The Weight of Betrayal (Dance of Power Trilogy: Book 2)

by TriumphantFury

Berk has changed for the better, but now our favourite couple must embark on a new adventure in the realms of the gods. Where power is a twisted dance and trust is rare. Now Astrid must find her niche in this strange new world alongside a man she loves, but barely knows. Secrets will be revealed and relationships will be tested as a whole new host of enemies emerge over the horizon

20. All Falls Down

Before you read on, this chapter was inspired by two songs. 'Dirty Diana' by Shaman's Harvest, and 'Blood Like Gasoline' by Against The Current. In that order. Do me a favour and listen to them before you read the chapter. Of course you don't have to, but I find it is sometimes fun to see if you can guess what might be coming down the winding road ahead... Or they may just help prepare you somewhat for that journey...

Well, I'm sure you can all guess by the title that this one is going to be emotional. Much like the agonizingly slow climb before the peak of a roller coaster, you know that something gut-churning, exciting, and possibly terrifying is waiting for you just over the horizon. How bad will it be? How good will it be? Is it building up to something crazy, something wonderful, or is it just building you up to let you down? As we race through this unknown obstacle course, there will likely be peaks of pleasure, peaks of pain, quick turns of uplifting joy, and downward spirals of crushing despair. Everything and anything could happen. You want it, you got it. You don't want it, you might just get it anyways :P

If you want to take a few extra minutes to prepare yourself before you dive in, I don't blame you. Once you climb on board though, I suggest that you buckle up, snug your belt, and keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle for the entire duration of the ride. This roller coaster is not in the kiddie section of the park, and it is certainly not for the feint of heart or weak of stomach...

Guest: I know what you mean, but there really is a method to her madness. Even if it does not always make sense, or feel great, to begin with.

Guest: It was a lot, wasn't it. You are absolutely right that there is gonna be more emotions, and I apologize in advance to your heart. As for your questions, yes, we/Astrid will absolutely find out who she really is in this one. The elf part on the other hand, like in the Inheritance Cycle Series, it usually takes quite a while for a Rider to become an elf. Gradually, and over decades or centuries. Though she really only needs to transition part of the way before she starts getting elven lifestyle perks, like strength, speed, increased arcane reserves, and no longer needing to sleep. Unless she somehow cheats the system and skips the transitional period, like Hiccup did. I have to say, I really love Astrid's journey in this too. This book just feels like her story now.

Now Account: I know, right! Aren't you lucky! Since I'm on holidays right now, you're getting yet another early one, but don't get too used to it :P Yes, the Dark God is literally a dark spirit, which explains why Hiccup is constantly leery about losing control of it. Thank goodness he's pretty level headed, despite his tendency towards dark mood swings and cruelty. I personally love Svartalfheim. I can totally picture it in my head, and it would be soooo beautiful. Really as if the whole place is lit by blacklight. The perfect place to hold a Halloween Party ;) Those boys and their banter = comedy gold. Every time. I do love hearing that I had people laughing out loud while reading it, because I certainly was while writing It. By the way, you did totally call it for the 'pleasure and pain' part, as well as the Ilweran 'Light God' part. Lol. Congrats. Foreshadowing is rarely lost on you, after all.

CB73: It really is good that those around Astrid continue to pull her out of her slumps. That self-doubt will eat away at you. Almost as much as her emotional dilemma over her 'god-princes' is eating away at her. It is almost unreasonably ironic that the show they put on so closely mimicked her own struggles. (Yes, ironic is actually the right word... you'll see...)

Angryhenry: No kidding, eh. Charming bastards. Although you would hope that a man with nearly 400 years experience under his belt would have learned how to talk to women... At least a little :P

Surfy: Aww, thanks :) You're so right! The dark elf world totally makes me want a patio chair, a fall breeze, and a cider. Fall is my favourite season too. No wonder the elves have their Halloween Party on Svartalfheim! Lol. As for Astrid and Ilweran, well... be careful what you wish for... ;) Thanks for finding the time to review this one, by the way. Life always gets crazy busy around this time of year, but it's even crazier now with the COVID crap.

Sabre2706: Indeed it could, and you're absolutely right. Once Ilweran gets his own mark, Astrid will definitely want him even more. Poor girl. Lol

Agentwalkoff: I apologize in advance for the heartbreak, but at least you were forewarned...

Guest: Angelica: I'm not sure that you can ever really be ready for this, but I still love these chapters. I love the three of them together too. I wish I could tell you if Hiccstrid will survive this, but alas, I cannot. They have made it through quite a lot though... I would also love to give you a clue as to how powerful Astrid will be or why her mother is significant, but you will just have to read on to find out about those too. At least two out of three of your questions should be answered by this chapter. Hope you double-checked your seatbelt...

Superlego99: A late review is still an appreciated review :P Sorry to hear about your pet, but I am glad that I was able to make you feel better. You are very welcome :) I love our three stooges too. Unfortunately for Astrid, Cuithanna kinda has to pick a man for the Beltane ritual. Strictly based on biological reasons, but there really is no reason that she couldn't bend the rules and pick more than one person. I have to admit, it would be pretty hilarious if she picked some random elf from the crowd instead though. Everyone would be so confused. Lol

_

When the first dance was over, Astrid watched as Elder Noldo kissed Cuithanna's hand before leading her back towards the dais. As they drew nearer, she couldn't help noticing that Cuithanna was looking at Hiccup expectantly. With another sigh, Hiccup said softly, "that is my cue." Then he leaned down for one more kiss. Stepping away and downing his cider before he met Astrid's eyes, he added, "I will be back for you, mi'lady."

Astrid sighed as well. Watching as he jumped off the front of the platform and bowed to Cuithanna before leading her out to the centre of the dance floor. Elder Noldo jumping up and offering Queen Lerina his hand. Escorting her down the steps instead as another elf came over to ask Golwen for a dance. Everyone else filtering away too, until only Astrid and Ilweran were left alone on the platform. She could feel Ilweran's eyes on her, but she just took another gulp of cider. Noticing distractedly that she was definitely starting to feel slightly intoxicated. Not that she cared. She wasn't in the mood to be sober right now.

"May I have this dance, beautiful lady?" She turned in surprise to find Ilweran smiling gently. At her expression, he simply offered her a shrug. "There is a method to the first dances at Samhain. Cuithanna dances with the Head of the Order first, followed by the previous year's consort. Then she dances with a member of the royal family, which has been me for well over 300 years. Until that time comes though, I am all yours."

He jumped off the front of the platform as well then. Downing his cider dramatically and setting his goblet on the edge beside the others before holding his hands out to her. "Come on Swan Princess," he teased. "Come fall for me again. I promise that I will always catch you." His golden eyes were sparkling with humour, and Astrid couldn't help the small giggle that bubbled out of her.

"Oh, why not," she grinned back. "What woman in their right mind would turn down a dance with the God of Light?" He barked a laugh as she chugged her own goblet of cider. Setting the empty glass down too before allowing him to lift her down from the platform. The feel of his large hands around her waist as he effortlessly held her made her head spin for a moment. Her own hands resting on his flexing biceps stirring the same dangerous desire inside of her, and she bit it back with a groan.

He twirled her into the crowd then. Moving her in the steps of this unfamiliar dance, but just like at Mabon, somehow it came to her naturally. The light headed spinning and upbeat music serving to help distract her from her troubles for the moment. She grinned up into Ilweran's handsome face in gratitude. He just smiled back as he lifted her in his arms in time with the other elves. Holding her gently against his body as he lowered her back to the ground.

There was an unmistakable sensuality to the action that made her heart flutter. She looked at Ilweran in surprise, but he just gazed back at her blankly. Seemingly unaffected by it. Until he winked at her mischievously that is, as a wide grin split his face. Then he spun her away from him before she could say anything, only to pull her back in again. Finally succeeding in making her laugh and settling her nerves the rest of the way. The illusion of anonymity from the masks, along with the buzz from all the cider, simply making her feel wonderfully free.

As the song ended Astrid found herself gazing up into those mesmerizing amber eyes again as he looked down at her. Both of them seeming to get lost for another long moment. Then someone cleared their throat beside them and Ilweran shook his head again. A curious look of confusion shadowing his eyes briefly. Astrid turned to see Hiccup and Cuithanna standing there. A slight smirk on the Goddess' face.

"Ugh... she is doing it again," Ilweran said with an exaggerated groan. "Take this dangerous thing away from me please. Before it makes me do something that will get me in trouble," he added as he handed Astrid over to Hiccup.

"With pleasure. Unlike you, I love playing with dangerous toys," Hiccup grinned back. Making all of them laugh. He pressed his lips to Astrid's, and she melted against him as he started dancing with her. Ilweran twirling Cuithanna off towards the centre of the crowd. After that, they all went to retrieve their goblets and grab more cider. Ilweran kept shooting confused glances at her, but he didn't say anything. Confused enough herself, Astrid simply pretended that she didn't notice. She danced with more elves and drank a little more. Honestly, she drank a lot more.

Astrid hadn't been this drunk since that horrible festival for Freyr back in Berk. She was just thinking that she should probably slow down and eat something instead, when a hush suddenly began to settle over the clearing. "Time for the consort selection," Hiccup sighed. He and Ilweran escorted Astrid and Golwen back up to the royal dais then. Saelind and a few other female Council members already standing up there. Then the boys headed around to join the rest of the male elves standing in front of it. Elder Noldo leading Queen Lerina over shortly after.

A group of female elves started the first chords of a new song. This one speaking of tender intimacy. Abruptly reminding Astrid of the reality of what was about to happen despite the numbing haze of alcohol now clouding her brain. If Cuithanna chose Hiccup, it meant another year as her consort and escort. It also meant that Astrid would have to watch her lover have sex with another woman in the spring. While she just had to sit by and let him.

Astrid's heart was thudding painfully in her chest as Cuithanna started towards the group of men. There could be no doubt that she was making directly for Hiccup and Ilweran. Please pick Ilweran, please pick Ilweran, Astrid found herself wishing. Although an unacceptable part of her, a part that was getting more insistent with each passing second, didn't really want that either. As Cuithanna drew nearer to them, Astrid's breath started coming in shallow gasps. It felt like she was suffocating. Golwen moved closer to her then. Gripping her arm firmly, as if she almost expected Astrid to collapse. Admittedly the mixture of cider and air shortage was making her rather dizzy.

Cuithanna stopped right in front of the two boys and reached out a delicate hand. Before she had even touched Hiccup, his mark flared to life. Cuithanna simply took his hand as if no one else was even there and pulled him out onto the dance floor. Golwen gave Astrid a sympathetic smile then, but Astrid barely saw it. There was an overwhelming flood of anger, jealousy, and crushing pain coursing through her. Her vision was clouding over and she felt like she was going to pass out.

A part of her wanted to hurt Cuithanna, but any fool could realize that attacking Yggdrasil was tantamount to suicide. As her pathetic human-ness washed over her, her knees suddenly gave way as she began to crumple. Next thing she knew, a pair of strong arms were wrapping around her. Keeping her upright and pulling her close as the comforting scent of Ilweran washed over her. Obviously he had seen her falling apart. He must have positively vaulted onto the platform to have been able to grab her in time. Catching her well before she could make it to the ground.

Astrid could hear the elves singing and the music playing and she knew that Hiccup was dancing with Cuithanna again. She didn't want to see it. Burying her face against Ilweran's chest, she tried to use the steady thrumming of his heart to drown out the music. It partially worked and she eventually heard the song starting to wind down. With a final deep breath she glanced up. Just in time to see Cuithanna stretch onto her toes as Hiccup leant down to meet her. His eyes looking distinctly dazed, as if he was quite drunk, though he had not actually consumed much cider.

Still, the moment that their lips joined, something snapped in Astrid. Tingling waves of a fluctuating icy warmth suddenly bloomed in the centre of her forehead. Spreading out like wildfire until they encompassed her whole body. Leaving her feeling light as a feather and confident as a wild cat on the hunt. It was like a cross between finding her magic and being just the right amount of drunk.

That strange cold tingle remained on her forehead even as it died down over the rest of her, but it didn't make her nervous. It felt perfectly right and natural. The power coursing through her feeling strangely familiar. Like it was a part of her that had always been there and she had simply forgotten about it. Leaning back slightly, she gazed up into Ilweran's handsome face again. The light of determination burning in her mind. Maybe she couldn't hurt Cuithanna...

Ilweran had been looking at her sadly, but now his expression was somewhere between startled and concerned. His brilliant amber orbs seeming to glaze over just like Hiccup's, before he shook his head vigorously to clear them again. Almost like he was fighting against some invisible force that was trying to take him over. "A-Astrid..." he started nervously. She had never heard him stutter before, and it made her unreasonably pleased that she could have such an effect on this beautiful man.

Golwen and Queen Lerina were glancing at the two of them. Golwen's slender brows furrowing in confusion as her eyes settled on Astrid's face, but Astrid ignored them both. Curious tendrils of dark purple and blue magic were erupting from her and beginning to seep through the air towards Ilweran. Strongly resembling snakes. Complete with lashing tongues, glowing eyes, and hissing voices that were whispering softly to her. Promising revenge.

On instinct, she pushed gently at the edges of Ilweran's shield with this new-found power. "Dance with me," she purred at him. Willing him to obey her, as her voice came out like liquid velvet. Disarmingly alluring and unreasonably convincing. The sound of it startled her for a moment, but she forced that thought aside quickly to focus on Ilweran again. Pressing gently against his chest with the dark tongues of light.

He still looked slightly uneasy, but he started backing towards the edge of the platform anyways. As if he couldn't resist her and the strange magic even if he wanted to. Some small part of her realizing that he likely couldn't, and not caring about that fact in the slightest. "O-okay," he stammered as he hopped off the dais. Reaching out to lift her down again.

She placed her hands on his broad shoulders this time as his hands encircled her waist. Falling against him, she deliberately put her body close to his. Holding his gaze with hers and wrapping her magic tightly around the two of them as she brushed her fingers through the loose strands of his silky hair. He shook his head again as he lowered her to the ground, attempting to regain his senses, but Astrid barely bothered herself with his struggles. Soon enough, there would be no fight left in him. Little more than a beautiful and powerful puppet on her strings.

Positioning themselves right at the centre, Astrid took vague note of all of the other elves that were also moving to dance now. The song switching to one that spoke of heady desire and lust. Complete with heavy drum beats and pulsing rhythms. Perfect, Astrid thought. A vicious smirk twisting her lips as licks of pins and needles raced beneath her skin. Making her heart feel ice cold and empty as they swirled around it and through it. It was a surprisingly welcome change compared to the crushing weight of emotions she had been suffering under a moment ago.

Glancing over briefly, she saw Hiccup and Cuithanna start dancing again. Their movements close and sensual as if they were about to make tender love on the dance floor. Astrid levelled her gaze on Ilweran again and he almost seemed to flinch under the heat of it. She placed one hand against his solid chest and he put his own over top of it. He looked at her uncertainly, but she simply began to stalk him.

Every time he tried to put space between them she just moved herself closer again. Winding herself sinuously around him as she brushed her skin against his. Teasing him ruthlessly and then giving him a bit of room to breathe. Only to pounce again before he could break free. Allowing her body to press against his enticingly as her fingers trailed over his toned muscles. Leaving more glowing purple and blue strands in their wake that began to slither around him as they morphed into the beautiful serpents of darkness.

She was enveloping him tighter and tighter in the lovely tendrils of her new magic. The serpents sinking through his skin as their forked tongues licked over him. Their shadowy bodies and glowing blue and purple eyes an almost tangible thing to her. Although she somehow sensed that no one else would be able to see them. Just as she somehow knew that there was no way for Ilweran to block them as they swirled over him. Wrapping him up like a helpless butterfly in a spider's silken web. She watched in satisfaction as desire began to overwhelm him. Despite his best efforts to resist.

She had never used this magic before. Never danced like this before either. She hadn't even thought that she knew how to. Her body was just instinctually leading the way. Every movement was easily as graceful as an elf. Aggressively feline and inescapably sexual. She was hunting him, and he knew it. This was not making love on the dance floor. This was so raw that it was almost indecent. Astrid smirking in wicked triumph as Ilweran's walls predictably came down. His resolve crumbling away like dust in the wind.

The sunshine prince that he pretended to be was quickly disappearing. That wonderfully savage gleam beginning to shine in his amber gaze again. He was stalking her back now. Prowling like a voracious wolf as he joined her in the darkness. Her precious serpents licking at his face and neck as they caressed him. Unlike Cuithanna in the Dance of the Dark God however, Astrid was not playing hard to get. She was beckoning him closer. Using both her magic and her body as she set her sights on the win.

They were trading passion for passion in equal measure now. No traces of innocence to be found in this dance. Her unknown magic was calling out to the dark and primal beast within this man. She could see surprise on the faces of those closest to them as they watched their wild elven prince re-emerge. Likely as suddenly as he had disappeared. The lusty playboy within that had been buried so deep for so long was rearing its head again at last, as he and Astrid became panther and wolf. Locked in a vicious duel for dominance.

It was nothing like the quietly sensual dance that Hiccup and the Goddess were enjoying now. Far more powerful than the pretend performance for the festival could ever be. This was real and this was carnal. She was offering Ilweran her body through dance, and he was responding as she had known that he would. Her precious snakes were whispering to that concealed darkness within. She could hear them calling out to him. Urging him to let go, and he was.

As he pulled her in close, she raised her leg to wrap it around his hip. Pressing her centre close to his before letting herself drape back over his arm. Knowing that he would not let her fall and handing herself over to his mercy as she catered to his inner beast. Exposing her curves to him, she invited him to touch her. In return, Ilweran ran his hand from her throat, down between her breasts, and all the way down to her knee. Sliding it back towards her hip, he bunched the skirt of her dress up as high as he could without exposing her undergarments to the crowd.

He grazed his thumb across the sensitive skin beneath the hem then. Almost as if he was about to pleasure her right here and now. His finger pad actually slipping inside the fabric as it slid over the moist slit briefly. The resulting flood of sensation caused Astrid to shiver and moan as her muscles clenched with needy desire. Her hips straining towards him. Ilweran simply smirked darkly at her before skimming his hand back to her knee. Denying her the stimulation that his touch had made her begin to crave.

Pushing her leg roughly away from him instead, he brought her body back up against his solid chest. Locking his eyes on hers as he lifted his hand up and boldly licked the glistening pleasure from his thumb. The warmth of desire flared in her belly as she watched him taste her. Unable to look away from those disorienting eyes of dangerous golden fire. With that one taste, she knew she had him. He had fallen. Allowing her lovely serpents to return to her, she left only their faint trails of light surrounding him. It would be enough now.

Then he was sliding his fingers down over the dimples by her spine and making her gasp. Another sharp ache coursing through her as he grinned wickedly. Moving his hand around to grip her hip tightly, bordering on painfully, before spinning her away and back again. Sliding a leg between her thighs then and cupping her ass to pull her tighter to it as they swayed together. He was manhandling her in ways she never really thought him capable of and the feeling was more intoxicating than any liquor. His body against hers causing the mixture of ice and fire inside to flash over into a raging storm of sensation.

His smouldering eyes never left her as the gloriously dangerous predator came out to play. Astrid could see many of the elves around them stopping in their own dancing to watch. Forming a wide circle around her and Ilweran now. Likely they were all feeling the intense magic playing between the two. It would undeniably be washing over them as well. Seemingly mesmerizing them with its potency. Not to mention what they were witnessing.

It was like the elves were getting an extra, and completely unexpected, show. The opening dance in reverse, except somehow even more. This time, it was the Light God that was being swayed by the Dark Goddess. With no Light Goddess to intervene, he was powerless against the lust that was consuming him. Rather than fight it, he was now becoming the Dark God. Every move more sexual and provocative than the last as he came over to join her on the dark side. Astrid couldn't help letting out a sultry laugh as she ground herself against this man. Calling him to her now with nothing more than a look or a twitch of finger.

Astrid was no longer the weak little moth. She was the deadly flame. Where she beckoned, Ilweran would follow. What she desired, he would give. She was the Dark Goddess of Night and she fully intended to make this man her thrall. She very nearly owned him completely already. Once he surrendered himself to her it would seal the deal. He would be hers to do with as she pleased. Using him until she grew bored and then casting him aside. Or perhaps keeping him as her puppet. After all, next to Hiccup, Ilweran was the next most powerful slave that a goddess could ask for.

As the music began to wind down to the end, Ilweran lifted her in his arms again. Holding her right up against him as he spun her around, before lowering her slowly back to the ground. Their bodies sliding deliciously over each other. When the final beats of the song struck, he kissed her. His mouth hot and demanding. She had not realized just how badly she wanted this man until his lips met hers. The tingling magic of them having the same result as throwing oil on a fire, as the smouldering ember of lust flared into an explosive inferno of needy desire.

Astrid kissed him back greedily then as his hands trailed sensually over the bare skin of her exposed back. Sending hot tongues of need shooting through her again. Her own hands clutching desperately at his muscular shoulders and neck. She was aching, wet, and wanting. Just waiting for him to take the final plunge. She would not suggest it, as she did not really have to. If she willed it, so it would be.

They both suddenly became aware of the sound of cheering and whistling. Breaking apart, her and Ilweran gazed at each other for a long moment. Devilish grins on both of their faces as they realized that the elves were applauding them. "Well, that was something," Ilweran chuckled softly. His eyes still a raging inferno that nearly scorched her to ashes at the same time as it sang to her wicked core.

"It certainly was, my handsome prince," Astrid answered with a laugh. Running one hand down along his rugged jaw to trace her fingertips over his perfectly full lips. Watching his eyes glaze over again at her touch. "I think the audience enjoyed it." Then she rubbed herself against the obvious bulge in his trousers. "It would appear as if you enjoyed it as well, big boy. I knew there was a savage beast still lurking beneath that shining persona," she added. Shooting him a coy wink.

Ilweran laughed darkly. "You have no idea," he growled back. Then he kissed her once more before resting his forehead against hers. "Want to get out of here, Swan Princess," he asked quietly.

"I thought you'd never ask," she grinned back at him. Taking his hand in hers and leading him from the clearing. She caught a glimpse of a pair of bright emerald eyes watching her and Ilweran. Seeing pain and rage shining though them in equal measure. Cuithanna already had a firm hand placed on Hiccup's chest to restrain him, and she laid the other on his cheek now. Trying to pull his attention back to her as she spoke quietly to him. Likely hoping to calm him down.

Seeing that, Astrid felt a stab of vindictive glee course through her. Good, she thought smugly. Hearing the crooning hisses in her mind, and almost wanting someone to try and stop her just so that she could unleash either her anger or her powerful new servant on them. After all, wasn't Cuithanna just using Hiccup as her puppet too? At that, the darkness swirling within reminded her that Hiccup deserved this pain for being unfaithful to her first. He should know how it feels, the voices whispered softly...

*

Honestly, Ilweran couldn't really say how he had gotten here. One moment he was watching Astrid fall apart as Cuithanna approached Hiccup, just like every year now. As the Goddess had taken Hiccup's hand he had seen Astrid begin to drop to her knees in defeat. Leaping over the others and onto the platform, Ilweran had caught her before she could make it far enough for anyone else to notice. Holding her in his arms as he watched his brother dance with the Goddess. It had left Ilweran feeling incredibly useless. Especially when Hiccup leant down to kiss Cuithanna.

What are you doing bro, Ilweran had thought in frustration. Can't you see that Astrid is broken enough already! It was at that same instant that something had changed. The woman in his arms suddenly began to grow cold. Very cold, as if she was sucking the warmth out of the world around her. Out of him. A curious feeling of power thrumming through the air around the two of them. Astrid almost vibrating with it. His hairs stood on end as painful pins and needles raced beneath his skin. It felt like he was trying to hug a very large and powerful athame.

Next thing he knew, Astrid was looking up at him like a hungry panther. The lovely blue eyes surrounded by the elaborate black mask were now shimmering with a haunting indigo light. Darkening them with hints of shadow as they cut straight through him. The colours swirling and twisting within the disorienting orbs. There was a curious deep purple crescent moon in the centre of her forehead now. Glowing softly with its own dark inner light. He couldn't really remember if that had been there before or not. Had Golwen done that?..

Then a wave of dizziness had shaken him to his core. He tried to fight it off, but it rose back up to suffocate him as she purred at him in a wonderfully sultry velvet. Asking him to dance with her and leaving no room for argument. He knew it was a bad idea, but he just couldn't stop himself from obeying her. Sure, Astrid had been dazzling him a little bit all day. She always did. This was different though. He had never felt anything like this before.

It was definitely persuasion magic, but it was by far the most potent that he had ever experienced. Much stronger than Freyja's. Leaving him absolutely powerless in the face of it. As Astrid ground against him and trailed her hands over him, he struggled futilely against the beast within. Trying to give himself space to breathe, but it was just no good. The tendrils of submission were whispering to him and even his super strength shield couldn't begin to block them out. For the first time in almost four hundred years, he was as helpless as a human.

This woman was hunting him. Worse than that, a small part of him didn't really want to run away. That part was growing stronger with every sensual caress of her hands or her magic. Gods knew he wanted her and they both knew that she wanted him too. He wasn't sure why she was choosing to finally give in to the mutual desire at this moment, but he couldn't stop her anyways. Whatever overwhelming power she possessed was effectively crushing what little was left of his resolve.

He had returned her passion then. Holding her in his arms and enjoying the fragile feel of her. Looking into her strangely luminous yet shadowed eyes as her gloriously perfect body intoxicated him. The waning crescent moon on her forehead simply making her even more beautiful. He was drowning in her magic and he no longer wanted to swim. They were very nearly fucking on the dance floor and he couldn't even make himself feel bad about it.

Ilweran was allowing his hands to run over her body shamelessly. Teasing and torturing her in return. Skimming his thumb over her slit as her slender leg encircled his hip. The slick feeling of her obvious desire causing his member to strain against his trousers. The resulting ache making him even bolder. Giving her little tastes of what he had to offer, only to withdraw and leave her wanting more. Soaking up every one of her gasps and lewd moans like they were the only things that mattered anymore.

The sound of the cheering elves had cleared a small bit of the fog for him, but her touch quickly pulled him back under. Before his mind could begin to dwell on what had just happened, he found himself suddenly asking Astrid to leave with him intead. He wasn't even sure where exactly that had come from. Not having consciously chosen to say it. Then a mixture of surprise and white-hot lust was coursing through him when she said yes. As if she had simply been waiting patiently for him to suggest it. Another wave of pleasant vertigo washed over him as this enchanting creature dragged him from the clearing. Numbing his mind as his body yearned to please her.

He knew there was a reason that he shouldn't be doing this, but he couldn't seem to remember it right now. He was in a trance. At the mercy of this dark goddess that was taking him over and whatever she wanted, he would provide. Whoever she needed, he would be. He had no desire to fight against her anymore. He had no idea why he had even wanted to fight against her in the first place. Why would anyone ever want to resist this woman?..

Before he knew it, he was pulling Astrid through the door of his private sitting room in the palace. Taking her straight through to the bedroom. A place no woman got to go. Kicking the door shut behind him, he took her in his arms and shoved her roughly up against the wall. Devouring her mouth as he had wanted to for months. She kissed him back hungrily as her hands wandered over his body. Running her fingers down over his chest and abs in the same way she had earlier.

This time he didn't stop her. Letting her trace every ridge until she reached the curve of his obliques. Following it right to his package, where she began to caress him through his trousers. Needy hands grasping at him as she gave soft little moans of want against his mouth. Sending jolts of energy sparking through him.

In a flash of gold he had vanished their masks. Wanting to take in every perfect line of her without any of the false anonymity getting in the way. Surprisingly, he found her searching his face greedily too. As if she was really seeing him for the first time. Then she was loosening his belt and tugging at the hem of his tunic. A little voice in his head was telling him that this was a bad idea. Ignoring it, he let her pull the shirt off anyways. The flash burn of her delicate fingers mapping his skin pushing that little voice right back out of his mind.

He let his hands wander down her flawless form and back up under the skirt of the dress. Enjoying the way her sumptuous curves felt under the thin silk. Releasing her mouth so that he could kiss his way along her smooth throat instead. Following the pulse of blood beneath the skin until his mouth was over the delicate wing of her collarbone. Biting down just hard enough to make her shudder and gasp as she arched towards him in response. Her heady scent invading his senses as her soft moans cut him to the quick.

He needed this woman so badly. Needed to please her. Hooking his fingers through the top of her undergarments, he lowered them until they slid themselves the rest of the way down her legs to pile at her feet. Astrid kissed him hungrily as she stepped out of the bundle of fabric and kicked it aside. Then she was bringing her leg up to wrap around his waist again.

Another wave of dizziness washed over him and some very small part of him knew that he was lost. She was making him her slave and he was just letting it happen. Bringing his hand up under the hem of the skirt, he ran his fingers slowly up the inside of her supple thigh. She shivered at his touch as he wrapped his other arm around her to hold her against him. Then she was gasping as he brushed over her moist slit again. Without the annoying restriction of modesty garments this time. The feel of her naked flesh making his cock twitch expectantly.

She was straining her hips towards him as she begged for release, and he couldn't deny her. His fingers were sliding into her before he had even consciously decided to do so, and it caught him off guard for a moment. Her resulting needy moan was like sweet music to his ears though. Washing away any sense of unease or confusion, so he began to tease and stroke instead. Biting back a groan at how incredibly wet she was already.

She was so responsive. So easy to read. Making it ever so simple to find her sweet spots. Letting him know the exact amount of pressure to put where, and for how long. The return of all his old arrogance reminding Ilweran just how long it had been since he had pleasured a lady out of real desire for her body. He had honestly almost forgotten just how much he truly enjoyed the challenge of a new woman.

Now he was kissing her mouth viciously while she fell apart in his hands. Loving how she sighed his name loudly in between gasping breaths. Clutching at his arms and shoulders as she rode the waves of climax. He tightened his hold around her to keep her standing as he paused to watch her shatter, and he couldn't help the smug smile that twisted his lips.

As her tremors slowed, Ilweran dropped his arm from around her. Letting her lean back against the wall again as she slid her feet out of her sandals. Smiling contentedly at him now, but he was not even close to done with this goddess. Locking down her disorienting blue eyes with his golden ones, he brought his hand up and licked her slick pleasure from his fingers again. Sweet fuck, she tastes amazing!

She stared right back at him, just like in the clearing. Her perfect lips parting slightly as her eyes darkened even further. Abruptly making his head spin as the predator within reared its head again. "Mmm, delicious," he purred at her. Watching her pupils blow wide. "Want a taste, princess," he asked quietly as he ran one of his moist fingers over her parted lips now and she gasped with wanton surprise at his tone.

He claimed her mouth again then. Feeling her moan as she tasted herself on his tongue. Her fingers straying into the loose strands of his hair. Sliding his hands up her back and loving the way she trembled for him, he began to undo the ties on her dress. Stepping back slightly, he held the ties up for a moment longer as he met her eyes again. Then he dropped them. Letting the fabric drift slowly down her slender frame until her glorious body was completely naked before him. The glimmering silk pooling on the floor at her feet.

As her dress fell to the floor, Astrid couldn't help a sudden rush of nervousness. Ilweran's hungry eyes were wandering over her naked body now, and it made her oddly shy for the first time in a long time. She was completely exposed to this man. What if he didn't like what he saw? He had been with so many perfect women, elven and other, yet she was just a plain old imperfect human. Looking away from him, she felt a slight blush heat her cheeks. Then there was suddenly a gentle finger under her chin and the action was so painfully familiar that she almost choked up.

Ilweran brought her face back up to look at him. His golden eyes burning so brightly that they may just leave her as nothing more than a pile of ashes. "You are the most beautiful woman that I have ever seen, Astrid," he told her quietly. "You are so much more than just a human. You are a goddess. Never doubt that, and never be ashamed of your body." Then he crushed his mouth to hers. It was as if he had read her mind in that way he always did, and her heart nearly burst from the overwhelming range of feelings coursing through her. The sounds of the festival were drifting in the balcony doorway, and the intimately slow song that the elves were playing now nearly made her cry.

Sweeping her up into his embrace, he began to carry her over to the bed as she held herself against him. His muscular arms laying her down tenderly before he rested himself over her. Her legs came up to circle his waist of their own accord as he kissed her deeply. Her hands sliding up the ropey muscles of his back to twine into his wonderfully soft hair as her hips lifted to grind against him. The hissing whispers of her lovely serpents telling her that this was good. That she needed this. Needed him to take her and become hers. They promised that it would be worth it. Her legs pulled him closer to her then, and he moaned into her mouth as he returned the pressure.

Then he started kissing his slow way over her face and down her throat, and she lost herself again. Her head was spinning. Far too many sensations crashing together in her mind. She was too intoxicated on liquor, Ilweran, and the darkness to make sense of any of it. She didn't even really want to try. She had been angry at Hiccup. Wanting to hurt him as she was hurting. Wanting to make him watch her with another man. She had felt the power coursing through her and knew that she could have chosen absolutely anyone at that moment.

Astrid had already known that Ilweran would be her victim. He was perfect, glorious, powerful, and she already desired him. She had also known that it would hurt Hiccup the most. Although the pleasure of making the sunshine prince fall in front of everyone had been surprisingly gratifying too. Now that she was here with Ilweran, she couldn't believe how good it felt. He hadn't been kidding when he claimed to be fluent in the language of pleasure. Just how many women had it taken before he mastered his art, she wondered vaguely as he ripped shrill moan after shrill moan from her throat. The noises almost embarrassing with their volume.

His hands were absolutely magical. His pace and technique flawless. The blend of rough and gentle touches perfectly balanced. Making her shiver and burn all at once, as if he already knew her inside and out. This marvellous man that was so gloriously beautiful that it hurt. The charcoal black monstrous nightmare on his back moving in a sinuous dance while he teased her. As her hands slid over his shoulders to rest on his solidly flexing biceps, another shudder ran though her. The feeling of his smooth skin and hard muscle under her fingers making her more excited than she could ever have imagined.

She loved Hiccup. Why was she enjoying this so much? She had not really intended to go this far, but now her body was singing for Ilweran. The shadows swirling through her mind as well as her heart. It was too late to turn back. The darkness and the lust making her crave Ilweran's touch in a way that she had never thought possible as he worshipped her with ridiculous skill.

Astrid couldn't stop now, even if she wanted to. Which she didn't. She wanted to taste him back. Pleasure him and have him take her. The voices crooning their devious plans to her, and her body going right along with them. Soon enough, this man would be hers forever. That was what she wanted, after all, wasn't it? To possess both of the god-princes... Wait, what?! What in Helheim was wrong with her, her disoriented mind wondered in horror as it suddenly started struggling to push the voices out.

Just as these thoughts all clashed in her confused head, he took one taut pink bud into his mouth. Grazing the sensitive skin with his teeth as his hands continued to touch and tease the rest of her. Another blaze of heat seared through her. Effectively wiping her mind with it. All that mattered now was Ilweran and she threw her head back with a gasp as she handed herself over to him completely. Him and the darkness. Her fingernails trailing back up over his hard back as she clutched him to her with her hands and her magic.

Ilweran was kissing his way down Astrid's naked body and she was arching up to meet his lips. His blood boiling beneath his skin at the feel of her taut nipples in his mouth and her naked skin beneath his hands. Her toned form like a delicious play land that he wanted to frolic in for days. As he ran his tongue slowly over her, she moaned loudly and clutched at his shoulders. Leaving grooves of sweet pain in his skin that took him deeper. He would have marks on his back, but he could heal those later.

She was responding so beautifully to even the lightest of his touches as he worshipped every inch of her. Tasting his way slowly down her entire body. From her hair, right down to her dainty toes, and then back up the inside of her toned legs again. Trailing his fingers over her skin as little mewls of want burst out of her. This woman was utterly perfect. When he finally reached her mound, he took a moment to just enjoy the heady scent of lust pouring off of her.

Nuzzling his nose into her glistening curls, he breathed in deeply. Soaking in the smell of a woman completely consumed by desire. The musky odour causing the last of the blood from his brain to venture south. His cock pulsed again and he just wanted to rip off his trousers and bury himself in her, but not yet. He had planned to savour this woman, so he ran his tongue up her slit instead. Lapping up her sweet pleasure as her legs came up to wrap around his back and pull him closer. Yet another wanton moan escaping her lips.

That little voice was still nagging at him, but her potent magic was doing a good job of smothering it. He looked up from between her legs with a wicked grin then, as she looked down between the marvellous mounds of her breasts to meet his eyes. This had to be the best view in all the realms... "You taste so fucking good Astrid," Ilweran growled at her. "I have wanted to devour you since the moment I met you, and I am not going to stop until you cum for me again." She sucked in a sharp breath at his words and threw her head back again. Her small hands wrapping around his biceps as her nails dug in sharply.

Her hips bucked up towards him and he lowered his mouth to meet her. Plunging his tongue in and out of her hot centre before bringing his hand around to slide his fingers back into her again. Stroking against her unique ridges in the way he now knew she liked. Milking every last gasp out of this sex goddess. He felt her clench tightly around him with her need as he parted her folds and circled her pearl with his tongue before wrapping his lips around it and suckling gently. Another strangled mewl escaping her as she ground her pelvis against him.

He wanted her exhausted. Wanted her to be completely lost to him before he took her. Leaving her as little more than a sweaty, quivering, and incoherent mess by the time he was done. Hel, for the first time in a long time, he even wanted to hold her afterwards. To watch her as she slumbered in his bed, like a magnificent trophy dedicated to male prowess. It was honestly one of Ilweran's favourite things about fucking non-elves, even if he never stuck around to enjoy it. The complete physical surrender of these beautifully imperfect beings. Their blemishes and blushes simply making them more interesting. Each of them as unique and rare as a snowflake.

He kept alternating between rough and gentle until she was crying his name to the gods again. Her fingers knotting in his hair as she suddenly tensed up. Her thighs clamped around his face then as a rush of juices flooded from her. Her walls twitching and spasming around his fingers. Her second orgasm leaving her shaken and stealing the voice right off her lips as she muttered soundlessly. Eyes closed and head rolling from side to side in the throws of ecstasy.

After giving her a few moments to shudder and gasp, he gently pressed her thighs apart enough that he could breathe again. Grinning up at her as he did so. She smiled down at him somewhat sheepishly with those mesmerizing eyes. Then she was dragging him back up to kiss her as she ground herself against him. He moaned into her mouth as his erection strained painfully against his tight trousers. His head was full of Astrid. Her taste. Her smell. The incredibly sexy sounds that she was making. He just wanted to ravish her. To take her, and to become hers, all at once.

He had pleasured her enough that she would let him do pretty much anything to her now. Settling himself over her again, he felt her hands begin to wander down to his waistband. Taking his weight on one elbow, he brought his other hand down to grip the perfect curve of her hip and pull her tighter to his bulge. Her fingers grazing over his lower back and making him shiver as she arched her body towards him. Then he felt something small and immensely cold brush against his chest. At the same time, that little voice came back in full force.

"WAKE UP IDIOT," it practically screamed at him. Sounding oddly like Hiccup as it pulled him roughly back to himself, and he froze. The jarring pain of emptiness shaking him to his core. Partially released from the haze of the persuasion magic, Ilweran shook his head and tried to regain his bearings. "What's the matter," a gentle, and uncomfortably familiar, voice asked quietly.

He suddenly became fully aware of a pair of soft, yet calloused, hands touching his skin. A pair of slender and perfectly toned legs encircling his hips. Looking down, he saw a naked Astrid laying beneath him. Sinfully sweaty and looking sufficiently sated already. What the fuck, his confused mind wondered in shock. How in Helheim did I get here?! Her pleasure flushed face, along with the heady lust in her luminous blue eyes, almost sucking him right back under.

Looking away from those shadowed orbs before he could lose himself again, his eyes fell to her chest instead. There was a small silver pendant nestled between her perfect breasts. Glinting brightly against her pale skin. That must have been the cold thing that had shocked him awake, he thought distractedly. Noticing that it had an impossibly small night fury insignia adorning the centre of a beautifully carved dragon-scale rose.

That was when everything came flooding back to him. Hiccup leaning down to kiss Cuithanna, followed by the overwhelming persuasion magic pouring off of Astrid. The numbing haze clouding his brain. That dance. Inviting Astrid back to his room and her pulling him from the clearing as Hiccup watched them leave together. He could still feel her luscious body in his hands and taste her sweet pleasure on his tongue. He was remembering all of it, and his body tensed in realization of what it meant.

He was very, very close to doing something that he could never take back. Something that he would very much regret. If only because she would probably hate him afterwards. Almost as much as he would hate himself, in fact. Not that he would have any of his own will left to hate himself with...

Sweet fuck! How pissed is Hiccup right now! I'm so dead... Hiccup had to have sensed the magic as well. They both knew that if Ilweran made love to Astrid right now, the true persuasion magic would make him her thrall. Her slave. Sure, he had jokingly said that they might one day be willing to share, but not like this! "This is so wrong," he muttered quietly. Rolling himself off of her with a groan of frustrated anguish as waves of pain shot through him.

Landing with his feet on the cool floor, he paced back from the bed to give himself space from this temptress. Astrid looked so confused and hurt that he just about went right back to her, but he somehow resisted. Trying desperately to keep his focus instead. "I cannot do this, Astrid," Ilweran said. His voice marginally louder this time.

"Why not? I thought you wanted me. Did I do something wrong," she asked quietly. Insecurity colouring every syllable and it almost broke him.

"Gods, everything about this is wrong! Never mind the fact that Hiccup is going to murder me for this! Did you not realize that, or do you just not care?" He very nearly growled it at her. The words coming out much harsher than he had intended as he continued to struggle against her magic and his building anger.

Then he looked on in horror as the naked embodiment of perfection in his bed started crying softly. "Son of a bitch," he growled again. Moving back towards her, he wrapped her in his embrace. Biting his cheek hard enough to draw blood, he focused on the physical pain in an attempt to fight down the other urges. In particular, the wracking waves of need that were flooding through him at the feel of her bare skin in his hands.

Pulling her tearstained face up to meet his, Ilweran pressed a gentle kiss to her lips now as she searched his eyes desperately. "Gods Astrid, please do not do this to me," he practically begged. "I did not really mean it like that. We both know that I want you. More than you can possibly imagine, but that is not the point. I know that you are hurt, but this is not the right way to get back at Hiccup. There is no going back from this."

Letting her go, Ilweran backed towards the balcony doorway behind him. It was one of the toughest things he could ever remember doing. Akin to every single time that he had been forced to fly away from Celeste and Minden. Why was 'the right thing' always so godsdamn painful to do, he cursed inwardly. "I refuse to let you use me to make the worst mistake of your life," he said then. The words still carrying a certain weight of accusation, despite his calmer tone.

"I'm not using you," Astrid gasped. "How could you say that?! You know that I want you too. We can talk about this. Just, please don't leave Ilweran..." Her voice was soft and pleading. Her overwhelming magic calling him back as her needy desire washed over him again.

The numbing fingers of submission were still clawing and whispering at the edges of his shield. Searching for a way in and he knew that he couldn't fight them back for long. The pain of it making him clutch at his head with a frustrated snarl. This unaccustomed feeling of utter helplessness causing his normally well restrained rage to bubble to the surface in uncontrollable waves as his reactive fire magic raced beneath his skin. He raised his eyes to meet Astrid's again as he dropped his hands back to his sides, where they balled into tight fists. Seeing her flinch slightly under the heat of his anger.

He knew that his own amber eyes would be glowing strangely now too, as they flickered faintly with their own inner fire. "You and I both know that if I stay there will be no talking. I can smell your lust and I can feel your desire trying to lure me back in. You will want me to finish what we started and I will not be able to refuse you," he stated quietly. The dangerous tone, unmistakeable. "After that I will be yours and it will be far too late to talk about it. Now get the fuck out of my head before I am forced to remove you myself. I assure you that you will not enjoy my methods so much this time around."

Instinctual fear seeped into her beautiful eyes for a moment as she saw the true monster within rise up for the first time. That predatory animal kept carefully concealed beneath the distracting beauty. One that was fully capable of real darkness. Killing thousands without mercy. Long, long ago, he had even fucked some of the women first. Using his own body as an irresistible trap or a heady distraction. Mixing business with pleasure like a twisted sadist, and brushing off his moderate disgust when he looked back on his actions. Reminding himself that they had wanted it, after all.

Astrid had never seen this side of him, though he had warned her that it was there. The familiar fear on her face now was something that Ilweran usually only saw in his victim's eyes. Right before death took them. Now it came from someone that had viewed him as a good friend and a kind man. Carrying a heavy helping of startled confusion right along with it. It was surprisingly painful, and he wondered if this was how Hiccup felt most of the time. After all, Astrid likely had no idea exactly what the magic she had unleashed was capable of. Too lost in her own pain to see the truth of his.

She probably thought that his struggle was mostly emotional rather than a real and physical thing. Of course she wouldn't have experience with the effects of true persuasion magic, Ilweran realized furiously. It shouldn't be surprising that she didn't really know how very close he was to losing his hold on his temper either. Biting back on his savage anger now, Ilweran cursed loudly instead. Slamming a fist through the wall beside him as he fought against the unrelenting pull of this woman. The slight burst of pain in his hand helping to clear his head for another all-to-brief moment.

He watched as her eyes flew even wider with shock. Her face paling even more at the sight of his unexpected outburst. Finally understanding that his threats had not been completely empty. The callous predator beneath would hurt her to save itself. Unfortunate and deplorable, but true none-the-less. Of course, he would hate himself for it immediately afterwards, but it would be too late to fix it. Regardless of that fact he almost stopped to apologize, but he needed to get out of here while he still had some semblance of sanity left. Before he either gave in to her, or lost control of the reactive magic and attacked her.

With one last look at her lovely face, he launched himself backwards off the third floor balcony. Flipping over to land lightly on the grass before taking off into the forest. Forcing himself to run away as the woman of his dreams sat naked and crying between his bed sheets. Scared and confused in equal measure. Astrid would very likely be afraid of him now. If Hiccup didn't kill him that is...

Thankfully, the further he got from the palace the weaker the pull became. Finally, after what felt like ages but was likely only a few minutes, he had his own mind back completely. Reaching out then, Ilweran searched until he felt the emerald spark of Hiccup's consciousness. Breathing a sigh of relief when his friend acknowledged him enough to let him in. "I need to talk to you," he told the man firmly. Knowing that this may very well be the end of him.

"Do you now..." came the cool reply. "Well then, come and find me." Fighting back a tremor of fear, Ilweran altered course to where his friend was. Following the powerful thrum of Hiccup's magic. Knowing that Hiccup was likely waiting for him now. Coming to a stop in a small glade with a stream bubbling through it, he looked around in confusion.

He could definitely sense that Hiccup was here. Why couldn't he see him? And why hadn't he grabbed a godsdamn shirt before leaving! His near nakedness was not going to help the situation. Never mind the blatant scratches marring his back and shoulders. Was there time for a quick healing spell before Hiccup showed up?

Just as he thought this, a tall shape suddenly began to materialize within a patch of swirling darkness on the other side of the glade. Seemingly appearing out of nothing. The tousled mop of hair and dual swords making the man instantly recognizable. This terrifying 'Hiccup from Helheim' started strolling slowly towards Ilweran then. The rigid set of his shoulders belying his casual pace. His form crawling with menacing shadows as he gradually shifted from see-through phantom to solid being.

"Somehow you are not in thrall to my woman yet, so start talking if you have something to say," Shadow Hiccup said quietly. "Before I decide to simply kill you anyways and be done with it." His voice was echoing strangely around Ilweran. As if he was speaking across a vast and empty plain that was separate from this one. The layers of it overlapping upon themselves until it sounded like there was more than one man speaking. Just slightly out of sync.

What the fuck?! Well, I guess this is it then. I'm dead... Ilweran thought in defeat. I mean, it's not as if I haven't earned it. At least I can die with the knowledge that I was trying to be a good man. Fighting down the urge to defend himself as he wracked his brain for anything even remotely brilliant to say, Ilweran resigned himself to a (hopefully) quick death. Meeting the sinister slit pupils of his brother's brightly glowing green eyes as he felt a chill run right through his body and straight into his soul...

*

Astrid was in shock. Ilweran had threatened her, punched a wall, and jumped backwards off a third floor balcony just to get away from her. The ferocious anger in his eerily burning and wolfish amber eyes had been startling to behold. Whatever inner monster she had called forth was finally out in the open, and it was terrifying. The surprisingly unhinged rage pouring off of him reminding her strongly of Hiccup. Honestly making her believe that he may just kill her where she sat if she didn't reign back on her magic.

Ice cold fear had flooded her veins even as confusion swirled in her mind. She couldn't call off her magic! If Ilweran left now, it meant that she would lose both of them! The whispers of the darkness assuring her that he wouldn't really harm her. Telling her that he may be a bit upset, but it wasn't like she was hurting him physically. Just emotionally. Besides, he was supposed to be the calm and kind one. Wasn't he?!

As the realization of her actions hit, she pulled her knees to her chest and dissolved into hysterics. One hand clutching desperately at the warm pendant hanging from her neck. What had she done?! One moment of jealous rage and she had ruined everything. Everyone had seen her seducing Ilweran before dragging him from the clearing. Hiccup had seen her.

There would be no denying it or hiding it. They had sensed the magic that she was using, but they all thought that Ilweran had wanted it too. Why wouldn't he go with her? Their mutual attraction was already pretty obvious. Not to mention, Golwen had explained to her about persuasion magic. It usually didn't effect elves in the same way as it did the other races.

The elves had no way of understanding her and Ilweran's feelings, or why they denied them. Nor did they have any idea just how powerful Astrid's magic really was. How could they know that she had simply handed herself over to it rather than attempting to control it? For the first time, she had truly tasted the darkness; and she had completely lost herself to it. There was no way that Hiccup would ever forgive her for this. How could he, when she had betrayed him so thoroughly?

She had lost him for real, and through her own stupid actions this time. That truth was like a bitter poison coursing through her veins. Making her body ache as she began to hate everything about the woman that she had let herself become. Hiccup was her other half. Her soul mate. She would never stop loving him or wanting him. So what was she supposed to do without him?

How could he look at the cruel and ruthless creature that she was now and feel anything other than revulsion? Did she even deserve his love anymore? Either of their love? Ilweran would probably hate her now too. As he should. She was like some sort of cursed flower. Drawing those she wanted to her with her beauty, only to cut them apart with her thorns.

Honestly, they both had every right to be furious with her. If Ilweran never wanted to speak to her again, Astrid wouldn't be surprised. She was absolutely disgusted with herself. She was a monster. A real one. The type that hurt others for her own pleasure. She had stolen Ilweran's will from him without a single care for what might happen. So focused on getting back at Hiccup that she hadn't bothered to think about what she would do after the fact.

She had known right from the beginning that what Ilweran had said was true. If they had made love, he would be hers forever. That thought had made her unreasonably glad at the time. There was a spiteful and vindictive side to her that she had never even known was there. This dark creature inside knew that if she did the same to Hiccup, she would have both men and Cuithanna would have neither. The perfect little Goddess of Light would just have to find someone else to serve as her Beltane romp. That vicious reminder of what landed them all here just making Astrid cry even harder.

Astrid honestly had no idea how long she had been sitting in Ilweran's bed. Sobbing until her throat ached as every poor decision swirled around in her mind. Making her sick to her stomach. It had been a bit of a struggle, but at least she had finally managed to fully cast off the dark magic. Now she was left with nothing more than a severely fractured heart full of self-loathing and an overwhelming dose of emotional fatigue. She knew that she couldn't stay here forever, but where could she go?

She had just crawled her way off the bed and slid her black dress back on when she suddenly heard quiet footsteps outside the door. There were only two people she could think of that it might be. Hiccup or Ilweran. Although she couldn't imagine why either of them would be coming to find her. She couldn't even be bothered to care about herself right now. Why would they be worried about her? Unless it was Ilweran coming back to yell at her to get out of his room.

Just as she thought this, a sleek black shape pushed its way through the door. "Kaitlyn," Astrid gasped, as the large cat came over to sit in front of her. "What are you doing here?" Then Golwen came walking across the threshold. Taking one look at Astrid's face, Golwen came over and pulled her into a tight hug. Astrid promptly fell apart again. More wracking sobs shaking her as Golwen led her gently back towards the edge of the bed.

When she could finally catch her breath, Astrid looked up at Golwen in confusion as she wiped her face with the back of her hand. "Kaitlyn brought me here," Golwen told her with a shrug. "She seemed to think that you needed us right now." Looking between the woman and the panther, Astrid let out a choked laugh of gratitude. Reaching out to scratch behind the cat's silky soft ears.

"She's not wrong," Astrid answered softly. Then she nearly broke down again. "Gods Golwen, I've screwed up so badly!" With that, she proceeded to tell the enchantress everything. Needing to talk to someone about it. Someone that wasn't a dragon with primal instincts, of course. Golwen listened patiently as Astrid described her anger, jealousy, pain, and confusion. Both over Hiccup and Cuithanna, as well as over Ilweran and now what she had done to him because of it. Not a single hint of judgement gracing the enchantress' lovely face.

"The worst part is that I don't even know how I did it," Astrid finished sadly. "Obviously I was using persuasion magic, but I have no idea how to. I've never used it before in my life! It just burst out of me. Like some sort of uncontrolled wave that I never even chose to unleash. How is that possible? How can I use powers that I don't even I have?"

"Do not be ridiculous, young Rider," came the regal voice of Kaitlyn in her head. "If you were able to use the power, then of course you have it. You have always had it. You just did not know it."

"What do you mean, I have always had it," Astrid asked in shock. Gazing down into the wise green eyes of the jaguar.

"Is it not obvious," Kaitlyn replied. "We both saw the goddess' crescent shining on your brow. Miss Hofferson, you bear Hecate's mark. Now, if you had been blessed by the goddess you would certainly remember it, and I would not need to tell you. It is as we suspected Lady Golwen."

"So it would seem," Golwen said quietly. Clearly Kaitlyn was speaking to both of them at once.

"I had a mark on my face? What?! What in Helheim are you two talking about," Astrid blurted out. Extremely confused now as she looked between the enchantress and the cat.

"It would appear as if you are a direct descendant of Hecate, Miss Hofferson," Kaitlyn said calmly. As if she was commenting on something as plainly visible as the fact that Astrid had blonde hair. "Your mother closely resembles the goddesses, after all. I am surprised that you do not already know this. Have you not seen the similarities when you look upon Cuithanna?"

"I was usually too jealous and upset to notice much about Cuithanna. Other than her ridiculous beauty of course. As for my mother, she told me very little about her past," Astrid answered truthfully. Her head spinning uncomfortably as her mind tried to reject this new possibility. "I only know that she grew up in Rome and that she is Greek, because of Hiccup. How would I be related to Hecate without knowing it? Wouldn't I have shown some sort of weird powers before now? Wouldn't my mother have? I wonder if my mother even knows about it?.."

"My dear, you have been projecting your powers before now. Just not quite this strongly. As for your other questions, only your mother or the goddess herself can answer those," Golwen said, and her tone was almost apologetic. "At least you are now aware of it. I never mentioned my suspicions because I thought that you already knew of your heritage and were trying to conceal it. I suppose I am partially to blame for this unexpected loss of control. I should have been helping you to understand and channel your unique powers long before now."

Astrid looked at her in surprise. "So it's true? I'm actually related to Hecate? The Goddess of Night?"

Golwen smiled gently at her. "Yes, Astrid. You are. How closely I do not know, but it is obvious that you have inherited some of her magic. As I inherited some of my own mother's magic. Now that you have found it, we should probably start learning to use it in a more strategic fashion, I think. Perhaps in a controlled and intentional way rather than an emotionally reactive way." Here she offered a slight smirk, and Astrid couldn't stop herself from choking out a laugh.

"That would be great," Astrid said. Giving Golwen a half-hearted smile. "Too bad it's a little too late. I've already hurt the two men that I care about most and thoroughly ruined my life."

Golwen pulled Astrid closer to her and Astrid rested her head against Golwen's shoulder. Letting out a sigh as Golwen rested her cheek against Astrid's hair. Kaitlyn coming over and rising onto her haunches to place her gigantic paws and head on Astrid's lap. The enchantress and jaguar simply comforted her like that for a moment as Astrid ran her fingers through the cat's night black fur.

Then Golwen leaned away to look into Astrid's eyes again. Her luminous violet orbs glowing brightly in the dimly lit room. "It is never too late to try and make it right, my dear," she said softly. "The sooner the better, in fact. Our mistakes rarely begin to look more appetizing the longer we leave them to stew." Astrid snorted a laugh at that.

"Oh, I am all too aware of that," Astrid replied. "I just don't even know where to start. I have hurt them both so deeply. I'm not sure either of them will even talk to me after what I've done." Astrid looked down at her hands for a moment before glancing back at Golwen. "I'm not the person that I thought I was, Golwen. I don't actually know who I am anymore."

Golwen grinned at her then.. "You are a goddess with incredible power, Astrid. That is who you are and that is who you have always been. Knowing it does not make it more real. Besides, I do not think either of those boys would deny you much of anything," she said with a chuckle.

"You just need to ask them the right way, and show them how much they mean to you. As Ilweran does not seem to be in thrall to you, then we have managed to escape any lasting damage. Of course, Cuithanna would have been able to reverse it, but it is not a pleasant experience for either party. Hopefully escaping that particular nightmare works out in your favour. In the long run," she added with a gentle sigh.

"Hopefully... I guess you were wrong about the soul pair thing," Astrid couldn't help saying. Her voice coming out as barely more than a pathetic whisper.

"That depends," Golwen stated calmly. "Do you still love him?" When Astrid could only nod a dejected affirmative Golwen tightened the arm around her shoulders briefly. "Then I do not think that I am. Anger and passion often dwell within the same plain, but love is in a realm all its own." She dropped her arm from around Astrid at that. Getting up from the bed, Golwen made her way back over to the doorway. Kaitlyn padding over to join her.

"I will leave you to your thoughts, my dear. I cannot tell you how to fix this, but I can tell you that I have complete faith in you," Golwen added. "You are part true goddess, after all. If you cannot solve this, no one can. You are more than welcome to come stay at my place if you desire. Even if you run away right now though, your problems will still be here waiting for you when you get back." With that she gave Astrid one last reassuring smile before walking out into the hall and closing the door behind her and Kaitlyn.

She's right, Astrid thought as she stared at the closed door. She could run away from this all she wanted, but eventually she was going to have to face it. Her heart was already smashed to pieces. Might as well break it the rest of the way right now. Why prolong the agony?

Getting up from the bed herself, she made her slow way towards the balcony instead. Still feeling the strange new magic thrumming inside of her. Where it would likely always be now. Not that she ever really wanted to use it again. Golwen had claimed that she could channel it, but as far as she could tell, all it did was hurt people.

Stopping by a piece of reflective glass on the wall, Astrid drew on it until she felt that same tingle in her forehead. Watching as a lovely deep purple spark bloomed on her skin. Spreading outwards until it formed the shape of a waning crescent moon between her brows that was glowing with a dark inner light. Her light blue eyes now shining with strangely swirling indigo shadows. The effect was actually quite beautiful, really. Sighing, she cast off the magic again and walked out to lean against the railing. Gazing off into the surreal landscape around her as she watched the oily looking bodies of small creatures wind through the trees rimming the palace.

It was always dark here, so she had no way of knowing what time or day it was. The moon travelled through the sky like on any other world of course, but the gentle glow of life never faded. She truly couldn't remember if the moon had already set and rose once since they had arrived, or if it was still the same day. It was a little disorienting, to be honest. Just then, the shadow of a deadly nadder appeared in front of the blue lunar orb. The familiar dragon touching down softly on the balcony beside Astrid.

"Little one, are you alright," Stormfly asked worriedly. Looking her over and nuzzling her, as if checking for injuries. "I could sense your distress, but Toothless and Tintallë warned me that this was something you humans needed to sort out on your own. Were they wrong?"

Reaching up to scratch behind her battle sister's crest, Astrid leaned her head against Stormfly's neck. Sighing gently as the comforting feeling of the bond washed over her. "No, they were right girl," she replied sadly. "All my wounds are internal, I'm afraid. I've made a real mess of things, Stormfly."

The nadder warbled softly. Resting her large head lightly on top of Astrid's. "Is there anything I can do," Stormfly asked. Waves of support and love washing over Astrid from her dragon.

"Unfortunately not," Astrid told her with a sigh. "This emotional human just has some things to sort out now, and they are not going to be fun or easy. I will probably need a shoulder to cry on afterwards though. You go off and enjoy the festival for now. I will call if I need you. I love you girl."

"I love you too little one," Stormfly croaked gently. Nudging Astrid with her snout. "I will not be far." Astrid gave her a nod and a wave, before Stormfly spread her softly glowing wings and took off into the night again. Astrid following her shape until her weak human eyes lost it to the darkness. Then she gazed back down into the alien forest again.

Was Hiccup still with Cuithanna? Had they left the festival together? Were the two of them currently in the room down the hall making love too? Astrid shuddered at the thought, but it would serve her right. She hadn't even thought to ask Stormfly about Hiccup, and she wasn't going to now. If she had to search for him, that just meant she had more time to think up what she was going to say. And where had Ilweran disappeared to?..

The only thing that she knew for sure was that she was not going to get any answers standing here. Heading back into the room, she grabbed Ilweran's discarded tunic off the floor. She peered at it guiltily for a long moment before pulling it on as a cover up. Feeling far too exposed in just the little black dress now. Then she headed out the door. Carrying her heeled sandals in her hand. She would have to stop by hers and Hiccup's room to change her clothes before she went to find the boys.

Hopefully they weren't off somewhere fighting over her. Making her nightmares a reality. Hopefully she could talk to Hiccup first. Astrid hated to think that he was blaming Ilweran for this, when it really was all her fault. She allowed the self-loathing to consume her again as she padded down the hallway. Reaching the room at the end, she listened at the door for a moment. Everything was silent, so she took a deep breath to steady herself and pushed it open.

The room was dark as a moonless night, which surprised her. She was sure that the glow from outside had been lighting it earlier. Just as it had been lighting Ilweran's. Guess she would have to try and find one of the lamps without breaking something. If only she had learned how to project light orbs the way the elves did. That would be handy. She'd have to ask Golwen about it later.

With a resigned sigh, she closed the door and turned away from it. Only to freeze in her tracks. Her heart leaping into her throat. Across the room, a pair of gut-wrenchingly familiar green eyes were shining though the darkness; and they were staring straight at her.

_

Unexpected! Did she just manage to write a double cliff-hanger?! How f*cking cruel is that?! Though I did warn you all that it would be an emotional ride... For you, and for our favourite trio... Obviously the raw and gritty sexuality of 'Dirty Diana' was the inspiration for Astrid's initial seduction of Ilweran and their dance, but 'Blood Like Gasoline' is probably completely opposite to what we all would expect. Ilweran was the rose, while Astrid was the thorns. After all, she really did spark the fire that burned down everything. Now that the storm has passed, all that's left are ashes...

I guess the truth is out now. Why Astrid seems to dazzle her boys (and everyone else), why she is so powerful, and why her mother is significant, and the council members thought they recognized her in Astrid's memory. Why her and Hiccup are a perfect match, and why Cuithanna never mentioned anything about Astrid needing to earn her seal. She already had one... All the clues were there. All along... Did anyone pick up on them? Or are you only realizing what they meant now?

Honestly, I think I love Ilweran even more now. I had originally intended for their sex scene to be awkward and short, but of course it wouldn't be. As I typed, it gradually morphed into a touching and romantic, albeit intense, love scene that has its beautiful edges stained by shadows. Which is, to be blunt, exactly what it is. What did you all think of it? Not what you expected for their first foray between the bed sheets together, I'm sure...

What do you think is going to happen next chapter? Any guesses? Or are you all stumbling off to the nearest waste bin to vomit up your lunch instead? Probably shouldn't have eaten all those corn dogs before you got on the roller coaster, kiddies :P