she nuzzled in closer in her sleep.
“Perhaps,” a quiet voice said from somewhere close, and I jolted upright, shoving Annabel to the ground behind me as I grabbed for my knives.
Pealing laughter mixed with my mate’s sleepy protests, and Freya’s sunken face came into focus.
“Relax, little godling,” she said, her laughter quieting even though a faint smile remained on her lips. “No one is trying to hurt your mate.”
“What’s happening?” Annabel grumbled from behind me. She placed a hand on my hip to push herself into a seated position.
“Nothing,” I said, irritation sharpening my tone as I shoved my knives back into their sheaths. Freya was sitting cross-legged by our side with Mimir in her lap. She was idly combing her fingers through his coarse hair—a treatment he seemed more than pleased with, judging from his half-closed eyes. “Just a goddess getting her voyeuristic kicks.”
Freya laughed again and reached out to pinch my cheek with her free hand. “Such a saucy boy.”
“You seem… better,” Annabel said, her tone careful.
“Better?” Freya hummed. “I suppose.”
“I have managed to convince the goddess that there might be hope after all,” Mimir said.
“I am told you are soulmates,” she said, her smile brightening ever so slightly. “There is… such powerful magic in a soul connection. And watching you now, wound in spirit and body as you sleep, perhaps… perhaps all is not lost.”
I shot Mimir a dark look. “That was not your information to share, prophet.”
“Oh, hush.” Annabel swatted my arm, but the excitement in her voice was palpable. “She is the Goddess of Love. I don’t think we have to fear her using that knowledge against us.”
“Certainly not,” Freya said. “It is the most sacred of connections—two souls uniting as one. It is my deepest duty to protect such a match. Even here, as this… shadow I’ve become.” Her smile faded.
I scoffed. “Even here? You mean the Norns still have their claws in you in Hel?”
Freya shot my mate a bewildered look. “The Norns?”
“Grim believes I only love him because of Verdandi weaving our threads together,” Annabel said patiently. She placed a kiss on my shoulder before resting her chin against it and wrapping her arm around my torso so she could lean against my back. “He’ll get there eventually.”
I bristled at her easy dismissal of what I knew to be the truth, but the firm pressure of her body against mine stopped any true anger from coloring my words when I bit, “Do not patronize me.”
She only kissed my shoulder in response again—much to Mimir’s amusement. I narrowed my eyes at the chuckling prophet.
But Freya looked at me with genuine surprise—and upset. “No. No, absolutely not! The Norns weave their webs as they please, but a soulmate connection is not something even they can create. Verdandi may have woven your threads together, ensuring you met, but no one can force a soul bond—not her, not her sisters, not me. But… it is so exceedingly rare… Are you certain that is what you are to each other?”
“I am certain,” I said, my voice flat. Annabel nuzzled against the back of my neck—a simple, loving gesture that made my heart ache. I shifted out of her grip and got to my feet. “But how will that help Annabel return to Asgard?”
Freya watched us both carefully, and I had the uncomfortable feeling she was analyzing every movement, every interaction between us.
“To return her to full life… it would take a miracle. And I am in no state to perform such a thing,” the goddess said. “But if your love is strong enough, true enough… Perhaps… Perhaps I can help you.”
“And you and Mimir?” Annabel asked. “Will it be enough for you to return with us?” A caw from the tree line made her add, “And Arni and Magga?”
Freya gave her a sad smile. “The prophet is not dead. He is simply… visiting Hel against his wishes. He can leave through the same means as your mate. But those of us whose bodies were struck down and no longer possess a physical manifestation among the living… no. Only the Queen of the Dead would be able to grant us such a gift. And she will not.”
“We will find a way to get her to release you, once this is all over,” Annabel said, her voice so firm I knew that she genuinely believed she would.
“Isn’t there enough resting on your shoulders? Must you be the one to save everyone—even after you are expected to stop Ragnarök itself?”