Son of Thunder (Heavenly War Series) (26 page)

Oh Hell! Or was it ‘oh Hel’? Wasn’t that the name of the Norse land of the dead? Hel, with just one l? Meghan wasn’t really keen on opening her eyes just yet. Hel was presided over by Hela, Loki’s daughter. That just couldn’t be good.

At least her body was warm again. She remembered the terrible cold creeping over her, the chilling pain of death. Now she was warm again. Her body almost seemed to be floating. Soft, warm, like a big feather bed. Maybe death wouldn’t be so bad.

Inside, though, she still felt the cold. She felt empty, like a piece of her was missing. It was probably her heart. She’d given that to Jord.

Such silly thoughts. Meghan forced open her eyes. A figure was stooped over her. A woman. She looked so familiar.

Focus, Meghan, focus.
The deep green eyes, the wavy brown hair, that unforgettable smile.

“Hi, honey.” It was a voice she hadn’t heard in over four years.

“Mom?”

The woman came closer, and wrapped her arms around Meghan.

“Oh Meg, I’m so sorry.”

It was her mother. Meghan wrapped her arms around the woman. Tears came, unbidden, to her eyes.

“Mom.” She sighed.

Her mother pulled back, wringing her hands. “I should have told you. I know I should have told you. But it was all so complicated back then.”

Was death more complicated than life? Who knew?

“How are you feeling, Meghan?” It was another voice, a male voice, but one she recognized.

“Freyr?” Oh no, the war had gone badly. Gods had died too. It wasn’t supposed to be like that. She was the only one who was supposed to die. Asgaard should have been saved.

“Jord?” She couldn’t bear it if it had all been for nothing.

Her mother nodded. “He hasn’t left your side since you got here.”

Meghan heard snoring off to her left. People slept when they were dead? She turned her head. She was in a great, white chamber, lying on a bed. In a chair next to the bed sat Jord, his head down, snoring softly.

No, Jord needed to be alive. They needed him so much in Asgaard. He was the hero. Heroes were supposed to live and fight on.

“He tried so hard to stay awake.” Her mother patted her shoulder. “Poor boy.”

She heard a door open, footsteps approaching. Meghan saw a tall feminine figure approaching, the tops of two huge wings could be seen over her shoulders. An angel? This was getting stranger by the moment.

Then she recognized the woman. Thrud, Jord’s sister.

“How is she doing?” Thrud’s tone was light, conversational.

Frayer smiled warmly. “She just woke up.”

“Well, she’ll probably be needing this then.” The valkyrie set a tray down on the nightstand. On the tray was a plate containing slices of a golden apple.

“What is it you mortals call it? The hair of the dog?”

Meghan’s mother nodded, but did a little back-step away from the nightstand.

Freyr took her mother’s hand, pulling the woman to him protectively. “We should probably go.”

“But we’ll be back, honey,” her mother added, as the two backed away.

Thrud shook her head. “Darn, I should have warned them. I keep forgetting she’s mortal.”

Then the Valkyrie smiled at Meghan. “I’ll bet you are really confused right now.”

Meghan nodded. She didn’t even know where to begin.

“Don’t worry.” Thrud turned toward the chair Jord was sleeping on. “My little brother will explain everything. He’s got a lot to tell you, and don’t you dare let him off easy.”

The woman’s smile got even wider as she turned to leave. On her way past where Jord sat sleeping, her foot shot out, kicking the chair. Hard.

“Whoops.” She turned just enough to give Meghan a wink, before leaving the room.

Jord snorted then shook his head. His wonderful gray eyes popped open and they immediately looked at her. A big smile filled his face.

“You’re awake!” He came to her, kneeling beside the bed. His hand went to the side of her face and gently stroked down, his thumb caressing her chin. Compassionate. Caring.

“When I’d thought I’d lost you . . ., I don’t know how I could have gone on.”

There was pain in his eyes. Anguish.

“But I did die, didn’t I?” She could see Jord struggling to control his emotions.

“Well, yes and no. Of all the unbelievable things that have happened to you over the past days, this is probably going to be the most difficult to grasp. I’m not sure I even understand it myself.”

Meghan shook her head. “I touched the apple. I felt myself die.”

Jord’s expression grew serious. Were those tears forming in his eyes?

“A part of you did die, Meghan. The mortal part.”

Jord swallowed, and Meghan could see the pain he was remembering. He shook his head.

“Megingjörð kept saying there was more to you than we all knew, and he was right. It turns out your father, Fred, is in reality Freyr.”

Freyr? Her father?

“You are a demigod. Half mortal, half immortal. When you touched that apple you’re mortal self died. But it didn’t kill your immortal half.”

“Look, the short story is your mother didn’t die on that mountain in Sweden. Freyr brought her here, to Asgaard.” Jord was pouring information at her faster than she could process it.

“I’m still in Asgaard?”

Jord smiled. “Where did you think you were?”

“The land of the dead. Hel.” Meghan chuckled. “I was just starting to think it was not such a bad place.”

Jord laughed. His mood seemed to lighten.

“It isn’t, from what I hear. Hela’s nothing like her father. But you’re not quite ready for that yet, in any case.”

Meghan lay there for long moments, trying to take it all in. Then she struggled to sit up. She felt weak, but rested. Jord helped her to sit, and piled pillows behind her for support. Inside she still felt the emptiness, the loss of her mortal half. Would she always feel like this?

Jord reached to the side. “You should eat. This should help you feel better, stronger.”

Jord placed the tray in front of her. The golden slices on the plate drew her attention. The golden apples of Idun. The fruit of immortality.

“You can touch them now. They can no longer harm you.”

Tentatively Meghan reached out and grabbed a slice. The golden fruit shone in the light of the room. Juice sparkled on the edge. She brought the slice to her lips. She saw Jord nodding.

What more could happen to her? She’d already died. She opened her mouth and bit. Instantly her mouth was filled with a flavor so unique, so satisfying, she lacked the words to properly describe the experience.

Jord smiled and shook his head.

“No fear at all. Odin was right to name you the new Goddess of Courage.”

She swallowed and refreshing warmth spread throughout her body. Like a fresh breeze on a warm summer day. As she ate the sensation washed over her. She felt refreshed, revitalized. Power seemed to surge through her. She’d never felt better, more alive, than at that moment.

“I’m a goddess?”

“Fully so, now that you’ve eaten of the golden apple.”

Meghan wasn’t sure how to take that. A goddess? Her?

“Why would Odin name me the Goddess of Courage?”

Jord laughed. “You have more than earned the title.” Jord’s eyes filled with pride.

“But isn’t Tyr . . .”

“Tyr was more than happy to give up the title. In fact, the older gods and goddesses all over Asgaard are giving up their titles and more, following Dad’s example, and retiring. The old ways are passing. Younger gods and goddesses are stepping up to take over. It’s a whole new era for us here.”

Meghan nodded. “The prophecy said the old ways would pass.”

Jord’s eyes clouded. “We’re done with the prophecy. The secret from the past was that Freyr is your father. That was the key to your future. And as hard as I fought against it, you did freely give your life. The golden city, Asgaard, was saved. It’s all over.”

“Loki?” She was almost afraid to ask.

“Defeated, pushed back, and in hiding with what’s left of the evil alliance, but far from gone for good. We will all need your courage, oh Goddess. The war will go on, but the pantheons are all coming together and rebuilding. Building anew. Now that there’s no prophecy to guide us or distract us we can take new directions, forge new bonds. We’re all working together now. We’ll be ready when Loki and the other evil gods strike. But for now, there’s peace. A time to breathe, live . . . love.”

“Love?”

Jord reddened and glanced at the floor.

“I have been told by countless people, countless times over the past day, what a fool I was to try and drive you away from me. I never wanted to hurt you, you must believe that. I think I fell in love with you the first time I set eyes on you. I still love you. You’re all I think about. I love you so much it hurts.”

Jord paused, sighing.

“But I’ll understand if you can’t forgive me. You’re special, Meghan. There are any number of gods who would give anything . . .”

He never got a chance to finish. Meghan reached out, grabbed the front of Jord’s shirt, and dragged him toward her. She liked this new power surging through her. As she pulled him onto the bed with her, she raised her head to meet his. As her lips touched his she heard the distant rumble of thunder.

Jord pulled her into his arms, his lips hot and passionate. She saw the pain, the desire, the need in his eyes. His touch, soft at first, became demanding as the kiss overwhelmed them. Passion blazed, hot, sensual, and all-consuming. He crushed her to him, and she felt his body harden in response.

The hurt she felt melted away. He’d done it for her, hoping to save her. She knew that now. It took no courage at all for this goddess to accept that.

Pulling out of the kiss, Meghan found Jord on top of her in the bed. His eyes blazed with passion, his body hard in anticipation. He looked into her eyes with such love and affection, her heart all but melted. Gone was the empty feeling inside. She felt full, alive, and loved.

“So Goddess,” his voice was full, rasping with need. “What now? How will you spend eternity?”

She answered in the only way she could.

“With you.”