Exiled: (Phoebe Meadows Book Three)

by Amanda Carlson

  “Baldur is the first,” she said.

  She’d just admitted that the god of light was in the wrong place.

  “It’s possible,” I started, “that Rory was sent here to serve the fated purpose of helping me escape and getting the jewel back. Now that he’s done his duty, he should be set free.” For the first time, Hel looked unsure, so I prodded, “None of the other souls in that place could interact directly with me. Rory seemed to be the only one who knew that Matus had stolen the jewel. The demigod was successful in getting it back. For that alone, he deserves a second chance. Ask your foreman, he will back me up.”

  Without answering, Hel shot off two whistles in quick succession.

  In less than a minute, Matus appeared.

  When the spirit set eyes on me, he became enraged, gliding angrily toward me, hoping for a chance to get his misty fists around my neck once again.

  “Stop,” Hel ordered. Matus stood down immediately, facing his leader. She gestured at my hand. I unfurled my fingers, exposing the red jewel nestled inside. “Did you acquire this jewel from the Valkyrie?”

  When Matus didn’t respond immediately, Hel flicked her wrist.

  The spirit began to scream in agony. She flicked it again, and he quieted. “I’ll only ask one more time,” Hel said. “Did you acquire this jewel from this Valkyrie?”

  “Yes,” he admitted. “But I was going to give it to you. I swear!”

  “Bring me the demigod soul Rory,” she ordered. Matus began to speak. She held up her hand. “Bring him to me now.”

  Matus swooped away.

  “You’re doing the right thing,” I said, encouraging her.

  Hel snapped her fingers, and Baldur began to solidify.

  Once the god of light was back in his body, he blinked, glancing around, slowly coming out of his haze. When he spotted me, he smiled. “Phoebe! What are you doing here?”

  He didn’t remember our previous interaction.

  I strode forward, only to receive a stern look from Hel, stopping me in my tracks. “I’m here to take you home,” I said. “And look who else is here.” I gestured to Vali, who had been standing silently next to me.

  Baldur appeared genuinely happy to see Vali. He shifted on his throne, looking unsure if he could stand or not, leaning down to rub his legs. “Vali, it’s nice to see you,” Baldur said. “It’s been too long, Brother. What brings you here?”

  Vali moved to stand before his brother, bowing his head. “I have come to take your place.”

  Baldur’s head shot up, surprise on his face. “Oh, I can’t let you do that. What kind of brother would I be if I let you languish here instead of me? This is my destiny.” Baldur glanced over at Hel, visibly flinching.

  “That’s where you’re wrong,” Vali said. “Avenging your death and taking your place is my destiny. You’re not supposed to be here. I am.”

  Before Baldur could protest again, I interjected, “It’s settled. Vali has always dreamed of this place, he came willingly, it is his choice to remain if Hel will have him. We don’t have time to argue. Fen is in trouble. We have to get back to Asgard.”

  “I don’t understand.” Baldur appeared genuinely confused. “How can I leave this place?”

  “I have made a deal with Hel,” I answered. “In exchange for our freedom, I’m gifting her with two treasured objects. We are waiting for another soul to join us.” I glanced in the direction Matus had left. “I hope he comes quickly. If Fen dies, all is lost.”

  Hel curled her good lip.

  I was not her favorite person by a long shot. I was saved from any more talk by the reemergence of Matus, trailed by Rory.

  When the demigod arrived, Hel stood.

  “Present yourself,” she ordered the spirit. He did as she asked, floating in front of her. Hel snapped her fingers, and Rory began to solidify.

  He was young, with a mass of curly blond hair. His clothing resembled what I’d seen in Asgard. He was clearly strong and capable.

  “Nephew!” Baldur exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”

  Nephew?

  “Answer my questions correctly, and you may leave this place,” Hel ordered. “If you are indeed a demigod related to the god of light, how did you find your way into Helheim instead of Valhalla?”

  Rory shrugged. “How am I to know? One minute I was in the middle of sparring with some friends, the next thing I know, I’m on your river.”

  “Who are your parents?” Hel asked.

  I held my breath.

  “My father is Thor, my mother a patron of Asgard.”

  A child of Thor’s!

  That meant Rory was my nephew as well—or half nephew—if there was such a thing. I had yet to meet Thor, but I was incredibly happy I was able to help out my nephew.

  “How long have you been here?” Hel asked. It was clear she didn’t keep track of her list of residents.

  “Three days,” he said.

  “Can you feel your limbs?” she asked.

  “Yes,” he answered.

  “Has that always been the case?” she asked.

  “Yes.”

  Hel flicked her gaze to mine. “To release all three of you will cost you more.”

  “I don’t have more to give,” I said. “This is it.”

  “The cost is more.” Hel wasn’t going to dicker with me, and I was running out of time.

  “The only other things of value I have”—I withdrew Gram from my waistband—“are Odin’s dagger and Gundren on my back.”

  “I have no need for your weapons,” she spat.

  “Then I have nothing more to offer you.”

  “I will take your blood as payment.”

  Baldur began to protest as Vali came to stand beside me. “Sister, please don’t do such a thing,” Baldur urged. “If you give your blood, it will bind you to this place forever.”

  “I’ve already given my blood to the river.” That hadn’t worked out too well for me, since I was pretty sure it couldn’t have held me under and kept me a prisoner if it hadn’t first had a taste of my blood. “But if it means we can get out of here, I’m willing to give more.” Hel looked satisfied with my answer, which made me a little queasy.

  Seeing no other choice, I readied to walk to the river and give it my sacrifice.

  Before I could take a step, Vali settled the crown on top of his head. “I forbid this,” he announced. “The price Phoebe has agreed to pay is enough. We will not further bind her to this place. When she dies, her destiny lies in Valhalla, where she will be reunited with her parents. I know this to be true, as I’ve seen it. Even if she gives her blood, and you try to tether her here, it will not work. Just as Rory is not bound here. We are in a time of upheaval, and great change is coming to the realms. We will honor our roles, give all the gods back, and await Ragnarok.”

  I held my breath as I watched Hel’s reaction, astounded and proud of Vali’s audacity.

  To my utter surprise, her head inclined once.

  With the valknut in one hand and the jewel in the other, I took a tentative step forward. Baldur and Rory were already in their solid forms. I hoped that was all we needed to get back to Asgard.

  Baldur came off his throne, a little wobbly, gesturing for Vali to take his place.

  Once Vali was seated, the crown still perched on his head, Hel addressed me. “You may present your offering,” she ordered.

  Rory stepped aside as I moved to place the items in her outstretched hand.

  Almost immediately, her visage began to flicker, her rotting side seamlessly morphing to match the other side. I drew in a breath.

  She was beautiful. Two matching eyes would’ve been a huge improvement, but the entire package together was striking. Lush jet-black hair cascaded over both shoulders. Dark eyelashes elongated, perfectly framing a set of clear blue eyes. Porcelain, unblemished skin covered her entire body. Pink, bowed lips curved in an upturned smile.

  She took in my reaction hungrily. “I’ve been waiting for this
for almost a millennium. Now go. Leave this place before I change my mind and decide to keep you here.”

  Grateful, I bowed my head, Baldur and Rory beside me.

  I couldn’t leave without giving my thanks to Vali, so I walked up to his throne and threw my arms around him. “I will be forever grateful to you,” I murmured into his ear. “I don’t know if we’ll ever see each other again, but please know that I will always hold you in my heart. Thank you for helping us. I will make sure that all of Asgard knows the great sacrifice you’ve made.”

  Vali patted my shoulder. “Take care, Sister. I will always remember you, too. But please know that this is where I belong, here with my queen. It is no sacrifice. Thank you for finally granting me my destiny.”

  Without glancing at Hel, I grabbed Baldur’s and Rory’s hands. They both felt warm and strong. I didn’t know where a portal was, but I wasn’t going to stick around here and wait to be told. Hel’s voice echoed after us. “The beasts will lead you out.”

  And just like that, the room was full of her pets. En masse, they led us out.

  Seconds later, we stood in front of a large wall. I glanced at Baldur and then at Rory. “I’ve only traveled with one other person.”

  “I’ve done it with up to five of my friends at a time,” Rory boasted. “But one of them got stuck in the tree for a while. Three is totally doable.”

  I nodded. “Once I place my hand on here, it will open in a matter of seconds, so hold on to my waist.” My goal was to make it inside the courtroom. I had no idea if that was possible, but that’s what I was shooting for.

  We were going to be late, but hopefully not too late.

  30

  __________________________

  ____________

  I focused on the courtroom. I pictured every detail I could remember as the vortex tumbled us around, Baldur and Rory holding tightly to me. I had no idea if there was a portal inside the venue, but I was determined to get as close as I could.

  The tree slowed down a second before it ejected us. I was ready. We emerged at the back of the courtroom, right behind where the elite sat.

  All three of us landed on our feet. It was impressive, although short-lived since chaos erupted as everyone leaped from their seats. The people in the balconies went wild at the interruption. The elite spun in their seats, gaping at us.

  I ignored all of it.

  The only thing I cared about was Fen. I strode forward, not stopping when I spotted him in the same straight-backed chair he’d been seated in before, his arms bound by chains, his clothes ripped and torn. Blood had dried on his face and body.

  He’d put up quite a fight.

  Tyr stood next to him, his arms crossed, a grim look on his face. My half brother had been standing up for him, defending him to the court once again. I loved him for it.

  “Shieldmaiden, I failed you,” Fen said as I entered the area, Baldur and Rory right behind me.

  “You did no such thing,” I replied.

  “Look, it’s the god of light!” someone shouted from above.

  “She brought him back! She’s a hero!”

  “Is that Thor’s son? He died recently. Praise Odin, he is returned safe!”

  “She saved them all!”

  “All praise Phoebe!”

  I locked eyes with Odin. My father was the only one who didn’t look at all surprised that I’d shown up.

  Frigg sat to his left. She stood slowly, clearly stunned.

  “Hello, Mother,” Baldur called joyfully, waving. “Hello, Father.”

  Frigg appeared close to fainting. Her hands gripped the wooden wall as she leaned over, her fingers white with effort. “It can’t be you,” she stammered. “I…I am seeing things. It can’t be you.”

  “I assure you it’s me, and I have Phoebe here to thank for it.” He threw his arm around my shoulders. “She bargained with Hel and won my release, as well as Rory’s.” He gestured to the boy who stood next to him, tugging him forward.

  It was clear the spotlight was new to Rory.

  “Brother, Nephew,” Tyr said, coming to greet the men. “It is good to see you.” Each reached out and grasped Tyr’s good arm. When they were done, he gave me a meaningful look. “You arrived just in time.”

  I nodded. “I can see that.”

  Movement caught my eye. I watched Loki slowly rise from a chair to my father’s right. I could barely contain my anger. “So, because you couldn’t catch me yourself, you brought your son back here for prosecution?” I raged. “He fought you so you couldn’t hand me over to the Norns.” The balconies erupted at the mention of the three hags. “You almost fulfilled your evil agenda—the one you started before my birth when you impersonated the seer to spread lies about an unborn child bringing harm to Asgard.” My words were hostile, each one directed straight at Loki’s heart. “It must burn to have come so close, only to fail.”

  Loki had the nerve to look like he was having a good time. “You must be mistaking me for someone else,” he answered coyly.

  “I think not.” I gritted my teeth. “I just saw you a few hours ago in New York, where you confessed your vile deeds to us. If Fen had not protected me and given me a chance to escape, I would be at the mercy of the Norns this minute, and Baldur and Rory would still be rotting in Helheim.” I let the crowd digest that, including Frigg, who seemed to finally be coming around to believing Baldur was real instead of a figment of her imagination. “In return for my capture, they promised to gift you with sight. And with it—in addition to glamour—you would have become undefeatable. Your exact words. You want ultimate control of all the realms and everyone in them.”

  The courtroom could barely be contained.

  People were shouting and yelling. Many began to chant, “Prosecute, Loki! Prosecute, Loki!”

  Odin was the only one who could cut through the melee. “Silence!” His command penetrated my chest, as it likely did everyone else’s, because the room quieted immediately. Odin locked his powerful gaze on Loki. “Is what my daughter says true? Did you just try to capture her in Midgard and deliver her to the Norns?”

  Baldur joyfully interjected, “By the way, it was the Norn Verdandi who killed me.” He aimed this admission at his mother.

  Odin crossed his arms, his attention laser-focused on Loki.

  Loki stood, smiling slyly. “The girl exaggerates. I was only there to warn her.”

  “If you were there to warn us, why did you take your son hostage and drag him back here to Asgard to be sentenced and killed?” I challenged, my hand resting on Fen’s shoulder. Before Loki could answer, I continued, “But I know why. You seek power, and you’ll do anything to get it.” I directed my next comments to the balconies. Now that I had the floor, it was important to say my piece so all of Asgard knew what was at stake. “The Norns offered Loki the gift of sight in exchange for his help. They were dwindling in power, and knowing their reign over the realms would be ending soon, they looked for a powerful ally. My birth came at just the right time. If they could convince the good people of Asgard that I was a threat to your well-being, and they eradicated that threat, they would gain power and influence. They would be credited with preventing Ragnarok. My birth had never been a secret to them. They were just waiting patiently for my father to make my presence known, so once they spilled their lies, they would be looked upon as heroes—”

  The door to the courtroom burst open, and my mother rushed in. “Phoebe!” She raced into the circle and gathered me in her arms. “You’re okay! They told me they’d sent you to Helheim.” She arched back, her hands resting on the sides of my face. “I’m so glad you’re back. I was so worried.”

  “I just returned a few minutes ago,” I said, hugging her back. “Have you been in jail the entire time?”

  Before she could respond, Ingrid, Rae, my grandmother, and twenty other Valkyries poured into the room, ignoring everyone, spreading out inside the circle, their weapons drawn.

  “What’s this?” Ingrid announced as
she glanced around. “Fenrir is being tried? Why weren’t we informed about this?” Ingrid’s gaze landed on me, seeming to notice Baldur and Rory for the first time. She gasped, tossing her arms wide. “You did it, Phoebe! I knew you would!” She walked over and drew me into a big hug, along with my mother. “Job well done. The god of light is back. That was quicker than I even thought possible.” She dropped her arms and glared around the courtroom. “It almost makes me want to forgive what’s going on here. Almost.” She asked Tyr, “Did you know about this?”

  “I only found out about it moments ago. There was no time to alert you, as I came as fast as I could,” Tyr answered. “Loki made sure that none of Fenrir’s or Phoebe’s allies knew in advance.”

  There was no getting the courtroom under control now.

  Everyone had gone crazy at the Valkyries’ entrance.

  Odin stood. “Everyone is to vacate this place! Those spectators on the floor, exit immediately. I will not give another warning.” To emphasize the order, a burst of lightning shot out of the end of his spear, crackling all the way to the top of the ceiling in the highest balcony, the resounding noise deafening.

  The entire courtroom emptied, except for those of us standing in the circle and the gods sitting above. I noticed now that there were more than a few, along with Frigg, Odin, and Loki, but I had no idea who they were.

  Once the very last person was out, Odin focused his attention back on Loki. “I will give you one more chance to speak the truth. Did you or did you not try to take Phoebe from Midgard to give her to the Norns?”

  “I did not.” Loki uttered it with absolute conviction.

  Had I not been there, maybe I would’ve even doubted it myself.

  I drew Gundren, kindling the ends of the swords with energy almost before they were out of the scabbard. I aimed both blades at the trickster god. “You lie.” The Valkyries around me followed suit, aiming their weapons at the god.

  My sisters were united behind me, and it felt wonderful.

  “You have no proof,” Loki said. “It is my word against yours, and I am a god. You are not.”

  Fen slowly stood, chains clanging.