Page 18 of Baldr's Secret Mate

“You ready to get out of here?”

I nodded, still unable to speak.

“Then let’s get going.”

Baldr let me go, turning back toward the barrier. I took a moment to wipe my cheeks on my sleeve and gather up my bag. I felt silly for getting so emotional, but at the same time, it was a big moment for me. Freedom had always seemed like a pipe dream. But now that it was finally coming true, there was nothing I could do to regain control of my emotions. They would just need to run their course.

“Uh-oh,” Baldr said, drawing my attention back to him.

I didn’t like his tone. “What? What’s wrong?”

“The barrier sealed again,” he replied, tapping his hand on the solid magic that was now seamless. “The spell must be only temporary with something like this.”

“Can you do it again?” I asked, knowing that Baldr was already exhausted beyond reason.

He nodded. “I think I can. But after that… I’m gonna be toast.”

“I’ll carry you if I have to.”

A smile pulled at the corners of his mouth. “You might have to.” He pulled the book out once more, turning back to the dome. “Alright, let’s make another door.”

I took a step back, following the instructions from before. Baldr lifted his hand and opened his mouth to begin chanting. But the words never left his lips. Before he could begin, the air around us shivered again, the familiar sensation washing over me. My stomach sank as I realized what was happening.

“Mistilteinn!” a booming, guttural voice cried. “Where the fuck are you?!”

Both Baldr and I looked at one another. We recognized that voice and the anger behind it. Tyr, it seemed, had finallyfound out the witch was dead, and he was coming to make sure his prize was still where it was supposed to be.

I stared at Baldr as cold fear flooded my system. Judging by his expression, he’d realized the same thing as I did.

He’d never have time to open another door before Tyr found us.

“Come on,” I whispered, gesturing for Baldr to follow me. “Back to my hut!”

“He’ll know I’m here!” Baldr shot back. “My scent is everywhere!”

“It’s too smoky at the hut. It’ll cover it up.”

“I don’t think that’ll–”

“Do you have another option?!”

Baldr glanced around at the snow surrounding us and the impenetrable barrier separating us from the outside world.

“No…”

“Then come on!”

Grabbing his hand, we raced south toward my hut that was stationed near the center of the dome. We made sure to run in single file so the tracks didn’t look like two people, but just a regular path that I took. Thankfully, the hut wasn’t far off and in less than thirty seconds, we were standing at the front of it. I quickly pulled Baldr inside and pushed him into the back corner where my worst blankets were piled. The fire was still burning brightly, and the hut was full of heat.

“Cover yourself up just in case he comes in here,” I said, tossing my bag at him.

“If he finds me, he’ll kill you!”

“Not if you get us out of here first,” I replied, gesturing to the book. “I don’t care where. We can figure it out later. But do something… anything to stop him from finding you, even if you have to leave me behind. I’ve put up with his malice before, I can handle it one more time.”

There was a look of fear in Baldr’s eyes, but he nodded, nonetheless. He opened his mouth to speak once more, but another shout cut us off.

“Mistilteinn!!”

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