Seraphina's embarrassment floods our bond, her face buried in my neck."Don't, Cupcake,"I soothe through our mental link."This is our house. We'll fuck on any surface we damn well please."
Emily groans, peeking through her fingers like she's watching a train wreck in slow motion. "What is this, the supernatural edition of OnlyFans? Some of us actually SIT on that couch, you horny disasters." Her eyes flick to Seraphina with a mix of sympathy and amusement. "Honey, if Count Hornula here is making you fulfill his exhibitionist fantasies, just give me the signal. I've got a spell that'll Hex his dick off."
"Okay, first of all, rude," I gasp, clutching my chest in mock offense. "I would never pressure my angel to do anything she didn't enthusiastically beg for. And second..." I turn to Seraphina with a wicked grin. "Baby, tell Rainbow Brite over there how much you love when I rail you on the couch."
Seraphina's face flames brighter than the sun. "Lucian!" She smacks my chest, but I catch the hint of a smile playing on her lips.
"You're both nasty," Emily declares, throwing her hands up in defeat. "Just nasty. I hope you know you're steam-cleaning every inch of that couch. Twice."
"Only twice? That's cute." I waggle my eyebrows. "Challenge accep—OW! Cupcake!"
Seraphina cuts off my retort with a sharp elbow to the ribs. "We promise to be more discreet in the future," she assures Emily, ever the polite one even with a raging blush.
Emily drops onto the nearest chair, rubbing her temples like she's nursing the mother of all magical migraines. "As much as I'd love to keep roasting your public displays of passion, we've got bigger problems." Her voice carries the weight of an oncoming apocalypse. "We've got a Category five shitstorm brewing."
My internal alarm goes from "mild concern" to "holy fucking catastrophe" in zero seconds flat. Even Seraphina's earlier blush vanishes.
"What now?" I demand, already knowing this is gonna be worse than that time I tried to teach Erik how to use Twitter.
"It's Lilith." Emily's face hardens, her eyes gleaming with panic. "She and Morgan opened a rift. But that's not the worst part—" She swallows hard, looking between us with genuine fear. "Something came through. Something big."
Rhyland
24
Fucking surreal doesn't even begin to cover this shit.
This is beyond anything I could have imagined. One minute, I'm dealing with vampire drama; the next, I'm soaring through the clouds on my father's battle-bred stallion. Life's got one hell of a sense of humor.
My fierce little angel amazes me by chattering up Gullfax like they're old friends. The beast practically preened when she translated his pride at carrying me, telling me how honored he is to serve. That kind of legacy hits harder than any battle wound.
They've set us up in quarters that would make mortal kings weep with envy. Everything gleams like polished moonstone and ancient power. After washing off the realm-hopping grime in a bath that could double as a small lake, we're dressed and seated at the table.
And by dressed, I mean holy fucking shit. My woman's gown looks crafted from pure sin and warrior's dreams. The silvery fabric hugs every curve, Norse runes tracing paths I want to follow with my tongue, gold armbands wrapped delicately around her biceps. That neckline dips just low enough to make my fangs ache, and the slit up her thigh is going to drive me fucking insane all night. Not that it matters what she wears—Dani could be dressed in a garbage bag, and I'd still want to bend her over the nearest surface—but seeing this much of her skin on display? Makes me want to wrap her in my jacket and snarl at anyone who dares to look too long.
Her hair cascades down her back like a waterfall of chocolate, intricate braids woven with precious beads that catch the light with every movement. The style screams warrior princess, but all I can think about is how much I want to wrap those silken strands around my fist and—yeah, better keep those thoughts in check. Not the time or place to let my inner beast show how much my mate's beauty affects me.
They've got me in some fancy warrior get-up—black leather pants, a midnight blue tunic with silver runes, and a vest that probably costs more than most kingdoms. At least the boots are made for combat—if anyone's eyes linger too long on my mate tonight, they might find out exactly how well they're crafted for ass-kicking.
This table is a fucking behemoth, groaning under the weight of a feast that could feed an army of warriors. We're talking a whole roasted boar that could gore a man, mountains of potatoes, and piles of fruits and veggies I can't even name.
I lean into Dani, my lips brushing her ear as I mentally connect,"Try to keep those sexy table manners in check, Angel. Don't need these gods knowing what that mouth can really do."I smirk, remembering how her enthusiasm for a meal gets me rock-hard and ready. The way she devours everything with gusto, all satisfied moans and licking her fingers clean? Fucking hot as hell. But maybe not the best look in front of the Gods.
"Oh, you are so going to regret that later, mister,"Dani's mental voice is pure sass, that dangerous, sweet tone promising retribution."Keep it up, and I might just have to get creative with my... appreciation of the cuisine if you catch my drift."
The promise in her words sends a bolt of heat straight to my cock. My girl never backs down from a challenge, and I fucking love her for it. But as much as I'd like to take her up on that offer right here and now, I'm pretty sure Odin wouldn't appreciate me defiling his dining table.
"I trust your chambers are to your satisfaction." Odin's voice rolls like distant thunder across the table.
"Yes, they're beautiful. Though I'm a bit lost on the proper etiquette for addressing the king of gods," Dani quips, her smile bright despite the nervousness I feel through our bond. "Do I curtsy? Bow? Sacrifice a goat?"
A rumbling laugh escapes the All-Father. "Odin will suffice, child. Such formalities have no place among those destined to reshape the realms." He raises his goblet, studying her with that penetrating gaze. "It brings me great pleasure to finally meet you, Lightborn."
Dani's cheeks flush as she raises her glass, some of her usual sass returning. "Right back at you. Love what you've done with the place."
"The architectural magnificence is truly remarkable," Erik says from my left, his refined tone conveying measured appreciation. "One could spend centuries studying its intricacies."
"You're too kind," Frigg's voice flows like liquid silver, her smile radiant. But something shadows her ethereal features as she adds, "We've worked tirelessly to preserve its glory... though I fear for how long we can maintain such splendor."
