Valkyrie Song (Valkyrie Bound #5)

Chapter Two

Stephan

V alkyrie are curious, frustrating women. And none is more curious or frustrating than the gorgeous little princess charging through the woods like a hellhound nips at her heels, ignoring every command I shout at her.

In fact, she ignores me entirely.

The desire to bend her over my knee and spank her luscious ass burns through me in a gale. It's a tempting thought…one I've had a little too often since she appeared in Eitr.

It's almost laughable that she's decided I don't like her when the problem is the exact opposite. I like her far too much. The ache in my cock never abates, no matter how many times I take myself in hand, determined to work out my frustration.

All I ever manage to do is find yet another reason to obsess over her.

She's a beautiful little mystery that occupies every spare inch of my mind. When I should be working, I'm thinking about her. When I should be training, I think about her. When I'm asleep, I dream about her. No matter how much I try to exhaust my mind into silence, it's a fruitless attempt.

My obsession with her only seems to grow more all-consuming and unrestrained every day. This little Valkyrie is going to be the death of me, and she doesn't even realize it.

I've always been a man who prided myself on control. Before stumbling into Eitr after a bear attack, I spent years in the Navy, learning to shut off every emotion and focus on the mission. The mission before us now is one bigger than any that's come before. If we fail, the entire goddamn universe falls with us. But all I seem to be concerned about is the amber-eyed Valkyrie who walks between worlds.

She's the one I want to save. She's the one I worry about.

But she's Valkyrie, infinitely more powerful than I'll ever be. And I'm…just a man. One staring at a goddess made flesh.

Fuck. The Fae will lose their minds if they ever find out why I volunteered to follow her. Which is precisely why I try to keep a respectable distance. She isn't meant for me, as much as I wish she were. Humans can't bond a Valkyrie—not like the Fae can. And they were the ones sent to earth to guard the Valkyrie, not me.

Her mate is out there, and it'll never be me. It can't.

At least, that's what I've been telling myself since she arrived. But when I grabbed her, I felt something I've never felt before. It was as if I felt her Light in my soul. For a brief moment, I even thought I heard her thoughts.

But that isn't possible. The bond can't exist between two unequal halves. I've been with the Fae long enough to know that much. I'm human. I may have a little Valkyrie blood running through my veins, but not nearly enough to make a quantifiable difference. She's one of the most powerful Valkyrie to ever exist. I'm not her equal.

But I am responsible for her safety.

"Kara, wait," I growl, trying to slow her down as she charges deeper into the forest of Valhalla, weaving around tree trunks and the toppled remains of ancient Fae buildings. Once upon a time, according to the Fae, this was all valley, too. But with no one here to tend to it, the wild reclaimed it long ago. Gnarled tree roots grow right through the heart of buildings that once housed entire legions of warriors.

She ignores me again, veering toward a burned-out white brick building covered in moss and ivy.

I put on a burst of speed, racing after her.

After following her for the last two weeks, I know exactly what kind of trouble she's liable to find out here. And she may trust the little forest animals she greets like long-lost friends, but I'm not so easily convinced. They're wild, having been without human contact for centuries. Even the most docile could turn on her, hurt her without her even recognizing the danger.

I'm a living, breathing reminder of the damage an animal can do. I never even saw the goddamn bear that nearly claimed my life. Not until it was too late, anyway. Had the Fae not found me, I would have bled out and died on the side of their mountain.

I won't allow her to come to the same grim end.

I storm into the building a few steps behind her, only to curse as a massive gray wolf slinks out of the shadows, surprising the hell out of me. Where the fuck did he come from? I didn't even know there were any wolves left in Valhalla. We certainly haven't seen them since we came through the Bifrost.

"Stop," I growl, hooking an arm around Kara's waist to haul her back against my chest as she takes a step in the animal's direction. I eye it warily, checking for any hint that it's been twisted and demented like the Forsaken's little varulv lapdogs, but find none.

He's not one of theirs.

"Let me go." Kara stomps on my foot and then squirms out of my arms, dropping to her knees in front of me.

My dick throbs as if he thinks he's getting attention, but she doesn't even look in my direction as she holds her arms out to the animal, a bright smile stretched across her beautiful face.

The wolf looks at me with contempt before padding toward her.

I drop my hand to the ímun-laukr in a scabbard on my hip, watching warily as the animal strolls right up to her and allows her to wrap an arm around his massive shoulders in a hug.

He looks at me again, patient acceptance and intelligence shining in his eyes.

"Be careful, Valkyrie," I warn Kara anyway, not convinced this is a good idea in any way, shape, or form.

"He's my friend," she responds, glancing over her shoulder at me, her eyes wide and soft. "He's been coming to see me for the last few days."

How the fuck did I miss her frolicking with a giant wolf?

"Where the fuck did he come from?"

"Here." She shrugs like that should explain everything. "The Jotunn and the Forsaken didn't kill the wolves, just like they didn't kill the ravens or the rabbits. They've been here the whole time, reclaiming the land just like nature." She scratches the animal's ears, whispering to him.

I watch her, awed at how fearless she is…and how sweet. Gods, I'm in awe of her in general. Each of the Valkyrie have their own strength, their own set of skills. But there's something about this one and the way she walks between worlds, able to communicate with animals in a way no one else can, that's fascinating to me.

It's almost as if she sees them as equals. Sometimes, I think she prefers their company to that of her sisters or the Fae. I just haven't quite worked out why yet. Because she's still grieving the loss of her family? Because she misses home? I don't know. She holds her cards close to her chest, not sharing much. But when she's out here, away from the eyes of the Fae, she seems more like herself than ever. More at peace than when she's surrounded by the Fae.

I watch her and the wolf for several long moments, letting her soft voice wash over me. Every so often, she tilts her head toward the animal as if she's listening to him. It's almost as if they're having a conversation, yet no sound escapes him, and she speaks only a few words here and there.

I've watched her do the same thing with the ravens and rabbits she stumbles across when she's out here, but I never intruded. The one time I got a little too close, her rabbit friend bolted into the underbrush, causing her to glare daggers at me. I quickly decided not to do that again. But I am curious…

"What's he saying?" I finally ask.

She smiles up at me, her eyes bright. "He's telling me about his day and the rabbit he hunted," she says. "He's grumpy because it got away."

The wolf huffs as if he understands her.

"What's his name?"

"It's not something that can be pronounced. It's more…a feeling." She pauses, her brows furrowed as she tries to explain. "But it means descended from the Great Ones," she says. "He says his ancestors were like royalty here. He's very proud. I call him Ing. It means ancestor."

"Ing," I repeat, both eyes on the wolf.

The animal growls faintly as if responding to the name.

Kara smiles, scratching his ears. It may be my imagination, but it looks like the wolf smirks at me. Does he know how I feel about her? Can he?

Hell, how would I know? I've never spoken to a wolf before.

"What's it like? Speaking to them, I mean?"

"Different," she says, her brows furrowed. "They don't really think like we do or communicate like we do. It's more…images? Sensations? I'm not sure how to explain it. They're more cohesive with some species than others, like they're putting them together to form sentences." A soft laugh spills from her lips. "Ravens can be frustrating. They like to joke and play. They're incredibly smart, but they don't take much seriously. Rabbits are calmer, but sassy. They like to gossip."

I shake my head, not sure what to do with that intel.

"Wolves are the most like us, I think," she continues. "It's easier to follow the conversation, and they only share what they think is important." Mischief dances in her eyes as she glances at Ing. "Unfortunately, what's important to a wolf and what's important to us are two very different things."

Ing chuffs quietly, rolling his eyes.

"You called me to complain about a rabbit, big guy," she says quietly, laughing at him as she scratches his ears again. "That's not an emergency."

I cock my head to the side, realization surging through me. "You have them keeping watch for the Forsaken, don't you?"

"There are more animals in Valhalla than there are Fae." She meets my gaze, shrugging. "It seemed like the smart thing to do to ensure we aren't taken by surprise."

Jesus Christ. Why didn't we think of that?

Probably because none of us have ever communicated with an animal, let alone had a full-blown conversation with one like she does. But still, the plan has merit because she's right. There are more animals in Valhalla than there are Fae. When the Forsaken come, we're going to need every advantage we can get.

"We should head back soon, princess," I murmur after a moment. "It'll be dark soon."

Kara sighs heavily and then nods. "My sisters and I have things to do anyway."

"And yet you're out here alone more than you're with them," I observe, watching her closely.

She simply shrugs in response, avoiding looking at me as she says goodbye to Ing and rises to her feet. I grind my teeth, frustrated that I don't understand her when every part of me wants to know every thought in her head. I spend every day watching her, wondering what she's thinking, how she's feeling…driving myself mad with the possibilities. Now that she's in front of me, speaking to me, I want to soak up every crumb of knowledge about her I can get.

Ing glances at me, chuffs, and then slips back into the shadows before disappearing.

"Perhaps I've gotten used to being alone, Stephan," Kara says then, a thread in her voice that I don't like. It's…pain. Grief.

My chest aches in response.

"You mean since the Forsaken killed your family."

"Sure." She shrugs and starts walking, retracing our path out of the ruins.

I hesitate for a split second and then reach out again, clamping my hand gently around her upper arm…not entirely sure what to expect after what happened last time.

That same surge of Light shears through me, turning my cock to stone. Good Gods. It's exquisite.

Kara whimpers softly, listing to the side as it slams into her too. She tries to jerk her arm free but only manages to throw herself off balance in the process. She stumbles, falling right into my arms.

I catch her against my chest, searing desire blazing through me. And I'm not entirely sure if what I feel is my own desire, or if it's hers. But there's so goddamn much of it. Gods, it hurts in the best way.

I groan, going rigid as our eyes lock.

I should pull away, put distance between us again. I know I should…

I dip my head, my nose skimming along the side of hers.

She whimpers in the back of her throat, the sweetest little sound of surrender.

"Valkyrie," I groan, fighting the urge to seam my mouth to hers and steal the truth from her lips.

"I was alone long before the Forsaken murdered my family," she whispers. "When you're different like me, you're always alone, Stephan."

"Not anymore, princess," I growl, pulling her closer, as if I can physically protect her from the ache of loneliness vibrating in her voice—in her soul. "You haven't been alone in weeks. I've been right here with you."

Her gaze tracks across my face, her expression so fucking serious, as if she's seeking out the truth, trying to find it for herself. Whatever she finds on my face—or perhaps whatever she feels rippling between us—seems to bolster her confidence. Hope grows, replacing doubt.

I lower my lips toward hers, desperate to taste her, to claim her.

Mine, mine, mine , a little voice screams in the back of my mind. This Valkyrie is mine.

With her in my arms, I can't deny it. I don't want to deny it. She wasn't made for some Fae warrior. She was crafted for me. The truth resonates in my bones, shaking me all the way to my soul. This Valkyrie is supposed to be mine.

"Stephan," she whimpers. "Kiss me."

My lips barely brush hers before a shout rings out in the valley, effectively dousing us in ice water. We spring apart as I spin, thrusting her behind me.

"Forsaken!" one of the Fae shouts. "The Forsaken are here!"

My ímun-laukr hisses from the scabbard, grim intent whispering through me.

"Stay behind me, princess," I warn her, my heart pounding. "I'll get you back to your sisters safely."

She places a hand on my back, no more than a fleeting touch, but I feel her Light sinking into my bones. "I'll watch your back," she promises, nothing but seriousness in her sweet voice.

And that quiet vow shouldn't make my cock ache, but it does anyway. There's something about her gentle fierceness that calls to the warrior in me, soothing me in ways nothing ever has. If I'm not careful…

Fuck, what am I thinking? It doesn't matter if I'm careful or not. She's going to steal my heart anyway. Entire tracts of it have already fallen to her and her Light.

"Stay behind me," I growl again.