This time, when he rolled off her, it wasn’t to get dressed, but to pull her on top of him while grabbing the sleeping bag to cover them both.
When Cara looked down into his face, she did not see love or even affection, yet what she did see brought a tender smile to her passion-swollen lips. The air of detachment that always surrounded him was gone. What she saw was a man exhausted from pleasuring his woman. If he hadn’t cared about her, he wouldn’t have been concerned if she had been satisfied.
Cara lay her head down on his shoulder and snuggled closer to his warmth. She softly traced his tight stomach then lower until her fingers moved through the curls at the base of his cock before taking his still semi-hard erection in her hand.
His hand caught hers and moved it to his chest. “Don’t even think about it,” Jericho grumbled.
Cara smiled against his shoulder, wondering if he realized he had placed her hand over his heart.
* * *
Fate turned toward her sister. “Don’t push it. You came close to interfering.”
Destiny shrugged. “I couldn’t resist the temptation.”
“You’ve resisted until now. Don’t let your hatred of Rocque lead you to make a stupid mistake.”
Destiny turned away from the star-studded night to study Fate’s features. “Is that a warning?”
Fate shrugged. “It’s more than you gave me.”
Chapter 10
Thor sat at the head of the huge table and looked around. His warriors were as bored as he. They had drunk enough ale that the minor offense of knocking a chalice of wine over had led to a free-for-all brawl. Benches were thrown and food went flying in the pandemonium. Thor had to find something to keep them busy soon, or he wouldn’t have a table sturdy enough to sit at.
When one warrior pulled a hank of her opponent’s hair out, leaving a bloody patch of scalp, he’d had enough.
“Cease this fighting and leave me.” He did not have to raise his voice. He was immediately obeyed.
As the warriors filed past his chair, lustful looks were thrown toward him. The women were taking their boredom out in the bedroom. Working their frustrations out on him during sex had provided them with an outlet and him with a sore cock. He needed something to distract himself and provide fresh meat for the Valkyrie.
Thor walked out to his stone balcony, stared at the darkened sky, and called the one woman’s name he had sworn never to utter. “Fate.”
It wasn’t long before the hair on the back of his neck rose.
“That didn’t take long.”
“I have been waiting for permission to speak to you.” Fate tried to keep the reprimand out of her voice yet was unsuccessful.
Thor turned to face the powerful Moirai with a raised brow, and Fate lowered her head in deference.
“My father asked me to give you an audience. Don’t make me regret my decision. What is it you wish to speak to me about so urgently?”
“I humbly ask that you retrieve my daughters from the portals they were forced into when they were attacked.”
Thor leaned back onto the balcony and looked at the woman’s tired face. Thor couldn’t remember when she had ever looked less than perfect. Unable to help them, the worry over her daughters must be eating her alive.
“Why ask me? You know I would never do anything to help you. I think it is fitting that you have now lost the only things that held any importance in that cold heart of yours.”
Fate’s voice softened, “I love all my children.”
“Tread carefully, Fate. I am in no mood for your games.” Thor’s face hardened further as Fate’s heart nearly burst with pride.
She had created this warrior, and he was a sight to behold. His golden beauty was stamped with a male arrogance that merely enhanced the muscled body which only a Valkyrie was permitted to touch.
“I can understand you not wanting to help me, but Thor, they are your sisters, and whether you want to admit it or not, you are the only one who can help them.”
Thor turned once again to study the sky. As much as he really did not want to help his mother, he would not allow his sisters to be harmed.