It was…it was simply breathtaking.
“It’s beautiful…”
When Harvey and MC had spoken of Asgard, in her mind, it had always been a far-off notion.As in,someday, when she was fully trained in the ways of wielding her hammer and not a sweaty embarrassment, then she’d meet the people and visit the place Harvey and MC had come from.
She certainly didn’t truly believe she’d be considered one of them, simply because MC was now hers.
And she absolutely never expected to be summoned in the way Heimdall, a god in his own right, had called to meet her.
She wasn’t prepared.She was only just now beginning to come to terms with this new fate, with the idea of immortality.If she was anything, Dom was detail-oriented, a planner.She liked knowing what came next.
It wasn’t that she hated surprises, but she didn’t love the kind that involved her being the center of attention.She was no savior, and the more MC talked about her new role, the more she felt like that’s exactly what was expected.
“Itisbeautiful, Dominique.I told you, there’s no way to describe the magic of Asgard.You must experience it to fully appreciate its magnificence,” MC said with blatant pride.
They all stood on a wide, steel-cable bridge overlooking the city, a golden bridge that actually sparkled in the warm sun.Crystal-clear blue ocean surrounded all sides, where fishing boats bobbed and high cliffs housed waterfalls of sparkling water, gushing to the rocks below.
The path to a prism-like castle straight out of a space opera that could give Nina’s digs a run for its money glittered as well.All the colors of the rainbow surrounded the castle like a halo of muted tones, whispering over every turret, glowing in every arched window.
Birds flew in a cloudless azure sky, quaint cottages big and small dotted the grounds beyond the water, set atop hilly grass so green, it was emerald.People milled around, going about their daily lives on foot.There were no noisy cars or trains, but there were plenty of wagons and horses.
Dom was so enchanted by the beauty of Asgard, the rustic simplicity of it, she almost forgot why they were here.
Because some guy, er,god, named Heimdall had an important message to share, and he didn’t want to do it any other way than in person.
Gripping MC in her hand as though her life depended on it, she looked to Harvey with a small gulp.“So what’s next?”
She was still in a romantic cloud when their kiss had been so rudely interrupted by Heimdall’s message, her lips still feeling the fire Harvey created in her.As if she wasn’t already overwhelmed enough by everything that had come to pass, she found herself trying not to lose focus.
She couldn’t afford to with the threat of her grandfather’s existence hanging in the balance.But that kiss had made everything else fade away.
Harvey took her free hand and pulled her toward the end of the bridge, his eyes intense.“Next, we find out what Heimdall wants to see you about.But are you sure you’re ready, Dom?Because I can talk to him first.You’re new to this.I mean, it’s been maybe a week since this all began?It’s enough that you’re still in the learning stages of wielding MC.The politics of Asgard feels like we’re only piling more on your already full plate.I’m used to hearing about stories that, to an outsider, would sound outlandish.”
She snorted.“I think it’s not a stretch to say I’ve already heard some outlandish tales this past week.I’m adjusting.”
Mostly.
Harvey gripped her hand tighter with a reassuring squeeze, his chiseled features surreally beautiful in the golden sunlight of his homeland.“Are you sure?”
Yes, ithadbeen a lot.But if this was her new lot in life, she was determined to master all facets, good and bad.
Squaring her shoulders, Dom shook her head.“Nope.I’m not sure at all, but if I’m going to do this, then I’m going to hit it head-on.If part of the responsibility of wielding MC is bad news, then that’s what I’ll hear.I’m pretty sure my bravado will fade after I find out what’s going on, but right now, it’s strong in spirit.So let’s get after it.”
She heard the words she spoke.She felt the blood stir in her veins, but it was brief, very brief, before she had to force her knees not to knock together.
Nina clapped her on the back, knocking her forward.“That’s my pint-sized badass.You show ’em who’s in charge now.”
Dom kind of loved that she’d earned Nina’s respect.She only wished she’d earned her vampiric strength and her guts.
Marty pulled her from Harvey’s grip.“Give us a sec, would you?”Ushering her away from the group, she looked into Dom’s eyes with concern.“Are you okay, honey?Are you sure you’re ready for this meeting?”
“Are you asking because you feel like whatever this Heimdall has to tell us is going to be bad news?”Because Dom felt it, too.Right in the pit of her belly, where a nest of butterflies fought to find a way out.
Marty blew out a breath, twisting her long braid around her finger, one she’d done in honor of their visit, after MC told them it was an Asgardian specialty.“I feel like this is all a lot all at once, and you’re just learning how to handle a small part of the entire picture.We only want to protect you until you’re ready to do whatever this all means.If that means waiting, then we wait.”
Dom gripped her hand in gratitude.“Is there any waiting when the possible fate of the world is in your hands?”
Marty wrinkled her nose.“It was just one measly threat.We don’t know that it meant anything as big as the end of the world, honey.”
