Page 43 of The Magic of Vanaheim

“One of the kind that leaves you flushed all over, aching to be touched?”

“I—umm—”

“There’s nothing to be ashamed of. I experience them too, like many others.”

Håkon wanted to believe him, but like so much of what Talvinen said, it was just too good to be true. Was he making fun of him?

“Did I visit you in this dream of yours?”

Always.

“Certainly not.”

“You moaned my name. I thought you were distressed. But you weren’t.” Talvinen’s hand slipped down Håkon’s bare chest to rest against the bulk in his loose-fitting pants. “You’re aroused. What did your dream show you that you liked so much?”

“It was nothing. I dreamt of that night when we raided Saeborg.”

Talvinen hummed as if he knew exactly what Håkon meant. “When I dream of that night, you always get trapped behind the shield wall. How I wish I’d been a little more cunning that night.”

Talvinen’s admission shocked him into looking up behind the curtain of his hair.

“You dream of it, too?”

Smoothing Håkon’s messy hair back, Talvinen regarded him with an affectionate smile.

“Oh, Håkon. You still underestimate how obsessed I am with you. When I’m awake, my thoughts always revolve around you. And when I sleep, I dream of you.”

With a soft sigh, Håkon sank back into the sheets. Maybe it was the strange, dreamlike atmosphere of the early morning or maybe Talvinen’s words had bewitched him, but he suddenly had no energy left to hide from his husband.

“You had me brought to your chambers. In the dream, you—” Håkon faltered, unable to give words to the disgraceful images the dream conjured. But surely Talvinen wouldn’t be taken aback. Maybe just once Håkon could—

“What did I do next?” Talvinen purred.

“You really want to know?” Håkon was suddenly furious. Bergelmir was right, Håkon didn’t have what it took to be a courtier or a spy. He couldn’t play this game any longer. “Then hear the truth if you can handle it,” he snarled. “I dreamt of being overpowered by you, dragged to your chambers, and bound to your bed. I dreamt of you in your armor, still dripping with my warriors’ blood, getting me ready for your cock. And like a whore, I loved it.”

Now,Håkon thought.Now, he’ll snap. No more playing nice.He was almost relieved.

Tensing, Talvinen regarded him with wide eyes.

“You’re serious,” he breathed.

Time seemed to have slowed down as Håkon waited for the surprise to turn to rage. Finally, Talvinen raised his hand, and Håkon braced himself for a blow, but his husband only brushed his knuckles feather-lightly across Håkon’s cheek.

“Does my husband want me to pleasure him like I did in this dream?” Talvinen asked, careful as if Håkon was a skittish horse he didn’t wish to spook.

“What are you talking about? I already told youI liked it!” This whole weird conversation made Håkon feel dizzy.

“In a dream, yes. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you fancy it in reality.”

“My mind isn’t that complicated,” Håkon said helplessly. What was it to Talvinen, anyway, what Håkon liked or disliked? “Why don’t you justtakewhat you want?”

Talvinen blinked, still so very calm. “Because I want what you want. This is nothing to me if you dislike it. I won’t take anything from you until you ask me to.”

“Ask you?”

“Yes. If you want to be held down and fucked until you can’t remember your own name, I’m more than happy to oblige. But it would be a game. One you could stop at any time if you change your mind.”

“Why would I—who would do such a thing?”