Page 203 of Dark Haven Omegaverse

I stoodin front of the mirror and a wide smile spread across my face. It was sexy but covered me, the black leather and soft fabric was a stark contrast to my silver-blonde hair. Even I could admit I looked like a badass.

When I walked out of the closet this time, it was with a whole lot more confidence.

Feeling a fraction more like a normal person went a long way in this place.

Until a knock rang out and Zetta let herself in.

“My Queen, someone is here to see you.”

Harlow

Throne Room

Whoever I thought would be waiting for me in the throne room, the creature before me wasnotit. Even Drake seemed uneasy next to me, but he stood back, letting me take the lead.

The god before me wore, long white robes that seemed to reflect light in every shift of their body. A huge silver helm rested over their face with the visage of an angry man in battle.

The scent that filled the room was light and airy, like sunshine in an open field. It was strange to notice a scent from this far away, but I couldn’t think of anything else as I approached.

“Welcome to Helheim,” I said in the best formal voice I could muster. Even from here I could feel the calming power coming from this being. He was like a beta, only more potent than any human beta I’d ever encountered.

“Thank you . . .?”

“Harlow,” I said as I moved to the throne, though I did not sit. The last thing I needed was to offend a god. “And you are?”

“My name is Valgri, I am a god. Odin sent me to assist you as you settle into the new role. I’m sure it’s... unsettling.”

The way he constantly trailed off his words and left so many unspoken was frustrating. I didn’t like to guess what someone was thinking.

“I welcome the assistance,” I said with a slight bow. “I’m attempting to locate those taken from me and get a lay of the realm. Sadly, my predecessor gave me riddles and trouble, not guidance on how to take over.”

“There are many looking for her, but she is no longer our problem,” Valgri said. There was an urgency that had my anxiety spiking again. It was strange to feel things so intensely but have no shadows or hallucinations coming along with it.

“What do I need to know?” I demanded, dropping the strange formality.

“That those who sent you here, that helped Hel, are coming.” Again with vague fucking answers. The gods seemed to love to keep me guessing. But I was no longer beneath them.

“And how do you know this information?” He remained as relaxed as before, hands clasped in front of him and standing casually in the center of the throne room.

He didn’t fear me but he also didn’t try to intimidate me either.

“I know things. As far as gods go, I’m considered neutral. I favor justice.”

The way he spoke was cryptic, but I at least felt as if this was the best option. I’d much rather a god of neutrality than that of death and destruction.

What I needed was impartial guidance, and Odin had provided me with that. For once, it felt as if the universe wasn’t working against me.

“How long do we have to prepare for their arrival? I would very much love to end their lives over and over again for eternity,” I growled out. “They took everyone from me and forced me to sacrifice myself for their gain.”

“A more fitting end would be to imprison them,” Valgri said. There was no judgment at my outburst, simply a calm, collected solution.

I could definitely get used to this level of feedback.

“Where is the prison and how do I reach it?” I tried to keep my voice from being too demanding, but that was the first place I wanted to search for Monty. He’d mentioned it before and I knew the warden would hide him away there.

“You’re the ruler here, you take us there,” he replied dryly, the first hint of amusement coming through. “Have you not used your powers?”

“I was human. Powers are a mystery.” I shrugged. “We had sex and caused a storm.”

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