He could sense the blessing of the ritual unfolding all around him, Talvi’s powerfulseiðrspreading across the country in gentle waves. His nephew was doing an excellent job, and Thori’s release had fueled the blessing further.
His thrall was sleeping, still cuddled in Njord’s arms and utterly exhausted. His short-cropped hair stuck to his forehead in sweaty strands, and his whole body was cooling rapidly now that the effects of Svanhild’s potion were wearing off.
Njord pulled another blanket over Thori to keep him warm and heaved a deep sigh. He knew he was treating Odinsson far too leniently, but how could he be cruel when Thori was hurt and vulnerable?
There’s no shame in kindness.
Startled, Njord looked up.
Jökull, he said, tears springing to his eyes.
Her large head floated above the bed. In waking life she wouldn’t have been able to fit into his pavilion, but in this visionher front paws rested on the foot of the bed, her body coiled around it.
Her nose came down to sniff Thori, and Njord was overwhelmed by guilt. When Jökull had died at the hands of Thori Odinsson, he’d vowed to avenge her. He’d vowed to make Thori pay for ever coming to Vanaheim. And yet here he was, coddling the man who’d ended Jökull’s life, instead of making his existence miserable.
I’m sorry, he whispered into the darkness.
Don’t apologize, my dear.
No, I’ve wronged you. I should kill him, shouldn’t have made him my thrall in the first place.
Jökull huffed, small puffs of fog rising from her nostrils.
You shouldn’t waste your time being mad at the godling. Why haven’t you mated yet?
Njord laughed, the tears finally spilling over. It was typical of Jökull to care only about carnal affairs. She’d loved the battle, too, but couldn’t hold grudges for long.
Have you forgotten that he brought us both down from the sky?
Jökull’s eyes crinkled.
A mighty throw.
He killed you.
So?
So?! He killed you, and I intended to make him pay for it. Except that I seem to be incapable of carrying out his punishment.
What was he even arguing about with this echo of Jökull? Was she really here to console him, or was his mind playing tricks on him?
Jökull growled, a low rumble from her belly.
He looks plenty punished to me. A thrall, chained and collared. Hair cut short. Didn’t he even promise to serve you?
He was desperate.
Was he lying?
Running a hand through Thori’s hair, Njord contemplated her words. Was Thori only trying to survive long enough to escape or plunge a dagger into Njord’s back? It seemed like the most reasonable explanation. His father had certainly taught him to think this way. But as far as Njord knew, Thori was so true to his word it was almost bordering on stupidity.
He isn’t especially adept at lying and betrayal.
Unlike you,Jökull snickered.
Did you come here to insult me even in death?
Gods, he’d missed their banter.
