by S. T. Bende
Jason shrugged. “Deal. And if I win, you have to sit down—nicely—and work out what this sauce is missing with me. This batch is already done; adding to it after the fact isn’t going to be as effective as letting the flavors cook in.”
“You really want to beat Mia, don’t you?” I rubbed my fingers along the edge of my napkin.
“Desperately.”
I shrugged. “Then it’s on.”
“It’s on.” Jason picked up his fork. “Now tell me, Freya, have you always tended toward the frosty side or do I just bring out the very best in you? Remember, all eye rolls result in an immediate forfeit.”
“What? No. That starts after we finish eating. Those were your terms.”
“Love, you’re going to need lots of practice.” Jason winked. “Best to pace yourself.”
Dear gods. What had I gotten myself into?
**
A seeming eternity had passed since we’d left the warmth of the Arcata cabin. Despite Jason spending most of that time attempting to goad me, I’d maintained my non-judgmental face. Jason had finally relented, and we’d spent the last few minutes in somewhat companionable silence, walking through the thick ferns and towering redwoods. A light chill hung in the early summer air, making me appreciate my thin sweater. The coastal California region should have been a good fifteen degrees warmer than it had been all week—a sure sign Ragnarok loomed ever closer.
“So.” I broke the silence, mostly to derail my morbid train of thought. “Cooking’s your thing, huh?”
Jason’s athletic figure moved effortlessly beside me. “Mama taught us when we were little. I wasn’t that into it at first, but eventually I figured out it has its uses.”
“Like when you realized girls like guys who cook for them?”
Jason turned his head with whip-like speed. “Come on. Seriously? No eye roll on that one?”
“I told you.” I lifted my chin. “I’m not an ice queen.”
“We’ll see about that.” Jason chuckled. “But yeah, girls do seem to appreciate my cooking. Got you to take a walk with me, didn’t it?”
“Was that your plan all along? Dazzle me with your chicken, then lure me into the woods to…” To what? Jason was walking a solid four feet to my left—well out of touching range. He obviously wasn’t planning to seduce me. Had I read him all wrong? Was I even his type? Tall redheads weren’t for everybody. Gods, was Jason actually not into me?
“I have no plan.” The object of my confusion raised both hands in mock surrender. “I’m just out for a walk, trying to win a bet so I can beat my sister at cooking. Nothing devious about that.”
“Sure.” Seriously, was he not into me?
You’re not into him either. Remember?
Right.
“What about you? I don’t know a thing about you except that you’re my sister’s friend, you grew up with her boyfriend and her roommate, and my chicken parmesan is the best thing you’ve ever eaten,” Jason said.
“It was pretty good,” I conceded. “But Henrik’s hotcakes are better.”
“Ouch.” Jason clutched his hands to his heart as if he’d been stabbed. “Beaten by the beast.”
“The beast?” I laughed. “Hardly. Henrik’s a softie.”
“Yeah, but he’s massive. I’ve seen tree trunks smaller than that guy’s arms.” Jason shook his head. “What’s he bench? Two, three hundred?”
“I don’t know.” Admitting Henrik and Tyr lifted boulders back in Asgard would be oversharing. Secrecy was the name of the game when mingling with mortals.
Not that I was mingling. I was performing the necessary function of entertaining Tyr’s girlfriend’s brother, aiding the preservation of our safe house and identities. There was definitely no mingling to be had.
No matter what the stupid light show in my head had to say about it.
“Come on, give me something. What about your family? Are they good with you living in California? That’s pretty far from Sweden.”
“Ah, well.” I studied the ground, careful not to step on the smattering of flowers breaking through the moss. Mia had done a good job feeding her brother our “exchange students from Sweden” cover story. She probably hadn’t revealed any more about any of us than absolutely necessary, but I needed to test the water just in case. “Mia hasn’t told you anything else about my family?”
“Nothing.” Jason shook his head. “Why? Is there a good story there?”
Orphaned, raised by the Norn Verdandi, and guarded by the original valkyries probably constituted a good family story on Midgard. But since we were still flying under the radar, I gave a nonchalant shrug and just said, “Not really.”
“Come on, love. Tell me about the young ice queen.” Jason didn’t break his stride as he nudged me with his elbow.
“I’m not a—oh, forget it.” A stream of air escaped my lips on a strong huff. “Fine. My parents died when I was young, so I was raised by…” I racked my brain for a plausible Midgardian substitute. “By my godmother.”
“Whoa.”
I’d taken several steps before I realized Jason had stopped walking.
“Whoa, what?” I turned around.
“I didn’t know about your parents. Mia never told me. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” I shrugged again. “They died noble deaths. Both were warriors.”
“No wonder you’re so tough.” Jason eyed me with something akin to respect. “I can’t imagine growing up without my parents. Did you have any other family nearby?”
“My concept of family is pretty broad.” I softened my tone. “To me, the family you choose is every bit as significant as the one you were born into. So, I didn’t have biological aunts or uncles or cousins, but I didn’t lack for family. My godmother had lots of…friends”—valkyries—“who lived with us”—in the valkyrie compound the Norns created to protect me—“and played with me.”—trained me to be a warrior so I wouldn’t become my realm’s greatest liability. “And when I got to go to school, I met Tyr and Elsa and everyone, and my family got even bigger. So…it was good.”
Jason let out a low whistle before raking his hand through his hair. “I thought you said you didn’t have a good story.”
“It’s a pretty tame story where I’m from.” It was. My best friend was a half-giant who’d been adopted by Asgard’s then-God of War, and a third of the valkyries under my charge had lost at least one parent in the defense of the realm. But Jason didn’t need to know anyone else’s story—or even the full version of mine.
Not yet.
My entire body stilled as I wondered what that meant.
“Freya? You all right?”
I shook my shoulders, forcing myself to focus. “Never better. What about you? What was it like growing up in…Connecticut, right?”
“Right.” Jason shoved his hands into the pockets of his puffy vest. “It was pretty normal. Sunday dinners with the grandparents, summer camping trips, sports—lots of sports. Football and baseball were my favorites.”
“Mia speaks very highly of your family. It’s wonderful that you’re so close.”
“We’re lucky that way.” Jason eyed me. “Sorry—I didn’t—”
“Please.” I raised a hand. “Everybody has a story. I won’t have anyone pitying mine.”
“Fair enough.” Jason took a few steps to his right and tilted his head to the sky. After a short silence, he shifted his gaze to me. “You like stars?”
“As much as the next girl.”
“Come here.” Jason motioned for me to join him. I stepped cautiously across the mossy forest floor.
“Yes?”
“Look right up there.” Jason placed his hands on my shoulders. When he’d positioned me directly in front of him, he reached around with one arm to point to the sky.
I ignored the way my skin tingled where his shoulder pressed into mine. “What am I looking at?”
“Ursa Major—the Big Dipper.” Jason’s breath tickled my ear. I forcibly reminded myse
lf that I’d yet to receive a contract update from the Norns, and therefore Jason was not for me. Though he was awfully good looking. Maybe I could just…
No, Freya. Bad idea.
Or is it?
“Everyone knows the constellation, but I like the story behind it,” Jason said.
“Why’s that?” It was purely a matter of balance that made me lean into him as he spoke. I was in complete control of myself. Perfekt control, actually.
Pursuant to the explicit terms of my contract.
“Because this particular constellation served as an eye test for ancient fighters. One of the stars is a double—if a man could identify which of the stars was the double, he was granted warrior status.”
“Just the men?” I raised an eyebrow. “Patriarchal societies were so backwards.”
“True, but they were also chivalrous,” Jason countered. “Allowing someone to protect you doesn’t make you weak. On the contrary, trusting someone enough to let them see your vulnerabilities is a sign of strength. And love.”
The words loosened something in my heart, and released one of the infinite knots tethering me to my pain. But while Jason’s sentiment rang true, he needed to understand something bigger.
“I don’t need protecting,” I said softly.
“Mia told me that you’ve been sick.” Jason’s breath was cool against my ear. “And it’s obvious you’re very independent, and that the way your friends coddle you drives you nuts. It’d drive me nuts, too. A constant reminder that I’m different from what they’re used to? Not helpful. But from everything I’ve seen, your friends—your chosen family—really want to be there for you. Are you letting them?”
“I’m…” I closed my eyes. “I’m trying.”
“Good.” Jason lightly placed one hand on my hip. A bolt of energy resonated through my body, spiking my pulse and making me shiver at the same time. Bad idea, Freya. Bad, bad, bad. I quickly stepped forward, putting some distance between us. “Freya?”
“I—er—did you hear that?” I blurted.
“Hear what?”
“Nothing. Guess I imagined it. So, uh, the stars.” Lame.
Jason’s brow furrowed. “Hold on. Now I hear it.”
What? “You do?”
“It sounds big.” Jason pulled me behind him and broadened his stance. “It’s coming from the edge of the clearing. I’ll look into it.”
A low growl rang through the woods, sending blades of fear ripping into my gut. What if it was one of our enemies? They’d opened a portal in these woods before—and nobody knew better than me how terrifying capture would be. I can’t let Jason walk into that.
“No, don’t!” I blurted. “I’ll go.”
“Like hell you will,” Jason objected. “Go back to the cabin. I’ll distract it until you’re gone, then follow you. But if it takes me down, run like he—where are you going?”
“Stay there!” I called over my shoulder as I charged into the trees. I was not letting Jason anywhere near whatever demon lurked in the woods. I ran faster, tapping the communication device on my wrist as I moved. “Tyr, possible hostile at the northeast corner of the clearing due west of the main cabin. I’m investigating, but Jason is unmanned. Extract him if I don’t come back.”
“What the Helheim are you doing?” Tyr’s low voice came through my comm. “Freya, disengage. I can be there in—”
“No time. It could be a—” I blinked at the sight of the gigantic, furry creature rising on two legs. “Never mind. Don’t send backup. It’s just a bear.”
An extremely angry, possibly offspring-defending bear, but a Midgardian mammal was infinitely more manageable than a raging fire giant. Or worse.
“You sure?” Tyr barked from my wrist. “Why are you in the forest, anyway? Jason’s supposed to be watching you at the house.”
A surge of frustration shot through me. “I don’t need watching. I am not a child!” The bear’s ears flicked, and I forced myself to speak softly when I said, “I have to go. See you at home.”
Exercising tremendous self-control, I tapped the communicator with one finger and lowered my head. Making sure to stay low to the ground, I slowly backed away from the enormous brown animal. At the same time, I scanned the region for cubs. Sure enough, two brown fur balls were tumbling in the ferns roughly twenty yards away from their mother. No wonder her hackles were raised—Jason and I had unknowingly posed a threat to the things she loved more than anything in the world. And biology mandated she protect that love with everything she had.
Using those massive teeth.
“Sorry, Mama,” I murmured softly, still backing away. “They’re safe.”
I called up the last few drops in my reserve and pushed a wave of love at the bear. As a rule, animals were quick to pick up on energy, and this one was no different. Her lips curled back down over her teeth, and she dropped down to four paws and silently padded toward her cubs. Nudging them with her nose, she pushed them away from the meadow and deeper into the forest, glancing over her shoulder before disappearing into the woods. The whole exchange had taken less than a minute, and by the time I’d turned around Jason was running toward me.
“Freya! Jeez, I couldn’t find you.” Jason rushed to my side, an enormous stick in hand. “Where is it?”
Had he been planning to use that pitiful weapon to attack a bear? Or, if my gut had been right, a dark elf? Bless.
“It’s gone. It was just a mama bear.” I gently pressed the stick down until it hung at Jason’s side. “And I told you to stay where you were.”
“Well, I told you to go back to the house. A bear? Seriously, you could have been killed.”
“I told you, I didn’t need protecting,” I reminded him.
“I guess you don’t.” Jason grinned. “You’re something else. You know that?”
“Thanks.” Even as I brushed off the compliment, a glow built deep inside my chest. “Come on. Let’s go home before something else tries to eat us. You were telling me about the stars?”
“You sure you’re okay?” Jason tossed the stick to the ground.
“I’m good. Honest. Come on.” I walked back the way we’d come, confident Jason would follow. Sure enough, his footsteps fell softly behind mine. “So. Any other constellations I should know about?”
“Well, that’s one of my favorites.” Jason came up beside me and pointed to the patch of sky just above the tree line. “Corona Borealis. Those seven stars make up the Northern Crown.”
“What’s the story behind that one?” I pulled my sweater tighter around my chest, a pointless effort to ward off the summer’s unseasonable chill.
“Once upon a time a terrible monster called the Minotaur wreaked havoc on Crete. The people were able to contain the Minotaur in a maze, but they were terrified it would break free. This hero, Theseus, set out to destroy the monster. But he didn’t do it alone—he needed help from his true love.” Jason shifted to face me. His twinkling eyes warmed my cheeks.
“Who was that?” I mumbled, ignoring the heat pooling just south of my navel.
“His brilliant, fierce, take-no-prisoners fiancée. Princess Ariadne knew that even if Theseus managed to kill the monster, he’d never find his way out of the maze. That was the whole point—the maze was created to make sure the Minotaur never, ever escaped. Ariadne gave Theseus a ball of string to unwind as he made his way through. After he slayed the beast, he followed the string through the labyrinth, where his love was waiting to marry him. The seven stars make up the points of the crown Ariadne wore on her wedding day. They appear in the sky every night as a reminder that respect, love, and teamwork are all we need to slay any monster—mythological or otherwise.”
My heart thumped frantically against my ribcage.
Stand down. He’s not your match.
I don’t care.
Yes, you do. You can’t do this to another guy. Remember what happened to—
I shut the thought down before the tsunami of pain drove me under.
> “That’s…beautiful,” I whispered. I forced my gaze from Jason’s smoldering eyes, and blinked up at the stars. “They taught you that in astronomy class, huh?”
“They taught me the names and designs of the constellations in astronomy class. But I like the stories behind the science. Things are rarely what they appear on the surface.”
The rumble in Jason’s voice pulled my attention from the sky. He’d tilted his head to the side, and now studied my face with unbridled curiosity.
“Wh-what do you mean?” I wrapped my arms around my chest.
“I thought you were an ice queen when I first got here. But it turns out you’re a pretty cool chick. Smart. Intense. Strong as hell. And I think there’s a softness deep, deep inside there that some lucky guy’s going to get to uncover. If you ever decide to let anyone in.”
“I…uh…” Jason Ahlström was fast breaking down my carefully crafted wall. And I wasn’t sure I liked it.
I wasn’t sure I didn’t like it, either.
“Look at that.” Jason stepped close enough that his woodsy scent filled my space. My heartrate spiked, the pounding in my chest now jackhammering against my ribcage.
I was so screwed.
“Look at what?” I whispered.
“The ice queen’s blushing.” Jason reached up, the backs of his fingers gently brushing my jawline.
Heat flooded my face anew. All sense flew out the window as I allowed myself to lean into the touch. Jason turned his hand around so his palm cupped my cheek. He ran the pad of his thumb along my jawline, and my lips parted.
“What are you doing?” I whispered. Whatever it was, it could only end in heartbreak.
Or worse.
“Freya,” Jason murmured. He took the final step into my space, wrapping an arm around the small of my back. He pulled me into him in a swift movement, forcing the air from my lungs in a surprised gasp. He was so close I couldn’t miss the pulse of his heart against my chest, or the electricity pinging from the too-intense eyes now lined up perfectly with mine.
“Jason, I don’t think—”
“Exactly.” Jason slid his hand from my cheek to the back of my neck. He laced his fingers through my hair, holding me in place. “Don’t think.”
