Gods

by Ednah Walters

  “Is it time for the second meeting?” I asked. “Oh, let me say one thing before you speak. I appreciate what you did for my mother and sister. It must not have been easy to apologize, so thank you.”

  “When a wrong has been done, we try to right it,” the same Norn who’d spoken before said, her voice calm. “And yes, we need to discuss our second meeting. The Wise Ones would love to meet with you but the conditions must be right.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “You mentioned the gifted young Völva.”

  “Raine Cooper. Her story is even more interesting. You see—”

  “We want you to bring her to us.”

  I stared at her. “What?”

  “We want to hear her story, but the Wise Ones want to hear it from her, not you. She possesses a dagger that belongs to one of the Wise Ones. A dagger forged eleven times by the fires of the dragon Nidhug and cooled in the eleven rivers that existed in the beginning of time. The Wise One wants her dagger, and Raine must return it.”

  I was shocked, yet not surprised. “Wow, you really had me fooled. All this time I thought you were different, nicer, maybe even misunderstood. This is what you wanted all along.”

  “The dagger belongs to the wisest and oldest of the Wise Ones.”

  “I’m not talking about the dagger. This is all about Raine. You still want her.”

  “It takes someone special to wield that dagger, so they want to meet the young Völva. Bring her to us. When you do, you will have the answers you seek, answers about your sister and your future mate. Bring us the dagger and its wielder.”

  The Norns disappeared and left me feeling like an idiot. I’d bought their act. Believed there were nice ones. They were as manipulative as ever. They must have lied to my mother about my sister taking over her throne after Ragnarok. As for Raine and that stupid dagger, it was obvious they still wanted her.

  I opened the portal to Celestia’s house and laughter greeted me before the portal completely formed. The Grimnirs’ voices mixed with Celestia’s. They were watching some reality show while munching on caramel popcorn. She loved caramel in everything.

  Celestia saw me first and stood. She reached my side before the portal closed, and I pulled her into my arms, hers going under my trench coat and wrapping around my waist. All the crap of the several hours ceased to matter. I buried my face in her hair and sighed.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  I wasn’t sure what bugged me the most—that I might owe Marguerite a favor or that I’d let the Norns play me. “I spoke with your father.”

  “Me too. He’s pissed.”

  That made two of us. My eyes volleyed between the two Grimnirs. “Did you tell her about the three Immortals?”

  “Yes,” they said.

  “Stay alert. Wait outside. We’ll be leaving for Eljudnir in a few minutes.” I took her hand and led her to the bedroom. “You need to pack whatever you’ll need for a couple of days.”

  “I have to talk to Dad again. I hate leaving when he’s angry.”

  “Call him. He was very specific, after he chewed my ears off for letting you treat Mrs. Mouton.”

  “But it wasn’t your fault.”

  “Can you tell him that?” She laughed. “Come on. Pack. I’ll be back. I need to talk to the guys.” I headed outside to find Bree and Kainani had arrived.

  “They’ll escort you home,” Ranger said. “Daiku and I will continue to search for Marguerite and the girls.”

  I knew I could always count on them. I went back to help Celestia. She was on the phone with her father while packing. She hung up and threw the phone in her backpack. I almost asked her why she needed her phone then remembered she often took pictures with it.

  “Talk to me,” she said.

  “When we get to the hall.” I picked up her new boots. “Are you taking these?”

  “No-oo. Snow will destroy them.” She picked up her laptop, saw me staring at it, and said defensively, “I need to show Trudy something.”

  “I’m not complaining,” I said.

  I took the bag while she put on her snow boots and coat and went to get the Grimnirs. No one spoke when we crossed realms. As usual, Grimnirs were arriving and leaving. When we got to the hall, I opened the portal to the family rotunda.

  “What happened?” Celestia asked.

  “Right now I just want to hold you and not think about anyone or anything but us. Can we do that?”

  “Now you are worrying me.”

  “Is that a no?”

  “No, it isn’t. You have me. Always.”

  I entered my quarters, dropped her bag, and scooped her up. The second my back touched the bed with her partially draped on top of me, I closed my eyes and exhaled. She didn’t ask questions or speak, just gently stroked my chest as though soothing my heart. My heart was at peace. My head, on the other hand, was a mess. I stroked her back. Holding her wasn’t enough anymore.

  “Do you know how crazy I am about you?” I whispered.

  She lifted her head and grinned.

  “Possibly about as crazy as I am about you.” She stroked my face. “You are worried about something.”

  And I didn’t want to discuss it with her yet. Marguerite was doing to her what the Norns did to me: lulled me into a false sense of security then struck. I just needed time to prove that. “You can make it go away.”

  “How?”

  “Kiss me.”

  She grinned, leaned forward, and rubbed her lips across mine, then kissed the corners of my mouth. I let her play for a few minutes then took over, savoring the taste of her. My hand slipped under her shirt to stroke her skin. A shudder rocked her body, her arms tight around my neck.

  She rained kisses all over my face. I rolled her over. I wanted to get lost in her so badly I couldn’t think straight, but I knew she wasn’t ready to go all the way. That didn’t mean I couldn’t find other ways of making the moment memorable for both of us. I buried my face in her neck and trailed kisses to her shoulder. I went into partial shift, but didn’t slow down. She could handle it. She could handle me in any form.

  I tugged on her top, and she helped me remove it. “I like this.”

  I chuckled. “I thought you might.”

  “But I’d like this even better.” She pushed my shirt up and dropped a kiss on my chest. “You. Shirtless.”

  The feel of her lips on my skin sent heat pulsing through my veins. If I let what she did to me go to my head, this battle to stay in control would be over in seconds. So I focused on her needs, taking cues from her responses, the sighs and the soft moans. Her enthusiastic responses made me feel invincible.

  I inched lower, her body a masterpiece I took my time appreciating. A delicacy I savored. A wonder filled with hidden treasures and new discoveries. For the next hour, she held my undivided attention.

  CHAPTER 19. BLACK RUNES

  CELESTIA

  Holy crap! Eirik just blew my mind. He was my first in many ways; I struggled to understand what was happening and stay sane. He took me to places I’d only imagined before, introduced me to feelings so foreign I lost myself in him. And when I thought it couldn’t get any better, he did it again, making it all feel like the first time. He owned every breath I took, controlled every sigh I made, and redefined who I was.

  I wanted more, but more than that, I wanted to make him feel the same way I did. I stroked along his waist and reached for his belt. He gripped my wrist and stopped nuzzling my neck.

  “No, Dimples.”

  “Why not?”

  “I’m good… for now. Making you happy was enough.”

  “Can you do it again?”

  He pressed a kiss on my forehead. “Any time.”

  “Now?”

  He laughed, rolled us over and showed me, once again, just how much he knew what made me happy. When he finished, he cradled me close, like I was the most precious person in his world. When he pressed a kiss on my forehead and reached for his shirt, I wasn’t ready to
let him go. Something was bothering him, and it wasn’t sexual frustration. I snatched his shirt out of the way.

  “Talk to me.”

  “Dimples…”

  “I’m serious. You’ll get it back after you tell me what’s bothering you.”

  He sighed and settled against the pillows, his arms behind his head. I wasn’t going to listen to a damn thing he said when that chest begged to be touched.

  “Sit up.”

  “Why?” he asked, eyeing me from under his lashes. He looked so hot.

  “Please.”

  He did, confusion flashing in his eyes. I straddled him and pulled his shirt over his head. When his head cleared the neck, I kissed him. “I love you, Eirik Baldurson.”

  He went still. “Say that again.”

  “I love you, Eirik, in so many ways the list is endless. You are funny and generous, annoyingly arrogant and used to getting your way, yet loving and kind. I didn’t know someone like you existed.” My voice broke, and my eyes smarted. I looked up and blinked rapidly. “Damn it. I’m not going to cry, until I say this.”

  “Stjärna mín,” he whispered. “I love you so much it hurts whenever I think of something bad happening to you.”

  “Don’t. I’m going to start crying like an idiot if you say those cute endearments and whisper how much you love me.” Flames leaped in his eyes, turning them orange instead of their usual amber. I almost didn’t continue. “I thought I’d always be alone, fighting so I didn’t get lured to the dark side, then I found you. I hoped saving you meant a step away from the abyss, but it brought me to you. Now I’d willingly dive into the darkest depths of any realm as long as you are with me because I know you will save me and bring me home.”

  I found myself flat on my back and that gorgeous body of his on top of me, his hands all over the place as he whispered his love over and over. I didn’t complain. I loved his hands and his mouth on me, and one day, I was going to enjoy sharing more than kisses and intimate caresses. For now, I let him be in charge. He was so good at it.

  Another hour passed and I never wanted the moments to end. I rolled onto my stomach and studied his beautiful face. This lovely man was mine. He was worth the wait and the years of misery.

  “Talk to me, please,” I whispered, stroking his jawline.

  “I’m hungry. Let’s get something from the kitchen first.”

  I chuckled. Typical Eirik. Here I was thinking about how lucky I was to have found him and he was dreaming of food. I scooted to the edge of the bed.

  “Hey,” he said, and I glanced over my shoulder. He was putting on his shirt, muscles rippling with every move. I sighed with disappointment when he was covered up. He chuckled, and my eyes flew to his face. I was so into him I couldn’t even fake it.

  “I’m happy you’re back in the hall,” he said.

  “Me too. Even though it’s only temporary.”

  He smiled mysteriously. “Is it?”

  “Of course.” Not that I didn’t want to stay with him. I could if he asked me. I just wasn’t sure what I’d do with myself. Maybe learn about runes and… Do what with them?

  My mind drifted to the runes I’d seen on Cora just before Dev, the soul with the sexy Irish accent, left her phone. He’d claimed she’d blinded him with her runes, which meant he’d seen them glow. Were they like the goddess’? Hers had glowed too when my soul had seen them the first time. Were they common?

  “Tell me about your black runes that don’t glow while we eat,” I said as I stood, straightened my clothes, and finger-combed my hair. “Why don’t they glow? Are they exactly like the goddess’?”

  “I don’t know. Mom has so many I can’t tell them apart, and I have no idea why they only glow to souls. I used mine when you were in a coma and tried to draw you out, but all I got were evil souls. I didn’t know you were lost because you’d used all your life force.”

  Until my guardian found me. “Were you born with them? I mean, did you inherit them from your mother?”

  “No one is ever born with runes, Dimples. They have to be etched on you.”

  “Are they unique or are there other people outside you and your mother with them?”

  He chuckled. “I don’t know. You’ll have to ask my mother. No,” he said when I opened my mouth. “No more talking about dark runes. Let’s discuss you.” He sauntered toward me, put an arm around my shoulders, and tucked me to his side as we left his quarters. I pushed a hand in the back pocket of his pants. Ooh, nice. Nice butt. “You intend to drive me crazy, don’t you?”

  “Not really. Just appreciating a part of you I can reach since you won’t let me play with the rest of you. I swear when I get my speed and strength runes, be ready to be at my mercy.” I patted his stomach. “For hours.”

  He laughed and dropped a kiss on my forehead. “You are priceless.”

  “I know. I’m also very curious and an enthusiastic learner.”

  He pulled my hand from his back pocket and placed it around his waist. “You’ve never told me you loved me until today.”

  “I’ve told you plenty.”

  “You’ve said you are crazy about me, kissed me until you forgot to breathe, and even drooled over me, but you’ve never said you loved me, until today.”

  “Saying I’m crazy about you is the same as saying I love you.”

  “It’s not.”

  “Is too. As for not breathing while we kiss, oxygen is overrated, and I don’t drool.” He laughed, and I bumped him with my shoulder. “Okay, maybe I did twice. When you were dressed for that stupid ball your mother threw for you and when I saw you in that special suit before we left for Jötunheim to find the orphans.” And every time he was shirtless. “So no, I don’t drool.”

  “Do too. Crazy and love are not the same.” We reached the rotunda, and he grinned at the guards. “Celestia loves me, guys.”

  They smiled, nodded, and said, “Yes, Baldurson.”

  He was such a goofball. “I’m beginning to regret saying it.”

  “You can’t take it back.”

  “I wasn’t planning to. You are stuck with me. Of course, you might fall in love with some Asgardian goddess and decide to hook up with her behind my back. Do that and I’ll put a hex on both of you to last forever, so you’ve been warned.” He grinned. “You might think it’s funny now, but try me.”

  “You’ll still love me though,” he said, sounding smug.

  “That’s because my stupid heart doesn’t know any better.” I got a kiss for that. Instead of opening a portal, we walked to the kitchen and surprised Maera. She was happy to hear I was going to be around for a while. She promised to bring us food.

  We were walking back when Eirik stopped and whispered, “Damn.”

  I followed his eyes to the three people entering the front hall—Echo, Torin’s best man—Andris, and Mr. Cooper’s soul. He must have just died.

  “Go,” I said.

  “No. Come with me. You haven’t met Andris or Tristan.”

  “I did today, from afar. Go to him. I’m sure he’ll love to see a familiar face. I’ll find Trudy and hang out. I want to show her something anyway.”

  “I’ll come find you as soon as I’m done with him.” While he went to meet the man who’d helped raise him, I headed back to the kitchen, spoke briefly with Maera, and then went in search of Trudy. She was in their living room, sketching.

  “Hey,” I said. She looked up, squealed, and jumped up. Her hug was smothering.

  She leaned back and searched my face. “What are you doing here?”

  “Staying for a few days.”

  She stopped smiling. “Why? What happened?”

  “Gee. Do I need a reason to visit?”

  “No, but you have school. Unless you’re not going anymore.”

  “Not for a few days. Come on. I’ll tell you everything. Oh, your silver-haired boyfriend from Raine’s wedding is here.”

  She stopped. “Really? Where?”

  “In the hall. He came with
Echo. They brought Mr. Cooper’s soul.”

  “Oh, poor Raine. I didn’t think her father was going to last a day. I have to change.” She was gone before I could respond.

  Man, everyone was deserting me. I went to study her sketches. She was really talented. Maybe, she should do Eirik’s quarters instead of the goddess’ decorator.

  “Done.” She’d changed into one of her new dresses and put on makeup. “How do I look?”

  “Gorgeous, just like you did before you changed. So where are you going?”

  “To meet Andris. I’m not missing this opportunity. I want to make a good first impression. The one at the wedding didn’t count. Come on.” The moment we left her home, she created a portal and peered through it. All I saw was a hallway. “They are in one of the guest quarters. Wish me luck. I’m going to offer to show him around and maybe steal a kiss. I’ll stop by later to give you the deets, okay?” Then she was gone, the portal closing behind her.

  Now I felt like an unwanted guest. Feeling a bit dejected, I headed to the family rotunda. For one brief moment, I contemplated going to see the goddess, but I ditched the idea. She might be busy. Besides, she didn’t even know I was around or why. I didn’t want to be the one to tell her. I went back to Eirik’s, pulled out my laptop, and turned it on. I might as well watch one of the movies I’d downloaded.

  A knock came on the door before I opened the program and I ran to answer it, expecting to see Trudy. It was the goddess.

  “There you are, dýrr mín. Eirik just told me you were home. Have you eaten?”

  “No. I was waiting for him.”

  “No, you’re not. He and Baldur are spending time with Tristan and since chess is involved, we will not see them for a while. So it will just be us girls. You’ve met the Coopers?”

  “Yes, today, actually.”

  “Tristan is a good man, and we owe him and Svana for keeping an eye on Eirik and making sure he grew up loved and safe. Come on. We’ll eat, drink mead, and catch up. I promise not to get you drunk. I leave such shenanigans to my son.” Her eyes went to the bag on the coffee table. It was open and some of my clothes were visible. “I’m happy you’ve come for an extended visit. These back and forth visits were becoming tiresome.”