Dark Storm Rising
Chapter 22
A/N: Happy Solstice, Merry Yule, Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanza! I DID it! I completed a 50,000 word original novel in one tortured month for NaNoWriMo. So, here's a Holiday gift for you. We're back to Eric and Sookie. Hope you enjoy. Thank you for your patience.
Thank you FDM and AmaZen for your advice, editing skills, and support.
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When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we'll see
No I won't be afraid, no I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
And darlin', darlin', stand by me, oh now now stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me
If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
And the mountains should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry, no I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
"Stand by Me" by Ben E. King
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Sookie plummeted into the fall's white roaring chaos locked in the Dark Elf's embrace. She gasped and shivered as they passed through a torrent of icy water. The Dark Elf used the hammering force of the water to accelerate toward a massive whirlpool at its base, all the while shrieking out sibilant words of power. The whirlpool spun faster and faster, spiraling against the gorge's walls, and then drawing down into a spinning funnel. Her head swam and whirling darkness took her, as they dropped through the center of the waterspout.
When Sookie's eyes flickered open, the funnel and its howling had been replaced by whistling, frigid air, and streaming phantoms of fog. The stinging wind shrilled and bit at her flesh as they dropped down, down, down... Her stomach clenched. She closed her tearing eyes and willed herself not to cry.
Eric had cloaked himself and used his own powerful magick to close off their bond. Although she couldn't sense his presence, she knew that nothing except final death could keep him away from her and the small bright spark of new life that grew within her. If it was only her life, she would risk breaking the cloaking magic and reach across the bond to beg him to save himself. She could not think of her vital, brilliant husband's magnificent body flaking away into nothingness.
The taste of his lips, the brush of fingertips, the feel of him moving inside me, the way our eyes meet and, most of all, the love, sometimes unspoken but always there, flowing like a river between us.
She would face death alone and the journey to Summerland to await rebirth, but if Eric met the true death, Valkyries would swoop his warrior spirit across the worlds to Asgard—to Odin's Valhalla or Freya's Folkvanger—the halls of the valiant slain. And if death took him, would they ever reunite?
I can't bear to think of separation. Neither can Eric. He'll come whether I want him to or not.
She reached toward her womb and brushed the pulsing miracle, no bigger than a peanut. No, she wouldn't will him to stay away, even if she could. Their baby, the fruit of their love, deserved life. They would both fight to the brink of Ragnarök for that chance. If the nine worlds toppled around them and they died, at least they'd go down fighting; at least they'd go down together.
Her captor dove deeper and deeper, between craggy walls, dipping under a roof of glittering rock, yet still speeding ever downward. The endless passage wound and turned, finally broadening into a huge cavern. Deep in its farthest depths, the dull red ropes of a churning river of magma cast an evil glow on the cavern's floor.
High above them, a mighty ledge of rock sloped down from the roof. Before them, a gigantic slab of rune-carved adamant cast long, wavering shadows over battalions of Ulswater Fae, Dark Elves, packs of Fenris Weres, clans of Vampires, Demons, and several phalanxes of sinewy clawed creatures whose shapes rippled and wavered like eerie holograms. Red, yellow, and opalescent eyes flickered, and snarls of hatred, distrust, and red blood lust rumbled in the air. But Sookie saw that all of the species she could read were held in check by overwhelming fear and awe of the gargantuan intelligence and malice emanating from the massive form sprawled atop the rune-warded slab. It was this Being's iron will that ruled them.
Even as his massive biceps and corded muscles writhed beneath invisible bonds, the restrained colossus' overwhelming aura left her in no doubt that she stood in the presence of Loki. Despite his agony, he was beautiful—more beautiful than any male among humans or supernaturals. Eric's beauty was the rugged splendor of a battle-tried warrior at the peak of his prowess. But Loki's physical perfection transcended anything a lesser being could hope to achieve. Flame red waving hair shot with russet and cinnabar flowed over the stone, and his vivid green eyes, brilliant as faceted emeralds, projected a deep ancient magic as they stared into the cold eyes of a colossal snake rearing above him. The serpent bobbed, hissing, and twisting, trying mightily to lash him with its venom,but the dripping poison was always captured by an ancient stone vessel, held in the hands of a haggard, desperate-eyed woman.
This battle of magicks between the supernaturals took Sookie's breath away, and the surging waves of Loki's power crashed over her until she lost herself in the raging current of his will. As Loki stared the snake into submission, Sookie found herself rooting for him. For something so fine and powerful, blood-brother to Odin, to be chained to that rock for eternity! The despair of it…of course he should seek vengeance! And he would have it.
Then…Eric! Like a dash of cold water, the thought of her husband loosened Loki's spell. Resisting Loki's magick, she focused on reinforcing her psychic shields. This beautiful creature was more deadly and evil than any she had ever encountered. Though some humans, some vampires and some Weres were wanton killers, most killed only for survival,but Loki had killed gentle Baldur out of simple jealousy. He took brazen pleasure in his kills, in the confusion wrought by his cunning plots, and in the sorrow and pain that he caused. She'd have to be one very clever mouse to escape the big cat in this den.
The battle lust had taken him and he was mightily roused. Below rippling muscles, a huge erection strained amid wild russet curls. Any woman would want him…
The massive ribcage rose. The cavern's air crackled and throbbed, heavy with the hot metal scent of dark, conflicting magicks, and pulsing strands of Wyrd seemed to bind the gathered beings even closer to the drama now taking place—the drama that would herald Ragnarök.
Then a collective sigh and a triumphant roar rose up as the serpent writhed away from Loki's gaze to hang limp as a piece of discarded rope, its gaping maw now empty of menace. For the first time in eons, Loki's huge hand lifted above the huge runestone. Grinning broadly, he seized his tormentor, twisting the head from its body and dropping it into his wife's outstretched bowl. With one final hiss, the snake's head dissolved in its own venom as Loki's minions roared and clanged weapons against shields. His loyal wife cast the bowl and its grisly contents into the river of fire and threw herself upon him, weeping with joy as he stroked her shining flaxen hair for the first time in millennia. He shifted to his side and lounged like a Roman at an orgy. A slight frown creased his perfect brow as he tested his bonds. Ah! The bonds were loosened but not severed. Loki could move upon the stone, but he couldn't get up to lead his army into Ragnarök. Not yet.
Never, Sookie hoped.
He reclined on his side—supine perfection. His voice was deep and melodious. "Behold! Our victory is at hand! The Aesir and their minions tremble. The fangs that dropped venom upon me age upon age are no more. Very soon Odin will pay for my agony. The Gjallarhorn will sound as Garm howls, and a New order will rise from the ashes of Ragnarök! Give homage to your Lord and Master!"
The Dark Elf forced Sookie to her knees as Loki's armies prostrated themselves before him.
His voice flowed over her like sweet wine laced with poison. So hard to resist, opening her psychic doors, just one sip. She struggled to close herself off, as the heavy weight of the Jottun's attention focused upon her.
Damn! He's so strong.
He smirked and raised an eyebrow. That I am, my beauty. You'll find out just how strong.
Dark magic coiled around his deep, hypnotic voice. "Who visits me in my hour of victory?"
The Dark Elf spoke, its harsh voice tremulous. "It is I, Nari, my lord. I have brought the woman."
Loki's voice was honey laced with glamour. "So, I see. You will profit greatly from this service, Nari. Bring her to me. Let me look upon her."
Sookie assumed the slightly glazed pleasant expression of a glamoured human. The clever emerald eyes regarded her with vast amusement. Nari scrambled to his feet and sprang up onto the huge stab of stone, dragging Sookie forward with an iron grip on her arm. They knelt again near the Jottun's's head. Sookie raised her eyes, and felt an adrenaline rush from her head to her toes. He was vast, ancient, beautiful, and from all that she had learned and experienced, utterly self-serving and without conscience. Like many evil people she had encountered, he was also amazingly seductive. Her gift had by necessity made her a good actress and she knew that tonight's performance had better be Oscar quality.
She must let him see that flicker of truth—her genuine admiration for his beauty. He mustn't perceive her revulsion or the game was up. She had no doubt that she was a player in a deadly endgame.
"Look at me my lovely, what do you see?"
She raised her head and willed herself to look. Let him feel her admiration for his glorious form, if not the twisted being that lurked within it. He was very masculine with a broad forehead, high cheekbones, a straight nose, and full ruddy lips. The mark of the serpent's venom, a terrible scar that trailed across his forehead and along his right cheek, was healing before her eyes. He was a flame, a torch, a sparkling ruby. He was also the Trickster and Betrayer who murdered his brother's son and sought the destruction of the nine worlds. His luminous emerald eyes and his magic traveled over her, probing her dazzled senses.
Sookie walked on a knife edge. She had to give in just enough, let him perceive the admiration, and the beginnings of arousal. Thrusting her revulsion and rage into the terrible hidden place where she kept her darkest pain and secrets, Sookie trembled, sighed, brushed her hands over her nipples. Her voice needed to be tinged with just the right shade of lust and fear.
"I see beauty and power my Lord."
Loki smiled, closed his eyes, and inhaled her scent. "It has been many ages since I have held a beautiful mortal woman," he purred. "Take off your clothes and come to me. You will enjoy my embrace."
An electric ripple ran up her spine. Blue sparks—then the fierce blue flames of Eric's rage blazed across their bond. That too she locked away. Trust was the keystone of their relationship; he'd know she had reasons. Her job just then was to divert Loki's attention until the supernatural cavalry came over the hill. She hoped that they would arrive quickly, because she had no intention of getting any closer if she could help it. No. Eric's rage was not for her, but for the thing that forced her to behave like a courtesan or a fangbanger but squeamishness was not an option.
She batted her eyes and smiled seductively, then closed her eyes and licked her upper lip, "Oh yes my Lord," she breathed.
Slowly she unbuttoned her shirt, unhooked her bra, and displayed her magnificent, full breasts. In the early stages of pregnancy, her skin glowed, and her breasts were voluptuous and creamy. She cupped them and smoldered at Loki as his eyes devoured her.
"Faster!" he growled.
She groaned inwardly as Kirsten tapped her mind, but with a coy smile, shimmied out of her jeans and stood before the Jottun wearing nothing but a lacey white thong.
Loki groaned and stroked himself. "You are magnificent, just as you were described by one who knows you well. He wanted you, but he will have to settle for less. When I am victorious, you shall become my concubine. You'd like that, wouldn't you?"
Sookie looked down and hoped that Loki couldn't read her thoughts. " I'm honored that you find me worthy, my lord."
Red rage slammed across the bond. Sookie sucked in her breath with the force of it and had to pretend that she was admiring Loki's enormous, rock-hard erection.
"Come to me now," Loki purred. "You'd like to pleasure me, wouldn't you? Come my love, run your hand along my cock, then your lovely mouth."
Sookie blinked and smiled inanely, while berserker rage slammed across their bond as Eric uncloaked and flew toward them screaming a war cry.
He landed in front of her with seax and spatha poised. It was the kind of act that made Pam grind her fangs and accuse him of recklessness. But Eric understood the game of war. What seemed recklessness could be a diversion.
Eric always had a plan.
He lunged at Loki who laughed heartily as several bearded Vamps tackled him.
"Ulswater! Fetch the chain!"
"As you desire my Lord."
The Fae Lord Sewell Ulswater stepped forward with a very long silver chain. Eric beheaded two attackers, before a Goliath-like vampire slammed into him, weakening him enough for Ulswater to bind him securely. Sookie screamed and launched herself at Ulswater. He sneered, flicking his wrist as if shooing away a fly, and Sookie went sprawling against Loki's unyielding side.
"Hand her to me now." Loki's voice was cold and hard. "Now is the time for my release." He raised his voice, "Now is the time for Ragnarök!"
The gathered horde howled and bellowed, rabid to start the battle that would bring them power beyond their wildest dreams.
Ulswater lifted Sookie and thrust her beneath Loki's hugely muscled right arm. Loki clamped her against his chest, taking a moment to fondle her breasts, and run his hand over her body.
"You played a clever game, my dear, but my games are always better. They are, after all, my strength. Your man forfeited his turn when he lost control—as I knew he would." He smiled wryly at Eric whose blue eyes blazed, skin smoking as he strained against his bonds.
"You have a clever little wife, Eiríkr. She plays the trickster game well, but I knew you would not allow her to be violated. Although," he caressed Sookie who was attempting to bite him, "I think that she would have performed to the full extent to win this game. She shares that proclivity with me."
Eric growled, "I'll kill you, Jottun or no!"
Loki glared at Eric. His emerald eyes glowed with a preternatural light. Waves of dark magic rolled from him, shaking the chamber.
"No, it is you who will die. You and all those of Midgård, Alfheim, and Asgard who refuse to worship me." Loki squeezed Sookie until she cried out. "But there is a chance for you to reenter the game…I'll kill your beautiful woman right here before your eyes unless you choose to play your part…"
Eric fixed his eyes upon Sookie. It had taken many years, but he knew that this courageous, magnificent scrap of a woman meant more to him than his own life, more than his own gods. "What is it that you wish me to do?"
Loki smiled. His victory was so close. "You must release your blood bond and all of the magic that is tied to it. It is the last magical bond created from the Aesir magic that binds me. You must both release it now, or your woman dies." Loki squeezed her again.
Through waves of pain, Sookie thought about the bond that she had initially loathed, then tolerated, and finally come to cherish with gratitude. Gratitude for the closeness it had given two proud individuals who might never have admitted their love without it, gratitude for the beautiful daughters who were fruits of the bond.
Her daughters! Sookie's heart began to would happen to their girls if the magic that helped form them was released and made null? Would they, too, simply wink out of existence as if they had never been? And what of the last battle? Releasing the bond would unleash Ragnarök upon all the worlds. What chance of survival did any of Loki's enemies have then?
She reached across the bond flooding Eric with her love, and her own resolve. She touched her husband's mind, knowing that in this extremity, she would reach him.
"No Baby, don't do it. No matter what, my life's not worth the cost. Think of our girls. Think of what this monster will do to all of the worlds if he wins."
Eric gazed at Sookie, pushing back his own pain and resolve to consider his mate's desperate message.
Loki squeezed again. "You hesitate. Don't think that I won't kill her. I have waited too long for this moment. I, whom Odin bound with my own wolf sons' sinews. As soon as they touched my body, my sons' guts and muscles turned into bands of iron, and bound me to this rock through the ages. And all because I killed Odin's son, the ridiculous, gentle Baldur!" "
He looked at Eric again. "Now Viking, that serpent hangs dead above me. You must consider well and make the right move, for if I would kill the son of the King of the Aesir, do you think that I will hesitate to crush the life out of your woman?"
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Will Eric dissolve the bond? Should he?
I promised my kids that they could go to Red Robin when I hit one thousand reviews and they've been waiting a looong time.
My 1000th reviewer can pick from a selection of short stories ideas, both naughty and nice. I will write said ff dedicated to that reader.
Hope you enjoyed.
Happy Holidays