Page 28 of Vicar
The chamber had no furnishings and appeared unused.
“You said we would.” Trinity rubbed her neck against Vicar’s, proving just how close they had grown. “Together. As a team.”
“I never tried to come here when I was normal,” Trinity realized, following her little self’s thoughts. “It was your idea, Vicar.” She glanced at him, amazed at how someone who had seemed like a perfect stranger hours before became more and more familiar. “You thought the Keep might be protecting everyone from my meaner personality, as you called it.”
“I did,” he agreed. “Strange that it might have been true considering the Keep welcomes Múspellsheimr dragons.” He shook his head. “It would never repel one.”
“Unless,” Thorulf theorized, “it sensed Violence’s connection to her. In that case, it would make sense. The magic Leviathan used to build this place would have protected dragons from outside influence. Especially that of gods who don’t belong in this world.”
Vicar nodded. “True.”
“I can’t wait to finally meet your family!” Little Trinity’s eyes lit up, and she raced for the stairwell only to slam into an unseen wall before she could exit. Distressed, she looked from Vicar to the doorway before she revved up and tried again, only to be repelled so hard, she was thrown back. She would have rolled right out the exit overlooking the ocean if Vicar hadn’t moved fast and stopped her.
She blinked, baffled before her little eyes filled with tears, and she peered at him in confusion. “Why won’t it let me go meet your family?”
“I feel for you, sis.” Reflecting on her own experience, Jade patted Trinity’s shoulder. “Truly sucky feeling.”
“It was,” she agreed. “And makes no sense...” She frowned at Vicar. “Or does it?”
He shook his head, clearly unsure how to answer as their dragons tested a theory. Little Trinity crawled onto Vicar’s back again, and he tried to get her through that way, but it was a no-go. He could pass through, but again she was propelled back. Thankfully, the wall stopped her this time before the memory faded.
“Well, look at the bright side.” Jade tried to focus on the positive when she undoubtedly felt Trinity’s sadness. “At least you got into Vicar’s chamber. That’s further than I ever got at the Fortress.” She cocked her head at Vicar. “Or was this your chamber back then? It looked unused.”
“Leviathan had chambers set aside for all us Sigdirs near the top of the Keep.” Vicar crossed his arms over his broad chest and eyed the space. “Interesting because I asked to start spending time here around that age.” His gaze softened on Trinity in a way that did all sorts of interesting things to her. “It must have been because you could be here.”
She nodded. “I think you’re right.” Her cheeks warmed when she glanced at the various contraptions hanging from the walls. “Pretty sure those weren’t here, though.”
“No.” Vicar might have chuckled, but there was a curious look in his eyes when he gazed at her. A look that said he wondered if she really despised them as much as she claimed. “I became more...creative when I was eighteen winters old.”
“That’s very specific,” she noted, cursing her hoarse voice.
“And very ironic,” Jade added, right on time to mortify Trinity. “Because that’s how old you were when you lost your virginity, sis.”
She wasn’t sure what embarrassed her more. Jade sharing something so personal or that there was every possibility Vicar’s décor had something to do with her.
“I didn’t,” she stuttered, gesturing between her and Vicar, “we didn’t.” She rounded her eyes at Jade. “You can’t mean to imply Vicar and I slept together already? Or that I somehow lost my virginity to him? Or, God forbid, that these atrocious contraptions had anything to do with my being here?”
Jade grinned and made checkmarks in the air. “Check, check, check.” She gestured between herself and Thorulf. “Don’t forget, we lost our virginity to each other and totally forgot.” She gave a chain hanging nearby a pointed look and offered Trinity and Vicar a crooked grin. “Just like we forgot other nefarious details about our time together.” Her grin turned especially naughty when she narrowed in on some strips of leather. “I mean, just imagine what you might have done with—”
“I think we’ve seen what we need to for now,” Trinity said to Vicar, cutting her sister off before she embarrassed her even further. “How about a tour of the castle? Now that I remember not seeing the rest of it, I’m eager to explore.” She peeked around, wondering how much privacy Norse gods ever really gave mere mortals. “Do you think Loki would be okay with that? Or are we only safe in here?”
While being alone with Vicar might be asking for trouble, he was fully Sigdir right now, so she should be safe. Even if he was Múspellsheimr, she’d want to get away from her sister before the discussion grew any more mortifying.
“The gods have protected the entire dome over the Keep,” Vicar replied, “so I see no reason not to.”
She sensed he wanted to hold out his hand to her when he stood but refrained.
“Come,” he went on. “There is much to see.”
“We’ll come too in case—”
“No.” Trinity gave Jade an apologetic but firm look. “If you don’t mind, I’d like some time alone with Vicar to get to know him better.”
“But what if you get attacked again despite the added protection?” Jade looked from the godly storm to Trinity with concern. “Our added Celtic magic might be able to assist Vicar in keeping you safe.”
“Doubtful, and you know it,” Trinity returned. “Loki made it pretty clear the only thing between me and Violence is Vicar. He’s my only hope at the moment.”
“And that seriously sucks.” Jade shot Vicar an equally apologetic look. “No offense.”
