Page 75 of Between Broomsticks and Beating Wings
Rayna looked upon her gold and red armor. “Freyja thought it may be more comforting to see me just the way you remembered. She wasn’t sure what Hel had told you about the bargain, or how willing you’d be to go to her hall.That,and my armor isn’t quite ready yet. Takes even the dwarves more than a few days to create custom armor to your very measurement, you know.”
“I always thought gold and emerald were your colors anyway,” Rune pitched in from behind me. “And for your first official task, you can get us to Fólkvangr far easier than the way we came.”
Rayna paused, then looked from Rune to me. “Kari’s powerful enough to take the Bifrost this time, yes, but…” Sheseemed pained as she trailed off, like the words she wasn’t saying burned her throat. “What I mean to say is?—”
“Yes, Rayna, I understand Odin took my seidr,” Rune cut in. “But surely I have enough residual power within me to withstand the bridge.” She nudged Apple with her boot, and the pegasus made a chuffing sound as she walked forward through the snow. Gunhild followed her lead, the two winged creatures walking side by side within a few steps.
When Rayna could meet our eyes once more, she said, “I see how it may be enticing to risk it, but what if the Bifrost takes more out of you than you have to give? You have tests to pass, Rune, ones you can only take once. If you’re not ready for Freyja when she summons you, everything we’ve been working on for over the past two lunar cycles will be for naught.”
Rune took a few breaths to think about what Rayna was saying, but then she tightened her grip on Apple’s reins. “It’ll be fine. I’d only be a liability during an extended trip through the path between realms anyway.”
I couldn’t see Rune’s face as she said it, but I heard the hurt in her tone all the same. If this had happened last lunar cycle, I would’ve been rubbing her lack of seidr and title in her face any chance I could get. After everything she’d held over my head, secrets she’d kept, and the things she’d done to keep me reliant on her, I would’ve cherished each time her smile faded as she remembered once-simple tasks she could no longer perform. Now, I only felt her pain.
I didn’t want her to risk her chances of passing her tests, but selfishly, I didn’t know if I could spend the next week with her as she relied on Rayna for each meal, for protection, and a place to sleep, much like I had on our way here. I didn’t want her to fall apart on me, so I sucked in a deep breath and allowed myself to be selfish.
“She can handle it. Now, let’s go. You have a task to complete, don’t you, Rayna?”
Rayna conceded, and with a nod, she led us in the direction of the bridge.
Rune leaned into my back, brushed hair from my neck, and said, “Thank you for believing in me, seeress.”
“Always,” I whispered, my chest tight.
Apple and Gunhild ended all conversation as they took off into the sky. Their massive wings beat through the chilly air, flakes of snow occasionally blowing through their feathers. As we grew closer to the Bifrost, I felt my teeth clench, my mind running through possible scenarios. Last time I’d gone through the Bifrost, I’d been unconscious, but this time, I was on full alert. Part of me yearned for the adventure, for the incredible chance to use the bridge of the gods without perishing in the process. I felt a swell of pride in myself and my growing seidr that allowed my mortal body such passage. Yet, as the bridge grew closer and stunning rainbow hues lit up the sky, a deeper feeling nagged at me in the back of my mind.
Rune pushed her chest further into me, her thighs clenching around mine. My gaze dropped to where she held Apple’s reins in one hand, the horn of her saddle with the other. I didn’t hesitate to place my palm over her hand that gripped the horn, and, despite my nerves, a smile crept onto my face when her thumb caressed mine.
As the colors bleeding into the clouds grew deeper, more vibrant, I repeated the words to myself I’d spoken to her like a chant.
I believe in us, Rune. I believe if we stick together, there isn’t a single thing we won’t be able to accomplish.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
AS SWEET AS HONEY
Rune
The Bifrost spit us out into a familiar sunny field, a warm spring breeze pushing my hair over my shoulders as Apple and Gunhild whinnied our arrival. The sky was clear of clouds, snow, and the pinch of cold on my skin. I sighed in relief, taking in that sweet Asgardian air I’d been worried I’d never experience again.
“Are you okay?” I asked Kari as soon as my throat loosened and words found me. She nodded, risking a glance back at me with a brilliant smile upon her face. Her hair swirled chaotically around her head, and in that moment, all I could imagine was that she was in a torrent of her own power.
“Yes! But I wasn’t worried about myself. Areyouokay?”
I was far fainter than I had been prior to traversing worlds, and little white dots hovered in the corners of my vision, but I was alive. “Perfectly fine,” I yelled through the gushing breeze. She didn’t need to know about the fatigue in my bones. I didn’t find it necessary to shout into the sky about feeling every last bit of immortality flee my body.
Her brows scrunched, and I swore I caught her glancing at my hair before she turned back to face a growing speck in the distance. The Valhalla sect of the House of Wings grew less hazy as we flew on, and I pulled on Apple’s reins to take a sharp left away from the place. As much as I’d love to return home and gather my belongings, that sect was no longer mine, and I wouldn’t be welcome within those walls. As it was, my mortality was quickly catching up with me, and I could feel the heavy toll the Bifrost had taken on my body. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a full head of rich brown hair in the mirror upon our arrival in Fólkvangr. I needed to secure my spot in Freyja’s sect, and I needed to do it soon. Human mortals had no place in Asgard, especially not disgraced valkyries.
Gunhild and Rayna shot in front of us to lead the way to Fólkvangr. Although Apple was faster by nature, I allowed Rayna to take the lead. This was her first official duty back at Freyja’s side, and I wouldn’t let any sort of pride get in the way of her job well done.
As we rode through the beautiful blue sky, Kari leaned back on me with a sigh. I wouldn’t tell her my legs were sore and I was already exerting just enough abdominal strength to hold myself on Apple, let alone the strain her additional weight added. I would never allow her to think I couldn’t support her, even if my muscles were now pathetic and slowly adjusting to the mortality leeching its way back into my bones like a disease. She would always be a light to me, and I was fortunate to be able to help her carry it.
Rayna pointed ahead to spires poking high into the sky and a long bridge that led from mainland Asgard to Freyja’s stunning isle. Sessrúmnir sat alone upon the isle, fields behind it stretching far beyond the eyes could see. It wasn’t all shining golds and brilliant whites like Valhalla, but a mix of soft grey stone with gold and silver accents. And while it may have lookedunderstated upon first glance, Sessrúmnir had many hidden wonders.
Freyja put all her efforts in maintaining the most glorious fields. While the fields in Valhalla were for bloody battles, here, they saw no such brutality. They were grown for peace and tranquility, and as we flew above them, performing one loop around Sessrúmnir, there was no shortage of souls lounging in the sun, snacking on fruits, playing games. Fountains spewed high into the air, misting nearby patrons who couldn’t feel the change of temperature against their skin but enjoyed it all the same.
Kari marveled at her surroundings as Apple and Gunhild landed upon lush grass on the other side of Sessrúmnir’s long, stone bridge. Gunhild lowered one of her wings to allow Rayna to dismount, and Apple followed suit. Once we were all on solid ground, our packs slung around our backs, offerings in hand, Rayna summoned post-flight nibbles for Gunhild. I glanced from the pile of oats and bucket of water before Gunhild to the empty space in front of Apple. She would never leave me, never bond with another, but I was beginning to realize I could no longer take care of her in the way I was used to.
Rayna cleared her throat, almost apologetically, then waved her hand. I didn’t need to take my gaze off her to realize she’d fed and watered Apple. I wanted to thank her, but the words burned in my throat like a poison. Kari’s eyes widened, and then Rayna turned away with a newfound stiffness to her posture.
