Not Broken: True Destiny, Book 5 (12 page)

“I love a challenge,” Magnus sighed.

“And it’s my favorite kind. Hide-and-go-seek.” Slade kissed Sylvia’s hip. “Three.”

“Four.” Magnus stroked one of the little sparks, sending it dancing along her thigh. Her gasp of pleasure was better than music to his ears. She might have gotten some mastery over electricity from him, but he was still the God of Lightning. The sparks danced to his command, flaring along her skin, his blood bond keeping his lovers safe from any harm.

“He’s cheating,” he heard Slade whisper to Sylvia.

“And?” She stared at him incredulously.

Slade shrugged. “Just thought I should mention it.” He then nipped at her earlobe. “Five.”

Magnus stroked between her thighs, delighted at the wetness he found. “Six.”

Sylvia gasped as the spark stroked over her clit. No pain, only pleasure, his blood and magic making the spark a caress rather than a jolt. He fingered her, playing that little spark all over her pussy, forgetting all about the game in the need to see his lover come under his touch.

He glanced up to find Slade and Sylvia kissing, silver and gold, pale and beautiful. He smiled, the love he felt for them overwhelming him. Slade was holding her so gently, like she was the most precious person in his world.

Magnus understood how he felt. Apart, they’d almost been broken by outside forces, but together, they were far more than they could have ever been. But what Slade didn’t seem to realize was that it all started with him.

Magnus lay down and placed his head on Sylvia’s stomach. Still stroking her with his hand, he moved until he could pull Slade’s cock into his mouth without hurting Sylvia.

Slade jumped, then groaned as Magnus worked his cock. He couldn’t quite see Sylvia leaning up on her arms for a better look, but the tightening of her stomach and the way she gasped told him what she’d done.

When she reached over and helped Magnus, it was even better. She stroked what he couldn’t reach, the pair of them pleasuring Slade until he was shuddering and pulling away from them.

“No. Not this time.” That hoarse, sexy-as-hell voice had gone deep. He moved until his back was against the headboard, his dark eyes closed. When he opened them again, the whites were gone. “This time, it’s about you two.”

Magnus shared a look with Sylvia. “No.”

“It’s about all of us.” She smiled, climbing Slade like a tree until her pussy was lined up with his cock. “All three of us. Got that?” She slid down, taking Slade into her.

“I was trying to—”

“Shh.” Magnus covered Slade’s mouth with his own, kissing the breath out of the man. “We know what you were doing.”

He grabbed hold of her hips. “This doesn’t feel like three.”

“It will.” Magnus whistled happily as he reached into the drawer where they kept the lube. “Just give me a moment.”

Slade’s eyes lit up as Magnus began to slick his cock, stroking it slowly. He was enjoying the way Sylvia and Slade were watching, like he held a delectable treat in his hands that they both wanted to devour.

“Well? What’s keeping you?” Sylvia leaned over Slade and slapped her rear.

Magnus laughed as Slade’s jaw dropped. “Sorry, Sylvia. We won’t be doing that until we get a chance to really stretch you out.”

“And by that, he means ‘are you freakin’ nuts?’” Slade sat up, Sylvia groaning in response as she was jostled. “He’s huge.”

“So are you.” It was hilarious, one lover on top of the other. Sylvia’s hands were now on her hips as she glared at Slade. “Hell, you’re hung like a—”

“Don’t say it.” Slade shot her an incredulous look before darting a quick, sympathetic glance at Magnus.

He might have actually been offended if Sylvia hadn’t been giggling like a loon again. “Yeah, don’t make the lightning god feel inadequate.” Magnus shook his head. “You two. What am I going to do with you?”

They put their heads together and gave him identical innocent looks. “Love us?”

“Hmm. Let me think about it.” He dove for them, latching on to the side of Slade’s neck and blowing a raspberry before doing the same to Sylvia. “Now make with the fucking, people.” He reached down and wagged his slicked-up erection at them. “I’m dying of blue balls here.”

“Poor baby,” Sylvia cooed. She grabbed Slade and turned, pulling them until they were lying on their sides. Sliding her leg over Slade’s, she repositioned herself so that she was once again impaled on his cock.

“Oh, I like where this is going.” Slade slowly fucked Sylvia, his ass checks clenching and unclenching as Magnus watched.

Magnus had to palm those strong globes, feel the flex of the muscles dancing underneath the skin. The idea of the three of them connected that way was too enticing. He grabbed the bottle of lube and put a generous amount on his fingers. As Slade continued fucking Sylvia, he prepared Slade for his entry.

When he felt Slade was loose enough, he pressed the head of his cock to Slade’s opening. “Ready for me?”

“Hell yes.”

That gravelly tone was one Magnus was familiar with. Slade was close, ready to blow at any moment. “Sylvia?”

She shuddered, her eyes wide, her hair dancing around her head as the orgasm ripped through her.

Magnus thrust into Slade, enjoying the way Slade pushed back against him as he continued to fuck Sylvia. Sylvia’s hair had bound the three of them together as they rode each other. Magnus stroked both of his lovers, touching whatever skin he could reach. Stroking the soft, golden skin of Sylvia, the lightly furred chest of Slade, he could do this forever.

It wasn’t long before the primal need to come filled him, pushing him past his limits. He was the second one to come, his vision going black as the pleasure overloaded his senses. Slade’s raspy cry followed as Sylvia’s golden hair stroked them both.

Slade bit his lip as Magnus met his gaze. They were cuddling in bed, the aftermath of their lovemaking still on their skin. “I’m thinking we need to paint the bedroom ceiling.”

Sylvia looked absolutely lost and completely adorable. “Huh?”

Magnus smiled sweetly. “Never mind that.”

“Pfft. How can I? I’m constantly looking at it.” It was
bo-ring.
Hell, his stall in Asgard had been better looking than that white nothingness.

Magnus reached over and tweaked his nipple, making Slade gasp in protest. They were sensitive after all the love play, almost painful to the touch. “I had a question for the two of you.” If not for that smile Slade might have been worried. Magnus’s tone was far more serious than his expression. “Where do you want to live?”

“I don’t understand.” Sylvia frowned, glancing between the two of them as if Slade understood exactly what Magnus was talking about.

“When this is all over and Odin is dead, where do we want to be?” Magnus glanced around. “I love it here, but let’s face it. We’re a little too close to one another.”

“Just because a few people feel it’s perfectly acceptable to walk in on us whenever they feel like it?” Slade batted his lashes at Magnus.

Magnus growled.

Slade laughed, knowing full well Magnus adored having his family nearby. “Wherever we choose we should remain close to them. I’m not quite ready to move far away from my father and brother.” Slade tried to hide the shiver that came over him. Just the thought of being out there, alone except for his mates…

Nope. So not ready for that. Magnus would die to protect them, he knew that, but it wasn’t something Slade ever wanted to contemplate.

“Shh.” Sylvia wrapped her arms around him and began petting him, stroking his hair, his shoulders, even his hands. He didn’t realize how badly he was shaking until she clasped his hand between hers to still them.

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, trying to still his racing pulse. “I’m sorry, I just can’t. Not yet.”

“It’s okay.” The feel of Magnus’s lips against his own made him open his eyes. The soft kiss was reassuring rather than heated. “We’ll stay as long as you need, Slade.”

“I like it here.” Sylvia shrugged. “It feels like a family to me, the way it should have all along.”

“Annoying?” Magnus was scowling, but Slade could tell his heart wasn’t in it.

“Nosy.” Slade kissed Magnus on the cheek, happy that his lover’s scowl lightened at his touch.

“Crazy.” Magnus twirled his finger near his temple, the universal sign for nut ball making Slade chuckle.

“Pineapple scented?”

Magnus gagged. “Please don’t mention that fruit ever again.”

“How about loving?” Sylvia crossed her arms over her chest and glared at them both. “Kind?”

“Psycho?” Slade ducked as Sylvia slapped him lightly on the arm, but she cuddled right back up to him after. “You know I love them all, but they’re flakier than raisin bran.”

Sylvia giggled.

Magnus shook his head, but placed his arm around both Slade and Sylvia, tugging them closer to him. It nearly put Sylvia in Slade’s lap, but he wasn’t about to complain. “So we stay here for as long as we can.”

“There’s room for all of us, but we might reconsider once we start having children.” Sylvia blushed bright red as Slade froze.

“Kids?” His voice broke as he put his hand on her stomach. “Are you…?”

“Not yet, but if we keep at it like bunnies I will be.” Sylvia didn’t seem at all upset by the idea. “I’ll admit, I’d like to wait until Odin is dead, but if it happens I’m—”

“Confined to the condo.” Magnus was so pale he rivaled the color of Slade’s hair.

“And you’ll bring me whatever I want?” Sylvia leaned over Slade, her breasts pressing against Slade’s side, and stroked Magnus’s white cheek.

Magnus nodded, his eyes wide.

“Even pineapple?”

Magnus started to nod again, then whimpered. “Yes.”

“Then I can live with being confined here.” She gave him a smug smile and sat back. “Besides, I know it’s because you’d be afraid for me. I’m not going to send you out to fight if you’re terrified for me.”

Now it was Slade’s turn to whimper, but he shook his head when Magnus tried to comfort him. “I’ll get over it.”

“You’re allowed to worry about me, Slade.” Magnus glanced over at Sylvia. “About both of us. Just try not to let it to tie you up in knots.”

Sylvia rubbed her cheek on his shoulder. “I’ll be right here with you, worrying about Magnus too.”

“We’ll make sure you’re not alone, Slade. Someone will always be with you.” Magnus peppered his forehead with small, soothing kisses. “We’re staying in the condo, forever if need be.”

“And when the time comes, and we can return to Asgard, we’ll be together there too.”

“That’s all I want.” Slade’s voice broke again and he swallowed, hoping it would help. “My mates, and peace.”

“You’ll have it, I swear.” Magnus tugged and maneuvered until Slade was lying against him with Sylvia draped over them both. The warmth of his two mates surrounded him. “Even if I have to bathe the Bifrost Bridge in blood, you’ll have peace.”

Slade lifted himself just far enough that he could stare at Magnus. “Yup. Blood rivers are so peaceful.”

“You know what I meant.” Magnus poked him in his side as Sylvia giggled. “Ass.”

“Your ass.” And Slade couldn’t be happier about that.

“Does it bother you that we aren’t warriors?” Sylvia bit her lip, staring at Magnus in concern.

“Not one little bit.” Magnus kissed her forehead. “You two will be the peace I need to keep my temper in check, and I’ll protect you with every breath I take.”

“We each have something the others need,” Slade added. “Magnus makes us feel safe.”

“I can make a home,” Sylvia said thoughtfully.

“And Slade can teach us all about pony play.” Magnus shot him a smug look.

Slade smacked him in the chest. “Ass.”

“You can give the kids horsey rides.” Magnus was laughing as Slade hit him again. “Teach them all about horse play.”

“Quit it, Mags.” Slade was going to strangle the man, if he didn’t die laughing first.

Magnus gave him a look so falsely innocent Slade was surprised he wasn’t struck by lightning on the spot. “What? I’m just horsing around.”

Sylvia was laughing so hard she was crying.

“What about—”

Slade shut him up the best way he could think of, kissing the man until his brains leaked out of his ears. He could say one thing about his mating with Sylvia and Magnus: it would never be boring

Chapter Twelve

“Well?” Frederica lifted the teapot, almost frowning as she saw her hands were shaking with rage. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

Once again Oliver had fucked things up for her. He’d interfered in her plans, going after Sylvia and Sydney, forcing them to flee their apartment. And where had the two disloyal bitches gone?

Right to Loki.

Of course.

She should have seen it coming. Something had been off that day, but she’d ignored her instincts, certain the pair were on her side. But no. Sydney, timid little rabbit that she was, had bolted to her favorite hidey-hole, Loki’s home. And Sylvia had followed right behind her BFF.

Ugh. Even worse, Frederica didn’t know who she was angrier with, them for running or herself for trusting them. She should have had Nadine or Sonia take care of it, but neither of them could hold a candle to Sydney Saeter when it came to hacking.

She should never have allowed Sylvia and Sydney to pair up. Sylvia was far too protective of the little rabbit. There was no way she’d allow Sydney to run to Loki alone. And now they were beyond her reach, their loyalty given to her treacherous grandchildren and the despicable Loki. She didn’t care that Loki had saved her son from Odin. Odin could rot in Hel.

No. Loki had turned Baldur’s mind against her, leaving her without her only child. He’d known Baldur was alive, allowed her to grieve, and for that he would
pay
.

“The new wards are far stronger than anything I’ve ever seen, my lady.” Nadine Grimm quietly thanked Frederica as she picked up her tea cup. Here, at least, was one whose loyalty Frederica never had to question. Gná had been with her for so many centuries neither of them could count them. “I can’t penetrate them.”

Frederica set down the teapot before she threw it. She’d owned it since the time of Queen Victoria and was far too fond of it to shatter it in her anger. There was no discounting Nadine’s words. Nadine could break into almost anything.

Almost, and that was the key. If Nadine said she couldn’t penetrate the new wards and retrieve Sydney and Sylvia, it could not be done.

“However, I believe I can lure at least one of them out, but it will take a day or two to set things up.”

“Do it.” With luck they would capture Sydney. If not, Sylvia would do as a bargaining chip. “And the other matter?” She lifted the tea cup, praying that this matter, at least, would have a happy resolution.

“I am close to finding him, but he’s being protected.” Nadine sipped her tea calmly, not fearing her lady’s rage in the least. Nadine knew Frederica’s temper well, another reason they got along. Frederica’s anger had rarely been turned on Nadine, and when it had been, Nadine had accepted her punishment gracefully. “I fear Njord may be involved. It’s the only explanation that makes sense.”

The cup almost slipped from Frederica’s hand. “Njord?” Why would the god of the sea interfere in her hunt for Jörmungandr? Surely he would want the Serpent destroyed just as much as she did.

“It’s possible he wishes the kill for himself, but I doubt it.” Nadine leaned back, her gaze speculative. “I fear he may be on Kiran’s side in this.”

“Baldur.” Frederica refused to use that name, the name of the man who’d betrayed her. To her, he would always be Baldur.

“Yes, my lady.” Nadine responded gently to the rebuke and continued. “I fear Odin may be the true problem, however. The wolf, Fenris, was unable to wound him.”

“I’ve considered asking Henry and Luther to go take care of him for me.” Frederica frowned as Nadine shook her head. “And why not?”

“You will lose them, my lady.”

When her hand trembled this time it was from fear. “You truly believe so?”

Nadine leaned forward, her calm demeanor cracking. Here was her friend, her advisor, not the warrior and assassin Frederica knew her to be. “Only the wolf can kill Odin.”

“But we know now that Fenris can’t wound him. Oliver healed everything Fenris did to him.”

“There is one thing Odin has not thought of, my lady.”

“Oh?”

Nadine sat back with a smug smile. “Fenrisùlfr is not the only lupine child of Loki.”

Frederica froze before a similar smile crossed her face. The thought that Loki would lose his son not once, but twice, filled her with joy. Perhaps then he’d understand her grief and rage. That one of his children thought dead actually lived, only to see him die at the hands of one of his allies?

Oh, it would be sweet.

She lifted her tea cup in salute. “To the Avenger’s hunt.”

Nadine mimicked her with her own cup. “To the hunt.”

“Have you seen Sydney?”

Slade glanced over at Sylvia as she came back into the condo. She was supposed to be visiting with her friend, but here she was, back after only ten or fifteen minutes.

Not that he’d been counting or anything. Magnus had chosen to take that time to distract him, and they’d just gotten to the part where pants were coming off when Sylvia returned, looking grim.

Magnus must have been just as confused as he was, because he stared at her blankly. “I thought you just went to see her?”

Sylvia shifted from foot to foot. “Toni said Syd told
her
she was coming here.”

“And now you can’t find her?” Slade pulled his pants up. Happy time with Magnus would have to wait. If Sydney was missing Sylvia would be devastated. “Before we start worrying let’s check and make sure she’s not with Kir, Logan and Jordan.”

“Right.” Magnus finished dressing and took hold of Sylvia’s hands. “And if she’s not, she can’t have gotten too far.”

Sylvia whimpered, and Slade wanted to smack Magnus upside the head. “Let’s go look. Magnus, you check with Logan and Kir. If she’s not there, check with Val. I have no clue why she’d go there, but it’s worth a shot. Sylvia, you check with Morgan and Skye. If they haven’t seen her, ask Fenris and Jeff. I’ll go look for her with Travis and Jamie and then double-back to Toni. We’ll meet back here.”

Magnus nodded once and was out the door in a flash, followed by Sylvia.

Slade knocked on Travis’s door, smiling when Jamie opened it. “Hey, have you seen Sydney?”

“Nope. Why?”

Well, he hadn’t really expected her to be with Travis, but it had been worth a shot. “We can’t find her, and Sylvia’s worried.”

Jamie nodded. “I’ll get Travis. She has to be here somewhere.”

Gods, he hoped so. His mate wouldn’t rest if she wasn’t, and for some reason Slade was beginning to suspect she wasn’t. His instincts had kept him safe for centuries, and they were screaming at him that Sydney was in serious trouble.

“I’m going to check with Toni, see if she’s returned to their condo. I’ll meet you at my place.”

“We’ll rally the troops,” Jamie bellowed over her shoulder. “Tyr, we need your glow bug ass out here!”

Once his eyes uncrossed and his hearing returned, Slade made his way to Toni’s condo, only to find her standing outside her door with a scowl. “No Sydney?”

“No Sydney.” Toni crossed her arms over her chest. “I should have skipped her happy ass over to your place myself.”

As tight and angry as the words were Slade could see the concern in Toni’s face. “This isn’t your fault.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “I was given one job. One. Protect Syd. And I fucked it up. So tell me again this isn’t my fault.”

He stared at her. “You too?”

She tilted her head, obviously confused.

“You think something happened to her.”

Toni blew out a breath. “Yeah, I do. She was acting strange, excited and scared at the same time. I thought she was just happy she was going to visit Sylvia, but after she left I realized she was more scared than excited.”

“And then Sylvia showed up looking for her.” Slade cursed under his breath. “Come on. We’re meeting at my place to figure out what to do.”

Toni didn’t acknowledge him, just strode toward his front door with all the determination of a woman on a mission. And it wasn’t long before everyone else was in his condo and the story had been passed around.

No one had seen Sydney since she’d left her condo almost half an hour before.

“What should we do?” Sylvia looked not toward her mates, but to Kir, who was clutching the pendant at his neck. Clouds raced across his eyes, obscuring the crystal blue they normally were.

“Find her. How did she get out of the building without any of us knowing?” Kir’s hand tightened on the pendant and the Godspear glowed in response, the light of it only dimmed by his grasp.

“We all have free passes through the wards.” Logan grimaced as they all turned and stared at him. “What? You wanted to take them down every time we went out for pizza?”

Since Kir’s unholy love of pepperoni and melted cheese was well known, not one of them seemed surprised that Logan would make certain his lover could get it. The clouds disappeared from Kir’s eyes. “Fine. You’re right.”

“Wait.” Sylvia held up her hand. “You think Syd just walked out of here?”

“Yup.” Logan shrugged. “No one got in. No one who’s not allowed can. So…”

“She walked out.” Slade frowned, trying to figure out why Syd would do that. “Has she gotten any phone calls since she moved in?”

Toni shook her head. “Neither of us have, other than my captain checking up on me.”

Travis exchanged a look with Logan. “You think the Old Man mimicked Toni’s captain?”

“We haven’t heard a peep out of him in weeks.” Logan looked just as concerned as Travis did. “It’s possible.”

“That makes no sense. What does Toni’s captain have to do with Syd?” Slade didn’t know what the pair was thinking. “Check her email. Syd never leaves the computer, right?”

“Right.” Sylvia gestured for Toni to follow her. “If they got to her it was through the computer, not the phone.”

Slade shook his head at Travis and Logan. “None of this makes a damn lick of sense. Why go after Syd? Why try and make her leave the condo?”

“Leverage?” Jordan shrugged as they all stared at her. “Whoever convinced her to leave has to know we’re going to try and get her back.”

Logan cursed. “Remember how Odin got me out? He had Jamie.”

“But…we’re all here.” Slade looked around. “That can’t be how he got her out.”

“Not all of us.” Logan paled. “Jörmungandr.”

Slade laughed. “Hell, no. There is no way the Old Man’s got my brother.” Before Logan could protest, Slade continued. “Jörmungandr is so far down, so deep, Odin couldn’t find him. He’s hiding in the deepest of the deeps, and he’s not coming out until—”

“Until Njord tells him to.”

Slade jumped as Nik DeWitt’s voice sounded right in his ear. “Son of a
bitch
.”

“Hey, now.” Heimdall, the Guardian of the Bifrost Bridge, placed his hand on Magnus’s shoulder. “Don’t say that about our mother.”

Magnus jumped, his expression startled. “What?”

Nik laughed, and Slade shivered as a sudden chill overcame him. “Forgetting your Eddas already?

One there was born in the bygone days,

Of the race of the gods, and great was his might;

Nine giant women, at the world’s edge,

Once bore the man so might in arms.

Gjolp there bore him, Greip there bore him,

Eistla bore him, and Eyrgjafa,

Ulfrun bore him, and Angeyja,

Imth and Atla, and Jarnsaxa.

Strong was he made with the strength of the earth,

With the ice-cold sea, and the blood of swine.”

Magnus pushed Nik’s hand away. “We’re cousins at best, and you know it.”

Nik smiled mysteriously, but let it go. “Don’t try and find Sydney, not yet.”

“Why not?” Slade didn’t relish trying to get Sylvia not to look for her best friend.

“She’s safe and sound, and that’s all that needs to be said. To remove her from where she us would upset a delicate balance that must be maintained until Ragnarrok is fully realized.”

Val growled. “Where is she?”

Nik’s eyes flashed. “Safe, I swear it.” He took a deep breath. “Now, there are more important things to discuss than Sydney.”

“Such as?” Kir crossed his arms over his chest and matched Nik look for look.

Slade shrank back against Magnus as the two powerful gods faced off. He could face jotun, could race against the wind and win, but to fight either the Guardian or Baldur was insanity itself.

“Shh.” Magnus wrapped his arms around him, holding him close as he began to shiver. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Kir glanced their way, and his stance relaxed. “What do you want, Nik?”

Nik stepped forward. “Kye and I would like to pledge ourselves to you.”

Kir looked startled. “Really? I thought you were going to remain impartial.”

“And I thought Kye wanted nothing to do with war.” Travis looked just as confused as Kir. “After we lost to the Aesir Kye went his own way.” As the god of the sea, Kye, aka Njord, had simply disappeared beneath the waves. He’d rarely participated in the antics of the gods. One of the few times he had, he’d wound up being forced to marry Skadi.

That had ended so well Kye hadn’t been heard from in decades. Not until Kir was given the Godspear did he rear his head out of the waves once more.

“He had a task to perform, as we all did.” Nik shrugged. “His is just taking a little longer than I thought it would.”

“And that’s not cryptic at all.” Slade scowled when Magnus began to laugh. “It’s not funny.”

“Is she hurt?” Slade saw Sylvia step beside him and held out his hand. She took it, but kept her gaze on Nik. “Is Syd injured?”

Nik nodded. “Nothing serious, but yes.”

“Then we need to save her.” Sylvia lifted her chin, that stubborn expression he was becoming familiar with taking over her features.

“No.” Nik held up his hand. “This is not up for debate. She’s safe and mostly sound, and that will have to do for now.”

“Please.”

It hurt to hear his lover beg. It hurt worse to see the refusal in Nik’s eyes. “No. In this, you have to trust me. More is at stake than just Sydney.”

With that, Val growled and stormed out of the condo, Sylvia and Toni hot on his heels.