“What?” Leif couldn’t stop smiling. He knew he could read Aspen’s mind. But he had realized a lifetime ago how much he loved the anticipation of what Aspen might say next. It was rare for him to dive into Aspen’s thoughts. This was a hell of a lot more fun.
A slight blush tinted Aspen’s cheeks.
Leif had never been so excited to hear an answer.
Aspen chuckled. “My first thought was how cute it would be if we had an actual bear cave. A love nest.” Aspen made a dismissive gesture. “Not like a gross hole in a hill, but a little getaway—like a hobbit house, but big enough for a bear.” He shook his head again. “I’m not making sense.”
“That’s not true. I can practically see the place in my head.”
Leif felt Aspen brush his thoughts, as if he didn’t want to be rude, and only wanted a peek.
Aspen’s smile grew. “Yeah. Just like that. A little cozy yet hidden spot where no one can bother us. We can take little breaks from society.” His gaze turned heated. “A place where I can do whatever I want to you, and no one can hear you scream.”
Leif’s breath caught at the heat in Aspen’s eyes. He felt his expression shift to seductive. Aspen was the perfect mixture of achingly sweet and naughty as hell. In all their years together, Leif hadn’t once tired of him. If anything, the cravings got worse year by… Damn. The lusthadonly grown. How had he been so blind? Leif had lived in agony all because he couldn’t have Aspen’s mark. He had been so focused on that, Leif hadn’t stopped to think. There was only one reason they would spend decades together and never get bored. He had been distraught to the point of stepping into the fire. How had he not recognized his soul ripping into two pieces? Leif was floored. Somehow, without the mark or any of the normal pathways, they had always been soulmates.
“I regret nothing, you know?”
Leif startled at Celeste’s sudden appearance. Aspen didn’t react. In fact, he sat frozen, as if a movie on pause.
Leif’s gaze swung back Celeste’s way. “Have you taken up voyeurism?”
A beautiful laugh filled the air. Celeste’s eyes twinkled. “It’s my job to watch. Obviously, I have my own life and whatnot, but I’m always around somewhere.”
He wanted to be comfortable with Celeste. Leif wanted to forgive her. “What is that life? What do you do in the heavens all day?”
“Odin.”
Celeste answered without missing a beat, causing an unexpected laugh to burst from Leif. “Really?”
Celeste shrugged. “He’s my other half, so yeah. Warriors come with warrior stamina.” Her bright smile never dimmed throughout the confession. “By the way, it’s okay if you’re still angry. You can’t see everything the way I can.”
A hint of guilt wormed its way into his soul. While he would never betray Frost, he still recognized Celeste should know. He tried like hell to keep his thoughts locked behind a wall.
Celeste made a dismissive gesture. “The day you came back to town and disappeared, you solidified a theory I had. Frost’s patients were still well cared for, so I had a feeling he was still around. If he’s safe, then that’s all I can ask for right now.”
Damn. He didn’t stand a chance against her. Leif focused on Aspen to stop any other thoughts that might get him in trouble. His heart melted. “He really is perfect, isn’t he?”
“Agreed. My sweet Odin did a great job when he created Aspen. His heart is solid gold. That’s why you have to protect it.”
There was something in her tone that had Leif’s gaze swinging back her way.
Celeste held his stare. “His family is almost here. Aspen needs his warrior now.”
Before he could say another word, Celeste vanished. The world restarted. Aspen shifted positions, as if he meant to climb on top of Leif. A loud knock took the front door off its hinges. Leif sprang into action. In a heartbeat, he was on his feet, in full Viking dress and mode. With a battle ax in each hand, Leif blocked their path.
Fury bled from him. “How dare you beat down Aspen’s door?”
“Our door,” Aspen said quietly at Leif’s back. He curled his fingers around the waistband of Leif’s pants. Leif swept an internal gaze across Aspen’s mind. Aspen held on for protection. Not to keep Leif from fighting.
Bernard’s light brown eyes matched Aspen’s, except there was no kindness in them. His eyes were flat and dead. There was nothing inside but greed and evil. “I suggest you step aside, tiny Viking. You may be strong, but you’re not pack-of-grizzlies strong. You’re in the way.”
Aspen’s grip tightened.
Leif braced his feet and readied his axes. “Make me move, bitch.”
Bernard’s features shifted just enough to warn Leif he was about to strike.
“I clearly remember directing you out of town.”
