Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 37456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
"I'll fight," I promise.
Chapter Six
Malachi
Icarry Marion into my room, cradling her against my chest. She feels so small in my arms, but she's more powerful than any Valkyrie I've ever known. To hold that much power… Gods, I can't even fathom the strength it took her. Yet she did it without even flinching. The Forsaken were right to fear her. She is ferocious.
And more precious than anything I've ever known.
I set her gently on the edge of the bed and brush tendrils of fiery hair from her face.
"You should sleep while I shower, ljúfr," I murmur, my fingers lingering on her round cheek.
She leans into my touch, her green eyes fluttering. "Will you…" She pauses, as if gathering her courage. "Will you lay with me when you're finished?"
"Ja," I whisper hoarsely. My cock throbs at the thought of holding her warm body against mine again. Out there on the battlefield, with the Forsaken and varulv coming from every side, I thought I'd never get the chance. I was certain that I'd die without ever knowing what it was to truly be loved by her.
Perhaps it's selfish to take this time when war is on our doorsteps, but I'll take it anyway. I won't waste this second chance the Norns saw fit to give me. Nei, that she gave us. She snatched a second chance at life for all of us from the jaws of defeat, scattering the Forsaken like roaches scurrying from the Light.
If four Valkyrie can do what she and her sisters did today, Gods help the Forsaken when we find Kara.
Leaning down, I brush my lips over hers, overwhelmed with gratitude. The soft sigh that escapes her sets my blood on fire.
It takes everything I have to tear myself away and stride for the bathroom before I take her right there. I want her so damned badly it hurts.
Inside, I quickly strip off my clothing, grimacing at the splatters of the dirt, grime, and varulv blood. Tossing them in a heap to burn later, I climb into the shower, the steaming water sluicing over my battered body.
The ache of my muscles is no match for the incessant throbbing of my cock, however. Need threatens to eat me alive as I stand beneath the spray, consumed by thoughts of the Valkyrie in my bed.
Gods, how I hurt for her…
My hand drifts down, fisting my shaft. I grunt at the sensation, squeezing—
"Malachi?"
I spin at the soft sound of her voice, only to find her standing just outside the fogged glass, watching me with dark, hungry eyes.
Helvete. She's so damn beautiful.
"Ljúfr," I rasp, my hand still gripping my throbbing cock.
Her emerald gaze drops to it. Still, I don't let go. I can't.
"I couldn't sleep," she whispers, her tongue darting out to wet her plump bottom lip. "I…"
"Shower with me, Valkyrie," I murmur, my voice a gravelly rumble of pure need. "Let me take care of you."
"I…" Her tongue drifts along her bottom lip again before she nods hastily.
I watch like a man dying for the sight as she quickly strips from her clothing, baring herself to me. And, ah, Gods, what a sight. Every inch of her is soft and round, freckles dotting her porcelain skin. I want to fall to my knees before her in worship.
Instead, I hold the shower door open, my heartbeat pounding in my cock as she slowly steps inside with me, her eyes wide in her pale face.
I place a hand on her shoulder.
She startles at my touch.
"Easy," I croon, drawing her closer. "I won't hurt you."
"I know." She tilts her head back, staring up at me with those bewitching eyes. "It's not that. It's just…" A rosy blush crawls up her cheeks. "No one has ever seen me naked before, Malachi."
Satisfaction hums through me at her confession. I press her back against the slick shower wall, caging her in with my body. "Want to know a secret?" I murmur, waiting for her shy nod. Leaning in, I brush my lips against the shell of her ear. "No one has ever seen me naked before either. Not like this."
Her eyes fly to mine, round with surprise.
"Fae mate for life, ljúfr," I breathe, running a fingertip down her sternum, between the tantalizing swells of her breasts. "You claimed every piece of my soul the moment I touched you. I'll never belong to another."
"Malachi," she gasps, eyes wide with awe. "You mean that, don't you?"
"Ja," I purr, cupping her face in my hands. "This Fae is all yours, Valkyrie."
With a soft whimper, she flings her arms around my neck, pressing her sweet lips to mine in a searing kiss. I groan into her mouth, pulling her flush against my chest. My aching cock gets trapped between our slick bodies as I deepen the kiss, unable to keep from taking a little more.