by S. T. Bende
I’m so, so sorry.
But it was too late. Runa was out on a mission to kill.
Again.
CHAPTER NINE
I FLOATED IN A sea of darkness, lost somewhere between the searing pain that sought to end me, and the utter exhaustion I always felt after a healing—even an attempted one. As I drifted, too tired to grasp consciousness and too battered to want to try, my brain gave me a beautiful reprieve. It switched into sleep-mode, freeing me from the nightmare of my reality and releasing me to the dreamland of my past. In that unburdened state, my subconscious returned to one of the happiest memories it could recall—the moment I’d realized, even without the Norns telling me, that Forse Styrke was fated for me.
“Elsa?” Forse looked up as I barged into his study. When he glanced from my bare feet to my drawn face, he placed his hands on the desk and rose. “You’re white as snow.”
I shook my head, running my fingers through my abnormally messy hair. “I’m fine.”
Forse threw his pen on top of a stack of paperwork and walked around the desk in long strides. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me to him. I rested my cheek against the thick muscles of his chest, raising both hands to press my fingertips into his back. If I held on tight enough, maybe I could stay in this moment, with my one constant, forever. Everything else had changed, or disappeared…or died. My parents had barely been set to sea, and now I had this to contend with?
“I want them back.” My shoulders shook as I started to cry. I wept delicate tears of defeat, not the deep wracking sobs of grief. After the week I’d had, I didn’t have the energy.
“I’m so sorry this is happening, hjärtat. ” Forse rested his chin on the top of my head. “Your parents were like a second family to me. I can’t believe they’re gone.”
“Me neither.” I sniffed.
Forse rubbed the space between my shoulder blades with his thumb. The touch sent a warmth along the length of my back, and despite my pain, in that moment I felt…almost happy. My world had turned completely on its head. My parents were gone. My brother was tearing through the realms on a revenge rage. But Forse was still here, just as he always was. He’d been there my first day of primary school, when the kids made fun of my powers. He’d been there when Skadi’s clique of mean girls had made everyone’s life unfathomably awful. And he’d been the first to show up at our home last week when Fenrir did the unthinkable. He’d intercepted me at the door as I came home from school, steering me back to his house and making sure my last vision of my parents was Mom waving me to school from the front porch, Dad’s arm firmly around her waist. His parents took care of the bodies while Forse held me on his couch and delivered the news that would change my life forever.
Now it was changing again.
My knees buckled, and Forse scooped me into his arms. Despite the fear tearing through me, relief tapped lightly at my heart. Runa had done her best to try to keep him away from me, but Forse was always there when I needed him. And he always would be. Thank gods.
“You want to sit down?” Forse asked.
Being cradled in the strongest arms I’d ever actually touched was an infinitely better offer, but nodding seemed to be the appropriate response. Forse furrowed his brow and carried me to the couch that faced the window. He sat, placing me next to him so my legs hung over his lap. The contact evoked another wave of relief, leaving me lightheaded. I rested my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes. My entire body melted into his, and I sat very still—barely breathing, just soaking in his presence. When the warm glow filled my heart, I let out a ragged sigh and buried my face in Forse’s chest. His nearness filled me with a peace I’d never experienced. At the same time, it sent my nerves into a frenzy. It felt like for once, I was exactly where the Norns wanted me to be.
“Elsa?” Forse’s voice deepened with worry.
It took a lot of effort to wrench my nose away from Forse’s T-shirt. He smelled like mint and cedar—awareness and strength. He smelled divine.
“Elsa?” Panic shot from Forse’s eyes.
“Sorry.” I drew a piece of paper from my pocket and placed it on Forse’s lap. “I got this from the Norns. And no, even with my abilities, I did not see this coming.”
Forse unfolded the paper and held it in one hand. With the other, he gently stroked my thigh, sending my pulse into a near frenzy. How was one god capable of creating such disparate reactions in a matter of seconds?
“What the…?” Forse exhaled forcefully as he read. “How is this even possible? You don’t have the Unifier gene. Your parents had you tested.”
“I remember! It was unbelievably awkward! Back then, the Norns said I was to fulfill my Key role as High Healer. It’s what I’ve been preparing for my entire existence. My. Entire. Existence.”
“You’re yelling.” Forse furrowed his brow. “You never yell.”
“Wouldn’t you yell? How the Helheim am I supposed to do my mom’s job on top of mine? Unifier? I don’t know the first thing about that! And gods, Forse. Without a good Unifier, Asgard’s going down. The minute word of her death reaches Jotunheim, or Odin forbid, Svartalfheim, we might as well pack up and move to the safe houses in Midgard. It’s over. Asgard’s going to fall. There’s no way I can protect the realm on my own.”
“You wouldn’t be on your own,” Forse reminded me. “There’s a whole team charged with safeguarding Asgard’s security. Besides, the Unifier was never responsible for day-to-day protection of Asgard. That’s the God of War’s job.”
“My dad’s dead,” I said drily.
“Then your brother’s going to have to stop throwing a hissy fit and god up. Odin will appoint your parents’ successors today, and the odds are on Tyr for war god.”
“Dad prepared him. We just didn’t think it’d happen so soon…”
“I know.” Forse squeezed my leg.
“But this?” I jabbed the paper. “Mom didn’t prepare me to be Unifier. We thought the Norns would let her know when her successor came along. We figured it might be Tyr’s future wife, or a convert from Vanaheim, or someone else. Nobody ever said anything about it being my job.”
Forse tilted his head and looked at me. “You’re scared.”
“Of course I’m scared! Wouldn’t you be?”
Forse looked out the window. “I don’t know,” he answered honestly. “I’ve always known my fate. The Norns declared me God of Justice the day I was born. That reality has shaped every decision I’ve ever made. If I woke up tomorrow and it changed…ja, I guess I would feel a little scared. But also liberated.”
“What do you mean?”
Forse continued to stare at the trees outside his study. “When my friends were going off to combat club, I was in the library researching laws of Midgard. When they were cheering at the rugby match, I was on a work-study trip to observe war negotiations with Odin. I would have loved to choose my extracurriculars, my classes—Hel, even how I spent my Friday nights. But I knew what rested on me claiming my title at graduation, and I couldn’t afford to take my eyes off my course.”
“You are a pretty intense guy,” I agreed. “But I saw you at combat club for a while there. And you didn’t need the extra lessons. You’re scary with a broadsword.”
“I had to learn fast so I could move on.” Forse paused and stared out the window for a long moment. When he spoke, his voice was thoughtful. “This might end up being a really good thing for you. You’re going to discover all kinds of things about yourself. You’ll push yourself to perform tasks you never knew you were capable of. You’re going to discover exactly how strong you really are. You’re already a force to contend with, but once you develop this skill? Watch out, realms.” Forse winked. “This could be the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”
“It doesn’t feel like it,” I argued. “It’s overwhelming. I know how much rested on my mom’s ability to bring people together. She spent years preparing for her role. I’ve got a day. And according to this”—I jab
bed the perfidious paper—“the Unifier hat will rest firmly on my head. Until such time as…” I re-read the prophesy for the hundredth time in twenty minutes. “‘Until a daughter not of Asgard unites with War.’ Whatever that means.”
Forse looked thoughtful. “I’d wager it means until your brother gets married. Huh, Tyr isn’t going to end up with an Asgardian. Go figure. Wonder who it’s going to be…not a light elf; they’re too flaky. They’re hot though…”
“Forse!” I swatted his leg.
“Sorry.” Forse set the prophesy on the end table and turned so his body faced mine. He took my hands in his and held tight. “Listen to me. This is a change. And change can be frightening. But you’re not in this alone. You’ve got me. You’ve got your brother. I know,” he interjected as I opened my mouth. “He’s out of his mind at the moment. Henrik and I will talk him down. He’ll step up and make a fine war god, just like he’ll continue to be the support you need while you transition into your new role. Being a dual Key isn’t going to be easy, but I’ll be right beside you at every step. We’ll figure this out together. Okay?”
I leaned forward so my forehead rested against Forse’s. “What about Runa?” I whispered. “She doesn’t like it when you spend time with me.”
Forse’s jaw clenched. “Runa has left Asgard permanently.”
“Oh gods. I didn’t know. I’m so sorry.” No, I wasn’t. But Forse didn’t need to know that.
“Don’t be.” Forse pulled back. His eyes narrowed, and goose bumps broke out along my arms as I stared into two angry, green orbs.
“What happened?” I whispered.
“It came to my attention that Runa performed an act of treason. I intend to hunt her to the edge of the realms to ensure she pays for her crime. The next time you see her, she’ll be in our deepest prison cell…if she isn’t executed.”
Forse’s voice was so cold. It was the first time I’d really seen the lethal edge to his deceptively calm character. I’d known the justice god hid a hardness beneath his cool exterior, but I’d never actually experienced it. Whatever Runa had done, it must have been really bad.
“Forse, you’re scaring me. What did she do?”
He drew his shoulders back. “Runa’s a war criminal now. If she approaches you, run straight to me. I’ll protect you.”
“Forse…what’s going on?” I reached up to smooth the wrinkle between his brows. Icicles danced along my fingertips.
“I’ll tell you when the dust settles.”
“Promise?” I asked.
Forse’s face softened. “Have I ever gone back on my word?”
“No.” A smile played at my lips, and despite myself, the light fizz of happiness bubbled back into my heart. Forse was predictable. He was comfortable. He was steady. He was my rock.
I had no idea how I was going to get through the next week; the next month; the next century. But I knew exactly who I was going to get through it with.
“Hey.” Forse cupped my jaw in his palm. The pad of his thumb wiped the moisture from my cheek. “Why are you crying?”
“Because you’ve always been here for me.” I sniffed.
“And I always will be.” Forse pressed his lips to my forehead, testing my overworked nerve endings. It felt like a thousand tiny fairies danced a jubilant ballet across my skin.
“I know you will be,” I whispered gratefully.
“What do I always tell you?” Forse looked at me meaningfully.
Moisture pricked at my eyes. “A kind heart can brighten the darkest realm,” I recited.
Forse nodded. “Your mom taught me that one. I know it feels impossible right now, but I need you to be that heart for me. For Asgard.”
The weight of his words hit me, and I blinked away a fresh wave of tears. “Okay,” I whispered.
Forse pulled back and slung his arm across the back of the couch. “Come here, hjärtat,” he murmured. “Let’s just sit for a while, ja?”
I nodded, nestling into Forse’s side and letting his rhythmic breathing lull me into a quiet peace. My parents were gone, and my brother was out of his mind. But as I curled against the God of Justice, I felt safe. Protected. Happy.
I was exactly where the Norns meant for me to be—with my perfekt match.
CHAPTER TEN
MY HEART CLUNG TO my dream as if it were a life preserver in a churning sea. I knew the minute I withdrew from the sweet surrender of my subconscious that something terrible would happen. I wasn’t yet awake enough to remember what it was, but a sense of foreboding hovered just at the edge of awareness, urging me to stay inside my memory. Five more minutes. I can just stay in Forse’s arms and…
Forse!
With a jolt, I ripped myself from sleep’s comforting embrace. Forse would be nothing more than a memory if I didn’t get to him right now. Runa might need me alive to finish off whatever sick plan she had in her twisted head, but since she didn’t strike me as the sentimental type, I doubted she’d have any qualms following through on her threat to kill the god I loved.
And that simply couldn’t happen.
Sending my energy to my friends hadn’t been enough to keep them safe. So long as my body was trapped in this tower, they’d keep on risking their lives, trying to rescue me. I needed to get more than just my spirit out of Runa’s prison. I needed to physically escape.
I activated my com and released a sigh of gratitude when Forse’s face filled my forearm. Thank gods, he’s still alive.
“Elsa? You look terrible. Great Odin, what’s she done to you now? Why aren’t you healing?” The vein in his forehead throbbed.
“I am healing.” I was, albeit slowly. I’d undergone some regeneration while I was blacked out, but my body wasn’t accustomed to fighting off injuries of this severity. And I simply didn’t have the time—or the energy—to perform a full-on healing. “Listen, I can’t talk long. I just need to warn you that Runa’s on her way to find you. Forse, she wants to kill you.”
“Elsa—”
“I’m going to break out of here and find you, so we can all go home. I don’t know how long she’ll leave my tower unattended, and I need to work fast. Promise me you’ll be careful,” I pleaded.
“Elsa, I—”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can.” With that, I pressed my finger to my wrist and de-activated the com. My arm began buzzing immediately, but I ignored the call. I didn’t have time to reassure Forse. I’d told him about Runa, and I had to trust that he’d be able to protect himself—and warn Brynn and Tyr of the incoming attack—while I got myself out of here.
How am I going to do that?
Since walking out of the room wasn’t an option, I’d have to send my energy on one final recon excursion. I’d just have to work fast—with my body already compromised, I wouldn’t be able to leave it unattended for long. It needed the strength of my spirit to regenerate.
This would be a quick trip, then.
I closed my eyes and grounded myself through the rubble of the tower floor, all the way to the center of Svartalfheim on an energetic lightning flash. With a steady breath, I widened my stabilizer, strengthened my aura, and let my spirit soar. Stay safe, body. I’ll be back soon.
A quick scan of my cell revealed no changes; the door remained securely closed, and the bars on the windows were still too narrow for a body to climb through. My spirit, however, slipped easily through the cracks, and moved along the tower’s exterior, flying downward toward the moat. A gaping hole in the tower wall confirmed Runa hadn’t yet patched the remnants of my previous escape attempt. Perfekt. The hole was close enough to the moat that if I could scale three meters of tower exterior, I could safely jump from there. I just had to get to the hole.
But how do I get through the cell’s door? It’s locked tight.
I flew through the hole and moved up the spiral staircase, resolving to scour my cell for a makeshift tool, maybe a rock shard that I could use to bludgeon my way out of my prison. I was so intent on identifying a means of e
scape, I failed to notice the blazing red energy flashing toward me. Runa sprinted along the hall toward the door of my cell, flinging it open at the exact moment I registered her presence.
No. My body couldn’t take a hit without my spirit—it would shut down. And if my body shut down, the energy cord that linked it to my spirit would be severed. I’d be locked out until my physical self could regenerate…if not forever.
“Get up, ko,” Runa shrieked. She charged into my cell as I flew after her. By the time I made it through the doorway, she held my body against the wall. Her fingers were wrapped tight around my neck as she slammed my head against the hard stones. I should have felt each strike throughout my spirit, but it remained pain-free. The lack of sensation could only mean one thing—I was too late.
I dove for my body as Runa forced it against the wall again, aligning my energy centers for quick re-entry. But my spirit bounced back, as if it had struck the tower wall. I shook myself and tried again, then again, to no avail. My body had sustained too many injuries to be my spirit’s physical host.
We were separated.
“I said wake up!” Runa howled. “Your friends weren’t where I thought they’d be, so I was going to give you one more chance to find Fenrir. But if you’re going to play dead”—she threw my body onto the ground, where it crumbled into a lifeless heap—“then all bets are off. It’s lights out for Forse.”
With that, she transported out of the cell in a flash of crimson fury, leaving my bloodied body on the floor. There was nothing I could do to help it—without a cord to connect us, my spirit was as foreign to it as Svartalfheim was to Asgard. Leaving my body alone at that moment meant I risked permanent disassociation, but I couldn’t let Runa ambush my friends…even if I had to spend the rest of my existence as nothing more than an energy signature. I sent a silent prayer that my body would heal enough to allow me to re-enter soon, or ever, and I dove through the window, intent on finding my friends. That monster wasn’t going to hurt one more god that I loved. Not today, not ever.
