Of Gods and Wolves (8 page)

I shook my head and reached to touch him but the chains rattled and stopped me. He looked down as if he’d just noticed them. With a cry he rolled off me and undid the chains. They fell away, clattering against the stone with the ring of freedom. I rubbed my wrists distractedly as he knelt beside the altar and retrieved the black silk.

“Forgive me, Vervain,” he handed me the silk and stared up at me with those bright eyes.

I wrapped the material around me and tied it securely, holding his gaze the entire time. “Your mother was right.”

“My mother,” he shook his head with a little frown, “about what?”

“
Your eyes
are
beautiful,” I stroked his face as it filled with wary hope. “They’re not just jade but Imperial jade, a vibrant, translucent green. I’ve never seen eyes this color before.”

He closed those intense eyes and touched his fingertips to them gently. “It’s true, I see the world as it was,” he looked around him in awe. “I’d forgotten how vivid the colors were without the veil of blood.”

I smiled as he got to his feet and spun around, taking everything in. His priests came through the trees slowly, warily watching his strange behavior. They looked at me, unbound and unmarked, and then back at him. Their eyes widened and they fell to their knees.

“
Vervain,” he turned back to me and I felt it then, the connection my power had made through the healing. I loved him, as I loved Fenrir before him, and I’d carry it with me always. I'd carry him with me. Instead of scaring me, I found it comforting. I held my arms out to him and he picked me up to twirl me around.

“
I love you, little witch,” he whispered in my ear as he set me down.

“
I love you too, Blue,” I smiled but some of my hesitation must’ve shown through because he searched my face with concern.   

“
There’s more,” he sighed, “you don’t love me as you do Thor.”

“
No,” I said as gently as I could.

He nodded and took a deep breath. “I think I can accept that now. Do you need to leave immediately?”

“He’ll be very worried,” I bit my lip. “I'm sure Trevor's told him by now.”

“
Then you must return,” he took my arm and escorted me inside. “I think I need some time to process all these changes anyway.”

I traced into my living room wearing only the black silk and a smile. The entire God Squad was there, filling the space to capacity with the addition of Trevor. Thor's face filled with relief and then happiness as he rushed over to me but it was Trevor's face that would haunt my dreams.

I stared at the wolf, over Thor's shoulder, while Thor hugged me, and from Trevor's eyes to mine, passed something I have no name for. Relief was too mild a word for what I saw in Trevor. His were the eyes of a drowning man in the moment he clasped hands with his rescuer.

“What happened?” Thor finally choked out, loosening his hold marginally and forcing my eyes away from Trevor. “Trevor came to me after you called him. He said he caught traces of both you and Blue but was unable to follow you. I reached for you down our link but it was worse than blocked, it was like you were lost behind a void.”

“
Blue's known where I lived this entire time. He was just playing with me and he finally decided to end the game. He wasn't prepared for Aphrodite's magic in my hands though, and I won.” I pulled back and smiled at everyone. “Thank you guys for being here for Thor.”

“
We’re here for
you
, Vervain,” Trevor pulled me from Thor and hugged me, burying his face in my neck and breathing deep. A shudder wracked his body before he finally let go and passed me along to the others. I even got hugged by Horus.

“
Did you kill Huitzilopochtli?” Teharon’s calm voice asked what I’m sure they were all wondering.

“
Yes,” I smiled, “in a way.”

“Are you ready yet, darling?” Thor called from the living room. “The party's already started. We have to go.”

It was December 22 and we were going to the Yule celebration at Valhalla. It was a sacred holiday for the Atlanteans and the only time Thor saw his father anymore. He was acting like a cross between an excited child and a nervous groom. No matter that they were on opposing sides of the God War, Thor loved his father deeply and he missed him. This was a big night for Thor and I didn't want to spoil it.

I was just a tad concerned about going into Bad Guy Inc. as a guest though.

“
I’m almost ready,” I called out as I applied my powder and then stuffed it into my little red bag.

I looked my reflection over, checking that the red lipstick was perfect, the black eyeliner smudged properly, my cheeks blushed just slightly, and I nodded. I’d curled my hair and pinned little pieces of it around my face with red crystal pins but left the rest loose to hang about my hips. I still couldn't get over the changes in my appearance. It was like staring at a stranger sometimes. After all the changes my life had been through in such a short time, I kinda felt like a stranger too.

I stepped back and smoothed the deep ruby gown Thor had bought me. It had a tight, corset bodice which showed off my cleavage to its best advantage. I always said it wasn't what you had, it's how you display it and this dress did the trick. Made of heavy silk taffeta, it belled out a little from my hips, falling all the way to the floor. I loved the swishing sound it made when I walked and the sparkle of the Swarovski crystal encrusted bodice. The ruby colored gems spread down and spaced out over the skirt till they were just a sprinkling at the hem but around my decollete, they formed a solid front. My purse and shoes were covered in the crystals as well. I sparkled and swished with every step and I adored it. Isn't it funny how a wonderful dress that swishes can turn you into a little girl?

I found Thor in the living room with Nick on his lap. He looked up when I entered and his mouth fell open. He stood, Nick pouncing from his lap with an annoyed cry, and as he walked to me his eyes roved over me from head to toe. By the time he reached me, he was smiling so wide, I thought his face was in danger of cracking.

“You like?” I twirled so I could sparkle and swish for him.

“
I like,” he growled low in his throat, “I like a lot.”

He pulled me against him and I pushed back laughing. “You said we had to go.”

“Fuck the party, fuck Odin,” he dove into my neck, “and fuck me… please.”

I laughed deeper and felt him shudder. “Later, baby, if you’re a really naughty god.”

“Oh, I can be naughty,” he pulled me in tight again.

“
I know but right now we have to be good little children and attend your father's party.” I pulled my face back to eye him. “You know you want to see him. It's been a year.”

He groaned louder and pulled away. “Alright! Let’s go before I lose all familial loyalty.”

He held me and I held a large bag filled with Yule gifts, as he chanted the spell to take us to Valhalla. When I opened my eyes, we were in the tracing room. I took a deep breath and looked around. The last time I’d been there, was the first time I’d met Thor. He'd been trying to steal the same battle plans that I had. Then he invited me to join him and his little band of merry gods.

It was just a plain, empty room now, nothing to fear. The walls were carved wood, runes snaking down them, the ceiling beams carved the same. The floor was polished stone, completely unadorned. Very simple, as I'd found most tracing rooms to be.

A short, dark-haired man with a buff build came running up to us and bowed to Thor. “My Lord, please follow me and I shall announce you.” He took my bag for me and walked down a stone corridor.

Thor squared his shoulders and held his arm out to me. He had a black suit on with a red shirt to match my dress. It made his shoulders look even broader and his chest massive. His bright hair was slicked back into a braid and looked very debonair. The severe hairstyle made his jaw seem more rugged, the angles of his face sharper, and his eyes gleamed from their bright lining of lashes. He was breathtaking and I was proud to be walking in on his arm.

“His Majesty, Thor Odinson,” the man announced as we crossed the threshold and his voice rang out into the crowded dining hall, “Prince and Defender of the Realm of Asgard. Master of Thunder, Storms, and Sky. God of the Sea and Justice. Accompanied by Rouva Vervain Lavine. Mistress of Love, Lust, War and Victory. The Godhunter.” 

I hesitated when I heard the last bit but Thor’s grip on my arm was steady and he propelled me forward without a hitch. “It’s a title of respect,” he whispered to me. “They’re trying to honor you as a great adversary.”

I smiled and spoke through clenched teeth, “You promised I wouldn’t need my weapons tonight,” I scanned the room, “I’ve only got my bodice dagger on me.”

“
You brought a dagger even though I told you it wasn’t necessary?” His voice was filled with humor.

“
I didn’t want to go into the lion’s den unarmed,” I smiled at Ull, Thor's stepson by his ex-wife Sif, as we passed him and the gorgeous blonde woman with him, before we continued on to the head table. The table was on a raised dais and we had to climb a couple of steps to get up to it.

“
You can be very silly, darling,” he whispered to me and I laughed low.

“
Only you would call me silly when I’m armed with spelled steel.”

“
You’re never defenseless, Godhunter,” he kissed my neck, right where his lightning scar snaked down. He'd given it to me to cover a bite scar Blue had left.

“
Welcome to my hall, Godhunter,” a large Viking with long, dark-brown hair and a leather patch over one eye, stood to greet us. 

He had harsh but handsome features and his one eye was a piercing, peacock blue. I don’t mean it was a bright blue. I mean it was blue but shimmered purple and green depending on how the light hit it, like a peacock feather. It was framed with sin-black lashes and was so beautiful, it made me mourn the loss of the other. His mouth was framed by a neatly trimmed beard, at odds with his lumberjack physique clad in rich blue velvet.

I felt a trickle of anxiety go through me. This was one of the bad ones, known to be untrustworthy even by his friends. They called him Oathbreaker and I was instantly wary of him. It was said that he'd undergone strange rituals to gain magical abilities. Oh, and the eye he was missing, he reputedly gave it up willingly, so he could drink from a well of knowledge. He was supposed to be very cunning and very lethal. It's why I'd never attempted to assassinate him.

“
Thank you for allowing me to attend,” I knew the celebration was a truce among the Viking gods but I was hoping for some confirmation that I was included as well. I slipped my hand into the one he extended and he kissed it gallantly.

“
You’ve caused quite a stir but allay your fears. You’re welcome here, Rouva,” his smile grew, “for tonight.”

I laughed low and long and saw heads turn to stare. “Thank you for that. I always appreciate honesty.”

“As do I, Vervain,” I had a feeling that his use of my given name was meant as a compliment, although it put me on edge. “I don’t know if you’ve heard but I hold a great fascination for the occult and I’ve been told you read the cards. Maybe we could talk later?”

“
I’d be honored, of course.” What the hell else could I say; I’d rather chew bricks?

“
Great,” he smiled at me but it didn't reach his eye. His beautiful eye was haunted, focused constantly on a ghost instead of the living. I understood why it was hard for Thor to be around him.

“
Father,” Thor clasped arms with his dad and I saw a sliver of warmth creep into Odin's face before it was replaced by ice once more.

“
It's good to see you, Thor,” Odin sighed. “I wish you would visit more often.”

“
You know why I don't.”

“
We all have our roles to play,” he looked out at his guests. “And now I have to play mine. If you would excuse me?” He smiled wanly at me again and I nodded. “I have to greet my guests. The Froekn are arriving, perhaps you should play your role too, Rouva. Fenrir will want his Queen at his side.” For a second, the peacock eye twinkled but then it was doused by pain once again.

“
I'm here with Thor tonight,” I lifted my chin. “But I'll see to my family as well. I know my role too, Odin.”

The one-eyed god smirked and turned away, descending the steps and melding into the throng.

“Well, he's a delight,” I took my bag of gifts from Thor. “You wanna come with me to see the Froekn?”

“
Like I'd let you face the wolves alone?” Thor smiled but his smile was lacking, an imitation of his father's.

“
Don't carry his pain,” I laid a hand on his lapel and he looked down at me. “It's bad enough that he must bear it. There's no reason for you to join him.”

“
I would carry it for him if I could,” Thor frowned. “It's funny that you say that. I've always had this strange feeling that it would be mine one day. I think it's part of the reason I don't come around much.”

“
Heartache isn't catching, and it's not meant to be carried,” I reached up and rubbed at his frown lines. “It's meant to be tossed about like a hot roll until its cooled enough to eat. Then you consume it and use its nourishment to make you stronger. You don't sit with it in your hands, staring at it till it turns moldy and gross.”

“
A hot roll, eh?” Thor's lips were quirking up. “Are you perhaps getting hungry, darling?”

“
Oh, holy hand-grenades, yes!” I laughed and knew sweet success when he laughed back.

“
Maybe we should feed you before we go greet the Froekn,” he looked over his shoulder at the long table the wolves were settling into.

“
No, I can wait,” I saw Trevor look over at us expectantly. “Besides, there's only appetizers out now.” I reached over and grabbed a stuffed mushroom before heading down the dais.

I surreptitiously admired the grandeur of the hall as I munched on my snack. It was huge. The hall not the snack. The myths I’d read had described it as being wide enough for eight-hundred warriors to walk through it abreast. I tried to imagine it and I was pretty sure it was possible. Wooden trestle tables ran down the center of the room, three rows to either side before the high table. Open space stretched between the tables and the walls, filled with islands of lush carpets, on which comfortable but apparently ancient seating waited in an assortment of styles.

Gods milled around, holding cocktails served by the largest, meanest looking waiters I’d ever seen. I took a glass from one warily, eying his missing ear, as we passed through the crowd. The guests wore an interesting mix of varied ethnic dress and modern wear. They were beautiful and fascinating but it was the walls of Valhalla that held the greatest fascination for me.

They were solid gold, with curving Viking designs carved into them, and hung with gold shields. They glowed intensely in the bright lights, I could even make out a glimmer of the walls to either side in the far distance. God technology, not electricity, lit the hall with no discernible source and made the shields glow even brighter. In fact, it almost looked as if the light came from the gold.

I wasn't so fascinated by my surroundings that I missed all the attention I was getting though. By the time we reached the Froekn, I was a little irritated by the stares and heated whispers that followed us. Most of these gods were my enemies. They tolerated my presence merely because it was a holy day and I was accompanied by Thor. Otherwise, I got the impression they'd happily tear me to pieces.

“
Fenrir,” Thor held out a hand to my new adopted father. “It's good to see you.”

“
Thor,” Fenrir looked incredible in a black on black suit, his dark hair hanging in silky waves down his back. He had a gold torque with wolf heads on either end, gleaming at his throat. He shook Thor's hand. “I'm happy to see you're well.”

“
Fenrir,” I smiled and reached both arms out to him.

“
Little Frami,” he chided as he scooped me up and kissed my cheek, “call me Dad.”

“
Okay,” I laughed, “just put me down.”

“
You outshine them all tonight,” he whispered as he lowered me to the floor.

“
Thanks, Dad,” I winked and turned to Trevor. “Happy Yule,  VѐulfR.”

“
Happy Yule, Rouva,” he enveloped me in a hug.

I closed my eyes and let the scent of him wash over me. Inside me, I felt the wolf shake off slumber and come running forward to greet its other half. I shivered as it rubbed against Trevor through my skin, nuzzling and nudging. I felt Trevor sigh deeply, his own wolf rubbing against me through his skin. It was the oddest, most sensual feeling I'd ever experienced, being stroked beneath and above my skin all at once. It was as if my nerve endings were trapped between two animals in heat, so that every sensation I felt was magnified by their fur and lust. It was then I knew that although Trevor had given me a part of himself, it had changed when it rooted in me. It was my wolf now and it was all bitch. Go ahead and giggle.