Page 7 of Heartsong
Where she belongs.
He rumbled happily, spiraling higher to try spotting somewhere safe to land.
His heartsong smelled of vanilla and flowers and something rich, like amber or freshly turned earth or petrichor right after a soaking rain. Frey filled his lungs with her scent, so much better than fae magick or human male, head swirling with all the sensations that beat at him. Hardest to ignore—
His mate screeched into his sensitive ears, making them twitch and an annoyed rumble work up his throat.
“Calm yourself, mate,” he soothed. “I have you.”
“Ohmigod youtalk!” she yelped, and then screamed yet again.
Frey grumbled through a grimace. “Yes, I can speak your human tongue. My kin and I have learned many of your new words through our stone sleep.”
His perfectly rational explanation, one he himself considered highly admirable given the challenges he and his kin faced in learning anything at all, was met with another screech and resumption of wriggling.
Frustration sat heavy on his tongue, but he swallowed it down. It was merely due to all the new sensations, the suddenness of finally,finallybeing free. He just needed a moment to get his bearings, assure their safety, and then purr sweet things for his mate.
That roiling frustration bled into a sharp anticipation when he realized—he could finally look his fill of her. It was night and she’d tucked her face away against his chest and arm, but soon he’d truly see her. The glimpse back in that strange hall hadn’t been nearly enough.
Beating his great wings, Frey gained height, flying past tall buildings of stone and glass that spilled light from thousands of windows. It was unnerving how bright the night was in this world, most of the stars obscured in a colorless sky. He spiraled higher, seeking a safe place to take her.
Finally, a dark patch stood stark against the bright grid of the city, and Frey turned his head in that direction. The silhouette of trees and bright reflection of the moon in a small lake beckoned him, and he was mildly content when they landed in a quiet, wooded place.
He was proud that his legs knew what to do in landing, talons digging into good fresh earth. Though reluctantly, he set his mate on her feet—but didn’t let her go.
Holding her by the shoulders, he did indeed look his fill of her.
Wide eyes were luminous in the moonlight, looking up at him with blatant surprise from a face gone pale. Plush lips had parted slightly, drawing his mind immediately to the human custom of kissing. Guardians sometimes did so, too, though he’d never taken to it. He was more than willing to let his mate’s lips convince him, though.
She was tall for a human female, her dark hair falling in a thick, windswept cascade down her back. Heavy breasts and thick thighs, perfect to fill his hands, hid beneath some sort of knitted tunic and dark braies.
His heart thumped heavily in his chest, and theknowingthe elders spoke of, the perfect ring one heard in their ear when finding their heartsong, crescendoed in his very soul.
She was here. He was alive, breathing, andhers.
She swayed forward, and Frey purred for her, enticing her closer. He bent his head, closing some of the distance between their heights, desperate to smell and taste and touch—
Another screech, and a bony knee smacked into his upper thigh.
Frey grunted, more out of surprise than hurt.
His mate twisted in his arms with a practiced yet still unwieldy swirl of her elbows, and he let her break free of his hold, a little stunned.
Was she aiming for my cock?
Goddesses, she was!
He let her get only a few steps before, with a leaping bound aided by his wings, he swept her up in his arms under her back and legs. He held her high on his chest, frowning down at her with displeasure.
Attacked by warriors and now his mate—what had the goddesses done?
“Be calm,” he told her again.
“I willnot be calm!” she yelped, wriggling harder than a fish on a hook.
Frey held tighter, trying not to hurt her but determined to keep her.
“I will not harm you. I swear it, on my honor.” He narrowed his eyes at her flailing legs. “So there’s no need to further assault me.”
