Page 73 of Vicar
“So what now?” Trinity wondered as they joined the others breaking their fast. After she filled them in on what they had discovered and revealed that they were finally mated, she cocked her head. “Is it time to go to Mt. Galdhøpiggen? Because I know that’s where Vicar and I ultimately need to end up.”
“Any idea why?” Jade asked. She congratulated them then winked. “I never thought I’d see the day either of you committed to one person.” She held up a horn of water in a toast. “May your other halves fall in line!”
Though the others raised their horns as well, Vicar sensed the unrest churning in Tor. Not because of Vicar and Trinity mating but because of something else.
“I have no idea why we need to get to the Múspellsheimr magic deposits beneath Mt. Galdhøpiggen, only that we do,” Trinity said in answer to Jade’s question. “I get the sense there’s something there we need to see...or remember.”
For the first time since this all began, Vicar agreed. He felt the pull of something important they needed to recall.
“I’m also hoping,” Trinity continued, “that Loki and Thor or even Vicar and I might be able to trap Violence along with Darkness down there.” Her brows swept up. “Do that, and we’ll have two of Carman’s sons trapped.”
“Which will increase the odds of her finally making her way here,” Vicar went on, liking the way Trinity thought. “Defeat Carman, then that only leaves Mórrígan.”
While it was safe to say numerous gods were involved in this war, Mórrígan and Carman had been the biggest players from the beginning. Gods who, once defeated, would very likely give the Norse the upper hand.
“Tell us more about this dark wizard who helped you,” Tor said, his gaze turbulent, the root of his unrest clear now. “Where did he come from? What did you sense off him?”
“If I didn’t know better,” Vicar eyed his cousin curiously, “I would say this is personal for you.” He tilted his head in question. “Yet how can that be?”
“It feels personal,” Tor conceded. “And I have no idea why.”
“He came from the woodland,” Trinity said, more willing to help Tor when it came to the mysterious stranger than she had been Loki. “He was definitely Irish, powerful and,” she paused, thinking about it, “and most definitely from the past though I can’t say what era.” She narrowed her eyes as though following a sensation. “I’m not sure how I know, but I think he might have been related to Adlin.” She shook her head. “And, as all evidence suggests, I don’t think his intentions were malicious.”
“No,” Thor agreed, joining them after thunder rumbled through the cave. “In fact, the dark wizard made sure your soul, thanks to its brief contact with unicorn magic, was steered through Alfheim first. That was your saving grace, Trinity.” He gave her a dire look. “Had he not done that, your contact with not just dark magic but Violence would have sucked your soul directly to Múspellsheimr.” He shook his head. “Had that happened, you would have been born on Múspellsheimr and lost to us forever.”
“And we would have never sensed each other,” Vicar murmured, seeing it clearly now. “While Múspellsheimr connected us, you needed the power of Alfheim, the goodness of it, to help break you free.”
“Ja,” Thor agreed. “That combined with connecting with your destined mate saved your life. Or should I say, gave you a much better life and kept the Forge intact.”
“Or so we hope,”Trinity murmured into Vicar’s mind.
He understood her worry. If their other sides didn’t agree, they might never harness the power of the Forge.
“What happened to us, Thor?” Trinity asked, picking up where they had left off in their lair before the god vanished. “Why did Vicar and I go our separate ways? How did I repress my inner Múspellsheimr for so long?”
“I wish I knew.” Thor shook his head. “While I remember much, I don't recall what happened in the end. How the stone came into my possession. I only knew that I needed to hold onto it for you. That you would need it again someday.”
“Why not have us relay that message to Trinity when we gave it to her at the Keep?” Jade asked. “Rather than lie about it? I would think knowing the stone was part of their past would have helped things along.”
“Or not,” Thor returned, reminding them it was more about the journey than the destination. “Witnessing their memories showed them far better what they had shared than me telling them the stone's role in their lives ever could. They needed to see it. Feel it. Reconnect at their own pace.”
Jade could argue his reasoning, but they all knew he had a point. Moreover, the Forge had been designed this way. The gods would only meddle so much. Something Jade evidently concluded as well because she left it alone and focused on the here and now.
“So we have an unknown protector behind enemy lines,” she said, referring to the stranger in black robes. “Much like the MacLomains did when Leviathan and Destiny went to their aid.”
“It certainly seems that way,” Thor concurred. “Though I fear my brother-in-arms may not see it that way.”
“What’s up with that?” Trinity wondered. “Shouldn’t Loki be grateful?”
“He would be if he were in control of the situation and held all the glory,” he responded. “Yet, it’s becoming more and more clear others helped ensure his Forge worked. To his mind, that’s not helpful but intrusive for the simple fact that it implies his plan wasn’t flawless.”
“Well, hopefully, he’ll warm to it,” Jade said. “Because we could use someone like the dark wizard helping out from the other side.” Her concerned gaze went to Trinity. “Especially considering we still don’t know Raven’s story. Where she ended up after the Forge.”
“Or do we?” Tor murmured, his mood darker still.
Thorulf’s brows flew up when Tor didn’t go on. “Dowe, cousin? Doyou?”
Tor blinked as if startled and frowned at Thorulf. “Do I what?”
