Gusion: Daimon Heart

By Kate Bigel

He is a happy-go-lucky Daimon soldier in exile on earth until he meets her, a shield-maiden and a rising political leader. Can she trust him with her heart? Can he?

Tatianna thought to scratch an itch with Gusion. Who knew she would see him again? Working together, they find it impossible to resist each other. But she is convinced that’s it’s only temporary.

Gusion knows that she is his mate. Everything changes when she walks into his life. She has never trusted a Daimon with her heart, and her political balancing act as a new leader on the ruling Council is delicate. She thinks he is an impossibility.

But Gusion will sacrifice everything for her. If he can only convince her to believe in him and in their love.

A thrilling paranormal romance full of political intrigue, fated mates, desire and fantastic adventure with secret worlds and mythic beings.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kate Bigel
• Release date: May 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9780998555898

Kate Bigel

Kate Bigel grew up a bookworm in a family of bookworms—the kind of little girl who walked down hallways at school reading and bumping into people. She went to art school and painted narrative works from her imagination. She found her way into the computer game business and worked there for years. Kate lives with her husband on a sailboat because it’s home and they love to travel. They sailed around the Pacific once and hope to head out for more adventures soon. She is really happy for e-books or the boat would have sunk by now.

Book preview

1

Tatianna cautiously approached the house nestled in the woods in the Danish countryside. The sounds of the party drifted over the high hedges. Only that morning she had sent a brief message to General Naberius Vasteras to inform him that she was in the Earth Realm and would be attending the wedding of Maelcom and Nessa as Nessa’s friend. There was a good chance they might try to kill her, but she would take the risk for her mission and for Nessa.

As the daughter of the violent madman Rayme, she knew she might not be welcome by Naberius and his men. Her biological father had tried to keep fighting the long and brutal war between Ice Daimons and Jotun Daimons that had plagued the Daimon Realm for years and had plotted to kill Naberius, the man he thought responsible for everything. Though she had been estranged from her father for her entire life and peace had been negotiated between the two sides, she was still an Ice Daimon arriving at a Jotun Daimon wedding. But her burden as leader of Ice Daimons was to help forge a path to peace and unity within the Daimon Realm, and the time was now.

As she entered through the gate, Tatianna immediately scented multiple Jotun Daimons. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Naberius with two large men in the back of the huge rustic garden. He put up his hand to stop his men, who had immediately started moving toward her. Ignoring them, she shaded her eyes with her hand as she scanned for Nessa over the scattered groups of people.

Her talented and bubbly human friend had apparently and inexplicably fallen in love with Maelcom the Berserker, the fearsome right hand of General Naberius. Nessa’s charming country wedding was taking place at her father’s house in a small town several hours from Stockholm.

Nessa shrieked when she saw her. Tatianna!

Nothing like being announced to everyone.

She could feel all eyes on her as she walked to Nessa with a catwalk glide. Nessa had only known her as a fashion photographer, and she looked the part in her elegant white silk suit jacket with matching narrow pants, Christian Dior sneakers, and a red silk scarf wrapped around her neck.

Nessa! I’m sorry I’m late. The plane from Paris was delayed, but I’m here. Oh, you look beautiful, she said with genuine feeling.

Nessa flung herself at Tatianna and hugged her tightly. It doesn’t matter. We’re married already. We did it at city hall for the legal paperwork. It was very boring. But my father insisted on a party.

Nessa was a shining flower of a woman, and people gathered around her like bees. Still embracing her friend, Tatianna sipped Nessa’s energy, which was, as always, sweet and sparkling.

Nessa must know about Daimons now, Tatianna realized. A Daimon would not mate under false pretenses, and Nessa had mated with Maelcom. The tricky thing for Tatianna was how to tell her friend she that that she, too, was a Daimon.

Nessa grabbed Tatianna’s hand and gasped. Tatianna felt her take a sip of her own energy. You should have told me! Nessa said.

Tatianna startled and then took a sip of Nessa’s energy again. It was an intuitive polite gesture in Daimon society. Tasting more carefully, Tatianna was stunned. She could taste a distinctive Daimon energy in her friend. This was amazing. Could she be a hybrid Daimon? This was a thing of legend from the distant past when Daimons and humans mated all the time. There was no other possibility.

You should have told me you changed, Tatianna said in amazement. "I mean, really changed."

"I know, but I didn’t realize you were one, too. I wish I’d known—but I do understand the need for secrecy. Safety is important."

Tatianna glanced around. Let’s not make a fuss in a public place. Tell me how? You are… I mean, I’m in shock. I have heard of this, but I thought it was a myth. A hybrid. And you are truly mated. It is called Venskat. With a Jotun Daimon.

Her friend was a miracle. In ancient poems, hybrid Daimon mates were portents of good fortune, and the Daimon Realm sorely needed that.

Nessa blinked her enormous blue eyes with intense sincerity. He’s amazing. We’re so lucky to have found each other. And we balance each other so well. I guess that’s true Venskat. Me becoming a you-know-what—they’re still figuring it out. It happened very fast, something in my genes. But it’s very cool. She leaned forward. And I’m really strong now.

Tatianna listened to her chatter on, but she could barely follow what Nessa said. She and Nessa had connected in such a profound way the moment they had met, but the friendship was always limited by secrets. How could she tell her best friend that she was from another realm and that she could shift forms? Not to mention that her form was terrifying to most humans.

But now everything was different. Their connection felt even deeper and more profound. Her eyes misted. I’m happy for you. Truly. Finding a mate is wonderful thing. But you must understand why I couldn’t tell you before, Tatianna said.

You and I are going to sit down and talk later. I’m not mad. I’m just so happy my best friend is…a whale.

A what?

It’s our secret code word for you-know-what, Nessa whispered. What type are you?

Tatianna leaned forward and whispered, Ice.

Nessa’s eyes widened. You must come meet Maelcom and his friends. Is that okay? Do you know them? They are kinda famous.

She raised her eyebrows and shook her head. Everyone has heard of them. They are legends. Super famous.

But Nessa looked concerned. I know Maelcom has songs written about him, but well, I didn’t know they were all that well known. But are you going to be okay? Because you were enemies with them, right? I don’t get all the politics and history yet, but I’m learning.

That’s in the past, and we all need to work together for the future. I was not an active combatant in the war, and we are at peace now, but they might feel insulted by my presence.

Nessa pressed her lips together, and her eyes narrowed. It’s my wedding, and I’m queen for the day, so they have to be nice to everyone I invited. I feel them burning a hole in my back with their stares. Can’t a girl get a little time with her best friend? She frowned at them, these legendary soldiers, with the look of a displeased fairy princess. The men looked away quickly, but the Daimon with red hair turned his attention to Tatianna and stared at her.

Tatianna turned away. I think you have the situation well in hand. So, tell me, did you use your infamous kiss test?

Nessa grinned. Yes! It worked. The moment I kissed him, I think I knew but it took me a while to accept it was real. And of course, he was very stubborn about admitting it.

I was wrong, my sweet friend. Now, introduce me. It would be rude if I didn’t meet them. She shrugged. Besides, I hope to be working with them in the future.

Or, rather, they’d be working for her. She would stare right in the face of the fearsome trio and yawn. Show them who was in charge.

Nessa threw her arms around her for another big hug. This is so amazing. One of the things I worried about after becoming you-know-what was that I wouldn’t be able to be straight with my friends. It’s like destiny or something. You and me. Then me and Maelcom. Like it was meant to be. Like this is all connected, she said.

Tatianna wasn’t sure about that, though it was odd that she had become such good friends with Nessa, as if they had been drawn together by some irresistible fascination with each other. And Nessa fell madly in love with a Daimon—perhaps drawn together in a similar way? Mated to the man known as the Smashing Fist of Jotun Daimons, the fearsome right hand of Naberius, and Nessa had fallen in love with him. When she learned of his name, she thought it was a trick or some elaborate ruse but Tatianna called her up and chattered on about her wonderful Maelcom. Tatianna knew their love was real.

It’s you. You’re a magnet for trouble, Tatianna teased.

I’m a magnet for love. Oh-oh, I forgot to tell you. I’ve met another—well, like you. His name is Leal, and he is super cool and a good friend. He was caught up in a messed-up situation with some bad guy called Rayme. I can’t go into details. All super top secret and very hush-hush. Leal is around here somewhere, said Nessa.

Tatianna cocked her head and sniffed. She caught the faint scent of an Ice Daimon, which she had missed because she had been so focused on Naberius and his crew. At some point, Nessa would find out Rayme was her biological father, but now was not the time. Yes, I know of Rayme.

Anyway, come on, let’s get it over with. I swear I can smell their aggression. I thought the war was over.

Some things are hard to forget, but look at it this way… I’m still here breathing, so there’s that. But of course it’s hard to kill someone at a wedding without angering the bride.

Nessa’s jaw dropped. You’re kidding, right?

Don’t worry, Nessa, I’ll be very polite, Tatianna said.

Tatianna had cast several casual looks in their direction, and they appeared more anxious than aggressive. They probably thought one Ice Daimon female in couture clothes and designer sneakers wouldn’t be much trouble.

To the casual observer, they were a handsome group of men. On the surface, General Naberius and his fiercest soldiers dressed in tailored suits with ties didn’t look like something to worry about either, but she knew the stories of their lives as Daimon soldiers. It was time to meet Naberius and his men so they could put the past behind them.

Tatianna straightened her jacket and tossed her hair over her shoulder. Let’s do it. But Nessa, I need to talk them alone. May I?

Of course, Nessa said. There is something big going on, I think. You’re being very mysterious, Tatianna, but I trust you.

And with that, Nessa led her to the group of Jotun Daimons. Tatianna locked eyes with Naberius and graciously nodded. In his human form, Naberius was tall with dark blond hair and gold eyes. He was elegant, but stood like a fighter on the balls of his feet.

"Maelcom, this is my best friend, Tatianna Koskinen. She is…well, you all can already tell, can’t you? Whatever. She needs to talk to Naberius. Be nice. All of you. Maelcom, can you make introductions? She rose up on her tiptoes and kissed the huge man with dark hair and bright blue eyes who looked at his wife with adoration. I’ll leave you all to talk. Politely, please. I’ll be back. I have to say hello to people." She hugged Tatianna one more time and skipped away to another side of the garden.

Tatianna made an effort to keep her posture relaxed while calmly looking General Naberius straight in the eye. Perhaps he saw the daughter of the traitor Rayme, but she hoped he saw someone new and different.

General Naberius, she said with a quick dip of her head.

He remained silent and unmoving.

Maelcom stepped forward and held out his enormous hand. Lady Tatianna, I’m Maelcom Skov-Baern. My wife considers you a good friend and speaks of you as a sister. Any friend of Nessa’s is a friend of mine.

Naberius stared at him with narrowed eyes.

Tatianna hesitated a second before taking his hand firmly in hers, giving a little energy to him—it was polite to offer first—and then he returned the gesture. Nessa has told me all about you, mostly about how happy she is. Congratulations. We are on the verge of many changes in our world. She is like the stories of old when we lived as one. She was careful not to use any specific terms.

Thank you, Tatianna. I’m honored to have you as a friend. Allow me to introduce you to Lord General Naberius Vasteras, Maelcom said in a very formal manner, ignoring the fact that Tatianna had already introduced herself.

Naberius stepped forward and looked down at her with hard eyes. She could feel his energy crackling. Tatianna gave a polite but cautious smile. Lord General Vasteras.

Naberius bowed slightly. Lady Tatianna.

A pleasure to finally meet you. I want to immediately assure you that I am not and never have been involved in my father’s political actions. My presence here previously was an attempt to locate him in coordination with your brother Ephraim. When Nessa called and told me her mate’s name and the names of his friends, I decided to wait to meet you in person.

Interesting that Ephraim has never mentioned you to me, but my brother is not always forthcoming with all his secrets, Naberius said. I look forward to hearing more.

I actually have not talked to him in months. Communication problems, she said. Not completely true, but she didn’t want to be seen as Ephraim’s puppet.

The redheaded handsome giant stepped forward. If you need me to, Naberius, I will keep an eye on this one, he rumbled.

She guessed this was Gusion from his red hair. He was not what she expected. This was the soldier who was the literal boogeyman in a hundred Ice Daimon stories. He was known as the Mad Dog, a Berserker, but here in his human form, he looked normal, even boyish, good looking with a sexy mouth. He was staring at her with a confused and angry expression.

The dog speaks? she said, using his wartime moniker.

Gusion growled. Tread carefully. I will not hold back in fighting a Shield Maiden.

No one is fighting at Nessa’s wedding, Tatianna said. She stared hard to intimidate him, but she couldn’t help noticing his beautiful sea-blue eyes.

Maelcom frowned at Gusion. Gusion looked sheepish, bowed his head and grunted an apology. Lady Tatianna, my apologies for being rude.

Tatianna took a deep breath. Her future life as a politician meant engaging and talking to everyone. He annoyed her for some reason. No, it was me who was rude. I found myself thinking of all the stories told about you, but those times are over. I hope to get to know you better.

Gusion lit up when she mentioned the stories and gave her a brilliant smile. It was obvious why he also figured into many heroic adventure stories that Jotun children loved. Put a wind machine on him, and he looked a hero from a comic book movie.

She gave a regal nod. Gusion stepped back.

Oona stepped forward. Greetings. I am Oona, the personal guard of Lord Naberius and Lady Jessalyn. Oona kept her hand on her hips, no doubt with her fingertips on knives hidden carefully in her clothes.

Greetings, Oona. Your fame is known to me. Ephraim has spoken highly of you. She inclined her head to give respect, but did not reach out her hand. Tatianna knew in detail all about Oona, but it was fascinating to meet her, one of the youngest and deadliest Pale Daimon assassins.

Oona gazed at her coolly. It’s interesting he chose not to tell me about you.

Tatianna shrugged her shoulders. Such is the life of people in intelligence. Secrecy is constant for them.

The young man next to Oona waved his hand. Nice to meet you. I’m Bobby, Jessalyn Vasteras’s brother, he said, smiling broadly.

Naberius cleared his throat and jerked his head. The other Daimons stood in front of them, facing out and started discussing a movie they had seen. It provided Tatianna and Naberius some privacy to talk. Naberius leaned forward and whispered, It would please me to introduce you to my mate, Jessalyn, the first hybrid Daimon, but she is currently working with my mother, Lady Hannah Vasteras, and the Daimon Council on issues regarding the Earth Realm. You and she will have much to discuss, although perhaps at another time. There are many friends of Nessa’s here.

Tatianna gave him a knowing look. He did not introduce his mate because he did not trust her yet. That was fair. I’m aware of your mate. Ephraim informed me. I am also aware of the traitor Rayme’s action against you and your mate, she said softly. She is brave.

Naberius nodded. Many things are changing. I would like to hear more about your people.

It will be my pleasure. I have been asked to represent them in the new government. I will be joining the Daimon Council as the first Ice Daimon representative, she said.

He smiled. Congratulations. Then you must know my mother already.

Tatianna had met Hannah briefly before she came to the Earth Realm. His mother was one of the most powerful political forces in the realm, a fierce woman—but Tatianna understood fierce women well.

Naberius proceeded to ask her questions about the fates of soldiers who had served in the war as he had not lived in the Daimon Realm for almost twenty years. She answered what she could.

He cleared his throat and jerked his head in the direction of the Ice Daimon that Tatianna had scented. That is Leal. He is an Ice Daimon who worked for your father, but he now works for Maelcom. Come, let me introduce you.

The protective circle of Daimons opened and they walked toward a thin, elegant Daimon who looked like a rock star, all chiseled with perfect features. He bowed slightly to Tatianna and held out his hand. She took it and gave him a solid shake with a little give and take of energy. She knew of him from intelligence reports; he had been amusing in his subterfuge against her father.

Lady Tatianna, I’d like to thank you. I am Leal. I have cousins who live near your estates in the village of Osson. Tieren and Leia say they survived because of you, he said sincerely.

She knew his immediate family had all died, but she been able to help his cousins. At least. So much tragedy. I know them. They have a cattle farm and many children. Good farmers. She would need support from this type of Ice Daimon, reluctant participants in the war who were eager