Chapter Thirty-One

Back at the safe house in Florida, the team settled in the dining room for a debriefing before taking a much needed break. Paz had summoned the shuttle to the cinder plain for pick up, and Erika had been glad to slump in her seat and close her eyes. Now she forced herself to full alertness at the table for their conference. Time for rest would come soon enough.

She cast a curious glance at Yaron. He hadn’t explained his actions at the time of Loki’s demise, and she wondered if it had anything to with the secret he, Kaj, and Dal were keeping from Zohar. That notion troubled her, but she’d discuss it with Magnor later.

“Seismic readings confirm that the volcano has stabilized.” Kaj displayed a holographic image of the globe in the center where all could see. “The tectonic plates are settling, and the danger of more quakes has passed. The dimensional drift is within normal range.”

“Thank the Creator.” Zohar rubbed his stubbled jaw. “With the star cruiser arriving this week, Yaron can synthesize his antidote to the confounding spell. If this solution works, we can deploy it worldwide. Then I must return to Karrell. I shall expect you all to attend our wedding, directly following my coronation as emperor.”

He smiled proudly at Nira, who gave him a silly grin in response.

“After we’re married,” the mythologist said with a twinkle in her eyes, “I’ll come back to complete my doctorate degree. I’ve proposed setting up an Institute for Cultural Studies on Karrell. It can help foster understanding and tolerance among the different peoples in Zohar’s empire.”

Erika’s heart squeezed. If only things were that simple for her and Magnor. They had yet to have a frank discussion about their relationship.

“Jen and I are staying here,” Paz announced, kissing the fingertips of the svelte fashion designer at his side. “I’ve sent in my resignation to SattCom Networks. I’ll work on my prototype for the nexus space relay until Jen’s lease expires on her Manhattan apartment. Then we’ll consider where to move.” He beamed at her, his smile full of affection.

“Lord Magnor, what about you and Erika?” Zohar asked. “Your duties as Drift Lord don’t apply during times of peace. Remember, though, that we meet at the Academy once a year for a review and training session.”

Magnor stiffened, his eyes on his captain. “Sire, if you plan to expand enrollment, you’ll need instructors. Perhaps I can—”

“Thank you, but no. Rule number one of the League is that your life is your own when our services are not required.” His somber glance encompassed the others. “Up until now, our special ability to detect cors particles forced our participation. Thus our founders vowed that when off duty, we’d be free to follow normal pursuits. I’ll hire instructors in the required disciplines for our new recruits.”

Magnor’s mouth tightened. “Then I’ll go home with Erika, if she’ll have me. I thought I would look for a job in security or maybe pursue a career in the justice system.”

“That sounds like a plan.” Erika’s voice cracked. This was the first she’d heard of his thoughts for the future. It sounded as though he really meant to stay.

He gave her an oblique glance. “Are you sure? Because if you don’t want—”

She touched his lips. “Of course, I want you to come home with me, husband.” She flashed her diamond wedding ring for the others to see. “You’re mine, and I’m not letting you get away.”

“Kaj, Dal and Yaron, what will you do once you’re dismissed from duty?” he asked them. “You still haven’t told me how you all got together again and where you met your ladies.”

Erika tickled his arm. He could probe into their business later. All she wanted was to get her caped warrior home alone. Besides, she had a feeling those three weren’t done with their fight. She didn’t want them to drag Magnor into it.

“Save it for next time,” she said with a seductive smile. “I want to share my future plans with you.” Scraping back her chair, she stood. “Come, I’ll show you what I mean.”

****

Erika turned off the shower spigot and stepped out for a quick towel dry. Then she reached for the outfit she’d bought for this occasion. Finally, she and Magnor had some privacy. She’d used her vector device to whisk them home to Arizona.

Magnor had dove into the shower while she phoned her parents to let them know she was okay. Then it had been her turn. She donned the silky fabric, fluffed her curly hair, and opened the door. Her feet padded on the carpet.

Magnor waited in the bedroom clad only in his briefs. He whirled at her approach, and his jaw dropped.

She wore a red teddy that barely covered her bosom and ended just below the juncture at her thighs. Magnor scanned her with a predatory gleam, like a wolf facing its prey.

Ugh, that brought to mind the image of Fenrir. Not a good analogy.

“What is this?” he said, his voice thick.

“This is my way of showing you how much I want you.” She sauntered toward him, her hips swaying.

He took the bait and wrapped his arms around her. “Do you really wish me to stay?”

Erika’s body fired at their points of contact. She wanted to rub herself up and down his hard form, take him inside her, and show him how much she cared.

“Yes, I want you to live here with me.”

“Why is that?”

“Because…” Erika struggled to force the words out.

She wondered what was in his heart. Did he care enough to make their marriage real, to stick with her regardless of the hurdles they faced in the future?

Did he love her?

Maybe her confession would spur his own.

His hand roamed to her breast, gently caressing her through the silken fabric of her teddy. She moaned when he stroked her with his thumb, the words almost spilling from her lips. Low in her belly, a kernel of need kindled into a spark.

“I want you to stay because I love you.” Moisture tipped her lashes. There, she’d said it.

He drew in a sharp breath then pulled her closer to nuzzle her hair. “You are my beloved, now and for eternity. Do you accept me as I am?”

His words sounded familiar. Hadn’t he said something similar before?

“I do. And do you promise the same for me? You’ll stay with me through the good and the bad, through sickness and through health as in our vows?”

“Yes, my glorious bride.” He muttered some words in a foreign tongue. “By this pledge, we are bound as one according to the customs of my people. I will make my place here. You are my home now.”

“Oh, my dear lord.” She kissed him passionately as her hands splayed across the broad planes of his back.

Setting her away at arm’s length, he grinned down at her. “I’ll share my last secret with you, wife. You’ve helped me restore my honor, and so you’re earned the privilege of learning my name. My first name is Vil.”

“Vil.” She rolled it on her tongue and smiled at him through her tears. “Well, I have news for you, Vil. Your name is likely to be carried through to future generations.”

His puzzled glance turned to one of joy as comprehension dawned. “You carry my babe?”

“It’s possible. That time of the month is late, if you know what I mean.”

He whooped and lifted her in the air. When she’d settled down, she raised her face toward him.

“I love you, Drift Lord.”

“And I love you, my knesta.” He kissed her hair, her eyelids, and her mouth. Then he nudged her toward the bed.

He might have come from the stars, but as Erika’s body descended upon the mattress, she knew his soul was bound to earth with hers.

Their breaths mingled as they entwined their limbs and gave way to passionate abandon. No outside sounds intruded on their lovemaking.

The blessed silence was a treasure beyond words.