In a flash, he dove in, swimming underwater, long arms propelling him forward until his hands caressed her smooth, sleek mermaid scales. He surfaced beside her, pushing hair away from his face, playfully blowing a stream of water over her bare, exposed breasts.
Her nipples hardened at the exquisite touch.
Treading water at her side, Njörd’s lips followed the trickle from the teasing spurt. Lust and longing glimmered in his ravenous gaze. “Sailors describe the irresistible lure of sirens… so enticing, so tempting, they wreck their ships upon the rocks.” His warm lips latched upon her left nipple.
The blissful sensation of the rhythmic tug made Elfi moan.
“You are incredibly beautiful as a mermaid,” he murmured into the shell of her ear. “But I prefer you as a human, with long legs to wrap around my waist.” He nuzzled her neck, pressing his hardened body against her mermaid tail.
“Me, too.” Elfi shifted, encircling Njörd with her regained human limbs.
He groaned as if in pain, grasping her hips with urgent hands. “Let’s go up on the beach. The water’s too deep here. I can’t touch the bottom.” He suckled her throat. “I need leverage to impale you.”
Elfi melted onto his shoulder, desire throbbing between her thighs.
She lifted her head and scanned the private beach sheltered by high stone cliffs which surrounded the cove. “I see the perfectspot.” Elfi pointed to a recessed area of soft white sand nestled behind the crystalline rock jutting out on one side.
Njörd grinned. “After you,elska minn.”
Elfi swam to shore and emerged from the Elandrian Sea, wringing water from her long, light brown hair. Her salty skin tingled in the sun.
Njord shook the salt water from his hair and body, fetched his wolfskin cloak, and spread it upon the sand inside the curved arm of the rocky cliff. “I almost left this in the cottage, since it’s so warm. But now I’m glad I didn’t.”
He laid her down on the wolfskin cloak, like he had done many times in the waterfall cave. With relentless rhythm, he lapped and stroked her tender flesh, lavishing her body with luscious lips, skilled fingers, and his wonderfully wicked tongue. As taught as a bowstring, her body tensed with increasing, nearly unbearable pleasure. Until she snapped, like an arrow released, as waves of climax washed over her.
Njörd raised his head from between her thighs, licking his mustache and fingers. “Mmm, he hummed, “Iloveyour taste.” His hair fell forward as he centered himself between her legs, nudging her thighs apart with strong knees. His calloused hands slid under her bottom, lifting her hips and positioning his hardened shaft at the entrance to her quivering body. He hovered over her, his deep blue gaze alluring as the Elandrian Sea. “And I loveyou. My siren with the sea goddess eyes.” He plunged into her, rocking with the rhythm of the waves which lapped at the sandy shore.
She wrapped her legs around his thrusting hips, her arms around his tense back, drawing him in deeper, locking him inside her with long, loving limbs. As his momentum increased, his pounding intensified, pulling Elfi into a curling, cresting wave. When Njörd arrowed into her, convulsing in pleasure, she shattered beneath him, her body clenching and contracting around his as he filled her with his seed.
He kissed her softly, lovelight shining in his dark blue eyes. “Paradise,” hewhispered. “To be inside your luscious body, here inÁlfheim… on the shore of the Elandrian Sea.” Njörd laid down at her side, pulling her into his arms.
Sublimely content, Elfi watched white birds soar amongst the clouds, filling her lungs with the clean, saline scent of the sea. “I am truly grateful that you are unlike my father.” With tender fingers, she caressed the dark hair on his chest. “You trained me with weapons, respect me as a warrior, and will honor my wish to fight at your side in Ísland.” Rising up onto one elbow, she kissed his irresistible lips. “I shall always love you, myWolf of the Nordic Seas.”
He rocked her in his sinewy, tattooed arms. “I am glad to have seen you as a mermaid. And you met me in wolf form once—in the waterfall cave.” His lips brushed the top of her head, snuggled against his chest. “Now that we have shared our shapeshifting selves, we are truly bound, body and soul.”
They lay together, limbs entwined, savoring a few blissful moments before Njörd suggested they return to the cottage. “Let’s see if Úlf has awakened. And what surprise Lugh has planned for him.” He stood, extending a hand to help Elfi to her feet.
While she donned her gown and boots, strappedÚlfbladaround her waist, and secured her necklace and talisman, Njörd quickly dressed and shook the sand from the wolfskin cloak. Hand in hand, they crossed the beach and climbed the sandy embankment, back to the crystal cottage at the top of the cliff.
Inside theLjósálfarabode, a delicious aroma filled the air. Ylva and Luna had obviously harvested fresh vegetables from the garden, for they were preparing golden carrots, frosted beans, and dark green kale streaked with silver. At the sight of Elfi and Njörd, Luna took in their wet, sandy hair and grinned. “Looks like you swam in the sea.. If you like, you can rinse off in the lake.”
Elfi inhaled the appetizing scent and hummed. “Something smells wonderful. What are you cooking?” She glanced at the flaky pie centered on a metal rack over the blazing hearth.
“Une tarte aux mirabelles,”Ylva replied, referring to the wild plum tarts popular in thePays de Caux. Her bright blue eyes widened with delight. “But made with the golden plums ofÁlfheim.”
A ripple of laughter flowed from Elfi. “Is all the fruit here golden?” She remembered the apples, cherries, and pears they’d eaten earlier. And the glorious, honey-colored wine.
Luna brushed a lock of pale blonde hair from her bemused, luminous face. “Most, but not all. Snowberries and moondrops are white. And frosted starfruit is icy silver.”
“Frosted starfruit? That sounds incredible. I’d love to try some!” She glanced at Njörd, who chuckled and nodded in agreement.
“It’s very rare. Only the trees near Lyrian Lake produce it. The silver flowers bloom in the spring, and the fruit ripens in winter.” Luna smiled softly. “When is your babe due?”
Elfi rested a hand over her lower belly. “Not until spring.”
“Then you and Njörd must come visit this winter. We can celebrateJólhere inÁlfheim.” Luna placed a large bowl of silvery kale on the table and beamed at Elfi. “We’ll have a feast fit for the gods—with frosted starfruit for a sweet dessert. It has a light, minty flavor—with a hint of rich, icy cream. Perfect for the winter solstice.”
“That’s a wonderful idea.” Njörd hugged Elfi and kissed the top of her head. “Let’s go rinse off in the lake.” He ducked his chin to Ylva and Luna. “We’ll be back soon.”
