Goddess: A Runes Book

by Ednah Walters

  “I’m so sorry you had to go through that alone, dýrr mín,” the goddess said. “The runes Maliina etched on you only stabilizes a possession so the two of you can coexist within one body, which is what she wanted. They are very unique, so she must have learned about them from evil Norns. The locator runes I etched on you when you were a baby are the ones that attract souls. Your grandmother etched them on me, so she could always find me, but I’d forgotten to use them on Eirik. I thought he was safe here in the hall. They are harder to bring to the surface because you don’t really need to, except when someone with them needs to track you down. But if you want to learn to engage them, I’ll teach you.”

  She engaged hers, and mine appeared.

  “See? They are the same ones I have and the ones Maliina etched on your brother when I was trying to find him before she switched allegiance to the evil Norns and started adding others.” She pointed out the one I should focus on first and how the others follow. There were about five bind runes, but the first one was the most complicated. I studied it and engaged it on and off. “Just continue working on it until you can do it without thought. One day, you can etch it on your husband and children so you never have to go through what I endured.”

  “Is there a way I can expel a soul once I allow it to possess me? I always worry one would refuse to leave, especially when Echo is not around.” I realized what I’d said, but I couldn’t take it back. “Or Syn and Andris. They are the other reapers who tend to keep an eye on me when I have a session.” Now I was blabbering. “Are there such runes?”

  “I was going to discuss that with you. Warding runes can be engaged to stop a soul from possessing you and expel it when it stays too long. We’ll work on those.”

  Chapter 13. New Suitors And Bodyguard

  Days went by fast as I got to know the goddess and Baldur. They wanted to know about everything—my teachers, my life on the farm, my likes and dislikes. I explained every picture and video. I loved seeing them together. He teased her a lot and made her laugh. They reminded me of Mom and Dad. They answered every question I had about them, and slowly, I started seeing them not as a god and a goddess, but as a loving couple, people I could relate to. I learned from Baldur that the goddess could have easily entered my mind and seen all my memories. Instead, she’d chosen to sit through hours of videos and pictures, and listened to my version of events. Only a mother would put up with that.

  In the afternoons, I learned how to engage my locator runes without locking on to my medium runes. She taught me warding runes, which I added to mine.

  “We can test it with souls here when you are ready.”

  “But they are solid here,” I said.

  “Yes, but they switch back and forth from physical to energy form based on your will. Think of them as newborn babies, completely dependent on you. If you want them to be in their physical form, you force your will on them. If you want them to be pure energy, you will it. Your father, for instance, has stayed in his physical form for so long you can’t force your will on him. Even I can’t do it. He controls the form he takes, and he’s chosen the physical. Working with souls will help you test your warding runes.”

  We often ate breakfast and lunch with Eirik after checking on Celestia. He no longer looked like a hobo, but he wasn’t the old Eirik either. Celestia meant everything to him, and his world wasn’t going to be right until she came out of the coma.

  Maera fed Celestia some green liquid stuff that looked like blended spinach. It kept her healthy and hydrated. Twice a day, Eirik kicked everyone out, except Maera. I didn’t know what they were doing until Trudy explained that they massaged Celestia’s body.

  The emissary to Asgard hadn’t yet returned. I wasn’t sure whether the goddess would go there as she’d threatened or whether Baldur had convinced her not to go.

  Trudy, Hayden, and Jessica spent so much time in the pool I rarely saw them, but when I did, Jessica still couldn’t look at me without turning pink. I’d catch her glancing at me from the corner of her eye. I tried to make her feel at ease, but something about me kept her on edge. I hoped she’d talk to me about whatever was bothering her. Zack was often with them or at the Grimnirs’ gym working out.

  Nighttime was my favorite because I got to see Echo. Like clockwork, he never failed to come to Eirik’s to check on Celestia. He often stayed until I fell asleep. I’d wake up in the middle of the night to find his arms around me. The lounge became our bed, just like the chair had been ours when we’d kept vigil by Dev’s bed while Celestia treated him. Unfortunately, Echo was often gone by morning.

  Sunday morning—or was it Monday?—I woke up disoriented. I wasn’t on the lounge or in Eirik’s guest room. Someone had finally carried me to my own bedroom.

  The scent of bacon and eggs reached me, and my stomach growled. I followed the smell to the dining room, where breakfast was laid out on the side table. Litr was issuing instructions to Astrid like a drill sergeant. He stopped when he saw me.

  “Morning, Litr, Astrid.”

  They both bowed, despite me repeatedly telling them not to.

  Litr pulled out a chair for me. “I hope the young goddess slept well,” he said.

  I couldn’t get rid of the title “young goddess” either, but I was determined. “Einmyria, Litr. You too, Astrid. Where is everyone?”

  “The goddess has joined Baldur in the Throne Hall. They are deciding on what to do about the new arrivals.” He placed a plate of eggs and bacon in front of me.

  “More villagers?” I’d only seen them from afar.

  “No, the ones arriving in my realm without permission,” the goddess said from behind me. As usual, I hadn’t felt the portal open. “The nerve. They’ve come because of our Celestia, or so they say. I’m sure some had never even met her.”

  “Where are they from?” I asked, cutting the bacon.

  “All the other realms. I have sons of kings and their entourages, young gods and their mothers, men of noble and not so noble birth outside my gates asking for entrance. I will not allow it. I can understand those she’s dealt with in the Eastern Gjöll Pass and Jötunheim worrying about her. Thank you, Litr.” She took the chair he’d pulled out and picked up the goblet of apple juice he’d set by her hand. He always anticipated her every demand. “Pour Einmyria some apple juice, Astrid,” she ordered and waited while the girl did.

  I sipped the juice and tried not to grimace. It wasn’t that bad. I knew all about the special apple for the gods and how it kept them young. Still, that didn’t stop me from hating the fruit or its products. I’d avoided drinking the juice since I arrived. I focused on the bacon instead.

  “I know the person responsible for this fiasco,” the goddess continued. “Eirik’s annoying friend Lavion. He must have said something at the market in Nidavellir. It’s where people from the realms go to trade goods.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Trudy?”

  A portal opened, and the redhead peered inside. “I’ve told Mama you want to see her.”

  “Then why are you looking guilty?”

  “Who? Me?”

  The goddess harrumphed. “Do not go outside to look at the tents or the new arrivals.”

  Trudy made a face.

  “Not without guards,” the goddess added.

  Trudy pouted. “Why?”

  “It’s not safe.”

  Trudy sighed. “Okay.”

  The portal closed, and Litr served the goddess. She tasted a piece of bacon and put it back on the plate. “That’s cold. Take the food back to the kitchen and ask Maera to prepare it again. Even my meal is suffering because of them.”

  I stared longingly at the remaining bacon on my plate as Astrid whisked it away. It had tasted perfect to me. The goddess didn’t speak until they were gone.

  “I don’t like discussing Trudy in front of them. She’s not a servant here just because her mother is my housekeeper. She’s under my care and tutelage because of what she is, and I’d hate for anything to happen to her.”


  “What is she? I mean, I know she can manipulate memories.” I had yet to ask her and Hayden to get my memories back. Spending time with my parents had been a priority.

  “And she has the power of premonition, but she’s much more than that,” the goddess said. “Remember we were talking about your friend Raine announcing Ragnarok and alerting the gods?”

  I nodded.

  “Trudy is an announcer, too,” the goddess explained. “She’ll do it from Jötunheim. The prophecy said there would be three of them—one in Asgard warning the gods, a second one here waking my warriors, and a third alerting the Jötnar. I’ve always known Trudy would alert the people in Jötunheim,” she explained. “It annoys the Norns that she is a member of my household.”

  “And Eirik will announce from here.”

  She chuckled. “Who told you that?”

  “Raine. Isn’t that why the Norns were after him?”

  “No. I haven’t figured out why the Norns tried so hard to keep him from me. I even thought he might be the third announcer, but he’s not a seer. All the announcers must be able to see into the future. I’d even thought Celestia might be the third one. It would make sense, since she lives here and she has the ability to see into the future, but I don’t think she’s the one.” A thoughtful expression entered her eyes. “Norns can be hypocrites. The Wise Ones weave destinies and their minions seal them, yet they’re doing everything they can to lure your friend, Raine, to their side. At least they haven’t tried to take Trudy because she’s under my care.”

  “She’s been to Earth. Weren’t you worried about her going there or other realms?”

  “I was, but Eirik promised to take care of her, and my son always keeps his word. As long as she is with him, I never worry.”

  What if Trudy fell in love and moved away from Eljudnir? “I had no idea she was that special,” I said.

  “She is, which is why I keep her close. Had she been raised in Jötunheim, she’d be dead by now. Possible announcers are born every few centuries, but they never survive to adulthood. All three must survive for Ragnarok to take place. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that the Norns weave their destinies with that in mind, deliberately delaying Ragnarok until they have the right announcers. Ones who are also Norns. It might explain why they want your friend, Raine, to join them.”

  If Celestia was the third announcer, could the Norns be behind her coma? Maybe the hags wanted all the three announcers to be like Raine, all would-be Norns.

  A loud howl reached us, and the goddess sighed. “My poor hound. Modgie had to tie him up the moment he caught the scents of the animals drawing the carriages of our unwanted visitors. You do know why they are here, don’t you?”

  I was still thinking about Celestia, so the switch in subject threw me off. “Who?”

  “The new arrivals. They are here because of you.”

  I blinked. “Me?”

  “Yes. A few are here for Celestia because she is a healer, while others came to show Eirik their support because he is the most powerful dragon in all the realms and they are loyal to him. But the majority of the sons of minor gods and kings are shamelessly using the situation to meet you. Their arrival is interrupting the order of things in my hall. The Grimnirs do not need strangers gawking at them while they escort souls.”

  I’d already concluded she cared about her reapers, guards, and servants, and this confirmed it. No wonder they were loyal to her. She was protective of them.

  “I will throw that annoying Dwarf with the damned on Corpse Strand and let him rot there for a few weeks.”

  And she was melodramatic. “Lavion?”

  “Yes. He was supposed to bring back a healer. Instead, he’s spread news about your arrival. I will not have them in my hall, not when you don’t have any interest in them.” She gave me a pointed look, and my cheeks warmed.

  “You know why,” I whispered.

  “Yes. Echo?”

  I nodded.

  “I saw you together when I returned your blanket. He’s spending a lot more time here than on Earth, and he holds you while you sleep every night. Do you love him?”

  “With all my heart. We thought you wouldn’t approve of our relationship.”

  “Why wouldn’t I? He is a man of moral convictions and a hard worker. He’s also very handsome. Whether he loves you as deeply as you love him is another story. He’s not done anything to prove himself worthy of you.”

  My jaw dropped. “He doesn’t need to prove anything. He is very supportive and loving. Without him, I never would have overcome my fear of souls or started helping them. As far as I’m concerned, he is more than worthy.”

  She smiled. “We’ll see.”

  Thoroughly annoyed, I glowered. “So refusing to listen to him was a test?”

  “I wouldn’t call it that.”

  Of course she wouldn’t. She’d been so nice that her attitude now completely blindsided me. This was the mother who’d thrown Eirik in the dungeons to awaken his dragon. I didn’t like this side of her one little bit.

  “Mother, I will not have you test Echo. He truly loves me.”

  “My dearest daughter, if I wanted to test him, I would have thrown him in the land of the fire Jötnar and let him fight his way home to you. Or I would have had Trudy scramble his memories and see if he could fall in love with you again. No, your father suggested we should wait and see what Echo is willing to do to show he loves you. He suggested…” A frown creased her brow. Actually, half her brow, the normal side, while runes on the other side appeared and disappeared. She made a disgruntled noise and shook her head. “Oh, that impossible man. This entire mess is not Lavion’s doing. This is his doing.”

  She was hopping from topic to topic so fast and confusing me. “What mess? Whose fault?”

  “The arrival of the young gods and princes from other realms. Your father must have sent Lavion to spread the news of your arrival. Shake the tree a little bit and see what falls off. Very clever and totally unacceptable. I need to have a long conversation with that father of yours.” She stood while I stared at her in confusion.

  “What does he hope to gain by inviting them here?”

  “He is about to test your young man by giving him a chance to prove himself in the oldest way known in all the realms. He knows possible suitors will challenge Echo to show their prowess and to impress you. Jousting and sword fighting to win a maiden’s hand. The whole thing is ridiculous and barbaric.” She shook her head while I tried to pick my jaw off the floor, again. “I have no idea what goes on in your father’s head sometimes. No wonder he is walking around with a big smile on his face. Maybe we will sneak off to Asgard to get Eir while they pound on each other.” Her gaze went to my goblet. “Drink your apple juice, Einmyria. It’s good for you.”

  I didn’t see her leave because the dining room disappeared to be replaced by a fighting scene so bloody I gagged. The vision disappeared as fast as it had appeared, but I’d seen enough. Echo was going to fight a giant, and from the looks of things, he was going to lose.

  No, I wasn’t going to Asgard. If Echo was going to fight for me, I had to be by his side. A family that stands up for each other survives. Echo was my family.

  I tried to open a portal to wherever Echo was and failed. Disappointed, I disappeared into my bedroom to shower and hopefully cool down. Dad would not have pulled this crap on me in Kayville. It was ridiculous and barbaric, like the goddess had said. Just because Baldur was my biological father didn’t give him the right to test Echo. From the vision alone, Echo was not going to survive this. If he got seriously hurt, I was leaving Helheim for good. Let’s see how Baldur felt about having no daughter to dangle in front of suitors like a prized mare.

  I stepped out of the bathroom to find Astrid waiting in my bedroom. She’d been doing that since day one, but I always told her I didn’t need her help—until today.

  “Can you find Echo for me, Astrid?”

  She left and returned a few minutes later. “H
e’s not in the hall, but I told the guards you are looking for him. They’ll find him.”

  “Find Syn and Rhys, and tell them to find Echo.”

  She left. She was so eager to please me I felt bad for my grumpiness. So when she returned and asked about the rollers I was using, I showed her and she helped with my hair.

  “Now what?” she asked.

  “I wait for it to dry while I eat breakfast. Back at home I use a hood to dry it.” When she frowned, I explained what the hood did.

  “Or you can just will it.” She touched my hair and removed one of the rollers. The lock was dry and the curl perfect. No wonder the goddess’ hair was always perfect. There were perks to living in a magical place.

  “Thank you, Astrid.”

  “What dress and shoes would you want to wear? I’ll get them for you.”

  For the next few minutes, she and I worked together. She got my clothes and shoes and even helped me remove the rollers. Then she excused herself to get my breakfast since the goddess had rejected the first one. I changed into the long-sleeved aquamarine dress with a built-in hoodie she’d picked and added heeled ankle boots.

  “What would you like to eat, young goddess?” Litr asked when I joined them and lifted the dome lids. Once again, there was bacon, eggs, and pancakes. “These are fresh off the gridle.”

  “Everything, except apple juice.”

  Confusion flashed on his face. “But your father insists that you drink some.”

  Baldur was not my favorite person at the moment. “That’s too bad.”

  The shocked expression on Litr’s face made me feel terrible. “I hate apples. My parents grow apples. The ones in Midgard,” I explained when he frowned. “I grew up eating apples and apple pies, drinking apple juice, and eating dried apples. So now I hate everything to do with apples.”

  “But the apple is the fruit of the gods. They all eat it.”

  Litr looked so distressed I caved. “Okay, I’ll have some.”