Page 39 of Revenge of the Elf Lord

The girls stared into each other’s eyes, and then Astrid turned to them with a smile. “Yes, please. We would love to have a new friend. Will you truly find our parents and help them, too?”

“I promise.” She turned to Cyran with a slight frown. “May I talk to you for a moment?” He nodded and followed her across the room. “Are you able to reach out to anyone? Lamruil or Ailuin? I can’t seem to reach Freyja, and I’ve never formed a mental bond with my mother.”

He frowned. “What about Émilien? You have a mental bond with him?”

She shook her head. “No, I don’t. I asked him when I was older, but he said it was for my protection. It took me a while to realize he wasn't willing to risk me because of his job as guardian of the Shadow Lands. Dealing with different pantheons and their monsters is dangerous, and he didn’t want anyone using me to get to him, so he refused to create a direct mind link. He was protecting me and still is. Besides, I've never reached through time using any magic, so I’m afraid it’s up to you.”

Cyran's mind expanded, reaching out over the vast distance to use his connection to Ailuin.I need your help, my friend.

Of course, you do. You are lost without me. Admit it.Ailuin’s teasing tone came through loud and clear. It was strange talking to Ailuin’s future self when Cyran had just had a deep conversation with Ailuin and his brother in this time and place.

I will never admit such a crazy notion. Besides, I am asking this for Shalendra, not myself. She needs to talk to either Freyja or Hel. Do you have a moment to reach out to either of them? From where we are now in Midgard’s timeline, she cannot.

You are at Schloss Hartheim, aren’t you?Ailuin said, his tone now serious, which made Cyran nervous.

We are. Why?

You know I cannot tell you—time continuum and all that scientific mumbo jumbo, but I will say to expect the unexpected, my friend, and to keep eyes in the back of your head and never let Shalendra out of your eyesight.Ailuin’s voice trailed off for a moment.I reached Freyja, who will?—

She’s here.Cyran chuckled as the goddess appeared.You need to speak faster if you think you can beat her at anything. Thank you, Ailuin.

Remember what I just said, Cyran. Don’t forget any of it.

I won’t. I’ll check in on the two of you when I finish straightening all this out and Shalendra is back with her parents.Instead of a response, all Cyran heard was Ailuin’s deep chuckle as it faded away, but his attention was already on Freyja as she hugged Shalendra and then pushed her out to arms’ length.

“You look well, little one. Cyran has been taking good care of you?” Freyja gave him a sideways glance as Shalendra nodded.

“He has, Freyja, but we have encountered many horrible things. We had to leave Castien, who is very sick. He has the same illness spreading throughout the Elven lands, including Svartálfheimr. I’m worried for him. He was so ill.

Freyja frowned. “What of Ashia? He shouldn’t be sick if he still has her with him, more specifically, on him. She needs to be touching his skin.”

I had her for a while until he got so ill and couldn’t stand the pain any longer, so I gave her back to him. He held her in his fist, but it didn’t help. I'm worried because when she spoke, it sounded like her energy was being drained, so he put her in his pants pocket, not against his skin.”

“I will find him and ensure she is in the right position to help him. Like most elves, I'm certain he hasn’t been sick a day in his life with her, so neither would know what to do. Now, why did you need to see me?”

Cyran moved to stand on Shalendra’s other side. She tilted her head as if looking around the pile of bodies and smiled. “Please come out and meet my friend. I promise she will take good care of you.”

Astrid’s transparent form inched out from behind the barrier. Her sister followed, gripping Astrid’s hand and clutching her arm like a lifeline. The two sisters stopped and stared at Freyja, their eyes wide.

Ingrid leaned closer to Astrid and whispered, “She’s so pretty.”

Freyja smiled and squatted in front of the two spirits. “Thank you. You are very pretty too. My name is Freyja. I'm Shalendra’s godmother. What are your names?”

Astrid’s form shimmered, a light blush on her cheeks. “My name is Astrid—Astrid Iverson, and this is my sister, Ingrid.”

“Iverson,” Ingrid whispered in the same loud tone. “I’m an Iverson too. Don’t forget to say my last name.”

Before her sister could respond, she stepped forward and laid her hand over Freyja’s, which were clasped together and resting over her knees. “Are you a princess? You look like the princess in my favorite book back home.”

Freyja smiled. “I guess you could say I am very much like a princess. I even live in a large castle.” She reached out and cupped the girl’s cheek, her thumb rubbing over the transparent skin. “You are ready to rest, no? Would you like me to take you to a special place? The queen there loves children. She is Shalendra’s mother, Hel. I'm sure she will keep you in the castle with her until your parents can be found. Would you like that?”

Astrid smiled at her younger sister and then met Freyja’s amethyst-colored gaze. “We would very much like to go with you, but the queen needs to understand about Ingrid. She is special. She isn’t very good at moving or playing, but she knows everything about the solar system and loves music. Before we were brought here, our mother taught us how to play our grandmother’s piano. Ingrid is quite good already. Much better than me.”

“You are silly, sister,” Ingrid giggled. “You play just fine.” She turned her smiling face to Freyja. “You should have her paint you a picture. She draws horses all the time. Once, the horse looked like it would run right off the paper!”

Freyja’s smile widened. “What an adventure that would be, no?” Ingrid giggled again and ducked her head, stepping closer to Astrid as her thin shoulders rounded in an adorable shyness. The goddess stood, brushing imaginary dust off her dark blue gown, then held out her hands to the girls. “Are you ready to see your new home?”

The twins nodded in unison, laying their tiny hands in Freyja’s. Turning her head, she blew a kiss to Shalendra and then met Cyran’s gaze. “Keep her safe. The future still shows the two of you are the answer to stopping the march of death.”

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