Free Marked by Death (The Godhunter, Book 4) by Amy Sumida Page A

me. Balder was now dead and Trevor and I were still going strong. I had no idea how Odin felt about it all.
    “I’d love some,” I finally answered.
    He nodded and I followed him back to the fur draped chairs near the fire. The Viking territory of the God Realm was always a at a brisk temperature so there was usually a fire going and mead warming. Odin took a mug off a side table and filled it from the pot over the fire. The rich smell of cinnamon, apples, and honey wafted over to me as he returned.
    “Would you like to sit here or we could…”
    “ Here’s fine,” I took the proffered mug and quickly chose a seat, pulling the furs around me.
    “ Vervain,” oh shit, he looked hurt. “You know you’re safe with me.”
    “ Of course I do,” I took a sip of the mead, sighing as it warmed me for one blessed moment. “And you know I’m not afraid of you… not exactly.”
    “ We have to do something about this,” instead of returning to his seat, he crouched down in front of mine. “We won’t have much time alone but I’d like to make use of what we do have.”
    I told you so, a smooth voice sang in my head. I pushed it away.
    “ Odin,” I took a tremulous breath and put down the mug. “You know I won't betray Trevor.”
    “ I’m not asking you too,” he brushed my hair back gently, frowning a little but making no comment on the chill of my skin. “I just want to hold you, touch you, maybe we can find a way to ease this ache we both feel, without betraying your wolf.” He stood up and held out a hand. “Will you give it a try?”
    I looked at his large hand and the slippery slope it represented. It wasn’t a good idea. Things could get carried away way too quickly but I wanted it so bad, wanted him to just hold me, maybe kiss me. Was that so wrong? Yes . I thought of Trevor holding another woman, kissing her, and my throat constricted.
    “ I promise to just hold you. People get as much contact from dancing. There’s nothing shameful or deceitful about it.” His one eye shivered with iridescent colors, first blue, then purple, and then green. So beautiful, it made me wish he’d never given up his other eye. But then I wouldn't be there to enjoy them, would I? If it wasn't for Odin's sacrifice, I wouldn't be there and Trevor wouldn't have me either. Was getting to hold me really too much to ask? I took Odin's hand, still enthralled by his beautiful eye, and he swung me off my feet and into his arms.
    Before I knew what was happening, we were in our old room, the familiarity of ancient books, tree top views, and a raging sunken fire, all shouting home to me. I sighed as he laid me out on the massive bed, a room in itself really, with steps leading up to it, massive posters holding thick drapes, and a built in dresser at the foot. My body sunk back into the furs and he quickly covered it with his. His scent filled my head, wild and fresh, like standing on a cliff.
    “Odin,” I had a moment of panic when I felt him pressing intimately against me.
    “ I won’t do anything you don’t want me to,” he kissed my forehead and rolled to the side, bringing me with him and tucking my body in against his. He sighed then, a sound of complete satisfaction, of relief.
    I felt his hand skim over my arm, pushing up my sleeve so he could feel more flesh. He suddenly sucked in his breath and sat up, pulling me with him. I looked at him with wide eyes, knowing exactly what was wrong.
    “I thought maybe you were chilled from our cool weather here,” he looked at me intently. “But you’re cold everywhere, Vervain. Has the mark spread so far?”
    “ Yes,” it was a whisper, a breath of sound, but it conveyed my fear to him easily and completely.
    “ No,” he pulled me in tight against him. “I won’t lose you again, not to death. I paid the price for you to live. I paid it twice. He can’t have you.”
    I already do, taunted the voice inside me.
    “ I’ve searched my spell books,” I said into his