I’d be happy to lay like this forever. But something always interrupted.
A strong, tugging sensation snagged my war senses. This wasn’t like when mortals went to war. No, those happened all the time, and were weak. This one, this one was much different.
Astrid sat up first, her back straight, her focus going far beyond the borders of our home. She feels it too. I wasn’t sure how, but the best I could guess was her magic was evolving. With her becoming immortal, it presented new chances for her unique magic to blossom, and since she accompanied me into battle, it made sense she’d start to develop abilities that would help her. And yet, I found it strange how closely it mirrored some of mine.
I jerked my head to focus behind us when the presence of two new arrivals appeared suddenly. Freyja and Baldr stood several paces away, ready for battle. Astrid noticed them a moment later.
A bright smile appeared on her face and she quickly dressed before jumping to her feet. She ran over to the two and Baldr wrapped her up in a spinning hug. The two laughed, and acted as though it’d been some time since they’d seen each other, rather than just the other day. I dressed slowly, watching them.
Astrid and Baldr had grown closer over time. She’d become closer with Fenrir and Freyja too, but she’d developed a different bond with Baldr. On many levels it reminded me of the one I had with her.
One would think I was worried, that I would become jealous or put a stop to it. But I had neither urge.
It wasn’t common for immortals to stick to one partner for all eternity. That wasn’t to say they didn’t have any permanent partners, just that they were open to more than one. That was why many found my marriage to Astrid odd.
However, she was mortal at the time. I expected to only have her for a fraction of the eternity I’d spend existing. It was why I was so determined to keep her for myself. Though, I still had no eyes for any other. My heart belonged solely to her.
But now… in the wake of her own awakened immortality, if she wanted Baldr as well, I had no issues sharing her. Especially with him.
Astrid glanced around when Baldr set her back down. “Where is Fen?”
Baldr made a displeased face. “He rushed in before he should have.”
Her brows pulled together, but unlike her, I now understood the war sensation surging through me. “It’s time, then?”
Freyja nodded. “Odinn dies today.”
Things had gotten worse with the god and those who allied with him. We knew war was on the horizon, and today was judgement day.
Astrid’s expression didn’t improve. In fact, I realized her confusion was actually concern, and it’d gotten worse. “And Fen is already engaging?”
“He was impatient,” Freyja said.
“More like he wouldn’t see reason,” Baldr muttered.
My gut churned. Fenrir was impulsive, always had been. However, I could always count on him not to do anything rash in important situations.
“That’s not like him,” Astrid said, mirroring my thoughts.
“He’s always been impulsive,” Freyja said.
Baldr shook his head. “She’s right. This isn’t normal for him.”
Not only did I agree with him, but there was something else neither of them seemed to remember. “Astrid, you pointed this out before, too.”
She nodded, her lips pressed tight together. “More than once. I had hoped I was seeing things. But I don’t have a good feeling about his behavior.”
I summoned my armor and sword. “Then we shouldn’t stall.”
Astrid used her magic to summon new, more mobile-friendly clothes and armor, as well as her shield, sword, and even her axe, which hung at her hip.
“Are you leaving?” a small, quiet voice inquired.
We turned to the small fae approaching. Her large multi-colored eyes blinked up at us, and her ethereal tail swished back and forth. Large gossamer wings hung limply on her back, dragging on the ground behind her, and her gait was a bit awkward.
Astrid smiled. “We are, Ùna. We’ll be back before you know it.”
The female fae blinked, and I noticed her pulled-in posture. She knew Freyja and Baldr, and never got nervous around them. So, this was a bit different.
