Echo smiled and bowed to her, then glanced at me.
“Like the goddess said, I’ll escort you back when you are done,” he said.
Done with what? What had I missed while gawking at her?
“Okay.” I gave Echo his coat. “Thank you.”
“It was my pleasure.” He opened a portal and disappeared.
Left with the goddess, I smiled and tried not to act nervous. Easier said than done. She studied me from head to toe with a gleam in her eyes, but didn’t say a word. My mouth went dry, and I found myself rubbing my hands against my pants. I missed the little cover Echo’s duster had given me. Or maybe the disapproval on the goddess’ face was the reason I was feeling underdressed.
Not sure what to do, I curtsied.
“There’s no need for that, Celestia,” she said firmly, her voice neither cold nor warm. “Your hair is nice. Your makeup’s not bad either, but this appalling attire”—she waved to indicate my jeans and jacket—“will not do.”
My jeans and jacket were hip and edgy. Annoyance gave me back my voice. “Excuse me?”
“You are excused. Trudy,” she called and snapped her fingers. “Help her get ready, and then bring her to me.” She turned and disappeared through a portal before I could speak. I hadn’t even known Trudy was already in the hall.
Wow. She was still domineering and not nice. I stuck out my tongue as the portal closed behind her. Trudy laughed.
“What’s going on, Trudy?”
“Didn’t you hear what she told Echo? We are going to a ball.” She tilted her head and gave me a once-over. “She’s right. I love your outfit and want to try on that jacket, but you’ll stick out like a sore thumb. You definitely have to change. Lucky for you, Mama knew Echo might haul you here without giving you a chance to change, so she made an outfit for you. He’s impatient.”
“Whoa. What ball?”
“The one we will be attending. You can represent Midgard, just like the goddess said.” Trudy slipped an arm around mine and opened a portal to the majestic rotunda by the family’s hall. As usual, there were guards by the hallways leading to individual quarters, but I didn’t recognize them. They bowed too.
“About this ball—”
“I have everything arranged, so don’t worry about a thing. You’ll fit right in. But before we start on your transformation, the Golden One wants to talk to you.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. So how have you been? I begged Eirik to take me with him every single time, but he said no. He always says no. Horrible, mean young god, that one.”
“Take you where? And why do I need to represent Earth at this ball?”
“Because you are the only Mortal Witch left in your world.” I glared at her and she laughed. “I’m kidding. This is Eirik’s ball. Thanks for the chocolate and the paints, by the way. They made up for not seeing you, but I won’t forgive him until he brings me with him.”
Understanding finally kicked in. I wanted to tell her Eirik had never come to visit me, except for the one time at the hospital, but the guards leading us to Baldur and the goddess’ chambers could hear us. Chances were Eirik had sneaked out to see Cora or Raine, the two women he loved in Kayville, Oregon. I’d like to pretend that didn’t hurt, but it did. He’d even brought Trudy chocolate and art stuff, and pretended they’d come from me. Talk about bold-faced lies.
“I told you before. I wasn’t supposed to remember this place.”
“Oh please. It hasn’t stopped you from hanging out with Eirik.”
How many more lies had he told? “What’s wrong with him? Is he sick? Hurt? Why are they throwing him a ball?”
“I’ll explain later.”
Litr opened the door before we reached it, saw me, and grinned. He rushed forward, took my hand, and kissed my knuckles. My cheeks warmed. The Dwarf could say a lot without speaking. I was happy to see him, too, but I didn’t get a chance to say so, because Baldur appeared behind him.
The God of Light, Peace, and Forgiveness looked exactly the same—same radiance, ageless skin, blond hair, and amber eyes. Every time I looked at him, I pictured Eirik centuries from now, except I wouldn’t be around to see it. He’d be hanging out with Raine and his buddies while I’d be resting in one of the halls. Dead. Forgotten.
Yikes, where did that come from? I’d accepted the fact that Eirik and I were from different worlds months ago. He was a god and had responsibilities a mile long while I was concerned with normal things like finishing high school and where to go to college.
“Celestia.” Baldur closed the gap between us and pulled me into his arms. “You poor child. You are frozen.”
Warmth radiated from him and chased away the chill that had crawled under my skin. The God of Light must manipulate light to generate heat. And he was a hugger. Grams had been the hugger in the family while Dad was the press-a-kiss-on-the-forehead or squeeze-a-shoulder type of guy. I savored the hug even though my mind warned me not to be too greedy. I was hugging a god, after all.
“Thank you,” I said and stepped back.
Amber eyes searched mine. “No, dýrr mín. Thank you for coming at such short notice.”
Like Echo had given me a choice. “It’s okay.”
“Trudy, leave us.” She hesitated, but Baldur added, “I’ll send her to you as soon as we are done.”
Done with what? I wondered again, watching her leave. I felt like a lamb being primed for the slaughter. I wanted to call back Trudy, but there were more important things than my fears and insecurities.
“What’s wrong with Eirik?” I asked as soon as the portal closed.
“Patience, dýrr mín.”
He led me past the living room to a paneled, cozy room I’d never visited before. It had shelves of leather-bound books, scrolls, and what looked like an hourglass on a vintage table. Instead of the gold and white theme, bright crystals, and three-dimensional murals like in the living/dining room, this room was darker with gorgeous paneling and burgundy curtains. The yellow crystals gave it a cozy, intimate ambience. On the walls were framed maps of the nine realms instead of murals. A wide lounge chair, obviously for lovers, was by the fireplace, where flames flickered and warmed the room. Somehow I knew this was the goddess and Baldur’s private room.
“Sit, please.” Baldur waved me to a stuffed armchair, and I sunk into it. It was comfortable. I could fall asleep in this chair in minutes. He took a similar one across the round table and smiled.
“Now, tell me. How have you been?”
“Good,” I said, speaking slowly.
“Then what’s wrong? Did you and Eirik have a fight?”
“No.” I’d have to see him to have a fight.
Baldur leaned closer. “He used to visit you quite often, but then he stopped. Since then, he and his mother have been knocking heads. So be truthful with me.”
This time, anger shot through me. I didn’t know what bugged me more. That everyone assumed Eirik had left the realm to see me when he hadn’t or that he’d left and never come to see me.
“No, we haven’t fought,” I said, hoping my annoyance didn’t show. From Baldur’s expression, he didn’t believe me.
“I don’t like seeing the most important people in my life at each other’s throats, Celestia. My wife is promising all sorts of things I won’t go into, and he’s closeted in his room. He would rather spend hours flying to far corners of the realm than meet his responsibilities at home, and that’s where you come in.”
I stared at him slack-jawed while processing the information he was throwing at me at a snail’s pace. Eirik wasn’t sick or dying? They’d brought me here to… what?
Baldur leaned forward and took my hand, his expression earnest.
“I’m going to be very blunt, Celestia. Eirik has a lot of responsibilities he must attend to and his mother worries about him. He’s spent the last couple of months accepting challenges from other dragons and defeating them. Tonight’s ball is to honor him for that. They need to recogn
ize his bravery and his place among the dragon shifters. His mother is convinced that once Eirik knows you are here, he will stop being difficult, dress up, and join us. I believe in a more direct approach. He listens to you. Talk to him. Find out what’s going on with him, and persuade him to attend this ball.”
They’d grabbed me from the club, taken me away from my friends and the hottest boy band since… forever, and made me trudge through the damn snow and mist to convince Eirik to attend a ball? A freaking ball? I’d thought he was on a hunger strike or his crazy mother had locked him up again.
“Will you help us, dear?” Baldur smiled, but his eyes were shadowed with worry.
Convince that impossible man to do anything? Somehow, I doubted it. I still wanted to rant against the way they’d brought me here under false pretenses, but the worry in Baldur’s eyes stopped me. Besides, no one had ever said Eirik was sick. I’d reached that conclusion on my own. Next time, I’d insist on knowing everything before setting foot on this land.
“Sure. I mean, I’ll talk to him, but I can’t promise he’ll attend the ball afterward.”
“I believe in you, dýrr mín.”
“Usually, I do too, but he is…”
“Unpredictable,” Baldur said.
“Impossible and stubborn.” And that’s putting it mildly.
“But he is our son and the apple of his mother’s eye.” He stood, signaling the end of our conversation. “Talk to him. Find out what’s going on.”
“I’ll try, but I’ll not spy on him. My loyalty is…” Was the dragon bond messing with my head? No, I would not spy on him even without the bite. “Let’s just say that I can’t repeat whatever he tells me in confidence.”
Baldur studied me with a weird gleam in his eyes. I couldn’t tell whether he was annoyed by my decision or pleased.
“Somehow, I didn’t think you would,” he said, his voice hard to read too. “Last time I checked, he was in his quarters. Flying still drains him, but he’s recovering faster,” he added, pride lacing his words. “Our guests will leave their quarters for the banquet hall in the next hour, and I want him by our side. His mother and I will be waiting here.” He raised his hand and Litr appeared. “Escort Miss Celestia to Eirik’s quarters. Then come help me finish getting ready.”
I followed Litr and waited until we were headed toward the rotunda before asking, “How have you been, Litr?”
“Fine, Miss Celestia. Just trying to keep peace.”
“That bad?”
He nodded.
“Why won’t he go to the ball?”
“Um, uh…”
I planted my hands on my hips and stared Litr down. He shifted from one foot to the other, his flaming face matching his hair. He mumbled something, but all I caught was “looking for a mate.”
“Who is looking for a mate?” I asked, sure I had heard him wrong.
“Word is out that he’s the future Alfadir of the gods, and now they’re throwing their daughters at him. Parents with dragon girls are arriving from all the realms, hoping he’ll like one of their daughters. Some didn’t even challenge him, yet were first to arrive, the self-seeking opportunists.” Litr’s voice rose with anger, his face growing redder. “They heard he defeated challengers and refused to bite and bind them to him. They expected him to stoop that low. The Rising Star is honorable just like his father.” He started for Eirik’s place, his voice lowering to a whisper. “I’m happy he refused to attend the ball. Don’t make him go, Miss Celestia.”
Litr was so cute and loyal, but matchmaking mothers with troll daughters were exactly what Eirik needed. I had to bite my tongue to stop from laughing.
“You know I can’t go against Baldur and the goddess’ wishes.”
“Then go with him, Miss Celestia. You should see them. Some are as old as my grandmother and uglier than a Dökkálfr.”
I had no idea what a Dökkálfr was, but Litr didn’t think highly of it. He continued to berate their guests as he led the way to Eirik’s quarters, and I tried not to grin. Eirik hated to be told what to do, so he must be pissed.
“Some are barely weaned from their mama’s milk. Shameless mamas and papas sneaking around, asking servants questions.” He stopped outside Eirik’s door and glanced at me. “Get him out of this, Miss Celestia,” he begged. “Please.”
I stared after the Dwarf. He was crazy if he thought I’d dare advise Eirik to disobey his mother. Goddess Hel scared the crap out of me. Baldur was much nicer, and I liked his plan better. I had no interest in attending a ball in this realm. Represent Midgard, my butt. Trudy had known, the faker.
Okay, I needed to focus. I hadn’t seen Eirik in four months, and maybe he didn’t want to see me after I kicked him out of my hospital room. I wouldn’t blame him. I shouldn’t have lashed out like that. On the other hand, he shouldn’t have listened to me. I had just been attacked and was hurting. Any moron would have known I wasn’t myself.
I stared at his door and tried for calm. Instead, my heartbeat hiked with anticipation and my mouth went dry. Do it and get it over with. I blew out air and knocked.
There was no response. Was he asleep?
I turned the handle and peered into the room. He was fast asleep on top of the bed, one arm under his pillow and the other flung across the covers. He wore sweatpants and a black T-shirt that hugged his muscular upper arms and rode up to reveal serious abs. He must still be working out like a maniac.
Heart pounding, I entered the room, closed the door behind me, and walked to the edge of the bed. Nothing had changed in the room, but Eirik… Wow!
The man I’d known was gone. In his place was a buff guy with an angular face that wasn’t relaxed even in sleep. He was a little less pretty boy and harder around the edges, which sent tingling feelings to my stomach. His head shifted restlessly, his hand fisting. He was definitely having a bad dream.
An innate urge to calm him caught me off guard, and I crawled on the bed, reached out, and stroked the back of his hand.
A growl rumbled through his chest and scales appeared on his fingers and knuckles. Fear slammed through me, followed by the instinct to hop off the bed and run. I even leaned back, but other feelings took over. Fascination. Exhilaration. A need to touch him.
Could this be the effect of the dragon bond? I knew it made one loyal and devoted to the dragon. What if there was more? I was supposed to hate everything scaly and slitty-eyed, yet here I was drawn to him, a dragon shifter. Fascinated by him. In total awe of what he was.
The scales had appeared like the runes, lifting to the surface fully formed. They were made of different shades of brown—from beige to gold—and shimmered as they caught the light from the crystals. More scales raced up the arm I’d touched.
My next action made no sense either, unless the damn dragon bond was making me stupid. Maybe I wanted to overcome my fear of scales, or maybe I just liked studying him without him smirking at me. Whatever the case, I ran my fingertips across his scaly arm. Another rumble rolled through his chest. It was louder, yet calmer. It sounded more like a purr.
I grinned and did it again. The surfaces of the scales were smooth, and they appeared to move as the muscles under them flexed. I touched the tip of his nails. They had hardened into claws. They were long and sharp. I wasn’t sure how long I knelt there and played with his scales before sounds from the hallway reminded me of why I was there.
“Eirik.”
CHAPTER 4. DREAM A LITTLE
EIRIK
I was dreaming about Celestia again. Her voice, soft and sweet, called to me. And the effect on me was the same. Need coiled deep in my gut. She hadn’t called out to me since the first month when she would cry in her sleep. My dragon half had known she needed me, and he’d needed her. Once I made it to her place, settled next to her, and held her, she’d calm down. She must never know how often I’d sneaked into her bedroom and comforted her, or seen her cry at school and used runes to calm her down. I hated using runes on her, but watching her cry had
damn near broken me.
I closed my eyes tighter, hoping to slip back into a dream state. Celestia tolerated me in her dreams, so that was where I wanted to be. Going near her while she was awake wasn’t even an option. She hated my guts. I didn’t blame her. She’d gotten hurt because of me. But the nightmares were gone now, so I only visited her when my dragon side refused to be appeased.
I still didn’t understand the need to shift whenever she was distressed or how my dragon side often knew when she was hurting. A bond I didn’t understand existed between us. As soon as I found my sister and fixed my family, I was going to Earth to see what that bond meant.
Damn it, there was no way I could go back to sleep now. My dragon senses were off the charts. Two weeks had passed since my last visit. If I sneaked out to see her after refusing to attend that damn party, my mother might start resenting Celestia. Up until now, she’d tolerated what she saw as my occasional need to see the Witch girl. Of course, she assumed that my relationship with Celestia was intimate. If only she knew.
I inhaled and sighed. Her scent was strong, much more than it usually was in my dreams. I savored it. It was definitely time to visit Windfall, Louisiana and appease the beast in me.
“Eirik!”
My eyes flew open and met the familiar baby blues. She was leaning over me, eyes flashing with impatience. My chest squeezed and breathing became difficult. Was I dreaming? She never scowled in my dreams. She was always in my arms, nestled under my chin where she belonged. A growl worked its way up my chest.
This is my dream and I refuse to shift in it.
She wore white ripped jeans, a conservative purple and white top, and a leather jacket. Even though her brown hair fell on her shoulders in soft curls and her makeup enhanced her gorgeous eyes and added luster to her lips, she didn’t need makeup or fancy hairstyles. She was perfect the way she was, until she opened her mouth. I always made sure she didn’t talk in my dreams. It was a lot more fun making out than being reminded to stay away from her.
Heroes (Eirik Book 2) Page 5
