by ST Bende
Her and me both.
“Inga, Olaug,” Elsker waved her hands. “You’ll have to clear out. I need space.”
“Call us when you’re done. We’ll be in the kitchen,” Inga said as their footsteps padded down the hallway.
“Okay. Keep your eyes closed. Now go to a quiet place in your head,” Elsker instructed.
“Shouldn’t I write this down? What if I don’t remember it?” My hand twitched, wanting a pencil and paper.
“No. No notes. Your subconscious will recall everything it needs to know.” Elsker sounded so calm.
“My subconscious has a lot going on at the moment.”
“I am ignoring that. Now, picture something anchoring you to the earth, traveling all the way to its center.”
I imagined a metal beam shooting from my tailbone into the ground. “Like this?”
“Kristia, dear. You’re going to have to focus a bit better than that. Your spirit is turning cartwheels,” Elsker tutted.
“Oh. Sorry.”
“Picture something bigger anchoring you to the earth. A tree trunk, perhaps.”
I imagined an enormous redwood with thick, lush bark enveloping me and rooting me to the bed. Its roots stretched all the way to the center of the earth. “Okay. Like this?”
“Well done, Kristia,” Elsker praised. “Now I want you to call all of your energy into your body and be fully in the present moment. Are you there?”
“Yes.” I took a deep breath and centered myself.
“Very good. Now do you feel the life force surrounding you like a balloon? That is your aura. I want you to put a protection around your aura—it can be anything you need it to be, a plastic casing, a suit of spiked armor, raging elements, whatever suits you.
I visualized a fierce wind whipping in a hundred small cyclones just outside my bubble. There had been a handful of tsunamis off the coast of Nehalem when I was younger, and the biggest one had come during an intense rain storm. The winds had been frighteningly strong, and created a funnel cloud over the ocean. It was terrifying. “Done.”
“Veldig bra. Now, there are two main ways Norns get information about the future. We use clairvoyance to see images and collect information from those images. Or we visit the tenth realm.”
“Ull started to explain that,” I admitted. “But he said it was too dangerous for me.”
“You’re halfway to becoming a goddess now, so you can handle it. Keep your eyes closed, and I will explain.” I felt Elsker shift her weight on the bed. “The tenth realm is an alternate reality. It is a harmless enough place, but since all the realms have access to it, it has enormous potential for danger. When you go there, stay anchored to your spirit’s cord. If you lose the cord your spirit might get lost between the worlds.”
“That sounds scary.”
“Just don’t lose the cord.” Elsker instructed.
Fair enough.
“We’re going to visit the tenth realm together.”
“Okay.” My head still throbbed from Idunn’s procedure, but the idea of actually visiting another realm was too thrilling to pass up. I focused on compartmentalizing my discomfort, and tossed the pain box into a far corner in my brain.
“Ground yourself, Kristia.”
“Oops. Sorry.”
“Now, set your protection on your aura. And imagine a portion of your spirit leaving your body through your belly. At the same time, imagine a cord stretching out of your body. Do you see it?” she asked.
“I do.”
“And do you see me?”
My eyes still firmly closed, I glanced to my left. Elsker floated alongside me inside a buttery yellow bubble, led by a silvery string. “I do! What color is my bubble?”
“Can’t you see it?”
I squinted at the air in front of me and chuckled. “Sky blue—same as Ull’s eyes.”
“Naturally.” Elsker laughed.
“Okay. Where are we?”
“This is the tenth realm. It looks like Ull’s house, but we are actually on a different plane. If you were fulfilling your prophecy we would be searching for our enemies. But seeing as it’s your wedding day, we’re just going to have a look around the flat.”
“Ooh, can we spook Inga?” I asked.
“No. This is an educational trip.” Elsker wagged her finger at me. “Besides, she wouldn’t see us. She is in the physical realm.”
“Oh.” There was so much I had to learn.
“Follow me down the hallway. We’ll go to the end of the hall and head back to our bodies. It’s a short journey, but you have a big day ahead of you.”
“Wait—we come to this plane to get information, right? The same way we’d get information from a vision?” I wanted to be clear.
“That is correct.”
“So what are we taking from this journey? I know you didn’t drag me out of my body just to take me down the hallway.” If so, this field trip was even duller than the annual class trip to the lumber farm.
“Oh, sweet girl. You know me too well.”
“What is it?” I bounced on the balls of my feet and my aura glowed a brighter blue.
“It’s this.” Elsker opened the top drawer of Ull’s dresser and pulled out a small satchel. “Open it.”
She handed me the satchel and I pulled the satiny string. I tipped its contents into my hand and stared. “This is the coin from the British Museum. The one I was looking at the day I met Ull.”
“It is.” Elsker smiled.
“He took it?” I nestled the coin in my palm and squeezed it.
“He did.”
I felt a surge of energy transfer from the coin through my hand—it was like the coin was talking to me. I couldn’t help myself; I broke out in a grin that stretched from ear to ear. “He fell in love with me before he ever knew me. He chose me the minute he saw me in that museum, and he’s going to spend the rest of his existence doing everything he can to make me feel cherished. I give him the purpose he’s been looking for all his life.”
“And you know this because?” Elsker prodded.
“I can feel it in the coin.” I stared at her with wide eyes. “How is that even possible?”
“This realm exists to convey knowledge. And now that you know…” She took the coin and placed it back in Ull’s drawer with a smile. “Let’s get you to the church. It is time to marry the god I chose for you.”
“Oh, Elsker.” I beamed at her, my aura sparkling like it was covered in a million tiny diamonds. “Thank you for sending him to me. I’m going to take such great care of him.”
“I know you are, sweet girl. Now keep hold of your cord as you return to your body. Enter through your midsection, and come back to the present.”
I did as I was told, and when I opened my eyes I felt lighter than I ever had. My body was absolutely buzzing with energy, and I saw the room with a clarity I hadn’t before.
“Well done.” Elsker patted my hand from her seat on the bed. “Olaug, Inga,” she called. “We are ready for you now.”
They came back into the room, each holding a beverage. Olaug handed a steaming mug to Elsker and Inga handed a travel cup to me.
“Earl Grey to-go for the bride.” Inga helped me to my feet. “Come on. Let’s get you ready to meet your man.” She nodded at Olaug and Elsker. “Ladies, we’ll meet you at the church?”
“I cannot wait.” Olaug smiled at me and I grinned back. I was as ready as I’d ever be.
It was time.
When Inga and I returned to my flat, Ardis, Victoria, and Emma were doing their hair and makeup.
“There you are! Did you get the fit right on your wedding gown?” Emma scurried to the door to take the garment bag out of my hands. She’d bought my little fib. They all had.
“Yep. Just needed a little taking in at the waist.” I patted my flat stomach. It might not have been a total lie—I’d probably lost a pound or two between the stress of graduation and visiting my immortal in-laws. And the impromptu brain surgery. Good thin
g I’d had it tailored just a smidge on the tight side. It would fit perfectly today.
“You know I could have darted it for you.” Victoria crossed her arms.
“Aw, I know, V. But I didn’t want you working today. You’ve done enough.”
“Well,” Victoria conceded. “As long as I get to zip you into your going-away dress.”
“Of course. Who else would I trust with that?” I asked. Her wink let me know all was forgiven.
With Inga and me back, we brought the headcount in our little flat to five. There was a bustle of excitement as we jostled for styling space. Emma was distraught to discover her Hair Helper had mysteriously broken. When I caught Victoria’s eye she just raised an eyebrow and mouthed, “You’re welcome.” Well bless her sweet little heart.
Without the strange device, Emma handed over her hairstyling duties. We played rock music and danced while we primped. Ardis swept the top of my hair into a dramatic bouffant and arranged the curls down my back. She gave me a smile.
“It’s your wedding day.”
“I know.” I clasped her hand. This felt like a dream. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” She looked at the ceiling to pull herself together. Ardis didn’t let herself get emotional. “I’ll be right back—I need another bobby pin to secure the hold.”
When she stepped out, Inga came in carrying three boxes.
“What are these?”
She handed me the first.
“It’s your something borrowed,” she said quietly so the girls wouldn’t hear, and I opened the box to reveal an exquisite silver crown. Its peaks formed snowflakes, and etched inside was runic writing.
“What does it say?” I whispered.
“A Norse wedding blessing. It’s the sacred wedding crown used by the brides of Asgard. Sif brought it so you could share the family tradition.” I was deeply moved and quickly dabbed at my eyes so I wouldn’t ruin Victoria’s hard work on my makeup. Inga placed the crown on my head, catching Emma and Victoria’s attention. As they fussed over its beauty, Ardis returned with a hand full of bobby pins. She gave the crown its due appreciation.
“Sweet.” She nodded in approval, composed once again. She pinned the crown in place, and fluffed my hair around my shoulders. I squeezed her hand as she stepped back.
“And what about this one?” I pointed to the second box.
“Your something blue. From Elsker.”
“Who’s Elsker?” Ardis asked.
Inga didn’t bat an eye. “My grandma.”
I lifted the lid and found a gorgeous sapphire brooch.
“She thought you could pin it under your skirt like this.” Inga lifted my hem. “It’s for luck.”
“I love it.” I had to smile. Dangling from the brooch was the symbol of Freyr, the Norse fertility god. I caught Inga’s eye—she was fighting laughter too.
The next box was a gift from Ull.
“Ooh, Kristia!” Emma squealed. The box was small, and I opened it gingerly. We let out a collective gasp. Laying on the softest of fabrics was a small diamond snowflake on a silvery chain. It matched the earrings Ull had given me for Christmas—the ones his dad had given his mom. I touched my ears where they sat, wondering if the necklace was an heirloom, too.
“Wow, it’s beautiful.” Ardis touched the necklace carefully. Inga helped fasten the clasp and the snowflake sat, looking perfectly at home beside my grandmother’s Mjölnir. Inga had been right—Odin had never asked for it back. He’d said it was his wedding gift to me. Well, that and the other thing he was about to do—make me a goddess. I wiped my palms on my sweatpants.
Victoria ducked out of the room, returning with the veil that had belonged to my grandmother. She hung it next to the long garment bag containing the gown Mormor wore to marry my grandfather fifty-five years ago.
“Open it,” I whispered. She slowly pulled on the zipper and took out the gown. It looked exactly the way it had in pictures.
“Oh, Kristia.” Ardis stood next to me. “She would have been so happy to know you were wearing it.”
“I wish she were here,” I said quietly.
“She is. In her way.”
Ardis was right. I knew a part of Mormor was with us as we looked at her dress. The satiny gown rested underneath a diaphanous lace overlay. Its needlework formed delicate roses and swirling vines, stretching from the fitted bodice down the flowing A-line of the skirt. The jacket of the overlay had long sleeves that ended just below the wrists, and a neckline that formed a much deeper V than I’d have expected my grandmother to wear. Pearl buttons ran from top to bottom in the back, and the train was short yet elegant. For a fifty-five-year-old wedding gown, it was seriously sexy.
And seriously stunning. It emitted equal parts elegance and strength, qualities Mormor espoused daily, and qualities I hoped to embody as a wife. The gown appeared to float from its hanger like a soft mist, billowing out in waves at the hemline. With the layers of crinoline under satin and white lace, it reminded me of snowflakes; of clouds; of hope. Of Ull.
It was absolutely perfect.
I stepped into the gown with a shaky breath, thinking about the amazing woman who had worn this dress before me. Had she known the path this gown would take? It was a silly thought, but it was my grandmother who had told me the stories of the North, from whom I’d first heard the then-fantastical names of Odin, Sif, and Thor. My soon-to-be in-laws. It was my grandmother who had worn the silver hammer I always wore around my neck, which I now knew was an Asgardian treasure. I was sure Mormor was in heaven, wherever that realm was, smiling at what this day would bring.
When Ardis fastened the veil at the base of my crown and Inga applied a final coat of gloss to my lips, Victoria gave me her critical once-over. “Perfect,” she declared after a moment of interminable scrutiny. It must have been true—Victoria never gave false compliments. “Now go and see how beautiful you are.”
My legs barely supported me on my walk to the full-length mirror in the hall. I didn’t recognize the girl looking back at me. My cheeks were rosy; my eyes glowed. My hair fell in waves from the half-up-do Ardis had crafted. I squinted at my dress through dewy eyes. It looked so elegant. It was simple, and timeless, and just so, so pretty.
I couldn’t believe I was a bride.
Our little group was clustered behind me. Only Inga truly understood the significance of this day, and I was so grateful she was here. I wished I could tell Ardis everything, but secrecy was just one of the sacrifices I would have to make as a protector of Asgard. I hugged them both to me, Ardis and Inga, my past and my future, and we began the short walk to the chapel where my destiny would begin.
When we stepped outside a bagpiper was waiting for us. He started to play.
“Inga.” I turned to her with suspicion. She’d gotten a little more involved in the wedding planning than Ull or I had meant for her to. It seemed the day would hold a few over-the-top surprises courtesy of my detail-driven friend.
“You said I could help,” she defended herself.
“I said we wanted to keep it simple,” I countered.
“What’s more simple than one teensy bagpiper? Besides, this is Wales. They won’t let you get married here without one.” I supposed she had a point.
Enthusiastic butterflies flounced in my belly. Emma and Victoria flanked my side, and together we made our way the few short blocks to the Norse Church.
When we reached the steps of the chapel, bells rang, signifying that it was time. I leaned over to hug Victoria, but she held me at arms length and gingerly squeezed my shoulders. My eyebrow shot up.
“Ardis said she’d kill us if we messed up your wedding-hair.” Victoria shrugged.
I laughed. “That sounds right.”
Emma and Inga administered their shoulder squeezes next. “I’ll tell Olaug you’re ready,” Inga said as she led my flatmates into the church. Ardis lingered behind, a smile tugging at her lips.
“You go
girl.” Ardis leaned in for a gentle hug before she turned for the chapel. “Conquer married life for both of us. Just don’t forget me on the other side.” She hurried toward the entrance, but not before I saw the moisture in her eyes.
“I could never. You’ve been my rock all my life,” I called after her.
“I think your new rock will take over just fine.” She gave a little wave before disappearing from sight.
I fingered the lace wrists of my gown as I stood just outside the door. There was nothing left to do but wait.
Olaug stepped out of the chapel, so beautiful in a pale blue bunad. She led me a few feet away from the door and straightened my train, then she kissed my cheeks and handed me a bouquet of ivory roses wrapped in lace.
“They’re from Ýdalir,” she said. “I picked them early this morning.”
“They’re perfect.” I inhaled their sweet scent. “Thank you, Olaug, this is so thoughtful.” I looked at her closely. “Are you feeling all right?”
“Better than you. I didn’t have my brain probed by Idunn.”
“You know what I mean.” In the drama of the morning I’d forgotten to ask her about my chat with the elf. “You’re not really sick, are you?”
“Oh for goodness sake, I am just fine.” Olaug shook her head. “Why would you ask Ull to call in the middle of the night? Even wrinkly goddesses need their beauty sleep.”
“I’m sorry, really. I was just so worried about you. You are my family, too, now, you know.”
“I know, my dear. And you are mine. But gods cannot fall ill. We went over this.”
“I remember.” I sighed. “That elf guy is really convincing. I was scared for you.”
“Well, you need not be. I promise you, I am the picture of health. And I always will be, so long as Idunn provides her apples and so long as my darling granddaughter-to-be does not have her messenger wake me in the middle of the night.” She took my hand gently.
“Thank you.” I squeezed her back with a smile.
“Are you ready, Kristia?”
“Yes,” I answered unhesitatingly. I was ready to be united forever with Ull Myhr. The rest I would take as it came.
