Gears of Ragnarӧk: The Valhalla Mechanism, #3

By Kendra Moreno

Ottilie Kingsford's perception of her world has changed rapidly since Loki and Thor fell into her life. With the nine realms in danger and schemes of vengeful Gods coming to light, she found the adventure she always longed for, but it comes at a price.

London is falling beneath the constant waves of chaos.

With Ragnarӧk raging across the nine realms unchecked and all attempts to stop it a failure, Tillie, Thor, and Loki are facing dangers they never saw coming. The gears of Ragnarӧk keep turning unhindered, but someone is controlling the levers. Tillie promised to spill blood for her gods, and she has her targets in sight.

Tillie will knock down the thrones of old gods as retribution for their sins. The nine realms burn to ash as the real monsters reveal themselves. Ragnarӧk cannot be stopped, but Tillie will not back down.

If it takes her dying breath, the favored will fall. . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kendra Moreno
• Release date: Oct 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393859970

Book preview

Prologue

LOKI

Istood before the mass of deities, collared like a dog. My hands were bound behind my back with only the best Asgardian chain, and my mouth was covered by a lock invented especially for me. It was a position I’d been in before, and I liked it even less now. I was growing tired of Odin’s games, of his ability to put me in a situation where I was punished for following his order. This time, I knew it’d been too far, but I’d accept whatever fate was dealt me. I’d still been the one to do it, even if I’d had no choice.

Traitor!

‘Trickster!"

Send him to Helheim!

The shouting was normal, just as the chains were. I didn’t make friends everywhere I went; I made enemies, all in the name of building a better Asgard. I didn’t care two shits about the realm, not anymore. I was just floating through life at this point, desperate to feel like myself again.

It was hard to be yourself when you didn’t even remember who you were beneath the mask.

Only Thor and my sons stood silently in the crowd. Thor was silent because he didn’t enjoy any punishment. But Narfi and Vali? They knew I’d only been acting on Odin’s orders. I’d told them when I hadn’t wanted them to think worse of me, but had sworn them to secrecy. Vali understood. Narfi wanted to pick up everything we had and slip away, curse Asgard for ever daring to put me through it. They were good boys, now men, and my pride and joy, even if their mother wanted nothing more to do with us. Narfi and Vali were the only children I’d been allowed to keep by my side, because they looked normal to Odin. Anger at the unjust imprisonment of my other children only made me shake, so I focused on something else, like the way Narfi began to shake as the Gods began to throw fruit at me. I didn’t react. I kept my chin up, just as I always did. I would not lose my dignity, too. Not even when an apple slammed against my face.

Baldur strode forward then, always the sun without its warmth, his eyes black pools of hatred. He should have been dead. That was Odin’s order, after all. But the moment I’d done as Odin ordered, the moment I’d killed his son with the sprig of mistletoe, his only weakness, Odin had stepped forward and invoked a dark magic none should wield. I had refused to wield such power long before our primal days, realizing the toll it took. But Odin? He’d done so without blinking an eye. The Baldur who rose again was even crueler than the first time, and his once achingly blue eyes were now bled into inky blackness. I didn’t know what sort of creature he was, didn’t much care, as long as he stayed away from me and my sons.

Did you think I would remain dead? Baldur sneered in my face. Did you think this wasn’t the plan after all? Poor little trickster, all tied up. He followed my gaze before I could turn it, realizing I stared at my sons. What do your little monsters think of seeing their father facing punishment, hm? They don’t look like they resent you. They look angry.

I glanced at Narfi, begged with my eyes for him to slide his mask into place. He was revealing his true feelings for all to see and now Baldur was turning toward them, focusing his dark attention on my sons. I jerked against the chains wrapped around me, drawing a laugh from the Gods with my struggle.

Loki has betrayed our trust! Odin’s voice boomed over the crowd, the sudden drop into silence only punctuated by the sounds of Hugin and Munin cawing. He thought to kill Baldur, but I was blessed with the magic to save him. Still, Loki must be punished for his crimes.

The collar covering my mouth prevented me from arguing my case. That was the point. The moment I could use my silver tongue, they could be persuaded to let me go, to go easier. Instead, they would happily do whatever Odin instructed, regardless of the true story.

At least my boys would be safe.

One hundred years in the caves should teach the Trickster God the importance of family, Odin said, staring at me. A serpent will be hung over your body, venom to drip on your face for those hundred years.

As punishments went, it was a bad one, but nothing I couldn’t handle. I could resign myself to my fate for a century and come out unscathed. I could. I just had to think of my children.

Baldur said something to Narfi softly that had my son taking a step toward the cruel prince. Only Vali’s hand on his wrist stopped him from attacking him. Good Vali, I thought. I didn’t wish for any of my fates to befall them. Being my children was bad enough for their reputation.

Baldur grinned. How will Loki value family when his own still stands, safe and alive? Baldur asked out loud for everyone to hear. I tensed, my eyes jerking to Odin. Narfi and Vali had done nothing wrong. I’d only been acting on orders.

You’re right, the Allfather agreed. That’s a very good point, son.

Thor flinched, his eyes wide, but I wasn’t focused on the God of Thunder. I was focused on my sons, my eyes wide as I struggled against my constraints. I couldn’t break them—they were designed to hold me prisoner—but I was able to shuffle forward just a little. I told my sons to run with my eyes, but I knew they wouldn’t. It would do no good against Odin.

I begged anyone around who would look at me with my eyes, begged them to save my children. They’d done nothing wrong! I was the villain, not my children. A few flinched back from my gaze as I stumbled before my sons, blocking them even as I was in chains. No one stepped up to help.

As punishment for taking my son, Trickster, I shall take yours in return.

Father, Thor said, stepping forward. Baldur is alive. That hardly seems fair—

Thor never got to finish his argument. With a clank of Odin’s spear, Thor clutched at his throat, his words choked off completely, probably his air, too.

Father, Vali murmured, his hand clutching my shoulder. It’s going to be okay.

Tears pricked my eyes. It wouldn’t. It wouldn’t be okay. Narfi and Vali were supposed to be off limits. They looked normal. They didn’t show their powers. They didn’t deserve any misfortune being born my children brought them.

Narfi, my beautiful Narfi, stepped around me, a snarl on his face. You’re a coward! he shouted at Odin. I relish the day you’re knocked from your throne and buried beneath every malicious action you’ve ever done.

The corner of Odin’s lips ticked up and I cringed. No. No, no, no, no, no.

Just like your father. Pity that’s your downfall.

Odin clanked his spear on the ground again, power zapping from it to Narfi, bowing his back in pain. I screamed against the collar, fighting to get to my son, fighting to save him. Odin had made sure I couldn’t do anything at all but watch as Narfi was forced into his wolf form, as my son’s power was revealed for all of Asgard. But Narfi only turned when he had to. He wasn’t like Fenrir.

When great yellow eyes focused on Vali, lips curled up in a snarl, horror filled me. I stepped in front of Vali, but I would be nothing against the great wolf. Surprisingly, the other Gods were silent as they watched, a few shifting uncomfortably, but none stepped forward. Cowards, all cowards.

You’ll bring down Odin one day, Vali promised in my ear. I’m sorry I won’t be there to see it.

Tears began to fall, my mask disappearing completely as the horror of having my last two sons taken away from me. Thor’s eyes met mine, and he tried to step forward again, only to be slammed back by Odin’s power, as if there was an invisible barrier between us. No one else tried. I began to scream behind my muzzle, desperation clawing at my throat.

Narfi leapt forward, knocking me to the ground hard, and tore into Vali with his claws and teeth. Vali never screamed, never gave Odin the satisfaction, but I screamed enough for him, fought to push Narfi away with my shoulder, fought to break the enchantment Odin had placed over him.

But if I had hope Odin would stop at Vali, I was wrong. Narfi would never be left alive after being forced to kill his brother. Odin, as cruel as ever, released the enchantment just before he gutted my boy, letting him soak in what he’d done. A lone howl rent the air, so full of sadness. I collapsed, my knees coated in the blood of my sons.

The howl cut off abruptly, and more tears flowed from my eyes. I didn’t care who saw, didn’t care for anything as I threaded my fingers into Narfi’s fur, even with the chains holding them behind my back, and held on. I couldn’t protect him in life, but I wanted to protect him in death, until Hel could come to collect their souls.

Now, Odin said, his eye patch clicking. Let’s leave a little reminder of this lesson in your cave with you.

I screamed and screamed and screamed, but no one heard. No one came to my rescue. No one opposed Odin’s decision to carve Narfi’s body up and use his entrails as my chains.

No one cared for the Trickster God who was always meant to the be the villain. . .

Chapter One

TILLIE

Present Day

Istood near the edge of the River Thames, the river still spilling over its banks and creating a living river that flowed through the streets of London. Jӧrmungandr blocked us from the water, allowing us dry land at Birmingham Palace where we could build airships as quickly as possible, but I didn’t like that it put him in direct contact with the murky red water. Dead fish and creatures were a constant sight moving by, the poison in the river having started a few days prior. Thor thought it wouldn’t last for long, but as it was, it made me nervous. No one should be touching the water.

Are you sure you’re okay? I asked the giant serpent.

I am poisonous, Favored. Poison will not harm me.

The bright elves not working on the airships were erecting a wall to keep the water out to give Jӧrmungandr a rest, but it wasn’t quite finished. Another few days and he’d be able to move without fear of drowning the whole camp.

My mother and Queen Victoria stood with me as we watched the once brown water of the Thames bleed red with deadly poison. Another stage. It would make it more dangerous to move through the city to gather supplies. It would make it near impossible for any more to make their way to us from other cities. Victoria had an airship out searching for those trying to find a way around, but none of us knew if it would be enough. Our camp was made up of thousands and thousands of Midgardians, those who survived London and those who made their way to us. We were joined by the dwarves and bright elves, both adding their own large numbers to our forces. We would make an interesting city once in the sky.

Skadi spent her time working on weapons with Hodor and aiding in building the wall. The two made an interesting pair and some of the weapons they churned out were things of absolute beauty. They put themselves into their work, sometimes hardly coming out to eat, but it wasn’t the Winter Goddess I worried about.

Thor had chosen to put his frustrated energy into work, aiding the dwarves in building the airships. He hadn’t taken any breaks in far too long, forcing himself to work as hard as possible in the hopes of distracting himself from the loss of Loki and the betrayal of his father. He was working himself to the bone, but when I tried to stop him, he couldn’t focus. So, he kept working, until the sound of metal clanking pushed aside the turmoil he dealt with inside.

I wished I could push it aside with work. Instead, thoughts of Odin and Loki claimed my every thought. Trying to plan for saving Loki, trying to plan for how to make Odin pay. . . There were a great many things I had to plan for, and that didn’t even scrape the surface of what we had to face here.

They keep saying I’m something different, I admitted, finally, to my mother and the Queen. It had been another source of frustration. I was, apparently, something other, but I didn’t know what. I didn’t know anything about anything, and it was working me into knots. I prided myself on knowing all paths and yet, I knew nothing. Thor and Hod had no answers for me. Tarasynora was being bloody frustrating and refusing to speak on the matter. I was in the dark. They say I’m too fast to be a Midgardian, that I blur when I move. And the odd thing is, I’m starting to believe I’m something different than what I’ve always believed I was, just like they say.

Mother threaded her fingers with mine in reassurance, always protecting me. I didn’t want her to think I was longing for another family in this discovery of my lineage, because no matter what I discovered, she would always be my mother.

I pulled her closer and wrapped my arm around her.

I only know you were an orphan. There were no details, only that you were left at the doorstep of the orphanage as a baby with only the suitcase you carried off the airship. I was told it was empty.

I bit my lip and glanced at her from the side of my eyes. Do you think I’m something. . . other?

Mother turned toward me, her gaze soft as she met my eyes. Tillie, you’ve always been extraordinary. Finding out your origins are something different than you expected doesn’t change that. No matter what you find out, you’ll always be my little girl. So brave, you stepped of an airship into a whole new world and tilted up your chin.

She pulled me into a hug, holding me, and I relished the brief moment we were able to do so. We’d all been so busy fighting against the odds to survive, we hadn’t had much time to simply be. Having my mother’s arms wrapped around me calmed every worry inside me. I didn’t know what it was I’d learn about myself, but I knew, no matter what it was, it wouldn’t change my mother’s opinion of me. To her, I’d always be her little girl, and that made me feel infinitely better about the future.

Perhaps, Victoria said, speaking up for the first time, you’re looking at it wrong. If you find out you’re not exactly human, that’s an advantage on our side. Being different is a good thing. It’s just a matter of figuring out the extent of who you are and if it will help us. We’re going to need everything we have to survive this.

I nodded. Thor said at the end of Ragnarök, a war is foretold. The way things are going, it’ll be us against Odin. I knew I wouldn’t allow Odin to walk away from all he’d done without paying for it. The Allfather deserved punishment at the end of a sharp blade and I planned to give it to him.

Then we must prepare for war, Victoria murmured, but then she turned her sharp eyes on me. But, Tillie, there’s something you must do before the war, and I need all of your focus on it.

I straightened, tilting my chin up at the Queen. No matter her insistence on not using titles, she would always be the Queen in my eyes. Her aura practically commanded it.

What is that, Your Majesty?

She took my hand and squeezed. You need to bring Loki home.

Chapter Two

THOR

The sound of swinging mallets and hammers surrounded me, the clanging metal against metal a comfort that kept my thoughts from diving too deep. The harder I worked, the harder I tried to chase away the fury and helplessness I’d found myself full of. At least, my strength lent power to the dwarves as we built airship after airship, assembling as many as possible. Above us, the number of those floating and connected between each other were growing every day. Only yesterday, we’d managed to float another two of the large airships up, bringing our running total to ten in the air, each capable of carrying a massive number of people.

It still wasn’t enough.

You wrapped Narfi’s entrails around me like chains after enchanting him to kill Vali!

I remember the day well, and though we hadn’t been privy to all the facts of the punishment, I’d known something was wrong that day, had stepped forward only to be slammed into the ground myself. I hadn’t been powerful enough to save Loki’s sons then. I hadn’t been powerful enough to save Loki now. What good was a God who couldn’t do more than swing a fucking hammer?

Gods were vain creatures. We all lived too long not to develop unhealthy traits, such as arrogance, cruelty, and narcissism, but what my father was doing was something else altogether.

He was playing a game of chess and expecting to sacrifice everyone else so he could survive at the end of it all. How many must die to suit his whims?

Every punishment of Loki came to the forefront of my mind. I’d known he was mistreated, had understood that more after the final punishment of being trapped in the cave for a century. The moment he’d stepped out of the cave, his mask in place, I’d offered my hand and told him we needed to leave. Only then had I seen his mask drop.

What do you mean, we must leave?

Besides Odin claiming the two of us will start Ragnarök if we remain in Asgard, I’d hesitated. I think it’s best you don’t sit in this realm and suffer any more unjust punishments, Loki. Come. We can spend our days with the Midgardians, drinking mead and blending in.

Why go with me? Loki had asked. Why help me?

I don’t ever want to be my father, I rasped, quietly. The cruelty I’d seen in his eyes, watching Narfi and Vali die for bitter retribution for the blow to his pride, I hadn’t wanted to be anything like the man I’d seen standing before all Asgard. Come on, Trickster. Let’s get out of this realm.

We’d left that day and hadn’t looked back, not until Ragnarök began and a certain spy dropped into our lives. Odin had planned for Ragnarök, had forced it to come to pass, had even made sure everything was in place for the End of Days to begin, but he couldn’t plan for one thing.

Tillie.

The old God hadn’t planned on Tillie, and that would be his downfall.

Guilt speared through me. Tillie was probably just as upset as I was about losing Loki. She was probably dealing with it herself, planning how to save him, and I could do nothing except work myself to the bone as an excuse to not think of the way Loki had met my eyes and begged me to take care of Tillie. The Trickster God had finally found a sliver of happiness in this cruel universe and even that had been taken away.

I didn’t want to be my father. I didn’t want to be cruel. His betrayal pierced my chest, but I held no illusions of what he thought of me. We all were pawns in this game, even Baldur. The golden child had been twisted into his image, until Baldur was more demon than God. With Ragnarök ravaging the nine realms, nothing brought our lives into perspective more.

I had no desire to go back to Asgard. I didn’t want to survive Ragnarök if Tillie didn’t. If we went down in a fight at the end, if those we hoped to save survived, I’d take her hand and step into Helheim with the Valkyrie. Odin would never allow her into Valhalla, after all. Not with the way she’d punched him right across the face. Only Tillie could look the God of Gods in the eye and shatter his nose. Only Tillie could catch them by such surprise.

The more I thought about my father, of Baldur, of the other foolish Gods who stood behind him, of the loss of Loki, the angrier I became as I worked. I swung my hammer harder, molding the large beam for the structure of the airship. I swung, shaped, worked the metal, swung, shaped, worked it some more. Clang. Clang. Clang.

Thor, someone called, but I wasn’t listening.

I needed to work, to escape the anger. I needed to push harder.

Thor!

I hit the beam again, too hard, and with a great crack and screech, the large beam split in two before me. I stared at it in surprise, dropping Mjolnir on the ground with a clunk and pressing my hand to the wasted metal.

Around me, the dwarves who’d been working at my side groaned about the wasted beam. I grimaced in guilt. I couldn’t even help properly.

Perhaps, you should take a rest, Brokkr advised, his eyes flicking between my chest heaving in anger and the broken beam at my feet.

We have to double our airships.

Yes, and even my men are taking turns resting, God of Thunder. You are not immune to exhaustion.

I didn’t like his words. I needed to work. I needed to distract myself. I picked up my hammer and turned, preparing to find another beam to work on. A few of the closer dwarves scowled when I moved as if to join them and I paused. How could I work if they wouldn’t let me?

Small hands circled my bicep, familiar hands. I looked down into pretty chestnut colored eyes, saw the bags beneath hers, and guilt slammed into me all over again. I’d left her to try to handle it all alone, because I couldn’t figure out how to handle it myself. I was failing.

She was dressed in a thick fur cloak, thicker than I’d ever seen her in, but I suppose, when we lost the God of Fire, some things would change.

Come on, muscles, she encouraged, and even her voice was weary. You need a break.

I don’t need breaks. I’m a God.

She looked pointedly at the broken beam, at the great split down the middle that made it useless for anything else. Sighing, I let her lead me away from the worksite and toward Birmingham Palace. I knew where she was taking us. The Queen had given us a room to stay in until we rose into the sky on airships, if we made it that far.

Tillie led me to the ornate dark room deep within the palace and moved over to the lanterns against the walls. The electricity had stopped working sometime after Odin left, but we had been prepared. We only used the lanterns for small moments of time, saving the oil for the skies, in case we needed it. When possible, we used the fireplaces filled with broken up furniture.

While Tillie moved into the bath chamber, I lit the fireplace. I couldn’t help thinking how fast Loki would have warmed the room, how my lightning could only spark and slowly coax the fire larger. Once it began to burn and fill the room with more warmth, I went in search of Tillie in the bath chamber.

She sat on the edge of a large clawfoot tub, stroking her hand through steaming water, but when I stepped inside, she stood, met my eyes, and began to slowly strip her clothing. I nearly swallowed my tongue.

Get in, she beckoned when she stood before me nude. Slowly, she sat on the edge of the tub again and I was thankful the room was warm enough for her not to be uncomfortable. Come on, muscles. Don’t leave me waiting. I’m not sure how long the water will remain hot.

She didn’t have to tell me twice.

I kicked my boots off.

Chapter Three

Iwatched as Thor began to pull his clothing off, his boots hitting the floor with loud thumps before he tugged his shirt over his head. He paused at his trousers, hesitating, but I scowled, and he quickly shucked those, too.

He moved closer, his movements jerky as if he weren’t sure what to do with himself, so I took over instead. I grabbed his hand once he was near enough and tugged him closer, beckoning him to bend at the waist and bring his lips to mine.

Let me take care of you, I urged. It’d been so long since we’d had a moment, and since the confrontation with Odin, there’d been even less time. Both of us had been dealing with everything in our own ways, but it was time for Thor to focus. We had our mission from the Queen, to retrieve Loki, so we needed to focus on that, but first, we needed to get some rest. I hadn’t been sleeping. Neither had Thor. A brief reprieve would be in order before we could move onto the next stage.

You shouldn’t have to take care of me, Thor argued. He pressed his lips gently to mine, barely a featherlight touch, but it was enough to send shivers through my body.

I want to. You should accept it while I’m offering. I’m not domestic enough to offer this all the time, I teased, gesturing to the water.

A soft chuckle slipped from Thor’s lips. You’re right. I couldn’t imagine you with an apron as you cooked dinner or cleaned the house or any other number of things.

There’s nothing wrong wanting those things or attending to them, I corrected. And I can do them, if necessary. I was still trained as a lady. However, if I’m forced to do any of them against my will, someone will most definitely end up stabbed.

The God of Thunder smiled. It was the first smile I’d seen since the confrontation with Odin and I considered it a success. He stepped over the edge of the tub, giving me a nice face full