“And who am I?” she asked.
“The woman I love and whom I hope will consent to marrying a lowly mechanic who lives in the underworld.”
Elle smiled and threw her arms around his neck. “I wouldn’t want to be anyone else.”
Thor kissed her hard, making every hair on Elle’s body stand on end.
“Is that it?” asked Balder.
“No fighting?” Vidar moaned.
“Man, I got all dressed up and have nowhere to go,” said Hermod. “This armor isn’t easy to get on.”
“Perhaps the new fire giant king will allow us to spar with some of his men, so it isn’t a total waste,” said Hod.
The group looked at Thadren.
“Of course,” said Thadren. “Anything we can do to heal relations with the Asgardians.”
Elle smiled, knowing that she had made the right decision with Thadren.
“Can we kill them?” Fenrir growled.
“No!” everyone said together.
“You lot really have gone soft.” Fenrir stalked to the door and ran out.
Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr bleated at Elle and pressed their heads into her.
She chuckled and scratched their noses. “All right boys, let’s go home.”
CHAPTER15
Elle clungto Thor as Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr sped across the sky. She was safe, and she was his. He’d never been so happy in his entire existence.
The goats flew downward through the stars, past dozens of planets, and headed for the portal to the underworld. He considered taking her to Midgard but giant goats didn’t usually pull chariots on Midgard and Lucifer had a strict policy about scaring the mortals unnecessarily.
They headed for the portal and before they entered Val flew by followed closely by Loki.
“Really?” Thor called. “You couldn’t wait your turn.”
Val looked back. “This is my turn.”
Elle snickered at his side, and they dove through the portal.
“That one is a pistol,” said Thor.
Elle smiled. “You have no idea.”
“I’m glad she is. Loki deserves a woman he can’t handle after everything he’s done.”
“Yes,” Elle replied. “But does Val deserve him after everything she’s been through?”
Thor thought for a moment and wondered if Val had suffered the same abuse Elle had. As a prisoner of Surtr’s he assumed that she had, but somehow he doubted she would take a beating from anyone. Even at the cost of her life.
The chariot popped through the portal and the Daemonium guard on duty dove to the ground as they rushed by. He jumped back to his feet despite wearing full armor, and began swearing at Thor. Thor waved and continued on.
“I think we scared him,” said Elle.