TheElskerSagaBoxedSetIBOOKSdec2014

by ST Bende

  “Because. That look is going to work on me ninety nine percent of the time, and you know it.” Ull chuckled. “All right. I will drop it. But only because we are here.”

  “We are?” I leaned across Ull’s lap and tried to raise the window shade.

  “Not yet. Trust me, you want to see the whole picture. Not just a sliver of it.” He tightened his arms around my shoulders as the plane touched down. In seconds it came to a stop, and the world’s loveliest flight attendant walked out of the cockpit. She pressed a button on the side of the plane and a door opened, inviting beams of sunlight into the dim cabin. It was a shock after spending several hours in semi-darkness, and I blinked against the brightness.

  “Sorry sweetheart.” Ull reached into my bag, then placed a pair of sunglasses atop my nose. He cupped my cheek in one hand. “I forget how sensitive your eyes must be.”

  It was true. Enhanced vision was just one of the side effects of becoming a goddess. But if the sparks shooting off my cheek were any indication, my sensitivity to Ull’s touch was going to be much more problematic.

  “Come.” Ull stood. After the wedding he’d changed into a black suit and a crisp button down, but sometime during the flight he’d ditched his coat. Now he smoothed the front of his pants, stretched his long legs and held out a hand. I wound my fingers through his and followed him to the front of the plane, tugging at the hem of my dress as I moved. “Leave it,” Ull ordered without looking back. “I like it up there.”

  The temperature in my cheeks tripled.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Myhr.” Our flight attendant tossed her chocolaty-brown hair over one shoulder. “Welcome to Asgard Cay.”

  “Thank you, Stacey.” Ull nodded as he stepped out of the plane. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pair of aviator shades. He put them on, and turned to me, hand outstretched. “Are you ready?”

  There was no way I could ever be ready for this—my first day as an immortal, starting my honeymoon with a Norse god. So I did the only thing I could. I closed my eyes, took a breath, and put my hand in his. Then I stepped out of the cabin.

  “Let’s do this.”

  Chapter Two

  ULL WASN’T KIDDING when he said he was taking me somewhere remote. We were right in the middle of Odin-knows-where, surrounded by pristine turquoise water on all sides. The jet was parked on a landing strip that looked out of place on a stretch of pink sand. It was the only thing on the narrow patch of land; a boat docked thirty yards away would be our transportation to the foliage-rich island in the distance.

  “Where are we?” I kept my weight on my toes as I followed Ull across the grainy sand. The designer stilettos Victoria had gifted me might have been the “it” shoe of the season, but they weren’t exactly the best beachwear. I breathed a sigh of relief when we reached the dock, stepping over the gaps between boards as Ull loaded our suitcases onto the boat.

  “Asgard Cay, the Firm’s private island and resident safe house in this quadrant of Midgard.”

  Ull hummed as he worked. When the boat was loaded, he turned to me with an impish smile. “Get in here.” His hands easily circled my waist and he lifted me into the boat before jumping in after me.

  “You’re in a good mood.”

  Ull raised an eyebrow. “Like you said. It is time to enjoy our honeymoon.”

  I ducked behind a wall of blonde hair so Ull wouldn’t see my blush. “Drive, Myhr.”

  “As you wish.”

  Ull steered effortlessly, whistling as the boat cut through the smooth water. His eyes sparkled from beneath his aviators, and even the permanently tense line of his jaw seemed to have relaxed. For the first time since I’d met him, Ull appeared fully at ease.

  When we docked on the opposite shore, it was easy to see why. Asgard Cay was a pristine island covered in white sand. Immaculate waters mirrored Ull’s irises and lush jungle foliage teemed with colorful birds, loudly singing their greeting. There were no roads, no signs, not even a footprint to make me think there was another human—or god—on the island. Even the jet had taken off, though I hadn’t heard its quiet departure over the motor of the boat.

  Ull tossed our luggage on the dock, bending to lift me onto the planks. He kept me tightly in one hand, our luggage in the other, and walked toward a house set in from the water’s edge.

  “Home sweet home.” Ull grinned.

  Cue the understatement police.

  I took in the Paleolithic jungle plants framing the grand wooden structure, the oversized shutters guarding each wide-paned window, and the bright tropical flowers and tiki torches lining the path from ocean to front step. The far side of the home backed into the foliage, while the front of the veranda led directly onto the pale sand of the beach. It was absolutely breathtaking.

  “Do all your residences look like this?”

  “No.” Ull stopped walking. “Some are bigger.”

  I raised my eyes to the heavens. “Well this one is lovely.”

  “Not compared to you.” Ull let the words linger between us, and my cheeks blazed anew. Apparently becoming an Asgardian had done diddly-squat for my inability to hide emotions. Ull touched my flaming face with a smile. “I have never seen anything more beautiful than you wearing that dress, walking to join me at the alter.”

  “So you liked my dress?”

  “Yes. But I liked what it symbolized more.” Ull didn’t have to explain. He’d spent his existence thinking he was destined to live alone. It baffled him that I’d willingly traded my mortality for what he saw as a near certain-death sentence. Ragnarok loomed on the horizon, and it promised to end the Norse pantheon once and for all. But what Ull could never understand was that immortality with him, even if it only lasted a few months, was infinitely more valuable to me than one hundred years of being human. Ull was my world, and nothing was going to keep me from enjoying every single minute I got to spend at his side.

  “Come on, handsome. I want to see the house.”

  -Ull dropped the luggage and carried me across the threshold before setting me gently on my feet. I walked across the smooth wooden boards, taking in the open floor-plan. The living area stretched in front of me, large windows looking to the beach beyond. The kitchen sat behind the living area, with a large island-top and barstools separating the two. The bedrooms were off to each side, their imposing teak doors left open just enough to allow a glimpse of the key pieces of furniture. Ull kissed my cheek, pointed me to the master, and left to bring our suitcases into the house. When his glorious posterior disappeared from view, I closed my eyes for a beat. Gathering all my courage, I opened them, walked to the nearest door and stepped through. And then I forgot to breathe.

  The master suite was as opulent as I would expect for an Asgardian retreat. The dark wooden floors continued through this room, ending at the cream-colored walls that were easily fifteen feet high. A wide fan blew air down from the ceiling, keeping the heat at bay, but my eyes were locked on the room’s most prominent feature: the enormous bed swathed in netting, with plush white linen covering the generous surface. My insides tumbled as I thought about what was going to happen on that bed.

  Oh, good gravy.

  I forced myself to focus on the mahogany dresser, nightstands, and armoire. I spent a solid half-minute staring at the French doors that opened onto the deck, with three steps leading to the white sand below.

  But my eyes kept returning to the bed. It was the sun to my Icarus; as much as it frightened me, I was completely drawn to it.

  “Do you like the room?” Ull’s deep baritone came from the doorway and I turned with a gasp. “I am sorry—I thought you heard me come in.”

  A nervous giggle passed my lips as my eyes darted between the god and the bed. “I was just…uh…” I flailed. There were no words.

  Ull raised one eyebrow. “How about I make dinner while you get changed. Gorgeous as it is, I cannot imagine that dress is well suited for the beach.”

  I nodded, one nervous head bob. Ull smiled, then tilted his
head toward the bathroom.

  “You might recognize the shower. I had it modeled after Ýdalir’s.”

  A soak under hot water sounded like a great idea. “Sold.”

  Ull took a step toward the bathroom. “Would you like any company?”

  My eyes doubled in size. “Um. I. I mean…” Oh, Lord. I knew this was coming, but now? My legs hadn’t been shaved in a good twenty hours.

  Ull let out a throaty chuckle. “Too soon. Got it. Well then, meet me on the verandah in half an hour. I will be the one grilling chicken.”

  “Where did we get chicken?” While I’d been appreciating the house’s solitude, I hadn’t stopped to think about where we could pick up eggs or milk. Or chicken.

  “One of the junior Valkyries delivered food this morning. I gave Freya a list of our favorite meals and she made sure the kitchen was stocked. If she followed my instructions, there should be an entire shelf of your Caramel McVitie’s.” Ull shot me a grin. “If you notice anything I missed just let me know and I will have it brought in.”

  “First of all, thank you for the McVitie’s. That was seriously great of you. And second, battle goddesses do your grocery shopping?”

  Ull shrugged. “A trainee is supposed to be permanently stationed at Ýdalir, but I had Freya reassign her.”

  “Do all gods have Valkyries to do that kind of thing for them?”

  “All of the royal bloodline does.” Ull touched my arm and my skin warmed instantly. “I just opted out of the service.”

  “The royal…oh.” I blinked. “Right. Odin. Then Thor. Then you.”

  “Then us,” Ull corrected.

  “Us. Of course.” I’d married into Asgardian royalty, and immortal warriors were tasked with picking up my perishables. “Well if it’s all the same to you, I’d rather we do our own grocery shopping back home.”

  “I concur. A little privacy goes a long way.” Ull trailed his finger down the back of my hand, leaving a trail of sparks in his wake. It felt like I’d been shocked. I jumped away, then shook my head. If I didn’t get control over my nerve endings soon, this honeymoon was going to be all kinds of embarrassing.

  “Sorry,” I murmured, stepping back into Ull’s arms. “My skin’s still a little over sensitive.”

  “There is no need to apologize. This must all seem very overwhelming. What do you say I leave you to your shower? Dinner will be waiting when you are ready.” Ull stepped out of the room, pausing in the doorway to give me a wink. “I do think you will appreciate the setup in there.”

  “Can’t wait.” I smiled, then grabbed my toiletry bag and scurried into the bathroom. Ull hadn’t been wrong—this room was every bit as magnificent as Ull’s bath at Ýdalir, with a generous six-headed shower and a separate jet-filled bathtub.

  My fingers were clammy as I undid the buttons on my dress and slid it off my shoulders. It fluttered to the floor, the beads clinking softly on the tile. With a twist of the knob, warm water rained from the showerheads. I stepped into the enclosure with a sigh. Steady streams hit my body from all sides. I let the warmth work through my stiff muscles, then reached for my toiletry bag and pulled out my razor. When I’d washed away eight hours of flight time, I grabbed a fluffy towel from the heated rack, and stepped out of the shower.

  I wasn’t sure what appropriate honeymoon attire was for a newly-anointed goddess on a private Asgardian island, so I grabbed a white sundress and gold strappy sandals, and hoped for the best. Then I shook my hair free from its messy half-updo, and tied it into a loose braid. As an afterthought, I took a hibiscus from the bowl by the sink and pinned it over my ear, then I sent a silent prayer to any god listening. There was no turning back now.

  I padded across the hardwood floors and out to the wraparound deck. Ull had set a table for two, complete with flickering tapers in silver candlesticks. I smiled shyly as he held out a chair. Somewhere along the way, he’d changed into island apparel too. He looked more beautiful than any human ever could. His thighs strained against khaki shorts that fell to his knees, and his white linen shirt was mostly unbuttoned, rendering my imagination useless. Thick, blond hair flopped over his eyes as he laid a plate of jerk chicken on the table, and I caught a whiff of that impossibly heady, woodsy smell from his bare chest. I was torn between my desire to eat the delicious meal he’d prepared and an altogether different and much more embarrassing desire.

  If Ull sensed my mood he was too refined to say anything. We were starving after our long flight, so there wasn’t much room for conversation anyway.

  Ull was a good cook, and I quickly finished two portions of chicken. When I set my utensils diagonally across my plate, he stood with a slow smile.

  “Shall we?” He reached out, and I took his hand. Fingers entwined, we walked down to the beach. A mild breeze caressed my skin, soothing the burn brought on by Ull’s touch. I sent calming thoughts to my palms, and the burn went away. My new Asgardian skin was going to get a stern talking-to if it didn’t stop overwhelming me with every touch. But I had a feeling Ull’s touches would always overwhelm me. I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

  We kicked off our sandals and waded just far enough in the ocean so it lapped against our calves. The water was bath-temperature, despite the setting sun, and I relished the feeling of warmth that settled over me. Ull and I stood hand in hand, our feet buried in soft sand beneath the waves. We watched in silence as the sun dipped below the horizon, and the stars came out in the darkening sky. The full moon reflected off the water as Ull slowly turned his body to face mine. My heart accelerated to twice its normal pace and I shifted from one foot to the other. Ull’s eyes smoldered beneath unnaturally long lashes, leaving no doubt as to his intentions.

  I dropped my gaze.

  “Ull, I…” I broke off. I had no idea how to do this.

  “Hey.” Ull lifted my chin with one finger. I had no choice but to look at him. “It is just me.”

  “I know, but…” I bit my bottom lip. There was absolutely no accounting for my sudden anxiety. It made zero sense that the thing I’d spent months all but begging for was the thing that suddenly had my palms sweating.

  “I get it,” Ull whispered. He put his hand on the back of my head and pulled me against his chest. “Me too.”

  We didn’t move for a long moment; we just stood knee-deep in the water, Ull’s hands cradling me to him while I took slow breaths to stop the jackrabbit executing a tap routine in my chest. When it became apparent the jackrabbit was planning several encores, I balled Ull’s shirt in my hands. Get a grip, Kristia.

  “How about I tell you a story?” Ull rested his chin on the top of my head.

  My lips moved against his chest. “Okay.”

  “Once upon a time in Asgard, there was a god named Freyr. Freyr was the god of, among other things, fertility.”

  I blushed. “I remember.” Ull’s grandmother Olaug had given me a mildly inappropriate wedding gift in Freyr’s likeness. Something about wanting grandbabies…

  “Right.” Ull chuckled. “Well, in time, the god of fertility got lonely. He moped around Asgard, and made everyone around him miserable. Our sea god, Njord, could not take it any longer, so he asked Freyr’s servant, Skirnir, to find out what was wrong. Freyr answered that he had seen a woman—one so beautiful that when she raised her arms, the light bounced off her skin and the whole world brightened. Skirnir asked why this made Freyr sad, and Freyr answered simply, ‘Because I cannot be with her.’ The woman was Gerd, the daughter of mountain giants, and relationships between the races were deeply discouraged.”

  Boy, oh boy, had I been there.

  “Freyr was consumed—he thought of nothing but Gerd, and he knew he would die if he could not have her. He was far too infatuated to be bothered with something as trifling as Asgardian law, or proprietal convention, so he asked Skirnir to bring Gerd to him. Skirnir agreed, on the condition that Freyr lend him his sword.”

  “That doesn’t seem like a huge deal,” I pointed out. The water lappe
d around my knees as I shifted my weight.

  “In most cases, it would not be. But Freyr’s sword had magical properties; some said it fought of its own will. To lose such a weapon, even for a short time, would put Freyr in grave danger. But his love for Gerd meant more to him than his own survival, and he willingly handed over his weapon and risked his life so they could be together.”

  “What happened?”

  “When news of Freyr’s vulnerability got out, his enemies swarmed. But the god had something worth fighting for. And when Gerd appeared, nine nights after Freyr sent for her, they were married. They have lived together happily ever since.”

  My lips curved up against the lines of Ull’s chest. “That’s a really nice story.”

  “It is.”

  Ull put his hands on my arms and gently pushed me away. When I looked up, his face bore a reverence that sent warmth shooting through me. Even though my feet were planted firmly in wet sand, I swayed just a smidge. How was it possible this spectacular deity could see me the way he did?

  “What Freyr felt for Gerd, what he was willing to risk for her, was not even a hundredth of what I feel for you. I love you, Kristia Myhr. There is no one else I have ever wanted to share my life with. From the moment you walked into that museum, you have been my world, and nothing gives me greater pleasure than knowing I get to spend an eternity with you at my side.”

  The moisture that was building in my eyes escaped, and I pressed the heel of my hand against the top of my cheek to slow the tears. “Ull,” I murmured. Then I wrapped my fingers through his tousled locks and pulled his face to mine. The strands twined around my wedding band and I tugged gently, crushing his lips against my own. His taste was intoxicating, a spicy blend of mint and wood that was overwhelming and familiar all at the same time.

  I stepped closer so that only our clothing separated us. The movement caused the water to lap against the backs of my knees. Ull ran one hand down my ribcage, settling it firmly around my waist. The sensation sent a wave of heat coursing through me, and I stood on tiptoes to deepen the contact. My tongue pressed against his, the languid dance draining the blood from my head to somewhere entirely less appropriate. I let out a soft sigh as the sensation overtook me, pressing my chest against Ull’s and wanting to eliminate any possible distance between us.