by ST Bende
Everything came together. “You think he abducted me?” The laugh escaped without warning, tiny bubbles dancing through the air as I processed the absurdity of the situation. Me in a ball gown, blindfolded by a silk tie. And Gunnar in his hoodie and jeans, driving his off-roading vehicle well beyond the speed limit through the streets of Cardiff. “You think he abducted me!” The laugh built, until I was bent over, my arms clutching my ribs. “This. Is. Fabulous.”
“Kristia? You want to help me out here?” My assassin friend’s face was still pushed up against the Jeep’s hood. Another guffaw escaped my lips.
“Do you know this man?” Officer Grey Eyes stared at me in confusion.
“Yes.” I choked back my laughter. “He’s my friend. He’s taking me to meet my fiancé, who wants to surprise me because it’s my birthday.”
“So the blindfold…” Grey Eyes’ pale face turned pink.
“It’s so I don’t see where we’re going. He’s not kidnapping me. Honest.”
“Let him go,” Grey Eyes called to his partner. “It’s not what we thought.”
“You sure?” The officer smashing Gunnar’s face seemed reluctant to release his hold. Judging by his sizeable midsection and undesirable hairline, I surmised he enjoyed having someone like Gunnar under his thumb.
“You are telling the truth, right, miss? Because if you’re in any kind of trouble now is the time to speak up. We can help.” Grey Eyes watched carefully for my reaction.
“I swear it’s fine. I’m marrying his best friend. He’s practically family.” I held up my fingers in the scout’s salute.
“All right.” Grey eyes pressed a card into my hand. “We’ll just need you to sign something. And if you have any trouble, call me. My badge number is on the card.”
“Thanks.” I fought against the laughter rising in my throat. It would have to wait until we were on the road again. Grey Eyes already looked embarrassed enough.
“Let us know if you need any further assistance, miss.” Grey Eyes held out a yellow form. I scribbled my signature and he backed away, but not before I caught him staring at my cleavage.
“Thank you,” I called, pointedly. When he realized he’d been caught staring, he hurried toward his squad car. His partner released Gunnar with a clipped apology, and in seconds the officers were speeding away.
This was going to make one heck of a story.
“Now that that’s out of the way,” Gunnar muttered. He rubbed at his wrists, sending me into a fresh wave of hilarity. My amusement came in undignified guffaws now. I might have even snorted. “What a night.”
“Hey, Gunnar. Remember that time Ull asked you to look out for me and you got yourself arrested?” I hooted.
“Shut up, Kristia.” But the dimple was out.
“Wait until Inga hears this!”
Gunnar rested his head against the steering wheel. “Is there any chance we can keep this little episode between us?”
“Nope.”
“Yeah, I figured.” Gunnar raked his fingers through his unkempt hair. “Well, don’t say I never showed you a good time.”
“Oh, if there’s one thing I’m sure of it’s that Gunnar Andersson knows how to show a girl a good time. So good it should be illegal!” My sides ached from laughter, but I couldn’t stop myself.
“You know it.” Gunnar grinned. “Now are you going to laugh at me all night, or do you want to see your fiancé? He’ll be pretty irked if I don’t get you there in the next ten minutes.”
“Can you do that? How much further is it?” I dabbed at the corners of my eyes.
“Doesn’t matter.” Gunnar’s dimple deepened. “Hold on, girl. I’m gonna take you for a ride.”
Eight minutes and one terrifying car ride later, we pulled up to Castell Coch. The stone structure rose from a sea of trees, protected on all sides by oaks and willows and ferns in every imaginable shade of green. Its grey turrets rose from the foliage, topped with flags that shifted gently in the evening breeze.
“I know this place.” I smiled slowly. “Ull took me here when we first started dating. Before…” Before I knew he was a god.
“Yep. Wanted to celebrate your birthday with a trip down memory lane. Sort of.” Gunnar stepped out of the Jeep and crossed to my side. He opened my door and leaned down. “Hey, if you could forget to mention what happened tonight to Ull…”
“Not a chance.” I giggled. The story of Gunnar in handcuffs was way too good to keep to myself. “It was the high point of my week.”
“Evading arrest was the high point of your week? You have some seriously messed up ideas of fun.”
“I didn’t nearly get arrested. You did,” I pointed out. “And yes. Watching you talk your way out of jail time was all kinds of fun.”
“You’re a lot meaner than you look.” Gunnar appraised me from an angle. “I like this side of you.”
“Thanks.”
Gunnar’s green eyes sparkled, our faces mirroring our amusement. So far, my nineteenth birthday was turning out to be nothing like I’d expected.
“Well unless you wanna give the law another run for their money, I believe someone’s waiting for you.” Gunnar jutted his chin toward the steps. My eyes moved up the stone path. Every third stair was bookended with iron lanterns, each holding a blazing pillar candle. A light dusting of white petals marked the center of the path, and at the top was a vision the likes of which I’d never forget. Ull stood calmly, his hands folded behind his back and his feet shoulder width apart. He wore a jet-black tuxedo that made the silvery-blue of his eyes pop even more than usual. His normally disheveled hair was slicked back so it looked almost wet, and he was staring at me with a look that made everything around me slow to a standstill.
Good night nurse, that god was beautiful. And by some inexplicable twist of fate, he was mine. Thank you, fate.
“See you later, Kristia. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. Or better yet, do. Odin knows Ull needs it.” Gunnar’s words registered somewhere in the lump of Jell-O that had become my brain.
“See you.” I might have spoken out loud; I wasn’t sure. Because at that moment, my living, breathing, testosterone-oozing Norse god was descending the staircase. When he reached my side he held out an arm. My fingers wrapped around the soft fabric of his jacket, a finely-threaded wool that was smooth under my hand. Without a word, Ull raked his eyes up my body. They grazed the line of the full, flowing skirt; they admired the way the dress nipped just below my hips and clung to my bottom, maintaining its fit through the bust. They lingered at the sweetheart neck of the strapless gown with the appropriate amount of appreciation. Victoria had used a clever combination of built-in pads and tape—tape! —to ensure my assets would have their moment in the sun.
They did. Several moments, to be precise.
“Kristia.” Ull let out a throaty groan. “When I asked Victoria to make you a dress I had no idea she would try to kill me with it.”
“You like it?” I moved my hips so the skirt swished around my feet.
“Like is not the word for what I feel about that dress. Or rather, you in that dress. Any possibility you want to cut this evening short?”
“Not a chance.” I squeezed his arm. “I’ve never worn anything like this before. I might never take it off.”
“Never? Well that’s just no fun.” Gunnar chuckled from behind me. I’d totally forgotten he was still here, but there he was, leaning casually against the car. Smirking.
“That will do.” Ull dismissed his friend with a wave of his hand. His eyes never left my chest.
“No gratitude, mate. I swear, the things I put up with for you…”
“Goodnight Gunnar,” I called sweetly. “Thanks for the ride.”
“Whatever.” Gunnar’s cheeky tone carried through the air. “See you back at home, Ull. Or not.”
The hum of the engine grew quieter as Gunnar pulled down the drive. When the only sounds were the thrum of the crickets and the light rustle of leaves in the warm breeze,
Ull tore his gaze away from Victoria’s pièce de résistance. “Shall we?”
“We shall.”
With careful steps, Ull led me up the staircase. The hem of my dress brushed the stones, and I was terrified I’d catch a toe and take an Olympic-level tumble. But by some miracle, I reached the top unscathed.
My fingers gripped Ull’s forearm as we made our way up the cobblestone path to the heavy wooden doors. They were open, light blazing from inside like a welcoming beacon.
“After you.” Ull gestured for me to go ahead of him, and I entered the foyer, my curiosity piqued. The last time we’d been here this late he’d had to sweet-talk a guard to get us on the property. What had he had to do to get the castle to open on a Tuesday night?
Ull placed a hand on the small of my back and gently guided me to the second story. We stepped into a small room, and recognition dawned. It was so romantic. So over-the-top. So generous.
It was so typically Ull.
“You rented out Castell Coch for my birthday.” My lips curved up as I dipped my head. Blonde curls tumbled across my face, providing a welcome shield. Without needing to see my cheeks I knew I was one hundred shades of red.
Ull stepped in front of me. He gathered my hair in one hand and gripped it behind my neck. He rested his forehead against mine, pressing lightly so I was forced to lift my head. Our eyes locked, and the heat pouring out of his gaze sent a stream of warmth straight through me. Blood seeped from my cheeks and traveled down, gathering somewhere else entirely. It wasn’t an altogether unpleasant feeling. Nothing with Ull ever was.
“You only turn nineteen once.” Ull brushed his thumb against my bottom lip. I felt the touch in more than one place. My hand moved to his chest, a collection of muscles concealed beneath his pocket square. He tensed against my hand before stepping closer. His thigh pressed against mine in a way that made cohesive speech impossible, and the hand not holding my hair made its way down my back. It brushed the bare skin at my shoulder blades, fiery shivers radiating from the contact down the backs of my arms. He moved his hand lower, caressing the curve of my spine with unbearable slowness. When his lips finally met mine, I moved against him, desperate to erase even the half-inch between us. Every touch sent sparks of heat flying across my oversensitive skin. If this went on much longer, I could actually burst into flames.
Ull’s hand continued its slow trajectory, pausing where he usually stopped at my hip. I stepped closer, so only a few layers of fabric separated us. Don’t stop. Please.
Ull let out a groan. “Faen.” The word sent a fresh wave of blood somewhere not far from where his hand was resting. Without warning Ull released his hold. Disappointment coursed through me as I realized I’d pushed him too far. But before I could break our kiss, his hands were back, cupping my backside through the lacy fabric of my gown. He caressed the muscles with his palms, all the while plunging his tongue deep into my mouth. I was overwhelmed by the assault on my senses, and I gave myself over to the feelings awakening in my body. Ull had kissed me before, but never like this. Desire flooded my belly, and I dug my nails into his back. I clawed at his jacket, at the felonious fabric separating us, all the while drinking in the intoxicating taste of his tongue against mine. Ull’s hands moved faster, his kisses grew more intense, until he wrapped his fingers around my biceps. He lifted me in one determined move, separating our bodies so quickly my head fell forward.
Dang it.
“Too much?” I panted, avoiding his gaze. If I caught him giving me that get over here look again, I’d be a goner.
“We have company.”
My head snapped to attention and for the first time I noticed a vested waiter standing by the door. “My apologies.” He cleared his throat nervously. “But dinner is ready on the balcony.”
“The balcony?” I smoothed the front of my dress as Ull straightened his jacket.
“Right this way.” The waiter shuffled across the room, his face crimson. Ull laced his fingers through mine and we followed him through the open door. Outside, a table set with white linen and china was flanked by two blazing heat lamps. Candles lined the wall, casting shadows over the brown stones of the façade. A low arrangement of white roses sat in the center of the table.
“Birthday girl.” Ull held out a chair with a smile.
“Thank you.” I flushed. When he had adjusted my chair, Ull took the seat across from me. Our still-blushing waiter lifted the silver domes from our plates, and disappeared with barely a “bon appetit.”
“I think we embarrassed him.” Ull smiled.
“You think?” I ran my fingers through my hair, hoping I didn’t look as fired up as I felt.
“Happy birthday, darling.” Ull raised his glass. Pink liquid bubbled in the flute. It still caught me off guard that the drinking age in Wales was eighteen.
“Happy graduation. Again.” I raised my own glass and we toasted. The champagne tickled my throat. “Is this the one we drank the night you proposed?”
“One and the same. Someday I’ll take you to the winery. It is in Napa, a little chateau up on a hillside. Just gorgeous.”
“I can’t wait.”
We tucked into our plates, spending a good few minutes savoring our food. Our table was small so that Ull’s knees rested against mine, and the tension between us made it impossible to actually taste anything.
I was pretty sure Ull had chosen filet mignon for my birthday meal, though it was entirely possible I was eating chicken nuggets. My brain was singularly focused on Ull’s leg brushing mine, his fingers tapping the tablecloth, and his eyes searing straight into my soul. If I read his expression correctly, eating was the last thing he wanted to be doing too.
Jeez, this gown felt tight.
“Have you given any thought to what you want to do next term?” Ull filled my champagne glass. Long fingers brushed against mine as he returned the bottle to the ice bucket, sending hot shivers racing up my arm.
And warm. The gown was starting to feel a little warm.
“Be… married?”
“Well of course, that.” Ull laughed quietly. “I mean with school. I kind of assume you want to stay on in Wales, though if you were thinking about returning to your college in Oregon I could talk to Olaug about procuring a property there. Or you could take an indefinite leave of absence and just let me spoil you.”
My cheeks flamed. “Umm… I know don’t want to go back to Oregon.”
“Fair enough. Do you want to re-enroll at Cardiff? Or are you thinking of taking some time off?”
Truth be told, I hadn’t given a lick of thought to my junior year. I’d been too preoccupied with getting married and getting my admission ticket to Asgard to think beyond May. But registration would be closing soon. If I wanted to finish my degree, I needed to sign up for some units. And I did want to finish my degree… didn’t I? It was part of my five-year plan—graduate, get a job as junior curator, maybe find a boyfriend who didn’t think I was loonier than a two-headed bat… Lord, my five-year plan was outdated.
“Kristia? Are you okay?” Ull stared at me from across the table.
“Uh-huh.” Five-year plan my foot, none of the things on last year’s to-do list were even relevant anymore. I was marrying a Norse deity, ending my human life, becoming an honest-to-goodness goddess, and, if everything went according to plan, saving the worlds from imminent destruction. How exactly did junior year factor into all of that?
“You have your thinking face on.” Ull furrowed his brow. “It is cute. And often leads to trouble.”
“Sorry.” I rubbed my lips together and forced my brows to a neutral position. “I just kind of forgot about registering. I think I want to finish school—I’ve never not finished anything, so it would feel wrong to drop out. But I’m also not sure what our life is going to look like three months from now. You know?”
“The blessing and the curse of being of Asgard. You never know what tomorrow is going to look like.” Ull reached across the table to touch my cheek. �
�How about this. We can get you registered, and see how you feel in the fall.”
“Buy some more time, huh?” My hand covered his, the touch sweltering against my face.
“You will find we tend to establish a multitude of contingencies. For instance, Gunnar and Inga have enrolled at your former college and the University of Wales. We did not know where you would feel most comfortable transitioning to our life, and we wanted to make sure you had options.”
“Really?” My eyes pricked. “They’d uproot their lives for me?”
“It is what we do for each other. We are a family.” Ull’s words pushed the tears over the edge. “This makes you cry?”
“It’s just so different from what I’m used to.” I pressed my fingers to the corners of my eyes to stop the moisture. “Mormor would have done anything for me, and I felt the same about her. But my parents…”
“I am sorry they are not coming to our wedding. It truly is their loss. If it is any consolation, the Myhrs are thrilled you are becoming one of us. My mother cannot wait to gain a daughter.”
“And I can’t wait to meet Sif. I’ll bet she’s amazing.”
Ull placed his napkin on the table and stood up. He removed his jacket, then crossed to stand beside me. “Shall we take a walk, Miss Tostenson?”
“Absolutely.”
“Put this on. There are no heat lamps on the grounds.” He helped me into his tuxedo coat before guiding me down the stone steps. When we reached the grass, he laced his fingers through mine. We walked in silence; only the sounds of nighttime birds, stirring crickets, and our gentle footsteps broke the calm. Ull tightened his grip when I stumbled. “Are you all right?”
“Hold on.” I bent to remove my shoes. My toes might freeze, but the death traps had to go. “Even if they weren’t a trip hazard, I doubt the groundskeeper wants me aerating his lawn.”
“Always thinking of others.” Ull kissed the top of my head while I gathered my shoes and my skirt in the hand that wasn’t holding his. “I love that about you.”
“I love a lot of things about you.” I tilted my head to gaze at him. He was magnificent in the moonlight. The sharp line of his jaw was peppered with his signature stubble, and his normally pale eyes were almost an inky blue in the darkness. They did that sometimes—shifted with his mood. They’d been this color once at Ýdalir. And again tonight…
