Valkyrie's Claim (Academy of Immortals 2)

“Focus here,” he says, tilting my face opposite his. I want to close my eyes and fall down the well of this incredible man, but he’s entrancing—exposing me to something new—looking into the eyes of a lover.

Like everything else with this man, the pace is slow, consuming. I feel him deep inside and across the surface of my skin. He’s not in a rush, but his thrusts are solid, smooth. I want to cry with every stroke. He catches my mouth with his and quells any sound. His eyes hold mine, deep and stoic. How I know when he’s about to come isn’t based on sounds, or erratic movements. It’s a feeling that starts inside, where our bodies meet. Where not just our skin connects but our souls.

My eyes are open the whole time, even as the coil springs. Even as the wave drowns. Even as I struggle for breath.

Even as he comes inside of me, and I’m overwhelmed by that same odd yet assuring feeling of a puzzle piece snapping into place.

We stay like this, connected; physically and spiritually, while the sounds of the room reenter my consciousness. I hear Armin’s laughter, Agis’ deep voice, Rupert’s steady responses. I see the man in my arms, looking more peaceful than I’ve ever seen him.

“Do you think they know?” I ask, still curious about how all this works.

He kisses me, mouth hot. “They know.”

And that sends another wave of arousal through me. One fueled on power and fate.

One that takes us one step closer to winning this war.

33

Hildi

“Calm down! I’m coming,” I shout at the door. Whoever is out there wants to wake up the whole damn Academy.

I shrug on Rupert’s shirt over the tiny shorts. It’s the day after the party at the tavern, and somehow I ended up in Rupert’s room. Not that I’m complaining.

“Do you want me to get it?” he asks, fumbling with his pants.

“Nope.” I kiss him on the lips and cross the room, thinking of how I’m about to

punch whoever is pounding on the door.

I don’t know who I expect, but it’s not Marielle. Her dark hair is swept back over her shoulder and small rubies glint in her earlobes.

“What do you want?”

“I heard I could find you here,” she says, peering around the corner. Rupert stands by the couch, buttoning his pants. His lean, fit, upper body very visible. Marielle raises her eyebrows in approval.

That’s when I notice that she’s carrying something in her hands. A bucket with a thick, wiry brush inside. She drops it at my feet with a loud, echoing clang.

“You’ve been summoned.”

“By who?”

“Victorine, obviously.”

I suppose that is obvious.

“Why did she send you?”

A small smile turns at her bright red lips. “Oh, I volunteered.”

She turns to walk away.

“Hey!” I call. She spins. “You didn’t tell me where to go.”

“The stadium. The challenge is over for the night, but things got a bit messy. They need someone to clean up.” She waits for a reaction. All she gets is a door slammed in her face.

I turn and find Rupert right behind me. He places his hands on my upper arms. “I’ll come with you.”