Page 61 of The Magic of Vanaheim

“How?” Håkon’s gaze was unfocused, his lips parted in a blissful expression. So little was enough to make him squirm with pleasure.

Talvi placed a possessive hand on Håkon’s chest just where the swirling ink of his tattoos formed a powerful rune. Its force tickled Talvi’s fingertips, but instead of sucking his power in like it was supposed to do, it resonated with him. It didn’t even cost Talvi effort anymore. Maybe Håkon’s bear spirit had grown fond of him, and Håkon moaned as the sparks of Talvi’sseiðrdanced over his chest.

“Just a little spell to enhance your pleasure,” Talvi said, allowing the force inside Håkon to expand just a tad more and sending a jolt of pure delight right to the spot that made Håkon writhe at the slightest touch.

Eyes widening and back arching, Håkon let out a stream of curses.

“Good?” Talvi asked smugly. It was exhilarating to watch Håkon coming undone under his touches, how he allowed Talvi to see him lose control.

Håkon’s only answer was a guttural moan as Talvi let hisseiðrmove rhythmically. He watched Håkon whimper and thrash in theseiðr’sgrip as Talvi poured pleasure over him in wave after wave. He stroked them both lazily while he made sparkling delight wander all over Håkon’s body, worshiping every part of him. When Talvi finally came to focus on theseiðrstretching Håkon deliciously open, his husband was a mess beneath him, sweating and panting. He was more gorgeous than the most precious treasures in a dragon’s hoard.

“You’re so beautiful, moaning just for me,” Talvi praised. “So responsive. Taking everything I give you so well.”

Finally picking up the pace of his strokes, Talvi felt as if he might lose himself. It seemed like he might sink into Håkon and form a shield around him to protect him from harm. Talvi wasso close, and he wanted Håkon to share his release with him. They were both leaking pre-come, and Talvi’s hand around them was slippery with it. He squeezed tighter still, his hips rocking in the same rhythm theseiðrpulsed inside Håkon, and Håkon was uttering the most delightful of incoherent noises, truly lost in pleasure.

Heat gathered in Talvi’s belly, and he made sure to share the overwhelming ecstasy with Håkon, pressing relentlessly against that most sensitive spot deep inside him. Håkon came, his cries of pleasure unrestrained, and the sight of his husband losing control of his body and surrendering himself completely to Talvi made him fall over the edge too. For a moment, everything around them dissolved in swirling colors and shattering stars.

Talvi came to, lying atop Håkon, his fist still curled loosely around their spent cocks. He peppered Håkon’s face with kisses while his husband was still dazed, eyes half-shut and body soft and pliant under Talvi.

“I love you, Håkon Bloodaxe,” Talvi whispered. “I love you so much.”

“Talvinen,” Håkon whispered like a prayer.

“Shhh, you did so well for me. Let me clean you up now. You don’t have to do anything other than relax and fall asleep.”

“Talvinen,” Håkon said again, reverently, as if he couldn’t believe the extent of Talvi’s dedication to him. He shuddered with aftershocks of his orgasm, and Talvi hurried to get him clean and wrapped up under the blankets.

“You asked what had me distracted,” Talvi said against Håkon’s neck as soon as he had his husband sleepy and warm in his arms.

“It had better be something important,” Håkon grumbled.

Talvi procured a golden bracelet he’d taken from the mound out of thin air like a mummer entertaining an audience at a king’s hall. He couldn’t help being at least a little flashy about it.Håkon deserved good things. Wonder and excitement. And Talvi was determined to provide him with everything he could ever dream of.

“I got this for you. A little token of my appreciation.”

Håkon groaned. “You stole from an undead king.”

“I only took what’s rightfully mine. So, will you accept my gift?”

Offering him his wrist, Håkon sighed. “Sure, you madman.”

Fastening the bracelet around his husband’s wrist was incredibly satisfying. It marked Håkon as his for everyone to see. Talvi enjoyed the beautiful contrast of the golden shimmer against Håkon’s skin.

“Thank you,” Håkon mumbled, relaxing again.

Talvi kissed the top of his head. It took only minutes until Håkon was fast asleep, his breath even and his features serene. Talvi couldn’t imagine a more satisfying sight.

The fabric of the worlds billowed. The threads of fate snapped as if they were being shaken by a storm and rewove themselves again. He smelled the sea and saw tree-high waves pulling ships into the depths. And down below, deep down, a green glow.

Talvi was wide awake at once. Soft sunlight filtered into the barn through cracks in the wood, and the smell of fresh hay tickled his nose. He lay on his back, Håkon’s head resting comfortably on his shoulder. Talvi smiled. His sleeping lover was a beautiful sight, peaceful and vulnerable. Talvi admired the red marks hisseiðrhad left on Håkon’s pale neck and shoulders.At least for the moment, Håkon felt safe with him, and Talvi was glad for it.

But there was something not quite right that tainted the tranquil atmosphere of the morning. It felt like a thunderstorm brewing on the horizon; something sharp and crackling, making the hairs on Talvi’s forearms rise. Something was coming; he could feel it.

Sitting up carefully, Talvi kissed Håkon’s cheek.

“Wake up,” he whispered into Håkon’s neck, kissing him there for good measure, too.

Håkon’s eyes blinked open slowly, his whole appearance adorably sleep-rumpled and soft.