Page 73 of Valhalla is Full of Hunks
“Besides,” she continued, assessing me shrewdly. “I believe all it would take wasmelaying claim toyoufor the fire giant to reveal his true feelings.”
I scoffed, even as a pathetic part of me did a happy ho dance at her observation. “Honestly, that man only has eyes for Valhalla. If he could marry the place and make babies with it, he would.”
Surt and Valhalla, sittin’ in a tree…
Hel sighed, her gaze growing distant. “It’s an outdated worldview—believing death is superior to life, or that one afterlife is better than another. Even here in Helheim, where it’s nothing but common folk, the dead are treated well. It could be a bitwarmer…”She shivered dramatically, making me smile. “But the only downside is that once here, most cannot leave.”
I swallowed thickly. “Does that include us? Because I prefer a more tropical climate.”
Again, Hel eyed me for a moment before replying. “I was talking aboutme,but… you truly don’t know what you are, do you?”
Not this again.
“I’m a seer,” I carefully replied. “APythiato the Greeks, and aVölvato the Norse. Which, sidenote, is a word just asking for trouble—”
I trailed off as I realized Hel referred to me as a‘Völvadís.’Sinmara had called me that, too, even if I’d been too annoyed at the time by the empty chest to question it.
Völva.
Dís.
“What’s adís?”I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Hel smiled, and it was both comforting and terrifying—making my instincts go haywire. “The short answer is a spirit guide. Odin’s Valkyries weredísir,but you are not one of the ‘choosers of the slain’ on the battlefield—bound for Valhalla.”
Much to Surt’s disappointment, I’m sure.
All at once, I realized that grumpy idiot had somehow figured out my connection with the dead before using me as a godsdamn battering ram to open Hel’s gates. “Okay then, what is my role in all this? Was I just destined to bring the three stoogeshereso you could all band together and end the world a second time? What if I don’t want any part in that, huh? Why don’t I get a say in my own fate?!”
I knew it wasn’t wise to raise my voice to a powerful goddess who could snap me like a damage twig with her creepy bone fingers, but I was on a tear. I’d already dealt with some fairly shocking revelations about my heritage during my adventures with Leia in Greece, so the last thing I needed was to learn I was evenmoreof a pawn in a game where no one had bothered to explain the rules.
Not today, Satan.
Err… Hel…
To her credit, Hel smiled with as much sympathy as her face allowed. “I also understand how it feels to have no say in one’s path. While I cannot be certain without hearing it from theNornsthemselves, I believe your role was simply to connect withthesethree souls specifically—Fenrir, Jörmungandr, and Surtr. To guide them to where they can finally be at peace.”
Stupid tears pricked my eyelids, making me wish I could rewind time and tell Fen to keep his mate bite to himself. “Yeah, well, maybe I don’t want to guide them to a place where I’ll never see them again. And I definitely don’t want to end the world in the process.”
Hel looked thoughtful. “Let me think on this for a bit, Iola. Perhaps a solution can be found that—while not ideal for everyone—will at least give yousomecontrol over your destiny.”
While still providing the retributionsheseeks…
I sighed, but knew her offer was the best I was going to get. I’d never been the chosen one—the one with all the luck. It seemed to be my destiny to help others find their happily ever afters, while I waved from the cheap seats and watched them ride off into the sunset.
Pity party for one, please.
The goddess of Helheim patted my shoulder—with her human hand this time,thank Christ.“Try not to worry, littleVölvadís.TheNornshave a plan for us all.”
Don’t I know it…
“But in the meantime!” She brightened, somehow dragging me out of my dark mood. “Why don’t you go comfort the World Serpent? Surely you have something in your luggage that would soothe the beast in both of you, hmm?”
I smiled. Hel’s joy was infectious—especially given her circumstances—and her suggestion was on point.
Time to fuck the pain away.
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