pointed at the Helm of Awe. “Levateinn was stolen from me. The one who took it bound this infernal crown to my head. If I move against him, its magic scalds my brain.”
The shade didn’t seem convinced. “I thought you were a powerful sorcerer.”
“This magic, I cannot break—at least not with the tools currently at my disposal. The helm imprisoned me, but if I were free of it, then it would be a simple thing for me to steal back the wand. If you take over my body, then for a short time at least, the helm could be broken. Temporarily deactivated, with you in control. Then we can do what we must. And once I have Levateinn, I can return to your lands and revive your goddess.”
Ganglati hovered just in front of the encircling candles. His eyes glowed bright in his shadowy form. “You will honor your oath, then?”
“Will you help me?”
The shade studied me, eyes shining in the darkness. “What do you propose?”
“Join forces with me. Help me steal the wand.”
Ganglati laughed icily. “Impossible. I am dead. You’ve seen the iron wall that confines me to Hel.” His eyes flashed. “Stop wasting my time. What you suggest is impossible.”
“It’s not impossible. Didn’t you just say that I am a powerful sorcerer?”
I licked the tip of my thumb and index finger, then extinguished the candle nearest to me. Frigid black mist began to rush into the circle of candles.
The shade’s eyes glowed brighter, like stars in the darkness.
I held his gaze as I spoke. “You see, the helm is bound to my body. Not to my soul. Step inside the circle and join me within this living body.” I touched my chest. “Together, we can defeat the helm and retrieve Levateinn. Then, I will raise your queen.”
Chapter 21
Ali
In the Citadel courtyard, a High Elf servant beckoned Thyra and me with a long finger. “Follow me. I will show you the way to your rooms.”
As we followed him into the Citadel, Thyra spoke quietly. “Ali, can I put you in charge of collecting the—” She leaned close, whispering.
“Yes, of course. Is it okay if I have Bo assist me? The stunning spell has worn off.”
“Whatever you need.”
“I’ll start tomorrow.”
The halls of the Citadel were dark, but the guard held a lantern, and it cast warm light over rough marble walls.
“Thyra,” I whispered. “You know about magic, right?”
“Some …” She replied noncommittally.
“What do you know about the Norns?” I asked.
She raised an eyebrow. “The Norns? Not very much. They cast our souls and weave our fates with the threads of Wyrd. They are said to live among the roots of Yggdrasill. But as far as I know, no elf has ever seen one.”
We continued through the dark halls, the rough stone dimly lit with flickering torches. It looked like a medieval castle in here, built of rough stone and low arches.
“Do you think the Norns died in Ragnarok?” I asked after a few moments of silence.
Thyra shrugged. “Maybe. I couldn’t say. But without them, fate would no longer exist. So probably not.”
I took a deep breath. Everything hinged on what I had to say next. “Hypothetically, if they were still alive, do you think someone could change the fate the Norns wove for them?”
Thyra gave me a long look. “Why the sudden interest in the Norns?”
“I was just curious.”
“I doubt it. Like I said, no one has ever seen one—”
“Miss,” the servant interrupted. “This is your room.” He was looking directly at me, gesturing for me to enter.
As the servant unlocked the door, I turned again to Thyra. “Will you be alright on your own? I can accompany you to your quarters.”
“I’ll be fine,” said Thyra. “Gorm wouldn’t dare hurt me. I’ll be perfectly safe.”
Good to know. “Well, don’t hesitate to stop by if you need anything.”
As Thyra and the guard disappeared down the hallway, I pushed open the door to my room.
It was larger than I expected. It wasn’t just a room, but an entire suite. I stood in a central living room with an oak table and sofas, but I could see a bedroom on one side and a private bathroom on the other. The walls were made of white stone, and an ornate carpet was spread out over the floor. Multi-paned windows overlooked the frozen city.
I poked my head into the bathroom. There was a sink, a tall mirror, and a clawfoot tub in the center. Finally, I crossed to the bedroom. I found a bed draped with