COF 37

Laying on her stomach, Lenneth let out a sigh, paging through a thick leather ledger, her eyes quickly scanning the pages. Much of her kingdom was in disarray, chaos and turmoil having run supreme in her absence. She found her Gods had been neglecting their duties, letting their assigned tasks fall to the way side as they spent all their time preparing for war. Some things she was fine with being neglected, such as Tyr avoiding causing war on Midgard, and Erda ceasing her earthquakes. But other things, such as Thor’s rains were a necessity to the humans, the mortals needing the life giving water to fall and cause things to grow.

Petitions had piled up, many prayers going unanswered, and Lenneth sighed, tossing those papers onto the ground, finding it was too late to grant certain wishes of the humans. She would just have to do her best to work her Gods fiercely, get them to reassume their duties and fix the mistakes they had inadvertently caused. Odin had surely made a mess of things, the dead God ignoring the paper work that came with being ruler of the Gods.

Another sigh from Lenneth, frowning, her feathered ink quill moving across the paper as she wrote down some commands. At least Tyr had stopped asking her about engaging in a war with Nifleheim. The War God seemed to have finally slaked his thirst for battle, due to the recent skirmishes with Brahms. She only hoped the peace would last long after Nifleheim chose it’s new ruler.

The realm of eternal torment was still without a leader, the dark domain cast into a war of it’s own. It was bloody, and fierce, the monsters battling it out with no end in sight. Several parties had appeared, each with a prime candidate for the position as ruler of Nifleheim. Each would be leader had a small army of their own, intending to use force to secure their throne. Lenneth would have to step in, if a suitable leader was not chosen and soon. Already several souls had escaped from Nifleheim, returning to Midgard to cause trouble for the humans.

The humans thought the Gods had forsaken them, wondering why their prayers went unanswered. Lenneth was expending vast amounts of energy to perform miracles for the humans, trying to set things right in the realm of Midgard. She had strict orders sent out that the other Aesir were to do their part in appearing among the mortals, and granting the wishes of those who were truly pure at heart. Slowly but surely, religious devotion increased, the miracles doing much to earn back the trust of the humans.

She turned to the next page in her ledger, seeing with a smile Lezard’s name, circled in bold red. He had yet to be assigned a duty, though the man had ideas of his own over what he should be God over. God of Sex. She mused inwardly, her smile turning wider yet. The necromancer certainly was talented in that area, of that there was no doubt. But she was hesitant to let her own feelings of the matter cloud her judgment. And so he went out without a title, Lenneth wondering if perhaps Lezard should inherit the title of one of the Gods who had died during Ragnarok.

She wrote down some things next to his name, question marks appearing beside them. God of Winter, God of Mischief, God of Magic. None of them seemed to suit him, and she sighed writing out a few more words. God of Necromancy, her lips quirked at that, Lenneth amused. Perhaps the blasphemers deserved someone to pray to after all. God of Romance didn’t sound as bad as naming him God of Sex, though it hardly seemed fitting for him. Hrist had been deadly serious when Lenneth had asked for suggestions, saying Lezard should be made the patron God of Stalkers.

Lenneth frowned, not liking the idea at all. And yet…a glimmer appeared in her eyes, and her pen moved, the Valkyrie writing down one more suggestion. God of Lost Causes. She smiled, circling it as a possibility, though there was no rush in deciding just yet. She turned the pages in her book, stifling back a groan to see Freya’s neat handwriting, detailing the latest crisis in Asgard. There was still so much work to be done, Lenneth thankful that she had the grace of eternity to go through her workload.

A workload that she would get through much quicker if Lezard wasn’t so dead set on distracting her! “Stop that!” Lenneth murmured, though she was smiling as she felt Lezard touching her back. His hands smoothed down her skin, rubbing and caressing her through the backless gown she wore. She felt him lift up her hair, tossing her braid forward to expose her back to him. She jumped, feeling his lips press against her skin, sweet kisses that left her sighing happily.

“Lenneth…” He was kissing her shoulder blade, tongue carefully tracing the spot where her wings would form. “Have I ever told you that I love your wings?” His hand touched her other shoulder blade, caressing the area with his fingertips, a chuckle in his tone.

“Many, many times…” Lenneth replied, fighting to keep her eyes from closing as she enjoyed his tongue laving attention on her skin.

“Well let me tell you once more…” A deep smack of his lips, Lezard’s tone playful as he kissed her shoulder. He trailed his tongue over her flesh, kissing behind her neck, and Lenneth let out a gasp.

“I really have work to do…” She protested, even as he touched her, Lenneth trying to concentrate on the book before her.

“Work can wait…” Lezard said insistently. “This can’t…” His lips moved across her skin, finding the ridges of her spine. Downwards he kissed, wet trails marking where his lips had been. Lenneth squirmed, trying to ignore him, her pen held over the open book. “Lenneth…” He purred out her name huskily, reaching her covered rear, and he didn’t pause, lips kissing over the sheer satin material. “Come to bed…”

“I am in bed!” She pointed out with a laugh.

“You know what I mean.” Lezard said, the bed groaning as he crawled on top of her. His hands came forward, reaching to pluck the ledger from her hands. She called out his name, a hint of feigned annoyance to her tone as she turned. He was looking at the book, a pout on his lips as he studied the pages. “I still think I should be God of Sex.”

“We already have several Gods who cover that department.” Lenneth replied, settling on her back, just gazing up at his face.

“No, you have Fertility Goddesses.” answered Lezard, tossing the book onto the floor.

“And love…we have Goddesses who cover love as their department.” She said.

“Ah love…” He smiled. “Love is nice…” Lenneth nodded in agreement. “But you can have sex without love…That is why…”

“It’s not going to happen…” Lenneth shook her head no. “I will not have my consort be known as the God of Sex. It is undignified!”

“But…”

“Besides, we have enough problems getting the other Gods to accept you…” She sighed, her eyes sad. The Aesir had been horrified to learn that the new God was none other than the man who had kidnapped her. They were quick to denounce the relationship, reasoning Lenneth must be mad to have fallen in love with the one who had abducted her. The Gods went around with disapproving expressions whenever they laid eyes upon Lezard, aghast that Lenneth wanted to make him her consort. Only Eir had sighed, and offered up a kind smile, saying she would stand with Lenneth no matter what the Valkyrie decided.

Lenneth appreciated Eir’s words, feeling immense pressure from the other Gods to vanquish Lezard, to banish him from the shining realm. It was a daily battle with them, arguments long and loud, some of the male Gods erupting into screaming fits of anger. And yet, for all their anger, all their disgust, they couldn’t deny one important fact. Lezard made their ruler HAPPY. She shined, she glowed with an inner light, her smile dazzling in a way it had not been when she had dated Lucian. And so for now, they grudgingly accepted Lezard’s presence by her side.

Lenneth didn’t know how long the peace between them would last. She feared they were on the verge of an explosion, something was bound to break, and she prayed it wasn’t her. As for her sisters, they too were divided on the relationship. Silmeria accepted Lezard with open arms, perhaps sharing a special understanding with Lenneth that came with developing a fondness for one’s captor. Hrist however, mocked the relationship, taking every opportunity to spill bile on her words as she discussed Lezard with Lenneth.

It was no surprise Lezard and Hrist were in a fierce war, the necromancer having lowered himself to playing childish pranks on the Valkyrie, earning her ire all the more strongly. It was not often that the two were alone together, and for good reason. Their discussions about Lenneth quickly turned to violence, Hrist trying to beat Lezard senseless as the mage unleashed his magic on the Dark Valkyrie.

“Lenneth…” Lezard’s hand was on her cheek, his touch startling her out of her deep thoughts. “Where is your mind? Where does your thoughts take you now?” A sigh as his answer, Lenneth shaking her head no. “I wish I could ease the burden from you…” He whispered, eyes looking sad.

“You do…” She answered back softly, reaching up to touch his hand. “In ways you can’t even begin to imagine…”

“Do I now?” wondered Lezard, staring down at her.

“Yes.” She said, stroking the back of his hand. “Your love…your support…it helps me…makes me able to handle even the most difficult of tasks.”

“Even when that love is the cause of such problems?” asked Lezard, and she nodded to reassure him.

“Have you ever wondered what Idunn whispered to me that time in her home?” Lenneth questioned, seeing Lezard nod, curious. “She told me she was glad I had found my man at long last. That love suits me.” She smiled then. “Even Idunn could see how happy you make me, within minutes of seeing us together. She knows, and the others will come to accept you as well.”

“I hope so Lenneth, I hope so.” Lezard whispered. “For your sake, I want nothing more than to make you happy. And I can’t do that so long as we are constantly under attack from all sides.”

“No…” She shook her head. “You make me happy, even when we are surrounded by adversity.” Lenneth let out a laugh. “I think our love shines best when we have to fight for it. It means we have earned it.”

“Earned it.” He smiled. “I like the sound of that. And…” His hand dropped to her chest, molding itself around her breast. Lenneth’s breath caught in her throat, a sharp gasp as she felt him squeeze. “Have I earned the right to your company this night?”

“Tonight and every night…” Lenneth murmured in reply, hands reaching for a bending Lezard. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him closer to her. Her lips kissed his, staining his mouth with the pink of her lipstick. One arm slid around her waist, Lezard holding her tight against him, and his other arm lashed out, knocking the rest of the papers off the bed.

“Lezard!” Lenneth protested his actions with a giggle, feeling him roll them over so that she lay on top of him. His hands gripped her rear, pressing her down against him, Lenneth grinding against him, tearing a moan from Lezard’s lips. Lenneth eagerly kissed him, capturing the sound in her mouth, tongue thrusting forth to stroke against his.

“We’ll be together always…” promised Lezard as they pulled apart.

“Hmm…” Lenneth was quick to agree. “Always and forever.” She smiled, kissing him again.

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The moon was brilliant in it’s pale illumination, it’s rays caressing the land, washing over the area with a soft light. Stars twinkled in the night sky, numerous white lights that glowed. Lucian sat on the moss covered stone wall, staring up at the sky, silent except for the occasional sigh. He had shed his armor this evening, clad in brown pants and a white shirt, hardly looking like the capable warrior Freya knew him to be.

The golden haired Goddess stood a few feet away, leaning against a tree, just studying the young man. He seemed not to notice her, his expression wistful as he gazed upwards, fingers playing with a piece of grass. She couldn’t read minds, but Freya had a pretty good idea what Lucian was thinking about. Lenneth. It was always Lenneth. He went to bed thinking about the Goddess, and he woke with her name on his lips. It was maddening the way he clung to the memory of their love, Lucian refusing to give up hope that someday Lenneth would at the very least wake up, and free herself from Lezard.

Freya sighed, and pushed away from the tree. She took to the air, silently flying forward to come to a stop behind Lucian. “Good evening…” She said softly, watching as he slowly turned to face her. He smiled, and for one brief moment joy was in his eyes, Lucian looking truly happy to see her.

“Evening Freya.” He nodded at her, patting the spot next to him on the wall. Her nose wrinkled up in distaste, but she came forward to sit next to him. She perched hesitantly on the dirty stone, folding her hands on her lap, glancing up at the moon.

“It sure is a nice night.” She commented, and Lucian looked away. He chose not to mention that the weather was always perfect in Asgard, sensing Freya needed an opening to broach whatever was on her mind. “How have you been?” She asked at last, Freya peering curiously at him.

A loud sigh was her answer, Lucian continuing to play with the blade of glass in his hands. “I’ve been better.”

“I haven’t seen you in a while.” Freya said, glad it was dark so as to hide the blush she was sure was forming on her cheeks. “I missed you.”

“Well you’re a very busy Goddess.” Lucian shrugged, Freya disappointed to note he hadn’t said he missed her too. “How many duties do you have? A dozen at least…”

“More like nine areas to over see.” She counted them out on her fingers. “Fertility, wealth, love, beauty, magic, prophecy, war, battle, and death.”

Lucian whistled. “That’s a lot of ground to cover. I’m surprised you find the time to come check up on me.”

“I wasn’t checking up on you!” She was quick to protest with a shake of her head. “I just happened to be in the area…”

“Right…” Lucian gave her a wry smile. “You just happened to be lurking over by the trees watching me.”

“How did you know?” Freya asked, than covered her mouth with her hands.

“I’m a warrior first and foremost. I know when someone is watching me.” He hesitated, looking away. “You do that a lot…watch me I mean. I can’t help but wonder why?”

“I’m…concerned about you Lucian.” Freya answered, embarrassed to know her secret was out. “You haven’t been coming to sword practice, and you’ve been skipping meals…I’m just afraid…”

“Afraid I’ll wither away into nothing?” He asked when she trailed off. He chuckled, the sound humorless. “Don’t worry, I plan to stick around for a long time to come. I have a mission you see.”

“A mission?”

“Well…it’s more like a promise to myself.” Lucian said. “I’ve vowed to not fade away until I see Lezard kicked out of Lenneth’s bed. Doesn’t look like that’s happening any time soon though…” He sighed. “Even if she doesn’t come back to me…I want her to be happy…to be free of Lezard’s influence.”

“I see…” Freya answered, staring down at her knees.

“What about you Freya?” Lucian turned back to her, eyes curious. “Do you have anything you wish for?”

“…” She was quiet so long, he thought she wasn’t going to answer, but at last Freya nodded her head. “Yes.” She said softly.

“Oh? Care to share?” Lucian asked, truly interested in the Goddess’ answer.

Again she was quiet, and he watched the struggle play out on her face. Finally she sighed, squaring her shoulders. “Lucian…” She whispered his name, reaching out with her hands to gently take hold of his face. She watched as his blue eyes widened in disbelief, feeling her fingertips caress the softness of his cheeks. With a gentle tug, Lucian not even trying to break her grip, she pulled him to her, feeling his breath warm on her face.

She pressed her lips firmly against his, keeping the kiss chaste, though every fiber in her being longed to deepen the kiss. Lucian was slow to react, a hesitant puckering of his lips against hers. She felt his tongue moisten her lips, and she smiled, satisfied she was able to get a reaction from him. She pulled away, letting go of his face, knowing her face wore the red color of embarrassment.

“Lucian…”

“Yes Freya…” His eyes were still huge, and he stared at her, a hand to his mouth, fingering his lips.

“Someday you will get over the hurt that Lenneth has caused you.” He started to protest, and she held up her hand, shaking her head curtly. “You will. And then your heart will be ready…”

“Ready for what?” whispered the man softly.

“Ready for love…and when that happens…” Her words came out slow, hesitant, one of the rare times in her life that Freya felt nervous. “You will know where to find me.”

“Freya…” He was reaching for her, intending to touch her arm, but she had already pushed off the wall, hovering before him. They stared at each other, faces clearly seen by the light of the moon, Freya’s expression determined, Lucian’s confused but interested.

“Good night Lucian.” Freya said, and before he could protest, she took off, flying rapidly back towards Valhalla. Her heart beat in her chest, a rapid nervous pace, and she felt giddy at her confession. Her hand reached up, and she touched her lips, still able to feel the moistness of his tongue. She smiled to herself, and for the first time allowed herself to feel hope where Lucian was concerned.

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The End

Teaser plug: Coming soon! Chains of Fate the Sequel. Lezard and Lenneth are expecting their first child, but all is not going well in Valhalla. The Gods have yet to accept her relationship with Lezard, and a new threat is secretly on the rise in the form of the new ruler of Hel. Will their love survive?! And will Freya and Lucian become the next hot couple of Asgard?!

Ah!! It’s finished! It’s finished!! “passes out” I can’t believe it!! I realized a while ago I would either have to drag the story out, or do a sequel. At first I thought to end the story, and then occasionally update it with little short pieces as a look at what happens after happily ever after. Buuuuuuuuuut…the idea for the sequel came, and it appealed to me. It gives me a chance to try and work on the Gods accepting Lezard and Lenneth’s relationship, rather than trying to hastily cram a half assed ending where they just have no problems with it.