Page 62 of Luna Cursed

"Me too. Unfortunately, you and I have a full moon to get through tomorrow night," Tor reminded her. "And after that? We are going to have the mating talk again."

Ciara shot a coy smile over her shoulder. "Are we now?"

"Yes," he growled. "If I have to pin you down and sit on you while we do it, I will. Don't push me, bunny."

Ciara laughed, and it felt so damn good. "We'll see about that, wolf."

31

The sun was up, and the world was eye-watering bright by the time the door in the side of the mountain opened, and Ciara and the others stumbled out. Layla and Arne were waiting for them with annoyed and relieved expressions on their faces.

"Where the hell did you all go? I turned around mid-battle, and I couldn't see any of you!" she snapped, hands on her hips.

"We are okay, Lay Lay. Keep your knickers on," Imogen said.

Arne looked them all over. "Let me guess? The passage into the mountain wasn't in Norway?"

"How did you know?" Ciara asked.

"I can feel the magic on you. It's good to see you safe and sound, Linnea," Arne said when Linnea came out from behind Tor.

"Big brother," she replied with a smile.

What was left of the camp was in ruins. Ulfheðnar were roaming about with a few of Varg's followers in manacles. A small group of women were wrapped in blankets and being watched over by the elves.

"Linnea! Was he there? Did you see Fenris?" a man demanded. He was being led by an elf, his hands bound behind his back.

Linnea lifted her chin. "It was another illusion of Odin's. It was a dead end." The man looked devastated and was taken away.

"Why did you lie?" Ciara asked.

"They will find a way to keep trying to get back to him. Fenris should be left sleeping," Linnea replied. She swayed a little, and Tor caught her under the arm.

"We need to get you out of here where you can rest," he said, checking her over.

"I believe I can help with that," Alruna announced, coming through a portal with a wide smile on her face. She caught Linnea up in a hug. "Little one, it's so good to see you. Come on, I've had one of the delegation houses prepared for you all. Tor's house is too small to accommodate everyone."

"I'm going to leave you all to it," Imogen said. She hugged Layla and Ciara. "I have a castle to get back to and a death god to shag."

"Is that so?" Arawan asked, a brow rising. Imogen winked at him, and he opened a portal. "Nice to see you all. Be well." He all but dragged a laughing Imogen through the portal, and they were gone.

"I don't suppose the Wild Hunt is still around?" Ciara asked.

Layla shook her head. "They swept through the camp, killed anyone who didn't surrender, and then disappeared again. Creepiest, quietest goddamn slaughter I've ever seen."

"Jesus, I can't believe this is our family now," Lachie said with a shake of his head.

Ciara, Tor, Linnea, and Lachie were portaled to a large house by the lake in Alfheimstod. Alruna had ensured that clean clothes had been provided for them and the kitchen was stocked with food.

"She's going in full mother mode," Tor commented when he saw it all laid out.

"Let her. I want nothing more than a hot shower and a bed," Linnea replied. She disappeared into one of the guest rooms. Lachie went to the other with a tired expression. The post-battle exhaustion was hitting them all. Ciara was in a daze as Tor led her to their room and stripped off her weapons and battle suit.

"Won't Linnea find it weird if we stay together?" Ciara asked, suddenly nervous about the idea.

Tor shook his head. "We are bonded. She knows we are a couple and won't want to be apart. It's really fine, Ciara."

"Okay, I just don't want her to feel uncomfortable."

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