Page 22 of Drengr
Errik
My mate was the bravest female in the universe. She stood by my side, completely naked, my blue seed running down her pale thighs. We ignored the jeering aliens and simply focused on the Berven female, who approached followed by her Mondian guards.
"The Trial of Mates has been concluded," the Berven announced in a loud, clear voice that carried through the large hall. "The Council of Judgement decrees that Holly Lancaster of Peritus is lawfully mated to Errik, son ofRikvin, ofJörð. We will retire to discuss the implications. Until our decision is made, the Vikingar and the Peritan will be kept under guard."
Immediately, a dozen guards swarmed us.
"Don't fight!" Njal shouted from somewhere back.
I hadn't planned to. I was filled with blissful peace and only if someone harmed my mate would I find the energy to fight. I growled at a few Mondians who got too close to her. They bared their sharp teeth in response, but backed off.
We were led to a meeting room rather than a cell, where Njal and Rune already sat, watched over by their own guards. Errik clasped arms with them as they congratulated him. I had to hide a smirk. It was such a male thing to do. One of the guards handed me a blanket, a thin silvery piece of cloth that felt like silk but was much warmer. I wrapped myself in it, grateful for both the cover and the warmth. Now that the effects of the trial liquid had abated, I was cold again. Did nobody on this spaceship ever remember to turn on the heating?
But luckily, I had a hot Vikingr. Errik hugged me from behind. He'd never picked up his trousers, meaning he was naked save for his boots. He didn't seem to care.
"Are you alright?" he asked quietly.
"Yes. You?"
"I have no words to describe what I feel."
Yeah, I knew exactly what he meant. Something magical had happened. It hadn't been just sex. The bond between us was no longer just a theoretical thing. It was so tangible that I could almost feel it; a rope binding us together for all eternity. I imagined tugging on that rope and immediately, Errik's embrace tightened. He'd felt that. Wow. I'd have to test that connection further, but right now, all I wanted was to get back to the Valkyr to have a shower and then cuddle up in bed. And food. I'd spent a lot of calories on that mattress.
We waited in silence for what felt like forever, but probably only was half an hour. Finally, the purple horn-lady arrived with the same haughty expression she'd carried all day. I wanted to slap her for putting us all through this.
"The Council has come to a decision," she announced.
Njal stood up to face her. "What have you decided?"
"You have broken eleven intergalactic laws and will be punished for it. However, we recognise that your species is in an extraordinary situation. In light of that, we have agreed that your punishment will be monetary only. We still need to discuss the exact sum, but you will be informed of it shortly. Now that we've had proof of your compatibility with the Peritans, we are open to negotiating an amendment to the current blockade. Something similar to the agreement we have with the Albyans. You will have the official IGA permission to seek mates on Peritus, as long as a Peritan organisation is in charge. This is to safeguard the rights of their citizens. We will review this agreement every rotation. Once the survival of your species is guaranteed, your permission may be rescinded. As a sign of your good faith, you will also be tasked with the protection of Peritus. We expect regular reports on any suspicious activity in this solar system. That is all. You may leave."
She turned around and left before anyone could say something. Njal stared after her, then turned to us. He slammed his fist on his chest and bowed his head.
"Holly, Errik, the Valkyr, no, the Vikingar are in your debt. Without your brave demonstration, they may never have believed us. And I personally thank you for not having to drag my mate into this."
Errik kissed the top of my head, his hot breath tingling on my skin. "It was nothing, Captain."
Njal shook his head. "It was everything. Now let's get you back to the ship. I'm sure Holly would love to put on some clothes."
* * *
Steff welcomedus in the shuttle bay, but Errik whisked me away before I could answer any of her frantic questions. I let Njal deal with that. Besides, I bet he wanted some alone-time with his mate.
Errik brought us back to the room we'd had our candle-lit date in. The table had been cleared, but the candles were still flickering romantically. He sat me down on the bed - yes, the big old caveman had been carrying me again - and pressed his hand against the wall. A door I hadn't even known existed slid open, revealing a bathroom.
"Wow," I gasped in surprise. Of all the things, I'd not expected this.
It wasn't a utilitarian bathroom like the one I shared with the other women. This was something else entirely. A huge round barrel in the centre of the room was filled with water; while flickering candles floated all around it. Yes, floated. A shower and Vikingr-style toilet were half-hidden behind a wooden screen towards the back. A stack of towels lay near the door, big fluffy blue ones. And as the final romantic touch, a tray hovered to the left of the tub, carrying two filled glasses and a bottle.
"It looks so romantic," I swooned, grinning at Errik. "Was this your idea?"
"I wish I could take credit, but this is the Valkyr itself. Torsten had the idea to programme the AI to search for romantic Peritan rituals and then replicate them on the Valkyr. This is the result of one of those algorithms, but I am told there are more we can experience at another time."
I walked into the bathroom, Errik right behind me. The floor looked like wooden planks, but they were warm beneath my naked feet. What had happened to my shoes? Were they still on the IGA ship? I didn't care. Errik pulled the blanket from me, carelessly threw it in a corner and scooped me up again. I squealed and laughed at the same time as he carried me into the tub. The water was the perfect temperature, warm but not too hot.
There was a wooden bench inside the tub, and Errik sat down on it with a satisfied sigh, while I got to sit on his lap again. Not surprising at all. Right now, I'd let him carry me and have me on his lap, but soon I'd have to start setting boundaries. I didn't want him to think that he could do that all the time. I was my own woman and liked to stand on my own two feet.
But not just now. Not after everything that had happened.
