Triumph 06

Lenneth stood there before him, placing her hands on her hips, small mouth curled in anger as she stared at him. Her eyes flashed, the azure of them darkening to sapphire whenever she became angry or scared. It was little things like this Lezard noticed about her, the changing of the blue of her eyes to fit her emotions, the curve of her sensual mouth, the way her nose scrunched up when she glared. Her every expression, every look was a treasure to him, even those born of frustration with him.

Now she frowned up at him, her mouth opening to angrily say, “Are you even listening to me?” Lezard cocked his head to the side, wondering what sort of infuriated sounds she would make if he admitted he had not been. He loved her voice, especially when she was crying out, or trying to suppress the desire that he, yes he, wrought in her.

“Lezard!”

Oh right… He thought to himself, his eyes twinkling with restrained mirth. We were talking about that mortal of hers. He wished she wasn’t so careful with his name, she guarded it a little too zealously, but he couldn’t fault her for that. If he could trick her into naming him, granting him details in which he could track down this mortal, he’d be hard pressed NOT to tear him limb from limb. He tried not to let his jealousy show, even as he tried to puzzle out a memory enshrouded in foggy details of a time long ago. All the way back to the Weeping Lilies Meadow, where he was sure his beloved had cried out the name at least once before his ears to hear.

Heh…he supposed it was petty, wanting to kill the mortal for touching what was his. But he had killed for far lesser things, and Lezard was anything but fanatical in his single minded devotion to his Goddess. Mine. He chanted in his mind, reaching out to finger the hair around her face. She gave him a look of annoyance, but did not complain. Already she was learning to at least allow the small touches to go unchallenged.

He smiled at her, his pleasure a direct contrast to her consternation. “Very well Lenneth. We won’t talk about him anymore.” For now at least. He added in his mind. He wondered how long it would take her to forget all about him. As long as Lenneth still held a shred of feeling for that mortal dog, some part of her, no matter how small, would stay withdrawn from him. He wanted her all, everything and anything, body, mind and soul. Lezard longed for Lenneth’s every thought, each desire to be about him and only him, much the way his were for her, and her alone.

So enamored of her was he, that he couldn’t even bring himself to care about the missing Dragon Orb. It wasn’t as though he had actual need of the treasure. It was a mere curiosity…a trinket that seemed lost to time and circumstances. He had assumed it was in his world, because Lenneth and her companions had brought it with them. Upon destroying those four fools, he had been too busy with her to notice the orb was not left behind. The four divine treasures weren’t easily destroyed, even when aided against one with another. He had assumed that they had hidden it somewhere in his world, but it had proved to not be the case at all.

Lenneth gazed up at Lezard, noting his eyes were dark and contemplative. The mage seemed to be a million miles away, seemingly lost in thought and unaware of her, even as his fingers played with her hair. She stifled a sigh, wondering if he would even notice should she choose to walk away. Or would that end in him grabbing her again? She felt her heart speed up, a keen sense of excitement within her at the thought. Traitor… She whispered to her subconscious, feeling a sense of betrayal to Lucian.

Lucian. She thought of him now, blonde hair and blue eyed, a complete contrast to Lezard’s handsome dark looks. She had to be strong for his sake, not give in, no matter how pleasurable Lezard made things for her. It was those feelings he arose in her, that led to the Valkyrie’s confusion, led her to doubt her very feelings, caused her to wonder at the possibilities. It didn’t help that earlier he had caused her to doubt some of what she felt for the blonde mortal.

Now it was Lezard’s turn to gain her attention, letting the silk of her hair slide through his fingers as he went to caress her cheek. Downwards went his hand, taking firm grip of her chin. He was smiling, thinking his way better than her’s, even as he tilted her head up, forcing her to go on tip toe, as he bent towards her mouth. But the forced motion pulled her out of her reverie, Lenneth quickly turning her face to the side, avoiding his lips.

“Such a pity.” He whispered against her ear, kissing behind it. He released her, allowing her to settle feet flat on the floor again. She didn’t have to ask what he meant, knowing it was the lost opportunity to kiss her lips that he referred to. She felt him inhale deeply, taking in her scent with a sigh, his face pressed against her hair. He was always doing things like that, trying to tantalize all his senses with the feel of her. Be it the all too obvious touch and sight, to something as small and hard to gain as scent and taste. She didn’t understand it, didn’t think herself anything special to garner such worship from anyone, let alone him.

There was that touch again, his cold hands on her warm skin, rubbing against her bare shoulders. “Lenneth Valkyrie…” The sound of him wasn’t bad at all, cultured and refined, almost melodious when he wasn’t letting insanity dip into his voice. His breath tickled against her ear, holding a heat that wasn’t evident in his hands. “I promised you a feast, did I not?”

It wasn’t a question she had been expecting, Lenneth letting out a yes in answer, brow furrowed. Lezard smiled, and pulled away from her, leaving her alone in the center of the room. “Then a feast you shall have!” He wandered over to an empty table, holding his hands out above it’s smooth surface. His hands began to glow, as Lezard thought back to the finer dishes he had tried, foods that delighted and teased the tongue, with exquisite aromas, and designs that were pleasing to the eye. His cape flared out, obscuring her view of what he was doing. It bounced and it wavered, a dark indigo blue swath that hid the table’s contents from her.

When at last the spell was done, Lezard turned with a flourish, his cape slowly settling around him. “Well Lenneth…what do you think?” It truly was a meal fit for a King…and his captivating Queen. Lezard smiled looking pleased with himself, watching as Lenneth approached the table, marveling at the array of deserts that littered it’s top. Chocolate strawberries, honey glazed yams, tiramisu, pralines, were just some of what the table had to offer. She gazed at the assortment, seeing what care the confections were assembled with, looking picture perfect as though from a magazine.

He watched as Lenneth reached out with a hand, not knowing what to try first. She at last settled on poking a finger into the side of cake, getting a dollop of creamy frosting on the tip. She lifted the hand to her mouth, tongue darting out for a taste, and her eyes were surprised when she turned to him and announced, “It’s good.”

“Of course it is, my darling. Nothing but the best for you.” he said smoothly, coming round to her side. “Try the strawberries…” Long elegant fingers reached forward, selecting a ripe and juicy berry, but before she could bite into it, he stopped her. “Allow me.” He said, taking it from her hand.

“I can feed myself.” She said wryly, watching as he dipped the red fruit into a yellow cream.

“It’s more…fun this way.” He said with a twinkle in his eyes. She humored him, opening her mouth wide enough to take a bite of the strawberry. She chewed thoughtfully, eyes falling close at the exquisite taste of the chocolate mixing with the cream. Wider went her mouth, taking in another mouthful of the berry, her tongue licking across her lips for stray cream.

“I had no idea mortal food could taste so divine!” Lenneth exclaimed, even as Lezard’s hands were reaching for the yams. He handed them to her, and watched carefully as she partook of their honeyed goodness. The sticky honey got on everything, coating her fingers and the sides of her mouth. She was glancing down at her hands, when she felt Lezard cup her face gently. Blinking she looked up to see him leaning in, his face kissing close to hers. She was surprised when rather than press his lips against hers, his tongue came out, slowly licking at the side of her mouth. She must have tensed up, for he adjusted his grip to her chin, holding her face still as he licked her face clean, slow and sensual in his ministrations to her.

“Lezard…” She started to say, and that was mistake, his tongue slipping inside her. She grabbed at his chest, smearing honey across the velvet, trying to gently push him away from her. Taking just as much care on the inside of her mouth as he had on the outside, he licked around, taking the honey from her tongue onto his. He took his time, enjoying the taste, ignoring her attempts at discouraging his behavior. Her hands began to alternately push and pull at him, one minute holding him away, the next trying to pull him to her.

Her emotions at war within her, Lenneth struggled to not give in to the kiss, not return his affection. She kept her tongue flat in her mouth, a limp dead thing that he was slowly caressing to life. It was rising to the occasion when she remembered she had teeth, and slowly went to bite at him. She didn’t get the chance, the merest grazing of her teeth causing him to break away before she could draw blood.

Lezard was calm as he looked at her, doing a slow licking of his own lips as she stared at him, eyes a stormy blue of conflicting emotions. “Must everything you do be about seducing me?!” She demanded, her voice a strained husky whisper.

He smiled then, looking very much like the knave he was. Instead of answering, he picked up one of her hands, seeming not to care about the ruin of his jacket. He began to take the same care he had used at her mouth, licking and sucking at her fingers, removing the honey in the most old fashioned way known to mankind. “I’ll…I’ll take that as a yes then…” She said softly, feeling a pull on her body with each drawn out sucking of his lips. It was like his mouth teased at the lifeline to her body, making her feel warm with embarrassment as she watched him clean her. He kept his eyes on her face all the while, watching her every reaction, seeing her grow flushed, and her eyes grow heavy with bashfulness.

When he went to take her other hand, she snatched it away, quick as lightening for once. She backed away, glancing at the table top, spotting a stack of fancy cloth napkins. She grabbed at several, hastily wiping clean both hands, blushing furiously. “All clean.” She announced, wiggling her fingers at him as proof of her words. Lezard hid his disappointment with a sly smile, a hand pointing at a plate on the table. “Would you care for more yams Lenneth?”

“Oh no!” She quickly replied, with a shake of her hand. “Nothing with honey!” Turning her back on him, she face the table, expression intent as she studied the food items laid out for her. Suddenly they all looked terribly messy, with chocolate or syrup just waiting to spill all over an unsuspecting diner. Lezard’s footsteps stalked towards her, and she grabbed a forkful of cake, whirling around to shove it in his mouth. He looked surprised at this, chewing then swallowing the large mouthful she had forced on him.

She was gearing up to give him another spoonful, when he grabbed her wrist, squeezing slightly. The pressure caused her to relax her hold on the utensil, spoon clattering onto the table. Lezard stepped into her, his voice low with desire, “I’m not hungry for cake…”

“Chocolate then?” Lenneth asked hopefully. With a smile, Lezard shook his head. “I think you get my meaning Lenneth…” She did, and a small tremor wracked her body, the woman looking at the wizard apprehensively.

“Lezard…don’t…”

“Don’t?” He questioned, his free hand touching her mouth, carefully avoiding her teeth. “Don’t what?”

“You know…” She said, feeling his thumb brush across her bottom lip.

“Do I?” Lezard asked, leaning down so that his breath was on her face, smelling pleasantly of honey.

“Don’t play games with me…” Lenneth frowned up at him, boldly staring into the purple jewels of his eyes. Their lips were almost touching, at this point every word one of them said caused the other’s lips to accidentally brush against their’s. And yet that was all they did, warm breath and fleeting feelings of velvet across mouths, neither one pushing forward to seal that last gap.

“I’m not playing with you…” He replied, still not kissing her. It made Lenneth impatient, wondering what he was waiting for and why he didn’t get it over with. The promise of the kiss hung heavy in the air, but still he did not fulfill it. This prolong wait was enough to make the Valkyrie want to step forward, and claim the kiss he withheld from her.

“Then what are you…?”

“Would you like to kiss me Lenneth?” Yes! No…maybe… She didn’t know what she wanted, her thoughts confused with the nearness of him. She must have made a sound, something that gave him the impression she was in favor of the kiss, for he boldly claimed her mouth with his. He was still holding her one hand prisoner, but her right was free, and she reached up to wrap it around his neck, fingers entwining in his hair.

Emboldened by her touch, his arm wrapped around her waist, palm against her back in support. His lips were wandering again, kissing a path from her mouth down to her neck, nuzzling his face in the crook of her shoulder. Lenneth continued to fuss with his hair, a familiar dizzy feeling coming in over her. For one brief second chocolate brown locks turned haystack yellow, and she gasped, fingers going still in shock.

Lezard mistook her gasp as a sound of encouragement, biting and sucking on the side of her neck. Lenneth stared dumbly at his hair, frowning as the room seemed to sway before her. She tried to pull back from Lezard, the mage’s mouth everywhere that there was exposed skin. She looked at him, unable to see clearly, the image of him doubling before her eyes, two Lezards super imposed on each other.

She jumped as she heard a crash, dizzily looking over her shoulder to see Lezard had swept clean the table with his arm. She tried to say something, but he was pushing her down onto the table, lips locking onto her’s once again. She could feel his hands touching her back, his fingers graceful as he undid the clumsy knots of her corset, eager to free her of her cumbersome clothes.

“Lezard stop…” She said softly, trying to grab at his arms. “Something is wrong!”

“Don’t be scared my darling!” He said, thinking it was nervous apprehension that made her speak out like that. He slid the laces free, the corset loosening around her waist, Lenneth able to breathe a bit better for it. But then he was kissing her again, almost suffocating her in his need, the stray thought of Gods not needing air to breathe dancing through her mind, even as he left her gasping desperately for it.

Hearing the sound of her panting for air, gave him pause, Lezard truly seeing her face for the first time since putting her on the table top. Her eyes were wide, pupils dilated as she looked at him. He touched her forehead, finding it clammy and cold. “Lezard…what’s wrong with me…?” She raised a shaky hand to her face, and he spotted something he hadn’t noticed earlier. The black and blue of bruises, the cause unknown.

He took hold of that hand gently in his, fingering the hurt skin, a fearful pause in his heart that perhaps he had unknowingly hurt her with his newfound strength. He wanted to question her about them, but already her eyelids were lowering. What little of the blue of her eyes he could see, rolling back as she fainted underneath him. Faintly, oh so faintly, Lenneth could hear Lezard frantically calling out her name, over and over again.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

It was like something out of a science fiction novel, the water mirror looming large and alien in design. It constantly spun in a slow clock wise motion, a laborious, grinding sound that echoed throughout the room. It hummed with power, promising sights unseen, and easy access to locations known. And dwarfed before it were two women, one with hair as golden as the sun, the other with the silvery sheen of moonlight caught in her tresses.

“I thought it easier to show you.” Freya said, and with a toss of her head, her blonde hair went flying.

“And you say a piece of the water mirror was stolen?” Lenneth asked, face grave with concern.

“Yes.” Freya sighed, loathe to tell the Valkyrie that it was her eldest sister behind the theft. Instead she floated up into the air, coming to a stop at the center of the mirror. “It was just a tiny piece only about this big in circumference.” She held her hands apart, showing a shape roughly akin to a watermelon in size. “But powerful is even the tiniest shard of the mirror. We’re lucky it heals itself…”

“Yes…you can barely tell any harm was done.” Lenneth agreed, looking up at the floating Freya. “But surely you didn’t call me here to assess the mirror’s damage.” She inhaled deeply, scenting the smell of a recent battle in the air. She could sense Freya’s dispelled power lurking nearby, the scent of burnt ether wafting through her nostrils. Smells weren’t the only thing Lenneth was picking up, her sight saw a broken arrowhead on the ground. She bent, picking it up between her fingers, looking at it thoughtfully.

“A memento from one of the thieves…” Freya was at her side, face angry as she glared in hatred at the ruined weapon. “He dared to fire his weapon on me.” Lenneth tsked, shaking her head, her long braid bouncing from the movement. “Show me what has been going on while I slept.”

Freya nodded. It was with a heavy heart she turned to the mirror, waving her arm towards it, the still image of water rippling into life. Images came and went on the screen in glorious color, rewinding backwards in times, as the Fertility Goddess considering just how much of the story Lenneth should be allowed to know. She chose not to tell her the tale of Dipan, of Silmeria’s desperate flight, and eventual capture by the human mage. Instead she stopped the mirror at the scene of Yggdrasil, showing the human host of Silmeria, and that useless elf vessel Odin sought to use.

There was no sound to accompany the scene, a silent movie that Lenneth did not question the reason behind. She was a trusting, loyal little soldier, who did not doubt her superiors when it came to matters of Intel. She watched intently, blue eyes on the water mirror. She saw the green haired vessel try to claim power at the top of the World Tree, Odin striking him down. She nodded her head in approval of this, watching the ensuing fight impassively. She was surprised when a third mortal appeared on the scene, noting he was good looking in a bookish sort of way. She frowned at the thought, shaking her head slightly. Since when was she attracted to humans?

“Lenneth? Is everything all right?” Freya was looking down at her in concern, the human frozen in time on the water mirror.

“Yes…I just felt…unsettled for a moment.” She hesitantly replied, blue eyes troubled. “It’s nothing, carry on.” This time her voice was strong and sure, almost commanding.

With a nod, Freya commanded the mirror, the scene once again coming to life. Lenneth saw the man join in the fight, unsurprised to learn his power was that of the magi, a wizard skilled in powerful magic. She raised a silver eyebrow at the sight of Odin pulling back from the fight, angrily yelling at the human interlopers. Freya then appeared on the screen, and Lenneth was shocked to see her thrust into a crystal by the force of a powerful blow from the mage.

“Who is that man that can throw about Gods like fleas?” breathed Lenneth, stunned by the human’s power.

“His name is Lezard Valeth.” Freya’s voice dripped with disdain. “A mage from Dipan it seems.”

“Seems?”

“Not much is known about him.” Freya sighed. “Truly we don’t know where he came from, or how he came about his knowledge. Watch what he does next…” It was with careful editing, that she blocked out the sight of Silmeria superimposed on the wizard, instead jumping forward to when Lezard snatched the sacred lance Gungnir, out of the frozen Odin’s hand.

“That’s impossible!” Lenneth cried, her mouth a perfect o of surprise. “No one but Odin can wield Gungnir!”

“It seems the sacred lance hungered for a new owner.” Freya replied.

“But a human?!”

“Human no more. He has become something else…what I don’t know…” It was with sad eyes that Freya watched as Lezard and Odin disappeared from the screen, taking off to parts unknown. “I fear what he has done with Odin…” She held up a hand to stifle Lenneth’s questions. “The mirror can’t track them. I have been unable to see into this twisted wizard’s realm, only knowing he has created a second world tree, and Yggdrasil suffers for it.” The room shook with a tremor, as though the tree itself was screaming out it’s pain, letting it’s roots rock the ground under the Valkyrie’s feet.

“We’re maintaining equilibrium, but barely.” continued Freya, unperturbed by the earthquake. “Some of Valhalla has already fallen into Midgard…damage will be extensive to both realms if this keeps up…”

“These are…troubling times indeed.” Lenneth sighed. “What would you have me do first?”

“Truthfully?” Lenneth nodded her head, and Freya’s face almost crumpled into tears. “I do not know where to begin! My heart would have you rescue Odin first and foremost, but what good would it do to find him, only to return to a destroyed world. And that’s assuming he hasn’t been…” A choked off sob cut off her words, Freya barely able to imagine the horror of it.

The Valkyrie maiden watched her in sympathy, not saying anything of the dark path her thoughts had taken. Instead she merely waited while the golden haired Goddess composed herself, stiffening her face into a emotionless mask. “No!” She cried heatedly. “As the situation stands, Asgard must be saved! Whatever the cost!”

“I know you do not make this decision lightly.” Lenneth said solemnly. Her words were little to comfort to Freya. “There are other ways to save Asgard without Gungnir.”

“Yes.” agreed Lenneth. “One of the sacred four treasure. But…”

“But nothing. We can take from the realm of Midgard if need be!” Her green eyes flashed with anger. “It was a human that brought this ruin upon us! Let the rest of those filthy mortals pay for his crime!”

“Is…is that wise?” Lenneth said, aghast. “Punishing them all for the sins of one…it’s just too…too much!”

“Are you questioning my orders?!” demanded Freya, hands on hips. Lenneth blinked up at her, slowly shaking her head no. “I forgot you like humans.” Her disgust was evident in her voice, lips curled in disdain.

“No Goddess…I would do as you command…” Albeit reluctantly. thought Lenneth.

Freya looked down at her, seeming mollified. “Good…However…there is a small problem…the location of the orb is unknown…”

“You don’t even know where the Dragon Orb is?” said a disbelieving Lenneth. It was beginning to sound like she had her work cut out for her. It made her long for her sisters, made her wish they could break Odin’s taboo and exist simultaneously. The work would go much faster if split up among them.

“It has been lost in the recent chaos. I can confirm that Brahms and the orb were seen together recently.” Freya did not tell her she had witnessed this with her very own eyes, in this very room.

“Brahms? Who is that?” asked Lenneth, and Freya dismayed, let out a bitter laugh at her question. “That’s right…you don’t know anything about the Vampire Lord. The struggle with him started long after you went to sleep. No matter, the story is long, too long to tell in the limited time we have. Know this Lenneth! If you can capture him, we can harness his energy as well. At this point I don’t care what we use so long as we can save our home!”