Master of Umbra (The Valhalla Series) by Poppet Read Free Book Online Page B

your chest, hence I am destined to remain in this state until nature takes its course. The only remedy is if you let me lick the remains of the healing potion out of your cleavage, which I kinda doubt is anywhere on your agenda for the near future.”
    Guilt hoods me, gloom and despondency ravaging my precarious calm, “I'm sorry.”
    “ Don't be, I'm fucking proud of the way you reacted. You can't shoulder blame for actions borne from ignorance. Don't worry about me poppet, I just need a decent sleep, a meal, and a long hot shower.”
    “ Ewan–”
    “ Deliah, what was chewing your arse a new blowhole when I went to get you coffee?”
    That reminds me!
    “What the hell are my clothes doing hanging in your wardrobe? Am I kidnapped? Are you holding me for ransom or something?”
    “ And who would pay to get you back?” he murmurs, using a tone dripping with suspicious intrigue. It speaks of a thousand questions he wants answered.
    “ No one. The only person who has that kind of agenda you've already met.”
    “ Well he's in no state to sign a check or issue death threats. As for your clothes, everything you had with you was relocated here. Look love, can we have this conversation after I grab a shower and we go for breakfast? I'm ravenous after expending that energy and you haven't eaten, and what you did have in your system you painted all over the ashroom floor. How are you feeling?”
    “ Fine. Shaken up, bit of a headache, but am okay akshly,” I say, giving an affirmative nod.
    “ I'll go clean your puke off me, freshen up a bit, and I'll explain why you're here over a plate of scrambled eggs. Okay muffin?”
    “ Are you sure Dias isn't going to sneak back here to finish the job when your back is turned?” I can't help myself, I'm neurotic for a damn good reason.
    Pushing Bella off his lap, he edges to a perch on his seat, leaning forward and folding my hands between his giant ones, “Deliah...” He heaves a heavy sigh, looking down at the floor for a moment, as if he hates to say what he's about to say. Looking back up, his eyes serious, he says, “Dias is dead. It would have been a group effort regardless. The second the clan heard he'd hurt you they all wanted to smash his head in. As it was I had to hold Grant off him after Gunn punched me away from Dias. That prick did not leave the building alive.”
    “How do you know?” I desperately want it to be true, even though I can tell he's worried about my reaction of him having a hand in Dias' 'demise'.
    He's telling me he's a murderer, but so was Dias. When has murder ever stood between me and happiness? I don't seem to have the sensitivity to death and the deliberate taking of life that normal folks do.
    “I know because I witnessed the fatal blow. His cranium was crushed. Believe me darling, that man will never hurt you again.”
    “ Who killed him?” I owe the man a fat kiss.
    “ An unwilling hero. I gave him a direct order to finish Dias off while I held Grant at bay, but the other men were itching to pitch in. Either way, the man is a corpse and won't be coming back for you. Not now, not ever.”
    What men? Is this an army hideout?
    The gentle understanding, the compassion, the loving tone, the care for my life and well-being from this stranger, it unlatches a door within my soul, swallowing me with gratitude.
    Flinging my arms around his neck because he's so close, I squeeze, tears slipping out again in heartfelt relief, “Thank you.”
    I'm free!
    Huge arms fold around me, compressing me gently to him, “It was my pleasure, darling. More than you can fathom. No one gets to hurt you when you're in my care.”
    He smells like winter rain cologne and sweat, smoke and a touch of vomit. He really does need that shower but right this second I don't care how he smells, I feel safe.
    For the first time in my life I feel safe... and protected.

 
    Chapter 9
     
     
    Then to the Goddess a second grief cometh,
    When Odin fares to fight with the