Page 29 of The Magic of Vanaheim

As Talvinen stepped forward, he had to back away to prevent him from making physical contact, but after only a few steps, Håkon bumped against a wall. He was trapped. A shiver of excitement ran down his spine. For a few breaths he managed to stop the descent of Talvinen’s hand, but the angle was all wrong. He couldn’t hold him at a distance for long if he didn’t want to outright attack him.

Talvinen pushed his palm flat against Håkon’s chest, making them both gasp. Håkon’s skin prickled, gooseflesh spreading across his arms.

“See, I’m no hedge witch. Your little protection spell is no match for my power.”

Covering Talvinen’s hand with both of his, Håkon leaned into the touch on pure instinct.

“You have a mighty spirit trapped in this ink,” Talvinen whispered reverently into the space between them. “How did you acquire it?”

“It’s not a spell and I’m not avala,” Håkon hurried to say. “I hunted and killed a white bear on a sacred quest.”

Talvinen’s eyes shone with curiosity.

“A heroic act, indeed.” Pressing his body against Håkon’s more firmly, Talvinen pinned him against the wall. Håkon let it happen, unexpected heat gathering in his belly. “You realize that most pay a witch to catch a spirit for them.”

Snapping his eyes open—he hadn’t even noticed when they had started closing—Håkon tried to focus on the conversation.

“That would be an act of dishonor. You can’t buy such a deed.”

“You have no idea what services people payvölurfor,dróttning,” Talvinen said; as if he were the older among them and knew all the workings of the worlds. To Håkon’s surprise, he didn’t sound condescending. “You have no idea how many highborns useseiðras a shortcut to increase their power.”

“Not among theJötnar,” Håkon argued weakly, although he knew very well how wrong his words were.

“You’re a bad liar, Håkon Bloodaxe. I like it. Can I kiss you?”

“Y–yes.”

The sweet words and soft touches had Håkon almost drunk. He feared what Talvinen could do to him, and he craved it. Besides, it wouldn’t hurt to lull his enemy into a sense of security, he reasoned.

Closing the gap between them slowly, Talvinen gave him time to change his mind, to turn away, before he joined their lips in the sweetest of kisses. This time Håkon opened readily, eager to allow Talvinen to lick into his mouth and nibble at his bottom lip. Talvinen’s hand sneaked up to cradle Håkon’s neck, and Håkon felt himself relax in response, head tilting back to rest in Talvinen’s grip. He could stay like this forever, lost in the mesmerizing feeling of Talvinen’s tongue gently caressing his. When Talvinen retreated after what felt like an eternity, Håkongasped for air. It seemed like he’d forgotten how to breathe for a moment.

“What do you enjoy?”

The question pulled him out of his comfortable little cocoon of pleasant sensations, reality crashing down on him like a wave of icy seawater. They were here to complete the marriage rites, and Talvinen demanded an answer Håkon had no idea how to give without embarrassing himself beyond redemption.

“Just get it over with,” Håkon growled and tried to pull away, but Talvinen wouldn’t let him, instead pinning him down with his body weight. If Håkon didn’t want to start a fistfight, he had to stay where he was.

“Fine, let me put it another way. When I take you to bed now, what do you need? And what do I have to avoid so you can feel safe?”

“I’m not a maiden! I can handle this.”

Something like anger sparked in Talvinen’s eyes.

“Gods, you’re so stubborn! I know you can handle this, but you don’t have to. In fact, you won’t.”

“What?”

Gripping Håkon’s wrist, Talvinen pulled him towards the huge bed. Too stunned to resist, Håkon stumbled after him.

“Hold still,” Talvinen ordered, turning to face him.

Håkon froze as Talvinen started opening the belt, unfastening Håkon’s gown with skillful movements. To Håkon’s mortification, a simmering heat pooled in his belly. It was stupid and dangerous, but the way Talvinen told him what to do was exhilarating. It should make him feel angry, lacking, but instead, Håkon almost enjoyed it. The expensive fabric slipped to the floor, pooling around Håkon’s ankles and leaving him standing naked in front of his husband. The sheer intensity Talvinen regarded him with had a new wave of heat crawl over Håkon’s skin, making his cock twitch.What in Hel’s name?

“On the bed. Lie on your side. Face away from me.”

Håkon shuddered. Scrambling to get on the bed, he was almost relieved. This he could do. He could follow orders. He could endure pain and humiliation. If it meant fulfilling his duty and protecting Anya, it would be worth it.

The bed dipped, and he could feel Talvinen’s warm body settling against his back. Håkon tensed.