by S. T. Bende
“Ull.” I blocked the water with one arm in mock complaint. “I’m coming.”
“Not fast enough.” He dove under the water and surfaced next to me. “Look.” He pointed. A school of brightly-hued fish swam underneath, making their way through the jagged coral.
“They’re so colorful.”
“Part of that is the fish; they really are bolder in color in this part of the ocean. But part of it is your vision.”
“Huh?”
“We can see significant distances in inclement conditions. And certain colors also appear more vivid.” He gestured to the fish before glancing at my bikini. “Royal blue is one of them.”
“This is incredible.” I put my face in the water to get a closer look.
“The water is not murky, is it?” Ull asked when I came up.
“No,” I said with surprise.
“Again some of that is the water—it is naturally quite clear here. But the rest is a defensive mechanism. Our warriors must be able to defend attacks from any realm, including those submerged in water. Asgardian vision has acclimated over the years.”
“I didn’t understand what you guys meant when you tried to explain this before. This is kind of amazing.”
Ull looked like he was about to burst with excitement. “You like it?”
“I love it.”
“Dive with me.”
I took a deep breath and followed him beneath the surface. His smile was contagious. He grabbed my hand and led me fifteen feet down, holding me steady as he pointed to his right. A turtle slowly made its way along the reef. Its leathery skin contrasted with the smooth shell, and its eyes were half closed, as if it were dozing. After an eternity it swam in front of us, taking no notice of the two tourists enjoying the view. We stayed where we were for a long time, watching an undersea scene I’d only ever experienced through nature shows. Being this close to this many fish was unreal.
I pointed to the surface, wondering when we’d need to head up for air. Ull shook his head. Guess he’d be more familiar with our limits than me. Ull tugged at my hand and we swam toward another grouping of fish. Equally as bright as the first, these were a luminous shade of orange that popped against the pink of the coral. They scattered as we approached, and I felt a little guilty for scaring them off. Ull turned to give me a warning glance. He held up one hand.
Stay calm, he mouthed. What did that mean?
Ull pointed ten feet below and I expelled half of the air remaining in my lungs with a silent scream. A small shark with black-tipped fins meandered through the reef. Fish disappeared into hidden coral caverns, and the turtle was nowhere to be seen. The shark seemed oblivious to us as it lazed through the water, but between my bulging eyeballs and the death grip I exerted on Ull’s hand, he finally gave in to my panic. With an unnecessary eye roll, he pointed to the surface. I nodded frantically. His shoulders shook with unheard laughter as he pulled me up, though I needed no further invitation. Kicking as forcefully as I could, I reached the surface and paddled with frenzied determination for the beach. I would have run across the water if I could, but I had to settle for an almost cartoon-like motion of arms slapping waves until my feet touched the sand. My breath came in jagged gasps as I ran-swam for the shore with the desperation of a drenched cat.
I was clawing my way onto the sand with all the grace I’d had in my human life when I heard Ull surface some twenty yards away. The raucous laughter tipped me off.
“That was not funny.” I panted, turning only when I was fully out of the water. I sat on the wet sand and hugged my knees to my chest, rocking back and forth.
“It was,” Ull roared. He made slow strokes toward the beach and emerged from the ocean with considerably more dignity than I’d done. “It was a baby shark.” His hooting began anew.
“Exactly. And who do you think was watching out for that baby? Its enormous, starving mother, that’s who. I could feel her hungry, beady eyes waiting for me.”
“Kristia.” Ull couldn’t stop himself as he gave in to a fresh wave of hilarity. “Reef sharks do not live with their mothers. They fend for themselves from birth. And even if they did have parental bodyguards, they could not hurt you. You are immortal, remember?”
“Immortal doesn’t mean we’re immune to pain.”
“True. But I would not have let it come to that. And even if it did, somehow, get close enough to nip at you, you would have been all right. Your skin is impenetrable to shark teeth.”
“Would have been a good discussion to have before you took me swimming with sharks,” I muttered.
“I told you sharks could not hurt you.”
“But you didn’t say the impenetrable-skin thing.” Ull’s eyes crinkled and I could see he was about to give in to another bout of amusement at my expense.
I held up a finger to silence him. “Don’t.”
“Oh, come on, even you have to admit that was pretty funny.”
“When I have calmed from my brush with death, I will consider said admission.”
“Sweetheart.” Ull scooted closer and slung an arm around me. Drops of water fell from his hair and glistened on his shoulders. How could anyone be so darned good looking?
“I’m mad at you for risking my safety.”
“Darling.” He brushed my forehead with his lips, still trembling with silent laughter. “I apologize. But I would never put you at risk. You have to know that.”
“No more sharks.” I held his gaze.
“Fair enough.” His eyes still twinkled but it was the best concession I was going to get. “Now, how about lunch? Let me make it up to you with food.”
“What did you have planned?”
“I was thinking shark fin soup.” He winked.
“Ull!”
“Okay, okay.” He chuckled as I shoved him toward the water. “Jerk chicken salads it is.”
“Much better,” I muttered as he scooped me into his arms, laughing all the way to the house.
Chapter Four
TRUE TO HIS WORD, Ull did not drag me into shark-infested waters again. We spent a lot of time walking on the beach of the Cay, picnicking at the edge of the water, and swimming in the late afternoon sun—after Ull did a careful scope of the water for sharp-toothed infidels. I took advantage of my husband’s inability to play board games to beat him soundly in round after round of wholesome family fun. By all accounts, it was the perfect honeymoon.
Until the dream.
“Again, my babies.” An oversized, gnarled figure crooked her finger at three tiny creatures. Once more I was struck by the feeling that I was somewhere in the past, though I couldn’t place the era. My vision was obscured in patches, so I couldn’t make out the tiny forms with any degree of clarity. They appeared as blurred orbs, almost as if someone had scrubbed them from my vision with a blunt eraser.
I was able to see the mottled giantess. She was in what seemed to be an outdoor courtyard. The grass within the walled enclosure looked freshly mowed, and a cardboard box sat at the giantess’ feet. A horde of rats squirmed inside the box, climbing on top of each other in a desperate attempt to break free of their prison. The giantess placed a single rat on the grass, and pointed to one of the blurs. “Your turn.”
The orb moved toward the rat, emitting the unnerving sounds I associated with horror movies. I hadn’t watched many; I was more into period pieces and the occasional chick flick. But the snarl coming from the orb was enough to set my teeth on edge. Although I couldn’t make out definitive movements, my vision allowed me to see the blur barrelling toward the rat. The animal hissed, then scurried across the lawn. It tried to climb back into its box, but the orb sent a rock flying, knocking the rat back onto the grass. The orb snarled again, and leapt toward the rat. The rodent fell onto its back, limbs bent in rigor mortis. The blur had killed it.
“Very nice,” the giantess praised. “Now, make room for your brother.”
A second orb approached the box, and the giantess lifted a rat onto the grass. It shot
a glance at its dead compatriot and took off across the lawn. The second orb slunk through the grass with determined speed. It quickly overtook the animal and covered it with its own body. I couldn’t see through the blur of its shadow, but if the sounds coming from its victim were any indication the rodent was being asphyxiated. Quickly.
My stomach lunged as a shiver wracked my spine.
“Your turn, daughter. Do what you do best.”
The third orb moved for the box. Her mother set her prey on the grass, and watched with a cruel smile. The orb let out a shriek and the rat ran. The orb flickered and disappeared, reappearing directly in the rodent’s path. It clawed at the orb, then turned in the opposite direction. The orb flickered and reappeared again. The rat bared its teeth, striking to defend itself. With a shriek, the orb began to vibrate. It sent a pulse of white light at the animal that left it suspended in mid-air. With one final hiss, the orb pulled the energy back. Her victim fell to the ground, dead.
“Well played, all of you. And to think, you are only toddlers. The gods will be grossly unprepared for the three of you when you come of age.” The giantess looked at her charges lovingly. “Now, go inside and wash up. We wouldn’t want to be late for supper.”
My hands shook as I watched the family leave the courtyard. Those things were vicious—and they were toddlers? What would they be like in a few years? Was there any way we could hope to survive them?
“Sweetheart?” Ull’s hand was cool against my forehead. “Are you having a bad dream?”
“Mmm?” I dragged my eyes open and glanced at the clock. It said we’d been out for ten hours, but I felt like I’d barely slept a wink.
“You are hot. And you were tossing. Are you feeling all right?”
“I think so.” I tried to pull the last few minutes from my subconscious, but I couldn’t remember a thing. If I hadn’t been dreaming, why did I have this overwhelming sense of dread? And the uncomfortable feeling of being unprepared?
“Perhaps you are hungry,” Ull offered.
I pushed myself up on my elbows. “Maybe.”
“Let me make us some breakfast.” He swung his long legs off the edge of the bed and picked his shirt up from the floor. He began to pull it over his head, but I stopped him with a hand on his back.
“Leave it off,” I whispered. “I like the view.”
Ull tossed the shirt back on the floor. “I aim to please.” Then he sauntered toward the kitchen with a wink over his shoulder.
I flung myself back on the bed and tried to figure out why I felt so out of sorts. The word unprepared kept coursing through my head. I had no idea what it meant, but I had the sinking feeling I’d done enough relaxing for one honeymoon. It was time to put my warrior-husband to work.
I knew Ull wasn’t too excited about showing me how to fight, but I also had a nagging feeling I didn’t have much time left to learn a lot about self defense. I decided to broach the subject that afternoon, and I decided to broach it very carefully.
“Wow, sweetheart.” Ull lowered his aviator shades, and gave me a rakish grin from his beachside chaise. “To what do I owe this honor?”
“Just wanted to bring my darling husband a cold beverage.” I batted my eyes as I handed him the icy glass. I hoped I’d mixed it right—I’d never made a mojito before.
“In your tiniest bikini?” He raised an eyebrow at the barely-there white number Victoria had tucked away in my suitcase. I’d been horrified when I discovered it, but from the look in Ull’s eyes, it had the desired effect.
“Get over here.” Ull set his drink down in the sand and patted the lounge chair. His bronzed chest glistened with drops of seawater from his afternoon swim, and his black shorts clung to the muscles in his legs. I sighed. He was just so beautiful.
He moved a fraction of an inch to the side and I tilted my head. “There’s no room.”
“Exactly.” He tugged my arm, pulling me down on top of him. My hands landed firmly on his pecs, and I ran my thumb over the taut surface. I felt him shiver.
“Do not start what you cannot finish, Mrs. Myhr.”
“Oh, I can finish.” I ran my finger to the center of his chest and drew a line up his sternum to his neck. My legs tangled up in his, and I rubbed my toes along his calf. He raised one eyebrow and placed one hand firmly on my behind.
“Well, then. By all means.” He squeezed and my face flushed.
“Ull!”
“I told you not to start.”
“Actually, I had a better idea.” I traced the outline of his lips with my finger.
“Seriously, Kristia? You can think of something ‘better’ to do?”
“Okay, not better. But…different?” I kissed the corner of his mouth.
“I like different.” Ull’s eyes rolled back into his head as I bit at his bottom lip.
“Well,” I continued, squirming on top of him until his eyes popped back open.
“Darling, if there is something else you would rather be doing I suggest you spit it out. Otherwise I am taking you back to the house immediately.”
“All right.” I kissed his upper lip and propped myself up on my forearms. My hips pressed into his and he closed his eyes again.
“Kristia!”
“Okay. I just thought, since it’s just you and me out here…that maybe…you could show me one of your moves?”
“Oh, I will show you some moves all right—”
“Ull!” I reached back to pull his hand off my bottom. “That’s not what I mean. Teach me just one teensy little thing I could use in a fight. Just for fun. Please?”
Ull’s eyes closed beneath his sunglasses and a small V formed between his brows. “Now?”
“Please,” I pleaded, kissing a small trail from his neck down his chest. “I really want to learn. I’ll do anything you want if you just show me a few little things.”
“Anything?”
“Anything.” I kissed down to his belly button, where the saltwater pooled in the small rivet. Ull groaned.
“All right. But it is going to cost you dearly.” He propped himself up on his elbows.
“I’m willing to pay. Now show me.” I scooted back on his legs so I sat up on my heels.
“What do you want to know?” Ull lowered his sunglasses lazily and eyed me with a look that made my insides burn.
“Well.” I paused. “Uh… What am I supposed to do if I’m attacked?”
“You mean if this happened?” Ull launched himself off the chaise, wrapping one arm around my waist and dragging me across the beach. He cradled me in his arms and landed in the froth where the ocean met the shore.
“See? I’m totally defenseless.” I gazed up at him, my back pressed firmly against the wet sand. He hovered, supporting his weight on his forearms.
“I am afraid you are.” Piercing blue eyes locked in on mine. Between the depth of his stare and the heat from his abs, I forgot everything else.
“Um…” I bit my bottom lip.
Ull tilted his head to one side, a small smile playing on his mouth. “Now what did you want to know?”
“I—”
A wave washed over us. The warm saltwater lapped up to my waist then retreated, leaving a film of sand over my legs.
“You were asking me how to defend yourself?” Dangit, it was hard to focus with Ull’s dripping body pressed against mine. Yes, I wanted whatever it was I’d asked about. Self-defense. Right. But there was something else I wanted more.
I bent my knee and twined my calf around Ull’s. I shifted my hips just an inch and stared into those endless eyes. They sparkled in the sunlight. My arms were trapped beneath his torso, so I turned my palms upward to touch the spot where his chest met his shoulders. It was so smooth, so firm, and so very, very warm.
My eyes never left his as I moved my thumb along the line of his shoulder, over his bicep, and down to the crook of his arm. I drew a slow circle inside his elbow and Ull blinked.
“Kristia,” he whispered.
“Yes
?” I tried to reach up to stroke the stubble lining his square chin, but my arms were pinned.
“You are not trying to defend yourself.”
“So?” I raised my head and kissed his jaw. “Maybe I don’t feel like fighting you off.”
“Mmm.” Ull closed his eyes as I kissed my way up to his ear. “So if someone came after you, you would just let them do this?”
He swiftly rolled onto his back, forcing me on top of him. He shoved his fingers in my hair and tugged gently, pulling my head back. He kept the other hand just above the bottom of my bikini, firmly pressing my hips into his. I squirmed against the hold, trying to find a way out of his grip. Though I tactically had the upper hand, I couldn’t move.
“Well, I wouldn’t let just anyone do this.”
“I should hope not,” he growled softly. He raked his teeth along my throat and paused at the hollow of my neck. “Because if I ever caught wind of someone doing this to my girl, it would end very badly for them.” He ran his tongue along my collarbone. I shivered.
In a lightning-quick move, Ull flipped me onto my back and pinned my arms above my head with one hand. I gazed adoringly at the fierce assassin glowering over me. “And this. What would you do if someone did this to you?”
“Uh.” I blinked. If I told Ull what I really wanted to do right now, I’d turn every possible shade of crimson.
“Focus, Kristia.” Ull stared at me. “What would you do if you were trapped?”
“I…uh…I’d…” My cheeks felt hotter than a grizzly in a desert. “You seriously want me to fight you off?”
“If you are so bent on going through with this little exercise, then yes. Give it your best shot. And then, I believe, you promised to pay me for the lesson.”
“Gladly.” I narrowed my eyes and wrenched my arm as hard as I could. It didn’t budge. I tried again but it was futile.
“You are outmaneuvered and I am twice your weight. Try something else,” Ull commanded.
I threw my shoulder into his chest and tried to roll to one side.
