First Fire Read online

  As more and more images dance through their head, they stand panting in excitement. Their pulse pounds. Yes, this is the way. Suddenly, a roar erupts from her throat as the beast shakes its head. Angry at her needs, at the thought of wanting something so much, seeing those feelings as just another cage. Turning and refocusing on the magic, she breaks into a run, meaning to destroy it once again. Fenrir leads her on a great chase, sifting away to the other side of the mountains, keeping her far from people. Rain falls on them and Ylva imagines it as the planet crying out at the pain and suffering.

  Under the great tree, Asger floats in pain. He has felt pain many times before but none like this. He is afraid to open his eyes, afraid to move. His fear chokes him and at once, he hears a low voice, ‘You are not alone here. The mother holds you close, surrounding you, sending you healing. Do you not feel her cradling you close? I too hold you. My roots shielding you from those that seek you.’ He could be hallucinating but he clings to the voices. Trying to clear his mind, he looks for something to focus on. It was then that he heard it - a pulsing rhythm. The pulse is strong and vibrates through his broken body. Each reverberation causes him to tense in pain but also brings an amount of ease. ‘What is this?’ he thinks. ‘Who is this?’

  Power pours into him as images flood his mind. He is brought to tears at the beauty of it all. It is the earth - all of nature wrapping around him, healing him. It shows him things he has never even dreamed of, places of bright colors and warm waters. Then it shows him blackened, torn ground and he listens as the world weeps. He makes promises, listens to the whispers, and heals his broken body. They make him stronger than he was, offering him even more power. Dragon purrs, knowing they need more to help deal with their chosen mate. Much later, he is lifted from the ground by the tree. His pain is gone and the power flowing through him is almost sensual. Rising gently, he grimaces as the blackened skin cracks and peels away. To the dragon it is comparable to a snake shedding its skin. The image brings a smile to Asger’s face. Wanting to test this new power, he shifts. It is instantaneous with no pain and the dragon roars in elation. Morrigan’s raven form hops from one branch to another, drawing the dragon’s eyes. In a breath, Asger is standing before her once more.

  “I’ve been waiting. Watching,” she states.

  “How long hae I been gone?”

  “Two days. It took the Mother that long to save you.” Her eyes were troubled.

  “She showed me things,” Asger speaks with reverence and awe.

  “Yes, they both talked to me. Ylva sent a message.”

  Asger gaped, “Ye should hae started with that Goddess.” He waves his hand in impatience for her to continue. She begins and then pauses, looking at the tree and slowly the branches curve around them, shielding them once more. Her face reddens slightly as she clears her throat.

  He raises his brows, wondering at her reluctance. “Yes, well…,” she mumbles. “My daughter seems to believe that sex is the way to control the beast.”

  Asger’s mouth falls open and he gapes at the goddess. Swallowing a few times, he starts to speak and has to clear his throat, “Sex?”

  “Yes. It seems the Berserker finds you pleasing. She has thought of you in that way.”

  A bark of laughter bursts from him, “She wants to rip me to pieces. How do ye suggest I lay with her?”

  Morrigan shrugs her shoulders, a slightly bewildered look on her face. Pacing away, he runs scenarios through his head; they all end with him dead before he can sink his cock in her. Some have him cringing at the brutality and he wonders at his own imagination. The dragon chimes in with an image of Ylva on her knees, eyes glowing bright. His teeth are locked on her shoulder as he thrusts into her from behind. The vivid image causes him to stumble and the word mate whispers through his head. Whirling, he looks at the Goddess.

  She sees the lust in his eyes and raises a brow, a smirk on her beautiful mouth. “I see you have an idea.” She stops him as he begins to speak and continues, “I do not want to know the details. She is my daughter. Make your plan and Asger, good luck.” Her tinkling laughter flows over him as she fades away.

  Turning, he sinks to his knees beneath the tree and digs his hands into the dirt. Opening his mind he asks for help, for the strength he would need and maybe, just a little luck. His body tingles in response and he could not stop his answering grin. This was going to be fun. He is probably going to die but it would be fun.

  Standing, he walks away. He stops only after he has moved from under the long reaching branches. One last look at the Tree of Life and then massive dragon is there. Wings flap once, then twice and he is in the air. Flying faster than before, he circles the tree before heading to Danu’s home.

  Reaching it in no time, he lands on the hill behind the garden and growls as he sees Beathag racing toward him. She throws herself into his chest, crying with joy, “I thought we had lost you.” Her tears feel hot on his scales and the dragon tucks his enormous jaw down wings enveloping her, pressing her tightly to him, chuffing quietly. After some time, she sniffs and steps back. In a blink, Asger stands before her. She throws herself into his arms, fresh tears streaming. He holds her tight and murmurs to her.

  “How would I face the world without you?” she whispers.

  “Och, Ye hae steel in ye. Ye just hae not figured it out yet.” His tone is gruff but his hands rubs her back gently.

  Her eyes are unsure when she steps back. “When are you going after her? They have all been keeping me in the dark but I know you must have something planned.”

  Asger purses his lips, wanting to tell her but also needing to keep her safe. “Fine! Keep your secrets,” she spits. Spinning, she stomps away. He chuckles. Yes, she has steel and fire in her.

  Danu appears before him, making him jump. “Please, my lady. For my sake, please dinnae do that.”

  Her laughter fills the air. “I’m sorry Guardian. I just wanted to thank you for keeping Beathag out of this. I know it hurt her feelings but I do not want her caught up in any of it.”

  “I would do nothing to cause her harm and I doona want her near Ylva.” He continues moving toward the house, stopping only after he reaches the fountain. Beathag is there, sitting, staring into the water. Shoulders hunched in like when he first arrived and he hates that he is the cause. Taking a seat beside her, so close that their legs touch, he leans into her. “I will tell ye if ye will stay here where it is safe. We all are just trying to protect ye.”

  “I am not stupid, Asger. I know people think I am but really I am not. I saw the damage done to you and the worry on my mother and sister’s faces. I want no part of the battle to come. But, I do know Ylva and I might be able to help if you just let me.” Her voice is firm. This is important to her, so he nods.

  “Tis a bit embarrassing.” He stares at the fountain, refusing to look at her.

  She bumps his shoulder with hers, as she whispers, “You have heard all the horrible, shameful things that happen to me. Surely it is not that bad.”

  At once he feels foolish and turns to look at her. “Sex.”

  The seconds tick by as she waits for him to continue. When he does not, she giggles and it quickly turns into a full belly laugh. She is clutching her sides and peering up at him, as tears fall down her cheeks. Finally, she chokes out, “That’s the whole plan? Sex?”

  “Well, it has more parts than that,” he sputters, an indignant look on his face. “That is just the most important part.”

  She continues to giggle for a moment as she watches his face, until she sobered on a thought. “She will tear you to pieces...literally.” Worry creases her brow.

  “Yes, I hae thought of that. But I hae no choice. I love her and I hae to try.”

  “I heard mother and Morrigan whispering about how Ylva has some control at times now.” Asger realizes she is mostly talking to herself. She has an idea and is working it out, so he says nothing. She stands and paces around the fountain. He watches in silence and then she stops in front of
him.

  “I’ve been thinking.” He looks up at her and smiles encouragingly. “Well, I might have overheard mother talking about how both you and Ylva felt the pull of each other's magic when you first came here. How they were unsure why. And then everything else happened. Everyone became focused on saving Ylva and they forgot about the unusual link. They thought your connection to each other would make Ylva want to fight the Berserker for control. Even you forgot the reaction that you and the dragon had.” She looks at him, and he nods his agreement. “I did not forget though. I’ve been here thinking about it. Listening to them talk about how they believe that the Berserker took over. I read the joining ritual. I studied the magic of it and I have a theory.”

  Dragon eyes suddenly peer at her as he comes forward, very interested in what she has to say. She squeaks a bit as Morrigan appeared in front of her. “DO NOT do that!” she grits through her teeth, while trying to calm her pounding heart.

  Asger barks a laugh, “Och, I hate that too.”

  “My apologies for scaring you both,” the sarcasm drips from Morrigan’s words. “But if you are discussing my daughter and what may save her, I felt I should be present.”

  “Very well, but I warn you, you might not like what I have to say.” Beathag looks at Morrigan with sympathy. Asger is both worried and intrigued. Danu walks close, sitting on the bench with Asger, a crease in her smooth forehead, the only clue of her concern.

  Gathering her courage, Beathag begins to speak once more. “The ritual was beautiful, joining Asger’s soul with that of the dragon. You made sure that the two wound tightly around each other so that they would forever be as one. But I think you did not consider that Ylva also has two souls.” Her words echo around them as Asger looks from one Goddess to the other. “You have all only seen Ylva. Her control lets you forget that the Berserker was always there, waiting and watching. Because she has always had two souls, hers did not merge like our Guardian’s. Instead, I believe something else happened. Ylva has wanted love for a very long time and if what she now believes is true, the berserker has also longed for a mate. How often have you told me that the old magic was wild? That it often did what it thought was best?”

  Danu looks at Morrigan, her eyes close but not before Asger sees a hint of regret.

  Leaping to his feet, he growls, “What? Someone just say it.”

  Beathag turns and grabbing his hands, squeezing them tight. “The dragon's magic is the old, wild magic. If he would admit it, I think he would say he too has longed for a mate. So the magic joined you all. That is the pull. That is the link. But, as most of us know, love is an out of control emotion and of course it was more so because you left as soon as the ritual was over. It is the link that made her powers uncontrollable because her emotions were. The Berserker was set free because they were both upset at the loss of you. It took over because Ylva’s heart was broken when she lost Einar. She blames herself because her wards were down. Even now, the beast does not know why it wants to kill you, only that it is experiencing the pull. You are soul mates, four souls fated to be together. There is nothing here that has the power to bind with the Berserker. No beast was its match until a beautiful bronze dragon soared through the sky.”

  Asger whirls, looking at Morrigan and then Danu. It is Danu who speaks, “I had suspected that a link was formed. It was what I was researching when everything began to happen. I do believe Beathag is right. We have unknowingly joined all four.”

  “Well, since ye figured it out do ye hae any ideas, suggestions for me? I would rather not die.” Asger asks running a shaking hand through his hair.

  “I have thought a lot about that, also. I think the bond will strengthen once the mating is complete.”

  “Yes. Okay, but how do I do that without being torn to bits?” A grimace takes over Asger’s face as an image floats through his head.

  “Well, that is the tricky part. But, you said that Ylva is gaining some control now, right?” Beathag responds, turning to look at Morrigan.

  Morrigan nods her head while replying, “Yes, the message she sent was that she had moments of control and that the beast is attracted to Asger.”

  Turning to Asger, Beathag looked into the amber eyes of the dragon, “Well, dragon we know how humans do it, how would dragons win over their mates?” All eyes turn to Asger as the dragon’s magic reach for the others to show them.

  Their heads are filled with scenes of great battles. Large male dragons fighting until exhaustion, or even death, as a female looked on. Roars filled the air. Fire burning the land around them. When a victor emerged, he had the task of wooing her. It was a tricky task. She was temperamental, lashing out if she felt he got too close, too soon. The male would often fly in circles above her and then move away. He would bring her tokens. Things dragons covet - shiny things, exotic food or unusual gifts. After a while, he would move in closer and closer until she allowed him to land near her. Once this was achieved, he had to dominate her or she would never submit. The animal demanded a robust mate. After the first joining, then their magic would join and they would settle, allowing for a loving relationship.

  ‘I do not know if it would be the same with Ylva. There is no male to battle. No way to prove how strong we are.’

  Asger looks sick as he turned to the others, “It is the beast we must battle. We must beat her and force her to submit.” Whirling he stalks away, needing some time alone. How was he to do this without hurting her or her hurting him? His footsteps pound down the stone hallway and he slams the door to his room so hard it reverberates throughout the house. He is livid at the situation.

  His picks the closest thing to him and is about to chuck it across the room when Beathag grabs his forearm. “I would not do that. My mother loves that lightning glass. Odin sent a bolt into the sand as she stood weeping on the shore. When it hit the sand at her feet, this was formed. I think she loves him still, even though she loves my father now. Do you believe that it is possible to love two people at the same time?”

  Staring at the twisted glass, he tries to reign in his anger before looking at her face. “I certainly hope so. Is not that what I am tasked with doing? Loving both Ylva and the Berserker?”

  Her hand tightens on his arm as a deep sigh eases from her, “That is true I suppose. I’m sorry.”

  Crossing, he sits down hard on his bed and grips his head in his hands, staring at the floor. “I dinnae know how to even begin to win over the Berserker.” Turning his head to the side, he peers up at her.

  “You might not, but the dragon does.” She pats his back before she turns to leave, pausing in the doorway, “You should listen to him. He is well acquainted with calming a beast.”

  Asger stares after her, mouth gaping slightly. ‘Well, any ideas?’ He waits as the dragon prowls the cave. ‘I do not know if this beast would want sparkly things, but Ylva might. I think our best bet is dominating her.’ Asger chuckles, “I supposed we can try.”

  Opening the patio doors, he steps out and calls for Morrigan, hoping to enlist her help. They talk long into the night and are joined by Loki and Fenrir. As dawn breaks, they have their plan. Loki will keep Odin and Ragnhild focused on him. Fenrir will keep moving about the country and Morrigan will sift Asger from place to place.

  And that’s how the days that follow go. Morrigan sifting Asger into the Berserker’s range. He shifts and flies, like a dragon of the old world, in circles around her, growing nearer and nearer provoking her anger, gaining her interest. Then he flies far away to the area that Fenrir was in, drawing her there. She would reach the location, they would be gone and Fenrir would continue to lead her on the chase.

  Frustration claws at her continually. Until one day, high in the mountains, the great bronze dragon perches on a peak, waiting for her to draw near. Her growl of outrage rings through the mountain pass. She climbs and when she draws close, he rises on his hind legs and roars a challenge, letting his magic loose. The power that hits her makes her stumble to a stop. Tilting
her head she studies it and it gives her pause. She has been chasing him for weeks and is exhausted. all of the sudden doubts she can beat him. Growls continuously rumble up her throat, her hands clench at her sides, nails biting until blood drips from her fists. This hesitation makes her even angrier.

  ‘He would beat you now, but it might be a good thing. To be beaten by him, to be held under him, to welcome his power over you.’ She listens as the girl speaks, hearing the heated tone in her voice, the girl likes this idea. As she thinks of it more, her sex begins to tingle, it swells as moisture spills from it, her breath catching as she plays out the scene in her head. Her growls turn to moans and she glares up at the dragon, who chuffs smoke at her before taking to the air. He circles and dives for her, causing her to fall back. Excitement fills her and she shivers, waiting for him to take her but instead her hair blows in her face as he flaps his wings and moves away. He grows smaller and smaller until she cannot see him anymore. She pounds her fist on the ground before curling into a ball. Closing her eyes, she conjures the images up again. She slips her hand between her legs and seeks relief. Tears leak from her eyes as she finds none. Fatigue overtakes her and soon she sleeps, tears still staining her cheeks.

  Ylva suffers her frustration for it is her own. She waits until the Berserker collapses and then springs forward, thoughts of Asger pushing her to hurry to the Isle.

  Asger was aware of his mate's arousal, the dragon had scented it even before the beast had become aware of what she was feeling. He has been pacing around the room for hours, waiting to see if what they both hoped would happen did. It was dark when abruptly he sensed his dragon was watchful, alert, looking for something. Striding to the doors that lead out into the garden, he peers out into the night. Even with his dragon eyes, he did not see a threat. What he did see, far in the distance on the hilltop beside the lake, took his breath and made his heart pound. He would recognize her anywhere. It was Ylva. She is looking towards the house but was frozen in place. Her eyes crystal blue but not glowing in rage. He is out the door and halfway to her before his mind realizes he is moving. A look of relief dances through her eyes as he draws near. He stops a few feet from her; their eyes lock. They crash together in a tangle of arms. Desperate to taste her after all these months, he takes her lips in a demanding kiss. She immediately opens for his onslaught, his tongue thrusting inside, caressing hers. The kiss deepens until there is no him or her, only them. They only break apart for air, chests heaving, skin flushed with need. “I had to see you!” he hears the anguish in her voice.