Frigg.
Holy fucking shit.
That’s why Koa’s Sight was so strong. She was a bloody demigod, daughter of Frigg.
And Solveig was . . .
“Yes, you are the daughter of two gods,” Loki said, delight evident in every word he spoke. “I went to Frigg as Thor and bedded her until you were conceived—my little treasure.
“I sent the magic into Frigg when I impregnated her, hoping it would take root in our spawn. I gave you Thor’s power to hold, gifted it to you, and you took it beautifully. I watched you grow and train, and then when I came to you, centuries ago, to ask for it back, you said no.”
Loki’s triumphant demeanour turned to rage as he stared at his daughter.
“You became mistrustful of me—as did the other Aesir. My carefully laid plans, plans I’d orchestrated for thousands of years, were unravelling. The magic I was syphoning from Idavoll slowed as the Fae began to doubt, their belief in our lies waning until you trapped me.”
During his speech, Westley watched with bated breath as Solveig tried to break free. He saw it in the concentration on her face—she was building her magic inside to be able to blast through. He knew because that’s exactly what he was trying to do.
“And I am tired of waiting, daughter.” He dragged her closer. “You will give me Thor’s magic,” he demanded.
“What happened to Thor?” Solveig whispered.
“Oh, I killed him,” Loki said with a wave of his hand. “Without his power he could do nothing, and my wolf finally got to tear him apart. I have been living as Thor ever since. But it does come at a cost—the power it takes to keep up this transformation.” He briefly wore Thor’s mask again before his sallow face replaced it.
“This whole time,” Solveig breathed.
Her disbelief filtered through Westley’s mind and he jolted, realizing what that meant—her shield was weakening.
He might actually have a chance.
“Yes, yes, this whole time it was me, the puppet master. It is a relief to finally get the recognition I deserve.”
Solveig spat in his face.
Loki laughed. “Will you change your name, Solveig Tordottir? Solveig Lokidottir has a much nicer ring to it, don’t you think?”
He laughed again, cold and cruel. A chill raced down Westley’s spine.
Loki would rip that power right from Solveig if he had his way, but he hadn’t been able to yet—she was stronger than he thought. The power may have been Thor’s, but it belonged to Solveig now. It answered to her, and both males knew she wouldn’t give it up without a fight.
And that was exactly what Westley was worried about.
“Now, daughter, let’s have it,” Loki said. Without warning, he struck her with his shadows. The tendrils formed hands as they disappeared into her body.
“SOLVEIG!” Westley yelled. She fought against the shadows as Westley slammed his shoulder into the shield. The shield she had fortified again. Stubborn witch.
Stubborn goddess.
Loki appeared amused at Solveig’s fight, like he’d been expecting it, hoping for it. The god winked at him. Fucking winked and began to disappear into shadow, taking Solveig with him.
“NO!” Westley banged on the shield. “NO!”
She looked back with pain in her eyes—a silent goodbye.
“SOLVEIG, PLEASE!” he bellowed. “DROP YOUR SHIELD!”
I’m sorry.Her tone said everything. She was resigned to this fate.
“No, Solveig, please!” Westley dropped to his knees, pounding his fist against the shield until his skin cracked and bled. He pushed his magic with every ounce of strength he had to fight for her. A tidal wave appeared, crashing into the barrier, reverberating off it.
