Free Valkyrie Slumbering by L. VanHorn Page B

over. Grím’s handsome face, wrinkled with worry, appears above me. The amount of blood soaking his upper body nearly stops my heart. Two gaping holes mar his leather armor, one showing the glistening innards of his stomach, the other showing red and blue things I can’t identify.
    For some reason it takes two tries before I can speak. “Oh no, Grím, you’re hurt so bad.”
    Tears burn my eyes and roll down to leave scorching trails on my cheeks. I reach for him, trying to sit up again, but I can’t. My hand brushes his cheek. One hand holding his guts in, he falls to his knees beside me. Instead of reaching for my hand, his other hand reaches for my chest. I manage to lift my head and look down at myself.
    The níðhöggr’s clawed foreleg lays across me, covering my entire chest. It’s dagger-like talons are buried in me. Even seeing it doesn’t make it hurt, and that worries me a little. But I’m more worried about Grím and whether or not he’s still in danger.
    My eyes flick around, making me dizzy and revealing nothing. “What about Steinn?”
    “The coward ran when the níðhöggr showed up. But I doubt he’ll make it far. I chopped off ‘is right arm,” he says with the shadow of a grin.
    My lips pull up into a smile. “He’s done for sure. But what about Loki’s plan?” I ask, having to force each word out.
    Eyes straying beyond me, Grím almost smiles. “Its foiled. The beast is slain,” he says.
    His eyes slide closed and tears leak from them. My hand slips to his shoulder and I grip it as tight as I can. Though I try to shake him, I’m haven’t the strength to do it properly.
    “Grím, don’t leave me, Grím!” I cry.
    His eyes flutter open, bathing me with their blue brilliance. Within them shines devotion the likes of which I never imagined a person would aim at me.
    “Never,” he says.
    Shoulders slumping, he leans forward, nearly falling on me. As well as I can, I pull him down beside me, helping to guide him as he collapses. My arm snakes around him. His head lies next to mine.
    Swallowing the thick, coppery liquid in my mouth, I tell him, “If we get separated, I will find you. Nothing and no one in any of the nine worlds will keep me from you.”
    Soft as a butterfly, his lips brush my neck. “Nor I from ye. I will find ye, I will always find ye…” His voice trails off, followed by a long, shuddering breath. Focusing all the miniscule strength left in my body, I force my head to turn toward him. Burying my face in his short, dark blond locks, I kiss his head.
    Already I can feel the change in his body, as though it is empty. Sobs tear through me, shaking my chest and shifting the níðhöggr’s claws about. The movement is followed by a warmth that spreads through me, oddly turning my body to ice a heartbeat later. Above us, the bright blue sky beckons. I plunge into it, hoping to catch up with Grím.
     
     
    The Beginning…
     

 
    Kyra and Grím’s quest is just beginning. Look for it to continue in the full-length novel, Valkyrie Awakening, coming this winter from Inferno Publishing.
     

 
    Acknowledgements:
     
    Taking the plunge from regular fiction to erotic fiction can be daunting—and very liberating after one has done so. I never would have made the journey if it weren’t for the encouragement of my good friend, Jessica E. Subject. And I owe a huge thank you to my wonderful beta reader, Kristie Cook. You ladies have inspired me from the beginning and I will be eternally grateful for that.
    To each person who buys this novella I owe a huge thank you to you as well. A story is nothing without its readers. I hope you enjoy it and come back for more.