Page 34 of Tyr

Embarrassment flooded Tyr. He was such an idiot. How did he let that happen?

She sipped her tea. “You are super lucky to have Vid and Herm and so much family around, even the ones you don’t like so much.”

“Haven’t you ever met your extended family?” Tyr took her lead and changed the subject.

“I never met my dad’s family. He never talked about them. My mother’s family… Well, they kind of disowned her, I guess. I met her mother once. I guessmetis a strong word. I saw her once. She came to talk to my mother. My mother told me to stay in the house, but I was so excited to meet my grandma that I peeked out the door. That day, my mother locked me in the playroom and put wards all over the walls. I want to think she did it because she loved me… I’m she did it for herself.”

“Why did your mother invite your grandmother to visit if she didn’t want her there?”

Celeste shook her head. “I think it was an accident. Angels can send out a signal when they are in distress. It’s like a beacon for other angels. I think my mother did it because she was high. I don’t think she meant to.”

“Did your grandmother ever come back?”

“I’m pretty sure my mother did something to the house, so she couldn’t be traced. Kind of like she did something to it to keep my dad out.”

Tyr wanted to comfort her, but he didn’t know what to do.

“We Norse gods all get together once a month for a family dinner. You can join me next time if you want. Uh… if you’re still here, I mean.”

“I’d like that.” She gazed at the waterfall. “Do you think Vali would mind if I put my feet in the water?”

“Not at all.”

Celeste smiled and stood from the table. She slipped off her little shoes with the bows on them and walked barefoot to the edge of the small pond.

She sat down on the mossy bank and rolled up her pants before dipping her toes in. Her audible sigh struck Tyr right in the heart. He congratulated himself on bringing her to Vali’s. He’d been sure it was perfect for her, and he was glad he’d been right.

She lay back on the bank and stretched her arms over her head.

Tyr watched the rise and fall of her chest. She deserved a place like Vali’s after everything she’d been through in her life. She deserved someone like Vali. Not the God of War who couldn’t even control his emotions.

But even as he thought it, his rage bubbled to the surface.

“Are you going to join me or stare at me?” She turned her face toward the sky.

Tyr’s cheeks flamed. Damn. Why couldn’t he take his eyes off her?

For the first time, a thought stirred inside him, sending a flush over his skin. No. It couldn’t be… She couldn’t be… Could she?

“Well?” she called.

Tyr told himself to stay put, stay in the chair until she was ready to go, then take her and keep her safe until the danger had passed. When that time came, he should bring her back to Vali and let him take care of her. She deserved someone like Vali.She needed someone like Vali—someone gentle, patient, and soothing.

What could the God of War offer a woman who’d already been through a life of hell?

“Do I need to come and get you?” She flipped on her belly and looked at him, finally.

He should leave. He should really leave.

Instead, he gave in and joined her on the bank of the pond.

“Take off those huge boots and let your feet breathe.”

Tyr pulled his knees into his chest. “I’m fine right here.”

She giggled. “Come on, Tyr. Relax for once.” She rolled to her knees and scooted in front of him. She tried to pry his folded hands from his knees, but he didn’t budge.

Instead of giving in, she threw him a wry smile and yanked on one of his bootlaces.

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