***
Hlif’s body trembled with the effort to restrain herself from going to the distressed woman. From her perch on the roof of a neighbouring building, she’d watched Bo run around trying to locate her. Her heart warred with her to go to its mate, but her brain was reluctant, cautious. She’d blindly followed her heart before and look what it had brought her. Maybe she needed a little more time and clarity to flesh out a strategy before she put herself through such emotional trauma again.
Her time in Valhalla had been spent mediating between Odin and the Vanir. She was stunned to find that during her banishment, the animosity between the two factions had grown to the point where there were regular skirmishes between the groups.
A bit of detective work had brought to light that certain elements within both factions were the real culprits behind the uprisings. Ejecting those rotten apples wasn’t easy, but with a bit of military might, twenty-four lesser gods and goddesses with their high-ranking aides and advisors were exiled to Helheim. The move sparked a brutal revolt amongst the Aesir gods, but the arrival of Hlif and her Valkyries put a quick end to the rebellion.
More dialogue ensued between Odin and the Vanir, which in the end seemed to have worked out for both parties. Valhalla was well on the way to regaining its former glory and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Except for Hlif.
Through all the turmoil, she waged her own internal war. Thoughts of Bo had never been far from the surface. They infiltrated her every waking moment and mercilessly haunted her dreams. There was no place for her to escape their relentless pursuit and it became even worse when Idunn began to make her intentions clear. It was as if her thoughts were taking revenge on her for trying to block them; for Idunn’s boldness and pursuits intensified and grew in frequency. In the end, she gave up fighting the memories and allowed them free reign. They went into battle with her, sat through hours of negotiations, and finally, kept Idunn at bay.
She shot up into the air, planning to wander the night and clear her thoughts. Bo was back and Hlif’s plan was still in its infancy stage. Her restlessness took her as far as her powerful wings could carry her.
Hours later, when the horizon began to lighten, she found herself in a strange room, gazing at the sleeping form on the bed. The white-blonde hair looked soft and silky, splayed on the pillow. The occupant was having a fitful sleep, her mouth pursed in displeasure. Hlif wondered what visions might be haunting her. She didn’t know how long she stood there, but she knew she’d stayed too long when the blonde eyelashes began to move and almost immediately snapped open to reveal ice blue orbs.
Like a deer caught in headlights, Hlif could only stare at Bo as she slowly sat up. Her body instantly went on the defence as her wings shot out wide with a loud whoosh. Her vision sharpened and with laser perception, she raked over Bo. Hlif caught sight of her reflection in a nearby mirror. She was in full Valkyrie mode, with solid black eyes and large raven wings stretching across the length of the room. This was the vision of her that had scared Bo before. Maybe she shouldn’t have come here, especially not when her emotions were in such turmoil.
She noticed Bo hesitate briefly as the blonde studied her. Then, to Hlif’s utter surprise, Bo threw her legs out of bed and came towards her. Hlif held her breath as Bo came to stand before her, eyes wide as she examined Hlif. When she finally spoke, it wasn’t what Hlif had expected to hear.
“I love you so much, Hlif.”
Before she had time to digest the words, Bo moved in for a full-body hug. Bo was trembling as she tightened her hold around Hlif’s waist. As the heat of Bo’s sleep-warmed body soaked into her cold one, Hlif felt her anxiety beginning to ebb. Her wings lost their rigidity and tenderly wrapped around Bo.
Chapter 25
Bo couldn’t remember ever experiencing a feeling of such completeness as she stood in the shelter of Hlif’s arms. The only times she’d ever felt this safe and content, was when she was in Hlif’s arms. This was her destiny. Hlif was her destiny. She lifted her face from Hlif’s neck. The Valkyrie was staring down at her with her gorgeous stormy eyes. They were still hooded, but at least they were not a frightening solid black.
They quietly regarded each other. Bo couldn’t believe how much she’d missed looking at Hlif. She could see herself spend the rest of her life staring into Hlif’s eyes. It was time to say what she had wanted to say to Hlif. Bo had been thorough in her preparation for her meeting with Hlif. She hadn’t wanted to leave anything to chance.
“We have a lot to talk about.” She bit down on her lower lip. “I have a lot to apologize for.” She lifted a hand to the strong face. “Living without you had been the most excruciating experience ever.” She closed her eyes for a brief moment to find her balance. “It scarred my soul being away from you, Hlif. Thus, I need to warn you that losing you is not an option and that I’ll follow you all the way to Valhalla, if I have to.” She wasn’t sure if she’d imagined it, but she could swear she saw a flash of relief cross Hlif’s face. “Gurith said love took courage, right after she called me a coward, which was justified.” She ran her thumb over Hlif’s lower lip. “I can never take on and conquer armies, the way Gurith has done, but I want to be brave enough for you. Just as you were brave enough to defy your family to love Gurith and me.” She searched the eyes above, even as her own vision became blurry from unshed tears. “I desperately want to be worthy of you, Hlif, but I never will be. You are a much better being than I am.” Hlif frowned at that. “No one compares to you. You’re loving, courteous, brave, loyal and ridiculously gorgeous. The list is endless.” She sniffed and wiped at her eyes. “In short, I love being with you. I love you.”
For a breathless moment, she waited for Hlif’s reaction. Her declaration hadn’t gone the way she’d planned it in her head for the past five days, but she believed she’d covered all the bases. There was still so much left unsaid, but she wanted to lead with that and she hoped it was a winning strategy.
Just when she thought she’d missed her opportunity to woo Hlif, a slow smile spread over the Valkyrie’s face. Bo felt her knees buckle in relief. The cocoon of feathers disappeared and she squeaked in surprise when Hlif lifted her off her feet and carried her to the bed. Bo clung to Hlif’s neck when the other woman tried to lay her on the soft bedding. She wanted Hlif to lay down with her. She made a mental promise that for as long as Hlif was with her, she wouldn’t go to bed alone again, if she couldn’t help it.
“Please, don’t leave.”
Hlif searched her eyes. “I’m not going to leave you ever again.”
A single tear ran down Bo’s cheek and Hlif quickly wiped at it. No one, not even Hlif, would ever understand how much she’d needed to hear those words. She’d known loss so early on in her life and it was something that had eaten away at her. It took her a long time to find the source of her failure to commit fully to another person until she had lost Hlif. Everything inside her had revolted at the prospect of never seeing her again. It was also at this stage that she realized that Hlif had been the only person she trusted enough to give her heart to.
“I need to get out of these warm clothes.”
Bo realized she still had a tight grip around the woman’s neck.
“Me, too.”
She blushed wildly when Hlif’s gaze travelled down to take in her panties and t-shirt-clad frame. If ever she’d issued a brazen invitation for sex, this was it.
Hlif’s eyes swirled with emotion when they met Bo’s.
“In that case, you’ll have to let go of me for a moment so I can assist you,” Hlif purred and Bo took a shaky breath.
True to her word, Hlif reached for Bo’s t-shirt the moment Bo released her. The room was quiet and the air heavy with excitement as Hlif pulled the thin t-shirt over Bo’s head to expose her naked breasts. Her nipples hardened under Hlif’s scrutiny and the breath become stuck in her throat when the dark head bowed and moved closer to her chest.
She threw her head back with a soft
sight when her nipple was engulfed in the heat of Hlif’s mouth. As she arched her back, offering more of her breast to Hlif’s mouth, Bo’s hand slipped behind the dark head to hold the Valkyrie’s head against her chest. The hypnotic sensation of Hlif’s tongue circling the sensitive tip, made her clit twitch in anticipation. By the time Hlif moved to her other breast, Bo was painfully ready. She couldn’t remember any of her other lovers ever being able to get her so turned on by simply making love to her breasts. She closed her eyes as she savoured the sensation.
Hlif seemed to have accomplished that effortlessly.
***
Hlif’s body was on fire as she lifted her mouth from Bo’s breasts. She’d been so starved for the taste and feel of this woman. Her hands ran down the toned chest, over the taut stomach to the elastic band of the black panties. They contrasted beautifully with Bo’s tanned skin. She stalled for a moment to enjoy the sight before she pulled the satin underwear down with the help of Bo, who lifted her hips. Hlif took in the complete nude body of her lover before she pulled away to hastily rid herself of her clothing. When she was naked, she eagerly slid into Bo’s waiting arms and accepted the kiss the blonde offered.
As they kissed, long and deeply, Hlif promised to make sure every kiss from now on, leads to a new memory. She broke the kiss and waited breathlessly until Bo’s eyes flickered open. They were filled with a heady mix of love and raw desire, but Hlif could also tell that they weren’t alone.
“Gurith?”
“My beloved.” The achingly familiar reply made Hlif smile.
“It’s good to see you again, Warrior.”
A soft, throaty laugh sounded. “Not as pleased as I am to be this close to you again.”
They kissed tenderly. After many millennia, it still felt new and titillating. Hlif broke the kiss to study the pale eyes closely. “Will you promise to keep her safe for me? I love her very much.”
“You don’t even have to ask, Valkyrie. She’s a worthy mate.” The blue eyes flickered and Gurith was gone.
“I heard everything,” Bo said as she cupped the side of Hlif’s face to Hlif closer for a kiss. “Make love to me, Goddess.”
“I’m a demi-go…”
Bo caught her lips in a hard kiss. “Semantics, my love. Anyway, you don’t need a drop of godly blood to be a goddess. Before I knew who you were, I already thought you were some kind of divine being.”
Bo pulled Hlif over her and the Valkyrie eagerly blanketed her with her body. As they kissed passionately, Hlif manoeuvred their bodies until the parts she wanted to meet were perfectly aligned. Bo’s eyes rolled back and she bit down hard on her lower lip at the delicious friction. At the sight of Bo’s pleasure, lust—hot and thick—poured into her blood. She pressed close for a tighter fit as she began a slow, sensual rhythm of rolling and thrusting.
“Look at me,” she ordered Bo and almost lost herself in the scorching gaze. “I want to see your eyes when you come.”
Bo’s body trembled as she neared her release. Hlif wasn’t faring any better herself. But she couldn’t let it end too quickly. When Bo declared her love tonight, the curse was broken and Hlif wanted to make the night memorable. Bo objected loudly when Hlif stopped her movements to kiss her way down Bo’s chest and stomach.
Her mouth hovered over Bo’s sex. She wanted to remember everything about this night. When Hlif touched her tongue to Bo’s clit, the other woman almost lifted off the bed. She grabbed hold of Bo’s hips and held to her mouth as continued to ravish her.
The room resonated with Bo’s moans and cries as she clawed at Hlif’s shoulders and hair. The sound increased when Hlif entered Bo, while her tongue continued its torturous plundering. When Bo stiffened and her clit hardened under Hlif’s tongue, she increased her efforts and was greatly rewarded when Bo grabbed her close as she came. Hlif eagerly drank from Bo’s nectar, drunk on the power of her love for the woman shuddering underneath her.
***
Bo was struggling to catch her breath, but it didn’t stop her in any way from reaching for Hlif. The Valkyrie was deliciously mussed and sweaty. She was shocked to find herself getting aroused so soon after her orgasm.
On the other hand, it was to be expected. Hlif was a goddess and made for sex. Bo ran her fingers through the sweaty locks and smiled when the stormy eyes closed in pleasure. To think that a simple touch like this could bring her pleasure. A deep sadness filled Bo at the realization of what this could mean.
Her Valkyrie was love-starved.
That was about to end.
She leaned closer and kissed the soft lips. She tasted herself as well as the unspent passion still locked inside the taut body lying next to her. Still a little breathless, she ran her fingertips over the smooth skin of Hlif’s small breasts. The nipples hardened when she brushed her palm over them.
Her caress moved lower over the tight muscles of a rock-hard stomach. Bo ceased her caress and rolled Hlif onto her stomach. A dazed, cloudy gaze met hers and Bo smiled reassuringly. Bo looked at the beautiful canvas of flesh before her, not knowing where to start. She gently licked at the golden skin on Hlif’s shoulder. Hlif tasted like nothing she’d ever tasted before. Slightly different from the last time. Except for the saltiness, she tasted the way Bo imaged thunder would taste like.
Charged and dangerous.
She concluded that it must be a result of Hlif having had her powers restored.
Wanting another taste, she ran the flat of her tongue down Hlif’s spine, appreciating the texture of bone and satiny skin. Hlif’s back arched under the painstaking oral caress and Bo ran her fingers through the mussed dark hair. A deep moan filled the room and Bo continued her tender assault.
When she rolled Hlif onto her back a long time later, the Valkyrie practically vibrated under her touch, her eyes silently begging for release.
Yet, Bo wasn’t done. With the same measured pace of earlier, she explored the brunette’s front. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Hlif's death grip on the sheets and redoubled her efforts. She wanted to break the Valkyrie’s prised composure. When she finally reached the triangle that hid the source of the delicious scent that wafted up to her, she planted teasing kisses around Hlif’s sex, causing her lover’s moans to draw out in frustration. As turned on as she was from witnessing Hlif’s reaction to her caresses, she was contemplating more ways to draw out the experience.
Hlif had other ideas, though.
A commanding grip on her shoulder, made her squeak in surprise and she looked up at Hlif. The other woman’s chest was heaving as she fixed a dark, flashing gaze on Bo. The handsome face was tense with need.
“Enough teasing,” Hlif growled in a dangerously low voice.
The hair on Bo’s nape stood up and her clit jumped in anticipation faced by this dominant side of her lover. Bo slowly licked her lips. She absolutely loved it.
“Understood, Goddess. What do you want me to do?”
“Kiss me.”
Bo was dragged up Hlif’s sweaty body to meet her lips and Bo whimpered when she received the most blatantly erotic kiss ever. The open-mouthed kiss was a potent mix of tongue play and teeth and it made her sex weep with eagerness. When the kiss ended, she barely had time to catch her breath, for Hlif showed her extraordinary strength when she effortlessly lifted Bo and flipped her until her mouth once again hovered over Hlif’s sex. She felt Hlif spread her legs deliberately.
“Now, we both come.”
Her mouth opened in a soundless scream when she felt the tip of Hlif’s tongue enter her. A sharp smack on her butt, urged her into action and she attacked Hlif’s sex like a starving woman, trying not to focus too much on the expert way she was being devoured by Hlif.
They climaxed together in a cacophony of moans and cries, clinging desperately against each other. Feeling pleasantly relaxed, Bo was ready to spend, whatever time it took to regain her breath, dozing between Hlif’s legs. However, the advantage of dating a powerful goddess quickly proved to be handy, when gen
tle hands lifted her and she was carried through the air to settle in strong arms. She lifted her lips blindly and pressed them against the nearest part of Hlif that it met.
“I love you, too.”
The words filtered through right before she dozed off and she smiled. This was what she had always wanted in life. To love and be loved. She wasn’t going to let it slip through her finger ever again.
***
It was just after ten when they let themselves into the apartment. The idea was to slip in early to avoid meeting Magarethe or Harald, but the scent of coffee alerted them to their failure.
It was all Hlif’s fault.
The Valkyrie had woken her an hour after she’d dozed off for another session of mind-blowing lovemaking, followed by a quickie in the shower that had lasted longer than they’d anticipated. Bo was surprised she could still walk after all the things she’d allowed Hlif to do to her over the past ten hours. She glanced at her lover, who was following close behind with Bo's suitcase. The knowing look in the grey eyes made Bo blush, but she eagerly reached for the hand Hlif held out to her.
Magarethe sat at the kitchen island, drinking coffee and reading a newspaper. She looked up when Bo took a seat next to her and Hlif skirted the island to serve them both some coffee.
“You’re up early,” Magarethe said dryly, but her eyes shone with joy at the sight of them.
“We thought we’d share some breakfast with you and Harald since we just disappeared on you last night,” Bo lied smoothly. From the look in her mother’s eyes, she knew she’d been caught and she blushed.
“We would’ve known had you slipped in here unnoticed, my dear. I can hear Harald breathe in his room.”
Bo threw her hands up and looked at Hlif, who looked wildly gorgeous with her damp hair and relaxed pose against the island. A thrill chased down her spine. That beautiful specimen was hers and hers alone.
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