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Feeling lighter than air when he met her halfway, all thoughts of the twins, her father, or even Scrub simply disappeared the moment she laid her head on his chest.She had no clue how long it would take her to get over her father’s betrayal but refused to let anything ruin the most special moment of her life.She felt better… lighter… as if she was finally home in every sense of the word.

Leaning back, Hel knew she needed to explain, needed to try to make Hopper understand why it had taken centuries for her to come to him as the air around them filled with wonderfully brilliant Enchantment.Hel felt optimistic, knew everything would work out just the way it was meant to, and that even if obstacles arose, there was nothing she and Hopper couldn’t tackle as long as they were together.It had to be him… Had to be her Mate, the Omnipotent Being known as Hope making everything just as it should be.

“Oh, my darlin’,” her Mate’s deep voice and relaxed drawl were music to her ears.“Hold on tight.I’ll get you home.”

“Talk to you later, Helly,” Liv chuckled.“I’ll be sure to tell Desi, Faye, and Ari where you are and that you’ll call us when you’re ready but hang out theDo Not Disturbsign just in case.”Another snicker and she added, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”The Valkyrie’s chuckle turned into laughter right along with Pat who teased, “And since there’s nothing she wouldn’t do, I’m just gonna tell y’all to have a good time, and I’ll talk to you sooner or later.”

“Hush,” Hopper snickered.“Y’all are just jealous.”

His arms pulled her ever closer, making Hel feel treasured as she never had before as the Magic filling the air around them intensified.From one beat of her heart to the next, they were zipping through Time and Space and for the first time she could ever remember she wasn’t in control of the destination and could not have cared less.The Norse goddess of Helheim was with the man made for her by the Universe and all was right with her world.

Holding onto Hopper, the sound of his heartbeat strong and steady where her ear was pressed to his chest, she was suddenly wrapped in the fresh, floral scent of her garden.When he’d said he was taking her home, he meanther home, and that meant so very much to Hel.A second later, the soles of her boots touched the ground, and the honey, fruity, almost spicy scent of her Gallica roses welcomed her with open arms.

Unable to move, hardly able to breathe, Hel knew she should explain, that she should start their courtship on the right foot.But… It just felt so good, so right to be in his embrace that she never wanted it to end.

Finally, unable to calm her conscience or quiet Carys’s whispered prodding, she dropped her arms from around Hopper’s waist and stepped backward.Looking into his eyes, seeing unconditional love and not a speck of recrimination or questioning, her heart skipped a beat.

Inhaling deeply, ready to let it all out, Hel opened her mouth, but the words wouldn’t come.Suddenly blushing, her cheeks hotter than the flames of Lucifer’s Hell, her heart raced, and her palms were instantly sweaty.

“What’s wrong?”Her voice was barely a whisper as she begged Carys for an answer.

“You’re in love, my girl,”the Dragoness Queen smiled.“And you’re over analyzing, as usual.Do what you know you have to do and get on with your happily ever after.Great Goddess knows it’s about time.”

“But the words won’t come.I can’t…”

It was then that Hopper took a step forward and reached for her hands.The electric current that skittered up her arms then slid down her spine and landed in the depths of her soul was nothing short of thrilling.It was just had Fate had said it would be, and so very much more.

Looking right into her eyes, Hopper smiled a smile that damned near curled her toes as he mused, “I see you have even more Ravens.”Raising his eyebrows, he asked, “Should I expect them to turn into Guardsmen anytime soon?”

Chuckling nervously, Hel shook her head.“Oh, no.Since I was just as surprised as you, I asked.”She crinkled her nose, another nervous expression she’d just developed.“Their Leader, Rekkr, assured me that there are only four Raven Guardsmen, they could not reveal themselves until the right time or face the wrath of Odin, and that they will be staying on Asgard until we are ready for them to return.”

“Perfect.“If possible, Hopper’s smile grew brighter as he appreciated, “Your garden is spectacular.They’re all Gallica roses, aren’t they?You must have one helluva green thumb.They are gorgeous, but hard to grow, and I think you have every color ever created.They are magnificent.”Winking, an expression that set her heart to pitter-patting, he added, “I can feel your love and devotion on every petal, in the cool breeze.It’s simply stunning… Just like its gardener.”

It didn’t seem possible, but Hel’s cheeks got hotter, and it felt as if her heart was going to beat out of her chest.Then instantly, it was as if the pressure was lifted.She could breathe, and best of all, she could speak.

Sliding her hands from Hopper’s, she was overjoyed that her Mate knew how special her roses were not only by their very existence, but also to her that she didn’t even try to hold back.She heard the lilt of the Northlands in her voice and was shocked at the way she talked with her hands.She’d never been especially animated unless talking with her friends, but on this occasion, it was so much more.

“I am so happy that you like them.”Taking another deep breath, she held the rich, fruity, and powerful, scent of the Gallica roses close to her heart and let the words flow.“I fell in love with them on my trip to Mount Großglockner in the Hohe Tauern range of Austria.Have you been there?”

“I have.”

“Isn’t it beautiful?”

“It is, but not as beautiful as you.”

Unsure what to say or do, the butterflies in her stomach flitting and fluttering in the most grandiose dance, Hel powered on, the words flying from her mouth so quickly she didn’t have time to think about them.“Ummm, thank you.I just thought it was fabulous.I fell in love with the roses at first sight.It was the twelfth century, and I went with Liv on an errand for the All Father.Their blooms covered the mountainside, poking through the snow.Mother Nature’s artwork was unlike anything I’d ever seen.”

Her smile brightened in response to the twinkle in Hopper’s eyes.It made her feel things she’d never known possible–a heady mix of nerves, excitement, anticipation, and a whole lot of love and lust.

Unfortunately, her nerves were winning the war.She was talking faster and faster, moving her hands this way and that way, and shuffling left and right.Worst of all, there was a single drop of sweat rolling down her spine.Had that ever happened before?

Not likely… this was a once in a lifetime kind of nervousness–the best kind.

All the while Hopper smiled brightly, his electric blue eyes swirling with unspent Magic, adoration, and if she wasn’t mistaken, the same love and lust she felt filling every fiber of her being.Was she ready for this?Could she do it?Could she bare her soul, her heart, and most of all her body to the most handsome, wonderful, caring man in the entire universe?

Hel just wasn’t sure.There was a war raging inside of her.Her heart and soul, not to mention the Dragoness Queen with whom she shared her soul, were ready, willing, and absolutely able, but her head, her overactive mind, her memories, well, they were whole different story.

And at the moment, it was a toss-up which side would win.