Mischief's Mate (The Immortal Mates Book 1) (27 page)

“Oh.” Chantelle was thoroughly embarrassed by the way she had reacted.

“Let us eat and talk together. The sooner our meal is finished the sooner we may continue our journey.”

Now she really was ashamed. Chantelle was too busy trying to bed Loki to keep her thoughts on her mission. A single tear slid down her cheek. How could she have forgotten about saving Emma? He must have sensed her sorrow, because he pulled her close. Chantelle rested her head on his chest.

“We will save Emma. I promise you that.”

The doors to Emma’s bed chamber slid open on quiet hinges.  Frigga made her way over to Odin, who had taken over the watch of Hoder’s Fatum Anima. His gaze was trained on Tomas as he continued to keep Emma alive.

The room was kept dark by the heavy curtains that covered the balcony windows. Tomas said the light would escalate the speed of the spell. He had told them he was just barely keeping her alive. Any further strain would cause his ability to falter.

“Odin, Clotho is in your study. She says it’s urgent.”

Tomas spared Queen Frigga a fleeting glance; her words seemed to worry him. Why would one of the Fates be seeking out King Odin? She had said her peace at the last meeting, why would she come here now? What was Signe doing that the Sisters had to help them stop?

“Someone needs to stay here.”

The king didn’t need to tell her why. Everyone knew he didn’t trust Tomas after the whole fighting him over Frigga’s hand debacle. If he had just given Frigga up without a fuss, Odin would not look upon him with suspicion.

Frigga understood that Tomas felt a need to fight for her hand. All immortals only had one chance at finding their other half. He had thought she was his, even though there was no pull between them.

“I have called Savannah. She will sit in your stead.” She flashed a knowing smile in Tomas’ direction.

Odin gave her a reproachful look that she chose to ignore. Frigga turned toward the door, needing to get away from the tension in the room. There was no need for all the stress. Tomas was willing to save Emma. So she was willing to let bygones be bygones.

“Is that such a good idea, my love?”

Odin had caught up with her in the hallway. He knew she didn’t want the healer to hear them. Frigga was a delicate creature, never looking for confrontation. She never hurt those who wouldn’t hurt her or those she loved.

Batting her eyelashes, “Believe me, my love, everything serves a purpose.”

Clotho stood by the window, observing the city below. She pondered her choices once more. When she had told her sisters what she had thought was the answer to their problems they thought she was crazy. But the choice to make immortal mates something that was predestined had been a smart one. There was no infidelity or divorce amongst destined mates. Clotho and her sisters did not want the heartache that was abound in the mortal race to spill over on their people.

One Fatum Anima for each male had been a wise choice. Until their race had begun to die out. That was when she had made several more prophecies. One being the prophecy of Halfling mates; the prophecy told that the immortal males could only find their other halves amongst the mortal race. It wasn’t only the Norse immortals who were ruled over by this prophecy, but all the immortals.

When the males of their race were old enough to claim a mate, they would begin their search. They would scout the mortal plane until they found their destined mates.

Now it seemed that two of Odin’s sons had found their intended. Thor only needed to get his head on straight and claim his mate. Cloths shook her head at his poor handling of the news of his mate’s suffering. But she knew that everything would more than likely work out in the end.

What bothered her was that none of them realized there was Mage magic at work here as well. Long ago the mages had sworn to wipe out the immortal race. For if they would not share their immortality then they would be forfeit. The dark mages, known as the Acolytes, would not rest until every immortal ceased to exist.

The sound of the king and queen arriving pulled the blonde fate from her thoughts. Her hazel eyes followed them as they came to stand before her. Odin and Frigga inclined their heads in greeting. The Fates were the only beings that did not bow to royalty, for they had come long before any king or queen.

“Cloths, what seems to be the matter?”

A sad smile crossed her face. She needed Odin to call back Thor, Hoder and Arabella. The destiny of all rested on it. She needed to find a way to get Loki and Chantelle alone long enough to finish the mating bond. Cloths knew that not only Loki but Chantelle would have to prove their love for each other.

“You need to send Huginn to Thor.” She watched worry flash across Frigga’s grey eyes.

“Why?” The queen knew not to ask, yet she couldn’t stop the question as it spilled from her lips.

“They need to return for reinforcements. I have sent a call out to the Council of Immortals. They are sending Ares.”

Odin raised an eyebrow. She knew he was wondering why, Ares? He was a ruthless mercenary. An immortal hardened by war who tended to favor the highest bidder.

“I shall call the small group back.”

“Not the group. Prince Loki and Lady Chantelle are on their destined path. They may not stray from it. But the other three must return at once.”

Odin outstretched his arm and Huginn, his faithful raven came to him. For several moments he just stared at the black bird. Slowly it blinked its intelligent onyx eyes. Moving to the window the king let Huginn begin his journey. Turning from the window he faced Cloths and gave her an understanding look.

“It is done.”

“We are going to have to walk the rest of the way.” Arabella’s eyes scanned the map and Chantelle knew she was up to something.

The camp had broken and everyone was ready to head out. Loki was just fastening the last buckle on his backpack when Chantelle walked up beside him. She stood there watching the way he moved. How fluid he was and wondered how fluid he would do other things. It seemed the longer she watched him, the more she admired him. Or maybe she always had. At least now Chantelle was willing to admit her feelings for Loki.

“Will you be walking with me today? Or perhaps you would like to catch up with Arabella?” The smooth tenor of his voice spread warmth throughout her body.

He was asking her; she knew that cost him. Loki was a prince; asking permission just wasn’t something he did. If he wanted something he got it. Plain and simple. Or was it?

“Begging now, brother? How the mighty have fallen and all for a mortal.” Thor’s booming laugh ruffled Chantelle’s feathers.

She knew like any other bully, Thor’s problem was too many people reacted to him. It was either his friends cheering him on when he acted out or those he picked on showing anger. Chantelle would not allow Loki to be the butt of his jokes any longer. He deserved as much respect as his golden brother. She was willing to bet that Loki would never stoop to the tactics that Thor used. There was only one way to put someone like Thor in their place; ignore them.

Smiling she turned toward Loki, “Who else would I want to spend my time with?”

Loki pulled Chantelle into his arms and placed a kiss on her soft curls. She breathed in his scent and her soul filled with hope.

“Besides, Thor’s just annoyed that you’re gonna get some and he hasn’t in… Oh how long as it been now, Thor?” Arabella asked.

Thor bristled and Chantelle could feel his annoyance move over her skin. Arabella was poking the lion through the bars. He deserved it, but sometimes it was better to leave well enough alone.

They walked for what seemed like hours, through the forest. Loki stroked her arm with his fingers. The movement sent tingles throughout her body. Each caress spoke of things to come.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Hoder came up to them. “Thor, Bells and I will move on ahead for a while. Maybe scout some place to stop for lunch.”

Hoder flashed Chantelle an award winning smile and she couldn’t help the giggle that escaped her lips. That was until Thor walked past them, a scowl firmly in place. She found herself feeling bad for whatever woman was his mate. Or maybe she should be feeling bad for him instead. Because once Thor found his intended, his ego was going to take a rather large hit.

“That is fine. We shall be right behind you.”

He watched as his brothers and the very odd Arabella disappeared around a stand of trees. He lifted Chantelle’s chin so she was looking at him.

“I think Hoder wished to give us privacy.”

“Why?”

What was it that everyone was keeping from her? She knew there was something going on that she just couldn’t grasp. It was frustrating to be kept in the dark.

He pulled her body closer into the shelter of his own; as if to keep her from tripping or falling down. But Chantelle knew better; there was something about her that made Loki need her close. Maybe it was the same thing that made her crave the warmth of his touch.

“I believe he wishes me to explain to you what is between us.”

The vow she had made to Loki in the Hospital room came crashing down on her. Chantelle had made that promise only to save Emma. Yet now, she wanted so much more than just his friendship. She wanted to be the one to fight beside him in battle. To be the woman he came home to after a long journey. The woman whose body he sought refuge in each night.

“There is nothing to explain. I have accepted our bond.”

And she had. After last night Chantelle had promised herself she would live a little. If she wanted to even try, then she needed to stop fighting Loki’s advances.

“Actually there is much more to a mating bond than just accepting it.”

Chantelle rested her head over his heart. She loved the way it beat a steady rhythm against her cheek. It had her wishing she was lying naked with him in their bed. That thought caused her to blush a deep pink. Chantelle wondered just what Loki was trying to explain to her. What more could there be?

“Tell me.”

Slowly, as they made their way through the forest and Loki began to explain everything to her. He went slowly for her. No matter what the Academy taught Halflings, there was no preparing someone for the depth of the mating bond. There was nothing like it in the world.

“To be one with each other as mates is something more than physical. It is a bonding of the soul.”

Chantelle made a humming noise so Loki knew she was listening. He already had her soul, whether he knew it or not. No ceremony could make her his anymore than she already was.

“It is said that the two halves of our souls will become one. You will balance out the darkness in me. And I will love and protect you the rest of our days.”

“I do not see how this is any different than marriage?” Chantelle’s words were muffled as she stifled a yawn.

“Oh love you, do not know how wrong you are.” Chantelle lifted her head to see his eyes as he finish his explanation.

“Mortal marriages come and go. Once we have joined there is no turning back. No way to break the bond without causing the both of us physical pain. There is no other woman for me and there will be no other man for you. It is the nature of our bond.”

He had sounded very tense when he told her there would be no other man for her. Chantelle was sure there was nothing for him to worry about. After all the times he had kissed her in her dreams Loki had ruined her for others.

“Oh, I see. So once we commit to each other there is no way out. But how? What binds our souls that way?”

Chantelle knew there was more to it than acceptance. That it was something more than just love that bound them. But the Academy never covered exactly what it was.

“Once we have joined our bodies we must also partake in a blood ceremony.”

Her eyes widened at his words. Blood ceremony? She sure hoped Loki wasn’t talking virgin sacrifices. Because no matter how much she loved him, there would be no innocent blood spilled.