True Destiny Book 5
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Menage (M/M/F)
Length: Novella
Three hearts are stronger than the sum of their scars.
Slade Saeter endured centuries of torture, longing for the day could claim Magnus Tate and Sylvia Grimm as mates. Now freedom is his, but nightmares still plague this son of Loki, and he fears his lovers will believe him too fragile to bond.
Always attracted to both sexes, Magnus never thought he could have the woman of his dreams, not when she was broken by his own father, her heart shattered by Thor's infidelities and their ultimate divorce. But Slade’s determination gives him a glimmer of hope.
Never one to let anything keep her down for long, Sylvia has long since healed from her ex-husband’s betrayals. But accepting her own stepson as a bonded mate? While it’s something she can wrap her body around, her heart is another story.
As three war-weary, damaged hearts slowly find balance among them, they form bonds of surprising strength. But with danger descending upon them with the fury of a Valkyrie, time is the one thing they may not have.
Warning: This title contains explicit sex, graphic language and only two people who know for sure if Slade really is hung like a horse. (They aren't talking.)
This wasn’t the way things were supposed to happen. Sylvia had prayed that they’d let her in, that they’d see how desperately she wanted to get away from Frederica and her desire to destroy Logan Saeter and any who chose to side with him. Instead, Kir and Logan had sent her right back into the mouth of the dragon.
Not even chocolate chocolate-chip ice cream could fix this level of depression.
“Well?” Sigyn, who’d taken the mortal name Sydney Saeter, opened the door of their shared apartment with a hopeful expression.
Sylvia shook her head. “They want us to spy on Frigg and find out what she’s up to or they won’t let us join them.”
Sydney’s shoulders slumped. “Porcupine balls. That won’t be easy.”
Sylvia took Sydney’s hand and led her into the apartment, closing the door behind her. “We can do this, Syd. If we find out what Frederica is up to, they’ll accept us.”
“Sure. Easy peasy.” Sydney groaned as she dropped ungracefully into her office chair. “Why don’t they ask for the moon? It would be easier.”
“I know, right?” Sylvia settled on the sofa, the bright blue cheering her as it always did. “Logan looked good, by the way.”
“Good.” Sydney smiled softly. “After everything he’s been through he deserves some happiness.”
“He’s found it.” Sylvia was aware of Sydney’s lingering feelings for Logan, but there was little she could do about it. Logan had fallen in love with Kir long before he’d been tied to that mountain. Worse, he’d never loved Sydney. He’d married her in order to cement his position in the Aesir, and because it was expected of him.
Sydney had adored him from day one and had believed in him when no one else did. In return he’d left her behind, running with Kir and hiding from all of them for centuries.
It was the best thing he ever did for Sydney Saeter, and he probably knew that. He was far more intuitive than Frigg gave him credit for.
Sydney had been forced to stand up for herself, to face the accusations that she was the one who’d freed him. But Odin had used his powers on her, the truth spilling forth from her like the poison of the snake that had tortured Loki. She’d gone to empty the bowl of venom, as she did whenever it filled. As she’d poured it away, she’d realized Loki wasn’t crying out as he normally did. Without the bowl, the venom would land on his skin, burning him. He always cried out when she was forced to leave him in order to empty the bowl.
When she returned, he was free of his shackles, gone without a trace. And she had no idea who had done it.
Odin’s use of the apples of Idunn had saved Sydney from being killed by Vali, the Avenger. She was innocent, by Odin’s decree, but now she was terrified of Val Grimm. Whenever the large man entered the room Sydney would go still and quiet, afraid he would turn on her at any moment. He’d terrified her then, and still did. That he’d joined willingly with Kir and Logan only meant he was up to something, and Sydney was determined to find out what. She would not allow her ex-husband’s happiness to be ruined by a spy of Odin’s.
Too bad neither she nor Sydney had been aware of Odin’s murderous intentions until it was far too late to do anything about it. Perhaps they could have helped more, done more. Things might have turned out far differently. Maybe Sydney wouldn’t have this overwhelming fear of Val, because Sylvia had seen the way Sydney eyed Vali when she thought no one was looking.
Her friend had the hots for the Avenger, but was terrified of him at the same time. She denied it by believing Vali to be an enemy, one she had to harden her heart against.
It was a conundrum only time and proximity would cure. Sylvia planned on getting Sydney both.
Odin’s use of the apples had kept them all happy little lambs, doing his bidding without a qualm. The only one who hadn’t been affected was Logan, who hadn’t deserved half the ire he’d received over the years. Without the influence of the apples, the Aesir and Vanir were finally able to see Odin and his machinations for what they were: a desperate attempt to stave off Ragnarrok.
It was too late. Ragnarrok was coming and nothing could stop it. Already the prophecies were coming true in ways none of them could have predicted. Thor was dead by the serpent’s hand, but instead of Jörmungandr—the world serpent—being the murderer, it had been Odin—the betrayer—the true serpent in their midst. Loki had been killed by the Guardian of the Bifrost Bridge, Heimdall, but instead of it being the real Loki it had been Rina Sutherland, Odin’s mistress, wearing Loki’s face. She’d tried to trick the Guardian, but he hadn’t been fooled. He’d seen right through the facade to the heart of the jotun beneath, and had killed her. She’d returned to her original form upon death, but she’d died wearing Loki’s face.
It had all of them, Frederica included, looking at the prophecy with new eyes. What else had they gotten wrong all those years ago? If Fenrisúlfr wasn’t meant to kill Odin, then who was the wolf destined to take his life? Or could Fenris only kill him at a specific place and time, when Odin would be vulnerable? Was there something Fenris would have to obtain in order to gain the power to kill him? And if so, would Vali prove to be a traitor after all and wind up killing Fenris? Prophecy said he would kill the wolf that destroyed Odin, but if that were true he’d be killing Logan’s son.
Sylvia wasn’t certain he could do that, unless…
No. It wouldn’t do to start doubting now. She’d set her course and she would sail these seas no matter what.
“What do they want to know? Please tell me they didn’t send us in blind.”
Sylvia played with the white hair bracelet Slade had given her. “I’m not sure.” Sydney whined, but Sylvia ignored it. “They said they wanted to know what she’s up to, that she’s been far too quiet lately.”
“Huh. They’re right about that.” Sydney moved from the office chair and flopped down on the sofa. She pulled her feet up and wrapped her arms around her knees, a pose Sylvia had grown used to over the years. Sydney was scared, but her mind was racing. “She’s been closeting herself with Henry and Luther a lot.”
Sylvia grimaced. “I thought she was sleeping with them.”
Sydney shot her a grin. “Well, they’re doing that too, but I think they’re plotting as well.”
“Then we need to find out what in order to get what we want.”
“Freedom.” Sydney drawled the word with longing.
“Freedom.” Sylvia nodded. “So. How do we do this?”
“Bug their bedroom.”
Sylvia blinked. Sydney could be strangely abrupt, but her ideas usually had merit. Without Logan to protect her Sydney had been forced to come out of her shell. She was still a bit odd, but her intelligence could no longer be questioned. “Not a bad idea. We can record what we find out and hand it over to Kir and Logan.”
Sydney nodded. “How, though? They lock that room up tight.”
Sylvia plucked a golden hair from her head. “Leave that to me.”
“Then I’ll get the equipment we’ll need.” Sydney uncurled from the sofa. “Give me two days and I’ll have everything.”
“Excellent.” Sylvia stretched. Somehow working with Sydney always seemed to make things better. “Pizza tonight?”
“Ugh. So tired of pizza.” Sydney sat at their computer and began typing. “Chinese?”
“Thai?”
The women exchanged a glance. Sydney looked back at her screen with a grin. “Extra hot, and you’re on.” Sylvia picked up the phone as her best friend began cackling like a loon. Whatever was on the screen had made her a happy woman. “Come to mama, baby. You’re my little puppy now.”
Sylvia shook her head. Syd was certifiable, but at least she was fun. Too bad she didn’t let this side of her out when around other people. Instead she tended to revert to the meek and mild ex-wife of Loki.
Sometimes she wondered if Logan would have left if he’d seen this side of Sydney. Then again, if he hadn’t left she doubted anyone would have seen it.
Well. At least it would be fun to watch the two of them interacting. Perhaps Sydney would be herself around all of them when this was done. Sylvia would give a lot to see Logan deal with this side of his ex.
But in the meantime, she had a lock pick to make.
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