“When I saw Yggdrasil the first time, there were dead, dark branches. I thought they represented other queens who’d died out.”
“They do.” His lips tightened in a harsh slant. “There have been multiple villains playing this role for the Screaming Madness—whether coincidentally or deliberately—who were dedicated to killing out as many of the Mother’s daughters as possible. Each time a House was obliterated, the Screaming Madness came closer. Their whispers were louder.”
“If the line is completely dead, how do we revive it?”
“Only each goddess can choose to revitalize Her line, if She desires. Many have passed beyond the Nine Worlds, or they slumber in endless forgotten sleep.”
“Could we try to wake the sleeping goddesses?”
“Yes. Some will be quick to respond. They may only need to be worshipped and revered once more to wake them. Others may require sacrifice.”
Sacrifice. Like the blood I’d offered to the Ironheart throne and the Yggdrasil seedling.
I thought of Karmen, trapped for so long in Heliopolis. How many queens had Ra abused and killed throughout millennia?Or the young Isador queen, born in an age where few queens had been born in centuries.
What had her mother sacrificed to bring Shara Isador into this world?
Which only made me wonder what my mother might have endured with Loki to have me. I was still angry I’d been sent away. Upset she had manipulated and destroyed my memories. But perhaps I needed to understand the full story before passing judgment. I’d sworn to never manipulate my Blood’s memories, but someday I might be forced to make a painful decision to ensure the continuation of the Ironheart line.
Because I hadn’t escaped Jörmungandr to allow House Ironheart’s branch to die.
My gaze fell on Heimdallr’s throat. Blood still dripped from the two neat punctures of my bite. Mesmerizing me. Deep ruby against the darkness of his skin yet somehow glistening with the promise of his rainbows and energy burning in each molecule. Flickering my gaze up to his mouth, I couldn’t help but want his bite. Even—especially—his jagged golden shards.
But if he bit me…
I wanted him to be inside me first.
He dropped his chin, bringing his head closer to mine, though tipped to the side so I could still see the dripping bite.:There are other ways I can pleasure you without risking any exposure to the human.:
:There’s no need.:
Dörr made a low grumble beside me like the earth rumbling before an earthquake.:If you need, we need, my queen.:
:We are yours,:Heimdallr added.:Always. In any and every way you desire.:
:You’re a god.:
He turned his head a little further, his lips light on my hair.:I’m still a man, Helayna, my queen. A man who hasn’tbeen blessed with the touch of another living being in so long I might very well never stop coming once I allow this body to feel pleasure again. Knowing you yearn for me…:
He drew in a shaking breath, his chest quivering against me. His blood seemed to light up inside me. Rainbows, spinning, swirling, reaching across the galaxies to glide through my body. His hands pressed to my back, over the top of my sweater, yet I could feel the gentle glide of his fingers dancing up my spine. Pulling the rainbows to slide and expand inside me like musical strings he plucked and strummed. Drawing the tingling magic across nerves. Bones. Muscles. Making them sing.
A moan escaped my lips. Hopefully suppressed against his skin, or so I hoped.
But music suddenly filled the cabin over speakers I hadn’t noticed. Loud enough to drown out any further sounds I might make, with a heavy drum beat that matched the pounding of my heart.
I swallowed more of his blood. More rainbows for him to pull through my body. Sparkling, glowing light filled me. Not harsh or even warm. Not sunlight, starlight, or moonlight. But ribbons of color across the spectrum. Dancing through me like aurora borealis in the winter sky.
Climax sparkled through me. Gentle waves of pleasure making me moan again. Spilling more of his blood down my chin. Probably the sweater. Glittering prisms of light sparkled behind my eyelids. Brighter, spilling out of me. I opened my eyes, watching the rainbows scatter around the interior of the car.
From me. Not him.
“You have walked the Shore of Corpses. You have conquered the Endless Slough. You have released the Well of Hvergelmir to water Yggdrasil once more. Now, the Bifröst shines in you,Helayna Ironheart, taking you anywhere the rainbow bridges can reach.”
24
HELAYNA
Lokken whispered in my head.:We’re at the edge of the city now, my queen.:
