Page 78 of Rune

Perhaps the free wolves heard Astrid had returned, and came for revenge for their cousin.

But my head was still thick, and my tongue heavy in my mouth. I didn’t voice these concerns to Ve.

“We can only hope he came alone,” Ve said, looking around. “If a pack has come, then Asgard is unsafe.”

It’d never been safe for me anyway. Even now, though the wolf was dead and the cut on my side healed, I struggled to stay alert as everything inside dragged me toward unconsciousness.

Ve’s head dipped, and he frowned. Then realization hit him. “You’re tired, aren’t you?”

I managed to nod.

“It’s the effects of my healing. Your flesh is healed but your body is still recovering. You need to rest.”

I struggled to stand. “But you’re fine.”

He scooped me up in his arms. “My injuries weren’t as great. You don’t want to know how deep your wound was. Sleep, then your strength will return.”

Twigs snapped underfoot as he stepped, breaking the otherwise silent forest. The scent of pine faded as I was losing my senses, but I was still aware enough to know he moved toward Hitta Haven. I remembered why I had set out—and who might still be waiting at home, prepared to spill my secrets. If we arrived at Hitta Haven and Aegir was still there, then who could know what he might say.

“There’s something I must tell you,” I whispered.

In response he held me tighter. “Sleep first.” I was vaguely aware of him picking up my axe once more to bring along.

The darkness came fast, and sleep hit before I could say another word.

TwEnty-siX

MOONLIGHT POURED INTO my bedroom, slicing through the windowsill to knock against the sharp corners of my bed and wardrobe. I awoke from a deep sleep quickly, and after only a few gulps of air, felt as if I could take on an army if only I had a weapon in my hand. My axe lay, tilted against my weaponry mantle, the steel glinting in the light. He’d cleaned it for me.

I threw my feet over my bed to land on the wool. I still wore my tunic from yesterday, back when I’d trained with Tova. After meeting Ve’smóðir, speaking with Aegir, then being attacked by wolves, I ought to be more exhausted. But Ve’s healing power had done its job well. Besides a long tear in the fabric of my tunic, I was otherwise unscathed.

And alone. If Ve was here, he wasn’t upstairs. I cast a look to the stairwell before first moving to the wardrobe to remove the old tunic and find a new one. My fingers settled on a full-length one, fashioned ofred silk that would pair well with my short, dark hair, while leaving my shoulders open to feel the nighttime breeze. It hung to the ground in loose enough pants to make it appear as a dress, with a simple swooped neckline and buttons above.

My feet were kept bare and my hair undone, but I felt almost like a new person in clean clothes. Things had unraveled quickly yesterday, but perhaps by the time the sun rose, I’d have found the path to snatch the loose ends back up and weave them together in a bond that wouldn’t be easily broken.

The way was uncertain, but my starting point was clear. Loneliness had not become me, and I no longer cared for holding my secrets close like a dark suit of armor. I wanted to build a route forward with Ve with nothing unsaid between us.

I treaded slow steps down the marble stairs. Just as I’d suspected, Ve was asleep on the sofa. I grinned at the sight.

He appeared at such peace with his brow uncreased and lips slightly parted, one arm bent upward behind his head with the other outstretched. The cut in his pants where he’d been wounded indicated he’d never left after bringing me home. I checked the wound, even knowing it was healed. I checked his shoulder next. Everything was mended just as it should be, and I hoped to never again see his skin torn open like that. And never to force him to pick up an axe again.

I sat beside him to slip my hand in his, tracing slow, mindless circles. I’d be content to stay that way for hours, but it didn’t take long for him to stir. His eyes slowly opened, revealing pools of brown that appeared as black as his hair in the night. When he saw me, he smiled. “You’re awake.”

“I slept long enough. But I can let you sleep if you need.”

He tightened his fingers around mine. “Stay,” he whispered, propping himself up on his elbow. His eyes went right to my side, and I warmed. He was checking that I was healed, just as I had been for him. “Your head is clear?”

“Better. I think your touch can reverse aging.”

He laughed. “Don’t tell mymóðir, or she’ll never let me out of her sight.”

Something in me stirred. Did he know I’d met her yesterday? Had she said anything? A line was forming of people who knew things I didn’t want them to, and sooner or later, those things would spill out.

I swallowed hard. Those things needed to come out now. He needed to know everything.

My hand slid from his to touch the fabric of the cushion. “This is where I woke in Asgard, right here in this room. I thought Balder to be nothing but a man without a mind, and that Frigg might kill me. I’d never have guessed what happened instead.”

“She could if she wanted to,” Ve said with a grin. “Never underestimate her.”

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