Dream's Sleeper: Lemminki: Pohjola Passions, #1

By Ysobella Black

As a Maiden of Pohjola, and daughter of Louhi, it's hard to meet men. With the Goddess of Witchcraft and Death as an overprotective mother, most men don't survive the experience. Dream thought she'd met the perfect man for her, and she's waited a thousand and one years for the day Lemminki could recover from his deadly mission into the Underworld of Tuonela and be with her.

 

Lemminki traveled to Pohjola in search of an impossible love, but just when he found Dream, her mother sent him to his death… all because his pride wouldn't let him pick up a feather. Unfortunately, when he comes back to life, he's still full of the pride that got him killed in the first place. A lot has changed in a thousand years, and Dream's no longer trapped in Pohjola. If Lemminki can't let go of his pride this time, he could lose his Dream for good.

 

This spinoff series from Vampires & Strygoi Witches contains sexy soulmate stories, with no cheating, fade to black scenes, or cliffhangers. It's a mix of adventure, mythology, humor, and romance, and has a happily-ever-after ending. Each story reveals more of the Dragaverse, but focuses on one couple, so can be read as standalone.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ysobella Black
• Release date: Feb 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9798223452973

Ysobella Black

I love to travel, read, and think of ways to complicate my characters’ lives. I have two borrowed cats who take shameless advantage of my good nature. Hopefully you find my characters a lot more entertaining than I am. :) If you enjoyed this story, you may be interested to know that I write in several series. While each novel is written for one relationship, features unique mythologies, and can be read as standalone, a little more of that world is revealed and the overall arc of the series grows throughout. I also write two versions of most of my stories. For the naughty versions, read stories by Ysobella Black. If you prefer nice/sweet stories with fade to black scenes and no swearing, you'll want to read the versions by Ysobel Black. The best way to find out what’s going on with the series, and me, is to visit my website at https://www.ysobellablack.com. There, you can also check out the wikis and timelines for each series. Or, sign up for the newsletter. https://ysobellablack.com/newsletter/ I send out things like surveys, freebies, contests, and random news about things going on with me that may or may not be interesting.  I love hearing from my readers. Feel free to contact me via my website, or find me on social media. I admit, I don't keep up with posting constantly on one account, much less two, so I don't have separate accounts for my two pen names on most platforms. Twitter - @Ysobellablack Pinterest - ysobellablack Goodreads - ysobellablack or ysobelblack Instagram - @ysobellablackauthor TikTok - @ysobellablack Bookbub - ysobellablack or ysobelblack

Book preview

1,001

YEARS AGO

MONDAY,

NOVEMBER 9

CHAPTER ONE

4.75 Dream

DREAM

DREAM WATCHED ELEVEN of her sisters twirl and pose in their daily ritual of deciding what to wear. The icy crystalline walls of their shared dressing room reflected blue-eyed, platinum blondes in white gowns from every possible angle.

Her twelfth sister, Shadow, already dressed, elbowed Dream. Let’s get out of here.

Dream stared at her in astonishment. But... we can’t leave now! We’re choosing our dresses for the day, and how to do our hair. It’s the most important thing we have to do!

Shadow sighed. We’re all going to wear these white dresses and our hair down. She waved an arm at their sisters. The same as we do every day.

"Don’t be silly. We don’t choose the same thing every day." They didn't. Did they? True, there weren’t a lot of color choices. Or any color choices. Everything except for the grassy meadow, some of the Soul Birds, the forest, and the black sea was white in Pohjola, but they could choose a long-sleeved gown or if it went to their ankles or not. 

Her sister shoved a gown and a pair of slippers at Dream. It’s my turn to be kidnapped. If you come with me, you can take my place.

Really? Dream squealed and clapped a hand to her mouth. Her next turn wasn’t until forever from now. She snatched the clothes and stood to trade her white nightgown for a white dress. She glanced down at herself and frowned. There really wasn’t much difference between what she slept in and what she wore now. Maybe Shadow was right. Okay. Let’s go.

Their soft, white slippers made no noise as they walked along the winding corridors through the palace to the wooden drawbridge. The guards, dressed in white armor and capes, observed them go, but didn’t stop them.

Shadow hooked her elbow with Dream’s. All her sisters did that, just in case her magic sent her into a trance. They walked toward the forest of tall evergreen trees wearing a dusting of snow. As they crossed the meadow, the Sielulintu, enormous swans large enough to carry people on their backs, honked and lowered their heads for attention.

After spending some time to scratch itchy beaks and smooth ruffled feathers, Shadow led Dream through the forest. It was hard to predict where a kidnapper would show up, but the forest usually provided excellent opportunities. Plenty of trees for an abductor to hide behind, and the trail was wide enough for a horse.

Snowy owls hooted from the trees. Arctic foxes watched them with curious eyes. A mother polar bear with two small cubs trundled across their path. The small bears rose on their hind legs and rumbled ferociously.

The bears were adorable rather than frightening, since the Goddess of Witchcraft and Death would never allow harm to come to her daughters

Dream stiffened at the sound of rhythmic pounding of hoofs on hard packed earth. The owls went silent as snow. The foxes disappeared into their holes. The mama bear herded her babies to safety.

Dream, a kidnapper is here. Get ready. Shadow stepped to the side of the trail.

The hoof beats faded. Where was he going?

Maybe he would come back. As Dream waited, her magic pushed for her attention. The animals dreamed of food and shelter. Shadow's dream was harder to figure out. There was a man in shadow. Two curved swords, and —

Dream! Shadow crashed into Dream and they staggered.

Where had that horse come from? Hooves lashed in the air where she'd been standing. She’d gone into a trance again!

Shadow’s fingers dug into Dream’s arms, trying to keep them upright.

Hooves slammed to the ground beside them. An armored arm snaked around Shadow’s waist, bodily ripping her away. Dream! Wake up!

Dream stumbled and fell.

The kidnapper deposited Shadow in front of him on the horse and locked her in place with one arm. She turned to look at Dream as they galloped toward a portal.

Shadow! Wait! Dream jumped to her feet and ran after them as they disappeared. What had she done? Guilt filled her heart. Shadow hated being kidnapped.

CHAPTER TWO

4.75 Lemminki

LEMMINKI

LEMMINKI STUFFED ANOTHER shirt on top of the rest of the things he'd bring, and hefted the pack. It was heavy, but there was no way to know what he'd need for his journey.

His sword. Definitely his sword. He belted it around his hips.

Rethinking things, he tossed the shirt back into his bureau and added more talismans to his pack instead. The charms and amulets were small and light, taking the form of rings, armbands, and necklaces, and he’d rather go without a shirt than be without more protections when he arrived at his destination.

Pohjola — a land also known as the Eater of Men and Drowner of Heroes — wasn't a friendly place, especially for men like him. The more magic he had on his side, the better.

So you're going. His mother stood in the doorway radiating disappointment.

I have to.

I can't talk you out of it? She cast her eyes at the floor. I’ve...

His mother could see glimpses of the future, but she rarely saw anything nice.

I saw your death in Pohjola, Lemminki. She shook her head. I saw you rushed by a wolf and crushed by a bear. I saw you die by the songs and blades of a thousand heroes before you — Her blue eyes rolled up so all he could see was white.

"On a fiery island perched an eagle,

From his throat, fire streaming

To the crater far below.

His feathers glowed,

with fiery splendor.

Its mouth is a hundred fathoms wide,

its gullet is like three cataracts,

its beak is like five reaping-hooks,

on its wing-tip there are eyes —"

Enough. Lemminki took hold of his mother’s shoulders and shook her out of her trance. It might have been easier for her to name a way he didn't die. There was usually something to her visions, though. Second thoughts ran through his mind, but he shoved them aside. He'd never lost a fight, and always got what he wanted, although getting what he wanted was what resulted in this journey — on which he could die in any number of ways.

I'll be fine, mother. Don’t I always return? You'll see. Lemminki shouldered his pack, kissed his mother on her cheek, and ducked out of the small, wooden house, unable to stand another disappointed look. Their home sat on the edge of their small village of small houses, hardly bigger than huts. He didn’t want to live here forever.

Tiera waited for him. The big blond man was dressed for traveling in leather pants, heavy waterproof boots, and a fur-lined parka, a pack at his feet. He leaned against the porch rail.

Lemminki nodded a greeting.

His friend scooped up his pack and fell into step on the way out of the village. We're going to walk all the way to Pohjola?

No. We can take a boat up the river.

Tiera laughed. No one is going to take us that far up the river. As soon as you say Pohjola, doors are going to slam in our faces. You know this is crazy, right?

So everyone said. It was crazy before his mother told him about all the ways he might die in Pohjola.

THURSDAY,

NOVEMBER 13

CHAPTER THREE

Dream

DREAM

DREAM PACED, MAKING circles around the furniture and between a few of her sisters, where they lounged on comfortable white couches and chairs in their crystalline sitting room. She glanced out the window to see the sun setting over the grassy meadow where the swans congregated. Another day over. Shadow had been gone so long. She had to be okay. Worry gnawed at Dream’s heart and she bit her lip.

For a Pohjola Maiden, being kidnapped was fun — a way to leave home for a little while. Unless Mother caught them before they escaped. Then kidnappers were given a task, which... Well, usually resulted in them getting killed.

When they did make it across the border, it was exciting to see a new place and meet handsome men. Then, before it got boring, Mother brought her daughters home. Kidnappers were rated up to ten snowflakes, and the sister taken the farthest won the chance to plan their next escape attempt. 

Shadow never talked about why, but being kidnapped hadn’t been fun for her in a long time, and when she had offered her turn, Dream had been distracted — again — and that man wearing a suit of armor took poor Shadow instead.

The seventeenth time Weather and Nature had to move their legs so Dream could make her circle, they’d had enough.

Mother went to bring Shadow home. Weather’s voice held a bit of a storm and she kicked her legs out to rest her feet on the ottoman with more force than necessary after Dream passed.

So quit making us crazy and sit down. Nature sounded growly.

Dream came to a stop, hopes soaring as snowflakes whirled in the air. Mother’s magic! A miniature blizzard coalesced into a portal, and a slim, red-haired woman wearing a white gown stepped out. Dream blew out a breath of relief. Mother wasn’t in her hag or gryphon forms, which meant she wasn’t upset and hadn’t had to fight anyone.

A moment later, Shadow followed their mother out of the gateway.

Taking in her sister’s appearance, Dream stifled her gasp. Shadow's platinum hair, the same color they all had, was in a braid, with sweaty strands stuck to her forehead and cheeks. She wore a black tunic and pants like... like men wore, and boots on her feet. Boots! What had happened to Shadow? She was dressed like a kidnapper instead of a Maiden of Pohjola.

Mother said something to Shadow and vanished in another flurry of snowflakes.

Dream rushed to her sister. I was so worried about you! It was such a long time that you were gone.

I’m fine. Shadow lifted an arm and wiped her sweaty forehead on the sleeve of her tunic. I have so much to tell you. You won’t believe who I met and what happened.

Well, I'm glad you're back. Dream hugged Shadow tight. I’m sorry that —

Her sister winced and hissed.

Pulling away, Dream slid Shadow's shirt up and exposed bruises on her ribs in shades of black, yellow, and green. He hurt you! With Mother’s protection spell on all her daughters, no one should be able to hurt them. As soon as one of them felt fear, the magic protected her.

Shhhh! He didn't. Shadow glanced around. We can’t talk here. Come with me.

It was wise to be cautious. Mother had left the room, but her winds liked to eavesdrop and tattle. Their exit attracted the attention of a few of their other sisters, who followed them out. Shadow led the way through icy corridors to her bedroom. Healing, Rainbow, and Weaver slipped inside before Shadow closed the door.

Each Maiden of Pohjola had her own bedroom, but they were almost identical, just like everything else about the sisters. An ice crystal chandelier glowed softly, illuminating the smooth icy walls and floor, along with the bed and table that held a few trinkets from previous kidnappings.

Let me heal you. I can feel your injuries. Healing extended her palm. Shadow slid hers atop Healing's, and a green glow surrounded the two of them.

Weaver and Rainbow walked around the pair, eyeing Shadow's clothing with speculative looks on their faces.

Dream tried to peer into Shadow's last few dreams to reassure herself everything was fine, but ran into a dark wall of nothing. What had happened? She would burst if she didn’t know soon. Shadow, what did that clanky man do to you?

Nothing. Honestly. I didn’t see him after he left me in a tower and disappeared.

He didn’t talk to you? Dream stared. How was he supposed to convince a Maiden of Pohjola to stay with him with that sort of behavior? You never saw his face?

Shadow shook her head.

Zero snowflakes! Rainbow laughed and elbowed Weaver, who nodded her agreement. Boring experience. No effort.

"Yes. I don’t recommend him at all. Shadow breathed a bit easier as the green magic faded. Thank you, Healing." She put a hand on the door and dark shapes flowed to her. They folded on themselves and thickened as they slid into the gaps around the edges.

That was new. How did Shadow know how to do that?

One hand on the door, Shadow faced her sisters, the four of them sitting in a crowded row on the bed. I think we're okay. I was kidnapped to an island called Hiort off the coast of Alba.

Alba? Weaver frowned. That sounds far. I think you get to plan our next escape.

Shadow nodded. But that's not the important part. While I was there, I met a woman called the Amazon. She glanced around the room. She taught me to fight.

What! Dream, Healing, Rainbow, and Weaver shouted. Maidens of Pohjola did not fight.

Quiet! Shadows thickened around the door jamb. I’m not sure how much sound I can block. She gestured at her clothes. The Amazon dressed like this. Every day!

Weaver stood and felt the material between her fingers. It would be fun to make something new, but I don’t know the correct patterns.

I don’t think you need them. Shadow glanced at the door and added more shadows. While I was gone, I learned to use my magic in new ways. I think each of you could learn to do the same thing.

That sounds fun. Let's try. Weaver stood and faced Healing, squinted at their sister for a few moments, then shook her head. It's not working.

Dream, try to help Weaver dream her magic. Shadow frowned. I’m not sure how to explain it, but I had to open something inside me before I could do new things with my shadows.

You mean... dream an awake dream? Those tended to have less depth and were harder to connect with. Dream stood and linked her fingers with Weaver’s.

Shadow lifted one shoulder. I absorbed my shadow, and now I can touch other shadows. Maybe you have to... I don’t know. Dream your magic? And Weaver, maybe you have to blend or knit yours somehow. I think if we worked together, we could do even more.

What did that mean? Dream’s power brushed over minds and showed her flashes with no direction or choice about what she wanted to see, and caused her to go into trances. Could she control if that happened or what she saw? That would be a dream.

Shadow said she had to take her magic into herself before she could do new things. Dream closed her eyes. The hopes and dreams of her sisters pushed at her mind, trying to lure her into a trance. For the first time, she shoved them away. Normally she was too caught up in the dreams of others to have any herself.

Now she sought what she wanted. Did she even know? Love and a family were easy things to want, and she saw those all the time in the dreams of others. She had to make it something different this time. What else did she dream about? 

Or... who knew someone could absorb their own shadow? Maybe Dream had to find things she didn’t know she dreamed about. Instead of letting the trance show her images, she delved deeper. 

Control over her power. That was something she’d always wanted, but it had never occurred to her to dream about dreaming.

Her magic folded on itself and grew until she saw only shades of pink and yellow. She sank into it, and her self expanded as she imagined the possibilities.

Independence.

That startling thought sent a jolt through her and she nearly lost her hold on the trance as a vision of her living outside Pohjola developed.

Live away from her sisters? Mother would never allow that! 

But... once the thought took form, it became... tangible. Real. Not a distant thing that could never be, but made nice dreams — something she could have. A goal to strive for.

A dream she could make come true.

A well of magic opened inside her. Instead of overwhelming her and leaving her lost in a daze, her magic flowed out, looking for dreams to make real.

Dream opened her eyes. I’m ready. Let's try. She squeezed Weaver's hand.

Healing's white dress fluttered. A hard pull on Dream's magic almost staggered her as everyone's clothes shimmered. She let her magic flow to Weaver, melding with what her sister was trying to do. Boots instead of slippers. Pants instead of