Of Gods and Wolves (5 page)

“
Your brother bound himself to me because I spared his life,” I looked at TryggulfR to see if he’d known. He nodded. I leaned in closer and dropped my voice to the tinniest whisper. “I didn’t bind myself to him. I didn’t even know the Binding had occurred until Trevor told me.” He raised both brows and I hoped he’d understand. “Trevor knew I was with Thor when he bound himself to me. He knows I can’t truly be his mate and he’s accepted that. I just don’t know if your father will.”

“
He knows you two aren't having sex,” TryggulfR looked around me to Fenrir, who was speaking with Trevor excitedly. “Trevor has been honest with him. Father just sometimes hears only what he wishes to.”

“
I can see that about him.” I looked over at Fenrir and I knew my heart was in my eyes. I'd need to really work on controlling that or every time I used the magic, I'd be making moon eyes at someone else.

“
Are you in love with my father?” TryggulfR’s whisper was low and horrified.

“
Not like you mean,” I looked back at him and laughed at his relieved expression. “I’ve recently come into a new power and in using it on your father, I’ve formed an affection for him.  It's more of an admiration than a sexual thing.”

“
A new power,” he looked at me as he chewed at his lower lip. “You’re a witch, I can smell it on you now, but before I was confused. You smelled like a goddess.”

I inhaled sharply. “There’s a goddess smell?” Someone should bottle that.

“Of course,” he frowned thoughtfully. “I can smell it still but the witch is there now too. It was like the goddess scent masked the witch earlier.”

Well didn’t that just make perfect sense? “The power I came into belonged to a goddess originally.”

“You stole a goddess’ power?” If his eyes got any bigger they’d pop out and go rolling across the table.

“
She was trying to whip me to death at the time,” I gave him innocent-eyes and lifted my hands, making a
give me a break
gesture. “It called for desperate measures, okay?”

“
Okay, okay,” he laughed and looked up over my head.

“
What are you two whispering about?” I turned and found Fenrir looking at us with a small smile.

“
Vervain was telling me about stealing a goddess’ power… umph.” I cut off TryggulfR with a swift elbow in the ribs but he just laughed.

Fenrir’s face got serious and then his jaw went slack. “Aphrodite,” he whispered.

“Yes,” I stared at him intently, waiting for further reaction.

“
Once,” his eyes looked distant for a second, “she wielded it like you but her nature corrupted it and the magic was poisoned. You’ve cleansed it and made it true again.”

“
I did?” That was so not what I was expecting to hear.

Fenrir smiled warmly and shook his head. “You’ve saved many from heartache. Did you kill her?”

“Yes,” I looked away. “I had no choice.”

“
You don’t need to defend yourself here, little Frami,” he brushed my hair back over my shoulder. “At least not any more. We’ve accepted you and that's forever.
We
will defend
you
.”

“
What does frami mean?” I asked after I'd taken a moment to process.

“
Courage,” he chucked me under the chin. “It means courage.”

“
Vervain,” Teharon, the Mohawk God of Healing, who didn't actually have a mohawk, was suddenly behind me. “Let me see to your wounds before you eat.”

“
What would I do without you?”

“
Bleed a lot,” he actually said it with a straight face, “and die horribly.”

“
Most likely,” I chuckled as he helped me up. “I'd definitely have a lot more scars.”

I couldn’t believe I’d forgotten I was hurt. The warm welcome of the wolves had drowned out the pain but when Teharon had drawn my attention back to it, my body began to ache and throb. I let him lead me to a corridor and then into an unoccupied room. Before I left the hall, I saw Thor get up to follow us. So I wasn't surprised when, shortly after Teharon closed the bedroom door, Thor came in and closed it again.

“Are you hurt badly?” Thor asked as he strode over to the bed Teharon had sat me on.

“
Nah,” I put on my best British accent. “It’s only a flesh wound.” Both of them stared at me blankly. “Monty Python? Come on people.” I sighed and laid back. “I’m dying here.”

“
What?” Thor took my hand. “Is it that bad?”

“
No,” I groaned. “I mean you guys are killing me. It’s an expression, Thor.” He frowned again and I looked at Teharon. “Just shoot me.”

“
Vervain,” Thor spoke sternly. “I don’t like this joking about death. You’ll stop it now…please.”

  “
Since you asked so nice,” I smiled and played with his shiny braid as he bent over me but I ruined the magic moment with a loud hiss of pain, when Teharon prodded my wound. I tried to recover it with, “I love you.” I was happy I could say it aloud to him finally.

His smile was radiant. “I know. You showed me in some pretty graphic ways. Thank you for that.” I blushed as I wondered exactly what he’d seen in my head. He laughed and kissed me sweetly. “I enjoyed every detail, darling,” he whispered.

Teharon cleared his throat, pushing the blood-tipped feather he wore in his hair, over his shoulder. “You’re all healed up,
darling
,” he smiled at me, then Thor.

I groaned and threw a pillow at him. “Damn gods and their super senses.” I sat up and looked myself over. Everything was closed up and shiny pink. “Nice job.”

“Of course,” Teharon spread his hands. “I’ll see you two back in the hall.” He left with a secret grin.

“
What have I got myself into?” I asked Thor as Teharon closed the door.

“
Haven’t they explained everything yet?”

“
I understand I’m like family now but I’m kinda getting the impression I’ve gained status as well.”

“
You think?” Thor lifted a brow and gave me a sarcastic smile.

“
What’s a Rouva?” I recalled the title Fenrir had given me.

“
The word means Queen but I think it’s got a lot to do with politics. You’ll have to ask Trevor.”

“
It’s a title for the highest ranking royal female of the Froekn. It will be yours until Father chooses a mate,” Trevor had come in silently so both Thor and I jumped a little. He shrugged and smiled. “Sorry, Dad’s asking for you.”

“
I’m the highest ranking royal woman?” I shook my head. “I’m not even a werewolf. Won’t I be stepping on a few toes?”

“
You may have not been born a wolf but you’ve a part of me inside you now,” Trevor stroked my arm and I felt that piece of him shift and rise to greet him.

“
Werewolf by injection, eh?” I waggled my brows at him.

“
Vervain,” Thor groaned.

“
You
are
Froekn and no one resents your position,” Trevor continued after a secret smile to me that made my heart speed up just a little. “Well I don’t know about UnnúlfR yet. He came in right after you left and let’s just say, I’m glad he’s sitting next to me and not you.”

“
Great,” I lamented. “I don’t suppose we could just kiss and make up?”

“
He’s a little grumpy right now,” Trevor laughed. “The teasing he's getting isn't helping either but he’ll get over it.”

I just made enemies wherever I went. “Alright, we better go back.” I kissed Thor quickly before I took Trevor’s arm and let him escort me out.

I didn’t remember my gloves and hair sticks until the meal was over.

“Oh shit,” I grimaced and Fenrir looked over with a raised brow. “I left my gloves in the pit.”

“
The pit?” He looked at me like I was a walking comedy routine.

“
Sorry,” I gave him my
oops
face, “I mean, the arena.”

“
Your pretty claws?” He stood up and lifted me to my feet. “Let’s go get them.”

Fenrir led me back through the tunnel and into the pit. I found my hair sticks and wrapped my hair back up, tucking them in as I continued to look around. The gloves however, were gone.

“What the hell?”

“
What’s wrong?” Thor had followed us down.

“
My gloves are gone,” I looked at Fenrir.

“
None of our wolves would take your weapons, little Frami,” his expression was reproving.

“
I know, Dad,” I blinked, wide-eyed when the words came out but he just beamed at me. I cleared my throat and tried not to notice Thor’s shocked expression. What the hell had made me say that? “But who would want my gloves?” As I asked the question I remembered the comment made early on in the trial. “Loki!” I screamed.

A round of curses flew out of Thor's mouth and he ran off down the tunnel.  I looked back at Fenrir. He had a rueful smile and was shaking his head.

“My father has a thieving nature,” he laughed softly. “Don’t worry, we’ll get your gloves back.”

“
That’s right,” I snorted, “I forgot he was your father. Does that mean he’s like my Grandpa now?”

Fenrir howled in laughter. “Don’t say that to him, I think he likes you for the time being. It would be best to keep it that way.” He took my arm and started leading me back to the hall.

“He likes me, so he steals my gloves?” I squished my lips up in distaste. “What is this, the fifth grade?”

“
He stole Thor’s iron belt and gloves before too,” Fenrir gestured toward Thor who was approaching us with a grim expression.

“
He’s gone,” Thor reported. “That thieving trickster is gone.”

“
We’ll return her gloves, Thunderer.” Fenrir patted Thor’s shoulder. “Don’t get so upset. Come on, it’s time for the dancing.”

The rest of the night was spent in music and laughter. I didn’t know wolves were such good dancers. They all wanted to dance with their new Rouva and man after man asked to accompany me. They were so exuberant. I was lifted and swung about more than a few times. When Trevor finally got a chance with me, I was flushed and a little sweaty.

“You look like you’re having fun, Minn Elska,” he swung me around, higher than the others had. Men always have something to prove.

“
I am,” I felt like I was shiny with happiness. Pure happiness is rare for me so when it comes along, I try to fully enjoy it.

“
You also look beautiful,” his eyes started to warm, then glow.

“
You don’t look so bad yourself,” and sweet furry wolf god it was true, he looked magnificent.

Trevor had on black leather pants which molded to his perfect ass and a saffron sleeveless tunic with gold embroidery down the sides that brought out the gold in his eyes. It wasn’t half bad at showing off his biceps either.

“Thank you, Rouva,” he gave a little bow. “It’s nice to know my appearance doesn’t disappoint you.”

“
Disappoint?” I snorted, “Not possible. Especially after you so gallantly defended me earlier.”

“
I couldn't exactly sit back and watch as my father killed you.”

“
You sat back and watched me fight your brothers,” I lifted an eyebrow.

“
I knew you could handle my brothers,” he shook his head like it was a given and I have to admit that it felt pretty good to have his confidence in my ability. Why couldn't Thor have that kind of faith in me?

“
Your father is pretty intimidating,” I laughed.

“
Intimidating?” His laughter joined mine. “He probably would have killed us both if you hadn't done whatever it was you did. I think you actually saved my life again.”

“
I never saved it the first time,” I shook my head. Trevor had just done one of the most romantic things anyone had ever done for me, he'd risked his life to save mine, and he was blowing it off like it was nothing. “You stood up to your father for me, risking death and disgrace in the eyes of your family...and after meeting your family, I'm not sure which would have been worse for you.”

He wavered his head like it was a toss up.

“Don't make light of it,” I touched the tip of his nose with my finger. “Thank you, you gave me enough time to use my magic.”

“
You're welcome,” he said seriously, then he got a mischievous look and I narrowed my eyes on him.

He swung me out and when he pulled me back, he did it hard enough that I fell hard against his chest. I could feel his heart pounding through his shirt and when I looked up at him, I felt mine start to beat faster too. Spicy musk surrounded me as if scent could have substance. I wanted to roll around in it, wrap myself in his smell like a warm blanket. A Trevor scented blanket I could take home with me. Or maybe I could just coat myself in it till it was in my skin, till his scent became mine.

“I…” Trevor looked a little lost. He swallowed hard and wet his lips. “I wish…,” he shook his head and smiled ruefully.

“
What?” The scent thickened, fogging my thoughts, but one thing was clear. I needed to hear the rest.“You wish what?”

The skin around his eyes tightened, his jaw clenched, and he looked away.

“I wish I could dance with you all night,” his smile seemed brittle. If I brushed my hand across his lips, they might break, “but the dance is over.” He bowed over my hand and before I could protest, Thor swept me up and as far away from Trevor as he could get me.

I smiled up at Thor, instantly horrified that I’d felt such a strong attraction to Trevor. I looked over my shoulder and saw him talking to a group of men. He glanced up like he’d known the exact moment my attention had turned to him. His eyes looked shiny, feverish, and a little sad. I looked away quickly. I couldn’t afford to contemplate the meaning of Trevor’s stare. So when my eyes began to prickle, I hid my face in Thor's chest and blinked rapidly as I tried to still the shaking deep in my belly. What was wrong with me?

“You’re quite a hit,” Thor rubbed my back, pulling me in closer.

“
They do seem to like me well enough,” I snuggled into his arms and tried to concentrate on how much I loved him and only him.

“
Yes,” he spoke into my hair quietly, “some more than others.”