Page 43 of Revenge of the Elf Lord

“Cyran!” In the distance, a blue and white planet appeared, small at first but growing as they sped toward it. She pressed closer to him, the temperature much colder than a few minutes ago, and squeezed her eyelids shut, sending out a prayer to the universe—willing anyone or anything to help them.

Time seemed to slow and her body warmed. Jerking her head up, she glanced at Cyran, but he was still unconscious, his head lolling to one side. Confused, she glanced around and realized they hovered several hundred feet above what looked like a massive sheet of ice.

Along the horizon stood a long line of white-tipped mountains. Their tall, slender spires reminded her of gnarled fingers as they reached upward into the hazy, purple-blue sky. The rocky outcroppings were shielded in a thick expanse of evergreens, their boughs heavy with snow.

Jutting outward from a few of the mountains were massive boulders, as if used like spears, while others lay scattered along the bases, their sizes at or more extensive than her chateau back home.

A strange sensation settled in her gut, and she stilled. They were being watched. She glanced around, her gaze touching everywhere, seemingly alone in the barren landscape. Not a single animal, bird, or plant in sight.

“At least we aren't falling through space—most likely to our deaths, I might add.” Her gaze dropped to the icy ground beneath them. “I wonder where we are?”

“You are in Jötunheimr, although I would like to know how you managed to get here,” a male voice said, sounding as if he were all around them. His words carried on the air, yet his body remained invisible.

“Who are you?” she asked, not liking how exposed they were. While she could defend herself, Cyran was utterly vulnerable in his current state. To make matters worse, her powers were nowhere near strong enough to deal with an unknown Frost Giant if that’s what this being was. She refused to think of even worse creatures. Frost Giants were scary enough.

She tried to recall everything she had learned or heard about this world and realized she knew very little. While a few people from Asgard and even less of her race had traveled to this ice-covered planet, Jötunheimr was home to the Frost Giants and lesser-known Rock Giants, although she had been told the term giant was a bit of a misnomer.

She knew nothing about the Frost giants except they were almost invincible in battle. She could only assume the Rock Giants were somehow related.

“I would ask you the same question. Who are you? How did you break through the king’s wards?”

Why did this person’s voice sound so familiar to her?She tightened her grip on Cyran’s limp body, which seemed to grow heavier by the moment. “I refuse to discuss anything with someone I can’t see. It’s not a polite way to treat guests, not to mention rude.”

The invisible being chuckled. “I have never been accused of being polite, so this is quite normal for me. However, you seem innocent enough, and your companion is all but dead, so I will gift you the honor of seeing me.”

Her heart froze at the man’s callous words, her mind refusing to acknowledge how badly Cyran was hurt. “Cyran is not dead—only injured, and I would ask for your help.”

The chuckle sounded again. This time, it came from behind her. Twisting in mid-air with an unconscious and rather large elf was not easy, but her desperation gave her strength she did not know she had as their bodies turned in the sleet-filled sky.

Her heart shattered. Floating in front of her was the man who had destroyed her family. The god her parents had hidden her from for centuries. Loki.

Looking as young as she, her grandfather’s black eyes were piercing as they studied her. His black hair was loose and hung just past his shoulders. Under a long black cloak, he wore a black shirt and tight, black trousers, showing off his slender physique. The fur-trimmed cloak floated around him, subtly moving in the light breeze, and reminded her of a lion.

She wanted to scream in frustration and anger. They had gone from a bad situation to an even worse one. This time, there would be no escape. Very few ever left Jötunheimr unless the frost king allowed it. Since the last Ragnarok, this world had been closed to the rest of the multiverse, especially from Asgard and Alfheimr.

Reigning in her terror, she swallowed and willed her heartbeat to slow down. Her father had taught her long ago that showing fear was the worst thing to do in times of trouble. She had to use her mind, which he always said was her best asset, but at this moment, she would give just about anything for her father’s or mother’s presence.

With a deep exhale, she steadied her gaze on the handsome trickster god in front of her and smiled. “Hello, Grandfather.”

His eyes widened. She had surprised him, which had been her only plan. Surprise had always been Loki’s Achilles heel—and the only way to survive his games.

A slow smile spread across his face. “Finally,” he whispered.

15

Shalendra’s fear spiked as she narrowed her gaze at the notorious trickster god. The way he said the word was unsettling. “What do you mean byfinally? Were you waiting on me?”

“In a way.” Loki floated closer.

She held out her hand, her palm facing him. “Just stop right where you are.” He stopped, surprising her. “Please explain. How could you have been,in a way, waiting on me? I didn’t even know I was coming here.”

She gripped Cyran’s limp body, wishing he would wake up. She was way out of her league with Loki. No one, not even Freyja, could talk sense into him or manage to change his opinion about anything. Whatever plan the god had hatched, he would see it through, no matter who he hurt…or killed. This was a terrible situation, and she had no idea what to do with Cyran in his current predicament.

Loki crossed his arms over his chest, studying her. “When I was imprisoned here, I was told to expect someone I should know but don’t and that they would be the one to free me—after a grand sacrifice. This person would be of blood and pure of heart. I never believed someone with a pure heart existed anymore.”

She frowned. “Thank you… I think. And whose sacrifice?”

Loki smiled with a slight shrug. “No idea, but I’m hoping it’s not my sacrifice. I don’t do things like that.”

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