She looked around for her clothes. When she couldn’t find them, she wrapped the blanket around herself and went in search of Hlif. She wondered what time it was. More importantly, how long had she been asleep? The galley lights were on, making it easy for her to dodge furniture as she moved through the boat.