A low beat tugged inside my chest, pulling and pulsating. Steady and calm, the deep sound of drums throbbed inside of me. Ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum. The rhythm worked its way through my body like a heavy bass that was making the seat of the car vibrate. I could feel it through my muscles, besides my heartbeats, and in my throat. The sound was not so harsh or sudden as modern drums, softer and almost bordering dark. Again, I felt the beat tug in my chest like something wanted out. Like the rhythm wanted to pull it out of me. The weird thing was that the sensation was so comfortable. It is soothing and exciting all at the same time. Ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-ba-dum, dum. Ba-dum, ba-dum. As the vibrations coursed through me, Images of hands slamming down on huge drums appeared in my head—almost hourglass-shaped drums draped with thick white and red paint. Creatures and unknown symbols danced around as the hands kept slamming down on the stretched skin that made the top of it. Magical and thr
“Have you lost it? You know I’m from what human world.” He only chuckled, which irritated me further. He continued eating and smiling for himself again as if he knew something he was not letting me in on. The worst part was that deep down, I hoped it was true. I hoped I had a family that actually loved me and missed me. But his claim had a considerable fault; if I belonged here, why didn’t I have a wolf? I’m still only human. I also remember that black wolf from my dreams, dreams that first started to devolve after I came here. These dreams felt so real, and I caught myself thinking about them as memories—my only memories of a happy childhood. But I also knew that was only wishes and frugal hopes. “What? Tell me the truth instead. Where are we going? “ “I never lie, well, not that often, at least! We are going to meet what I think is your family. And I really mean this, Eir, I really think these people are your family. I know you have many questions, but I don’t have all the answe
“Hades! Stop it!” “I’m just helping; stop flopping around; you are ruining it.”I squinted my eyes at him as he tucked me into bed. That would have been fine with me if he hadn´t wrapped me so tightly; I looked like an overstuffed burrito. The blanket was wrapped all around me; even my arms were stuck to my sides. “Oh, relax; I know what I’m doing! “ I rolled my eyes and wiggled like a fish on land while muttering; I doubt that very much. Then he huffed, crawled up in my bed again, and tucked the blanket around me even further. “Toke is locked up; I’m staying here now because we don’t have silver on the ship. I doubt he will try anything, but something is strange about that boy. I don’t recognize him at all; therefore, I do not trust him. And you need to relax and rest. I know females feel safe and relaxed when they are firmly wrapped and with their hands close to their bodies. “ “Hades! That’s kids. Kids, Hades, not women!” “Hm.. no, I’m sure it was women... Yeah, no. It is fema
Great. I groaned down in my pull before I jumped up. Wrapping the blanket around me, I did the awkward penguin walk to the bathroom-like area with my clothes under one arm. I muttered all the animal-related curses I could think of as I heard People walk by, chuckling down the hall. This scenario would once have been my dirty little dream, a fantasy enough to make my cheeks heat up at any moment. It's a dream scene where I’m trapped on a ship with only incredibly handsome and well-trained men. But I felt more like a version of Wendy from Peter Pan. An. It was an imaginary story where I had been tasked with the impossible mission of babysitting a handful of kids with a beard, bad humor, and over 2 meters tall. All that was missing was that I would be tasked to wash their dirty underwear and their stiff and sticky single socks. The only reason for it must be that these overgrown kids don't have socks. A doomed Wendy figure that has to walk around model-like giants, alluring, dark, and wi
"Eir! Finally!" He beamed, but I still just stared at him. What is this? But before I could answer, a rather clumsy figure crawled over the ship’s railing and fell over on the deck. She bounced right up again and scanned the People on deck. "Maya!?" She squealed and clapped her hands before running over and throwing herself around my neck. I hugged her back before I grabbed her shoulders, held her out before me, and gave her a thorough look over. " Oh god! What happened to you? Are you okay?" I couldn't help but throw Tew a suspicious glance. She looked like she'd been beaten even if she was smiling, bright as the sun. Her lip was swollen and had a deep cut that seemed just to have closed up. Red and blue marks around her throat, minor shapeless bruises, and small cuts down her arms, shoulders, and on her cheeks. My hand gently brushed against her swollen cheek, so scared it would hurt her. "I am fine, really! At least now!" "But, " My eyes kept finding new marks on her as I l
Tew's POV Of course, my lose-mouthed brother had spilled the beans. However, she didn’t seem to know too much or any details. Not that it mattered, but I wanted to be the one who told her. First, I was irritated when she so obviously avoided telling me about her mother; I thought she was one of those spoiled little brats still stuck in her teenage mentality. Her files didn't tell me everything, but more than enough to understand she might have a strained relationship with her parental figure. I had been so eager to hear about her because I didn't remember much. But the woman I remembered was nothing like the woman who raised her. In my memories, she was kind and smiling. She loved to bake; the smell of bread with honey could still make my mouth fill with water. I remember the morning all the Kids gathered around the fire she had started and watched as she made her incredible food on flat stones. Indeed, our ancestors cooked their meat like this, if not hanging over the open flames,
Toke´s POV: “No.” “Yes.” “Why now?” “Why not? Fury had been quiet for quite some time now, but at least I wasn’t alone. At first, it felt wrong, like I was switching him out. But then again, I’m not the one that left or asked him to leave. He just disappeared one day. I've already been on edge for some time now; everything is wrong. Everything turns out wrong! But as I imagine it, the idea is always the only solution. The only way it could possibly work, and I now knew she was the reason it didn’t work out. She was an outsider and didn’t belong here, so she ruined the balance. It didn’t feel right at first, but he was right. We had done everything right all along. Saved her, protected her, and even made the ultimate sacrifice. That is probably the reason Fury decided to take a break. Losing the Alpha title was hard on him. “He is selfish; it was hard on you too! But we did what was necessary!” “Yeah, I know! Then why did he vanish?” “Because he wasn't strong enough. Not strong
Eir´s POV. My head was a hot mess as I lay down on the soft grass, watching the start. Tew´s voice was carnal and deep, chanting words I’d never heard before in a language I could not understand. But that’s not where my thoughts were. Brother, Tew was my older brother! The sound of the drums increased in intensity, working through my body and finding my heart. It matched its rhythm before slowly working it up. Up and up, to the point it felt like my chest would explode, but I still struggled to focus on it. The sizzling sound of the open fire, the smell of burning flesh and blood sacrificed to their old gods. The drums I heard earlier felt like dancing to it; it all felt more like a distanced raucous creating a wall around me. It was locking me up in my own head. There never was a claim on me as a mate; there never was a promise forged in blood. It had all been an excuse for Tew´s pack to drag the Viking’s pack to the moonstone with the council's help. They wanted justice for what
Chapter 2 of book 2. Queen of KingsThe reaction was immediate, and no matter what I told myself, I lost control of it even before it started. My heart dropped; it felt like I was pulled back into an alternate reality where I watched the Fay march through the pack´s village. Sound and shapes faded out around me as I felt an unbearable need to cry. My chest started aching, my heart raging against my rib cage, and a lump threatened to suffocate me as I struggled to swallow. It was a real-time fight-or-fight reaction, but they conflicted with one another, crashing inside me as my body began to run. All I could think of was my kids. I forgot all about Eir; there was no room for anything else as my feet carried me in a rush between small cottages and houses. Are they okay? Still with Arcane? They are fine! Of course, they are! But still, all I saw was their small little faces, crying and calling out for me in desperation. Calling for their mom, and I wasn’t there! Irrational, it is irratio
Chapter 1. of Book 2. Queen of kings.Three years later.Maya´s POV.“Stop that!”“I don’t like it!”“I don’t care! Stop being such a baby, Arcane; stand still and try it on! Dressing you is worse than dressing the kids! And they have the ability to turn into wet noodles whenever I try!”"Is it really necessary? It feels like you’re trying to hang me!""Oh, stop the whining! It’s just a tie!""From what I’ve seen, nobody dresses up with something tied around their neck if they’re not going to hang! This is unnatural! Do you even think she will do it this time?"I paused, let my hands fall, and watched with a plain face as Arcane ripped that poor tie off him like a burning curse etching on his skin. I wanted to yell at him, and I wanted to hit him, but I knew it wasn’t fair. He was right, after all. It had been over two years already, and three times, Eir and the Dragon had prepared for the Royal mateing ritual and every time, she had found a reason to back out of it.There was no longe
Amon/ Dragon King´s POV.The deep-rooted frustration and disrespect faded the second he laid eyes on her. Dragon vision zoomed in, and his wings had stretched as he lowered his head and aimed. Everything was different now, and everything had changed. Why? I’m not sure, but I will figure it out. Her sob-filled laughter danced over the dark field yet again, and I wanted nothing more than to relish in this feeling. A quest for later, I thought to myself, right now, all I need is here. All I need is her.For once, I understood her. I hated to see her cry, and my heart felt pain with each heartbeat. But she cried while smiling, cried while laughing. I’ve never seen such love between two creatures, the way they fight joy, pain, heartbreak, and love. Because Maya, the lost Valkyrie, acted just the same as she did. Despite all the darkness that tightened around both girls’ hearts, love and happiness shone through just by seeing one another, and I think that is the only thing that kept me sane.
"Oh shut up, Hades, you know you love me."Nida winked at him before shifting her focus back to me, and to my surprise, the beautiful snake-like woman smiled at me with a beaming smile. Her white teeth looked unnaturally white, and her sharp canines glinted in the light. Deadly, stunning, and mythical. Nida was not someone I had expected to meet ever again and to be frank, I had no idea how to react. I should hate her, and she worked with Loki. But then again, she never did me anything wrong. Not really. To my surprise, Hades mumbled and looked down to the side, giving Nida all the space she needed without hesitation. I heard him beside me, still mumbling uncoherent words like a scorn teen.A cold but delicate little hand with long nails gently lifted my chin."Don’t let him sour your mood, little human. He is an expert at sulking. I mean, he beat the most skilled, spoiled, and stubborn toddler I’ve ever met anytime."I couldn’t help it; her voice was so cheerful, and I felt drawn towa
Eir´s Pov.She had long and thick brown hair in soft curls over her shoulders. Sparkling blue eyes, her skin was pale, but she had miniature roses on her cheeks. With a beaming smile, she looked nothing like I remember her. Blinking slowly, once, twice, and then three times. But she was still there, so healthy and... normal? Yes, normal. This couldn’t be real, but I couldn’t help myself; I had to talk to her!“Mom?”“My little Elly girl! Look at you!”Her hands reached out for me while she walked up. I couldn’t stop looking at her, and she was so different. But I still could not accept it, even when all of me knew and wanted to take it. Accept her, smiling at me! Wanting to hug me! So, of course, I just stood there, gaping, unable to move a muscle.“You grew up, baby girl, I’m glad. ““ I… Who are you?”“You know who I am, Elly! This is like I always told you: In the next life, Elly! In the next life. Well, technically, we are between, but who cares for the details!”Her smile faltered
Maya´s Pov.“WHAT DID YOU DO!?”The beast split into two men, both running straight for me, screaming. I could see the hatred, the evil, and their accusation pierced my skin. But I couldn’t react to them, could acknowledge their presence. All I saw was her, her white wolf, lying lifeless on the cold and dirty ground. Fur drenched in blood burned patches from my sword up her front leg where it had hit the bracelet.Shouting and cussing, words meant to hurt, bounced off the walls all around me. Tew and Arcane stopped them, curling them to the ground with no mercy or gentle touch. But I could feel even their eyes on me. The doubt, the shock, and the accusation they so desperately tried to hide. My sword fell to the ground, and the clang of metal against stones echoed down the darkness, over and over until the sound died out.“I didn’t kill her, I didn’t kill her…. I DIDN’T KILL HER!”A whisper I had no control over, a chant meant to convince myself. It didn’t work, and I didn’t hear mysel
Oh, goddess, was I wrong! I wanted to run and leave this incredible, horrifying darkness so many times, but Hades held me back. Took my hand and led me forward or held me back; eventually, we slowly walked down the narrow, black stone tunnel, filling my head with whispers. Stories about how they died, their last memories, their lust for revenge and despair. All through the hall, desperate cries of a baby echoed all around us. It was horrible, full of pain and fear, and despite not being used to babies, all I wanted was to pick up this poor soul and comfort them. But just walking there, not doing anything, made my heart shatter, my chest ached, and tears streamed down my face while walking silently.I clinging to Hades’ hand like it was the only lifeline I had, and I am not sure I will ever be able to forget this. I don’t know if I will ever stop hearing the poor baby crying in utter desperation. I can’t explain this feeling, cannot explain how this sound haunted me, pained me, and tore
“Anja? How the hell can you call that thing something so casual?!”“Because that is, or it was her name at the beginning.”We had finally stopped, sitting down in the pitch-black depths of the cave. The cold stones bit my back as I leaned against the cave's walls, pressing my knees up against my chest.“All lost souls, detached or roaming spirits, end up here. When she did, she was a woman like you. I am not sure what she was, but the legend says she was a shifter, but there are many stories about what kind. However, they said she was a greedy woman, sly and conning, and that she would use any means necessary to get what she wanted or felt she deserved. Nobody knows how she obtained the fallen dragon, but somehow, she did, but she did not anticipate the cost of her greed. There is nobody she can complain to, nobody that can change her faith, so as the years passed, her spirit became part of the skeleton. Together, they are now one; together, they collect all lost or wandering spirits a
*Mumbling* Goddess me, what an annoying sound! *Louder mumbling* A voice, a familiar voice at that. Do I really know people with such an annoying voice? “WAKE UP!” The shouting cut straight through the fog and mumbled and yanked me out, leaving me confused and annoyed at the same time. My eyes were soar and dry, making me blink several times before managing to make sense of the scenery around me. Still, it was so dark, and it all felt so strange. Surreal. The air was neither cold nor warm; it just kind of was there—no wind, but no wind still. No fresh air, no dense old air, heck, I'm not even sure there is air here. However, I am still breathing, not struggling. I feel no pain, no relief, just an immense void inside of me. “You took your time! Hello? Do you hear me? “ His voice was too loud, too close, and sounded so irritated and impatient that it rubbed off on me. Blinking desperately now, I tried to see him, remember him, but my head worked so slowly. Damned, did I drink last