Dead Embers(31)

My arms tensed, and I was just about to hug him back, a little afraid of offending him by brushing him off. But then he laughed, as if my confusion were somehow amusing. I should have been angry, but I was way more relieved. I'd been a breath away from making a darned fool of myself in front of a god.

Thor moved an arm, flicked a finger somewhere above his other arm . . . and then there it was, appearing as if out of thin air. A beautiful black cloak, as glossy as a pool of liquid night, lay draped over his hands.

"You will need this to get past the guards."

"Guards? You mean the sons of the queen?"

Thor nodded. "They work on a rotation schedule, relieving each other every few hours or providing backup in case of emergency. You will need to use this to get inside." He held the cloak out, just inches from me, the light now throwing pools of gloss into the dark fabric.

"What is it?" I hesitated, still unsure exactly what it was for. Beautiful, glossy black cloak, yes, but how would it help me hide from the dwarfs?

"This is Tarnkappe, the Cloak of Darkness. It has been used many times in the past, for many reasons. I think this is a situation that demands its services."

I took the sweeping cloak, bracing against its solid weight in my hands. For a simple garment, it was pretty darned heavy. A spurt of hysterical laughter surged through me, and though I tamped it down, I just couldn't control the giggle that sprang out of my mouth. What the hell was this? A magic show?

"I see you find me amusing?" Thor grinned as if he really did share my mirth.

"No, it's not that." I shook my head. I had to look away from him to gather my tangled thoughts. It was all so impossible, so improbable. And yet it was all so real. I stared out into the mesmerizing distance, where miniature mountain peaks lay covered in a loving layer of winter white.

"I see. Brynhildr, all this—Asgard, the wings, losing your beloved—it must not be easy. There is a lot to digest," Thor said, his voice soft and easily snatched by a passing breeze.

I managed an automatic nod, a bit out of my depth with an actual god attempting to help make me feel better, but still very touched that he bothered at all. In the greater scheme of things, I wasn't all that important. The approaching great war of Ragnarok reduced most problems to minor ones in the face of the greatest battle ever, a battle that would bring the world to its end.

"I didn't mean to laugh. It's just that . . . Asgard, Valhalla, Ulfr, everything . . . even the whole Valkyrie thing has been a lot to absorb. And this cloak . . ." A sigh escaped my lips. I ran my fingers over the silky darkness. "It just made me realize how easily I've accepted everything that should have been ridiculous and unbelievable and impossible."

Thor's grin widened. "It comes easily to those who are made for Asgard," he said. Then the smile disappeared, replaced by a somber, grey scowl. "You will need to take extra care, Brynhildr. This journey you are taking is one that guarantees danger. Your life may be at stake many times, and there is one piece of advice that is paramount."

Thor placed his hands on my shoulders with a gentle intensity that forced me to look up at him. An alarming urgency filled his next words. "Do not trust anyone. And I mean anyone."

I frowned, confused and worried. How could I not trust anyone? To begin with, I wasn't the most trusting person, but considering the importance of my impending assassination attempt, surely I'd need help. Which would mean I'd have to place my trust in someone. I shrugged Thor's hands off my shoulder, and he released me with just the merest hint of a raised golden eyebrow. "So does that include you?" I demanded. "You've just told me to penetrate the home of the queen of the dwarfs and kill her. Maybe it's you I shouldn't trust. Maybe I should be questioning your motives." I narrowed my eyes and waited, more than annoyed with his contrary advice.

"You are a very wise person, Valkyrie Brynhildr." Thor stepped back and nodded his approval. "I do not want you to allow anyone to control or direct your decisions. Neither should you allow yourself to be betrayed. Do what you need to do, but take the greatest care with whom you keep close."

I cradled the cloak close to my chest. Thor grinned once again, then bent at the waist, executing a small bow. He left me alone on the balcony.

The sky had begun to darken, a deep sea blue escaping into the inky darkness of night. In the distance, the aurora borealis swirled and twisted in the sky, heralding the mortal death of Odin's newest Warriors, the courageous dead who lived again to serve the All-Father.

I sent a twisted prayer for their souls to remain safe until they reached the safety of Valhalla.





Chapter 25




Thor's footsteps echoed as he retreated, leaving me with just the gloaming sky and the thoughts of murder and dead kings for company.

I retreated from the balcony soon enough, morbid contemplation and icy night urging me back into Odin's Great Hall. I slowed my steps as I passed through the now-silent hall, savoring the peace of the ancient room. Sigrun, Mika and the others were nowhere to be seen. Flickering torchlight reflected against the gigantic carved doors at the far end of the hall, filtering in from the passageways.

A sudden grumble disturbed the silence, startling me. I did a double take, eyes stabbing the shadowed corners of the huge room. Then I laughed out loud as the rumble of my empty stomach came again, this time louder and more insistent. Now that I was back in Asgard, my appetite had returned with a vengeance.

But first, I hurried to my room to hide the cloak, preferring not to have to explain to anyone why I was in possession of such a rare magical object. A large wooden sword box sat beside my bed, given to me by Njall when he'd bestowed me with the sword of the legendary Valkyrie Brunhilde. I traced the ancient runic writings and the intertwining branch designs smothering the polished wood, and smiled. Njall, with his generous hugs and his honesty, had been one of the highlights of my first few days in Asgard. When he looked at me, his eyes held no judgment, no expectation. He liked me for me, and I liked that very much.

Turning the cloak invisible side out, I folded it carefully and placed it in the rich purpled silk that lined the inside of the box. I shut the lid, and though there was no lock, I was pretty sure nobody would dare touch Brunhilde's possessions but me.

Satisfied the cloak was safe from prying eyes, I set out for the food hall. Hunger clenched my stomach in a twisted fist, urging me on.

Just the odd flickering torch lit the empty hallways. I'd just rushed past a passage that headed off to my left when an odd sound drew my attention back to it. I hesitated, hunger twisting my gut and urging me onward, but with all the abductions and escapes we'd experienced, it made sense to check. I turned back and stepped softly, heel to toe, heel to toe, until I reached the wall.

Peeking around the corner, I got the shock of my life. The source of the strange sound gave a low soft laugh and tightened her arms, which were slung around Joshua's neck. He leaned against the stone wall, completely at her mercy. And he seemed to be enjoying the attention. Enjoying it too much, as far as I could see. My stomach twisted again, but this time it felt like a punch in the gut. I blinked and released my grip on my sword hilt, unsure why I felt so off balance.

It really was cool to see Joshua head over heels with someone, cooler still that his new flame was Mika, who had been firmly at my side all these weeks.

But as cool as it all was, no way did I want to stick around and watch them make out. A final glance confirmed they were way too busy to notice me. I turned back and went off in search of food.

***

I didn't get far. It seemed I'd been spotted after all. Footsteps thudded rapidly behind me, and I popped a glance over my shoulder to see a red-faced Mika racing after me. The hazy form of Joshua lingered in the distance. Clearly, he wasn't eager to find out if I was okay. Knowing Joshua, he'd be far too embarrassed to face me.

"Bryn, I do apologize. We did not mean for you to see that."

"That's cool with me, Mika. I know what kissing is all about." I smirked, but my stomach spasmed again, closer to my heart. I thought of Aidan, unconscious and waiting within his poisoned slumber.

Mika flushed. "So what did Thor say?" she asked. "You were out on the balcony together for a very long time." She sidled up to me and linked her arm with mine, her tone playful.

Her eyes widened as I gave her a brief rundown, skimming over the existence of the dwarf queen's goblet. Thoughts of my instructions to kill the dwarf queen simmered on the tip of my tongue, but I clamped my jaw shut, recalling Thor's warning. He'd been so clear about not trusting anyone, and here I was already blabbing my mouth off to a girl whom I still hardly knew. Stupid.

Or was I being silly? This was Fen's daughter. Of course I could trust her. What reason did I have not to? She'd been constantly at my side, saving my ass and protecting me.

Her almond-shaped eyes narrowed, as if she suspected I held something back. After a brief silence, she said, "Very well, then. Do not leave without me."

I looked sharply at Mika. "What do you mean?"

"I mean I am coming with you. Do you really think I will let you go off on such a dangerous mission without protection? Without backup?" She scowled at me, as if I were a little child and needed to be told off for my naiveté.

Despite her friendly smile, a river of trepidation slid up my spine, sending little warnings shooting off to my brain. Thor had told me not to trust anyone. That really did mean anyone—which meant anyone included Mika. But my friend was offering to come with me, to help me, to be there to protect me. How could I be so ungrateful as to say no?