Smiling, I shake my head. “This would not happen, Aaric would not allow it,” I say, assuring her that we are safe here on the outskirts of Attleview.
She presses her lips together. “Aaric was not here, he was gone. Also, you were not here, either. It was just me and they came with torches, Quest.”
Taking her hand in mine, I squeeze it gently. “If I need to leave, you will stay in the húsgørd with Sylvi. Will that put your mind at ease?”
She nods, but I can tell that she is still frightened. Tugging her arm toward me, she stands and walks over to where I sit. Slowly, she sinks down on my thigh, her eyes finding mine instantly.
“You are minn, Hillevi. Nothing would keep me from you if you were indeed in danger. Even if I am gone, all you must do is reach out to my mind and I will always answer.”
Lifting my hand, I wrap my fingers around the back of her neck, squeezing as I gently apply pressure to bring her face closer to mine. She lets out a sigh before her lips touch my own.
My tongue invades her, and instantly I smell the scent of her arousal. Smiling to myself, I continue to stroke her tongue with my own, tasting her so deliciously. She shifts on my lap, lifting her skirt as she straddles my thighs.
I moan, knowing what is to come, I can practically taste her desires. This is just another reason why giving up other playmates was not a difficult decision, not ever.
HILLEVI
I need him.
It is not a desire right now, it is a need that consumes my entire body. I reach between us, unlacing Quest’s hide before I wrap my fingers around his length and free his böllur from its confines.
Lifting my hips slightly, I shift and take him completely inside of me. My head drops back as he stretches my body to its limits. Quest’s hands wrap around my ribcage as I shift my hips and ride him the way that I know we both enjoy.
“Nobody will ever harm you, Hillevi, I will not allow it,” he rumbles.
Lifting my head, I watch as his nostrils flare. He watches me intently, one of his hands leaving my ribcage and slipping between us. I whimper when I feel his thumb press against that perfect spot, the bundle of nerves that will send me over the edge.
“Harder,” he demands.
I’m unable to speak, my body moving to a rhythm of our own song. I watch as his tongue snakes out, my eyes focused on that beautiful forked tongue as I continue to ride him, moving faster, grinding against his thumb harder with each stroke.
He grins, knowing exactly what I’m looking at, knowing exactly what I’m feeling and how close I am to falling over the edge into an abyss of sensations. My hips jerk as the climax takes over. His thumb moves harder and faster against me until I finally stiffen and cry out.
Then, he stands, keeping my boneless body pressed tightly against his hips, his fingers grabbing ahold of my bottom tightly. He turns us, placing my bottom on the kitchen butcher block counter. His eyes stay connected to mine, his body connected to mine as well.
He doesn’t speak, his hips slam against mine, over and over, his pace strong and unyielding as he takes from me, over and over until he finally stills and fills me with his release.
Quest touches his mouth to mine, his lips brushing my own before his tongue tastes the seam and then he lifts his head, his red eyes focused on me and nowhere else.
“You are minn, Hillevi. You are my mate, meant to carry my heirs and be the woman at my side. I will die keeping you safe, nothing will ever harm you as long as I am alive.”
“I love you, Quest,” I whisper as tears fall from my eyes and down my cheeks. “I have always loved you.”
“Já, Hillevi. I have always loved you as well, elskask. There is no other for me.”
Epilogue
TWO MONTHS LATER
HILLEVI
The niggling feeling of something tragic happening doesn’t go away. Quest and I have come to a comfortable life together. He has started to build a small barn to house our animals in the winter. I have been cooking and preserving meats and other necessity items for the impending cold weather as well.
I haven’t had any more visions, but the one that I had with the villagers and pitchforks was enough for me, for a lifetime.
I hear Quest grunt from the barn, then jog toward me. Pressing my lips together, I know immediately that something has happened. He dips his chin when he is directly in front of me.
“I must leave. Aaric needs me,” he says.
“No,” I whisper. Tears immediately fill my eyes. I do not want him to go anywhere. “No,” I cry out.
He lifts his hand, wrapping his fingers around the side of my neck. “Hillevi,” he snaps.
I press my lips together as the tears flow down my cheeks. He shakes his head a couple of times, then his gaze focuses on mine.
“Gather your items. You will stay with Sylvi.”
“Nei,” I grind out. “I have much to do here.”
His brow arches and he snorts, a bit of smoke escaping his flared nostrils when he does. “You will gather your items, you will go and stay with Sylvi. I will keep you and our heir safe.”
“Heir?”
His lips turn up into a smirk. “Já, elskask, our babe. I sense it within you. It is still new, but you are with child.”
“I will go to Sylvi.” I nod.
He chuckles softly. “Thank you, elskask.”
I take a step back, ready to pack my things, but he reaches out, cupping the back of my head before he tilts his head and touches his mouth to mine. He kisses me chastely and sweetly. My eyes close at the perfection of this moment and I know without a doubt that we will be okay.
QUEST
After dropping Hillevi off at the main húsgørd, I make sure to go out into the privacy of the woods before I transform into my dragon form at her request. Once I am myself, I soar into the sky before I reach out to her.
You are safe?
I am safe, Quest. Sylvi and I are sharing a treat of fresh fruit spread.
I hum, thinking of the fruit touching her lips, then send her an image of me licking it off of those plump lips.
Stop that. She giggles, obviously enjoying my message. You will be safe, elskask. Take care of yourself and the babe. I shall return shortly. No mission could keep me away for too long, no matter the cause.
Return to me safely, my Quest.
I grunt, closing the line of communication between us as I guide myself toward Bunafi where Aaric and Liv are awaiting my presence.
They have a messenger that they wish me to transport to Savona. I assume it has to do with the prophecy. I do not question such things as it is not my place.
The only time I have made a request of my konungr was to get Hillevi back. It did not take much convincing from her and I wonder if I could have wooed her back into my bed on my own, without his demands?
I see Aaric and Liv in the middle of a purple grass field. I am surprised to see Arion waiting next to them along with four other people. Landing softly, I jerk my snout and look over to Aaric.
Who are these people? I demand.
“Quest, this is Aerilon, King Elias and Queen Sybilla of Bunafi. These other women are their völva,” he announces, choosing to speak his words aloud, probably so that they will not think him conspiring.