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  Asger wants to explore every inch of her, but he is sure it will only be a matter time before the berserker wakens. He can barely breathe with wanting her. She does not move as he hooks his fingers on the straps that hold her top up, sliding them from her shoulders. Her breasts rise and fall as the material slides away, baring them to him. Soft. Enticing. Her rose colored nipples in stark contrast to her ivory skin. So tempting to him, he fills his palms, kneading them gently as he watches her eyes dilate. She flushes with color when he squeezes the taut peaks between his finger and thumb. She watches him with lust and anticipation. Moving her hands to his chest, gently scratching her nails down it, she smiles at his swift intake of breath as she glides lower. He kisses her cheek and the corner of her lips. She parts them in hunger, a hand coming up to grip the back of his head, drawing his mouth down to hers. He swallows her breath, pulling her deep into his lungs, then settles his lips firmly over hers. He savors the taste of her, building up the heat.

  Ylva sighs. He was temptation. He has been since the moment she first saw him, but now she was unable to resist. She does not want to. His kiss is full of power and as he runs his tongue over hers, exploring all her dark recesses, she is instinctively certain that he is claiming her. His nails brush against her nipples, she is strangled by the lust coursing through her. Fire streaks from her breast to her clit and her womb clenches with need. She slides her tongue out along his lips, leaning into his hands, silently begging him for more. She locks her eyes on his amber ones, the dragon glowing in them. They hold everything in them; lust and love. For her. Only for her. Her breath catches at the hunger she sees there and she wonders if he sees the same thing reflected back at him.

  He moves his hand up to the back of her head, threading his fingers through her black hair, gripping it tight, pulling slightly to move her head where he wants it. It is like silk and he imagines it sliding across his thighs when she takes him in her mouth. The thought brings a growl rumbling up his throat and his hand tightens more.

  Bringing with it the bite of pain and a fresh rush of moisture to her core.

  Kissing along her jaw to her neck, she shivers when his teeth bite down at the junction at her shoulder. Pulling her head to the side giving him more access, his teeth clamp tighter, sending a lash of heat spiraling through her. She is panting as his lips move down, his breath caressing across her nipples causing them to peak. His tongue curls out flicking one of the hardened buds and she cries out, her fingers clutching at his hair, pulling him closer, begging for more. She gasps as he draws it into the darkened velvet heat of his mouth. He rolls it while sucking, all the while using his hand on the other, kneading with the same rhythm. Electricity seems to travel from them to her center, blood roaring in her head. Drawing his head up, she gazes into his eyes and loves the look of hunger, the barely restrained lust. Pulling his mouth to hers she devours him. She is pushing him, not wanting restraint. She needs his beast, wants it.

  He steps back, his breath coming in gasps. Eyes glowing bright, he shoves her clothes away. He unwraps his kilt and kick it to the side. They stand totally naked, each with desire stamped into their features. In an instant, they were together, so close that one bled into the other. Taking her mouth, Asger is drowning with need. He is being burnt again, but this time it is her heat. His heavy erection pushes against her taut belly as he swallows her moans. Their kisses are wild. Her nails dig into his shoulders and he shudders. His hands finds her breasts again, calloused fingers tugging and rolling the nipples. His powerful body moves against hers, pushing her back, laying her upon the grass. His body tenses above her as he drinks her in. He kisses his way down her belly, loving how she quivers under his lips. He realizes he should hurry but he will not deny himself a taste of her, the scent of her arousal is beating at him. Moving lower, he pushes her knees apart and pauses. He stares at her, glistening in the moonlight - beautiful, dripping with her want of him.

  “Ye are so wet for me,” his voice is dark and dangerous, roughened by his desire. Sliding his fingers up the inside of her thighs, he forces her even more open and she sobs with need. Leaning down, he blows a warm breath over her and she cannot stop her hips from bucking. He runs a finger through her wet folds and brings it to his mouth. He licks the taste of her languorously off while watching her eyes. Savoring the exotic taste. She moans when he closes his eyes in ecstasy. His cock throbs with need, a drop of moisture beads at the top. Ylva is amazed at the desperation she sees on his face. He is dying for a taste of her, the thought undoes her. Hot cream spills from her body and he is frenzied with hunger. He falls on her like a ravenous wolf, nipping the inside of her thigh.

  “Asger,” she cries it as he begins to lick her just like that hungry wolf. Long, slow licks, then quick, fluttering licks all pushing her to the edge. Her body is coiling tight. It feels like flames are licking at her skin. It is too much, higher and higher he drives her with his tongue until she is chanting his name, begging him for something but not wanting it to end. He cannot hear as blood pounds in his ears, her very essence driving him wild. He eats at her using tongue and teeth- stroking and lapping. Then she screams out as he flicks her clit before sucking it into his mouth and she explodes.

  He barely lets her catch her breath and he is over her. She hears herself pleading, his face a harsh mask of desire and need. He pauses at her entrance and she has a moment of apprehension at his size. The broad head demands entry. She is tight but he has prepared her. He slides in and her juices coat him, easing the invasion. Inch by inch he claims her, as lightning flashes through their bodies.

  Pushing his thick shaft through her tight folds is exquisite torture. He feels her muscles tense at the invasion and strives to hold himself still, allowing her to adjust. Ylva feels as if he is torturing her with his stillness. He is murmuring curses and she moves beneath him.

  “Och, love. hauld still. I doona wanna hurt ye,” he says gently. He lays his forehead on hers and she feels him tremble. Her blood thunders in her ears and love burns in her heart. This stupid man is trying to ease her but he does not understand his stillness is her discomfort. She feels him tense to move forward and she thrusts upward, impaling herself, tearing a growl from his throat.

  “Ylva, hauld still.” His fingers dig into her hips, trying to subdue them.

  She smiles and grips his cock with her muscles, squeezing and milking him from the inside. “Please, Asger. I need this. I need you.” She did not feel pain, only hunger. When she sees his control slipping, her body coats him with more wetness. Her urgent need shatters his control.

  Gripping her hips, he jerks her up, dragging her legs over his arms. One last look into her eyes clouded with lust and he rears back sliding almost completely out of her. Pausing, he looks down at where their bodies join and slams back into her, watching her breasts shake from the force of it. He sets a harsh rhythm. Hard. Fast. Deep. The hot length of him filling her, binding them together. The tension builds in her body, coiling tighter and tighter until she is mindlessly writhing beneath him. Her nails scores his back and she gasps wildly. She sobs out his name, begging, pleading, and demanding her release. He is consumed by her fire. And still, he pounds into her, curling over her, never slowing, the sounds of their bodies coming together echoing through the night. He shifts slightly, dragging the length of his cock over her swollen clit and she goes rigid. That instant, he locks his teeth on her neck and she is flying. Clamping down on him to the point of pain, wave after wave crashes over her. He thrusts over and over, keeping her climax going. She kisses his throat before biting down and she feels his cock jerk within her. He quickly loses his rhythm. Digging his fingers into her, he slams his hips hard, burying himself to the hilt. Holding her still, he forces her to accept his wildness and a harsh groan is torn from his lips as he explodes inside her. He fills her with his seed, pulsing over and over as she comes again, crying out. They lay panting, bodies still joined, neither wanting to break the connection.

  “I was afraid to come t
o you but I had to. I am fighting,” she whispers. Stroking her hair, he sighs. “I know, my love. We will win this battle.”

  Rolling her on top of his body, he draws her to him, kissing her deeply, slowly savoring her. She leaps away from him, startling him to his feet. She cries out and reaches for him. As her eyes blaze an icy blue, a roar fills the air. Shifting he leaps into the air just as she comes at him. Asger roars for Morrigan who appears and sifts him away, drawing the Berserker away from the Isle.

  She leaps from the portal, emotions running wild. Fury boils her blood but there is something else as well - longing. Ylva’s memories play through her mind and she grabs her head. Shaking it side to side, she tries to stop the thoughts. But even her body betrays her. She growls in frustration as her body still tingles. Her core is swollen from his forceful pounding and just the thought has more moisture leaking from her. Closing her eyes, she sees him straining over her, feels his teeth holding her in place and her nipples tighten. A little purr vibrates her throat. Fury has her clenching her fist. She does not want to want this mate. Mate equals leash. He would bind her. Put her back in the cave.

  ‘What if he did not? What if he could love us both? What if we loved them both? Maybe we need them. Maybe they need us.’ She harrumphs. She would not fall for Ylva’s trickery.

  ‘You went to him while I slept. You plotted and schemed to keep me locked up.’ She fans the flames of her anger.

  Laughter floats through her mind. ‘You see what I did when I reached him? I did not waste my time plotting against you. I thought only of having him inside me, feeling him fill me up.’ Ylva fills their mind with erotic images of Asger.

  “Stop!” The beast paces in circles, suddenly unsure. She did not want this mate. Any mate.

  ‘My mother always says the old magic knew what was best, it did what it felt we needed. What if that is what happened now? The magic knew what you need, what we need. What if they need us too?’

  The beast stops, panting, filled with hunger. She refuses to admit to the need coursing through her. “Why? Why would they need us? We are destruction and death.” She waits, sure Ylva has no answer.

  ‘Grandfather.’ That one word whispers through her mind. She sees Asger’s flesh burning, sees him dying on the ground. The picture changes and it is the dragon gliding through the sky when lightning shatters the darkness and pierces him, tearing his wings, striking him again and again as he falls to the earth.

  “NO!” she cries out, falling to her knees. “I will protect him but I will never submit. I will not go back.” Her anger fades and in its place she feels despair. She will never know his touch, it would cost her too much.

  Asger watches from miles away, his dragon eyes seeing it clearly. Something has changed. Her grief is etched in her entire body. His wings unfurl when she falls to her knees, a growl building. He fights his own internal battle, wanting to rush to her but knowing it is too soon.

  Morrigan appears at his side. She has been watching her daughter from another place, sifting just beyond this world. She has hope in her eyes when she turns to him. “She is at war with her nature, fighting what she wants because of what she believes will happen. You have tempted her, now you must convince her that you do not wish to tame her.”

  The dragon disappears as Asger shifts, Morrigan is amazed at the speed and ease of his transformation this soon after their joining. He stands rubbing his beard, fingering the war braids at his temple, and once again, she is captivated by his rugged beauty. His golden skin in contrast to his light blonde hair. Yes, he has scars but they only heighten his appeal. She remembers how his cheek felt under her hand when she touched it, like warm silk. A hawk-like nose over full lips, it is no wonder both Ylva and the beast, desire him. If their body’s reaction was anything to go by, he was a warrior during love making also. She is grinning at her errant thoughts when he turns to look at her. “What?” His tone is uncertain as he glances around. “Did I miss something funny?”

  “No Guardian. Just thinking my daughter is fortunate indeed.” He shakes his head slightly, baffled by her. “So, how will you woo her beast?”

  “That’s the question, is not it?” His fingers stray to his braids once more and a grin slowly curves his face. “Can ye find me a shiny, beautiful weapon? One whose like has never been seen here before, or better yet, if I find the beautiful part can ye forge it into a weapon?”

  His eyes are glowing and he rubs his hands together. Laughing, he shifts and launches into the air. Morrigan shouts at him, “YES!”

  Her voice ringing out causes the beast to look down.

  The Berserker rises to her feet as the dragon closes in on her. Her heart pounds and her breath hitches. Hands trembling, she gets into a fighting stance, unsure of what is happening. He is not circling, as in the past, he is coming straight at her and dives. Startled, she freezes. Just as he comes over her, her hand creeps up and her fingers slide along his belly as he glides by. He is moving away, growing smaller, disappearing into the distance. She stands, staring at her fingertips. They tingle and warmth travels through her body.

  ‘He could have burnt us, his fire would turn us to ash.’ Turning, she moves down the mountain to what had been her home. No one remains. As she moves around the ruins her mouth falls open and she stumbles as her home comes into view. It is as it had always been. No sign of the death and destruction it had seen. Her feet fly over the ground, hand caressing the wooden door. Pushing inside, she stands and inhales the scent of Einar - father, one who loved them both. Her feet feel heavy as she moves to his chair. Her cheeks burning as she remembers how he last held them and considers how he would look at her now. Would it be with love or contempt? She crumples into the chair’s softness, sobs racking her body.

  Morrigan stands outside watching and hears her mumbled cries of denial. Danu’s arm comes around her daughter’s shoulder and her voice whispers through her mind, ‘Not yet, daughter. She would still lash out in her anger and shame. The guardian is winning, he just needs more time. Time we must give him.’ Morrigan allows her mother to pull her away, her heart breaking. A roar fills the air followed by a howl and the Goddesses sift to the others. Fenrir has brought a message from his father. Asger is standing dwarfed by the massive wolf. They both turn as the others appear.

  “Odin plans to attack again. Ragnhild has told him of your progress, Asger. She also watched the Berserker struggle today.” It was strange to hear the words come from the wolf’s mouth but Asger realizes it might be the least bizarre part of his life now. Morrigan’s mist begins to swirl in her anger. The screams of those trapped within it causes them all to cringe. Danu lays a calming hand on her shoulder. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, Morrigan pulls it back into her, leashing her power.

  “Father says you should stay away from her. He plans to convince Odin killing you will only work if she sees it. Her witnessing your destruction will break not only the soulmate bond but also her will.”

  A deep rumbling growl fills the air, neither Asger nor the dragon like the sound of that.

  Fenrir rumbles back, “Do not be stupid. That is why father said to stay away from her. He says for now the link is the key.” His head shoots up and he sniffs the air, “I must go. That fucking Valkyrie stalks me. I might fucking eat her when this is done and not in a carnal way.” He gives a wolfy grin before bounding away.

  Asger looks after him, shaking his head at the images running through it. “He does not change to another form does he?”

  Laughing Morrigan shakes her head no.

  Again, Asger thinks yes, his life was truly bizarre now and refuses to ask any further questions on the matter. “I need ye to take me back to the Isle. I must go speak to someone and ask her for help.”

  Asger travels to the Tree of Life. Sitting under her branches, threading his fingers into the soil, he opens his mind. Asking for their aid, letting his dragon send a picture of the glittering stones from the old world, hoping for help to find one to make a weapon
that would win her. Power ebbed and flowed into and around him, reminding him of the gentle waves that would sometimes lull him to sleep in his boat. He smiles at the memory and ponders if he will ever sail the waters again. He feels the emotions of the world around him - joy, sadness, and pain. It is overwhelming but in the middle of it all is love. Love moving through all things.

  Sending his thanks out into the world, he goes to stand and receives one last warning, a vision of thunder and lightning, blood and death. Odin. It only makes him more determined. If Odin gained control of Ylva’s power, if he twisted it for his bloodlust the world would weep.

  Ylva would come to him, he vows it. He would be a shadow in her mind, whispering dark, seductive things until she bent to his will. A wolfish grin curves his lips as he rubs his hands together. Paying his respects one last time he takes to the sky, returning to Danu’s home, shifting mid landing so that his human feet hit the ground. He laughs at the look on Beathag’s usually serene face. “Now, you're just showing off,” she grouses, while chuckling.

  “Maybe,” he calls back over his shoulder as he strides to the door. Slamming it behind him, he whistles to himself, excited at the ideas running through his head. Undressing, he flops down on his bed, getting comfortable. He reaches for their link, seeking her mind over the distance. Suddenly, he was in. Ylva and the beast notice his presence. Anger and joy flows through the connection to him. This is going to be fun.