Page 114 of Rune

That didn’t surprise me. It was Tova. Her future would always be strong, because she was strong.

The seer bowed to us both. “Your humble messenger bids you farewell.” And for once, an encounter with the seer didn’t leave me covered in gooseflesh, but filled with hope.

As he left, Ve took my hands to pull me into the warmth of him, holding me in such a way, I wondered if we ought to ask the gothi to orchestrate one more ceremony right now. It wasn’t a bad idea. Chilly waves lapped to the west, licking against our boots in the sand while Ve led me through a dance as the wind against trees played like a melody, and it felt like the start to our forever.

Never in my youthful longings did I foresee someone like this calling me theirs.

His touch was healing, his presence the thing calming me in the wildest of storms, his kisses were lightning, and his love as strong as an axe forged in Asgard.

While we danced, Ve brought his lips to my ear to whisper. “I figured out how Aegir fooled everyone.”

I gasped. Since we’d been on Earth, one question plagued us. I tried to be free of it, but it pressed against my thoughts while trying to sleep until it was keeping me up all night and I worried I’d never get my answer. When Aegir took my blood and gave it to Odin, he said it was bitter.

How did he swap my blood with Tova’s with so many eyeson him?

“How?” I asked.

Our dancing slowed. “Remember the story I told of how I once wanted to be in Aegir’s good favor? I gave him a gift.”

He waited until I remembered. “An apothecary teacup.”

“An apothecary teacup,” Ve confirmed. “And that was the cup he poured from for Odin. He took your blood, but it never left the cup—someone else’s was inside already, and Odin tasted theirs. Though I can’t guess whose.”

“I can. Tova mentioned she’d met Aegir and he took some of her blood. It was hers that went to Odin.” I exhaled, grateful to have solved the last mystery. These past few weeks were defined by one question after another, and at last we possessed the answers to them all.

Ve rubbed a thumb across my cheek. “Your blood holds the proof Aegir lied, and he will be thrown from Asgard. And you and I,” he was kissing me now, “will have a future free from meddling gods.”

I made a noise in my throat. “You have no idea how nice that sounds.”

“And I think it should start there.” He drew apart to point down the bend of the fjord, closer to the sea. We’d be in view of the town but far enough away to have our own life and be away from meddling eyes, wondering why we didn’t age. It had many paths spreading from it of which to see the world, paths leading through the mountains and paths across the sea. One path led to my past. A hundred led to our future.

And I could see it now. The longhouse we’d build. The lands we’d wander. The battles we’d fight side by side. I saw it all, and my eyes watered at the sight.

Ve dried my cheeks with a mischievous grin. “I have something for you.”

He led me along the fjord, where he dug through the sand until pulling up a box. Inside, was the laurel he’d given me weeks ago, back when we were surrounded by the gods and by his promise to love me forever.That whatever his fate is, it forever be tied to yours.I’d brought it to Danmark with me, but in the fight at the arena and journey from Asgard, it’d gotten rumpled beyond beauty. But now, as he passed it to me, the golden leaves shone once more and stood up with a vibrance that made it look new, just like our love. New and beautiful.

“How did you fix it?” I asked, holding it close.

“I asked mymóðirfor new leaves from Asgard,” Ve replied. My eyes snapped up. Ase had been kind upon our last meeting, but adamant no one break her son’s heart. After my escape from the arena while leaving Ve behind, I was uncertain how long it’d take to reclaim her trust.

“She gave it with all of her love,” Ve told me. “Before hearing you are Astrid.”

Tears welled in my eyes. Erik might be a tougher heart to win, but Ase’s support meant a lot. It meant I had a home in Asgard whenever I chose to return.

But my main home was here, with Ve. He took my hands in his to lift the laurel and place it upon my head. My heart warmed until it could burst. “How does it look?”

His gaze was heavy on me. “Like my forever.”

If it were possible, I’d stitch this laurel into my hair so every day I could look upon the vibrant leaves and remember the promise it symbolized.

Unity. Eternity.Us.

The ones who defied the gods and forged our own path. The healer and the fighter. The sword and the axe.

And our forever started with Ve ushering the gothi over. The man approached with an awed look as if he knew who Ve was, and bowed low until his cloak dragged in the snow. When he raised, Ve beamed wide. “If we could have a moment of your time, there is one more thing to do today.”

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