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Eir didn’t listen closely to Odin’s continued exposition. She was calculating how she could carry out her task without being able to fly or having a conveyance for flight.
But then, she supposed that if humans could scale the Red Witch’s ice mountain, she could too. It would take longer and be more cumbersome. But there was no doubt that she’d do it.
“…you will be held in detention in the underworld until further notice. Hel will be your keeper.”
At that, Eir’s head snapped up.
“My lord—”
“Silence!”
Eir snapped her mouth shut but kept her eyes on Odin.
Furiously, she tried to think of a way out. She didn’t have time to idle away in prison.
There was no telling what was happening to Kai. Now that he’d marked himself as hers, would he still be useful to this Jade Emperor he spoke of? Would the god send him back to some other world to die?
Eir needed to complete her task. Without knowing how time worked in other realms, every second that ticked by made her feel more desperate.
What if Kai suffered where he was? He, Sorin and Ere would have returned to their realm without the prize for which they’d come to her world. Would they be punished for it?
She opened her mouth to try again. Beg if she had to.
But Loki’s smooth voice intercepted her.
“I’m amazed at your froth and fire, Odin,” the trickster god mused, as if simply making a casual observation.
“This is not your business, half-breed,” Odin slurred, turning his crackling eye to the dark-haired, smooth-faced god.
“Indeed?” Loki wondered idly, his question rhetorical.
“But I am an interested party in the outcome of your decree, Odin, as well as an involved observer.”
“What are you blathering on about?” the Great Father demanded.
Eir wanted to know as well, turning curious eyes his way.
“Well,” Loki said, brushing a nonexistent fleck of flint from his robes.
“I traveled with the Valkyrie and the dragon warrior. I saw firsthand everything that happened.”
All eyes focused upon Loki at that. Hewouldpull a stunt like this. Anything to get attention.
“Spit it out then,” Odin ordered.
Loki shifted his dark gaze to Eir, and then to her sisters, all kneeling on one knee at the base of the dais.
A lock of long hair fell over his eye, and Eir had the sudden impression that he reminded her of someone…
But who?
And what did he mean he traveled with them? She had noticed nothing amiss all through the quest.
“It is true that this Valkyrie lost her prey. Or, rather, purposely released him from his Fate. And therefore, you now have one less warrior to add to your halls. A mighty warrior indeed.”
“That is what I am say—”
“However,” Loki interrupted before Odin could finish, making the god scowl blackly.
