Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 112500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 563(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 563(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
The males both relaxed by degrees. Torben especially had been tensed to intervene.
“I’ve wanted to meet you for so long,” Dagny said. “They insisted I stay away until we were sure you wouldn’t drain me. As if you could.” With a wink, she raised one lithe arm and made a muscle. “Although from what I’ve seen of late, you might give me a run for my money.” She grabbed Lia’s own arm. “Impressive.”
Torben wryly said, “Can you release her, love, and allow her to adjust to your frosty indifference?”
Speaking of which…Torben and Arctos exchanged only a stiff nod.
Dagny stuck her tongue out at her mate. “I already like her, which means everyone’s lucky I’m not grinding my knuckles into her hair.”
Lia laughed, easing instantly into the female’s unfiltered nature. “When are you due, Dagny?”
“Any minute now, and not a moment too soon. This cub practices battle stances on my bladder all night.”
Lia tried to imagine what that felt like. Once, she’d feared pregnancy—feared Coștin’s body resurrecting to claim hers. And then had come her father’s shuddersome decree.
Yet here, watching Dagny glow and tease, Lia felt an ache of longing.
Dagny nudged her. “I’ll have plenty of advice when it’s your turn.”
Lia’s eyes flicked to Arctos, whose expression remained carved from stone.
Dagny didn’t notice. “I’m glad you’re here. We’ll be fast friends, you and I. Immune to the petty spats that plague our men.”
The two warriors exchanged another glower.
Dagny only smirked. “I say what I think,” she added. “It keeps life interesting. And I’ve got my sword to back it up.”
Lia chuckled. This bold, straightforward woman was so unlike the scheming vampires she’d escaped.
As mead flowed, the crowd’s tenuous restraint dissolved. Musicians struck up a boisterous tune. Berserkers danced on tables; others hurled axes toward a target in the back. Shadows writhed with stolen kisses.
A server with a leg of game in one hand and a pitcher in the other sloshed amber liquid into Lia’s mug, though she had decided never to drink again. Dagny covered her mug, and Torben did as well.
“Aww,” she said to her mate. “Your solidarity warms me.”
Torben leaned in. “How warm?”
“Sultry.” She pulled him in for a passionate kiss.
Lia blushed, averting her gaze, and found Arctos watching her with faint amusement.
“They’re often like this,” he said with a helpless shrug.
“It’s…educational,” Lia murmured.
When the couple finally parted, Dagny fanned herself. “He can’t even help it. I’m irresistible. All bulbous.”
“I like you bulbous,” Torben said sincerely.
She tweaked his nose. “So let’s eat, grow this bump some more, then return to our den.” In a softer, smiling tone, she said, “Leave these goings-on for those with more cares.”
Their love felt like its own small universe. Lia was happy for them but envious too, wishing she could set out on the grand adventure of matehood.
Yet for the first time, hope flickered for her own future. If she could earn Arctos’s friendship, maybe she’d find belonging here.
As platters of roasted game filled the tables, Dagny said, “So tell me all about you.”
Lia gave an overview of the last few weeks, speaking over clattering mugs and shouted songs. She noticed Berserkers sneaking glances at her, so she exaggerated her chewing.
A scuffle broke out nearby. Then another. Sentries waded in to separate combatants.
“What a…vigorous bunch!” Lia observed.
Dagny chuckled. “With so many Berserkers gathered, brawls are inevitable. Usually harmless, though I’ve never seen quite this many.”
The females’ conversation drifted to swords, clothes, arrow weights, and battle braids. Lia found herself smiling often.
Now and again, Berserkers approached Shieldchief Arctos, many clearly in awe of him. More than one spoke of the battles ahead this Accession and how they slept better knowing he would train their warriors.
Their words softened his usual reserve.
When another fight broke out—this one closer to the dais—Arctos and Torben both stood. Torben kissed Dagny’s hand. “I’ll be back soon.”
“And I’ll count the moments, my love,” she murmured, serious and tender.
Arctos gave Lia a distracted nod. She awkwardly lifted a fist in encouragement. Go get them.
Dagny sighed as she watched them go. “I really will count the moments. I hate being apart from him.”
“What a connection you share,” Lia said wistfully.
Dagny’s gaze went soft. “Before him, I didn’t know my heart could get so full, didn’t know an organ could grow even more than this belly. Maybe you and Arctos can find something like that soon.”
“I’ll settle for friendship. He’s not interested in me that way.” With a smile, Lia said, “I think I’m a bit scrawny for his taste.” And he’s way too big for mine. The idea of bedding him made her cross her legs, even before he brutally shoved his way into the fray.
“I think he’s conflicted. You don’t know his history, do you? Arctos probably told you nothing.”
“History?”
Dagny glanced over at the fight, as if judging how much time for privacy she and Lia would have. But then her attention got lost on her male as the fight burgeoned like a storm—tables splintering, pitchers flying, men roaring.