Here it is at last. A sneak peek from the third book. Woot Woot! :P

I'm still torn on the name for the third instalment, so it will remain a mystery for now. Once I figure it out though, I'll be sure to let you all know as well. If anyone has a suggestion in the meantime, feel free to let me know. Lol.

Without further ado, here you go...

ooOOoo

The orbs of light flickered softly in their decorative wall sconces. Dancing over the jewelled pins that held her mass of golden hair in place at the base of her neck. A few softly curling tendrils having broken free from the elaborately braided knot to hang loose around her face, but this just granted her decidedly polished look a little more sex appeal. Blowing one out of her eyes on a huff of breath, Astrid fussily readjusted the bodice of her elegant peacock blue dress. Ensuring that the tight material pushed her breasts up and out in just the right way. The pendants of her necklace nestled safely between the boosted mounds as only the delicate silver chain remained visible against her creamy skin.

The dress had been borrowed from Amenmeit, and it fit Astrid well enough. Hugging her curves in all the right places. It was of the more modest style of the Æsirian court, designed for fashion instead of function, and rather more cumbersome than she would have liked. As it was intended for a Temple Priestess however, it was thankfully still much lighter than many of the other elaborate gowns here. A discreet slit running up one side that reached to mid-thigh; and Astrid shuddered at the knowledge of what that was for.

Still, what was intended as easy access for an impatient customer was also a convenient way to retrieve hidden blades. Mainly though, the dress completely covered her back. Perfectly concealing the large black deadly nadder that would mark her out for what she truly was. Even more so than the slender stiletto holstered on her thigh, or the silver garrotting wire wound around her wrist like a bracelet. A rather sparse selection sure, but she did not need more weapons than that. She was the weapon; and the bait.

Looking herself over in the large polished bronze mirror, Astrid sighed quietly. Just this one last mission, she reminded herself, and then they would be released on leave. By this time tomorrow the three of them would be on their way to Midgard for the wedding. Providing everything went smoothly tonight that is. Thankfully this target did not know that he was on the Allfather's naughty list. Not yet at least. He would learn soon enough, but by then it would be much too late to call for the guards.

After carefully readjusting her thigh sheath beneath the draping skirt, Astrid smoothed her hands down the heavy fabric. The thickly woven material reminding her of the simpler garments of a previous life. Feeling unexpectedly rough and unwelcome next to the airy silks and fine linens that she was now accustomed to. The sooner she got this over with, the sooner she could get back to her own clothes; and Hiccup. Satisfied with her appearance, Astrid took a deep breath before heading back out of the garderobe and into the wide hallway. Two methril clad guards waiting patiently to accompany her, as a lady was not to wander around alone and unprotected.

It was hard to play the soft and simpering lady, when Astrid knew full well that she was more dangerous than anything she was likely to encounter on the way to the bathroom. Having these young boys panting after her was, in fact, rather frustrating. Their overeagerness to assist, one step above pathetic. Give her an axe and her dragon over this stealth nonsense any day. No wonder Hiccup preferred a good, messy bloodbath to a single target hit. Still, you did not become one of the most dangerous assassins in all the realms without knowing how to adapt.

As she made her way back towards the party, the guards fell into step behind her without a word. Astrid tried her best to ignore the weight of their eyes on her backside as she kept her hands folded primly in front of her skirt. Looking for all the worlds like a well-bred woman, with her shoulders back and her head held high. If only her mother could see her now, Astrid mused as a bland smile graced her painted lips. The soft clack of her heeled shoes lost to the loud strains of music seeping out from the ballroom ahead.

Arriving in the open double doorway, she took a moment to gaze around at the mass of colourfully clothed bodies. Some twirling stiffly around the dance floor as many others milled around the loaded banquet tables. Spotting several other priestesses in similar blue gowns gathered beside one of these tables, Astrid nodded her head in thanks to the two young guards before quickly skirting around the dance floor. Amee turning away from the group in time to catch sight of Astrid approaching. Her head tilting discreetly in the direction of the target and grimacing in joking disgust as the man downed yet another flagon of strong ale, and Astrid rolled her eyes in response.

Moving out of the shadows as she allowed a small amount of her natural allure to envelope her, Astrid knew the eyes of every man would now be drawn to her; including her target's. Astrid had barely even rejoined the priestesses before the lecherous old lord was upon her again. His clammy and wrinkled hands seeking out the bared skin of her slender arms as he leant in close to ask her for a dance. The stench of drink heavy on his breath, and Astrid fought back a shudder. Merely smiling pleasantly at him and giving a small curtsy instead, she accepted his offer with feigned gratitude. Having already spoken to Amee about how she should act in order to blend in. Any priestess worth her salt was well trained enough to never insult a potential client.

The feel of the drunken noble's hands on her as he guided her through the dance was repulsive. The touch of his eyes on the exposed swells of her breasts, even more so. Astrid longed to simply kill him here and be done with it, but that would defeat the whole purpose of the disguise. This man was to be disposed of quietly, as his province was a wealthy one, and his subjects apparently liked him. Gods only know why, Astrid grumbled. Thanking her lucky stars that Hiccup was not here to witness this, as she amped up her allure a bit more in the hopes of moving things along. Wishing that he would soon be done with 'showing her off' and just invite her to his bloody room already.

After a few more dances and some forced conversation, Astrid finally got her wish. The nobleman whispering sloppily into her ear before taking her arm and escorting her towards a side door. The two of them receiving little attention as they left the ballroom. After all, a nobleman and a Priestess of Freyja slipping off together was not an uncommon sight. Palace guards and other courtiers alike all simply nodding to them as they passed. Astrid smiling pleasantly in return, even as she reached out with her mind. "It's time," she told Amee, as soon as the woman had let her in.

"Excellent! I'll let Inga know to get ready for your signal," the priestess replied brightly. "Try not to have too much fun with him first," she added cheekily.

Astrid barely managed to contain her snort of laughter at that. "No promises," she quipped back. Hearing Amee's sultry chuckle in her mind before promptly severing the connection again.

The lord's appointed room had been selected strategically by the Order and Odin. Located near the back wall of the palace, it boasted private views of the lush gardens, as well as a wide balcony just the right size for a hasty escape on a bonded dragon. As soon as she crossed the threshold, a tingle of awareness raced up Astrid's spine. She barely got the chance to glance around though before the man was on her. One of his hands wrapping tightly around her waist to turn her towards him as the other came up to cup her jaw. Forcing her back in the direction of the wide bed as he dragged her down into a sloppy kiss. So much for 'being gentle' with her.

His bushy beard, stale breath, and overly moist lips were so different from Hiccup that her stomach rolled over in response. Every fibre of her being longing to shove him away. Instead, she returned the kiss as best she could while fighting down the bile in her throat. That same tingling presence invading her senses again as a wave of deepest cold whispered across her neck. Making her shiver as goosebumps erupted on her skin.

Spurred on by what he clearly mistook as desire for him, the old man broke their kiss to trail his wet mouth down over her exposed neck instead. The hand on her face slipping down to cup her breast, and Astrid tilted her head back slightly as a small smile twisted her lips. "I feel I must confess that I have deceived you my lord," she started softly. Injecting a heavy dose of fake disappointment into her voice, and he stopped in his ministrations to glance up at her with interest. "You see, I am actually bound to another, and he will not be happy about this. My lover does tend to be a rather jealous man..."

If he was less intoxicated, the man might have clued in on what was about to happen. Unfortunately for him, the potent mixture of lust and liquor were serving to numb his sense of self preservation. "Then we will just keep this our little secret, shall we," the lord grinned repulsively. His lips seeking out her throat again as he pulled her close enough to feel the growing bulge beneath his trousers. "If you are clever, he need never know that someone else has already stolen your virtue," he muttered against her skin.

"Oh, it's much too late for that," Astrid giggled now. Another tremor running through her as she felt the press of deathly cold against her back. A partially solid hand brushing over her thigh as it ventured between the slit in her skirt to grasp the stiletto concealed beneath. Icy fingers pointedly grazing her skin and making her shudder with want, before the dagger slipped from the sheath and the cold presence vanished from behind her. Though she knew full well that he had not left the room.

"Indeed it is. Much too late," came Hiccup's sultry drawl from behind the lord then. Velvet voice echoing eerily as he finally fully emerged through the veil. A wicked smirk on his face and his green eyes glowing like beacons in the night. Clearly warning of danger ahead, and Astrid met his gaze with a smile.

The lord turned abruptly towards the sound of Hiccup's voice as his eyes flew wide in horror. "You?.." The word came out on a shocked gasp as the truth crashed over him like a tidal wave of fear. His subsequent shout of alarm barely touching his lips before Hiccup grabbed him and clamped a hand over his mouth to silence him.

"Yes. Me," Hiccup purred back. Driving the poisoned dagger swiftly into the lord's other side and chuckling softly as the doomed soul whimpered pathetically. Slitherwing toxin creeping from the impregnated blade to steal through his bloodstream instead. The potent concentration killing the man quickly and effortlessly.

As the pompous and horny old fool went limp in his arms, Hiccup slid the dagger slowly back out of the corpse. A small burst of green magic serving to both heal and hide the wound. Leaving behind no telling signs of injury on the otherwise very dead man. "I was perfectly capable of taking care of him myself," Astrid informed her lover blandly. Crossing her arms just below her pushed up bosom. "What are you doing here anyways? You said you were going to wait for me at home."

"I lied," Hiccup replied simply. Dropping the body carelessly on the floor and stepping over it. His marvellous green eyes trailing over her, as twisting shadows of savage dominance swirled around the narrowly slit pupils. "You know how I feel about other men touching you," he growled quietly.

Astrid grinned coyly up at him as she moved to press her body against him now. Her hands sliding slowly up over his silk tunic to rest atop his solid chest. "I know," she smirked. "That's why I let him." That had Hiccup rasping a dark laugh as he leant down to kiss her. His hands gripping her hips firmly, before picking her up. The dress falling open as she wrapped her bare legs around her man's waist and kissed him back greedily. Her hands twining into the hair at his nape while the vacant eyes of their lifeless victim looked on sightlessly from his spot on the stone floor...

ooOOoo

Just a little snippet to spur your interest. Some intrigue, some violence, and a hefty dose of dark hiccstrid. My all time favourite couple ever! I honestly love this piece, and I hope you guys do too. It's just so... them.

As I said, I'm still working on this final book. I have no clue when I will be ready to post it, but I did want to show you that I haven't forgotten about it or abandoned it. I absolutely love reviews and predictions, and if you leave one, I will make sure to post a reply to it on the previous 'Over and Out' chapter. Love you all and see you in the next one :D