Page 54 of Winter Queen
I notice she has a slight squint as she fixes her gaze on me curiously.
“Meet Pippa, my daughter.” Thor booms, pushing the girl forwards.
She gives me an elegant courtesy, obviously used to life at Royal courts.
“Your Highness. Lovely to meet you.”
I can’t quite place her accent. It isn’t the same Nordic sounding harshness that her father has, but a softer version of it. She smiles at me widely and I can’t help but return her smile.
“Pleasure. Your father has told me a lot about you.”
She sighs. “He does that a lot. I wish he’d stop telling everyone about me. It’s hard to be a mysterious warrior if everybody knows who you are.”
I can’t hide a grin. “You’re a warrior?”
“I know I don’t look it but that’s part of my strength,” she says confidently. “People don’t expect me to kick their arses.”
“That’s my daughter, always good for a surprise,” Thor grins proudly. “She’s one of the best fighters in my Realm.”
“Even though you don’t have magic?” I ask and instantly regret it as her face turns clouds in annoyance.
“Yes, even without magic. I don’t need magic. I’m strong without it. Just because I’m human doesn’t mean I’m weak.”
I hold up my hands and give her a reassuring smile. “Hey, I grew up around humans, I know how strong and resilient they can be. Trust me, some of them are worth a lot more than Gods.”
Her smile returns. “I wouldn’t know. I’ve never met another human.”
“Which is why I want her to spend some time on Earth,” her father barges in. “Godspawn, please tell her that’s a good idea.”
“Only if you stop calling me that,” I reply, although I quite like having a nickname. I mean, how often does it happen that the God of Thunder gives you a nickname?
He grins. “Your Royal Highness, Slayer of Demons, please tell my daughter to go to Earth.”
Pippa elbows Thor in the stomach. She doesn’t reach much higher, he’s too tall.
“Stop it, dad. I’ve told you I’m not going and that’s it. I don’t need humans. The Realms are my home and I’d much rather visit other Realms than Earth. It sounds like a boring place.”
“You’re not going travelling while this war is going on,” he booms, giving her a stern look. “If you want to travel, go to Earth. That’s safe.”
I refrain from telling him that even on Earth, there is danger. You don’t need magic to hurt someone. I think humans might be less nice to each other than Gods. Here in the Realms where everyone is immortal, they need to think ahead. If they quarrel with someone, it might have implications for centuries to come. Humans don’t think like that.
“Dad, can we stop this? I’m sure Wynter is terribly busy.”
Pippa is giving me a pained look, as if she’s had this discussion far too often. I decide to rescue her.
“Actually, she’s right, I need to talk to Epona and just saw her head to the dais. Better catch her now before she thinks I’m not wanting to talk to her.”
“See you later, Godspawn,” Thor chuckles. “Let me know if you want another lesson.”
I give them both a nod and head towards Epona. Not that I’m really as desperate to talk to the Celtic Goddess of Horses as I pretended to be, but she is on my list of Gods I want to meet.
She’s a large woman wearing a leather outfit that makes her look like she’s ready for battle already. Definitely not something I’d wear to a party. Her long hair is braided and wound around her head like a crown. Her nose is slightly upturned, giving her an aloof look, but her eyes are kind as she comes towards me.
She bows rather than curtsies, again separating her from the other female deities I’ve met today.
“My Lady. A word, if you please?”
Straight to the point, no small talk. I like it.
