Nordic Heat

by Lizzie T. Leaf

  “My husband, come meet Galvin’s friend Isabella.”

  Isabella looked up at the mountain of a man before her. His strong face was covered by a fiery red beard and lightning bolts sparked from the dark blue eyes, Galvin’s eyes. He flashed a crooked grin through the forest of facial hair and cocked a bushy flame tinted eyebrow. Isabella knew through a flash of intuition that this man didn’t approve of her and any relationship with his son would involve a battle of wills. Fear touched her very soul and she glanced at Galvin, wondering if he was worth what lay ahead for her.

  Please, please, if she could wake up and find this was a dream, life would be so much easier. A little voice inside her whispered, Get real babe, you know this is no dream.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Galvin admired the ease with which his father drove the chariot. The goats, Tranngrisni and Tanngnost, that pulled the Thunder God’s favorite mode of transportation, had been in Thor’s service for so long they needed little direction.

  When Thor made the suggestion after the tea they shared with his mother and Isabella to take a ride, Galvin knew his father was up to something. Now he waited, letting the older deity bring up whatever was on his mind when he felt ready.

  “Let us stop here.” With a slight tug on the reins Thor commanded the goats to put down on the highest point of Thrudheim, the region in which he, the Thunder God lived and probably knew better than the back of his hand.

  Alighting from the chariot Galvin followed behind his father and took a seat on a boulder next to the one chosen by Thor. Together they sat in silence and viewed the mansions below them.

  “My son, you have proven your strength and powers with our recent games and I am proud of you.”

  “Thank you, Father.”

  “Now, if you will only apply the wisdom you have inherited from your grandfather, Odin and be done with this foolish venture to seek a wife in the mortal world.” Thor turned and skewered Galvin with an intense glare. “Our new bond can grow stronger.”

  “Father, I do not feel my desire to marry Isabella foolish.”

  “YOU DARE—” Thor stopped and lowered his voice. “You dare to say marriage with a person beneath your status is not insane.”

  “You of all people should not throw stones, Father. How would grandmother feel if she heard your statement? After all, Jord is Mother Earth, mother of all creation. Do you think she would approve that her son thinks her creations are beneath him?”

  “I do not feel they are beneath me. I do not look down on them because they do not have our powers and unlimited lifespan, but nor do I do feel they are our equal.”

  “Their strength lies in the way they use their minds.” There were times his father’s narrow mindedness made controlling his own temper difficult for Galvin. “Look at the things they have invented to make their lives easier and they have increased their longevity with discoveries in medical research.”

  “I grant your right that humans have made progress in some ways, but what of the horrible weapons of war and destruction they have created? Never mind.” Thor held up his hand, and continued the lecture without giving Galvin opportunity to respond. “What I am saying here about mortal women is they are for dalliances, not marriage. If you do not believe me, ask your grandfather.”

  Raised on tales of Odin’s exploits into the human world, Galvin didn’t think that would be necessary. Grandfather’s promiscuous ways didn’t stop with mortal women, either. Look at Thor, the result of a liaison with the Earth Mother, not to mention his various other mistresses in the immortal worlds. Odin’s appetite for sex was one of the reasons Zeus didn’t invite him to Olympus very often. The Greek god didn’t want the competition.

  “That will not be necessary.” Galvin was ready to end this conversation and collect Isabella for the return trip to her world, but a question did occur to him. “Tell me, Father, why have you not indulged in the salacious activities of your father?”

  Thor puffed out his mighty chest. “There have been encounters, but I chose to keep them within our world. Also, I love your mother and find no other female to equal her, in or out of bed.”

  Love. Yes, he could see that between his parents even now. His mother gentled down the giant god who was quick to anger when things didn’t go his way.

  “There is a story about your grandfather I wish to share.” Thor shifted on the boulder to face Galvin.

  “Not really necessary father. I have heard the tales of Odin’s conquests since I was a child. His latest escapades are always the talk of Asgard when nothing exciting is taking place. The morals Grandfather displays would earn him a title such as Alley Cat in the human world.”

  “That may be so, but there is one story you need to hear that is not repeated often because few know. Loki shared it with me.”

  This should be good. Galvin settled back on the boulder, resigned for what was to come. If the Lord of Tricks told a story, it would have his embellishments on the details and who knew what would be true.

  Once again Thor turned to look out on the valley below and gather his thoughts. “In the not distant pass, Odin made one of his visits to Mount Olympus.”

  He must have caught the look of disbelief on Galvin’s face because he laughed and shook his head. “No, his venture there was not like that. Sometimes Zeus does invite him. On this occasion a council was called for all the head deities in each realm and Odin was included.”

  Galvin laughed. “You mean Grandfather didn’t just show up and invite himself to stay as he’s been known to do.”

  Thor shook his head and continued. “Odin took Loki with him, probably as a source of entertainment because he knows how testy Zeus becomes over his women when Odin takes an interest in one.

  ‘The meeting drew on for several days with the gods arguing among themselves. Poseidon took offence to several things and wanted to wage a war of words. But he seldom let any of the others get in a word. For the most part, when they attempted, he banged his Trident and yelled them down.”

  “What upset him to that extent?” Galvin asked.

  “It is of no matter now.” The Thunder God waved the question away. “After several days of listening to Poseidon and Zeus argue, your grandfather decided he needed a change of scenery and went down from Mount Olympus into the hills outside of the city called Rome, which, though further away, Odin preferred over Athens.

  “Loki assumed the form of a falcon and soared in the sky, while Odin took his favorite mortal shape of a Nordic male with a patch to cover his bad eye.”

  “That reminds me.” Galvin shifted his position on the hard boulder. “How does Grandfather control the blaze from his good eye when he wanders among the mortals?”

  “It has something to do with assuming another form, so you will need to ask him.” Thor shrugged and then continued with his story.

  “While walking through the hills he came upon a young girl. Her beauty took his breath away and he spent the next several days wooing her. The council ended, but Odin could not bring himself to leave. He extended his stay on Mount Olympus.”

  “Zeus probably loved that.” Galvin knew the opposite would have been true from what he’d heard about other visits.

  “He probably did not care of much. You see, my father spent his time with the woman. They walked the hills outside the city, hand in hand. Odin told her stories of Valhalla and Valkyries. He shared any thought that came to his mind with her.

  “The day came when Odin found his new love in tears. When he questioned her to discover the cause, she told him her parents had entered her into an engagement with a man formerly from Rome. He went away to America to make his fortune and returned to his home city for a wife. Their wedding was in two days and she was going to America.”

  “I’m sure Grandfather was relieved in not having to end the romance.”

  “No. That is the point in sharing the story with you. Your grandfather fell in love with this young woman. Not only was she beautiful and intelligent, but her dispo
sition was sweet and her humor brought him great joy.

  “The engagement to one of her own made him realize this arrangement was for the best. If he took her back to Asgard, it would not matter. She would be a mortal living out of her element and would age and die well before him. He could not bear to have her grow old in front of his eyes and see her pain when he did not age. He sent her back to her family and the arranged marriage.”

  “Not to mention that your step-mother, Frigg, would not have been too happy with his keeping a mortal woman in her world.” Galvin smiled when he thought of Frigg’s reaction to such an event.

  “Yes, Frigg can be difficult at times, but she tolerates Father’s mistresses—for the most part. Odin has never forgotten the young woman though. In his heart of hearts he still loves her. Each year on the earth date she married he locks himself away and plays that tune your mother enjoys, Ride of the Valkyries.”

  “What was her name? You did not include that in your story, Father.”

  “Her name? What does it matter? Loki says Odin calls for Pia when he has consumed too much of the wine of the gods.” Thor shrugged his shoulders in dismissal.

  “That was a good tale, Father. Thank you for sharing.”

  “Did you learn nothing from my story?” Thor’s face flushed, showing signs of temper.

  “I learned that possibly Grandfather is not the complete lecher I always assumed him to be.”

  “You were to gain the insight that when you fall in love with a mortal the best thing for each of you is to leave them and return to your own kind.”

  “The times are different now, Father. Nor, am I the mighty Odin. I chose to enjoy as many years with the woman I love as permitted. Her lifespan will be longer than a mortal of so long ago.”

  “It was the near distant past, not centuries ago.” Thor’s voice started to rumble.

  “How long ago is that?”

  “In human terms not many more than sixty years.”

  Galvin whistled. “Wow, I am impressed. The old man still has it in him.”

  Thor clenched and unclenched his massive fists. “All of the gods who rule their realms still have their abilities with females. How do you think mortal women would experience great sex? A deity’s duty is to share this gift with them if he so chooses.”

  And let’s not get into your sharing Father. I’ve heard the rumors, but don’t want to know all the facts.

  From their pinched faces and rigid posture, Isabella was sure there was no bonding moment between father and son during their chat. Galvin originally declined his mother’s invitation to stay for dinner, but Sif’s insistence won out.

  Sitting now in the huge room used for dining, the immenseness of the furniture dwarfed Isabella, bring by childhood memories in large rooms. Only those were usually crammed with family. This room and the other rooms used on a regular basis appeared scaled to Thor’s size and taste. Much too masculine for her choice, with all the trophy heads and dark massive furnishing that most of the rooms held. The only space in which she was comfortable was the original one in which they met Sif. She would take the goddess’ elegant gold and white décor any day over the rest of the place, bursting with testosterone. Did furniture have testosterone?

  “More mead,” Thor demanded of Thialfi as the servant scurried to serve the sixth course of what appeared a never-ending dinner.

  Looking at the latest offering placed in front of her, Isabella her stomach objected. A strange creature stared up at her with one eye. Was this some kind of fish? If so, she had no idea what, with its spinney back and small gills that almost appeared to move. Damn, this makes sushi look well done. And I haven’t had that delicacy stare back at me.

  She couldn’t believe the gusto with which Thor consumed each course. How could anyone eat so much? He even asked for seconds on a couple of items. Of course he was a big man, or god, and maybe a huge appetite went with the territory. Though she noticed the portions served to the rest of them, especially Sif, were considerably smaller. Did old deities turn to lard like old football players once their career ended and the only exercise they got was pushing away from the table? Isabella shook her head in amazement as the god shoveled in a large chunk of meat.

  Toying with her food, she finally convinced herself to take a bite. The flavor wasn’t too bad, but it consistency reminded her of a rubber band.

  “Would you care for something else, dear?” Sif smiled encouragingly. “Ladka is a delicacy, but an acquired taste even among the gods.”

  “No thank you. The flavor and texture are somewhat like octopus which I’ve eaten before. Do we have many more courses to go?” Please say no, Isabella silently pleaded.

  “Only another four.” Sif indicated with a wave her hand to have her plate removed. “After the last course, we shall retire to my sitting room for an aperitif as I believe you call an after dinner drink in your world.”

  “Wonderful.” A ten course meal, her extended family’s idea of a good time, but she decided in her early teens stuffing herself to explosion wasn’t for her. Isabella plastered a smile on her lips and motioned to have her plate taken away. She picked up the wine goblet setting at her fingertips and drank. Not only would she leave here stuffed to the point of agony, she would be falling down drunk to boot.

  “More mead,” Thor thundered again and a harried Thialfi hastened to accommodate.

  “Mother, mortals do not eat the way we do. They usually stop at five courses when they have a large meal.” Galvin stepped in to try to explain why Isabella picked at each course.

  She flashed him a grateful smile and inwardly groaned as another plate was placed in front of her. At least this looked familiar and chicken was lighter than another round of beef or wild game.

  “Mortal woman, you insult me by not eating the food presented.” Thor glared from his end of the table and drained another tankard of brew. He slammed down the empty vessel and this time Thialfi was ready. He removed the pitcher placed on the sideboard only a short while ago and refilled Thor’s cup before he made a demand for more.

  The urge to tell the deity that he more than made up for her lack of eating appeared out of nowhere. Isabella bit back the retort. “I’m sorry if you feel offended, sir, but I am not able to consume food on the level you do.”

  “Nor, do you know weather the way I do.” Thor’s directed his scowl only at her.

  “Excuse me, but I have a degree in meteorology which I worked hard to earn. I also have several certifications that can only be obtained by meeting stringent criteria.”

  The Thunder God waved away her defense with his right hand. “A piece of paper does not mean anything of one’s knowledge. Look what you did when I threw a small lightning bolt in your direction the night you and your drunken friends were dancing in the park.”

  “I jumped. Lightning was totally unexpected as there was not a cloud in sight.” Isabella felt her cheeks flame at the memory of the drunken night with her friends that resulted in her being here now. Alright, she had admitted to herself this wasn’t a dream, but maybe she was losing her mind.

  “You ran like a scared rabbit.” Thor chugged down more mead. “I cannot understand what my son sees in you, a mere mortal.” He twirled the mug in front of him making the task to refill impossible for the hovering servant. A mean smile spread across his face.

  That did it. Isabella’s back went ramrod straight. “I ran like a scared rabbit because getting hit in the ass with a bolt of lightning is not my idea of a pleasant evening.” Sif cleared her throat and reached across the table and gently patted Isabella’s hand.

  Is that an offer of support or is she telling me to shut the fuck up?

  “Tell me my dear, how will you deal with age?”

  So much for the support. “The way anyone else deals with growing older. The best I can. And I’m sure some days will be better than others.”

  She pulled her hand away from Sif and focused again on Thor who appeared ready to add his two cents to his wife’s comm
ent. Where would the inebriated idiot take the age issue? Isabella wondered.

  “Is that so? Does everyone wake up and peer in the mirror each morning and see age staring back at them, only to look across the table into the eyes of someone who has not grown a day older?” The grin became evil as he waited for her response.

  Thor really got on her last nerve, but before she could respond Galvin exploded.

  “Father, enough.” Galvin jumped to his feet, knocking over his chair in the process.

  “You know what I say is true.” Thor stood and faced his son. “She will grow into a wrinkled old crone which you will have to take care of until the day she dies.”

  “Do you wish to inflict this on my son?” His glare now focused on Isabella.

  She saw Sif hang her head, the curtain of gold hair hid the beautiful face. She obviously chose not to enter into the disagreement between father and son. Well, so be it, but she’d just be damned if she was going to sit here and listen to the old man’s verbal abuse.

  Enough of this nasty tempered deity’s comments. She rose from the table with all the dignity she could muster and tossed her napkin beside her plate. “Galvin, I’m ready to leave…with or without you.”

  Turning she faced the god. “You.” Isabella pointed a finger at Thor. “You’re a pain in the ass who is definitely too impressed with himself. And you eat like a pig on top of it. If I never lay eyes on you again, it will be too soon.” She felt Galvin’s hand on her elbow and his touch gave her shaking knees the strength to walk toward the door, but she didn’t move fast enough to miss Thor’s parting words.

  “When you die, my son will return to his world and take a wife who is more his equal and they will rule here on Asgard.”

  Fuck you, asshole. With any luck mindreading was one of Mr. Over-inflated Ego’s abilities.

  “Husband, I feel you may have overstepped your boundary this evening.” Sif rose and walked down to the end of the table where Thor sat slouched in his chair.