Now he grinned, tucking her flyaway curls behind her ears.“You mortals have your boogeyman; we have a serpent.It’s not really all that different.”
She gave his chest a playful shove.“The boogeyman isn’t real.”
“Isn’t he?”Harvey quipped.
Sweet Patricia.Was the boogeyman real?“Fair point.Okay, so this serpent is just one of many forms these nuts who want to end the world show up in, and we have to find this ancient magic so they can’t get their hands on MC, right?But if they don’t have the magic yet, if Heimdall doesn’t see it being released, why did the serpent show up?”
“It’s a scare tactic, Dom.Another threat.Just like the one at your grandfather’s nursing home.They want to frighten you enough that when the time comes, and they really have the opportunity to start a war, even if they don’t have that magic in hand, you’ll just give MC over to them out of fear.They’re bullies.”
She lifted her chin, planting her hands on her hips, her eyes narrowing.“As the good vampire Nina says, ‘fuck that noise.’I’m not letting them have MC, or my grandfather, oranyone—period.”
Harvey smiled that gorgeous smile of his.“You don’t give yourself enough credit for how brave you really are, Dom.I hope you know that.”
“I’m not brave.I’m terrified, Harvey,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
Pulling her closer, he cradled her in his arms, letting his head rest on top of hers.“I know.But remember, Heimdall said you can walk away at any time—no hard feelings.”
Yes.He’d given her an out, but the result of her skipping off into the sunset was the end of the world, for lasagna’s sake.Who wouldn’t have hard feelings about that?If she were Asgardian, and she learned the only person in the world who could wield the weapon was also the only one who couldsaveit—and they wouldn’t help?She’d be pissed.
“Sure, and let the world end?Um, no.That’s no longer an option.If I’m all your crazy gods have, then I’m in for a penny, in for a pound.”
As terrifying as it was, she wasn’t backing down.Not with her grandfather at stake, not with these new friends she’d found in danger.Not with Asgard and all the lovely people who lived here hanging in the balance.
“Then I want you to remember something.Remember how you reacted today, because that will happen again, only next time you’ll be even stronger.Also remember, both MC and I will be right there beside you, along with countless others who want to protect Asgard.You’re not alone in this fight.”
Closing her eyes, savoring the strength of his arms around her, she made a joke.“I don’t suppose Tony Stark’s going to show up with his band of merry comic book heroes to help save the day?”
His laughter rumbled in her ear.“I have my doubts.Though, it would be a little cool if Captain America showed up, don’t you think?”
She laughed, too, feeling a little lighter.“Personally, if I have to choose, I kinda have a thing for the Hulk.All that green, you know.”
“Listen, in all seriousness, the giants aren’t exactly brainiacs.If they haven’t found the magic yet, we have the jump on them.They only know the magic exists.That’s it.Right now, it’s just scare tactics.So we keep your grandfather safe and while we outsmart these assholes, let’s log some more time with MC for as long as we can.You’re only going to get stronger with practice.”
She grinned.“Practice makes perfect, right?”
“Indeed.Now, let’s talk about something else that’s very important.Your strength.You haven’t eaten all day?—”
“Could that be because I hacked up the dining hall before anyone could finish getting the food on the table?”
He laughed.“That could be part of it, but come with me.It’s time you fuel that warrior body.We can’t have you wasting away when we have strenuous work to do.”
She giggled.“Wasting away?My butt would disagree.”
“Your butt’s just fine.Now come on.”
Blushing wildly, she let him tug her out of her quarters and down along the hall until she heard the strains of music playing softly.
On one of the many balconies in the massive castle, there was a small alcove where a table sat, dressed with some of the beautiful flowers she’d seen earlier and a flowing tablecloth.Candles lit a path to chairs on either side, the scent of gardenias and lilac filled the air.
There were heaping portions of assorted fruit and sliced meats, with cheese and crusty bread that made her mouth water.
Garlands of fresh greens and flowers graced the balcony’s railing, with the city glowing beneath them, and in the corner, two guitarists and a piano player sat.
Dom cocked her head at the tune they played, her throat tightening, tears springing to her eyes at the familiar melody.“Is that ‘Moon River’ they’re playing?”
Harvey held out his hand with a warm smile.“It is.May I have this dance?”
Taking his fingers, her heart melting in her chest, Dom let him whisk her into a hold as he spun her around.“You did this for me?How did you know how much I love this song?”she asked as they swayed.
