Loki.
25
HELAYNA
Loki laughed, a bright, charming sound. “How rude. Is this how you welcome your dear father?”
:He’s inside the Ironheart blood circle,:I said to my Blood.:How’s that possible?:
:He’s not physically here,:Heimdallr growled.:Or I’d have cleaved him in two. It’s just one of his tricks. He can see and hear us, but he has no real power here.:
Heart pounding, I concentrated on slowing my breathing. Images flickered through me. Ugly memories dimmed and tattered by pain. The small green ball of light Loki had left beside me—so I could look at my prison and realize it was alive. He’d left me in the dark. Trapped. In so much pain I’dbeggedhim to come back.
Sour bile churned my stomach and my hands trembled. I didn’t want to look at him.
Dörr swept me up against his chest.:Then you don’t. We take you?—:
:I must,:I broke in gently, even though fear clawed ribbons through me.:I can’t let him see how much he scares me. I need to know what he wants.:
“I’m surprised to see you on this side of Yggdrasil, brother,” Loki said. “Evidently your honor no longer binds you to uphold oaths made in the golden halls of Ásgarðr.”
“My honor binds me as ever,” Heimdallr replied. “Unlike you,brother. But that’s no surprise to any who know you. The lady fetched me herself, and who am I to refuse such a charming request for assistance?”
It was silly, but it hadn’t really dawned on me that Heimdallr and Loki were brothers, both descended from Odin. Technically making Heimdallr my uncle. Appalled amusement spurted through me, pushing back some of the instantaneous anxiety and fear. Loki wasn’t physically here. He couldn’t lure me away or snatch me from my Blood. I wasn’t defenseless and powerless this time.
So I needed to remind him of exactly who he was dealing with now.
As soon as I thought it, Dörr gently set me down on my feet before him, but I felt the tension simmering in his dark alfar body. At least it was dark, so he could shift without becoming stone. One flinch in my direction he didn’t like, and he’d have me up in his arms and away from any danger or threat.
:Svar, Myrk, take to the air,:he ordered.:Make sure nothing else approaches or catches us unaware. Lokken, Gunnarr, protect our retreat to the vehicles if needed.:
Taking a deep, centering breath, I slowly turned around to face Loki. His lips curled in a smug little smile, his head tipping in a nod of encouragement. Acknowledgement. I wasn’t sure, but it pissed me off.
Which was exactly his goal. He wanted me off balance and reactive, my emotions fully engaged. He probably wanted to shock me with the father comment—hoping I hadn’t already guessed the truth.
Rather than saying anything to him, I matched energy and gave him a similar nod.
“My, how you’ve grown, child.”
Head high, I arched a brow at him. “Am I still a disappointment?”
Giving both gods a wide berth, Clara rushed to my side. “No one proclaims Her Majesty Helayna Ironheart, Daughter of Lady Hel, a disappointment.”
Loki huffed with amusement. “Does your human bite like your little pet fox?”
I reached out and wrapped my hand around Clara’s, pulling her closer to me so I could protect her. Though I couldn’t resist checking in with Gunnarr to make sure Bjørg was still unharmed.
:I have the little scamp by the scruff, my queen,:Gunnarr assured me.:She may never forgive me but she’s safe.:
Relieved, I allowed a small smile to curve my lips. “Everything in House Ironheart bites.”
“So I see.” His gaze lingered on my throat where Heimdallr had bitten me. I didn’t feel fresh blood dripping but the toothmarks might still be visible. I wasn’t sure if Loki could tell it was his brother’s bite or not. “I’ve sired so many interesting progenies over the millennia but you’re my first vampire queen. I’m pleased you’ve at last come into your power. That’s why I took you to Hvergelmir, else you never would have been able to take your Ironheart throne. Did your precious mother not tell you?”
I tried to keep my face schooled but a sly, knowing sparkle glinted in his eyes. I debated on what to say. I barely knew my mother. Was that her magic destroying my memories—or holes from being trapped inside Jörmungandr?
I burned to know the truth of my heritage. I wanted to know why she’d sent me away. Why did she hide the truth from me for so long? Did Loki know? Or would he only tell me lies?
:Tell him nothing,:Heimdallr said in our bond. :Don’t give him any weapons to use against you in the future. He will dangle partial truths laced with barbs and poisons only to wound you, so he can smile as he grinds the blade deeper in your heart.:
