She chuckled, her eyes sparkling. Creation, this woman…
Astrid set her basket to the side, the container full of herbs. She took my arm into her small, delicate hands, the contact sending a surprising jolt of warmth through me. She paused for a moment, as if she had felt it too, then concentrated, golden light springing out of her fingertips. She traced a light path of connected runes with her finger, the magic following her motions while threads also branched out.
Warmth lingered in the areas she touched, and the aching I’d felt disappeared. She’s healing me.
“Why are you here?” I asked. Was it risky to speak to her while she did this?
“I live here?”
I half-laughed. I deserved that answer.
“Better question is, why are you here?” she asked.
I made a thoughtful sound. That was a good question. I hadn’t thought of this place when I left the battlefield. I merely wandered, as I typically did. I wasn’t always up for rowdy celebrations after a good battle, especially not when Fenrir and Baldr were involved. As much as I enjoyed celebratory drinking and sex, there were times I wanted to be alone with my thoughts.
“This place is quiet. It allows me to think.” I glanced down at her. “And it rewarded me with some beautiful company.”
I couldn’t believe it when she told me that face scar of hers made her less desirable. She was a stunning woman, especially with that fierce mark.
Astrid’s eyes flicked up to meet mine, then she quickly refocused on her work. Her cheeks tinted a shade of pink. “Not much of a reward if I’m here.”
“I disagree.”
Her cheeks flushed darker. I smirked. Why did I enjoy that so much? Was it because this side of her, the side I experienced while walking through the forest, was so different from the ferocious woman the day of the trial? I liked this tender side just as much.
Astrid pulled away, taking the warmth with her, much to my disappointment. “How does that feel?”
I blinked and looked down at my arm. The bruise was gone. I flexed and tested with a false punch. No pain. No tension at all. “Wow, I don’t think I’ve felt this good in a long time.”
Astrid beamed at the praise. “You mean it?”
I nodded, still gazing at her work. “So, you’re a healer?”
She swayed her head back and forth, that mischievous grin back. “I can heal and I can use the same magic as my mother.”
My head snapped up. “Really?”
She nodded. “Mother is so proud. She says I’ll be the strongest völva the family has ever had.”
“And your father?” I remembered them both being proud of her the day her magic manifested.
“He says I am the pride of the family.”
I caught the mix of emotions cross her face. Was there something bothering her?
Before I could inquire, she gestured to my body. “Do you have any more injuries? I can’t do a lot, as I’m still building up my power, but I think I can handle one more.”
I motioned to my other arm. I was tempted to see how she’d react to having to heal areas under my tunic, but refrained. The people here didn’t have as much issue with nudity as other civilizations out there, but I had the inkling she might struggle a little. It wasn’t like I was the typical mortal man.
Astrid slid behind me, sending my senses on alert. I was always careful of my blind spots in the event of a surprise attack. But I then relaxed when she appeared on my other side. She took my arm in her hands. “My father said you were in the battle. He said your presence increased our men’s morale.”
I hadn’t realized her people were fighting in that battle.
She traced along the dark zig-zag marks and discolored skin that had been left from Thor’s lightning. “He said Baldr and Fenrir were also there, and you were fighting Thor.”
“That’s all true.” There was no point lying to her.
Astrid began her healing. “Why were you fighting him?”
