Realms Gate
Page 24
“Not yet. But I feel a visit coming on soon. I will miss you. There is no-one here that can irritate me as much as you do.”
Erin laughed and turned around, he was standing right behind her. He slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. His kiss started soft and gentle, as though he was gauging her reaction, before the intensity started to build. Erin’s arms were tight around his neck, her hands buried in his long, soft hair. The movement of his lips on hers was just delicious. As she gave a soft, appreciative sigh, his tongue slipped between her lips, tantalising her mouth. She could feel her heart beating way too fast.
He pulled away suddenly and swept her up. “I must take you to your quarters.” His voice was very thick.
Erin slapped his shoulder hard. “Slow down just a minute, you sex-crazed Viking. One kiss does not constitute a night of wild passion.”
Wilhelm looked at her in bewilderment for a moment before grinning. “Sorry, that did not come out quite right. I meant I am returning you to your quarters for your own safety. I will not be joining you unless you specifically want me to.” He blew provocatively in her ear, making her whole body quiver.
“As I’ve said once before, you’re not that cute.”
“I must work on my charms then,” he sighed dramatically.
Erin was starting to get used to having Wilhelm carry her, but it certainly did her pulse no good being held up against such a wonderful muscular chest.
He set her down in her living quarters. “Please take care of yourself, Erin.”
“I will be fine with Magnus watching my back,” Erin responded.
“I would prefer it to be me. You could say I have a vested interest in keeping you in one piece.” He twisted a golden curl between his fingers.
“You do?” she queried, looking up into those soulful brown eyes.
“Yes,” he murmured, lowering his head to kiss her again.
Sheer bliss, Erin thought as her arms wound themselves around his neck again. This was most definitely her version of Valhalla.
Wilhelm let out a soft moan and lifted his head. “I really should leave, Erin.”
“What’s the hurry?” she brushed her mouth against his. His kiss was amazing, she did not want to end it.
“Because if I don’t,” he kissed her again, “you are in great danger of igniting the true Viking in me.”
“Oh.” She felt herself redden.
“Oh indeed. And I do not want to add to the emotional strain you have been under the last few days.”
Perhaps that was exactly what she needed, a night of passion with her very own Viking? It was what her body was screaming for anyway. She tried to pull away from him but he did not release her. Instead he kissed her again until she felt like her legs had completely turned to jelly. Well, her one good leg at any rate.
“I thought you were leaving,” she breathed in his ear.
“I was,” he groaned. “But I really don’t want to.” He stared down at her face. “I’m worried that when you leave here, you will forget all about me.”
“Hey, not every girl has their own Viking prince. The chances of me forgetting you are highly remote, it’s more likely to be the other way around.”
“Not a chance,” he kissed her one last time, making Erin forget even her own name.
CHAPTER 29
Sasha was feeling so mixed up. She was safely back in Muirhead but her brain could barely comprehend what had actually happened to her. Mythical realms, sorcerers and Vikings really did not sit well in her mind.
But she had loved the excitement, the uncertainty of everything. Especially Heinrekh. Now there was a man who could truly excite.
Angus was relieved to see her back. Before he could offer any explanation, she had simply told him she didn’t want to know. Given her friendships she wanted to remain as impartial as she could. The less she knew, the better for her own safety too.
She had received several messages from Tobias, he had been really upset about having to cancel their date, even more so when he couldn’t get hold of her. She was unsure how she felt about him. They might have only known each other a couple of days, but Heinrekh had made quite an impression on her. But then was it her or his dead love he wanted to be with? Why were men so bloody complicated.
She’d phoned Tobias back and arranged to have dinner with him. But sitting opposite him in the small restaurant suddenly seemed like the wrong move. He was trying to talk to her about climbing and his rescue missions. Could she really talk to him about a strange Viking world she had just been held captive in? How her good friend could shoot blue sparks from her bare hands and about fighting with huge great masculine swords?
“Is everything okay, Sasha,” Tobias asked. “You look kind of glazed over.”
“Sorry,” she stared down at her plate of half eaten food. “I’m suddenly not feeling too great.”
“Did you want me to run you home?”
“Please.” She felt dreadful, but right now she really wanted to be on her own.
The short journey back home seemed to take forever, with an awkward silence hanging in the air. The sight of home brought Sasha a moment of relief.
She unclipped her seat belt. “Thanks, Tobias, and I’m really sorry for cutting tonight short.”
“Hey, don’t worry about it. As long as you’re not pissed at me for having to cancel the other night?”
She shook her head. “No. Emergencies happen.” She saw his hand reach for the door. “There’s no need to get out, I can manage the short distance to the door.” She made an attempt at humour.
“Fine. Dare I ask for a kiss goodnight?” He leaned in towards her.
Sasha smiled, giving him a quick peck on the mouth. Tobias’ hand slipped around the back of her head, prolonging the kiss. She pulled away as soon as she could. “Goodnight, Tobias.”
She darted inside the house and upstairs. Angus was in his study but she did not want to talk to him. She slipped quietly into her bedroom and almost jumped out her skin. Sitting propped up on her bed reading the latest copy of Marie Claire was Heinrekh. Thank God he hadn’t picked up Cosmo which had a detailed section how to guarantee an orgasm!
“Heinrekh,” she breathed, her heart most definitely skipping several beats.
“Sasha,” he smiled coolly, dropping the magazine on the bed and rising gracefully. “Did you have a good time with this Tobias? I assume it was him.”
“Yes, it was him. And no, I did not have a particularly enjoyable time,” she responded truthfully, slipping her long cardigan off. “My mind was elsewhere.”
“Another Realm perhaps?”
“Perhaps. Are you here to see Angus?”
Watching Heinrekh move around her room, Sasha got the distinct feeling she was being stalked by a hungry predator.
“No, this visit is purely for you. You left Vasmaar rather suddenly.”
She could tell from his clipped tone that he was still pissed at that. “I’m sorry, but I am not being drawn into whatever fight is between you, Lokranor and Muirhead. I’m neutral in all of this as I have friends on all sides.”
“Is that what I am to you, a friend?”
“I have only known you a very short space of time, Heinrekh. I don’t know how I feel about you or what your feelings are for me.”
He advanced on her quickly, giving her no time to escape. His cool fingers were under her chin, forcing her to look into those wonderful icy eyes. “It is you I want, Sasha. And I hope you are not going to make me compete with that weak young man who attempted to kiss you tonight.”
Sasha tried to look away, but he would not let her. “I am very drawn to you, but I am not sure if it is the danger or the person that attracts me. Tobias is safe, I do not worry when I am with him.”
“The boy does not make your pulse race as it does now.” He kissed the base of her neck where it was throbbing violently.
“How do you know that?” she squeaked.
He gave an enigmatic smile. “You
had no real desire to kiss him. I don’t think I’m going to meet the same reluctance.”
His mouth closed over hers. Here we go again, Sasha sighed to herself, emotional overload. That wonderful feeling of floating and drowning at the same time flooded back through her veins. Her blood was pumping so fast she thought she might actually pass out. How could one man have such an effect on her?
“Come back with me to Vasmaar, Sasha,” Heinrekh murmured in her ear.
“I cannot. My life is here in Muirhead.”
“You can have an even better one in Vasmaar.”
“As what? Your lover? Mistress?”
“Whatever you want, Sasha. I want you with me.”
“Perhaps, but that is not what I want. Not at my age anyway.”
“I could always abduct you.”
“But you won’t,” she nipped his lower lip playfully. “You want me willing.”
“So very much,” he growled and kissed her again deeply.
Sasha was beginning to lose the use of her limbs. She hated him for what he could reduce her body to. It was pathetic.
“If you want to be with me,” she eventually surfaced for air. “You will need to date me as any other man would.”
“And where would these dates take place?” He ran his lips back down her throat, making her voice quiver ever so slightly.
“Both Realms. But with maximum discretion as you are an evil sorcerer.”
Heinrekh gave a wicked grin. “Very evil.”
Sasha’s pulse rate rose a little higher. “I think now would be a good time for you to leave.”
“Are you sure?” he murmured seductively, his hands slipping under her top and caressing her bare skin just above her belt.
God it felt good. Perhaps she should give him back some of his own medicine. She ran her hands under his shirt and up his bare back, it was actually almost her undoing. He let out a deep growl and slid his hands further under her top, setting every nerve on fire.
“We should stop this before something happens we regret.” She tried to sound in control, but she was far from it.
“There will be no regrets, Sasha, of that I can assure you,” he murmured huskily in her ear.
“I will regret it if it happens too soon.” One of her hands slipped around to his chest and slowly snaked its way down to his sword belt. His sharp intake of breath filled her with an immense sense of satisfaction. “No Second Realmer is getting their hands on this First Realmer tonight.” That’s what she kept telling herself. Her bed was only a few steps away and the temptation to push Heinrekh back onto it was almost overwhelming.
Heinrekh laughed softly and released her without further argument. “When put so eloquently, how could I refuse.” He kissed the tip of her nose before heading to the door. “I will wait for you tomorrow night at the entrance to Vasmaar through the barn.” He turned just before leaving with a very naughty smile on his face. “I hope to try out some of those useful tips in your other magazine before too long!”
Sasha hurled the copy of Cosmo at him but he was already through the door. God what must he think of her! But God, what a man. She didn’t think he needed any helpful tips. He might not be strictly good, but the guy dripped with sex appeal. Besides, she didn’t really have much choice. When a dark lord set their sights on you, there was not much you could do to deter them.
Erin was up early the next morning and ready to leave. She was looking forward to going back to Muirhead, to reclaim some of her former life. How could she even begin to explain all this to Amanda and Jess, even if she were allowed to? And she and Sasha had a lot of catching up to do. But she was sad to leave Lokranor. Actually it was Wilhelm she was going to really miss. Despite their rocky start, she really liked him. He was like no man she had met before. Obviously, he was Viking. But there was something else. Something quite noble. She hoped sincerely that he would not forget her, that she was not just a passing fancy.
Birdie and Magnus were waiting for her at the stables with the horses. Erin glanced around, there was no sign of Wilhelm. She felt her spirits plummet, obviously he didn’t really think that much of her as he couldn’t be bothered to see her off.
“You okay, Erin?” Magnus looked across at her.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” she feigned a smile. “Let’s go.”
They rode through the town towards the Realms’ Gate. As she neared the Gate, she heard someone calling her name. She turned to see Wilhelm riding at full speed towards them.
She halted and waited for him to pull alongside.
“I couldn’t let you leave without saying goodbye,” he sounded a little breathless.
Her spirits bounced right back up. “I’m glad you did.” She looked over to Birdie and Magnus. “I’ll be right behind you.” She watched them go through the Gate and vanish.
When they were alone, Wilhelm took hold of her left hand and kissed it. “I wanted to give you something to remind you of me.” He pulled out a silver looking chain on which the most stunning pendant hung. It looked like two serpents intertwined. “It is a copy of the royal emblem. I thought they might not get it made in time.”
Erin took it from him and placed it round her neck. “It is stunning, Wilhelm. Thank you.”
“It sits well with the McLomard dragon and hopefully will remind you that I am waiting for you.” He leant over and kissed her briefly. “Now get going before I decide to hold you captive myself.”
She could not remove the smile that spread over her face as she rode through the Gate.
Magnus glanced at her expression when she reappeared. “And what did Wilhelm do to put a smile that big on your face?”
Erin poked her tongue in response. “On the subject of men, Birdie. What’s between you and the Viking Professor?”
She watched her aunt turn a lovely shade of pink.
“Nothing, of course. He’s just a friend and we happen to have a mutual interest in history.”
“Really. It seems you also share a mutual interest in perfume?”
“Perfume?” Birdie took the bait.
“Yeah. Last night Ajax smelt very strongly of Chanel No. 5. Who’d have thought you could get it in Lokranor.”
“It’s always the quiet ones you have to watch,” Magnus teased.
“Have you two quite finished?” Birdie scowled at them.
“Absolutely not,” Erin giggled. “But we should get a move on. We’ve some serious work to do if I’m to vanquish a dark lord.”
“Your A levels results should have arrived,” Birdie reminded her.
“On second thoughts, let’s head back to Lokranor.” Erin pulled a face.
“They can’t be that bad,” Birdie laughed. “Besides, you might want to rethink what course you enrol for at University.”
“I’m actually rethinking university entirely. I cannot head off, even to Edinburgh when I have responsibilities here. I will not only be Priestess for Lokmuir but will need to be here to fight against Heinrekh. I have so much training and research to do, I cannot even think about going away.”
“This won’t have anything to do with Wilhelm, would it?”
“No. But it does concern my mother. I have to find a way to free her.”
“But your studies are also important, Erin.” Birdie tried to be the voice of reason.
“My mother is more important. I can enrol with the Open University and get my degree in Ancient History by correspondence. With perhaps a side order of Norse mythology.”
“You seem to have given this some thought?”
“Yes. I think that is for the best, all round. Besides, I don’t want to take Magnus too far from his precious Ingrid. She might wise up and realise she could do better.”
“Impossible,” Magnus grunted. “I am the very best.”
THE END
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
&nb
sp; CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26