Consciousness creeps in slowly, led by the sensation of Dani's silk-smooth leg draped across my groin, her heat branded against my side. My mate's sprawled across me like a satisfied cat, her chocolate brown hair wild from where I'd gripped it last night, her throat marked with my love bites.
The memory of her screaming my name, her body arching off the bed as I wrung orgasm after orgasm from her sweet pussy, has my cock hardening again. The way she'd begged so prettily, her honeyed-caramel eyes glazed with pleasure as I'd pushed deep into her throat, fucking that smart mouth of hers until tears streaked her cheeks. By the fourth time, she'd come apart around my cock, she could barely form words—just desperate, needy sounds that still echo in my ears.
My savage satisfaction deepens, watching her chest rise and fall in exhausted slumber. She won't be playing games with my control again anytime soon—at least not without expecting the consequences.
Clouded rays of dawn spill through the window slats, painting Dani's skin in strips of light and shadow. My internal clock's screaming that we're burning daylight—Baldr's pompous ass will be strutting through those gates any minute to escort us to the final Einherjar. Just what I want today—the self-righteous deity with a stick up his ass telling us what to do.
The sounds of training already echo from the yard below. But the one sound I'm listening for—the distinctive ring of Erik's blade—is notably absent. After the show he put on last night—nearly ripping Gunnar's throat out with his bare hands—Bryn had chased after him like her ass was on fire. The sexual tension rolling off those two could've set this place ablaze. If my brother didn't finally claim what's his after that display, I'm officially disowning his stupid ass.
I trace my fingers down Dani's spine, savoring how she shivers even in sleep. I need to get some food in her after last night's... activities. However, from the marks I left on her last night, she might need more than breakfast to get moving.
Can't have my mate running on empty when we face whatever bullshit the gods have planned for us today.
My fingers slide into Dani's hair, savoring the silk-smooth strands while I breathe in her scent—honey, sunshine and sex. "Time to wake up, Angel." My grip tightens on her hip, thumb stroking one of the marks I left.
Her answering moan vibrates against my chest, followed by the teasing drag of her fingers across my skin. "Mmm... that feels good." Her palm maps the planes of my chest like she's trying to memorize every inch and fuck if that doesn't make my beast purr.
A growl rumbles through me as her touch dips lower. As much as I want to spend the day buried inside her sweet heat, duty's calling—and it's got Baldr's annoying face attached to it. "Baby, you keep touching me like that, we're never leaving this bed." I press my lips to her temple, breathing her in one last time. "But we've got a realm to save and an asshat god waiting."
Dani nuzzles into my chest, her lips curving into a sleepy pout. "Just five more minutes," she mumbles, her voice still rough from sleep—and from screaming my name last night. "I haven't slept or felt this relaxed in… I don't know how long."
"Oh, is that so?" I tease, my fingers still tangled in her thick hair. "Amazing what happens when you're not icing me out for a week. Guess I wore you out pretty good, huh?"
She lifts her head just enough to shoot me a look through her lashes, honey-gold eyes sparking with mischief. "Don't get too cocky, Mister. I seem to recall someone begging for mercy around round three."
I tug her hair playfully, loving the way her breath hitches. "Funny, all I remember is you screaming my name and coming so hard you nearly blacked out."
She nips at my chest in retaliation, her teeth grazing my skin in a way that has my cock jumping to attention. "Mmm, I think you're confusing me with your reflection, Fjord Fluff."
Her sass, even half-asleep, pulls a chuckle from me. My fingers continue their path through her hair, each silky strand sliding across my skin like a caress. I could do this for hours,just mapping the texture and memorizing the way the light catches each highlight.
Fuck, I'm turning into a sap. But with her warm and pliant in my arms, her scent wrapped around me like a second skin, I can't find it in me to care. I'm obsessed with every inch of this woman, and I'm not even trying to hide it.
My palm connects with Dani's ass in a playful swat, the sound echoing through the room. She yelps, her body jolting against mine as her eyes fly open. "Come on, Angel." I trace a finger over the marks littering her skin, each one a reminder of the pleasure I wrung from her last night. "You need my blood to heal these. And then I'm going to feed you actual food." The scent of sizzling bacon drifts in, making my mouth water. "I can smell them cooking up some bacon."
Dani's gasp is almost comical, her eyes widening as she pushes up on her elbows. "Bacon?" The reverence in her tone, like I've just offered her ambrosia instead of fried pork, brings a grin to my face.
"Mm-hm." I hum in confirmation, my smile widening at how her whole face lights up. Fuck, I'd cook her a whole pig myself if it meant seeing that look every morning.
Dani's out of bed in a flash, her naked body a blur of golden skin and tantalizing curves as she reaches for her clothes. "Yes, please! I'm starving." The words tumble out in a rush, her fingers fumbling with the laces of her tunic in her haste.
I'm dressed before she's even got her pants on, the perks of vampire speed. Leaning against the wall, I watch her struggle with her boots, a smirk tugging at my lips.
"Show off." Her sass is undercut by how she's hopping on one foot, trying to tug the boot without falling over.
Rolling my eyes, I grab her fur-lined coat from the chair. The heavy fabric nearly pulls me off balance—how the hell does she walk around in this thing? As I lift it, something flutters to the floor. A yellow piece of paper—blank when I turn it over. Odd. It's probably just scrap from one of Dani's many pockets. Without a second thought, I toss it on the bedside table and turn back to my mate, holding out the coat for her.
Once fed and healed with my blood, we make our way to the gate.
The morning sun glints off the frozen gates where Baldr's waiting, his godly ass propped against a pillar like he's posing for a fucking painting. No sign of Erik or Bryn—which either means my brother finally got his shit together or we've got one hell of a mess to clean up.
"Ah, Lightborn!" Baldr's voice carries across the courtyard with condescension masked as benevolence. "The Clouds themselves dance with joy this morn! The Cloud Palaces have prepared a grand feast in your honor—a celebration of your triumph over the first Einherjar!"
Dani's eyebrows shoot up. "A party? Really?" Her tone fires off with that unique brand of sarcasm she saves for immortal bullshit. "Because nothing says 'urgent quest to save the realms' like stopping for champagne and canapés."
"It would be most discourteous to decline, Dani." Baldr's smile is all superiority and impatience. "The people of Ásgard await. A mere day's delay, then we journey forth to your next challenge."
Dani's eyes find mine, that warm amber gaze asking what I think. I shrug, letting her take point on this one. "Your call, baby."
