Chapter 24
Gefn’s Palace, Thule
“This is my home,” Gefn said as they stepped through a portal high in the snowcapped mountains of Thule. Pothos was taken in by the beauty around them; his female lived in a castle above the clouds. The charcoal stone face was built into the rock of the mountain, several stories high with a wide balcony. It was beautiful and tranquil there instead of cold.
He could feel her excitement in sharing this with him. She was proud of the massive structure and she should be.
“It’s incredible,” he said, gazing down at her with a smile. They’d spent the night at his home, where it was quiet, and then debated on where to start exploring. He’d won. She’d seen his home, and it was his turn to see her sanctuary, but before taking him to her home, she’d spent an entire day showing him different parts of Thule. He’d seen some of the villages and bigger towns of her world, travelling through each of the Gods’ territories, and they’d spoken with many kilt-wearing locals. He was definitely an outsider, so they’d been cautious and very watchful of him. Gefn and the cats’ obvious approval of him seemed to help alleviate some of the tension. Word of their joining hadn’t reached many of the places because they didn’t have cars or planes. He had seen ancient-looking ships and curious beasts; there were even massive steeds with eight legs. And damn, those bastards had been fast.
All in all, it was a successful day. The people of Thule seemed respectful and even adoring of Gefn. He didn’t see poverty or homelessness in any of the places they went. It was much like Tetartos in that respect.
As they ascended the steps to her home, a servant swept the door wide. She wore a plain dress of green with light-colored curls piled on her head. Her green eyes sparkled in obvious delight at seeing her mistress. She moved to him curiously, but without any hesitance in smiling. The female appeared to be in her thirties, with round curves and pink cheeks that eased him at once. Her musical voice was cheerful. “Welcome home, my Goddess.”
Gefn smiled as they slipped through the heavy wood door that led to a massive staircase. “Thank you, Eerika. This is my maðr, Pothos.”
He felt the female’s shock. “Oh my! Congratulations, my Goddess. Are we to prepare a celebration?” There was so much excitement in her features he felt a little bad when Gefn shook her head.
“We have a lot to see to before any celebrations. For now, I want to show him our home.”
“Yes, of course. Laire did not come with you?”
He could feel his female’s guilt at leaving the male behind. “Since this is a short trip home, I left Laire to relax at Hroarr’s palace.”
“I understand,” she said with a smile before scurrying off. He saw more servants. An older male who appeared in his forties and two women who looked closer to sixty. Gefn introduced them all as if they were family members. If he had to guess, he’d say some were truly related to Laire.
Thule was definitely old world. The stairway banister, carved by hand or magic, was intricately beautiful. The top of the stairs led to a long hallway that passed a library and a study before arriving at a hidden staircase that wound up to a massive bedroom suite with windowed doors to a balcony that looked down at the clouds. Her bed was twice the size of the oversized one he owned, and Spa and Velspar were already making themselves at home on the white blankets.
“What did you think of Thule?”
She’d taken him to a tavern down the mountain from her home, and he still remembered her eyes lighting up when he’d sampled the bitter brews. She was excited to share her world with him. And it was a good world, with people who seemed to govern themselves. The Gods were charged with ensuring the world itself was safe, that the wild elements were calmed and didn’t cause destruction where there were lives at stake. There was magic all around them. The people used it for power, for taking care of the crops… for everything.
“I like it,” he said honestly. She’d shared that crime was dealt with by magical mortals called the Forseti, who were born to the task of seeking justice. He needed to learn a hell of a lot more, but one day of portal jumping all over the place had eased some of his tension with regards to the Gods in Thule.
She moved to the glass doors and opened them. The look on her face when she breathed in the air was almost orgasmic.
“I love being up in the skies.” Something he could see by the way her eyes sparkled as she looked out at the clouds.
He pulled her into his arms and smiled down as he moved them outside, where the winds whipped lovingly at them. “How high would you like to be?”
His wings unfurled with a wild burst of power, and her delighted laughter filled the air. He’d never get enough of that sound. He held her close to his chest as he launched them into the sky. Her legs wrapped around his waist automatically, and he wasn’t sure he’d ever known such bliss. Her head moved to rest on his chest as they flew above the clouds.
She whispered into his mind, I’ll never get enough of this. Of you.
He felt his heart clench and kissed her head. I’ll never get enough either, thea mou.
*****
Hades stood at the side of the war room, listening to information he’d already heard from his son’s check-ins. Once again the room was too damned crowded with his nephews, Guardians, mates, wolves, and he wasn’t pleased that Pothos wasn’t there to share this information himself instead of exploring Thule with that Goddess. Who knew if her information could even be trusted? It sounded to him as if Hroarr was only guessing on how to save their world.
Any information is good, my love. I know you’re anxious that he’s not here, but he’s learning what he can while getting to know the female he’s bound to. Keep in mind Sirena likes her, and Sirena doesn’t even like you most of the time.
He mentally grunted.
He heard Brianne point out, “The Thulians owe us after Sirena saved their cats.”
Drake growled over the chatter of everyone weighing in at once. “We’ll know more soon, but there are other issues to address. The Tria are obviously up to something. We’ve been dealing with escalating attacks, and they’re sending those damned serpents and hell dragons to strike cities in Tetartos. I’m sending more of you to patrol Hell to try to eradicate the worst of the bastards before they’re loosed here.”
Hades flexed his wings, readying to battle. Maybe he’d pay Apollo another visit. He’d generously allowed the Phoenix’s female a turn with the bastard because she wanted to know how the God had located her and her twin in Paris. Now, after the female’s enthusiastic interrogation, his brother was unconscious. If only she’d asked Hades, she would have had her answer before they’d found his damned brother, but the Guardians and their females were forever forgetting he was a God. It would have been a matter of trial and error. Immortals would be drawn to live in a location where the power of the Earth flowed heavier above ground. Simple. There were maybe a dozen such places in the human Realm, and not all were cities like Paris.
You never told me that there were such spots in the mortal Realm, Sacha pointed out.
You didn’t ask.
Since he was denied his time with Apollo, he would deal with Draken’s hell beast issue until the bastard was awake again. As much as Sacha wanted to lock the male away, Hades just wasn’t ready for Apollo’s suffering to end. Not yet.
I know, love. But not too long. He’s toxic, and I don’t like him anywhere near you.
He tucked his female into his side and breathed in her sexy scent. I may forgo his torture tonight to give you enough pleasure that you pass out with my tongue still inside you, agapi mou.
He smiled when he felt her shiver with desire. He decided to make quick work of the hell beasts so he could get home with his female within the next hour.