Chapter Sixteen
“ARE YOU SURE about this?” Soren wasn't pleased with Ava’s revelation about his three-headed dragon tattoo. “It is a lot to,” he struggled with anger and jealousy, “a lot to take in.”
“I’m positive.” Everyone made their way down through the woodland to the lake. “There are three dragon heads on one body because love existed not just between you and me but between Skáld and me. Three heads symbolizing three dragons infected.” She frowned. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
He bit back another wave of jealousy because it served no purpose. “You loved him, then? You loved Skáld?”
“I said love existed between us.” She shook her head. “I have no idea if I reciprocated. All I know is that your tat reflects the dynamic between the three of us.”
“So is this revelation less of a threat then?” he said. “Or more of a threat?”
“Less.” Tiernan sounded convinced. “Somehow Ava's love bonded you and Skáld, Soren. It is that love that is your advantage in all this. It gives you more power over the situation than you would have had otherwise.”
“Yes,” Vigdis agreed. “Not just Ava's love comes into play, but because you and your nemesis were twins, you may be able to access his thoughts. Perhaps even influence them.” Her eyes met Soren’s. “You dreamt of Skáld, yes? That’s how you knew you shared a womb?”
“Yes.” Soren shook his head. “But I sensed no control in it.”
“Not yet,” Leviathan said. “But I imagine now that you're aware of his true identity that might change.”
“Which might mean he can direct the enemy to think one way or another,” Ava murmured.
“Which also means Skáld can do the same to Soren, right?” Pierce said. “So you guys weren't entirely right about your assessment yesterday. Because it sounds like the tat could be a really good thing or really bad.”
“We were not wrong.” Vigdis evidently sensed something, and her eyes hazed with magic. “I do not sense Skáld near that mark. He is kept back by something...”
“The First Blade.” Leviathan’s reverent gaze went to Soren's sword. “It keeps Skáld at bay.”
“Aye,” Tiernan agreed. “Not just because of all that went into the creation of the Blade, but because of Thor’s blood coursing through Soren’s veins. The two combined have given Soren and Ava even more control over their situation.”
“What kind of control are we talking about?” Ava asked.
“’Tis hard to know at this juncture,” the Scotsman replied. “I imagine we will know more as you and Soren grow closer.”
Soren nodded, optimistic about this news.
“As you should be,” Thorulf said into Soren’s mind. “This is welcome news, indeed, Father.”
“I agree,” Dagr echoed.
“Me too,” Ava added, shrugging when he looked at her in surprise.
It seemed Dagr had grouped the four of them into his own little private telepathic conversation, likely made easier because of Ava's newfound ability to connect with everyone.
“How is everything at the Fortress?” Ava asked before Soren had a chance to.
“Very well,” Thorulf reported. “Though both Dagr and I feel you should have checked in earlier. That you are not keeping us apprised as you should.”
He could almost hear Dagr coaching Thorulf to say that.
“We have not been here long, Son,” Soren reminded. “Little has happened.”
“You now have a three-headed serpent on your shoulder and learned you were once Skáld’s twin,” Thorulf countered. “So I would say much has happened.”
Pride filled him at his son’s words because they were his own. “You are right.”
“I know.” He could hear the smile in Thorulf’s internal voice. “You will notice that happens often.”
Ava met Soren’s smile, both of them grateful for the lighthearted reprieve his son brought.
“So all’s been quiet at the Fortress, Thorulf?” Ava said. “And your mother’s doing well?”
“Yes, she is quite well, thank you.” He paused as if discussing something with Dagr on the side before he continued. “She is busy judging you....wait...what?” He paused again, clearly taking pointers from his cousin. “She is gaining approval of you as you...gain her approval.”
Ava looked at Soren and put a finger to her lips, her eyes merry. Thorulf and Dagr bickered about how his son should have phrased that only for Dagr to step in and clarify.
“Agatha is pleased with your journey thus far and bids you both good luck.”
“Please thank her for me,” Ava said graciously. “Stay safe boys. I look forward to seeing you again.”
“You as well, warrior,” Thorulf replied dutifully before he paused, his voice suddenly a tad worried. “You are a real warrior right, Ava?”
“I am,” she assured, clearly touched. It was obvious he was worried about her well-being. “Not just that, but I’m fighting alongside many warriors, including your father and you know how fierce he is, right?”
“I do.” Confidence returned to Thorulf’s voice. “Very good then. We will li..lia..li—”
“Liaise with you again soon,” Dagr filled in before the boys cut off their telepathic communication.
A small smile remained on Ava’s face after that, and it did his heart good. It meant a great deal to him that his son could help her find happiness in all this. Also, that Thorulf seemed to care for her in return. Any other child may have felt differently about another woman besides his mother being with his father.
“You didn’t raise your son like that though,” Ava murmured into his mind. “You clearly raised him to think for himself. Not to judge others unfairly even if they were a threat to your family unit.”
“You are no threat,” he returned and meant it. “Not at all.”
Her eyes lingered on his for a moment before returning to the lake. Like her, he had barely slept last night, plagued by erotic dreams from his youth. It was as though every dream he had been able to turn from so long ago came roaring up, culminating in a maelstrom of lustful images. In some ways, it was as if he had returned home to a love he’d left behind, only to find he had never stopped loving her.
The kiss they had shared only confirmed that. He’d never experienced anything like it. He had never been so swept up in the simple act of kissing someone. But the moment their lips touched, he was gone, vanished into a vortex of unimaginable sensation.
When Ava’s cheeks reddened, he knew she caught those thoughts. Good. She needed to know how much she affected him. How remarkably different she was than anyone he had been with before. Not just because of the way their dragons connected but because of who she was at heart.
Someone extraordinary according to his dragon.
Unfortunately, his dragon was as elusive as hers about the extent of its admiration. While it was safe to say it was impressed with her in this life, its respect for her in the last one was even more profound. Which made him wonder how much she’d truly connected with Skáld. Had it been deeply, his dragon would have felt differently. He couldn’t imagine it any other way.
“This looks amazing,” Ava breathed when they arrived on the shore of the biggest lake in the Realm. One fed by several waterfalls stemming from the lakes higher up.
“This is the lake that chased Sage and Håkon down.” Halla looked cheerfully between Ava and Soren. “Perhaps it will do the same to you.”
“That would mean trying to drown them,” Pierce pointed out.
“No, no, it was not like that.” Halla shook her head. “More like urging them to go in the right direction.” She perked a brow at Ava. “Perhaps you were drawn here so that you and Soren will go in the right direction too.”
“Could be.” Ava didn't appear all that concerned, just eager to enjoy the cool water. She chanted herself into a twenty-first century bathing suit and strode in, throwing over her shoulder, “Off for a swim!”
Tess snorted and rolled her eyes. “Lea
ve it to Ava to woo her mate in that boring, unrevealing one-piece when she’s got a body made for a string bikini.”
Rokar growled with approval when Tess snapped her fingers and put herself in a skimpy bikini then sauntered into the water. Moments later, his cousin was in pursuit, minus any clothing.
Soren was mesmerized by Ava. As far as he was concerned, she didn’t need a revealing bathing suit. Not when the perfection of her body spoke for itself. She dove beneath the water then surfaced, the sight of her stiffening his cock in an instant. Which was obvious when he chanted away his clothes and strode in.
“Well, shit,” Tess exclaimed, never one to hold back. Her eyes widened on his groin then dutifully went to Rokar. “Looks like it runs in the family, love.”
Not jealous in the least, Rokar yanked her close and kept her entertained. True to form, Ava rounded her eyes at Soren then turned away, muttering, “Haven’t you guys ever heard of bathing suits?”
Which meant she had gotten an eyeful of Rokar too.
Before she could turn back, Soren came up behind her and murmured in her ear, “The water is nice, yes?”
“It is,” she said softly, surprising him when she didn’t shift away. Instead, she stilled, chest high in the water. “It's warmer than I would have thought.”
“That tends to happen here.” He wanted to pull her back against him and feel her soft skin but refrained. “A true oddity considering all water in this place comes from Hvergelmir’s Spring. Or perhaps it’s the oddity of the spring itself that causes the warmth. For though it's the source of cold water on all worlds, some say it’s, in fact, a boiling spring.”
“A spring Níðhöggr made sure fed into this place,” she murmured.
“Yes.”
She turned and met his eyes. “So essentially it's the source of all life in your mythology, right?”
He nodded.
She cocked her head. “Doesn’t that strike you as odd?”
“How so?”
“That one of the most powerful dragons ever to exist from a world whose inhabitants aren’t allowed here, was able to utilize such a powerful spring to sustain this place? A dead dragon to boot.” She blinked as if understanding more by the moment, seemingly talking to herself rather than him. “Because though the Realm's magically fueled by the seer’s mountain and God knows what else, everything growing in this place is kept alive by the spring.”
Before he could respond, she went on, things evidently clicking into place.
“One of three major springs at the roots of the cosmic tree, Yggdrasill, the origin of Hvergelmir’s Spring is located in Niflheim.” Her voice lowered, and she quoted what she must have read at some point. “Within the spring are a vast amount of snakes,” she tilted her head, “as well as the dragon Níðhöggr.”
“Yes,” he confirmed. “That is the mythology which, as we have learned, is not an exact truth.”
“Still, we might want to pay closer attention to that...at least in part.”
“Why?”
“Because mythology also claims he’s a malice striker,” she reminded. “Which he was, but now we know he changed.” She kept pondering. “Some might say your religion is loosely based on things that actually happened. Of course, it’s safe to say the retelling of events over the centuries morphed what actually happened, but there's always an element of truth in there somewhere.”
“What are you getting at Ava?”
“Something important,” she whispered, still pondering aloud. “I think the answer’s rooted in mythology. We just need to separate fact from fiction. What the world knows from what actually happened.”
She blinked a few times as if understanding more by the moment. As if she saw those facts clearly. “It’s said Níðhöggr gnawed at the root of the world tree, Yggdrasill, so it makes sense he would use the Maine Ash and the one in his Realm to bridge the gap so to speak.” She kept thinking it over. “He was also once referred to as a horrific monster who chewed on the inhabitants of Náströnd, those guilty of the worst offenses including murder, adultery, and...”
When she trailed off, stunned, he looked at her in question. “What is it?”
“The third offense,” she whispered. “Oath-breaking.”
“I do not understand.” He shook his head. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Not anything but everything.” Her gaze focused on his eyes. “That’s what happened. That’s what started all of this.”
When he frowned, still not understanding, she went on.
“Soren, all of this is taking place because a great oath was broken,” she said softly. “I think mythology echoed what Níðhöggr actually did at some point over time. An executioner of souls guilty of certain crimes.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Which might explain why he possessed the power to resurrect Tess’s soul.” She shook her head. “But that’s not the main point here.”
“What is the main point?”
“That what he did, punishing corrupt souls, eventually stopped,” she murmured. “I don’t think he played that role up to his death.” She shook her head. “I think he stopped being a punisher because of what happened to him.”
He narrowed his eyes when her thoughts brushed his mind, and he understood. “You mean when he was infected by love?”
“Yes,” she murmured, understanding more by the moment. “I don’t think he was capable of performing the job anymore.” Her eyes stayed with his, and she began trembling. “Not because he was infected but because he didn’t punish an oath-breaker when he should have.” She shook her head, emotion overwhelming her at the enormity of what had happened. “He didn’t punish me, Soren and it cost him everything.”
Chapter Seventeen
THOUGH SHE SHOULD have probably stopped Soren because they needed to better understand her revelation, she didn’t when he pulled her into his arms and held her. Overcome with unexplainable emotion, she gave in and wrapped her arms around his waist then rested her cheek against his chest.
She had never felt such a mixture of fear, resolve, and sadness. What oath had she broken? What terrible deed did she do to cause Níðhöggr such grief and rage? Because she had very much invoked both those emotions in the Great Serpent. Emotions she felt as well, and they rocked her to her core.
Comforted, lost for a few moments, she held on to Soren until she realized exactly what she was holding on to. More so, what was pressed so invitingly against her. To say he was hung would be a mighty understatement. What the heck did they feed these Vikings? Whatever it was supersized just about everything as far as she could tell. Dragon men back home were big but not this big.
“Hell.” She squeezed her eyes shut, and tried to gather the strength and clarity she needed, but it was impossible with him so close. So she inhaled his spicy, outdoorsy scent one last time and pulled away. “I’m okay. Really.”
“No, you’re not.” He searched her eyes. “What just happened, Ava? What did you remember? What oath did you break?”
“I have no idea.” She sighed. “For a second there I was so close to remembering, but now it’s gone. All I recall are the intense emotions Níðhöggr and I felt. It was a hard situation all the way around.” She shook her head, frustrated. “I wish I knew more.”
“It’s all right,” he assured. “I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before you do. Until then, at least we have more to go on.”
“What are you two talking about?” Tess, who had been wrapped up in Rokar's arms a ways off, looked her way in concern. “What just happened, Sis? You remembered something, didn't you?”
Ava nodded, not surprised her sister had picked up on it. Not just because they were siblings but because of her role in creating the Portal.
“We should go ashore,” she tried to keep her eyes off Soren, “and dress...quickly. Then talk.”
Tess chuckled and spoke telepathically. “It’s tricky trying to think straight with your naked mate around, eh, Sis?”
“You cou
ld say that,” she muttered.
One second she thought she was focused, the next her gaze drifted to Soren and figuring out how to save the world became the last thing on her mind. Fortunately, despite how aroused he might be, he wasn’t the type to take advantage of her and redressed the moment they got out of the water.
Tiernan made quick work of hunting and breakfast was already on a spit over a fire. Magnus and Vigdis sat close together flirting. Leviathan had apparently gone off somewhere else to bathe grumbling that there were too many nearly nude female dragons around, and he was a male dragon after all. Having swum off a ways, Pierce and Halla remained in the water splashing and playing.
Ava telepathically filled everyone in on what she had just learned. “So I broke an oath to Níðhöggr, and it changed everything.”
“In a good way,” Tess reminded. “So I wouldn’t worry about what you did just so long as it sparked the infection.”
“That cost so many lives,” she countered.
“But eventually brought dragonkind to Midgard to start over,” Vigdis said.
“Which as far as I’m concerned was worth the sacrifice,” Tess said.
She appreciated her sister saying that considering she had probably sacrificed the most.
“I just can’t believe you brought love to Múspellsheimr, Ava.” Tess grinned and shook her head. “I didn’t see that coming.”
“Technically, Níðhöggr did,” she replied. “Though my actions definitely prompted him to break the rules.”
“For love,” Tess echoed, grinning at Rokar. “And just look at all the good that came out of that.”
Again, she appreciated her sister’s positive outlook.
“You have to wonder though,” Magnus said. “Not just what great oath Ava broke but how the infection spread from dragon to dragon then to fire demons as well.”
“Right,” Ava said. “Then, the million dollar question. How did I know how to create the Portal?” More questions surfaced by the moment. “And what was my grand plan toward the end that Níðhöggr was so opposed to?” She shook her head. “There are still a lot of gaps in all this.”
Viking's Crusade (Viking Ancestors: Rise of the Dragon, #6) Page 10
