She offered them all a wobbly grin. “Could be...”
“Will be.” Sage squeezed her hands. “You and Rokar brought each other out of a place none of us can imagine. Your journey was so...”
When she choked up, her eyes as misty as the rest of theirs, Kenzie rested her hand on Tess's shoulder and continued. “Your journey and strength were unequaled.” She shook her head. “It’s no wonder you created the Burn of Transition because you and Rokar really are the best example out of all of us...”
When Kenzie choked up, Shea continued where she left off with a hand on Tess’s other shoulder. “What makes you so amazing above and beyond is what we sense off you both...that you would’ve always sacrificed for the greater good. You would have done anything to see love blossom for everyone else even if it meant you would lose yours forever.”
“But we didn’t thanks to Níðhöggr.” Her eyes swept over her sisters. “He’s not what we thought he was.” She shook her head. “Not at all.”
“I know,” Kenzie said because she had experienced a glimpse at another Níðhöggr entirely on her adventure. “And I’ll bet before the end of Ava’s journey, everything will become clear. We’ll finally understand it all.”
Sage nodded. “Then stay together...” She arched a brow at them, hopeful. “Here?”
“Yes,” they said in unison. They group hugged, hoping Ava would come to the same conclusion in the end. Certain she would if she found the kind of love with Soren they had found with their mates.
A love Tess soon explored further as Rokar, who likely felt she was in a good place with her sisters, came over and scooped her up.
“What are you doing?” She laughed as he strode out of the lodge toward the shore. “Are we going sailing again?”
“In a way,” he promised, grinning at her.
It turns out he wasn’t kidding because she soon ended up sailing in a way she’d never forget.
Epilogue
HE HAD EXPERIENCED many things in his life, but nothing could have prepared him for lying with Tess like they just had. Taking her in a way so far beyond human emotions and actions.
Mating as dragons in every sense of the word.
“Mate,” she murmured sleepily into his mind. Her dragon’s eyes opened to his. After lovemaking as dragons at his lair, their lair, they had drifted off curled around each other. “Are you okay?” Her pupils flared, her voice all-knowing. “Stupid question. How could you not be after that?”
“I’m better than I have ever been,” he assured, still recovering from how she had made him feel. “You?”
“You know how I am,” she purred, rubbing her neck against his. “That was...” She seemed to struggle for the right words. “I’ve never felt so much or been so happy.”
In full agreement, he looked from the steaming pool of water beside them to her. “Yet I sense you could be happier.”
“A bath couldn’t hurt,” Tess conceded. She rubbed her cheek against his, clearly wanting to stay this way as long as possible. “And maybe some food. I’m starved.”
“Then come.” He shifted and ran his hand along her dragon’s forearm, caught by the feeling of touching a fellow dragon so intimately. It didn’t matter that they’d nearly torn the lair apart doing things their beasts reveled in, but this, he cherished.
The simple act of feeling her.
Tess didn’t shift back right away but tilted her cheek into his hand and released a low, purr-like sound. Her nostrils flared in contentment, and she relaxed beneath his touch. He could spend forever in this moment. Feeling the cool smoothness of her scales. Watching the pleasure in her cat-like eyes. Nothing compared to it.
Nothing felt like knowing this great beast belonged to him every bit as much as he did her.
“And I do.” Her eyes met his. “Always.”
“Do you?” He waded into the water, her dragon’s face following him like a snake might obey the flute of its master.
“Say what you mean, mate.” She rested her chin on the edge of the water and watched him, happy it seemed, to linger in her dragon body a while longer.
He settled back and met her eyes. “I mean I want ‘always,’ mate.”
“You’re still not saying what you mean.”
“Yes, I am.”
“No.” Her pupils flared again, and her scales rippled. “Say what you mean, Rokar. Say what you really want.”
He realized where he might be dancing around his truth, she was fishing and hoping.
“I don’t want to share you with any other.” He kept his eyes with hers. “In this life, the next, and all lives after, I want you as mine and mine alone.”
Her dragon ears flattened back, and her eyes narrowed. “That’s a lot to ask.”
“A lot to want,” he corrected, ruthless in his demand but also honest. He didn’t want a mate who strayed or desired another. He wanted her to want him and only him. “But that is what you desired of me, yes? To be very clear about what I wanted?”
Her eyes lingered on him for far too long. Had he gone too far? Perhaps. But it needed to be said. Though it seemed like centuries, only a few more moments passed before she shifted and sauntered into the water, her eyes still fiery with her inner dragon. Was she content with his want...demand? Or was she incredulous? He didn’t know because he couldn’t think clearly.
Not when she looked at him like that.
Not when she straddled him and sank into the water, her eyes still locked with his.
While his dragon didn’t like to be kept waiting and wanted an answer immediately, his human half knew better.
She had to come to him.
She had to want this.
“And I do.” She cupped his cheeks. “Damn dragon,” she growled affectionately. “How could you think for a moment I’d want to be with any guy but you until the end of time?”
Though his heart slammed into his throat and his inner dragon reveled, he kept a calm voice as he squeezed her backside. “The end of time is forever.”
“Yes, it is.” She brushed her lips across his before her eyes met his again. “And I can’t wait.”
That’s all he needed. The look in her eyes. Because everything she wanted, felt, needed, hoped for, looked forward to, was right there in her steady gaze.
They had made it.
They were here.
Not a millennium ago or far into the future, but right here.
“I love you, Tess,” he said softly, wrapping his arms around her.
“You better.” She sank onto him, with a choppy sigh of relief. “Because I love you too.”
Everything after that was a blur of passion and love renewed. They had put the tremendous sadness that plagued their lives behind them and knew the children they’d lost would someday be found.
Until then, they could love each other, knowing they had done their very best. They hadn’t given up when they could have. They had stayed the course. Nobody knew what would happen next, but at least for now no enemy roamed Midgard.
No enemy roamed their souls.
They were free at last, their haunted pasts now a future bright with possibilities.
Coming Soon
Available for pre-order.
UNDER THE INFLUENCE of the First Blade, and eager to keep Ava safe from Skáld, Soren makes his way to the future to find his destined mate already caught in a magical web made of the past and future. A vortex of unimaginable power that flings them through time on an adventure neither saw coming. Not just a journey to rediscover love once brutally ripped from them but on a crusade to lead dragonkind to freedom and a new era. First, however, they have to win the raging war on their dragon’s home world once and for all.
Will they finally see through the Great Serpent's vendetta? Or will Skáld win the war again then unleash his wrath on Midgard? Find out in Viking’s Crusade, the action-packed epic conclusion of Viking Ancestors: Rise of the Dragon. Coming September 17th, 2019. Available now for pre-order.
Just Curiou
s?
First off, I’d like to thank all of you who have kept reading my books and followed my characters over the years. As I always say, without you they’d be voiceless, their stories forever untold. I’d also like to thank those of you who just found me. I hope you’ve enjoyed spending time with all my various characters. Enough so that you might share your experience.
To that point (and it’s taken me over a decade of writing to work up the nerve to ask this), if you enjoyed this story, would you consider leaving a review? Just a line or two. It would mean the world and would make such a difference when it comes to reaching more readers and continuing the craft I so love. If you’re up for it, thank you in advance. I appreciate it more than you know as do my characters.
Fondest Regards,
Sky
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Midgard Locations Glossary
Ancient’s Lair– Ancient dragon lair
Cave Catacombs– Network of interconnected caves across Scandinavia
Cave Harbor– Harbor in Ancient’s Lair
Cave of Memories- Cave born of Forest of Memories
Dragon Lair– Sigdir dragon lair
Forest of Memories– Powerful forest that captures traumatic events or memories and replays them
Hvergelmir’s River– A river in Níðhöggr’s Realm that pours from the well that nourishes all life
Hvergelmir’s Spring– Spring that feeds Hvergelmir’s River
Kjar’s Cottage of Shields– Demi-god’s lodge of magical Viking shields
Maine Ash– Níðhöggr’s ash tree in modern-day Maine
Mt. Galdhøpiggen’s Peak– Home of the seers
Níðhöggr’s Ash– Great serpent’s ash tree in Scandinavia
Níðhöggr’s Realm– Safety point created by Níðhöggr for twenty-first century time-travelers
Place of Seers– Magical location only those with seer blood can go
Skáld’s Ash– Double-headed dragon’s ash tree in Scandinavia
Skáld’s Domain– Double-headed dragon’s domain in Scandinavia
Vanaheim Willow– A point of safety within Skáld’s Domain
Viking Fortress– Stronghold once ruled by King Heidrek
Viking Keep– Stronghold once ruled by King Bjorn
Nine Worlds
Please note that while these worlds do, in fact, reflect those from Norse Mythology, creative license was taken in the world building of this particular series.
Niflheim (Old Norse: “Niflheimr”) means “mist home” or “mist world.”—The first of the Nine Worlds in Norse mythology, Niflheim is made of fog, mist, and ice. The darkest and coldest of the worlds, it possesses the eldest of three wells called Hvergelmir, a bubbling boiling spring protected by a dragon called Níðhöggr. It is said that all cold rivers come from this well and that Hvergelmir is not only the origin of all living but where all living will return. When the world tree Yggdrasill started to grow, it stretched one of its large roots far into Niflheim and drew water from the spring Hvergelmir.
Midgard (Old Norse: “Miðgarðr”) means “middle earth.”—The home world of humanity, Midgard is connected to Asgard by Bifrost the Rainbow Bridge. Odin and his two brothers Vili and Ve created humans. From an ash log, man. From an elm log, woman.
Asgard (Old Norse: “Ásgarðr”) Home of Norse gods and goddesses—The male gods in Asgard, are called Aesir, and female gods Asynjur. Odin (All-Father) rules over this world and is chief of the Aesir. His wife Frigg is Queen of the Aesir. Within Asgard is Valhalla, a great hall where half the brave souls of Vikings who have died in battle are received to feast alongside Odin. The other half who died courageously in combat go to Fólkvangr, a meadow ruled over by the goddess Freyja.
Vanaheim (Old Norse: “Vanaheimr”) Home world of the Vanir (AKA–Seers)—An old branch of gods, the Vanir are masters of sorcery and magic. They’re also well known for their talent to predict the future. This world possesses healing rock.
Muspelheim (Old Norse: “Múspellsheimr”) Home world of dragons—Burning hot, filled with lava, flames, sparks, and soot, Muspelheim is home to not only massive dragons but fire giants, and fire demons. Ruled by Surtr, those on Muspelheim are forever warring and often threaten those on other worlds. Surtr swears vengeance on many worlds including Asgard, vowing he will turn it into a flaming inferno beneath his fiery sword.
Helheim (Old Norse: Hel) Home of the dead—The final destination of anyone who did not die in battle. Families reunite in Helheim.
Jotunheim (Old Norse: “Jötunheimr”) Home of the giants (Jotuns)—Jotunheim consists mostly of rock, wilderness, and dense forests, and lies in the snowy regions on the outermost shores of the ocean. Because of this, for lack of fertile land, the Jotuns live off fish from the rivers and the animals from the forest.
Alfheim (Old Norse: “Álfheimr”) Home of the light elves—Ruled by the god Freyr, Alfheim hosts beautiful creatures called light elves that are considered to be “guardian angels.” Known for delivering inspiration via art or music, light elves are minor gods of nature and fertility with the ability to help or hinder humans with their knowledge of magical powers.
Svartalfheim (Old Norse: “Niðavellir or Svartálfaheimr”) Home of the dwarves—Masters of craftsmanship and ruled by King Hreidmar, the dwarves of Svartalfheim live under the rocks, in caves and underground. The gods of Asgard have received many powerful gifts from the dwarves.
Viking Ancestors
Rise of the Dragon
Viking King’s Vendetta (Sven’s Story)
Viking’s Valor (Håkon’s Story)
Viking’s Intent (Davyn’s Story)
Viking’s Ransom (Eirik’s Story)
Viking’s Conquest (Rokar’s Story)
Viking’s Crusade (Soren’s Story)
Previous Releases-Best Reading Order
~The MacLomain Series- Early Years~
Highland Defiance- Book One
Highland Persuasion- Book Two
Highland Mystic- Book Three
~The MacLomain Series~
The King’s Druidess- Prelude
Fate’s Monolith- Book One
Destiny’s Denial- Book Two
Sylvan Mist- Book Three
~The MacLomain Series- Next Generation~
Mark of the Highlander- Book One
Vow of the Highlander- Book Two
Wrath of the Highlander- Book Three
Faith of the Highlander- Book Four
Plight of the Highlander- Book Five
~The MacLomain Series- Viking Ancestors~
Viking King- Book One
Viking Claim- Book Two
Viking Heart- Book Three
~The MacLomain Series- Later Years~
Quest of a Scottish Warrior- Book One
Yule’s Fallen Angel (spin-off novella)
Honor of a Scottish Warrior- Book Two
Oath of a Scottish Warrior- Book Three
Passion of a Scottish Warrior- Book Four
~The MacLomain Series- Viking Ancestors’ Kin~
Rise of a Viking- Book One
Vengeance of a Viking- Book Two
A Viking Holiday- Book 2.5
Soul of a Viking- Book Three
Fury of a Viking- Book Four
Destiny’s Dragon- Book 4.5
Pride of a Viking- Book Five
~The MacLomain Series: A New Beginning~
Sworn to a Highland Laird- Book One
Taken by a Highland Laird- Book Two
Promised to a Highland Laird- Book Three
Avenged by a Highland Laird- Book Four
~
Pirates of Britannia World~
The Seafaring Rogue
The MacLomain Series: A New Beginning Spin-off
The Sea Hellion
Sequel to The Seafaring Rogue
~Viking Ancestors: Rise of the Dragon~
Viking King’s Vendetta- Book One
Viking’s Valor- Book Two
Viking’s Intent- Book Three
Viking’s Ransom- Book Four
Viking’s Conquest- Book Five
Viking’s Crusade- Book Six
~Calum’s Curse Series~
Sister series to The MacLomain Series. Can stand alone, but is best enjoyed after The MacLomain Series (Books 1-4) which includes The King’s Druidess.
The Victorian Lure- Book One
The Georgian Embrace- Book Two
The Tudor Revival- Book Three
~Forsaken Brethren Series~
Darkest Memory- Book One
Heart of Vesuvius- Book Two
~Holiday Tales~
Yule’s Fallen Angel
+ Bonus Novelette, Christmas Miracle
A Viking Holiday
Family Trees
Click HERE to view Family Trees.
About the Author
Viking's Conquest Page 23
