Freyja's Fire: When God Lines Meet, #2

By Lori Svensen

Gemina and Aurelia need to get married, but so far, they have rejected every suitor that has come their way. Then, while on holiday near Erion a ship wrecks on the shore, bringing disease with it...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Viking Ventures
• Release date: Jan 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393385806

Lori Svensen

Student-of-the-world, jill-of-many-trades; mother and dreamer ready to share dreams with the reader.  Lori has never been able to follow everyone else, nor always follow directions or social expectations. Hence, her writing also tends to cross genres to create her own unique blend. A'mara Books are stories about personal relationships with strong flavors of fantasy, sci-fi, action and adventure, all wrapped into one plus a sense of social and moral responsibility that tends to be lost in today's world. 

Book preview

Prologue

Sentence of Tharn and Ríosín

(The Prophesy of Freyja’s Fire)

(A Velantian Legend)

.

Ríosín smoothed her stunning green gown as she awaited her father’s judgment.

Tharn’s voice pressed upon her mind from beside her.

She found it impossible to hold her wings still, both from nerves and from her excitement whenever Tharn was with her. Never mind that her father had long forbidden her from spending too much time with the god.

But why?! she had asked, not caring about some drivel about an ancient war between the gods. Tharn had been part of the cause.

But he has paid for his sins! Ríosín had replied when Horch had explained everything.

I still don’t trust him with my daughter! Horch had insisted.

Where’s Mum?! Ríosín had demanded.

She keeps saying she will come back from the Other World to help me raise you, but she’s too busy, I guess.

Tharn’s voice came to her mind again, making her remember the way he spoke to her whenever they were in the woods together. An image of them tumbling naked together in the fallen leaves came unbidden to her head. Last time, she had returned home with her wings all tattered, making her father angry with her.

Your wings are delicate! he reminded her. And they are not a human trait, so you need to be more careful not to be seen. The schools this morning are filled with rumors of a winged woman making love with a man in the woods. Was that you?

Ríosín had been unable to answer, only the flush across her cheeks.

Were you with Tharn again? How many times do I have to warn you?

"I love him, Father!" she had burst out, unable to keep it back any longer.

He’s too old for you – way too old for you! Horch had shouted.

We are immortals, age doesn’t matter for us, Ríosín had replied.

At least take care not to be seen! he shouted again.

She’s still a child, Fenja had cooed, looking up from her painting.

I am fully grown! Ríosín had countered hotly. "If I want to bond with Tharn, I will!"

At that, she had gone with Tharn high into the A’maras for a few days, where they found a disused cave to spend time together. They forgot about clothing during that time, preferring to be together, romping on their sleep robes as often as possible. Ríosín feared for her wings sometimes, which refused to remain folded back obediently.

Once, when she was outside gathering berries, a mortal caught glimpse of her naked body, her wings in full flutter. The child ran back to her parents. Mum! I saw a fairy!

Returned to the cave, she was shocked to see her father there.

Put some clothes on! Horch ordered. Both of you constantly flout directives. Come with me back to Mt. Vendar, where we will discuss your punishments with Vasana.

Call my mother! Ríosín demanded, pulling on the gown that didn’t rub on her folded wings. She would want me to be happy!

Horch had accompanied Tharn and Ríosín back to Mt. Vendar, where she still waited with baited breath, wondering what her father and Vasana would decide. Brighid hadn’t come yet.

She exchanged glances with Tharn, the handsome god of fire, who had designed the Viesha badge of passion and wisdom for the Sacred Trio – as recompense for his sins against his followers. He pulled Ríosín’s hand until she sat in his lap.

We had all become too arrogant, Tharn had explained previously. We learned our lessons, to treat our followers with respect and love.

Their first lovemaking session had begun soon after that affirmation that she could trust him with her heart.

Ríosín! cried another voice in the room.

Mother! she cried in reply, turning and greeting Brighid with a hug and a kiss.  Where have you been?!

Freyja and I have been kept very busy with the North Sea troubles. These people are practically brothers, yet they keep raiding each other! Brighid replied.

Hi Freyja, Ríosín greeted.

I thought you might need some extra help... especially considering what you have begun, the goddess said, touching Ríosín’s abdomen. I think your father is rather displeased... but he will come around.

Ríosín blushed, then looked at Tharn, her wings fluttering with excitement again.

She takes after you, Brighid, Freyja said.

Brighid smiled proudly. She does, she replied. Just as impulsive too – but genuine.

Freyja nodded.

The door opened and the gods emerged, Vasana and Horch, followed by the others – Fenja last of all, looking sad.

Ríosín felt her nervous flutter again.

I’m happy to learn the news, Tharn murmured into her ear. No matter what your father says.

Then I will be happy, no matter what, she replied, feeling Tharn’s warm love soak through her and settle on the spark of life deep inside her.

Vasana cleared her throat and began. "We have decided that being so carelessly visible to mortals is a serious event. We, as a group, must either be fully visible at all times – along with everything that entails – or we must be fully invisible except to a chosen few mortals.

Ríosín and Tharn. Not only have you been careless, but you have also shown complete disregard for the guidelines which have been given us.

What’s wrong with children believing in fairies?! Ríosín demanded.

Horch glared at her. Talk about her choice in partner! he prompted Vasana.

Ríosín didn’t miss Vasana glaring at Horch.

Ríosín, for being so careless, I have to pronounce a punishment, Vasana said gently. The Council have decided that an appropriate punishment is for your offspring to be born as wingless mortals. A rumble from Mt. Vendar sealed the decree.

No! Brighid exclaimed.

You have something to add? Vasana invited. I cannot take back the pronouncement now.

Yes. I gift the descendants of Ríosín and Tharn with the blessings of empathy and telepathy. They will have the gift of understanding others unparalleled in mortals, Brighid pronounced.

Mt. Vendar rumbled.

Thank you, Mother! Ríosín cried.

"But they’re not ready for this! Horch complained. If we cannot handle our emotions properly, how can mortals? He looked severely at Ríosín who glared back. They will be at the mercy of their emotions! Horch continued his protest. That’s how this whole thing started anyway! My daughter and Tharn’s fruit. Their children will be known throughout the world for their inability to control themselves!"

Mt. Vendar rumbled.

This is a danger, for sure, Vasana admitted. But when Tharn’s Viesha is back with them, surely it would give them the wisdom to guard their minds from those of others.

I took their other gifts previously – awaiting for prophesy to be fulfilled, Brighid explained. Perhaps this needs to be true for these gifts as well.

My cloth, Vasana suggested. When these descendants learn to weave my cloth, they can have their gifts in full.

Mt. Vendar rumbled.

And my fire, Freyja added. Emotion, tempered with fire. When they have my fire, they will have these other gifts as well.

Mt. Vendar rumbled again.

One more thing, to make up for the loss of immortality, Brighid added. There will be spells which can be sung by the healers – as long as they are doing their job healing others, their lives will be indefinite.

Vasana nodded. My devotees will be known as the Sisters of Vasana – they will also have access to these spells – a small thing I can do in repayment for their devotion.

Each pronouncement was answered by another rumble from Mt. Vendar. Ríosín sat on Tharn’s lap, his arms around her snugly, possessively.

But Horch, Vasana continued severely, turning to regard the god. It disturbs us how much you have desired punishment for your daughter – and revenge on Tharn. Ríosín is of age. She can bond with whom she likes, but your attitude... I suggest this will backfire on you. By the time all these prophesies are fulfilled, your name will be forgotten amongst the mortals.

Mt. Vendar rumbled again.

Vasana! he protested.

Horch, you were the god of Space, but you shall become the god of the Void instead. But few will call on you.

Vasana!

I have more important things to do, Vasana said, then vanished.

You have done well, daughter, Brighid said, giving Ríosín a hug. Then, she too vanished, along with Freyja.

Horch looked at her a moment. I hope you are proud of all you have accomplished, he said. Then he left as well.

Finally, it was just Ríosín, still sitting on Tharn’s lap.

I’m sorry, Tharn said.

I am too – and I’m not. I think I have the best fate of all of them! Ríosín pronounced, kissing her beloved god. Her wings popped out and fluttered excitedly again.

I think we need some time alone again.

Agreed.

A moment later, they stood on a bridge in the forest, high in the A’maras. Our people will emerge here in time, Tharn prophesied. They will become something amazing, that will be both loved and hated throughout the world.

A low rumble was felt.

They won’t have my wings! Ríosín said, sadly.

The nuwa will provide their wings, Tharn pronounced. Even here, Vendar has heard us.

Another rumble.

Ríosín nodded, her wings fluttering with happiness again. She looked at Tharn and kissed him, feeling her gown slipping down her hips.

♥♥♥

1

(day, year)

The Abundantia

.

Sweat poured off Kolt Rain’s brow as he struggled to keep the ship on a true course. His muscles quivered and his vision blurred. He shook his head again to try to clear it.

He looked momentarily at his adoptive brother, Garrick Heath, lying half-naked and semi-conscious on the deck.

Only a week ago they were on Irola, taking on some goods destined for Kri’enden.

Within hours, some of the crew were showing symptoms of a mysterious illness. Weakened, they were at the mercy of a sudden severe storm which blew them off course.

In the hour that followed, most of the goods had been thrown overboard in order to avoid losing the ship. But the storm kept lashing them and blowing them further south. By the time they had regained control of the ship, it was morning. Some sailors were dead, more were sick and the ship was somewhere in the middle of an ocean with no known land anywhere on the charts.

Except...

I’ve heard this myth before. Mostly from drunk sailors, Garrick had said when Kolt had mentioned the legendary land of Velantia.

I cannot handle this ship alone. With everyone dead or dying, the existence of Velantia is our last chance, Kolt had replied calmly.

A breeze blew through his long black hair and cooled his muscular, naked olive-brown body. He preferred his clothing-free state whenever possible. Even the chambermaids had grown accustomed to his preference, though the last of those was now feeding the fish along with her unborn baby. It made him think of Raven, before she died – like everyone else he had ever loved. Garrick was the only one left of that life – and he now lay dying too.

Kolt was growing fainter now. He tried fervently to keep his senses, even as the seagulls started greeting the ship. He cried to them, asking them to guide him to land, his voice joining their chorus.

He wondered whether the gray form on the horizon was a cloud, land, or just a mirage of his weakened state.

Let me reach land! he cried out as his legs gave way and his head hit the deck.

The breeze blew the ship along as he was enveloped in darkness.

♥

Erion Sands

.

Gemina Inari stretched out lazily on the towel Stella had given her for her birthday. It was a nicer way to lay on the sand, she had to admit. A large shade (Rachel had called it an umbrella, though Katja insisted it was a parasol) kept the hot sun out of her eyes as she gazed out towards the sea.

Some sand flew into her face.

Mind, Aurelia! Gemina complained at her cousin as she used a clean towel to wipe the sand from her eyes and nose.

"How can it be a real holiday at the beach if you don’t get sand in your face at least once?"

It will be a more relaxing one.

A couple of youthful shrieks were heard as a small group of very young children ran towards them, kicking a ball before them.

Sirius! the other three-year-old complained as the tallest of the group kicked the ball ahead of the other.

Aurelia quickly caught one of the younger ones as he tripped over the umbrella pole, making it fall on Gemina.

’Scuse! the toddler cried. Aun’ Relia, Aun’ Meena!

Aron, you have to be careful! Aurelia scolded the child.

Sorry, Katja said as she hurried to keep up with the child, lumbering over a swollen belly. Aron! She continued running after the child.

Do you think we’re going to look like that in a few years? Gemina asked, setting up the parasol again.

I rather hope not! Aurelia replied. I’ll do a better job of keeping track of mine – and not run around the beach looking like a fool, rather than a princess! Aron hasn’t the slightest idea of his position!

He is a year and a half old, Aurelia, Gemina reminded. He isn’t ready to know of his royalty – or anything about it.

He has to know of his responsibility to others – that includes not kicking sand in people’s faces!

Not like what you just did to me, right?

Aurelia sighed. I just meant that Katja needs to be more mindful of Aron’s position! Adrick’s heir. He has to behave better than the average toddler!

I’m glad I’m just your cousin then, Gemina replied, thinking about her brother Breyind. He was much more easy-going than Adrick, though Adrick didn’t have Aurelia’s temperament. I can have children who are as ill-behaved as Aron and enjoy it!

You have a man in mind? Aurelia asked.

No, Gemina sulked. "I swear I’ve met every man in the realm. No one wants me – they want to be cousin to the future king."

Aurelia nodded. "Like when I dressed up like a woman of the night... just to see what it would be like. To be a sailor’s girl. Unfortunately, I was recognized immediately. Oh, to sail to a distant land and not be royal for a week!"

Your dad would have called for heads, Gemina reminded her. Imagine had you come home pregnant by some drunken sailor!

"My father has admitted to having at least one illegitimate child by one of those women. Why not me?"

Gemina sighed. She understood Aurelia’s argument better than her cousin knew, but her mother and Aunt Ellan had always insisted that they could behave better than the King had in his youth. Part of being royal was the duty to be better, to be examples for the common folk.

There’s a ship! Aurelia cried excitedly. I wonder if it’s coming into Erion.

You know you shouldn’t tease those poor sailors so! Gemina scolded. How is that being well-behaved?

"I don’t ask for them to let me win. I think they say that to save face. I’m the best gambler whenever I turn up. Wolff loves me!"

You’re lucky our mothers don’t know!

You wouldn’t tell them, would you, Gemina?