Ignoring his wife’s brutal commentary about Alfred’s sex life, Stark looked at his sister. “So you came through a portal?”
“I’m not sure what to call it. Icela created a silver oval and told me to step through. She asked me to check on you and let her know how you were doing,” Rime said.
Stark looked at Topper who was already shoveling food into her mouth. Topper shrugged. “I couldn’t get her to admit the other thing, but I’m guessing it’s true as well. She’s being cautious.”
“What other thing?” Rime asked, her stomach fluttering nervously.
Topper stopped eating to glare at Rime for not being honest. “Didn’t you come here to escape the man Icela said was trying to get you to mate with him?”
Rime drew in a breath and let it out. “Goddess… Icela told you about Director Quest?”
“She told me yesterday, but she didn’t say who it was or that he was one of the bigshots running your planet.”
Rime shrugged her shoulders. “Okay. I admit that Icela sent me here mostly to get away from him. Quest is a man who doesn’t know how to take no for an answer.”
“Then your brother and I will have to teach him,” Thor said with finality, drawing all gazes to him. “Stare all you want, I meant what I said.”
“There is no battle here to fight, Warrior. There is just a man with wrong ideas about his power over me,” Rime said.
“Those are the worst kind,” Thor declared.
“We should eat before Topper devours it all,” Stark joked, watching the fire dancing between his sister and his friend. “If Quest has gotten through the portal, we’ll know soon enough. All the people in Magic will be knocking on our door to tell us.”
“You don’t have to deal with him alone, Rime. And don’t worry about Alfred—nothing is going to get by those charms I set today. There’s nothing wrong with my magic. I’ve just been conserving it.”
Rime fisted both hands on her hips. “Now I see why you and my brother get along so well. You both think you know what’s best for me.”
Topper laid her head against Stark and laughed. Stark smiled and ran an affectionate hand over Topper’s hair. “Finding the right person changes everything,” he said.
“It certainly does,” Thor said, handing a pouting Rime a plate and fork. “Stark wasn’t joking about the food. Eat now. Perhaps Director Quest has changed his mind about you since you’ve been gone.”
Rime took the plate and fork. “Do you really think that’s possible?”
Thor smiled at her. “No. Or at least I would never let you go without a fight.”
“Then why did you suggest he might?” Rime asked.
“I thought the illusion might make you feel better. You know what happens when you get stressed.”
“And this is why I told no one,” Rime said tersely, turning her focus to food so she wouldn’t be tempted to turn her would-be champion into a handsome, seven foot tall ice cube.
Since Rime had no belongings with her, she was relegated to the sofa bed in a glassed in area in the back of Topper’s home. Her witch had called it a summer porch. It was off the kitchen and therefore separate from the main house.
She lay on the too short, uncomfortable sofa mattress and stared up at the stars through the glass of her surroundings. Somewhere out there was Glacier, the rest of Icela’s Sisterhood Priestesses, and her parents. She should be missing them, but instead all she could think about was once again kissing the male sleeping in Topper’s spare bedroom.
She rolled and the mattress gave alarmingly beneath her. The furniture on this planet was definitely not sized for a woman as large as her. “Goddess, what am I doing here?” she whispered.
“I think you were sent to meet me,” Thor whispered back.
Rime looked up and saw he was now freshly showered and dressed like her, wearing almost an identical set of clothes. He filled them out with his bulk far more than she did. Without waiting for a invitation, he lowered himself to the sofa mattress. The whole thing creaked worse under their combined weight. If it collapsed, they’d wake up everyone.
Her nervous giggle filled the room. “Sit at your peril, Warrior.”
“How are you sleeping on this?” Thor asked, incredulous about her even trying. “Come to my bed, Priestess. It’s quite sturdy. No harm will come to you there. I fear for your safety if this sofa breaks.”
Rime giggled again. “No harm will come to me in your bed? Now you’re making false promises you have no intention of keeping. How are you different from Director Quest?”
Thor frowned at the statement. “Perhaps I am not different in what I want from you, but only in the way I view your value. I am honored to even talk to you. All else you allow is a gift from the goddess. I know I am not worthy of someone like you.”
Rime scooted a little to make more room unsurprised when Thor gently stretched himself out beside her. “I was teasing, Thor. You’re nothing like Quest. I’m sorry I said that even in joking. And you are worthy of any woman. Never doubt that.”
“There is one way in which your misguided admirer and I are definitely similar, Priestess. We both recognize what a fine woman you are.”
“I once was a fine woman. Now I’m older and tired and my heart is weary from grieving all the losses of my life.”
“I could say the same. I stayed in Alaska for many years after I lost the woman I loved,” Thor said. “Yet now I am here with Stark and Topper, helping them as best I can while they prepare for their child. I could have said no and never come to visit them, but he is a link to a planet I thought never to see again. Being in Magic feels just as meant to be as anything else I’ve done.”
“You’re younger than Stark, and therefore younger than me. You could go back to Glacier and have any life you want there,” Rime said.
“I am only a little younger, and not by as much time as you’re probably imagining. Stark and I went through our initial training together. Your brother moved more quickly through the ranks than I did, which I understood why even as it happened. I have never met his equal anywhere on any planet. Icela has truly blessed him with enormous power.”
“Stark considers Topper his equal,” Rime said.
Thor shrugged one large shoulder. “Perhaps she is in terms of raw power. His judgment is pretty flawless from my experience of him. As for me returning to Glacier, I am outdated there. Here on Earth, I’m having a good time learning about these people. I will stay in Magic until it’s time for me to go somewhere else… or I’ve worn out my welcome. I’ve always wanted to go to a place called Greenland. It’s rumored to be nearly as cold as Glacier there. Much of it is covered in ice. I’ve always wanted to visit.”
“Greenland does not sound like it would be covered in ice.”
Thor chuckled. “I know. Humans are very contradictory. They also have a place called Iceland, but it’s covered in green plants and the temperatures are modest.”
Rime laughed. “Are you making that up to tease me?”
“Not at all. Earthlings are just that strange, but they are also a loving, caring people—outside of a few who think all power belongs to them. Topper’s men in black fall into that group. Stark’s told me about them. Last time they came, he froze them until Topper could wipe their memories. I understand killing them would just prompt their group to send a massive amount of replacements which would start an unending cycle of destruction and perhaps even incite a war. Topper very carefully maintains the balance between Magic’s paranormal inhabitants and the rest of non-paranormal world.”
“How hard it must be for Topper to have such an overwhelming responsibility,” Rime said.
“Yes. She has a big job to do here. That’s why your brother took the job of portal guardian, though that hasn’t worked out quite like he thought it would. Unofficial portals keep cropping up no matter what he does to control their creation.”
“Perhaps he could use some help in guarding Earth.”
“Perhaps,” Thor said agreeab
ly. “Well, I should return to my room and let you sleep.”
He leaned down and put his lips on hers. Rime didn’t mind even though he hadn’t asked. She kissed him back until his chest was lying against hers. It felt glorious. She’d forgotten what it was to want to hold a male in her arms.
“My bed is sturdy and my motives are at least half pure,” he whispered against her mouth as he lifted his lips. “Plus, I am not a cat. I can be very quiet when I mate. Your brother will never hear the pleasure I give you.”
Rime giggled and lifted a hand to his jaw. “What would you think of me if I said yes to your teasing offer?”
“I would think,” Thor said, pausing to grin. “That you wanted to be the first in a very long time to discover how the God of Thunder actually wields his mighty hammer.”
Laughter burst from her at his bragging… or teasing… or whatever it was. Thor’s weight left the bed just before he scooped her body to his and lifted her high in his arms. Rime put both arms around his neck and kissed his jaw. His low growl of satisfaction made her feel feminine and powerful.
“I will make this decision for you, Priestess, but you must never give away what you learn tonight,” he warned. “Legends and myths only work if they remain mysterious.”
“I’m an honest soul. That will be terribly hard for me,” Rime said, unable to hide her smile.
“I’m also sure it will be very hard for you,” Thor whispered. “You’ve made me hard for you since the first time we met. Since I haven’t been hard in years, I do not take it lightly.”
Her soft laughter faded off as he lowered her to what was indeed a very sturdy place to rest. It even fit her long body. Goddess, it even fit his.
She stared up into his gaze as he pulled off his shirt. “What will you expect from me tomorrow, Thor?”
“Only that you prevent your brother from seeking my death,” he said, lowering his body to cover hers. They both groaned at the pleasure of the contact.
Thor moved hands up under the shirt she wore until they could worship what he found. Though he couldn’t see the ice crystals forming, he could feel them beneath his fingertips wherever he touched her. His body hardened painfully, needing to be joined to hers.
“Tell me now if being with me is not your wish. You can sleep here and I will risk my life in your previous bed.”
Rime giggled. “I want you to stay but I make no promises once we leave it, Warrior,” she said, managing to remove the shirt so they could be skin-to-skin. Nothing had felt so wonderful in years.
Thor kissed her throat as her arms and legs wrapped him. “I’ve changed my mind. Tell your brother and I will gladly face his wrath. Of all the women I’ve ever met, you are worth dying for.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” Rime said, letting herself get lost in the man losing himself in her.
Chapter 10
Energized as she hadn’t been in some time, Rime rose early, dressed, and returned to the place she had been supposed to spend the night. After folding in the mattress and frame, she assumed a meditative position on the remaining seat and began her affirmations to Icela. She was half-way through them when she felt a male watching from the doorway.
“Forgive me for interrupting, Sister,” Stark said, bowing his head. “But I think something’s happening to Topper. I cannot get her to speak to me clearly.”
Rime rose immediately and followed her brother to his bedroom. Topper lay moaning there. She was talking gibberish and her skin was on fire.
“Bring me a cold cloth and a basin full of water and ice. We have to lower her body temperature as quickly as we can.”
“I can freeze her,” Stark offered.
Rime shook her head. “That’s too much. The baby needs to be born, Stark. After she thaws, the birthing process would just start all over again. The first time is always like this for Glacierian females. It does not surprise me your witch has to endure Glacierian birthing fire as well.”
“Will she be okay?”
The fear in her brave brother’s voice had Rime lifting her gaze to his concerned one now focused on his mate. She reached out and touched his arm. “Women almost always survive the birthing process, but it’s not an easy thing to endure. Now go and bring me what I need, Brother. Then you must inform the healer who was to attend the birth. I know of Glacierian children but I do not know of witches and their offspring. Since this child is both, we need to be prepared for whatever happens.”
Before Stark could move, Thor appeared at Topper’s bedside with all she’d asked for. Rime smiled at her champion and set about wiping Topper’s face. Her goal was to cool the witch’s body enough for it to do what it needed to do.
“Who was to attend the birth?” Thor asked, putting his hand on Stark to get his attention.
Rime looked at Stark who was looking only at Topper. “Her sisters,” he said finally.
Thor squeezed his shoulder, forcing him to see him. “Do not worry. I will find them for you. There are many who can help me. You stay with your mate.”
“Thank you,” Stark said, closing his eyes to pray.
Thor started looking by finding the best help he could. The Sheriff wasn’t in yet this morning, but he knew a certain fish who probably hadn’t gotten much sleep last night.
“Alfred,” Thor called as he knocked loudly on his door. “Time to be a hero again. I need your help.”
Thor heard a soft patter of feet in the hallway. The door opened to reveal a pretty woman wrapped in a blanket.
Thor bowed to her. “Forgive me for interrupting. Topper’s time to deliver has arrived. I must find her sisters.”
Moments later, Alfred appeared at the woman’s shoulder. He was mostly dressed and pulling on a shirt. She turned to him immediately. “Topper needs Nonny and Evanna. The baby is coming.”
“I hate to leave you, but I have to go,” Alfred told her.
She patted his face with one hand. “I’ll be back and so will you. Go and help.”
Alfred slipped his arms around the most precious gift he’d ever received. “Thank you for understanding.”
Thor smiled when she hugged him quickly and pushed Alfred toward the door.
As they jogged down the steps, Thor added something he hadn’t wanted to tell the cat.
“Finding Topper’s sisters is not all I need, Alfred. I think another Glacierian is here. He’s come to take Rime home whether she wants to return or not. I can’t let him do that. Our problem is that he’s one of the Directors of Glacier. There are politics involved, so I can’t just kill him.”
Alfred nodded, surprised Thor’s bloodthirsty reaction made total sense to him. Rime deserved to be protected. “After we alert Nonny and Evanna, I’ll find Theo and help spread the word. If another alien is here, we’ll find him. I’ll call Frost and let him know as well.”
The room spun for Thor as he and Topper’s sisters materialized in Topper’s bedroom. The two witches rushed to their sister’s side. He would have fallen if Stark hadn’t moved quickly to catch him.
“I cannot maintain,” Thor said, pushing away to run to the bathroom and be sick.
“I know it is bad. The nausea will pass in a short while,” Stark said, wetting a cloth in the sink and handing it to Thor.
“That was thoroughly unpleasant,” Thor said, disgusted at his weakness. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, Stark. I’ve never been travel sick a day in my entire long life.”
Stark snorted. “Give it no thought. That sickness happens to me as well. Glacierians are not meant to magically transport anywhere. Portal travel is about as rough as we can take.”
Thor nodded. “How is Topper doing?”
“Progressing quickly according to Rime, but Topper has no real consciousness of what is happening. I fear for her. She is not a person who easily relinquishes control, yet the baby seems to have taken over.”
“Of course you should worry,” Thor said logically. “But let’s get you fed this morning so your strength will be there
when you’re needed. Her sisters and Rime will help her until then.”
“She will hate me for putting her through this,” Stark said softly.
“Nonsense,” Thor said. “She will hold your child when it comes and rejoice for the miracle of your daughter entering the world. Come now. You need a short reprieve from your worry.”
They passed out of the bathroom and through the bedroom. Thor looked at Rime and their eyes met. “I’m going to see that Stark gets some food. I will prepare some for everyone. Alfred is alerting the town and tracking down the Sheriff.”
“Thank you, Thor,” Rime said.
“All in a day’s work for the God of Thunder,” he replied, grinning when Topper’s sisters both chuckled. But it was Rime’s shyly amused smile that made him feel like a real hero.
The call had gone out and it was a text message that pointed him to the exact location. When Alfred finally found the Glacierian, the man was peering into store windows and smirking at passersby. For the first time ever, Alfred wished he was as big as Thor because he was definitely feeling bloodthirsty about this stranger.
He walked up to the man, who was dressed in a pretentious black coat with split tails, as if he was above worrying about the New Mexico heat. This alien wasn’t as big as Thor or Stark or even Frost, but compared to Alfred, he was big enough to merit using great caution.
“Hello,” Alfred said, forcing a friendly smile to his mouth. “Can I help you? Seems like you’re looking for someone.”
“My name is Director Quest of the planet Glacier. I seek a female of my own kind, Earthling. Take me to her,” he ordered.
“There are a lot of females in this town,” Alfred said. “Can you describe her?”
Magic, New Mexico: Timeless Topper (Kindle Worlds Novella) (My Crazy Alien Romance Book 3) Page 8
