I watched over my shoulder, my head snuggled on a silken pillow as Eir's hands moved in a regular pattern until finally she stopped, leaned over, and placed something on the tray sitting on the bed stand. My gaze followed her hand, and as she returned to the job, I studied the remnants of an inch-long piece of wing-bone lying clean and white on the golden tray, one end jagged and broken, the other cut neat and smooth.
Soon, she placed the second bone beside the first and gave her full attention to my back. She didn’t have much left to do except apply a salve to my bruised skin. Dr. Lee hadn’t been kind in his ministrations. Now more than ever, I was sure he'd intended to kill me sooner or later. I’d been completely dispensable. He'd gotten what he wanted. He'd used my blood to kill hundreds of Warriors for his father's quest, and he'd extracted an unknown amount of information about me from my blood and my wings. He'd certainly gotten what he wanted.
That reminded me I needed to speak to Odin about how they intended to punish the illustrious Dr. Lee, but for now, I lay within the arms of Eir's anaesthetizing drug while she cleaned up my stubs.
At last, she rose and went to a nearby table to wash her hands, all the while watching me with her kind eyes.
"Ah, you are still awake." Eir frowned. "I would have thought you would be asleep by now."
"I’ve been pumped full of drugs for more than a week now. Maybe the painkiller you gave me will take a little longer than normal."
"Yes. That does make sense." Eir nodded though she didn’t look happy. "I am sorry if you felt any pain."
"It did make everything numb while you worked. It just didn’t make me fall asleep yet."
Eir gave a small, relieved smile. "I have done what I can. The wounds are dressed, and the bone is as neat and smooth as I can get it. I am really sorry, Bryn, but only time will tell if your wings will grow back."
I gave her an awkward nod. "I understand. I didn’t expect you to magically restore them. Thank you for everything you have done, my lady."
Eir strode to the bed and sat beside me. "Oh, my dear Bryn, I really wish I could do more. I promise you, I will try and find out as much as I can. And you must come to me regularly so I can check if the bone is growing."
"I will," I said, nodding my weird nod again.
Frigga approached the bed with a goblet and laughed out loud when I grimaced at the sight of it. "No, dear child. This is Mead. Now that Eir is done, you can drink it and get some rest."
Both goddesses turned me over and propped me up against a bunch of silk pillows. Frigga handed the goblet over and I had to force myself to slow down, force myself not to gulp the heady, delicious, sweet brew down in one swallow only because I wanted it to last as long as possible.
At last, I handed the empty goblet over to a smiling Frigga. I slid down, resting on my side, as Eir pulled the covers over me and said, "Get some sleep. For now, rest is the best thing for you."
My lids drooped and my breathing evened out. At the edge of delicious sleep, I barely heard the goddesses’ conversation. But the one thing I did get quite clearly were Frigga's words.
"I can only pray that Mimir was wrong. Odin would never let anything happen to Bryn, but if the prophecy is true then will we even have a choice? Will Bryn even have a choice in her own destiny no matter how destructive it may be?"
Chapter 6
I awoke to white. White pillows, white curtains, white bed. All tinged with a hint of gold. I blinked a few times, my eyes dry and gritty, until it all came slowly back to me. Eir and Frigga, the prophecy and my wings.
Or rather my lack of wings.
The mattress sank as Frigga sat beside me, and I faced her with a grateful smile. "Are you feeling better, Brynhildr?" Frigga asked, her voice edged with concern.
I nodded, wriggling slightly within the covers. I felt exceedingly more uncomfortable knowing I'd been asleep in Frigga's bed for who knew how long. I pushed myself up to a sitting position and Frigga leaned forward, helping to prop a bunch of pillows behind me. I blushed, and although I didn't want her to keep helping me like I was a child, I was grateful she cared enough to do so.
"How does your back feel?" The goddess’s face tightened with concern as she asked.
"It . . . actually feels much better. The pain has gone entirely. There's just a little tightness in the muscles," I said, raising and dropping my shoulders to test the muscles in my upper back.
"I am glad."
"How long was I out?"
"Five hours, maybe six."
"The pain has receded quite a bit," I said, a little surprised and a lot relieved.
"Eir applied a medicine to the raw nerve ends. She said it would help the healing and stop the pain faster. I am happy it is working."
"I never got to thank the Lady Eir," I said, looking around the room, half hopeful I might see her there.
"Do not worry. I am certain you will get an opportunity to meet with Eir again soon. Do not forget her instructions to go to her and have your wounds checked." Frigga tried to inject a modicum of sternness into her voice, but failed when she smiled at me.
"Yes, my lady. I won't forget," I answered meekly and made to throw the covers off. I wanted to get going now that the whole procedure was over. Almost nothing had really changed for me. I still had no wings, but at least I felt much better in terms of the pain. Then I recalled the words of the conversation between Frigga and Eir.
Mimir's prophecy.
"My lady, before I fell asleep, I heard you mention a prophecy made by Mimir."
Frigga stared at me, her face pale and shocked. I guess I hadn’t been meant to hear that particular conversation. She recovered quickly enough, her features resettling and color returning to her cheeks. "If you wish to find out about the prophecy, you must speak to Odin. I am afraid I cannot reveal any of Mimir's prediction to you, my child. It is not my place."
"But I heard you say something about my destructive destiny." I wasn't ready to back down.
"I'm sorry, Brynhildr. I cannot talk with you about the prophecy." Frigga shook her head and I knew that was the end of it. "You must speak to the All-Father. I am sure he will tell you what you need to know."
"Okay." I nodded and let it go. No sense in upsetting Frigga further. I wiggled to the edge of the bed and Frigga handed me a cloak. The muscles in my back twinged and complained as I swung the cloak around me and tied it firmly at my throat. "Thank you, my lady. I am most grateful." I bowed before the goddess, emotion building in my throat.
She held me by the shoulders and drew me closer. She cupped my chin in her palm and said, "Valkyrie Brynhildr, you have so much strength and courage that you continue to be an inspiration to all of us. Please do not lose heart. I will pray we find a way to restore your wings to you."
I blushed. At the closeness to the goddess, at the depth of her emotion. All I could manage was a quick "Thank you," before hurrying out of the bedchamber.
I walked the passages, heading back to Odin's hall. I remained so deep in thought that I would've bumped straight into one very muscle-bound, not to mention armor-bound, chest had Thor not thrust his hands out to grab hold of me.
"I'm so sorry, my lord."
"No need to apologize, Bryn. Deep in thought were you?" He grinned.
"Yes, I was actually."
"Where were you coming from?" The tone of Thor's voice changed a degree as he looked down the passage in the direction of Frigga’s room.
"The Lady Eir provided me with some medical treatment." I hoped the brief answer would be enough.
"Ah, I see. And how are you feeling, my dear?"
"Better."
"Anyway, it is a good thing we ran into each other. There is something I need to tell you."
"Okay," I said slowly.
"Come with me, Bryn. What I have to say must be said in private." Thor turned and led me down the first passage to the left. It came to an abrupt end, occupied by three large carved stone seats. Enormous tapestries covered the walls and softened the hard lines of the makeshift room.
Thor took a seat and motioned for me to sit opposite him. I did as directed and waited as he remained silent for a moment, as if struggling with his impending revelation. The longer he waited the more twisted and tight my nerves became. At last he sighed. "There is no good way to tell you this. On the way back from Midgard, Loki managed to escape."
"What?" I asked, the single syllable falling from my lips in abject horror.
"Loki is growing in power. He knows more than we do and we have no idea how he is doing it."
My ears were ringing. Loki was gone. He was back out there, ready to make a right fine mess of things again. I sighed, my chest tight and cold. "What about the doctor?" I asked the question, very much convinced that Loki would’ve taken his son with him and that I would not get my revenge on him.
"That is what we cannot understand. He left Dr. Lee with us and just disappeared as we returned on the Bifrost. The doctor is safely locked up in Asgard's dungeon. We have also placed an armed guard to watch him in case Loki plans to return for him. I must admit it is very disconcerting to know that Loki seems to have the ability to come and go as he pleases."
My gaze snapped to Thor's face. The god was confiding his concerns? Could things get any weirder? "Has the All-Father decided on a suitable punishment for the doctor yet?" I asked.