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Chapter Nineteen

W hen his Cousin Prudence coined the phrase: “All the planning in the world can’t beat Dumb Luck,” Hopper never expected it to define his happiness or his Mating to the only woman he’d ever loved.

But there it was… And there they were. In the same place as a massive stroke of the proverbial Dumb Luck, and if his omnipotent powers told him anything, it was that they were about to have a whole lot of company.

But still, even with the chaos all around, Hel hadn’t run away. She hadn’t even looked away.

In fact, she returned his gaze and opened her heart and soul to him. It was wonderful and glorious and all that was missing was taking her in his arms and sealing their union with a kiss.

Of course, as he’d expected, his Mate had secrets. Nothing bad, or that deterred him from the love he’d felt the first time he’d seen her, or that had been growing since that very moment.

Oh, no, nothing like that. Hopper was quite sure nothing on Earth or in the Heavens or Hell could ever convince him that Hel Odinson Lokidottir was the one woman in all the world meant to be his.

He’d waited–not always so patiently– for lifetimes to claim her as his own.

The fact that she was a Dragon Shifter–a magnificent, glorious, beautiful female Dragon Shifter, only served to strengthen his already ironclad resolve that she was the one made for him by his Aunt, the Universe.

He’d always known she was spectacular, and seeing her Shift into one of the Universe’s Chosen Warriors, knowing that she shared her soul with the sister of the Welsh Dragon, Y Ddraig Goch was simply further confirmation that Hel was one of a kind.

It also explained why he’d felt such an affinity for the Amazonian Clans and proved once again that there were simply no coincidences, and his Auntie Universe did not make mistakes.

For a split second, Hopper wondered if he was the only one not in the know about his goddess’s alter ego.

However, Liv’s reaction–a gasped, “What the fuck?’ followed by “Hel’s gots some serious splainin’ to do…

” Then Dade, the Lupine of Legend’s grumbled, “That girl has always been a wild card…” said he most assuredly had not been left out of the loop.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t time for Hopper to share a first kiss with his Mate or for the Valkyrie to question her friend, for there were portals opening at all four corners of the compass.

Not to mention, he had some questions for the gigantic insect hellbent on killing his Mate and needed to know that the Amazonian Dragon Clans he’d rescued, who’d pledged their lifelong allegiance to him, were safe and unharmed.

Done being held at bay by Liv, her Familiar, and Pat, Hopper took the few brief seconds they were distracted, to slide to the right and race around them. Sprinting toward Hel, he only had to think of being by her side and there he was less than fifty feet from his Mate,

Overjoyed, and admittedly a little nervous, he decided to be his usual cheeky self, threw caution to the wind and mentally assured, “I am yours to command, Goddess.”

Her chuckle was music to his ears, but when she replied, “And I am yours in all ways, always and forever,” his heart filled with more love than he’d known it could hold.

Ready to snap his fingers, put everyone back where they belonged–especially the ‘Scrub’ that had once been Hel’s sister–and whisk his Mate to his home, Hopper got as far as lifting his hand when the portals opened and thundering, pounding footfalls shook the mountaintop.

Not one to be easily deterred, he went ahead and slid his thumb across the pad of his middle finger.

The snap was loud and staccato, and… nothing happened.

Not even a spark. What the hell was going on?

For all intents and purposes, they were on his island, Dreki Island.

His Magic, and that of his cousin, flowed freely and had protected the beautiful oasis for centuries.

So where was that Enchantment? Why wasn’t it working? Who had the Power, and quite frankly, the balls block him? Looking at Pat, his Cousin slowly shook his head before

Looking to Pat, he got nothing but a shrug. Eyes going back to his Mate, he felt the Enchantment of both goddess and Dragoness, but even that was subdued.

Something more than they knew was at play, and Hopper needed to get to the bottom of it.

He had to find out what Scrub had done to get on the island and that was all there was to it.

Ready to ask his Mate if she felt it too, a wave of Mysticism, incredibly potent and totally unique, intensified as the first of the portals he’d seen coming opened.

Dark and dangerous, but somehow friendly and familiar, the dichotomy of Magic versus emotions coming from whoever was traveling thought the vortex was headed.

Then the Leader came into view, and suddenly everything made sense.

Marching out of the northernmost portal was the revered Wolfman of Norse Legend who valiantly fought alongside the Northmen for many a battle and defended the Gates of Helheim from the one-handed Norse god of War, Tyr’s ruthless attack.

An imposing figure with dark fur with crimson running throughout, his eyes met Hel’s and everything became clear.

Garmr had been a true confidant and brother to Hopper’s Mate.

He’s been there at her lowest and happiest moments, and she had reciprocated in kind.

Instantly, the Wolfman of Norse Legend was a valued friend and one who would always be welcomed with open arms by the Omnipotent Being known as Hope and all Others of his Family.

Behind the ten-foot-tall Lupine was none other than Hel’s Army of the Dead.

Thousands of souls of those who did not go to Valhalla or other Realms upon their death flowed onto the mountaintop following Garmr’s hand signals with military precision.

Reanimated bodies, these battle-tested warriors who had not died on the battlefield, were ready and more than willing to give their undead lives for the goddess who had softened their descent and given them a peaceful afterlife.

Smiling as Hel asked Garmr, “How? How did you know? How did you get here? How…?” Hopper’s initial impression of Garmr was confirmed by the Wolfman’s response.

“As I have said many times, little sister, I will always be there when you need me as you have always been there for me. Family is not bound by blood or DNA; it is held together by love and understanding.”

“Oh, Garmr. Thank you,” Hel’s appreciation was so heartfelt had Hopper not needed to be paying attention to Scrub and her six-legged army, he would not have been able to stop himself from taking her in his arms and showing her how very much he already loved her.

But that murderous bug and her vile soldiers were closing ranks in preparation for an attack.

Further proof that timing had never been their thing.

Feeling an even more powerful Magic at his back, Hopper spun to the right, smiling despite what they faced as Hel spun in the opposite direction in perfect synchronicity with him.

Instantly stopping, their eyes met then returned to the front as a massive swirling vortex of an all-too-familiar Enchantment opened before a kaleidoscope of glorious greens, popping reds, and brilliant yellows announced the arrival of Empress Scathach, the Empress of Shadows, and the Clan Clonburren Warrioresses.

Unable to draw a single breath or ask where they’d been and how they’d gotten there, another portal to the West called for his attention.

Just like before, the Magic was well-known and most assuredly friendly.

Opening wide, magnificent colors of their homeland filled the air with the intriguing scent of ozone and summer rain as Queen Doireen, the Lightning Queen of the Amazon, and her Clan of Vibria Shifters ran into battle, their bows at the ready.

Not to be outdone, another twirling Enchanted doorway through Time and Space opened with a blast of cold air followed by a warmth that could only come from the Rain Forest. Marching onto the mountaintop that Scrub had turned into a battlefield, Princess Isolde, the Ice Wielder, and youngest of the Leaders he’d had the privilege of being sure thrived, along with her Clan took their place.

It was all perfectly coordinated and if he didn’t know better, Hopper would’ve sworn the Amazonian Leaders had collaborated with Garmr.

Opening the mental link he shared with the Empress, the Queen, and the Princess to include Hel, he didn’t have the chance to speak before Empress Scathach took the helm.

“We were trapped behind a wall of horrific Black Magic. It came out of nowhere right after I spoke to you. Those blasted letters twisted and warped, slithering across the sky, creating barriers between each of our Clans. That abominable bug had the utter nerve and overinflated ego to think she could best us. We are the Amazonian Dragons. We have survived worse than vermin. Have we not, Seňor Hope?”

“Indeed, you have,” Hopper responded. Seeing Hel’s brows furrow, he pushed the memories of saving the Clans and what he and Pat did to assure they had a safe home for all eternity.

Smiling, Hel whispered, “You truly are the best, Hopper,” at the precise moment that the Empress added, “Thank the Ancients, we have many tricks.” Then to his Mate she said, “And it is an honor to meet you goddess Hel. May we get to know one another better when we arise victorious.

“I couldn’t have said it better. We will…” Hel’s heartfelt appreciation was cut off as Scrub roared, “Kill them all!” and her Army of insects dropped to their bellies, their six legs moving so quickly they were only a blur of black and gray.