The Heartstone Saga by Archibald Bradford (pdf to ebook reader txt) 📗

Nameless was almost grateful to Miranda for pushing for his continued involvement in the task-force as it kept him out of the pressure cooker that the city had become.

The hardest part for him was seeing the anxious looks on the faces of otherwise ordinary monster.

Girls who had lived their entire lives in peace were now moving about in groups, their eyes darting from one unknown face to another, full of suspicion and fear.

Nameless could read the helpless relief whenever one of them met his gaze, their faces inevitably dipping down to take in his uniform.

It was little consolation to him that monsters knew they could still trust the Aegis.

“One life at a time Husband.” Volka said as she felt his frustration.

She strode alongside him, showing friendly smiles that projected security and comfort to the frightened citizens.

“What?”

“We save one life at a time. It is all we can do. Yesterday it was Neru, tomorrow it will be someone else. You cannot save this world alone, but you can save their world. Don’t give up hope, because only then will we have truly lost.”

“Big words.” He mumbled.

He looked into the face of his bond-mate: she was glowing again, her aura soothing the fears of those nearby and bolstering their spirits.

Though he didn’t say it, in that moment he missed the old Volka; the Volka who quite happily pantsed him, underwear and all, in front of a group of young women who were admiring his uniform back during their days at the academy.

A wave of guilt washed over him when he saw her mouth twist downwards in displeasure.

Being able to read each other’s emotions wasn’t always a gift.

“Volka, I’m sorry.” He said mournfully.

But she extended her arms and pulled him into a warm embrace, her translucent golden wings wrapping around him protectively as he felt the firm ridge of her breastplate pressing against his jaw.

“I knew what I was doing when I heeded the call. I know that you love me, that you worry for me and that you want nothing but for me and my bond-sisters to live in peace. But that is simply not an option right now. We had our time of peace. Now we must all do our part if we are ever to have it again.”

Her thoughts focused again on the fearful inhabitants of Garland, while they in turn looked to the last Valkyrie for hope in the face of such dark times.

After their hug ended she moved away from him to a group of humans and monsters who were eager to share in her reassuring presence.

It pained Nameless to feel her pulling away again, but he understood why when he saw desperate hope take root in the faces of the frightened populace.

He stepped back to let them have her, taking in her profile as she wiggled her fingers at a young boy, too shy to give her the flowers that he had picked. He watched as her aura spread to him, filling his tiny chest with courage enough to blushingly present her with the token of his youthful affection.

After accepting his gift the smiling Valkyrie tickled him under his chin to make him giggle, then kissed him on the forehead before gently shooing him back to the waiting arms of his grateful parents.

He had to swallow the lump in his throat at the sight of her.

Even while indulging a child, her bearing was as proud and magnificent as the morning dawn.

Nameless drew in a breath and gathered his strength once more, focusing all of his mental fortitude on supporting her, on loving her.

It was plain to see the moment that she picked up on his mindset: her wings flexed and her lips parted slightly as his heady emotions flooded her.

Because even though she was a Valkyrie, even though she possessed the unfathomable will unique to her people, she appreciated his support nonetheless.

“It’s hard.” Erica said suddenly; “Hard to see so much weight on her like this.”

Milly let out a plaintive moo as she agreed with her sister, but didn’t say anything.

She and the others watched beside him as Volka stepped firmly into her role of Dominar.

To shake off the sudden bout of melancholy Nameless casually cupped the Katje’s perfect ass, giving it a shameless squeeze before wrapping her in his arms.

“You’re asking for trouble mister.” She purred as she nuzzled her nose against his cheek.

“Always.”

But before Nameless and his kitty could get up to anything, Ophelia coughed delicately to remind them they were in public.

“Come along dearhearts, we still have shopping to do. I’m sure Volka will follow when she’s done here.”

“She better.” Nina grumbled.

They parted reluctantly and resumed their trek through the streets, though Nameless paused and looked over his shoulder as they left; he couldn’t see Volka at all amidst the throng that had gathered, but he could still make out her golden aura.

Hope in its purest form.

Chapter 6:Stolen Moments

The following day Nameless and his bond-mates showered in twos, with minimal shenanigans, and enjoyed a hearty breakfast together, preparing themselves for whatever their next challenge might be.

Nameless was meant to report to one of the Aegis commanders in the Bastion in the late morning, in the meantime he was soaking up as much time with his girls as he could.

After Volka flew off, Milly was sitting on the sofa with Erica kneeling behind her, the Katje’s arms wrapped around her neck as they both watched their bond-mate.

He had one of the Minotaur’s hooves in hand and was delicately filed her nails.

“I wish I had always known that your feet needed this!” Erica enthused before licking the side of her sister’s head.

“How could you?” Milly said before lowing in pleasure from the attention of her two lovers: