Mark of the Valkyrie

by A R Hall

  “You’re really here?” She looked up at him through wet lashes, her arms wrapped around him.

  “I’d wait forever for you.” His lips covered hers as he pulled her in closer.

  She shivered both from his touch and the cold air around them. He walked her to the truck and gave her some clothes to put on before they made their way to his house. Her house? She’d almost forgotten she’d agreed to move in with him. They were going to live together and she was nervous.

  The drive to the house was shorter than expected and she couldn’t believe the home before her eyes. Even in the moonlight it was breathtaking. As they made their way up the steps and onto the large front porch Latham scooped her into his arms before opening the door and carrying her inside.

  “What was that for?” she asked as her body slid down the front of his.

  He closed the door and smiled at her. “I wanted to carry you over the threshold.”

  Latham walked her through the main parts of the house. He showed her the the large kitchen that opened up into the main living area where a fireplace roared warming the home. The whites and browns of the furniture complimented each other. “It’s beautiful.” She smiled at the wildflowers in a few vases spread out.

  “So are you.” He took her hand and led her up the stairs pointing out the guest room, an office, two empty rooms, and finally their room. “I don’t want to be too forward. If you’d rather sleep in a room by yourself - -.” He cut himself off.

  “Latham, I’ve been by myself for a really long time. It would be nice to wake up to someone for a change.” She turned from him and entered their room. Her fingertips ran across the foot of the bed, trailing over the soft blues of the bedspread. She peered in the master bathroom and admired the large tub.

  “Your clothes are in your closet too.” He gestured to the door next to the bathroom.

  She looked inside and her eyes grew wider. “Wow.” She saw her old clothes hanging with new ones. “New clothes?” He nodded and explained how his mom and aunt had gone shopping for her. He admitted he didn’t even know what all they had gotten her but it was spread out amongst the drawers and the bathroom too.

  Latham turned the radio on that sat on the dresser as a slow country song started. He took off his jacket and draped it across the back of a chair before walking into the closet where she still stood.

  They stood close and she could feel her heart race. She opened a few drawers and took mental notes on where some things for her had been placed. She stole a glance at him and noticed he’d removed most of his clothing, tossing them into a hamper.

  “Snow makes for wet clothing.” He laughed at himself. All that remained on him were his boxers.

  “And we don’t want to get sick.” She bit down on the edge of her bottom lip and looked away. She slowly took off the thick leggings and oversized sweater, then tossed them into the hamper where his clothes were. She stood bare before him.

  “Astrid.” He took two steps towards her but she rushed him at the same moment.

  Chapter 11

  Astrid jumped into his arms and wrapped her legs around his waist. He held on to her, one hand squeezed her ass, and the other tangled in her hair as his lips pressed against hers.

  He carried them out of the closet and towards the bed. He kissed and nibbled his way across her jaw and towards her ear, bringing a gasp from her lips. Latham wanted her. She was his and he wanted to show her exactly how. He let her down slowly and backed her into the bed where he knew she’d fall once the back of her legs hit the mattress.

  She squealed as she fell back on the bed then crawled backwards so she wasn’t resting on the edge of it. She watched his eyes gaze over her body hungrily. “I haven’t done this before.”

  His eyes met hers. “You haven’t?”

  She nodded. “It just sort of happened. I didn’t mean to wait and then before I knew it, I was cursed. After having my heart broken it was easy to just not want to do it.”

  “We don’t have to rush.” His lips spoke with care but she eyed his boner making a tent of his boxers. “I want you, clearly.” He chuckled.

  “What do you want to do to me?” She raised an eyebrow. She wanted him too but didn’t know where to start.

  He smiled before leaning over and placing a few soft kisses up her calves, alternating between legs. “I want to kiss every inch of you.” He continued to work his way up, kissing and nibbling at her sides.

  “What else?” She breathed heavily as she watched him make his way up her body.

  “Ever since I saw you in the shower, I wanted to trace your curves with my hands and mouth.” He sucked on one nipple as his fingers lightly pinched the other. She closed her eyes and moaned. His mouth moved to the other nipple, and his hand traced down her side and towards the her center. He pushed one finger in and she gasped. “Wet for me already?” She nodded with a moan as he inserted a second finger. He slowly pumped two fingers in and out of her.

  “Latham,” she called out his name as he continued moving his fingers and his thumb put pressure on her clit. “Please.”

  “Please, what?” he teased.

  “I want you. All of you.” She panted and pushed his hand away.

  He leaned back and quickly removed his boxers, then crawled back over her. “You sure?” he asked as he started to line his cock up with her opening.

  “Yes.” She wanted him to stop stalling. It was more than just breaking a curse, it was making love. She’d never wanted a man so much before.

  He slowly inserted an inch before pulling back and pushing back in, each time going in a little deeper. Slowly. Agonizingly slowly. She thrust her hips forward going in farther and cried out.

  “Are you okay?” His blue eyes meeting hers.

  She nodded. “Faster.”

  He smiled and kissed her as he pulled out nearly all the way then plunged back in. “Fuck.” His pace quickened. “Gods, you feel good.”

  He lifted her legs up, allowing him to go in deeper. His forearms braced on either side of her head as he continued the pace.

  Astrid raked her nails down his back as her release came followed shortly by his. He emptied himself in her and pressed soft kisses all over her face.

  He slowly pulled out of her and rolled over. He grabbed a blanket, tossed it over them, then pulled her close. He held her as their heartbeats slowed. His fingertips tracing over her mark.

  * * *

  Astrid woke to the darkness and his heavy arm across her. She smiled at him, his eyes closed. They hadn’t been sleeping long and she carefully moved his arm and sat up to go and use the restroom.

  When she returned, she pulled the blanket back to get back under it with him and saw the glamour on his back, the marking identical to hers. A gasp escaped her lips and she couldn’t help reaching to touch it.

  The curse was really broken. After years of being stuck she could finally live out the rest of her life. She crawled back into bed with him, careful to not wake him.

  She wiggled back under his arm, loving the weight of having him around her. “I love you,” she whispered knowing he was still sleeping.

  Latham smiled and waited for her breathing to slow to tell him she had fallen back asleep then placed a kiss to the back of her head. “I love you, too.”

  Chapter 12

  Latham woke up with more energy than he’d had in a while and considered taking a run, but he didn’t want to chance Astrid waking back up and him being gone. He made busied himself in the kitchen cooking a big breakfast. He considered inviting his family over later but decided he wanted another day to have Astrid all to himself before introducing her.

  He heard the soft steps enter the kitchen and turned around to the most beautiful sight. Astrid wore one of his shirts that looked more like a short dress on her.

  Her eyes narrowed and her hair was sticking out in all sorts of directions. “Coffee?” Her eyes squinted as they still adjusted to the morning light. She stretched her arms up with a yawn and he eye
d the hem of his shirt move up her legs. She put her arms down before he could confirm his suspicion of her not wearing anything under it.

  He smiled. “How do you take it?”

  “A little cream and extra sugar.” She walked towards him and leaned against the counter. “Smells good.” She grabbed a piece of bacon from a pile, took a bite, and groaned.

  “I love when you make those sounds.” He poured her cup of coffee and handed it to her.

  He quickly made their plates as she drank her coffee then sat them down at the bar. She climbed onto a bar stool and started eating. “Mmmmm, so good.” He chuckled and poured another cup of coffee for her.

  “What do you want to do today?” He sat down next to her.

  She smiled at him over her coffee. “Honestly, I don’t care as long as whatever it is includes you.” She swiped a piece of bacon from his plate.

  “There’s plenty, and if there’s not, I’ll make more.” He shook his head.

  “This is more fun, though.” She sat it down on her plate and quickly took another piece off his.

  “Woman.” He stood up and braced his hands on the counter.

  “What are you going to do about it?” She stood up with a glimmer in her eye.

  He quickly moved around the stool to pull her into his arms, but she backed away with a laugh. Latham took another step towards her, and she took two back and laughed.

  “A little slow in the morning are we?” She backed up another step.

  “Astrid,” he warned. It was a playful warning and she knew it. He lunged for her and she squealed before darting out of the kitchen.

  He chased her across the living room and around the furniture before they ran up the stairs. They both laughed as they entered the bedroom. She turned to face him as he blocked the exit. “Where are you going to go now?” He smiled.

  She looked around the room as he made his way closer to her. She tried to fake going in one direction and moved in the other, but his arms quickly wrapped around her, trapping her against him. “You caught me, now what do you want?”

  His fingers traced her sides and up her body, pulling the shirt up and over her head. “You. Forever.”

  “Done.” Astrid ran her hands behind his neck and pulled his face closer to hers. “Forever.” She kissed him softly.

  Latham quickly lifted her into his arms, careful not to break the sweet kiss she was giving him. He walked them toward the bed and laid them both down. He pulled back and she looked up at him with heavy eyes.

  He leaned in and kissed her again, deeper than the one she had just given. He ran his hands down her side and traced her curves, something he didn’t think he’d appreciated enough last night. He knew her body would drive him crazy if it wasn’t his to enjoy. There was something about this woman and her curves that called to the most animalistic part of him.

  Latham moved one hand closer to where her legs met and she moaned into his kiss. He knew before his fingers felt it, she was wet for him. His cock was hard and ready but he wanted to bring her pleasure first. He inserted two fingers and moved them at a solid slow pace.

  Astrid arched her back and pulled back from his kiss. “More.”

  “So demanding.” He chuckled against her lips.

  “Latham,” she begged.

  He picked up the pace before she could say another word. He watched as her eyes closed and she gasped.

  Astrid grabbed his arms as if gravity had been removed. His fingers moved faster and her head went light as if she left her own body. She was close and he didn’t stop until she came undone.

  Her panting slowed and she opened her eyes to see the hungry look in his eyes. She couldn’t help the smirk that covered her face. She wiggled under him a little as he moved his body over hers.

  “So fucking beautiful.” He kissed her as he lined his cock up and swiftly entered her. He took his time moving in and out. He pulled her legs up and over his shoulders and plunged in deeper.

  Astrid cried out at the fullness. Everytime he pushed back in he hit the place that made her see spots. The pleasure had her toes curling and she gripped at the pillow above her head.

  Latham picked up the pace and knew when she was getting close again. He loved the feel of her body against his. He loved the way she moaned his name as she came again and then milked his cock for every last drop when he came with her.

  He rolled over onto his back, and she rolled to her side to snuggle up against him. Her hand moved up his chest and her fingers played with his beard. He kissed the top of her head.

  “I know this is soon.” She paused.

  “I love you too.” He grinned as she looked up at him.

  She nibbled at the edge of her bottom lip for a second. “How did you know that was what I was going to say?”

  “I didn’t. I only know what I feel in my heart. I love you, Astrid. You’re it for me. I told you before how I felt trapped in both the present and the past I was never a part of. You feel so right. Everything about you seems so natural to me, meant for me. And I was meant for you.” He tipped her chin up and placed a soft kiss on her lips.

  Astrid didn’t know what the future held. She was sure of one thing, though. The Gods had made no mistake. Latham was her soul-mate. “I love you.”

  Epilogue

  Astrid fidgeted with the hem of her dress. Everyone had been giving off a weird vibe since they arrived. She knew something was up. The tables and chairs were set and the radio played sweet country music. There were smiles on everyones’ faces as they chatted with one another. Their occasional glances to her gave it up, though. Something was going to happen. She just didn’t know what it was.

  “Hey, Astrid, can you give me a hand in the kitchen. Some more people dropped off food.” Makenna called over to her from the steps of the porch.

  “Sure.” She walked towards her.

  Astrid had met Makenna a few months ago. Latham’s parents, uncle, and her had all come over for dinner. It was both strange and exciting to know that there were more of her people in the family.

  The past several months had been a blur as she and Latham got to learn more about one another. They couldn’t keep their hands off each other, and she hoped that never changed. The first day they went to the gym together they ended up on the desk in his office. She had been thankful for the loud music in the gym because she was not a quiet person.

  She walked up the steps and across the porch. Makenna held the door open for her. She tried to keep a straight face but Astrid could see the smile in her eyes.

  Astrid walked into the living room to get to the kitchen but stopped halfway there. Candles were everywhere on nearly every surface. Latham walked out of the kitchen and towards the middle of the living room where she stood.

  “This is a fire hazard.” She eyed him curiously.

  “Woman, I’m trying to set a mood,” he groaned.

  “What? That we need fire trucks on standby?” She crossed her arms.

  “Astrid.” He shook his head. “Will you be quiet?”

  She nodded.

  “From the moment I first laid eyes on you I was captivated. I know we’re meant for one another. We weren’t just written in the stars. We were written in each other’s hearts.” He got down on one knee. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I promise to care for you and love until the end of time. Will you marry me?”

  She kept her arms crossed and raised an eyebrow at him.

  “Are you going to say something?”

  “You said to be quiet.” She dropped her hands to her sides.

  He pulled the ring from his pocket. “Will you marry me and spend everyday for the rest of your life annoying the hell out of me because I love you?”

  She smiled. “Yes.”

  He slipped the ring on her finger and quickly stood and wrapped his arms around her. “You ready to head back out there?” He nodded towards the door.

  “That explains why everyone kept looking at me.” She looked around the room. “Le
t’s put out these candles and go upstairs first.”

  He quickly blew out the candles and all she could do was laugh as he ran around the room putting out the tiny fires. After he blew out the last one he turned to her with a mischievous look.

  “What?”

  “How quiet can you be?” He walked towards her.

  “Not very.” Her eyes grew.

  “You’re going to need to try.” He backed her up against the wall as their lips met. His tongue teased at the entrance of her mouth and his fingers made their way between her legs and under her dress.

  “Latham.” She panted between kisses.

  “Mine.” He dipped a finger in and curled it slightly.

  He brought her to orgasm within minutes before a cough came from around the corner. They both laughed.

  “You guys might want to hurry before you have people coming in the house.” Makenna called from back door.

  Astrid looked down at the ring. It was a small tear-shaped sapphire surrounded by little diamonds. “It’s perfect.”

  “Now you look at the ring,” he teased her. He held his hand out for her to take and they went outside where everyone cheered and congratulated them.

  Astrid looked up at the man who held her hand. He was more than her soul-mate and curse breaker. He was the man who’d tore down the walls around her heart and showed her what love was really like. She didn’t know how she was going to show him but she was determined to show him how much she loved him everyday, starting with telling him about the little one growing inside of her, but that could wait until tonight when they were alone again. For the first time in her life she felt loved and safe.

  Acknowledgments

  So many thanks…

  Victoria, thank you for letting me use one of your secondary characters. I can only hope you love his story.