Page 43 of The Last Valkyrie

No matter what happened from here on out, after this filthy, beautiful night—no matter where things ended up at the academy—I would never forget that about Vikingrune.

It was the place that gave me my family.

Chapter 15

Ravinica

WE SPENT THE NEXT FEWhours lazing about, resting and enjoying each other’s company. I made a mental note to hit up Dagny in Eir Wing for a special blue tincture over the next twenty-four hours, because the guys had filled me so thoroughly.

We knew shit was going to hit the fan soon, and this might be the last chance for all of us to be together for at least a week.

Plus, who knew what awaited my mates on their individual quests? It worried me endlessly, though I tried not to show it on my face. I didn’t bite my lip or chew my nails—I simply stayed introspective, hoping my quietness wouldn’t alert my guys to the worry rioting in my head and heart.

Solo missions, each of which need to go off without a hitch in order for us to be successful. Becauseanyof them getting hurt or killed means this has all been an abject failure. I can’t live without each and every one of them.

After getting dressed, we took our clammy, gross bodies to the nearest river sloping down the eastern side of Academy Hill, and purged ourselves of our delectable filth.

Naked again, yet more relaxed and proper this time as we bathed and chatted with our clothes lined out along the bank, I watched my guys wading through the water. I lost track of time as I spied on them, their muscles and different shapes glistening with crystal-clear water dripping off their enviable, beautiful bodies in the afternoon sunlight.

Spring was an awesome time here up on the hill.

I stayed silent as the others bantered about the raunchy sex we’d just had, preferring to sit on the bank on my elbows while smiling demurely at my men.

Arne was chuffed, with a wicked smile across his face as he slapped Sven’s shoulder, rubbing up against the wolf’s back. Sven was blushing again, which I found adorable and unlike the wolf shifter of the past.

“Told you not to knock it until you tried it,” Arne said with a wink.

The others laughed at Sven’s flustered expression. “No you didn’t! You never said any such thing.”

Arne’s face went slack. “Oh? Well. I am now. And you have tried it. And you loved it.”

Sven opened his mouth to argue with the pretty blond elementalist he called “dandy” . . . but he had no words. He simply bowed his head, dunking down into the river and coming up with his black mane plastered to his scalp.

The others laughed as he submerged, because it was obvious he had no defense against Arne’s barbs. The iceshaper was right: Svenhadenjoyed getting drilled by Arne from behind, if only so the wolf could grow hornier and bigger inside me.

It seemed like all of this—even the anal play and unsuspecting openness of my lovers—was aimed at pleasing me more than anything. It was the next level of our lewd pack, as they were starting to find a level of comfort with each other I’d never thought possible.

Magnus floated by on his back, gently kicking his feet as he stared up at a hanging branch over his head that blocked the sun from his eyes. “How about you, bear?”

Grim took a moment, pondering, and then shrugged his massive shoulders. “I won’t deny it like Sven is trying to. I enjoyed it.”

My cheeks flamed when I thought back on the way the skinnier, wiry bloodrender grabbed Grim’s buff body and railed him from behind—the expression of exertion and red-faced bliss on Magnus’ face over Grim’s shoulder. The way Grim winced before ultimately closing his eyes while he filled my ass.

Gods, these men are going to drive me mad.

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