Gods (A Runes Companion Novel)

By Ednah Walters

Eirik is relentless and unstoppable as he sets out to show Celestia how much she means to him. Not only has he fulfilled the promises he made his mother, his family is finally whole. Yet something doesn’t feel right and he can’t quite put a finger on it. Whatever it is may just destroy his plans to focus on Celestia and prove to her that they are meant to be together.

Celestia’s life has changed since she regained consciousness. Eirik is attentive and loving, and everyone wants to be friends with her, including his psycho sister and her crazy mother. But when accidents start to dog her, she’s not sure whether she or Eirik is the target. There are no lengths she won't go to keep those she loves safe, but trying to figure out the source of danger alone might just kill her.

Eirik and Celestia will learn that they are stronger together than apart as secrets are revealed, imposters are exposed, and real friends and family discovered.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ednah Walters
• Release date: Jun 14, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311785619

Ednah Walters

*Ednah Walters is the author of the bestselling YA Paranormal romance series, RUNES and THE GUARDIAN LEGACY-YA fantasy series*Join her mailing list at http://bit.ly/EdnahWNewsletterSignUpor visit her at http://www.ednahwalters.com to stay up to date with her new releases

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

TRADEMARK LIST

GLOSSARY

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER 1. MILLENNIUM OF ANGER

CHAPTER 2. POWERFUL MIDGARD WITCH

CHAPTER 3. RESURGENCE

CHAPTER 4. SOME ANSWERS

CHAPTER 5 GRIEVING

CHAPTER 6 A VISION

CHAPTER 7 UNEXPECTED ALLIES

CHAPTER 8 SHOPPING SPREE

CHAPTER 9 FORGIVENESS

CHAPTER 10 ROGUES

CHAPTER 11 PLOTTING MOTHERS

CHAPTER 12 A LIFE OWED

CHAPTER 13 QUESTIONS

CHAPTER 14 SNAKES AND ONE SICK JÖTUN

CHAPTER 15 AN UNDERSTANDING

CHAPTER 16 DARK SOUL TO THE RESCUE

CHAPTER 17 JESSICA

CHAPTER 18 ERGOKINESIS

CHAPTER 19 BLACK RUNES

CHAPTER 20 THE TRUTH COMES OUT

CHAPTER 21 UNEXPECTED TURN OF EVENTS

CHAPTER 22 THE REAL EINMYRIA

CHAPTER 23 A YOUNG GODDESS

EPILOGUE

THE RUNES SERIES READING ORDER

DISCOVER THE NEXT IN THE SERIES

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DEDICATION

I dedicate this to the mothers out there who nurture,

guide, and go without so their children can

grow up strong and loved.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

To Carolina Silva, thank you for reading the raw material and

giving me the kind of feedback an author dreams of. For being

there when I needed to vent and walk away, and refusing to let

me take shortcuts. Thank you for formatting the finished product.

Best PA ever. You rock!

To Melissa Haag, thank you for your encouragement and your

timely input when I needed it. This book would not have been

finished without you two ladies.

I want to thank my editor, Jocelyn Roberts, for taking on the

challenge of editing this book at such short notice. You were a

God-send. To Irina Wolpers and Jeanette Conkling, thank you for

finding those pesky typos and missing words. Your meticulousness

never fails to humble me. You two are my Omega-readers.

My Beta-Readers: Tracy Vincent, Ashley Kemp, Meghan

Johnson and Karen Metkalf, you guys rock. Your feedback is

always helpful and timely. To my special teams, who make my

life easier, love you girls: Meghan Johnson, Candice Parker,

Kallie Kennon, Laura Carter, Claire Monaghan, Jeannie Short Whilhem,

Samantha Bridges and Brittany Richardson. To my launch team,

you guys rock! Thanks for always having my back.

Jeff Miller, Lloyd Wright, Andie Ryder, and Carolyn Weignard,

your keen eyes didn’t miss a damn thing. You guys are the best.

To my family, as always, thank you for your

love and support. I love you, guys.

TRADEMARK LIST:

Cruella de Vil

CWT

DC Comics

Disney Studios

Frogurt

History Channel

Honda Civic

Marvel

Nikon

Nissan Sentra

Sprite

Starbucks

Tutti Frutti

Wizard of Oz

The Flash

Dexter

Jekyll and Hyde

GLOSSARY

A ghrá geal (uh GHRAH gyal): Gaelic for bright love.

A mhuirnín (uh WUR-neen): Gaelic for darling.

A rúnsearc (uh ROON-shark): Gaelic for secret love/beloved.

A stór (uh stohr): My treasure.

Aesir Court: The court made of the twelve main gods led by Odin. Freyr (Vanir god) is part of this court though not counted among the twelve.

Artavo: Plural of artavus.

Artavus: Magical knife or dagger used to etch runes.

Asgard: Home of the Aesir gods.

Ástin mín: My darling.

Ásynjur (ah-sin-yoor) Court: The court made of the twelve goddesses led by Frigg. Freya (Vanir goddess and Freyr’s sister) is part of this court, though not accounted among the twelve. She answers to Odin, not Frigg.

Dýrr: dear.

Eljudnir (El-yud-nir/near): The hall of Goddess Hel.

Elskr mín: My beloved.

Fensalir: The hall of Goddess Frigg.

Fólkvangr: army field for slain warriors belonging to Goddess Freya.

Frigg: Odin’s wife, the patron of marriage and motherhood

Freya: The poetry-loving goddess of love and fertility;

the other half of the dead warriors/soldiers/athletes

go to her hall in Falkvang.

Garm: Hel’s hound.

Gargan: Snake

Gladsheim: The hall in Asgard where all the gods have their high seats.

Grimnirs: Reapers for Hel.

Hel: The Goddess Hel in charge of the dead.

Hel: Home of Goddess Hel, dead criminals, those dead from

Illness, and those dead from old age.

Helheim: The realm where Hel’s Hall is located.

Himinbjorg: Heimdall’s home in Asgard.

Hlidskialf: The high seat of Odin, where he can see the whole Universe.

Idun: Norse Goddess of spring.

Idun-Grimnir: A wise Grimnir given the power to recruit other Grimnirs.

Idun-Valkyrie: A wise Valkyrie given the power to recruit other Valkyries.

Immortals: Humans who stop aging and self-heal.

Jötnar: Plural of giants in Norse Mythology.

Jötun/Jötunn: A giant in Norse Mythology.

Jötunheim: Home of the Giants in Norse Mythology.

Meinfretr: Stinkfart

Midgard: Earth in Norse Mythology.

Mjornir (Myawl-nir/near): Thor’s hammer.

Nastraad/Corpse Strand: The Island in Hel for criminals.

and evil Mortals, where their souls are tortured.

Norns: Deities who control destinies of men and gods.

Nornsgard: Norns’ Hall.

Nwyfre: The life force in Druidic

Odin: An Aesir god, the father and ruler of all gods and men;

Half of the dead soldiers/warriors/athletes go to live in his hall in Valhalla.

Ragnarok: The end of the world war between the gods and

the Fire Giants.

Sessrúmnir: Goddess Freya’s hall in Asgard.

Seidr: An old Norse term referring to a magical practice by Scandinavians.

It includes act of divination or prophecy performed while in a trance.

Stillo: A type of artavus.

Stjärna mín: My star.

Svartelfheim: The realm of the Dwarves.

Utgard: Famous city in Jötunheim.

Valaskialf: Odin’s hall in Asgard.

Valknut: The rune formed by three interlocked triangles.

Valkyries: Immortals who collect fallen warriors/soldiers/

fighters/athletes and take them to Valhalla and Falkvang.

Vingolf: The hall of the Ásynjur where all the goddesses have high seats.

Völur: A group of Seeresses.

Völva: A powerful Seeress.

because of the magical runes etched on their skin.

Yggdrasil: The tree of life or tree of knowledge that connects

the nine realms of Norse cosmology.

PROLOGUE

EIRIK

Celestia was awake. Finally. She was sitting up and smiling. I closed the gap between us and hauled her into my arms. I wanted to wrap her in damn bubble wrap and never, ever let her out of my sight.

I’m fine, Eirik, she said, laughing and squeezing me. The sound of her voice was the sweetest thing I’d ever heard. I was never complaining about her tendency to talk incessantly again. Never. You brought me back. I heard your voice and I couldn’t… Her voice broke. I couldn’t stay away.

I leaned back and cupped her face, my throat thick with emotions. Don’t cry. Don’t you dare cry, Dimples, because I’ll look for someone to blame and rip them apart. Unfortunately, that person will be me.

She laughed. I shouldn’t have stayed away. I’m so sorry.

Don’t say you are sorry either. You are back and that’s all that matters. I looked into her eyes and desperately needed to connect with her in the most basic level. She must have felt the same way because we moved at the same time, reaching for each other.

The taste of her after weeks of worrying about her, begging her to come back, and scolding her when she hadn’t, went straight to my head. I tried to be gentle, but I was like someone who’d been deprived of all his senses and got them back all at once. She became the focus of my existence. Her touch, her taste, and her scent heightened my feelings so much that it hurt to breathe. I wanted to devour her.

Celestia whimpered and I froze, sanity returning. I’d gone into a partial shift and my scaly hands were gripping her too tight, leaving welts on her cheek and her stomach.

Damn! Three of weeks of learning to control the shift had gone out of the window. Kissing Celestia was usually like diving off a cliff into unchartered waters—thrilling, and at the same time, scary. Her touch filled me with an all-consuming need, but accompanying it was the partial shift. I could hurt her quite easily in that state. Not just with my scales and claws, but with my fire. I almost singed her clothes a few weeks ago in the forest in Kayville. That was the day I’d learned I could breathe fire while in a partial shift. She wasn’t ready for all that, and the last thing I wanted to do was send her running again. I had to protect her from me, no matter how difficult she made it for me to hold back.

Cursing, I tried to pull back, but she wouldn’t let me. She lurched onto me and rained kisses all over my face.

Dimples—

You pull away from me again, and I will hurt you, Eirik Baldurson. She was smiling, so I knew it was an empty threat. It’s been three weeks. Show me why you wanted me back. Then she grabbed my hair and pulled my face to hers. The kiss she laid on me was an invitation I couldn’t refuse, but I set the pace and reeled in my dragon side, my scales and claws receding.

I slid a hand under her pajama top, intending to ease it over her head, but she impatiently pushed my hands away and yanked it off. My stomach hollowed at the welts I’d left on her skin. They weren’t healing fast enough. I lowered my head to kiss the red marks and soothed them with my tongue. Celestia hissed as though I’d scalded her. Loving her response, I got bolder. I moved slowly up, trailing kisses to the half-moon scar on her chest, and up her neck. She tilted her head, but I wanted her lips, her beautiful, sexy lips. I moved to claim them.

That’s enough!

I wasn’t sure who spoke, but the annoyance and sharpness of the voice penetrated the fog in my head. I glanced up and caught the dreamy grin on Celestia’s face. She couldn’t have been the one who wanted us to stop.

"Stjärna mín, I whispered, stroking her cheek. The marks were still there. Damn it. How could I be with her when I kept hurting her? You are mine. Always."

Always, she whispered.

I said enough, the grating voice said again, sounding closer. You have five minutes, then I want you out of her room, young man.

I glanced over my shoulder at Genevieve, Zack’s mother. The woman had made it clear she didn’t like me the few times our paths had crossed. Finding me all over Celestia was only going to reinforce her belief that I was bad for her.

I’m leaving the door open, so both of you can cool down. Shameless, she muttered, stomping away. Right under my nose.

Celestia tried to suppress laughter, but I felt its effect in every cell of my body. How I’d missed that twinkle in her eyes and the sound of her laughter.

Your aunt hates me.

She’ll love you as soon as she learns what you mean to me. She reached up and caressed my cheek. I’m so sorry for staying away for so long.

Guilt ate at me. She’d left to escape the pain caused by my family and my negligence. I moved to lie beside her and rested my hand on her stomach. I hated seeing those scratches on her skin, yet I didn’t want to use my artavus on her again. It might mess up her transformation. She needed her own blades, forged specifically for her.

I’m the one who should be sorry for not protecting you. I should have been there to face my grandmother. I should have known she’d follow your energy. So, I don’t blame you for getting angry or running away.

But I didn’t run away, and I was never angry with you. She sat up and reached for her shirt. I did something stupid and now I have to deal with the consequences.

You tried to save my sister, Dimples. There’s nothing stupid about that. Still, I swore to protect you and failed. Again. That’s something I must learn to live with.

She gripped my head and peered at me, not masking her annoyance. Don’t ever say you failed me. You couldn’t be in two places at the same time and you brought me back. Your words reached me, Eirik. Knowing you needed me pulled me back.

Had she heard my declaration of love too? Maybe I’d spoken too soon. I should have opened a portal and kept an eye on you while destroying her camp.

Celestia grinned. Your tail at Niorun’s and your head at your grandmother’s camp? You’d be tailless, and I happen to love your dragon whole, thank you very much.

My horn is chipped, I reminded her, knowing that she was letting me off too easy, and loving her for it.

I love the imperfection of you. She sighed. Please, let’s not focus on the past.

But, I want to know what happened between you and my sister. Trudy won’t talk to her even though Einmyria explained what happened, and how our grandmother controlled her. Celestia winced. Wrong topic?

Yep. Just hold me.

I did and she nestled in my arms, but I knew we’d have to discuss my sister. The tension between her and Trudy was getting to my mother, and I wanted everything to be perfect so I could focus on my number one priority—Celestia.

CHAPTER 1. MILLENNIUM OF ANGER

EIRIK

The snowflakes on top of Hel’s Hall glistened like diamonds in the afternoon light. For three weeks, the weather had been colder than usual; then the sun had burst from behind the clouds yesterday just as Celestia had come out of her trance. I didn’t call her my star for nothing.

I came in sharply without worrying about sliding or spraying snow when I landed. My clothes shrunk and adjusted with the shift from dragon to human, my boots snapping into place before I stepped on the snow. I hated it when I shifted too late and ended up with snow inside my boots.

I wish I was a shifter like you.

I hadn’t noticed Einmyria standing by the small door near my old changing room. Her white pants and coat blended with the snow. Why?

So I can leave the hall whenever I want. There’s nothing to do here. She pouted. I ruffled her hair, and she swatted my hand away. Don’t do that! I’m not a child.

Then stop whining like one. She might have just turned seventeen, but she acted like a brat. I continued toward my quarters. I didn’t need the changing room anymore. Maera had recreated pants and shirts similar to the warrior suit my grandfather had sent me before I rescued Einmyria. They were all black and gold, and very versatile. Go hang out with Trudy.

She doesn’t like me. Every time I try to talk to her, she looks right through me. I tried to tell Dad about her, but he said Trudy is the goddess’ handmaiden. What’s so important about that? Her father ferries evil souls to their torture chambers, and her mother is just a maid.

Trudy is a powerful Seeress, and one of the three who will announce the exact moment of Ragnarok.

Einmyria rolled her eyes. So?

So that’s important to everyone, including Mom. She clammed up. And what did Mom say? I asked, opening a portal to the rotunda.

I didn’t ask, she whispered, glancing at the guards.

I’ve noticed she avoided being alone with Mother. You can’t still be afraid of her, Einmyria.

Anne Marie, she corrected.

It’s been three weeks. Sit down and talk to her. She was lucky Mother hadn’t tried to throw her in the dungeon to toughen her up. Get to know her.

She just stares at me as though waiting for me to say or do something stupid. Can I come with you when you go to see Celestia?

I stopped outside my door. No. Mother said you should stay put. Go to the gym.

The reapers stare. Please, can’t I come with you? This place is like a prison.

I sighed. I’ll talk to Mother, but I can’t promise anything.

Thank you. She reached up and planted a kiss on my cheek. Ask her at breakfast. She skipped away while I stared after her. She needed to find something to do. The whining was driving me crazy. Father had mentioned getting her a tutor. She knew nothing about other realms or the gods.

I disappeared inside the room and peeled off the vest and shirt from my clammy skin and pulled off my boots. I might like the convenience of the clothes, but they were basically sweat clothes when indoors, unlike my original suit that adjusted with the temperature. But I kept it for special occasions. I looked at my watch. I was running late.

I hit the showers.

There was a brief knock on my bathroom door a few minutes later. The door opened a fraction and Einmyria yelled, Aren’t you done yet?

No! Shut the damn door. What in Hel’s Mist was wrong with her? The shower had no covering and she could have seen me naked.

Hurry up. Do you want me to pick out your clothes?

No. I can pick my own damn clothes. Get out! She had never entered my quarters before, except to visit Celestia. This new habit of waltzing into my quarters uninvited started after I took Celestia home. Now I had to lock my damn door in my own home.

When I left the bathroom, Einmyria was gone. I changed and headed to my parents’ dining room. It was now the family room where we ate and had annoying little meetings. The others were already seated.

Morning. I planted a kiss on Mother’s cheek and received a pat in return. Looking lovely this morning, Mom.

"Thanks, dýrr."

I lowered my head to whisper to Einmyria, You enter my quarters again without my permission, and I’ll lock you in the dungeons.

What’s the problem? Mother asked.

Nothing, I said, squeezing Father’s shoulder before taking my seat.

He hates me, Einmyria said. He just threatened to lock me in the dungeons. Mother didn’t comment, her expression unreadable. Father chuckled.

He would never do that. Father reached out and gripped her hand. The two had clicked from the first day and were inseparable. And he doesn’t hate you. Eirik worked very hard to find you and bring you home. You and I will go over the plans for the pool after this. We should have everything ready by the end of the week.

Thanks, Litr. The Dwarf had placed a plate piled high with waffles, eggs, and bacon in front of me. What pool?

Dad is building me a swimming pool.

I frowned. Where?

In the east wing guest quarters, Father said. We are modifying the furthest rooms.

That’s nice. Celestia is scared of water. I could teach her how to swim whenever she’s here. Help her get over her fear.

See? I told you it was a wonderful idea and you shot it down. Was she talking to me? This was the first time I was hearing about the pool. Excuse me, Dwarf, she called and smiled at Litr. May I have more eggs and bacon, please? Litr went to serve her.

His name is Litr, I corrected her. L. I. T. R.

You see how mean he is? Einmyria said.

I ignored her and finished my breakfast. She and Father discussed what else to add around the pool, while Mother ate and listened without participating. I couldn’t tell whether she approved or not. She’d been quiet and withdrawn the last couple of weeks, sitting by Celestia whenever she could.

I got up. Are you coming with me, Anne Marie?

It’s Einmyria, silly. And no, I’m not going anywhere. There’s so much to do today. I’m shadowing Dad.

Half the time she didn’t make sense. She was so weird, saying one thing, and then pretending she hadn’t.

Walk with me, Eirik. Mom got up and took my arm. Her eyes met Father’s. "I’ll see you later, elskr mín. Einmyria, find me when you are done with your pool plans. She didn’t speak until we were in the rotunda. How is she doing?"

I knew she meant Celestia. Well. She woke up like she hadn’t been in a coma for weeks. Maera’s nasty green herbal concoction actually worked.

She slapped my arm. Don’t make fun of Maera’s herbs. It was the only thing that calmed my stomach when I was pregnant with you. Bring her home for a visit. I have gotten used to talking to her.

Why? Because she didn’t talk back?

She chuckled. Possibly.

Her chuckles had become so rare lately it was nice to hear it. I’ll tell her you miss her.

I wouldn’t go that far. I just want to talk.

You have Einmyria if you want someone to talk to.

I do, don’t I? Why can’t she be more like you? You have fire. Stamina. You have the best of your father and me in you. She is… Mother sighed. Now, back to business. When are you meeting with the Norns? You keep changing your mind and they are not happy.

There was no way I was meeting with them while Celestia was lost in the astral plane. Now, I want a week or two to teach her about runes. Tell them we’ll have two meetings. The first one here and the second one in Nornsgard.

Mother’s eyes narrowed, the runes on her face whipping fast. I’ve come to associate that with agitation. Nornsgard? Why?

They are powerful because everything about them is shrouded in mystery. No one knows anything about them except the fact that they control destinies and recycle babies’ souls. What if they are like the Wizard of Oz.

Who is this wizard?

I grinned. "Fictional character and a fraud. I need to learn about them, Mother, and knowing the location of their hall is a good place to start. The Witches in Midgard know about them and what they do, so they are exposed and vulnerable over there, but that’s not enough. How do they control destinies? I want to know everything. I kissed her temple. Stop worrying. I got this."

She shook her head, a smile tugging the corners of her lips. Your cockiness will be the death of me.

Yeah, right. You know you love me just the way I am. I hugged her. She lifted one of her hands hesitantly and patted my back. It was the closest thing to a hug she’d ever given me, so that was progress. I hope you are giving Einmyria a chance to know you.

She is weak and whiny, Mother snapped.

I leaned back and peered at her. She’s in a strange land, and just discovered a family she never knew she had. Go easy on her.

What are you saying? I can’t throw her in the dungeon? she asked with a poker face. I laughed.

Good one. She frowned. That was a joke, right?

No, I’m serious. It might stop her whining. Just because she doesn’t do it in my presence doesn’t mean I don’t know about it.

Be nice. And no dungeons while I’m gone.

Bring Celestia home, Eirik. She and I need to talk.

Warning bells went off in my head. About?

What do you think? I’m concerned about her and want to know how she’s doing. She’s an interesting girl, very entertaining. Do you know she stuck her tongue out at me once? And she and Trudy have the funniest arguments. I eavesdrop on them sometimes.

You spy on them?

Call it whatever you like. I would not have allowed her to stay here if I hadn’t done that. Bring her home to visit. Now what? Her focus had shifted to something behind me. I knew they’d stop ignoring each other one of these days and talk about the past, but not with their fists. Idiots.

I turned and followed her gaze. Two figures seemed intent on killing each other by the gates. I adjusted my sight, shifting to dragon vision. I recognized Echo right away. What past?

They are both Druids. One runs hot and the other cold, but deep down they are the same. Dedicated. Spiritual. Bubbling with emotions. Take care of them.

Mother had them pegged. Rhys was the calm one while Echo was the hothead. Wait. What? I whipped around to see my mother heading back into the hallway leading to our quarters. Did you just ask me to take care of them?

Yes, Eirik. Make them sit down and talk things over. I’m finally at peace, and I don’t need two of my people at each other’s throats. Then she was gone.

Great! I was supposed to be going to see Celestia, not stopping two Druids from killing each other. Daiku and Ranger were on my tail when I left the hall. Using hyper speed, I headed to where Rhys and Echo were pounding each other. Instead of stopping them, I let them duke it out and get it out of their system.

I stood on the side and watched. Not bad, they had interesting techniques. Both had their strengths and weaknesses, but they were furious, snarling and grunting with each hit. It was a good thing they were in Helheim. On Earth, they’d be leaving dents and cracks on the ice and ground.

One thing about living in Eljudnir was lack of distraction. Grimnirs reaped, used the gym, and hooked up. There were no movies, games, or Sunday night football to keep them entertained, so I wasn’t surprised when some left the hall and started toward us. These two didn’t need an audience. What they needed was some sense knocked into their thick skulls. I had no idea what their issues were, but Mother had made her wishes clear.

Keep the gawkers away, I called out to Ranger and Daiku, then moved closer to Echo and Rhys. I didn’t want to be caught in their body-slam jam, so I yelled from the sideline, That’s enough. But I doubted they heard me. More pounding and cursing followed. More Grimnirs were leaving the hall to watch the fight, but Ranger and Daiku had the situation under control. Some were heading back while the really nosey or bored ones stayed to watch from afar.

I engaged strength runes, jumped in their midst, grabbed their arms, and pulled them apart. Since they weren’t expecting me, I managed to separate them, but they were high on adrenaline and rage. The heel of Echo’s hand slammed into my chest while Rhys’ fist connected with my solar plexus. The double impact sent me flying across the snow.

Ticked off now, I got up and closed in on them. The scales already covered my skin as my body naturally protected itself by partially shifting. Making sure my fists were covered, I went after both of them, putting the strength of a dragon behind the punches. The impact pushed them apart and they landed a few feet away. I stayed standing between them.

That’s enough, damn it! You are both senior Grimnirs and your behavior is a disgrace—

Stay out of this, Baldurson, Echo snarled and eyed Rhys, who was also on his feet and ready to charge. Since I was right smack in the middle, they’d have to go around me or slam into me.

Now they were truly pissing me off. I wished I had my fight suit on, so I could shift completely and melt the snow from under them. Being dunked into ice-cold water might force them to cool off. The fire I made when I was in a partial shift wasn’t big enough to melt a large chunk of ice. That left only one solution.

I focused on my back muscles, localizing the shift. The sound of my favorite duster ripping filled the air as the giant wings shot out. When they rushed each other, I bitch-slapped them face down into the snow and didn’t ease up.

When I lift my wings, you two had better be ready to act like grownups. Mother’s orders. They tried to wiggle from under the weight of my wings with little result. Echo started cursing me out. Dude, shut up, or I will give you the thrashing you obviously need.

You could try, he mumbled.

I would one of these days, but Mother would not forgive me. He was her favorite. I have places to go instead of refereeing this childish display. And you owe me a duster. This was a present from Grandmother Frigg and my favorite. That alone is enough to make me want to whoop both of your asses from here to Earth and back.

Bring it on, Junior, Echo retorted.

Seriously, the man had a death wish. I lifted my wings and set them free. They both left bloodstains on the snow and looked like crap despite their healed wounds.

Stay down. Both of you. Echo glared at me before his focus shifted to Rhys and his eyes glowed. No one gets up until you talk this out.

This is none of your business, Baldurson.

When it bothers my mother it is. The look Echo shot me was filled with hatred. I didn’t care. Start talking. I had to put up with your attitude during our mission across the realms, but I will not do it again, especially when it upsets her. So, who goes first?

Silence.

One of you will have to start talking, because no one is going anywhere until you do. And, the longer I’m forced to stay here and wait for you two, the more pissed I’ll get. So unless you want me to go full dragon on your asses, someone had better start talking.

They continued to glare at each other instead of talking. I retracted my wings, shrugged off my ripped duster, and studied the rip. It was long. I waved Ranger over.

Could you take this to Maera and ask her to fix it while I wait for these two boneheads?

No problem, he mumbled, his eyes volleying between Echo and Rhys. I could tell he was dying to find out what the fight was about.

Thanks, Ranger. I waited until he left, then studied the two reapers. Damn Druids! I hated them at this very moment, hated their stubbornness. So no one is talking? Fine. We’ll stay here, until you do. Call it a timeout. I don’t care if you turn blue because of the cold. I, on the other hand, have my scales, so I could sit out here for hours. I sat, scales covering my body.

Silence continued.

Are you seriously going to make us sit out here like some damn two-year-olds? Echo snarled.

Until you quit behaving like one, yes. Or until I decide to shoot fire at your feet and make you dance. Rhys chuckled. You too, Rhys. How can two people hold a grudge for… what?

A millennium, and I’ll continue to do so if he doesn’t see there’s no excuse for betraying your own, Echo retorted.

Good, Rhys shot back. Because as long as he is so hot-headed and incapable of thinking before he acts, he’ll never understand that people make mistakes and when they are family, you forgive them.

That traitorous bastard was never my family, Echo snapped.

We took a blood oath, you sanctimonious piece of shit, Rhys yelled. You, Dev and I were brothers in every way. You broke it when you killed him.

Oh, so this is about some dead guy? I said.

Shut up! they both snapped at the same time, and I grinned. If they turned against me, they might actually agree on something.

So what did Dev do?

He betrayed us and many of our own died, Echo snarled. You never said a word when I told you I’d killed him. Instead, you turned your back on me.

"No, you turned your back on me and Nara, and started making unilateral decisions. You didn’t trust anyone anymore after that, except yourself. We became nothing to you, except puppets in your plot for revenge. He jumped to his feet and started to pace. We were perfectly fine being Valkyries, but you—he jabbed a finger in Echo’s direction—decided being Grimnirs was better because we would take revenge on those who’d destroyed our race. You decided we should ignore Valkyrie laws, go to Nidavellir, get as many artavo as we could buy from the Dwarves, and turn thousands of our people into Immortals whether they wanted it or not."

Echo’s eyes glowed, and for one second, I was sure he’d leap up and snap Rhys’ neck. Instead, he stood and wiped off the snow from his duster. When he spoke, his voice was calmer, but deadly.

Tell me where you are hiding his rotting corpse.

Rhys sneered. Why? So you can burn it? And it’s not rotting. I preserved it for the day I’ll find his soul and the right spell to bring him back.

He got his shot at being one of us and screwed it, Rhys, Echo said. His soul is rotten. And like a coward, he took off, instead of allowing us to reap him and send him off with dignity.

Rhys growled. Do you ever listen to the words coming out of your mouth? There’s no dignity in spending an eternity in Corpse Strand.

It’s called penance, Echo shot back. Knowing Dev, he’s done many despicable things in the last millennium to get by, so whatever you bring back with your necromancy crap will not just be a traitor. It will be a monster. His dark soul deserves eternity in Corpse Strand.

Rhys jabbed a finger at Echo. Dev will walk again, and when he does, you will face what you did to him. What you did to us. He let out a string of words in a language I assumed was Druidic then looked at me. I’m done.

Okay, that was very illuminating. I don’t know, guys. Mother said you need to fix this and you two sound real broken up about it. We’ll revisit this, until you two are buddies.

Are you kidding me? Echo asked. I’m done dealing with him.

No, you’re not. We’ll sit down again and discuss this at length. I don’t know this Dev person or your history with him, but whoever he is, you two have strong feelings for him.

I despise him, Echo said. Is that strong enough for you?

If it makes you sit down and talk, yep. I don’t know why you killed the dude, but you need to explain it to Rhys.

Damn right, Rhys retorted.

Echo sneered.

And I don’t know why or how you preserved his body, Rhys. I just know that bringing a dead body back to life is a nasty business. When the soul is dark, that’s another level of nastiness.

Exactly what I told him, Echo chimed in.

So you two talk and when I come back, let me know what’s next for this Dev guy. I glanced behind me. Ranger was still in the hall, which meant racing there for another duster before leaving. I focused on the quiet Druids. They still looked pissed, but they weren’t going to rip out each other’s throats. Still, someone will have to keep an eye on them while I was gone. Where’s Nara?

She cannot know about this, Rhys said quickly.

Echo laughed. She doesn’t know?

Of course not. You know how she felt about him.

Is that why you want to bring the traitor back? For your cousin?

Stop calling him a traitor.

If he snitches like one and hides like one, then he must be—

Rhys rushed him, but Echo was ready. This time, I went into hyper speed, grabbed both their chins, and snapped their necks. I stepped back and let them drop to the snow.

Idiots, I murmured.

I agree, Nara said. Let me guess. They were fighting over Dev.

Yep. So who in Hel’s Mist is Dev?

A former friend whose worthless soul I’d love to personally reap. He was a pain in the butt alive and even more so dead. She engaged strength runes and looped an arm around Rhys. I took Echo. I’ll make sure they sleep it off, but don’t hold your breath. This is not over.

We carried them toward the hall.

What was that about? Daiku asked when we met him.

I have no idea. Grimnirs loved to gossip, and I wasn’t going start one over some dark soul. Who in their right mind would want to put one in a body and bring them back to life? Daiku took Echo, and I went to find my coat. Hopefully Maera was done mending it.

CHAPTER 2. POWERFUL MIDGARD WITCH

CELESTIA

I was resting in bed when the mirror went grainy and a portal formed. Eirik walked in and closed the gap between us, his eyes intense as though he hadn’t seen me last night and held me in his arms while I slept. He’d gone home to shower and change.

Hey, he said, but didn’t give me a moment to respond before pulling me into his arms. He buried his face in my hair. You smell good.

I smiled. He smelled good too. What took you so long?

Grimnirs. I had to break up a fight. He leaned back and searched my face while gently stroking my cheek. How are you feeling? You still look pale and tired. Like someone sucked your energy.

He didn’t pull punches. Gee, thanks.

You need fresh air and sunshine.

Does that mean we’re going to the beach?

No, Jötunheim. Fresh, unpolluted air will be good for you.

Are we visiting Chief Skavnir?

No, but we’ll stop by to say hi or he’ll feel slighted. We’re going to this perfect spot I found for a picnic. You’ll love it. It’s right between the Wolf and the Cat Clan settlements.

No gnarly trees? I asked, not bothering to hide my revulsion. I hated the outdoors.

He pressed a kiss on my forehead. No gnarly trees.

Giant bugs and lizards?

He chuckled. I’ll protect you from all lizards and bugs. Layer your clothes and carry sunscreen. While you get ready, I’ll go to the store for sandwiches. Do you need anything special?

No. I’d offered to go shopping today, but Dad had insisted I rest. I came out of a coma the day before and I was still feeling lethargic.

I promise you’ll love it, Eirik added before he disappeared through a portal. His idea of what I’d love and what I actually loved were different.

I changed, left a note for Dad in case he came back and found me gone and started to panic. I shoved my cloak and a blanket into my backpack, got bottled water from the fridge and sighed at the empty shelves. Dad must not have shopped in weeks.

When Eirik came back, I was ready. He’d bought sandwiches, drinks, a mixed fruit bowl, a cheese and crackers tray, and an insulated picnic bag. I helped him pack; then he opened a portal into the cave. A few Grimnirs who were arriving with souls, saw me and waved.

See that? That’s why I’m not taking you to the hall. Everyone will want a piece of you and you need to rest.

I wasn’t ready to answer questions either.

Mom wants you to visit, so you can chat. Trudy wants to know when she can visit you, and Maera wants to know if you’ve lost too much weight so she can fatten you up.

I smiled. I miss her pastries.

I don’t blame you. He opened a second portal into the cave we’d used to get to Nidavellir from Ironwood, an area in Jötunheim. We left the cave and entered the sunlit realm. Fresh, unpolluted air greeted us. I inhaled and sighed.

You were right. I needed this.

This is not our destination. We are going up.

I studied the surrounding mountains. The walled town of the Wolf Clan was straight to our right and the Ironwood Forest was to the south. Up where?

He pointed at the one to our left. There’s a lake at the base, but you can’t see it from here. He gave me the backpack with our picnic, shrugged off his trench coat, and draped it around my shoulders.

It’s a long drop from up there. You know, in case some bear chases me.

He chuckled and stole a kiss. You’re adorable.

I know.

He grinned. Your humor is returning. I missed it. Can I remove my shirt now and shift before the cubs get here?

What cubs? I looked toward the village and saw about four wolves racing toward us. Ooh, how cute. I want to meet them.

No, you don’t. They talk too much and whine, and are a pain in the ass. He reached behind him with one hand to pull his shirt off, and I forgot about the cubs.

Muscles shifted as the shirt inched higher. I’d forgotten how graceful he was. How masculine. The black T-shirt might be a regular tee, but the pants were from his realm. Made with a material that looked like leather, they hugged his powerful thighs and shifted back and forth when he did. He removed his shirt, and I sighed. He had a beautiful body—wide chest, hard, flat abs. A chuckle had me looking up, and I caught the grin on his face.

"You want me to put it back on and remove it