Page 8 of Valhalla is Full of Hunks
“It’s an ‘H,’” Fen replied—his expression amused. “It’s the runeHagalaz,which translates to…”—he vaguely waved his hand, as if searching for the right word—“bad weather… a storm. Catastrophe and loss.” When I grimaced, worried I’d touched upon a sore subject, he smiled kindly. “But it also represents rebirth and the opportunity to make things right.”
Okay, so we’re going deep.
I nodded sagely, well-versed in life-altering events that shatter everything you believed to be true about your existence. Growing up without a mother kicked things off, but supporting Leia during the loss of her dad—while feeling personally responsible—followed byheryear-long disappearance, and every bombshell since, had taken its toll.
On top of my pesky prophetic visions.
Which have apparently returned with a vengeance…
As nosey as I was, I decided not to digtoodeep—not twenty minutes into our first date—so I moved on to a cool-looking spear on his forearm. “And this?” I asked, boldly reaching across the small table, lightly touching the interlocking triangles it was centered over.
We both flinched as an electric shock passed between us at the contact, and I remembered the strange sensation I’d experienced when Fen brushed past me in the library yesterday.
“That was… unexpected,” he murmured, looking genuinely confused.
“Sorry!” I awkwardly laughed and started to lift my hand, uber-aware of how I was invading his personal space.
“Don’t be.” Fen grabbed my hand so fast, I barely saw him move. Then he took my pointer finger and traced it over the triangular design. “This is theValknut.Again, a symbol of strength and protection, but I prefer its association with death and those who’ve fallen in battle. It’s also known as Odin’s knot, which is why I’ve paired it withGungnir—Odin’s spear. It was said his weapon never missed.” He paused to wink at me. “Although I’d bet that wasn’t entirely true.”
I couldn’t help grinning in return—not only because of that cheeky wink, but the way he so casually spoke of Norse mythology and the gods. This was ancient history to his people, and nothing but tall tales to most, but I knew firsthand how very real and current the gods were.
Especially the Greek ones.
“It must be cool to have such a… connection to your heritage.” I dropped my gaze to my half-eatenkanelbullar,weirdly shy, all of a sudden. “I’m of Greek descent, but was raised in the U.S., so even though I live in Athens now, I don’t feel like alocalor anything.”
Even ifmybloodline is old-as-time as well…
When Fen didn’t immediately respond, I cautiously lifted my gaze to find him gazing at me—deep in thought. “Interesting,” was all he said as he set down his now empty mug.
A subconscious warning zipped down my spine, so I quickly brought the conversation back tohimbefore he started to pry. “So, you’re really into all this, huh? Between your tattoos and the ‘light research’ you were doing yesterday… You know, to prepare for the end of the world.”
His lips curled up again, although this time, the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “There’s nothing to prepare for, Iola.Ragnarokhas already occurred.”
Again, I was hit with a deeper knowing that did not bode well. But I rapidly blinked—forcing myself to remain present, even as my eyesight grew alarmingly hazy.
Focus, Iola!
Probably interpreting my pained reaction as skepticism—which was partly correct—Fen hurriedly added to his statement. “This is a known interpretation of the old texts. And I happen to see it as the truth.”
I started to sweat, and could tell there was no stopping my incoming vision. All I could do was hope that whatever this hottie was about to witness wouldn’t end the date completely.
I’ll just tell him the coffee didn’t agree with me…
“Cool. Tell me more,” I croaked, pushing my plate and half-empty mug aside. Then, I laid my head down on the cool surface of the table to avoid falling out of my chair and being trampled by thefika-loving masses.
“Oh,sötnos.”Fen’s voice had taken on a darker edge that my pussy definitely responded to, even as the rest of me shut down. “You’re about to learn everything there is to know about the end of days.”
4
FENRIR
“Why on Jörd’s green earth would youkidnapthe seer, Fen?”
I snorted at Surtr’s fiery expression, and his disapproving tone—as if luring Iola to our island homehadn’tbeen part of our original plan.
So what if I improvised a bit to ensure victory?
He glared harder at my dismissive reaction. It was all I could do not to set down my precious cargo immediately and relieve his tension with the fight he clearly needed.
