This is the final chapter. Thank you all for reading and enjoying this story. I want to send a huge thank you to my beta Tsumi. Without her this story never would have gotten past chapter 1. I look forward to working on the sequel with you. To all of you wonderful readers this chapter is just for you. I want each and every one of you to know how much it means to me that you have read this. I think I have the nicest greatest smartest readers on this site. So thank you! To my sister Tia and my cousins Britni and Cheris. Thank you so much for encouraging my writing. Last but sure as hell not least to my Dad, this whole story is dedicated to your memory because of all the love encouragement and advice you have ever given me. I miss and love you! And now the Final Chapter of The Viking and the Goddess! Enjoy!
Chapter 16
Disclaimer: I own nothing from True Blood.
Eric's POV
I woke early the next day to see Freya's face on the pillow next to me. I was not looking forward to letting her go. I didn't like the idea of me not being able to get to her if she needed me. She had made me feel things I haven't felt in ages. She had given me everything I had asked from her and now she was leaving me. Could I really wait 10 years to see her again? Refusing other woman was easy when she was just a small trip away but I didn't know if I could do it. I quickly got dressed and wrote her a note. I needed to clear my head.
Freya POV
As my eyes opened I saw my Tante standing in my doorway. I immediately looked over to make sure my Vikings lower half was covered.
"He left earlier Fey." Isis said walking into the room seeing me scramble to cover Eric.
"Morning Tante. Did he say where he was going?" I asked her smiling
"Morning. No he didn't. But Northman did give me something to give to you." she said handing me a piece of paper.
"Wow. You called him by his name instead of insulting him. How did that feel?" I asked taking the paper.
"Like having my tongue staked to the ground on a sunny day." she smiled sitting in a chair by the door.
"Did you need something else?" I asked
"No child. I have heard you will be leaving us soon and I thought we would spend the night together." She said smoothing out her dress.
"I would like that." I smiled opening my letter.
Freya,
I need time to think.
Eric
I refolded the paper and sat it down. I kept the smile on my face to make sure Isis didn't see that I was confused by his letter. As much as I loved my aunt, when it came to Eric her advice was a little misguided.
"Well then Goddess, I will leave you to get dressed." She said standing and moving towards the door.
I smiled and waited for her to leave before re reading the letter from Eric. What the hell did he need time to think about? This was gonna be a long night. I grabbed some clothes and headed for the shower. I let the water run over my skin and sooth my mind as well as my muscles. I began to relax. Eric wasn't the only one who needed time to think. I couldn't believe I was so close to finding happiness and now I was being driven away from him. Sure to vampires 10 years was the blink of an eye, but to me it still seemed like an eternity. I knew Eric loved me but would he really wait for me? I was the one who had to give up everything I had ever known. I tried to push my thoughts out of my head when I heard footsteps in the bathroom. I immediately opened the shower expecting Eric. Vanessa was standing there instead.
"Do all Goddesses greet people naked?" she asked with a laugh.
"Sorry Vanessa I was expecting Eric." I blushed grabbing a towel.
"That must have been what Pam meant by she had Master issues." she explained.
"Pam knows where he is? Where is she?" I asked quickly walking past her into my room.
"She left about an hour ago saying she had some master issues to deal with. I thought she was just trying to ditch me because secretly she wanted my body." Vanessa joked.
"Did she say when she would be back? I would really like to make sure Eric is ok." I told her.
"He is ok. If he wasn't Godric would know and as of right now Godric is perfectly content in my bed like a good boy." she smiled again trying to joke.
"Oh umm ok. So what did you need?" I asked slightly defeated.
"I was coming to tell you that your Aunt and I will be in her private parlor when you're ready." she said picking up a rubber duck I had on my dresser.
"Oh ok I will be there as soon as I dress." I said with a fake smile.
"Excellent. Hey can I borrow this? I know a very naughty dirty little vampire who could use a companion in the bath." she asked holding the rubber duck.
"Umm sure. You know it vibrates right?" I informed her.
"Even better. See you in a few Fey." she said happily as she left the room.
I quickly picked out a pair of old ratty jeans and an old college sweatshirt. I slipped on a pair of my crazy socks and headed for Tante's parlor. As I approached I heard her and Vanessa laughing. As I opened the door my Tante smiled at me.
"That is exactly how I will always remember you Freya." she said as I walked in and took a seat.
"How is that Tante?" I asked getting comfortable.
"In those worn out jeans and those excessively bright rainbow socks." she smiled.
"Would you have me any other way?" I asked smiling at her.
"No I wouldn't. I always want to remember you as my Fey. Sometimes it seems like just yesterday I brought you here to raise you as my own." She said remembering a time that seemed lost to me now.
"I wouldn't have had it any other way Tante." I smiled grabbing her hand.
"I can just imagine the havoc Fey caused when she was smaller." Vanessa said smiling.
Vanessa, Isis and I spent the next few hours sitting and talking. Kellan had even joined us at one point. As hard as I tried to relax and enjoy the time I was spending with the only family I had ever known but I found myself zoning out. I was so worried about Eric. Would he be here for my last night or would he miss it? I had a million thoughts running through my head when my Onkels laugh caught my attention. It had been a long time since I had seen my Tante and Onkel so relaxed and at ease. Ever since people at their court had found out I was to become an immortal goddess they had been overly observant and on alert. It would be nice for them to get back to how life was before I had to be looked after. As we talked about all the accidents I was in as a child there was a knock on the door.
"Come in." Kellan said laughing
"Hello your Majesties" Eric said walking into the room and taking a seat next to me.
"Hello Eric we were just discussing all of Freya's scraped knees and bruises as a child." Kellan laughed.
"I can only imagine the trouble she caused as a human child in a vampire nest." he laughed kissing my cheek.
As the conversation continued I leaned into Eric's ear so he could hear me.
"Where have you been?" I whispered.
"I was just clearing my head gorgeous." Eric said placing a sweet kiss on my lips.
"Did you work everything out?" I asked.
"I believe I have but I think I will talk to Kellan before we all retire to help me make some hard decisions." He said looking down at his hands.
"Let me get this straight, you are going to talk to my uncle about a hard decision you have to make rather than me. What about the hard decisions I have to make Eric? I have been sitting here all day trying to figure out where in the blue hell you have been and all you tell me is out to clear your head! I have to leave my entire world behind. I have to go to a place that no one here can ever visit and leave everyone I have ever loved behind. I am so sick of everything revolving around your fears and your insecurities. I am terrified and have been forced to comfort you and ease your stress." I exploded effectively ending the fun conversation around me.
I immediately regretted my shouting. I looked around and saw all four vampire mouths hanging open and eyes as wide as saucers.
"I'm sorry. I… um…I'm gonna go now." I said extremely embarrassed by my outburst.
I ran out of the room and down the long hall to my room. I quickly put on my shoes. Half way to the door I stopped and wrote a quick note. I put it on the bed and snuck out the same window I had used a million times. I just needed to think.
Eric's. POV
I watched Freya get up and leave the room. I had really pissed her off. I looked around and saw six eyes shooting daggers at me.
"Way to go Viking. You have successfully ruined our night with her." Isis said walking after her followed closely by Vanessa.
"Why is it my fault? She is completely irrational." I said pleading my case to Kellan.
"Welcome to the world of Drotzmania women Eric." he laughed placing a hand on my shoulder.
"Are they always like this?" I asked
"You get used to it after a minute. Luckily for you Fey is one of the milder ones. Now what decisions do you need my help with?" Kellan asked as he took a seat next to me.
"I need to ask your permission for me to marry Freya. I have spent the last few hours trying to find one good reason for me not to bind myself to her and I couldn't think of a single one. I know that Isis will say no but I was hoping that you would talk her into it for me." I explained to him
"Well seeing as you have already bedded her and have finally realized that she is your mate I will talk to Isis. But yes Eric you have my permission. But do you really want to wait 10 years to marry her?" Kellan asked me with a slight smile on his face,
"What do you have in mind?" I asked slightly confused.
"Let me call Isis in here and I will let her explain it." Kellan said dialing a number on his cell phone.
Isis returned less than a minute later with Pam and Vanessa in quick step behind her. None of the three looked happy.
"What did you need my love?" Isis asked Kellan
"Did you cancel all the plans for Freya and Alan's wedding?" Kellan asked her.
"No I figured we would just tell everyone when they arrived tomorrow night that it was a farewell party for Freya. That hardly seems important though husband." she said confused.
"Eric here has asked for Freya's hand in marriage and I have agreed." Kellan said as I braced for the hell storm that Isis was about to unleash.
"YOU DID WHAT?" she screamed at an ear piercing level.
"Isis you have to stop babying Freya. Now I have made my final decision. They love each other and who are we to deny her happiness? Now I would like the wedding to go on as planned and make sure that everything goes smoothly. I do not wish to fight with you so as your mate and your King please just be calm and think of how happy Freya will be." Kellan said regally as he kissed her forehead.
"As you wish my King." Isis said with a sour face.
"That's my girl. Now Vanessa please go get Freya I believe Mr. Northman has something to ask her." Kellan said waving Vanessa off.
I waited patiently for Vanessa to bring Freya back to me. As the minutes passed I started to become extremely anxious and worried. Vanessa came back in the door with a piece of paper.
"Well um… yep this is for you there lover boy." she said handing me the paper
Eric,
Don't worry I am safe. I will be back soon just needed some fresh air.
Freya.
I read the note before handing back to Vanessa who read it aloud. I was furious.
"You can't really be so mad at her my child. You did the same thing to her less than 6 hours ago." Godric spoke as he entered the room.
"Your right I will use this to my advantage. Pam I need you to find me 100 dozen red and white roses. I want 80 of them arranged in Freya's room. I will take care of the other 20. Vanessa would you and Godric please find me a jewelry store that is still open. I am gonna need a huge diamond to make her say yes after the way I have acted." I said barking orders,
"Actually, I have the perfect Engagement ring for her." Isis said surprising everyone.
"You do?" Kellan and I asked at the same time in utter shock.
"I may not like you but I love Freya as my own child. I promised her mother that I would always look after her and if Kellan thinks you are what's best for her than I guess I will jump on the bandwagon. But just to be clear this is under heavy protest." she said walking over to her desk and opening a locked drawer. Isis walked back over to me with a small box in her hand.
"This was her mothers. Freya has loved this ring since she was a little girl. I would show it to her when I told the story of how her parents met. Now before I give you this I have one last thing to tell you… you break her heart I break your face. Do we have an agreement?" Isis asked holding the ring box out in her hand as a peace offering.
"We do." I said.
Freya's POV
I walked around in the garden for a while trying to gather my composure back. I had no choice in this whole Immortal Goddess nonsense. I had always thought I would grow up meet a nice guy pop out a few kids and go on with my life. But then I was informed of a fate that was chosen long before I was ever conceived and all that changed. So I swore I would choose a smart mate if I ever chose any. But then Eric came along and all thoughts of that went right out the window. I had lusted after him with an intensity that would make a porn star blush. Eric was everything I thought I never wanted in someone. He was compulsive, cruel, controlling and a total chauvinist. But as I got to know him he had stolen my heart. I saw how kind he was to Pam and how respectful he was of Godric. I loved how even though his human family was gone he kept a list of their names and dates in a small frame on his desk. He did everything he could to protect me. I never thought a man like Eric would be the man that I wanted for all eternity but it turns out he was the man I needed. I felt so bad about putting him through all of this. I decided if he wanted out then I would let him not questions asked. If he wanted to find someone who could spend eternity with him then I would let him be happy. I walked back to the house slowly expecting to feel the anger in the air. I knew Eric was gonna be pissed not to mention how mad Tante was gonna be. I walked around to the front of the house and right past the guards. I walked through the door to see Vanessa and Pam walking with what would have been their bridesmaid dresses had Alan and I been married.
"What are you two doing with those?" I asked making Vanessa jump.
"Isis told us to take them. She said it was a shame to let them go to waste." Pam explained.
"Oh. Speaking of her where is she? I am sure she wants to talk to me." I said looking around for Isis.
"She and Kellan had some zoning issues that needed immediate attention. You should get some rest Fey it will be Dawn soon." Vanessa said giving me a reassuring hug.
"Actually I was gonna go apologize to Eric if he hasn't left yet." I said with a forced laugh.
"Well good luck with that. Last I saw he was in your room." Pam said with a smirk that would make her maker proud.
"Thanks Pam. We will talk tomorrow?" I asked hopefully
"I'm sure of it." she said pushing a laughing Vanessa through the door.
I walked towards my room when the smell of roses smacked me in the face. I looked down and saw red and white rose petals lining the route to my room. I pushed the door open and my jaw hit the floor. Eric was leaning against a chair shirtless with a single white rose in his hand.
"What is going on?" I asked walking into the room and taking in the view.
"I wanted to apologize to you properly. I was very inconsiderate of how you're feeling about all this. I live to see a smile on your face lover. I spend all of my time counting down till you are with me. You have given me back my humanity." he said as he walked towards me handing me the rose.
"Eric this is beautiful. You didn't have to do all of this for me. I'm just glad to know that you care for me." I said rubbing his cheek tenderly.
"I am completely yours Freya and I was hoping that you would be completely mine." He said sliding down to one knee and pulling out my mother's ring. I nearly fainted.
"If this is a prank it is not funny and I swear on everything good and holy I will never forgive you." I said almost in hysterics.
"Even I'm not that cruel. So what do you say Freya? Marry me?" he asked with a slight chuckle.
"Yes, yes yes yes yes yes!" I said as I tackled him to the floor smothering him with kisses.
"There is the smile I live for. This is what I wanted to talk to Kellan about. I wanted to ask his permission. I am very old fashioned Freya and I would have never forgiven myself if I hadn't done this right."
"Sorry I almost ruined this. I'm even sorrier that we are going to have to wait a decade to get married." I said looking at the ring on my finger.
"Just leave that to me. Promise to meet me at the alter in your white dress tomorrow night" he said kissing my forehead.
"I'll be there. Now I think we should practice for our wedding night husband." I said pinning him to the ground.
"I cannot think of a better way to spend the night wife." he replied flipping us back over.
Eric's POV
I felt a surge run through me. Freya was going to be mine in every sense of the word. She was going to be my wife. I could hold back any longer I had to show her how much I desired her. I took my time, tasting her lips without rushing. She returned my kiss shyly, but I couldn't sense any hesitation. The kiss intensified as I held her with one hand and ran the other through her hair. I was just beginning to lose myself in the feeling of her wonderfully soft lips. The lips I had tasted a thousand times and would taste at least a thousand more. I moved in to touch my lips against hers again I kissed her lightly, moving my lips across her cheek, her ear, and then her neck. Finally, I returned to her lips, kissing her more passionately. I felt her lips part and gently began teasing them with my tongue. I was going to go slow tonight. I removed her shirt and then her jeans. I sat back and drank her in. She was truly gorgeous and all mine. I removed her bra and lavished attention on each one of her breasts. She began to moan and it only encouraged me. I slid down her body and ripped her panties off with my teeth. I crawled back up her and let them fall to the side of her head. Her eyes glazed over and I was done for. I quickly removed my jeans and entered her.
Freya's POV
The feeling of Eric in me set every nerve I had into over drive. He thrust into me with a vigor I hadn't known a person could have. After hours of moans and screams I felt Eric's teeth pierce my skin. That small feeling of pain sent me over the edge. The last thing I remember was Eric speaking Swedish in my ear as I fell asleep.
"FREYA! Wake up!" Vanessa screamed at the top of her lungs.
"Really Vanessa?" Eric asked sarcastically.
"Yes really Eric." Vanessa teased.
"The sun hasn't even set yet, so come off it!" Eric growled
"Oh calm down Viking. If you two plan to be married we need to get the bride ready. You may be a barbarian and be okay with her getting married naked but I am not." Isis said from the door.
"It's only 5pm. The ceremony doesn't take place till 10. We have plenty of time." I said snuggling into Eric.
"No we don't. We have to get your hair done your makeup get you in your dress and get you to the altar." Vanessa listed off.
"Fine. I'm up let's getting this show on the road." I said grabbing Eric's discarded shirt and getting out of bed.
"I'll see you later Fey." he said kissing me.
"Yes you will." I said kissing him back.
"Enough with that. You two can be all over each other later." Vanessa said dragging me out of the room.
I walked with them to Isis wing. As we entered the parlor I saw Pam and Sophie Ann sitting on a couch talking. The room was full of flowers and false sunlight.
"Well now don't we make a beautiful bride?" Sophie Ann said walking over and kissing my cheek.
"Not yet I don't." I said as she smiled at me.
"I beg to differ. I happen to know Eric has impeccable taste in women." Pam said hugging me.
"I think your bias. " I said laughing at her.
"Okay now that we have all said our greetings let's remember time is of the essence." Isis said tapping her watch.
The next few hours were spent reminiscing and helping each other get ready. I had been plucked prodded and painted when Isis brought in my dress; it was lovely and made my heart skip a beat. The bodice was one shouldered and embroidered with small white beaded flowers. The shoulder strap was accented with a white flower. The skirt was flowing silk with a train that led behind me three feet. It was breathtakingly beautiful. I slipped it on careful not to disturb my carefully pinned up hair.
"Tante, this is… it's… I'm at a loss for words." I said fighting back tears.
"Isis you truly out did yourself." Vanessa said admiring the dress.
"I'm pleased you like it Freya." Isis said smiling.
"I just wanted to say thank you guys for being there for me today." I said fighting bloody tears.
"To be honest I never thought I would see the day Eric got married." Vanessa said laughing.
"I was thinking the same thing. But I'm glad it's you Freya. Just because your marrying my maker doesn't mean I'm gonna call you Mom… unless you're into that?" Pam said jokingly.
"Alright Ladies I believe it is time for you to take your places." Isis said shooing the three ladies off.
"What if he chickens out Tante?" I asked admitting my worries.
"Oh Fey, he would be an idiot to chicken out. Especially since my stilettos can be used as a weapon." She said squeezing my hand.
I took a deep breath as I heard a knock on the door. Isis opened it to reveal Kellan standing in the doorway holding a bouquet of lilac, lavender and white roses,
"Well don't you look stunning?" He said kissing my cheek and handing me my bouquet.
"I'll see you two out there" Isis said as she walked past her mate.
"Onkel thank you for all you have done for me. I appreciate you walking me down the aisle." I said taking his arm.
"It is my honor Fey." He said as we walked to our places. This was it. In a few short minutes I was going from Freya Drotzmania to Freya Northman.
Eric's POV.
I heard the music signaling Fey's entrance and immediately glued my eyes to the doors she as entering from. My first glimpse of her made me want to fall to my knees and thank every God imaginable for blessing me with her. Once she was standing in front of me I had to physically fight the urge to touch her. I had to wait for the ceremony to begin. I would not rob her of this moment.
"I Kellan Lorraine Vampire King of Germany present the hand of Princess Freya Drotzmania's for you to take in marriage. Do you accept?" Kellan said signaling me to grab Freya's hand.
"I Eric Northman Sheriff of Area Five of Louisiana accept her hand most graciously" I said smiling at Freya.
Kellan walked back to the side to sit next to Isis. Freya and I turned our attention to Trinity the Immortal Goddess of Balance.
"Eric do you promise to love respect and protect Freya as long as it is in your power to do so?" she asked'
"I most certainly do." I said staring at Freya.
"Do you Freya promise to love respect and protect Eric as long as it is in your power to do so?" she repeated to Fey.
"I do." Freya said smiling from ear to ear.
"Freya please offer Eric your right wrist and repeat after me, Blood of my blood I offer myself to thee." Trinity instructed.
"Blood of my blood I offer myself to thee." Freya said as she held her wrist up to my mouth.
"Eric take a drink from Freya's wrist and say, blood of my blood I drink from thee." Trinity instructed again.
"Blood of my blood I drink from thee." I said gently biting into Freya's flesh.
I then offered my wrist to Freya so she could drink from me.
"Now that you have sworn vows to one another and shared blood there is none on this earth that can divide you. Eric you may now claim your bride." Trinity said as she smiled at us.
I leaned down and dipped Freya into a kiss filled with passion love and all the emotions I couldn't say. She was OFFICIALLYMINE.
Freya's POV.
"Holy shit, did this really just happen?" I asked letting out a deep breath.
"It sure as hell did Mrs. Northman" Eric said picking me up and spinning me around.
We made our way to a small area were Tante had arranged for pictures to be taken. The photographer took many of us together and then a few with the others from the wedding. I was talking to Pam as Isis told me it was time to head to our reception. I looked around for Eric and found him talking to the photographer about when the prints would be delivered.
"Well Mr. Northman what do you say we go and enthrall some people?" I asked kissing his cheek.
"Your wish is my command wife." He said taking my hand and ushering me towards the door. "I plan to grant every command you have for the rest of time."
The rest of the night was spent drinking laughing and enjoying the time. Eric carried me to the room close to day break. I was nervous for some reason. Being with Eric was nothing new to me but being with him as a wife was scary as hell to me. Eric carried me across the threshold and laid me onto the bed. He slowly removed his jacket and loosened his tie. I quickly sat up to watch him. With a wry smile I wondered with some awe how quickly I had fallen for him. It had all happened so fast. Now we were married. Eric had actually pledged himself to me in front of God and everyone. No, he didn't exactly wear his heart on his sleeve but it was in his eyes, his gentle touches and certainly in his kisses.
"Why are you looking at me like that Fey?" Eric asked
"I was just thinking how handsome you would look in a bubble bath." I hinted
"Then I suggest you remove your dress before I get back from filling the tub." He smirked as he walked towards the bathroom.
I heard the water start and removed my dress very carefully. I grabbed my silk robe off its hanger on the door and replaced it with my dress. I had just tied the robe closed when Eric returned to the room wearing nothing but a towel that was hanging sinfully low.
"I see you're still covered. Why is that?" Eric asked stalking towards me lust filling his eyes.
"I just wrapped my robe around me for warmth." I whispered. Looking at him made it hard to process any intelligent thought.
"So you wrapped yourself like a gift?" he whispered inn my ear as he grabbed for the robes tied belt.
"Umm…." I stammered
"I love unwrapping gifts." He said untying the belt and removing the robe.
Eric dropped to his knees and trailed his hands down my leg until he got to my stiletto heel. He carefully removed it and placed my foot on the ground. He trailed his hands back up and down the other leg removing the other shoe. He laid kisses up my leg to my hip.
"Well these panties certainly won't be needed." Eric said as he shredded them off my body.
I felt him kiss up past my hip after sneaking a quick lick of my middle. He kissed up to my breasts and across the top of my bra coming to the middle of the material.
"It should be a sin to cover these." Eric said ripping the bra away with his teeth.
He lavished attention on each nipple. Suddenly he stood and picked me up and carried me to the bathroom and eased me into the tub. He quickly removed his towel and joined me. He slid into the water and I couldn't help but touch him. I slide my hands down his body and kissed him with all the power I had in me. As he scooted back to lean against the wall of the tub I followed him eager for more contact. I felt his hands slide under the water and tease my entrance. I arched into the touch and moaned softly.
"Tell me what you want Goddess." He whispered in my ear.
"I want you." I half moaned out.
"Where do you want me Goddess?" he asked wanting more from me.
"I want you in me Eric." I said panting.
"That's what I needed to hear." Eric said lifting me and impaling me on his rock hard cock.
His pace started off slow touching and kissing with each thrust. As the need for release grew more frantic so did his thrusts. I was about to reach my own blissful release when Eric sank his teeth into my neck. The feeling of him drinking from me as he emptied himself into me was all I needed to fall over the edge of oblivion. As I regained some form of thought I realized hours had passed and the water had grown cold.
"Let's get you warmed up Fey" Eric said stepping out of the water.
I quickly stood up and grabbed his offered hand. He dried me off with the towel before drying himself. We walked back into the bedroom and Eric climbed into bed. I folded back the covers and slid in next to him. Something about the moment was so bittersweet. Knowing we were now bound to each other by law and blood yet knowing this was my last night with him. It was a harsh reality and I was too tired to stop the tears from falling.
"Freya what's wrong?" Eric asked turning me to face him.
"Our life together is just beginning and I must leave you when we wake. I hate it." I spoke through my tears.
"Freya, we have all of eternity to spend together and I will gladly and patiently wait till I can have you in my arms again." He said kissing me making me smile.
"I have something for you before I forget." I said standing and wiping away my tears.
"You didn't need to get me anything love. I already have you." He smirked.
"That was cheesy Eric and a total waste of your smirk." I said pulling the gift out from inside the dresser draw.
"Married men are always cheesy." He laughed
"That may be true but this is for you." I said handing him the carefully wrapped box.
Eric removed the paper and looked at the intricate carvings of Viking dragon ships on the box. He opened the box and revealed the golden crown that lay inside.
"Is this my father's crown?" he said astonished.
"Yes it is. I thought you would like to have it. I had intended it to be a farewell present but a wedding gift seems just as well" I said grinning.
"How did you find it?" he asked full of emotion.
"I researched your family heritage and when I found your father I looked up his name and it seems a vampire named Russell Edgeington had it as part of a private collection. I emailed him asking for the crown as a gift to my maker and he gave me a price." I explained leaving out the part where I had to argue with some horrible man named Talbot for three hours.
"Freya this means everything to me. Words can't express my gratitude." He said placing the crown in the box and the box on the table next to the bed.
"I'm glad you like it." I smiled.
"Would you like to hear of my human family?" he asked resettling us in bed.
"I would love to." I said.
I fell asleep to Eric telling me stories of his human years. I awoke the next night to Eric's smiling face.
"Did you sleep well wife?" he asked
"In fact I did husband." I giggled.
"Well we must get you up and dressed. Lotus and the others are here to collect you." He said with a false smile on his face.
"I see." I said as I sat up.
There was a knock on the door and Vanessa popped her head in the room.
"Eric Lotus would like to see you." She said sadly.
"I'll be right there Vanessa." He said shooing her off.
"I'll see you out there Fey." He said kissing my cheek.
I dressed and tamed my hair. I wrote Eric a note and slipped it into the crown box. I opened the door and bravely marched into the entrance hall. I saw everyone standing waiting for me.
"Freya it is time to say your goodbyes." Lotus said smiling at me.
I began with Sophie Ann, Pam, Vanessa, and Godric. Each one telling me how much they would miss me and couldn't wait to see me again. I then moved on to Isis and Kellan.
"Be safe and have fun dear girl" Kellan said hugging me.
"Remember we will be waiting for you when you return. We love you so much" Isis said giving me a back breaking hug.
"I love you both very much. Thank you for everything" I said hugging back.
I saved Eric for last.
"I will return to you Viking." I said pulling him toward me by his necklace.
"That reminds me I want you to have this." He said taking off his necklace.
"Eric what are you doing?" I asked as he put it around my neck.
"This is the tusk of the first boar I ever killed. In my village you were not a man until you killed a boar by yourself. The night I killed this boar was the night my father named me as his heir. It means the world to me and I want you to wear it." He whispered in my ear as I smiled.
"I can't take this. It is the only thing you have left of your human life." I said trying to take it off.
"It doesn't matter anymore. My life with you is the only one I need." Eric said pressing the necklace back down.
I looked up at him and saw his eyes rimmed with blood. Could it be that the all mighty millennia old Viking was crying?
"I will treasure it always." I said kissing him with every ounce of passion I had in me.
"It is time child." Lotus spoke softly.
"Come back to me swiftly Freya Northman." He said pressing a kiss to my head.
"Always to you." I said hugging him closer.
I stepped away and waved goodbye to all of them again. I turned and looked toward the door.
"The time will fly Fey. You will see." Diana soothed
"I hope so." I said taking my first steps into my role as Freya Northman The Immortal Goddess of Love.
THE END
Thank you so much for being patient with me on this story. I have been so busy with work and home life. I love each and every one of you who have read this and reviewed it as well as adding it to your favorites and putting it on alert. This has truly been my labor of love. Look out for the second part of this story due out soon. It will be called The Return of a Goddess. Much love and appreciation –Tessa