Struck: (Phoebe Meadows Book 1) (17 page)

“You would go against us
soooo
quickly? You risk much, dog.” The serpent’s voice sounded like a long, creepy whisper coming from somewhere deep inside its throat. “Your word
issss
binding. Do not forget yourself. We are your
masterssss
now.”

“That was not our bargain. I agreed to free you, but you do not rule me. I am no one’s slave.
Never
a slave,” Fen snarled.

The thing let out what sounded like huffs of air all in a row. “Take heed. If you break your vow, your life is
ourssss
.”

“I don’t intend to break my vow, serpent. You have her scent, now get out.” He leaned into the snake, his biceps jumping, one step away from throttling it again.

The serpent angled its huge head at me, its deep purple eyes swirling. “
Yessss
, and she smells
delicioussss
.” Its tongue snapped out so fast I almost didn’t see it.

You won’t be getting a piece of me, buddy
.

Seemingly satisfied, it turned and slithered out, its massive body fluidly crossing the rocky floor.

Fen rushed forward, bending over and scooping me up. I didn’t protest. “Valkyrie, I apologize. That was not my intention. The Jondi have agreed to get us to the crater that holds Yggdrasil, but in case the demons attack, they need your scent among them to track you. Are you hurt? Did it harm you?”

Instinct shot up inside me.

Survive
.

I wrapped my arms around Fen’s big shoulders, my hands winding around his neck, running through his long, silky hair. I prodded the back of his head gently with the tips of my fingers, while leaning forward, licking my lips. Lust shot through me.

I wanted to taste him. I
needed
to taste him.

Fen’s eyes widened in surprise, and his breath quickened. “What’s this?”

Instead of answering, I covered his lips with mine. He responded in kind. The man was magnificent, and I needed energy desperately. My body screamed for it. Need overpowered my rational mind, and I let it.

The moment our lips met, his firm to my soft, sparks of energy leaped between us so powerfully my body sizzled from head to toe. I jerked back, regretfully breaking the connection. Fen’s gaze was pinned on mine, blazing with need. “That…that…” I stammered, my breath coming in quick bursts, “was a transfer of energy. I…feel it running through my body.” I ran the tip of my tongue over my prickling lips, enjoying the sensation, yearning for more.

My body felt alive.

I need more
.

“Valkyrie,” Fen growled, eyes locked on my mouth. “Put your lips back on mine, and I will give you what you crave.”

I dove up to him, my fingers fisting in his hair, pulling him roughly to me. His mouth met mine fiercely. My lips parted, welcoming him in, seeking what he had to offer. He turned his head, deepening the kiss, exploring, searching.

I wanted to cry.

The intensity was so sweet.

After all the heartache and pain, my body felt alive, buzzing, sensitive to his every touch as a tidal wave of delicious current raged through me. “How long has it been since you’ve been with a woman?” I breathed, my hands enjoying the feeling of him all over.

“Too long, maiden…far too long.” His gaze was combustible.

“You taste so…
good
.” I licked my lips.

“I need to touch you.” He turned me effortlessly in his arms and slowly guided me down the length of his body. He took my lips again, ravaging me with another long kiss as I inched down his hard frame. His strong forearm stayed locked around me, so no space separated us.

When my toes hit the ground, he slid his thigh smoothly between my legs, supporting my weight, knowing I was still unsteady on my feet, splaying his other hand hard against my back.

All the new sensations made my head spin.

His hardness was pressed against my stomach, his leg tight against my core, and I instinctively rocked my hips against him, enjoying all the feelings. The buildup of pleasure inside me was spiraling quickly. I broke the kiss, arching my body back, locked in a mindless rhythm.

Yes, yes, I need this. Have to have it.

“My gods, Valkyrie. If you keep this up, this will not be a lasting encounter,” Fen said roughly as he bent over and latched on to a nipple, taking me deeply.

“
Oh
.” The sensation of his mouth around me almost sent me over the edge right then and there. “Fen, please forgive me,” I panted, leaning up to face him. “I don’t know what’s happening. I just know I need…
more
.”

He placed his hands on my hips, gripping my backside and guiding me back and forth, helping me achieve my pleasure. Then he hoisted me up in his arms.

I wrapped my legs around his strong body, locking myself to him, running my hands over his chest, relishing in the dampness of his skin. I raked my nails along his pecs, up to his neck, and into his silky hair. I would never get sick of his hair. It was thick and soft and perfect.

The current of energy that ran between us was palpable. Electricity shot into my body in tantalizing waves from all over. I drank it in as fast as I could. Each lave of his tongue filled me with more. He was full of so much power. The aura of it cracked and sizzled around us.

Give me more, wolf.

Fen found my breast again and teased the sensitive peak, twirling his tongue around it. I threw my head back, arching until I thought my back would break as a stab of lightning shot around us, followed by a clap of thunder so loud it rocked the cavern, sending rocks tumbling to the ground.

“Valkyrie…you must…slow down,” Fen groaned, his voice low and husky. “I want to give you what you need, but at this rate, I will spend my seed before we are finished, and therefore help you none. You are too…exquisite.”

I mewled at the loss of contact. I tried to find my brain, so I could answer him coherently. “Yes,” was the only word I could find.

Fen shifted position, sliding me farther down his body so I sat lodged at his waist, my legs still locked tightly around him. I brought my hands up and cupped his face, leaning in, lightly skimming my lips over his, craving his touch like a drug.

I knew I was drunk on the power he was transferring to me, but I didn’t want to stop.

Invisible jets of electricity flew from his mouth to mine. I licked his lips greedily, running my tongue all over them, tasting him, lapping up his power.

“Valkyrie, you are driving me mad,” he growled, swinging me around and stalking to a large boulder. The stone had a smooth top, just big enough for the both of us. He backed me up against it.

I unlocked my legs and sat, shifting to rise up on my knees, pressing my fingers into his massive chest. “I want…you,” I ordered, pointing to the smooth top of the rock, “to lie down.”

My words sounded strange in my own ears, slurred and bold.

I shook my head.

Now that we were fully separated, everything began to dim, and my brain began to clear. As our gazes locked, light speared through Fen’s eyes, his wolf just behind them, raking me with his intensity. It sent chills racing up my spine.

Gods, he’s beautiful.

I brought my fingertips back to his chest and traced the contours. His body shivered, quaking under my touch as beads of energy jumped to greet my waiting fingertips.

He shed his shorts and moved up onto the boulder next to me.

“Oh,” I breathed.

He was magnificent. I hadn’t expected less, but he was truly incredible, his body glossy with sweat and fully primed for me.

Suddenly, I didn’t know what to do. I felt completely overwhelmed and out of my league. The more time we spent separated, the more I came back down from the energy high. I was torn. This was both me and not me. The new me wanted him unequivocally, but the old Phoebe was embarrassed by her brazenness.

“Is this what you want, Valkyrie?” Fen asked. His face seemed sculpted of stone, yet his eyes were soft, pleading.

“I think so,” I answered honestly. “But, I’m not sure.” I tore my gaze off him so I could think, my thoughts swirling. “My body is sort of acting on its own. It’s literally begging me to take your energy however I can get it. It wants to survive and is blinding me with need. I want it, I know I need it, but I feel…”
We hardly know each other, I don’t usually act like this, I can’t believe I’m doing this
. “This is very intimate.”

He nodded, his face pensive. “Indeed. However, if it eases you, not all realms act alike. In my world, Asgard, the one I occupied before I was banished here, we sought pleasure freely. Coupling is looked upon as a way to enjoy pleasure to its fullest. It is not considered shameful.”

I bit my lip. “I can understand that. But that’s not how it works in my world—especially for me. I was raised to honor a…coupling between a man and a woman. Sex is not a sport to me.” If I was intimate with this man, there were bound to be feelings wrapped up in it. I wasn’t ready for that. I hardly knew him.

“We need not continue.” He gave me a smile. “I will get you to Yggdrasil so you may feed. Consider it done.”

I nodded my agreement, but it felt hollow.

My body ached for his, even now.

I glanced down the length of him as he moved off the boulder, and shuddered inwardly. I reached out instinctively, stopping him from leaving. My palm boldly settled over his abdomen.

He drew in a sharp breath.

Energy raced out to greet my hand. I blinked, gazing up at him. “I’d like to get to know you. I mean…I hope you’re not too disappointed. I’m happy to start slowly. Maybe we can…sleep next to each other?” I was bumbling this badly. All I really wanted to do was take his mouth again and ravage him, seeking only pleasure like they did in Asgard. But the real Phoebe was going to have her say. I needed time. And a clear head. This was all new to me—the feelings, the cravings, the power. It was overwhelming.

If I was going to be with Fen, it was going to be a clear choice, not a survival instinct.

Fen studied me for a long moment, his face impassive. “Okay, Valkyrie. As you wish. You need rest, and it’s late. We can…embrace while we sleep.” He slid off the boulder, grabbing his shorts. After he donned them, he turned. “Would you like assistance upstairs?”

I shook my head. “No, I need a moment to gather my thoughts.”

He nodded, and I watched him walk up the steps. Emotion flooded through me. As he left, it felt like I’d lost something vital.

I spent time thinking about everything, my brain whirling as I lay back on the warm stone. My body felt so much better. The energy Fen had given me, even though it’d been a small amount in the scope of things, had revived me. My scars had healed over even more, and oddly, it had begun to heal me emotionally as well.

My body knew what was good for me, better than I did.

After a while, I was done thinking and ready to sleep. I ran my hands through my hair readying myself to see Fen again. I moved off the boulder, standing on weak legs, and wobbled up the steps. I was still naked, so I covered myself in an effort to maintain some kind of dignity.

Once I arrived, I found Fen awake, waiting for me on his pallet. He scooted back, patting the place in front of him.

I took a massive breath and doggedly moved forward.

16

__________________________

____________

F
en’s living quarters were rustic at best. He’d managed to create a sleeping area out of a pile of dirt that had been formed into a misshapen pallet, topping it with scraps of burlap fabric he’d no doubt stolen from the demons.

“You don’t, by any chance, have any clothing I could borrow?” I asked, standing in front of him, trying not to be too self-conscious. My jacket was here, but it would be too hot to wear, but later I could tear it up and try to make something work.

“I have a few garments under that ledge. You are free to use them.” He gestured across the room to what resembled a sitting area with a long, rocky bench.

I walked over to where he’d indicated and found a few items. I turned back to him. “Are these your clothes? It looks like you’re trying to keep them preserved for a rainy day.” If they were his, they’d never fit me.

“They are mine, but they are not for a rainy day. It never rains here, and it’s too hot here to wear anything other than what I have on. There is a tunic in the pile. Long ago it was white, but it should be large enough to amply cover you. I’m not going anywhere that I will need it.”

I took the tunic out. It was more gray than white and visibly marked with age and wear. It had long sleeves, a curved hem, and white leather V-neck ties. It was a quality shirt, likely expensive. I shrugged it on. The arms were comically long, but the hem hit mid-thigh, perfectly covering all my vital areas. I rolled up the sleeves and tugged my hair out of the collar as I walked back toward him. The lighting in this cavern was low, casting shadows all over. “Where does the light come from?” I sat on the edge of his pallet, not sure what to do. “And how do you know if it’s night or day?”

“The light comes from the lava. It bubbles under various parts of the floor. The cracks emit the red glow you see, as well as the heat. I know it’s night because my body is well attuned to the climate. There is no orb in the sky. It’s perpetually dusk. But this realm has its own rhythms. Come and lie down.” He patted the uninviting burlap in front of him. “We must sleep to gather our strength. It’s a long journey to Yggdrasil, and it will be fraught with peril.”