Page 72 of The Magic of Vanaheim
He could sense Talvinen’s completion drawing closer, his thrusts speeding up and the softest of smiles gracing Talvinen’s lips. When he came whispering Håkon’s name like a prayer, Håkon fell over the edge right with him, nearly blacking out from the force of all-consuming pleasure engulfing him.
The feeling of Talvinen lying heavy on top of him and peppering kisses all over his face was the first thing Håkon registered when he came to.
“What are you doing?” he mumbled.
“Kissing my beautiful husband.”
Håkon chuckled. He felt marvelous, satisfied, and safe in Talvinen’s arms. Talvinen still hadn’t slipped out of him, and even in this state, he filled Håkon up pretty well. So this was to be the ultimate humiliation that so many warriors feared? Another man taking his pleasure between Håkon’s legs. Talvinen’s cock in his ass. Håkon didn’t feel weakened, though. Quite the opposite. He was satisfied and felt wonderfully connected to his amazing husband. Could theVanirbe right after all and his father’s misgivings be nothing but misplaced prudery?
“It feels good,” Håkon mumbled. But suddenly he remembered what Talvinen had said about the bear spirit and having to fight it like Håkon once did. “What about you? Are you all right?”
But Talvinen only smiled at him. “Better than ever. Do you know your bear is quite fond of you?”
“Have you defeated it?”
“Let’s say he didn’t put up much of a fight. He gave me a speech about not hurting your feelings, though. As I said, he has taken a liking to you.”
“Really?” Håkon couldn’t imagine. But Talvinen sounded serious. “So did it work? The blessing I mean?”
“Oh, Håkon,” Talvinen laughed and kissed his nose. “Look!”
Lifting his head with difficulty, his teasing retort caught in his throat. At first, the surrounding landscape seemed shadowy and still, but then Håkon sensed a pulsing movement emanating from the altar. Something was shifting beneath the earth; it was as if the mighty roots ofYggdrasilitself were moving beneath them. Threads of greenseiðremerged, meandered across the shore, and vanished again, and further away in the forests and fields, golden lights began to bloom and sparkle.
“Norns,” Håkon breathed. “Did you do all of that?”
“Wedid,dróttning. You did so well.”
Håkon felt heat creeping across his face, although after what they just did, he shouldn’t be embarrassed by a few words of praise.
“But what about you? Are you really okay?” Talvinen asked after a short moment of silence. And he looked so genuinely concerned after shagging Håkon senseless just a few minutes ago that he couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
“I’m good. More than good,einar minn. But I wouldn’t mind retreating to somewhere more private now.”
An interested glint awakened in Talvinen’s eyes. “That can be arranged, I suppose. I’m sure Uncle has a tent for us. The night is still young, after all.”
nineteen
Harvest Moon
?alvi
Afull moon shone brightly above Saeborg, bathing the citadel and the fjord below in a soft, orange light. The crispness of autumn was already in the air, the forests turning vivid hues, but the balcony high above the town was cozily warmed by generous fire bowls. Harvest in Vanaheim was much more abundant than in previous years, and theVanirknew who they had to thank for this blessing: Talvi’s powerfulseiðrand his wonderfulJotunnhusband.
Talvi lay stretched out on a bed of pillows, Håkon nestled snugly against his side. As he watched his husband doze, a wave of pride and affection washed over him. Just a few weeks ago, Håkon would’ve never allowed himself the closeness of Talvi’s body and the comfort of his affection, but after defeating thedraugrin the burial mound and performing the fertility ritual together, something had changed between them. Even mostvölurdisliked serving as a vessel in a carnal ritual as it was so taxing, but Håkon had endured it without complaint. Talvi was so proud of him.
“Are you watching me again?” Håkon slurred.
When they had walked through the decorated streets of Saeborg earlier, theVanirhad presented them with flowers, food, and cups of mead. Håkon had drunk plenty of it, and now his cheeks were flushed purple, and his limbs were heavy.
Talvi smoothed Håkon’s tousled hair gently. “Always,” he murmured into Håkon’s ear. “You’re so gorgeous. I just can’t help myself.”
Sighing happily, Håkon relaxed into his embrace even more.
“Did I tell you I persuaded Uncle Njord to enchant a mirror to show a moving image of you when I was a boy?”
“Now, you’re making fun of me,” Håkon complained.
With a wave of his hand, Talvi commanded the small chest containing his treasures to come flying to them from under his bed. Better to come clean about his hoarding tendencies now while Håkon was blissfully relaxed.