Bound to Loki: Fated to the Gods of Yoria, #2

By Veronica Dean

I've had visions all my life, but I never saw him coming.

I have no one left and I'm on the run.
The punishment for killing a nobleman is worse than death.
I know I shouldn't return to where it all started, but something is guiding me back.

 

It seems like the whole world is burning—I along with it.
The gods that rule our planet are becoming more savage by the day.
Everything I have ever loved has been taken away from me, but I sense something is changing.

 

I see him in my dreams every night. His emerald eyes, his terrifying stature.
I don't know what he wants with me or if he's even real, but I hear his call.
Despite my mind telling me to ignore him, my heart knows that I must find him.

 

When I discover that he is one of the gods, those savage murderers, I try to take his life.
He stops me, overpowers me.
He is too strong, too powerful.

 

There is something different about him though.
He doesn't want to hurt me or kill me like all the others.
It's as if he wants to—protect me.

 

We both feel our bond, but we can't explain it.
Two beings from different worlds with a single mission—salvation.
I didn't think I could love again, but I didn't know about him.

I can't change the past, but we can change the future.



Welcome to Yoria.


This place might seem familiar to you in some respects, but totally alien in others. On this dark, brutal world there is not much in the name of hope. Humans are the playthings of the gods—lower than animals. But, sometimes, the paths of two beings can cross and send a ripple through the universe. Love has the power to change the future of an entire planet. These are the stories of the fated mates of Yoria.

Drama, action, violence, sex, love.

Author's note: All of the books in this series contain graphic violence and dark themes, but they make the happy ending all the more satisfying. Also, I hate cliffhangers, so you definitely won't be finding any of them. I strongly recommend that the books be read in order to get the most out of this series!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Incidentally Quirky
• Release date: Jan 15, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224969524

Book preview

1

Svala

Well, looks like today is a bust. I knock my fist three times on the counter, indicating to the barman that I want another akvavit. I hate the stuff, but it’s the fanciest thing on the menu in this shithole and I don’t want to attract anyone unworthy of my time. The barman places a small ram’s horn flute in front of me and I take a sip of the sparkling, slightly green liquid. The herbal burn that it produces in the back of my throat makes me want to gag. I wish I could have a fucking ale, but I know that the moment I order one, I will be approached by the horny-looking peasant at the corner table. He hasn’t taken his eyes off of me all night. Sure, he actually looks kind of cute, but I’m not out for fun tonight. Tonight is all about business.

Just as I’m about to give up, leave the tavern, and face the icy winds outside, a man walks in. His bushy, maroon beard is covered in frost. He swings a cape off his back, revealing a silver chainmail as the flurry of snow covers the front of the tavern. I notice the excellent quality of both his sword and leather boots. I also see a thick golden ring piercing his ear. This is my target.

I immediately nudge off my cloak, revealing my bare shoulders and cleavage to everyone inside. They are only meant for one man though, and no, it isn’t the stout, pasty barman mesmerized by the sight.

I signal for another akvavit just as the new man brushes past. I can feel his gaze on my body from all the way at the opposite end of the bar. He sits down by the roaring fire and chucks a couple of logs on. He warms his hands for a moment, and just as the barman is laying down my cup, he rises and interjects, A steaming ale and I will pay for the lady’s drink as well. He takes a seat next to me without so much as a word in my direction. He is acting in that entitled way that only comes from wealth. I know that I have hit the jackpot.

Thank you— I raise my voice at the end encouraging him to fill the space with his name.

Hauk Svart.

Thank you, Hauk, I say, taking a small sip of the herbal beverage I despise. Although this is my third, I have learned to drink slowly enough to not let it affect my judgement. If I get drunk, I may as well slit my own throat.

We sit side by side, saying nothing as we both sip on our drinks. I wish I was drinking the hot, grainy ale that Hauk ordered. Even with the fire inside, it’s still freezing. I make sure to not so much as glance at him as he pours the drink into his throat, streams of ale running down his beard.

More! he commands the barman, slamming the wooden mug on the counter. His deep, hoarse voice booms through the tavern, and at that point I notice the massive stature of this man. My heart starts to race as I realize this bear is not going to be easy to bring down.

The barman brings him another hot ale and he starts downing it once again. His gluttony and messiness repulse me, but I realize that he will respect me more if I have an ale. He wants someone fun and hearty. He’s probably a minor nobleman, maybe risen through the ranks in the military. He looks like a good fighter. His beginnings were probably humble, and he is out here in Bravollr looking to recapture his youth—or some shit like that. I’ve always had a knack for reading people. Ever since I was a child, I’ve been getting these visions from time to time about many different things. I can’t always decipher them in any meaningful way or tell if they are things that have happened, are going to happen, or just fabrications of my mind. My mother used to call me extra sensitive, whatever that means. Sometimes, just by touching someone I can get a sense of their whole life story and personality. It’s a gift that certainly comes in handy in my line of business, but it isn’t always completely reliable.

I down my akvavit and let the burn subside in my throat, after which I order myself an ale by tapping the counter just once with my knuckles. Hauk immediately glances my way as he slams the second empty mug onto the counter. I know now that my read was correct.

Another, he demands and then turns to me. You don’t look like an ale drinker to me, he states, a note of intrigue in his voice.

The barman places two massive mugs of ale on the counter and I grab mine immediately and take a massive gulp. Looks can be deceiving.

Hauk smiles and brings the mug to his lips. This time he takes a smaller drink, but still downs about half of the mug. I can already see the signs of inebriation in his face. His cheeks are flushed red, his eyelids heavy, and his skin clammy. He’s not much of talker though, so I decide to encourage him a little.

What’s a man like you doing in a place like this? You don’t exactly look like you’re from the village.

I’m just passing through, he says in a strong northern accent, maybe Kalbakr, or possibly Hvall. I’m on my way back to Fjoll after visiting Kalbakr, my hometown. I can already tell that he is opening up. Usually, men like this would rather put a sword through you than share the name of their hometown.

What do you do in Fjoll? I ask, wanting to figure out how a poor man from the north was able to find wealth in the capital of Landesgil. I haven’t been there for years myself, and don’t like to think about that place.

I don’t want to talk about that. I fucking hate Fjoll. Fucking bunch of pansies wearing tights and ruling an empire they have no clue about. I don’t think a single one of those soft cocks has ever even stepped out of the city walls. They wouldn’t last a minute up here in the mountains. They make me fucking sick.

He takes another gulp of ale and then turns to me. Before I have a chance to calculate the perfect response, he says, Aye, you’re a fucking stunner. What you want for the night then?

Praise to all the gods, this is going to be too damn easy.

I place my hand lightly on his. The rough skin scraping across my soft palm, I run my fingers up his arm and lean in. I whisper softly in his ear, For you—this one’s for free. I make sure to graze his lobe with my lip.

Hauk’s eyes widen with surprise and anticipation. This is my signature move. It makes the man trust you and feel special. As if I charge everyone else except him. No man’s ego can resist turning that offer down.

I return to my position and slide my hand off his arm. I take a sip of ale and then, while placing my hand on his thigh, very close to his cock, I slip three drops of vuokko into my own drink. I always have the bottle handy in case I find a potential mark.

What do you say we get out of here? I say seductively, my hand climbing ever further up his leg. I slide my mug over to him, gesturing to him to finish it. He looks at me with a wry smile, lust filling his eyes. Keeping his gaze on me, he downs my drink in a single gulp. I smile back at him, realizing that I have him.

Where do you live? he asks through a belch.

Just 10 minutes that way, I say pointing in the direction of the small, secluded hut I have been renting for the past week.

Let’s fuckin’ go then, he says rising out of his chair and placing a drunken sloppy kiss on my lips while also snatching a handful of my ass. I cringe in disgust as we don our cloaks and head out into the howling blizzard.

We make it to my hut, despite the winds now turning into a full-fledged snowstorm. You know I could’ve gotten us a room at the tavern, love? Hauk says as I throw a couple of logs on the dwindling fire. I’ve been spending a couple of hours every evening in that pub for the past week without yet finding a mark. I was planning to leave the following day, with maybe a couple of copper pieces from a peasant boy if nothing else. But now I’ve found me a whale.

I prefer to have some privacy in the night, I say, slipping off my snowy cloak, revealing my long, white dress to him. He drops his chainmail and rips off his shirt immediately. I start to get a little worried that the vuokko hasn’t kicked in yet. He’s a beast of a man but three drops should do the trick.

The rough, red hair on his chest covers a multitude of nasty-looking scars. His best days are clearly behind him, with a thick belly replacing his presumably once-thin stomach. His arms, however, are still as thick as tree trunks, and his shoulders wide as a boulder. He rushes up to me and takes me in his arms. With the stench of dried meat and ale on his breath, he says, I’m going to fuck the living daylights out of you. He pushes his tongue into my mouth and doesn’t allow me to escape, holding me in his strong clutches.

He clumsily paws at my breasts, trying to find the nipples through my satin gown. Failing to do so, he pushes me down onto the bed and my palms start to sweat as I wonder if I made a mistake with the dosage. I have never actually had to have sex with anyone I don’t want to. The vuokko doesn’t seem to be affecting him, and I know I won’t be able to stop him if he doesn’t pass out soon.

Bend over and present your pussy to me, slut, Hauk slurs.

I look over at my cloak a few yards away on the floor and fantasize about having the dagger hidden inside it in my hand right now. I am just about to obey him in order to distract him when he pauses. I feel a little strange, he says, his words becoming almost indecipherable. Usually, vuokko doesn’t cause the men any distress, they just pass out and can’t remember anything the next day. I should have given this guy another couple of drops, but I am running low as it is.

He lunges forward and pulls my dress up. Revealing my ass to himself. You’re so fucking beautiful, he groans. He takes me by the hair and unbuttons his pants. I start to panic; I realize that I am about to actually get fucked by this oaf and there’s nothing I can do to stop it. Without the vuokko, he is far too strong. I know his type; if I resist, he will only get more excited, and I will probably leave with a battered body as well as a battered soul.

I stay completely still; time seems to freeze as I wait for the inevitable to happen. I promise myself that I need to get the hell out of this line of work. It’s too dangerous. No matter how good you are, things can still go wrong. This will be my final mark. I will never put myself in this position again. This is going to be the punishment for the dozens of men I have robbed. I am willing to accept that, but then I must move on.

As I brace to take his cock inside of me, I am suddenly crushed by his body. I scream out in pain as he falls down directly on top of me. His breath is heavy and hot in my ear as his large frame crushes me into the bed. I summon the strength to wriggle myself free from under this giant. I fall down on the floor and pull my dress back down. I hated even showing myself to this disgusting creep. All men are the same here. They want one thing, and they will give up their integrity, honor, and even their lives to get it.

I praise the stars that the vuokko finally kicked in. I’m still a little concerned because it took so long to work. I worry that he won’t be out for too long. I go for his cloak and find a purse full of gold coins. I knew this guy was a whale. There must be enough here to live on for six months, maybe even a year. I take the bag and walk over to my cloak. I pull it on and place the bag in the inner pocket. I go back to his cloak and find a scroll of parchment with the insignia of the Kingdom of Landesgil on it. Who the fuck are you? I wonder, looking in the direction of the sleeping ogre, pants down at his ankles, hairy ass in the air. I open it up and discover to my dismay that it’s a correspondence addressed to the king himself. I barely understand anything that the letter contains, but one thing draws my eye immediately. The letter is signed by the high commander of the Landesgil Military forces, Hauk Svart. This guy isn’t just some random warrior; he is one of the most important men in the entire empire!

I realize that I need to get out of here, and fast. Men in his position don’t like being taken advantage of. He will hunt me down if he gets even a whiff of where I am. My heart racing, I force myself to come up with the best plan of action. I know that I need to leave tonight. My horse, Ragnfrid, is in the stables next door. I roll up the correspondence and put it back in his cloak. I want nothing to do with whatever is written on it. I make sure I have my dagger and gold coins in my cloak pocket. Then I grab my bag of clothes from the corner of the room. I look around and make sure that I am leaving nothing behind that could give him any clue of who I am. Satisfied, I go the door and am just about to head out when I think that it might be a good idea to impede Hauk a little. I decide that I should take his boots, so he won’t be able to run after me if he wakes up any time soon.

I creep over to his sleeping body and kneel down beside him. He is truly a sorry sight, with his face buried deep into the straw mattress, his naked ass presented to the room. He is essentially kneeling over the bed, making his boots easily accessible. I undo the laces on both boots and pull the right one off. He doesn’t stir; the vuokko must have finally kicked in properly. I take the left one in my hand and do the same. The moment I slide it off his foot, I hear a moan and see a wild backhand coming at me. The back of his hand strikes me in the face, one of the rings on his hand cutting my lip. I fall to the ground and feel the blood start to flow from my face. He turns around eyes wild in a drug-induced fury like a half-tranquilized bear. He lunges at