I’m not sure I love hearing that, but I’m not shocked to hear that I liked sleeping in the same room. I can’t help my grin. “Yes, well, the important part here is that Eupraxia, you need to close your eyes, filter out everything else, and focus on the little spot inside your belly that feels different. It’s almost like a loop to me, and I pull and pull, and then I feel it. It’s a feeling like I’m inverting, and then. . .I do. I flip inside out, and I’m a blessed again.”
Eupraxia looks a little lost.
“Nice work explaining,” Sammy says.
His words are positive, and his face is as sweet as ever, but it feels like he’s mocking me.
That’s not how it worked for me, Gordon says. Perhaps it was your dual affinities, but for me, I would try to collapse my head and my feet, like I was diving into a very deep pool. As soon as I let go, I’d resurface, in a new form.
Not even two seconds later, a rushing sound fills the clearing, like a tidal wave’s coming toward us, and then Eupraxia straightens in her normal, water blessed form. She stretches, winding her neck one direction and then another, and then she sighs. I feel much better. Thank you so much, Elizabeth Chadwick. You saved my life.
Liz has been abnormally quiet, for her, and when I turn to see why, she’s half-asleep, curled up against a rock. It looks like demanding favors from Jörð takes a toll. I’ll take her home.
Even a ride back to our new shelter doesn’t wake her. And this time, because we’re entwined, I should be able to see part of her dream.
But I’m getting nothing, nothing at all.
Chapter 11
Gullveig
I had no idea Freya was planning to marry Odin in their earth child shapes until I showed up for the wedding, and I’m almost never surprised, as her bonded. For the rest of the world, it causes quite a stir.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” I ask. “I doubt the æsir will love it.”
My mother’s helping me pin Freya’s hair up. My bonded’s wearing my mother’s old wedding gown. It’s a dark wine color, and it really makes her ice-blue eyes stand out.
“You’re sure this is okay?” Freya asks again, smoothing down the velvet bodice.
“You can’t answer my question with another question,” I say. “Especially one you already know the answer to.” Mother has told her it’s fine at least five times already.
Freya sighs. “Odin and I decided that the best way to reassure the earth children that his marrying a vanir wasn’t a disaster was to show them that Jörð herself has blessed our union. So we’ll start out in this form.” She sighs. “Then we’ll change clothing so I don’t ruin this gorgeous gown, and we’ll change into our vanir shape for the mating flight.”
“Do you think it’ll work?” I whisper. “Since you’re. . .you know.”
She laughs. “I certainly hope so.”
“There have been cross-affinity matches before,” Mother says.
“Storm and moon,” I say. “Strike and water. But not flame and ice.” It’s not that I’m unsupportive, but no one’s really sure what will happen when two sworn enemies mate. No matter how much Freya pretends it will all be fine, the world doesn’t always turn out like that.
I tie the heart on a string around her neck. “Well, maybe this will help bless your union.”
Freya shakes her head. “No, I can’t. It’s yours. You pulled it from the gold. You won it from Jörð, not me.”
I wrap her hand around it, closing her fingers tightly on the massive and beautiful stone. “We did it together, just like you and Odin are working together now to try and heal the rift between the vanir and the æsir. I support you, and so does Jörð. We may as well remind everyone of that.”
She hugs me then, and the bond shivers. “I’m so glad you were sent to kill me.” Her smile’s brilliant. Everything about her shines. Not just today, but every day.
“I’m happy, too,” I say. “Jörð really blessed me.”
“Blessed us.” Freya shoves her arm through the crook of mine and drags me out into the massive cavern alongside her.
“You’re just doing this because you want a ride.”
Freya laughs. “Did it work?” She points up at the raised platform. “It’s really far if we have to walk there on these tiny legs.”
I chuckle and toss my head. “If you think you can hold on in that stupid dress, go ahead and try.”
