Entrapment (Thor's Dragon Rider #3) - Katrina Cope Page 0,42
me.” He peers over my shoulder. “Beowulf. It’s nice to see you, my Midgardian brother.”
Thor thrusts his hands forward, and the Midgardian follows suit as they clasp each other's forearms and give them a shake.
Thor inclines his head toward me. “Can you see why I keep her around? With all the trouble she gets into, she’s extremely entertaining.”
Beowulf nods and grins. “Yes, I’m starting to realize. Maybe the Midgard Serpent is attracted to her, and that's the reason it attacked us on the shore before.”
A hearty laugh bursts out of Thor, and he throws his head back. “Perhaps you are right. She is an attraction for danger and mischief. Or else I wouldn’t have shown such interest in her.”
I scowl. “Gee. Thanks a lot.” Crossing my arms, I lean on one leg. “Thanks for trying to protect Elan and me from the lava monster that kidnapped us. If I’m only interesting because I attract danger, why were you there in the first place?”
Thor lowers his eyes, a severe expression crossing his face as he adjusts his tunic and shifts his belt around his waist. “I was coming to tell you that my father knew that you let Loki out and that you traveled to Jotunheim with him.”
My arms drop to my side. “Oh. Ratatoskr said I was banished. Is this correct?”
Thor’s face remains somber as he nods, his blue eyes connecting with mine. “You know Father.” He shrugs. “He is very unforgiving if he feels he's been betrayed.”
“But I didn't betray him.” I wipe my brow on my arm. “I let Loki out, only intending it to be for a few minutes. He was meant to heal Elan and then return. Once again, he backstabbed me.”
Thor places a hand on my shoulder. “You know Father isn’t going to forgive that.”
“Even after everything I've done for Asgard?”
The god of thunder nods. “That seems to be the way it is. We'll have to rectify that somehow.”
“How?” I groan. “I can't go into Asgard, and I’ve no idea where Loki is and what form he's taken. I don’t even know it’s him if I’m riding him. He can change into too many shapes.”
Thor surveys the darkened valleys and the minimal light remaining over Midgard. The creases on his forehead form dark lines in the dusk. “I will keep an eye on Asgard. But for now, you need protection, and you also need more training with your magic. I've given you much practical training on top of what you've already learned with the Valkyries. Loki has given you a gift, for whatever reason, and you haven’t been able to practice or enhance that gift since he's been locked up… except for maybe a few things Anita has taught you about healing.”
His eyes look almost sad as they scan the darkening land. “You need to be taught more and have time to practice it.”
“And how am I supposed to do that? Where am I supposed to learn more about my magic ability?” I swing my hands out to the sides in exasperation.
His gaze eventually lands on me, his ally even though he’s going against his father’s approval. “There’s a race that deals with magic all the time.”
“A race?” I ask. “What do you mean?”
“The whole realm consists of light elves. You should know of it. It's Alfheim.”
Annoyance fills me, and I frown. “Yes, of course I know of the realm. But I don't know anyone there who is going to teach me magic.”
A soft smile spreads over his face. “You don't have to find anyone. I have someone that will take you there and will lead you to the right company, someone who can take care of you and nurture you in your time in that realm.”
“So I’m going all by myself to a strange realm to learn magic?” I look at him in disbelief. “Somewhere where I know no one, and I'm going with a total stranger.”
He slaps a hand onto my shoulder, refraining from his usual force this time. “Oh, Kara. When you say it like that, it sounds dreadful. You won’t be alone. You’ll be under the good guidance of—”
Beowulf's awestruck voice interrupts us. “Ooh. There she is.”
I’d forgotten Beowulf was with us. He gazes dreamily toward the valley, where the angels of death are hovering around a fire.
- Chapter Twenty-One -
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“There who is?” I follow Beowulf’s line of sight down to the fire surrounded by angels of death.
Before I can focus, his irritated voice interrupts my thoughts, calling my