Page 98 of Rune

“East,” I replied. “To find Njal.”

He drew a deep breath, wiping the hair from his eyes. “Then it’s in the gods’ hands now.”

From behind, Ve whistled. “Get down.”

At the urgency, Trig and I both dropped—him back into the water and me outside the fountain. I peered over the edge. From Odin’s home, the front door had opened and a curved figure stepped out, holding something long and flowing in her hands. She swept her gaze across the courtyard, lingering on the fountain for a moment before setting down what she held and retreating back into the home.

I stood. That had been Frigg, unless I was mistaken. Trig stepped from the fountain. “What was that?”

“I think my grandmother left us something.”

Ve crossed first, snatching whatever it was and throwing it to me. Soft fabric landed in my hands, and I looked to it. She’d made the exact replica of my outfit, unblemished from the fight.

Gratitude swelled in my heart. Odin might know what I’d been up to, but thanks to Frigg, he couldn’t prove it when I showed up in the same crisp outfit I’d worn earlier.

I ducked back into the trees to change, then fed my old clothes to the torches outside the courtyard. They went up in flames.

Ve passed me my sword, and I strung it to my back. Next, he placed the laurel on my head. He swept his hand in the fountain to wipe dirt from my face until my cheeks were clean.

“There,” he whispered. “None will know.”

He turned to Trig. “When Tova wins, she will be brought to the arena, where you will be reunited. Go now and let them see you before she makes the final kill, so none can deny she did it alone. We will see you when this is over, and the two of you will leave together.”

Trig glanced to me. I gave a subtle dip of my chin.The three of us.Once I get a key.

Hopefully, the four of us.

Trig scampered away, and I could only hope he stayed awake enough to reach the arena. It seemed I placed a lot of faith in that word recently—hope. Hope that Trig made it. Hope Tova survived. Hope I got a key. Hope Ve understands when he learns I’m mortal.

Kingdoms could be built on hope. But hearts could be destroyed when hope failed.

“I must admit,” Ve said as he laced his hand into mine and led me into Odin’s home. The stairwell to the glass dome would be nearby. “I’m a tad envious I didn’t see you fight today.”

I chuckled. “It was nothing special.”

“I disagree.” Before we ascended the stairs, he twisted me to press me lightly against the wall. Our charade was back on—fooling the others into thinking I’d been with Ve the entire time—but it helped settle the fears in my mind. And no one was watching, so perhaps this moment wasn’t for them, but for me. Ve had a way about his hands that instantly made it seem like everything would be okay as long as he’d keep looking at me like he were soaking up the sun. His lips leaned close. “I think you’re beautiful with a blade. That’s how you first won me over.”

I grinned as I closed the distance, and spoke through the kiss. “Maybe I should threaten your life more often.”

His mouth swept over mine, and I felt it smile. “I heard you told Tova I’m the most gorgeous thing to walk the lands.”

My face heated. I’d said no such thing, but certainly hadn’t denied it. His laugh was like music to my ears. “I knew you were there,” I told him. “I felt your presence.”

“It was your presence that guided me to you,” he replied before ending the kiss too soon. “Come.” He tugged my hand while scandal still twinkled in his eye. “We best get you upstairs so they can see you aren’t interfering.”

It wasn’t hard to drop the smile and put on a look of worry as we walked up the stairs and into the glass dome.

The first thing I saw was Odin, standing with his arms crossed and staring toward the lower city. The muscles in his back tightened, and he looked over his shoulder at my appearance. His eye dropped to my attire, the same one as before, and to the clean weapon on my back that hadn’t been used. There was no emotion there, but he put his arm out for me.

Frigg stood on his other side, a knowing smile on her lips. I tried not to meet her eye with so many watching.

I let go of Ve to cross to Odin, feeling very much like I was walking into the jaws of a lion.

“Do you see her?” I asked. The fear in my voice was real.

He shook his head. “Not yet.”

From here, we could see the garden I’d just been in, though I was pleased to find the high wall hid more of the garden than I’d thought. Three bodies lay in that garden, but we couldn’t see any of them. There was a chance I’d get away with this.

---