by S. T. Bende
I clung to Ull’s arm.
Ull strode up the aisle with the confidence of someone who had walked this path many times. Gunnar and Inga walked calmly behind us with Olaug bringing up the rear. The congregation was silent and still. When we reached Odin, Ull bowed deeply and I followed. At least I hadn’t tripped on my way in. This graceful goddess thing was working out for me.
“My fellow Asgardians,” Odin began in a deep voice that echoed off the walls. “As you know, last night we undertook the greatest battle in our history. But thanks to the unique talents of our newest member, we emerged victorious. Jotunheim is severed from the realms. Fenrir and the serpent are slain. Loki is in prison. And Asgard remains at peace.”
The hall erupted in cheers. I looked at the faces staring up at us, some weary from the weeks of planning, some worse for wear from the covert missions they had carried out in the night, but all triumphant at our collective successes. Odin raised a hand and the crowd quieted.
“Many years ago I asked my grandson to take over for me as Ruler of Asgard. He declined, opting instead to spend his time on Midgard. I did not understand why he was drawn to that realm.
“Ull took a human bride, a woman named Kristia, who showed her character by joining our ranks even when Ull made her aware of the certain death awaiting us all. She became both wife and goddess, and since her ascension she has given us a remarkable gift. She saw our enemies draw their battle plans, and she saw when those plans were changed at the eleventh hour. Though mostly untrained in battle, she fought to protect our realm. Kristia, Goddess of Winter. Please step forward.”
I glanced at Ull and he squeezed my hand, nodding toward his grandfather. I prayed I wouldn’t fall while walking up the steps.
“Kristia Myhr. You selflessly risked your own future to save ours, and Asgard is eternally in your debt.” Odin held out a small, golden key, placing it carefully in my hands. “You are henceforth granted full rights and access to Asgard, as is any true protector of the realm. Use it well, and know that wherever you go, we are with you.”
I bowed and the crowd erupted. As they celebrated, Odin leaned in to me. He winked. “Welcome to The Firm.”
My brow furrowed. How did he know about Ull’s private nickname for his family? Odin smiled mysteriously and sat back in his chair. He patted Frigga’s knee and beamed at his people.
I tucked the key safely in my pocket. Ull took my hand and we stood facing the congregation. Olaug, Gunnar, and Inga flanked us, receiving hearty pats on the back from Thor and kisses on each cheek from Sif. My eyes scanned the crowd and I noticed the handsome sandy-haired god who took down the terrible ship leaning against the back wall. He winked at me. I raised my free hand in a wave, and Tyr offered a smirk and a salute. He had the same cheekiness to his smile that Ull got when he was about to do something naughty. As I giggled, Inga let out a squeal.
“Gunnar! Look who’s here!” Inga pointed to the god standing next to Tyr. He had the impish eyes and irrestible dimple of another god I knew. In fact, the likeness was uncanny. Shut the front door. Did Gunnar have a brother?
Gunnar followed Inga’s gaze. When he spotted his doppleganger, his face broke into a grin. “Well look who Freya’s cats dragged in.” He took off across the room, weaving his way through the sea of gods, and clapped the mystery man on the back.
“Inga,” I whispered. “Who is that?”
“Gunnar’s brother. We haven’t seen him in forever. He’s all kinds of fabulous.” She waved at her brother-in-law and he returned the gesture. Tyr tilted his head toward the door, and Gunnar’s brother nodded. He cuffed Gunnar on the shoulder, before ducking out the back door with Tyr. I wondered what, or who, was waiting on them.
I looked across the vast crowd, knowing I would have an eternity to get to know each and every Asgardian. But there was only one I wanted to be with right now. I rested my head on Ull’s chest as the celebration wound down. Odin dismissed the masses and retreated from the Great Hall. The rest of the party followed suit.
Though I dutifully fell in step after our friends, Ull had other plans. “Come, sweetheart. I have something to show you.” He whisked me out a side door, pulling me until we were out of sight and lifting me in his powerful embrace. He carried me to a plush, green meadow at the edge of a lake. A blue gingham picnic blanket was nestled beneath the shade of a willow tree. Wildflowers grew in patches around the meadow, and the sun shone softly from between the silvery willow leaves. It was etherally beautiful at the same time it was altogether familiar. My brain swam, trying to commit each spectacular image to memory, while my heart swelled with the overwhelming realization that I belonged here.
I was Kristia Myhr, Goddess of Winter. And this was my new realm. Holy cow.
“When did you have time to set up a picnic?” I asked.
Ull carefully set me down on the blanket and pulled a bottle of champagne from the silver bucket on the grass. “Remember those Valkyries Freya keeps on call for the royal bloodline? I texted one before we crossed the Bifrost; asked her to arrange a little celebration to mark your first official visit to our realm.”
“Right. I forgot about them.”
Ull uncorked the bottle, poured two glasses, and held one out for me. It was made of the most exquisite crystal, its intricate snowflake pattern reflecting hundreds of rainbows in the filtered sunlight. Ull touched his glass to mine, producing a melodic clink, and said simply, “Skål, my love.”
We drank, staring into the still blue waters of the pond before us. A ripple ran through it as a pair of ivory swans swam slowly across. We watched them paddle motionlessly across the surface.
“Will I ever get used to all of this?” I gestured to Asgard, the meadow, the ponds, the intimate gardens I could see in the distance, the castle seeming to rise out of the clouds.
“Yes and no. Its beauty still catches my breath, after many years. But truthfully, I am most at peace at Ýdalir. It is my home, even though it is a great distance from where I was born to be.” He looked at me for a long moment. “Kristia, when we return to Odin he will invite us to live in Asgard. He has decided to let us choose whether to return to Midgard or take up residence here. If living in Asgard will make you happy, then we can set up our home just over the hillside. It is a lovely place to be, and I am sure you will enjoy living here.”
“But you won’t.” I wasn’t asking. “Ull, I only want to be where you are. I don’t care where we live. Asgard is amazing—I’m sure we’ll have great visits here. But we’ve built our life together at Ýdalir. It’s our home, and it’s where I want to stay.” I hesitated. “Unless you’d rather move…” But I didn’t have to finish the sentence before I saw the relief in Ull’s eyes.
“Not at all. Asgard is wonderful, don’t get me wrong, but it is…well, a bit much for me. I like country life in Bibury. And taking in the city when we are in London. I would love to spend our newlywed years in Midgard if you would.”
“I think that sounds perfect.” I clinked his glass with mine, imagining the adventures awaiting us back home. I was sure that between London and Bibury, we would have plenty of distractions to keep us occupied for a few years at least. And after that, who knew? If there was one thing meeting Ull had taught me, it was that I should never try to predict what life held next.
I played with the hammer necklace I still wore and my mind went blank. I plunged easily into a vision of the future. Ull and I, sitting on the grass beneath the shade of the big tree at Ýdalir, a beautiful baby boy nestled in a plush white blanket between us. He kicked his chunky legs in the air, bare toes wiggling as he let out peals of delighted laughter. Ull tickled his tummy with a soft daffodil from the garden, babbling incoherently at his cherubic face as the little one’s brilliant blue eyes lit up in the exact same way his father’s did. I watched the vision both from inside and out, my heart swelling with love and pride far beyond its physical capacity. I pulled myself back to the present moment, and looked at my husband with awe. The expression in his eye
s made me smile. He had more insight than I gave him credit for.
“Ull?”
“I have been focusing when I see you slip into your visions, and they are still hazy but I am starting to be able to see them with you. I think that was part of the Norn’s plan—for me to see what you see, so I can watch out for you. But this is more than I ever let myself hope for.” Ull’s eyes shone with unshed tears. “You are going to have my baby…”
“This certainly complicates things, doesn’t it?” I murmured, not bothered for some reason by the discovery that my visions were now marital property. “How will I surprise you with the big news?”
“I missed the timeframe,” Ull offered. “How long do we get to practice?”
“Not long.” I beamed. “The daffodils were blooming. He’ll be a spring baby.” I was overwhelmed with happiness.
“Well then, Mrs. Myhr. We had better get started.” Ull placed our glasses on the grass and swept the remnants of our picnic to the side. Then he leaned toward me. It took every bit of willpower I had to resist.
“Your parents are waiting for us.”
“Kristia, my parents have been waiting for me since I first bought Ýdalir. It has been decades since I have spent any goodly amount of time here. Another hour will not kill them.”
“But it’s my first time in their home, and I want to be a good guest.” I raised my chin.
“All right, sweetheart, but only because this is your first visit to Asgard. On our next trip, you are all mine.” He looked at me, a lock of that adorably disheveled hair flopping over one eye. I brushed it aside, and the touch of his skin beneath my fingers nearly changed my mind.
“Jeg elsker deg,” I whispered softly.
“I love you, too, darling.” He kissed me gently. We sat beneath the perfect sky, content to be exactly where we were.
All too soon we returned to the Great Hall, now transformed for the celebratory banquet. Polished columns rose from the floor. Long tables filled the room and white banners hung from the high ceilings. There was no excessive décor, no grandiose art or carvings like I would have imagined for a hall of the gods. It was simply a gathering spot for old friends. What made it so remarkable was the feeling within—everyone chatted happily, embracing one another and passing food with hearty laughter. For all its many members, I could see that Asgard was a family home. Ull and I stood at the entrance, hands tightly clasped, and I realized that I was a part of this family, too.
When we walked in, hands clapped our backs and arms stretched out with welcoming hugs. Elsker waved at me from a table filled with equally tiny, white-haired ladies. Though it was my first time at such a banquet, I felt like I’d been here my whole life. Ull kissed my cheek and I gazed up at him adoringly. I was so grateful to him for so many reasons. He had given me family, love, security, and the promise of a lifetime of happiness by his side. I was finally right where I belonged.
After the feast, we approached Odin with our decision to stay on earth. When he offered us residence in Asgard, Ull declined so politely his grandfather took no offense.
“We look forward to visiting often. But to be honest, we have a good thing going where we are. And so long as we are able to keep up with our duties, we would prefer to stay in Midgard,” came Ull’s gentle rebuff.
Odin took it in stride, and we were granted indefinite leave to perform our duties as telecommuters.
“Will there be anything else?” Odin looked at me like he knew the answer.
“Actually, sir. There is one thing.” I leaned in to whisper my plan.
When I finished, Odin chuckled. “I had a feeling.”
“Gunnar agreed to let us try it out, but I haven’t talked to Jens yet. I know he worries about Inga being a warrior or a Valkyrie, but this isn’t exactly the same thing. And besides, Inga and I are together all the time anyway. So if I ever were attacked, she’d be in the middle of it. You know she wouldn’t turn down a good fight.” I pleaded my case.
“That is true. I see no reason we cannot at least let Inga be your guard on a trial basis. If we find it is not working, we can reevaluate.”
“Oh, thank you!” It took everything I had not to throw my arms around him.
“Just give me a moment.”
“Of course.” I tugged at Ull’s hand and led him a few feet away. He wrapped his arms around my waist from behind and rested his chin on my head.
“I still say it is a long shot,” he murmured.
“You also said you’d never bet against Inga,” I reminded him.
“True.”
“Inga,” Odin called. She turned away from her conversation and glided across the room.
“Jens.” Odin motioned to his advisor. Jens hurried to his side.
Odin dropped his voice to a murmur, so we were left to guess at the conversation. Jens’ mouth drooped in a frown and he shook his head. But after Inga treated him to her puppy-dog look, he nodded. She jumped up and down and hugged her father, and then bounced on her toes as she scanned the room. When her eyes found me she gave me two thumbs up. I returned the gesture with a grin.
Go, I mouthed, waving her toward Gunnar. She turned and ran across the room, nearly tackling him as she jumped into his arms.
“Somebody is happy,” Ull whispered in my ear.
“That makes two of us.” If I had to have a bodyguard, I was glad it would be one of my best friends.
“So, we are going back to Bibury,” Ull confirmed.
“Yep.” I leaned back into him as he wrapped his arms tighter around me.
“You do not mind, do you Olaug?” Ull spotted her at a table nearby, chatting with Elsker, Sif and Thor. He pulled me over to her.
“Mind what, my boy?”
“Going back to Midgard?”
“I never mind going there.” Her eyes crinkled. “Has Odin approved?”
“Yes.” I grinned. “And Inga’s going to be my bodyguard.”
“Oh, how wonderful for you both.” There was genuine pleasure in Olaug’s eyes. She knew how long Inga had wanted a position like this.
“What about you, Elsker? Where will you settle now?” I turned to the tiny woman.
“Why, Bibury, of course. I’ll want to spend lots of time with the baby.” She winked at me.
“Baby!” Sif squealed from her seat.
“Baby? What baby? Kristia, are you pregnant?” Olaug jumped up.
“Not yet,” I hissed. “Elsker, you can’t go around doing that!”
“I am a Norn.” She waved her hand, unconcerned. “These visions just come to me.”
“Well, you don’t have to blurt them out.” Honestly, nothing was private around here.
“There’s going to be a baby!” Olaug was off in another world. She practically skipped toward the Bifrost, babbling giddily about pudgy baby legs and toes.
“I guess we had better follow her.” Ull shrugged. “Mother, Father, Please visit often.”
“We will, Son.” Sif hugged him tightly. “Oh, a baby!”
“Sif,” I moaned. Not her too.
“It’s just so exciting! Take care of each other.” She kissed me on both cheeks.
“Of course. See you soon.” I shook Thor’s hand.
“Absolutely.”
“Gunnar! Inga!” Ull called across the room. “Are you ready?”
They sauntered over to us, hand in hand. Inga’s eyes were bright. “Let’s go.”
“Elsker.” Ull leaned toward the Norn as an afterthought. “Do you have any insights about the baby?”
“Hmm.” Elsker narrowed her eyes. She stood and put both hands on my stomach. “Ahh. I see.”
“What? What do you see?”
“Asgard’s little prince will make his appearance before next summer. And he has a very special gift for our realm.” Elsker stepped back, her face glowing with happiness.
“Before summer, ja?” Ull looked at me.
Oh, great Odin, his parents were right there.
“Come, darling. I need to get
you home. Now.” He placed his hands on my hips and ushered me toward the Bifrost. I heard the laughter behind us but I was too mortified to look.
“Heimdall, Bibury, please.” Ull instructed the gatekeeper as we caught up to Olaug. Inga and Gunnar piled in with us, and once again I had the uncomfortable sensation of traveling through the realms. I was more than a little relieved when my feet touched the grassy meadow behind Ýdalir.
“We’ve got some house hunting to do. Olaug, you’re coming with us. The lovebirds need some privacy.” Inga dragged Gunnar and Olaug off in the direction of town. The one realtor in our village wouldn’t know what had hit her.
“It would seem we have Ýdalir to ourselves, Mrs. Myhr.” Ull grabbed my waist and pulled me close, leaving no room for questions. I breathed in his heady scent, intoxicated by his nearness. I stroked one substantial bicep, looking up, up, up until my eyes finally reached his. His mouth was pulled into that adorable half-smile and I reached up to brush the stray lock of hair from his eyes. My insides turned soft. He grabbed my wrist and pulled it to his chest. Then he kissed me. Hard.
I pulled away, breathless. “What did you have in mind?”
The smolder in his eyes grew and he swept me off my feet, running past the startled sheep grazing in the meadow. The movement was surprisingly smooth, but despite his graceful sprint the butterflies in my belly took flight, as if someone had jabbed them with a branding iron. In an instant my hands were in Ull’s hair, pulling his face to mine. My lips peppered hot kisses along his jawline, the coarse fibers of his perma-stubble scraping my sensitive skin. I didn’t care. I wasn’t acting on any logical level anymore. My entire being was consumed with the overwhelming need to be Ull’s, in every conceivable way. And if my lips endured a few abrasions in the meantime, it would be more than worth it.
Besides, that stubble was sexy as all Helheim.
Ull bolted through the back gate as my teeth grazed his earlobe. He let out a shudder, the tremble rocking through his body and resonating where his arms wrapped around the backs of my legs. He set his jaw and ran faster, not bothering to close the French doors after he ripped them open. I shifted in his arms, pulling myself higher so I could trace the top of his ear with my tongue. The butterflies flapped harder as Ull put one hand on my hip. He swung my legs free and I wrapped them around his waist. Now I clung to him, legs cinched tightly around him like a belt, and arms twined around his neck. He moved one hand to the small of my back, fisting my hair with the other. As he neared our bedroom, he turned so he ran in reverse. He slammed his back against the door, sending wood chips flying.