Chapter Five

Violet glared at the Honored Einheri, who watched her with a mixture of piqued interest, awe, and pity. It only served to stoke the deeply-rooted hatred she felt for the man.

“I need to speak with Odin and Freyja,” Thor said, glancing nervously between Ragnar and Violet. “Ragnar, you’re going to come with me. Sif—”

“Yeah, yeah, stay and babysit the fledgling. Got it,” Sif dismissively stated, waving him away and fumbling around for something in her magic pack.

“The house team is in place,” Ragnar growled in amusement. “We can go.”

Violet tightly closed her eyes and covered her ears as Thor and Ragnar disappeared the same way they’d arrived. A few seconds later, she dropped her hands and clambered up onto the loveseat portion of the sectional.

Everything hurt. Her legs were sore and shaky. Her head throbbed dully, a steady hammering pulse behind her eyes that made her grit her teeth. Her shoulders were sore and stiff from the unusual exertions she’d endured in the short flight earlier. She hadn’t pulled so many jerking, erratic maneuvers in flight like that before and she was going to pay for it in spades come tomorrow.

“Were Gersemi and Ragnar an item or something?” Violet asked after several silent moments passed.

The look of pain that crossed Sif’s features was not at all what Violet expected.

“I’m sorry—I didn’t know—” Violet began, but Sif held up a hand, asking for silence.

“I had hoped you’d remember by now but nothing with you ever goes to plan, does it?” Sif quietly asked, her eyes downcast, her tiny shoulders slumped forward.

“I’m trying, Sif,” Violet replied, just as softly.

“It’s not your fault. It was never your fault.”

“Then talk to me. What’s the real reason?”

“We were in love once,” the ice fae whispered, still avoiding Violet’s gaze. “Gersemi and I. We were in love. We were both royalty and a marriage alliance would have been highly beneficial to both of our courts. We fought all the time, sure, but… I never once doubted her loyalty to me. She loved me. All of me. Not just my title. Not just my station. Not my looks. She loved who I was and let me be me. I loved her every bit as much.”

Violet sat back, her eyes wide. What did someone even say to that? How badly had Violet inadvertently hurt her?

“I’m so sorry, Sif,” Violet choked.

“Odin forbade it,” Sif continued, finally lifting her eyes.

The pain Violet saw there stole her breath and made her sick to her stomach. While she didn’t know the details yet, it was clear that the fae was deeply affected. Sif had always been obstreperous and contentious, but she’d had Violet’s back since day one. The fact that the price of Sif’s loyalty had cost her something so dear was unfathomable and unforgivable.

“He wanted you to marry Ragnar, his favorite Einheri, to create a new bloodline within the Asgardian court born of warriors. Yet one more way they commanded the path of your life without any thought to what you wanted. It makes me feel better that you remembered that at least. You remembered what a piece of absolute shit that man is.”

Violet sat in stunned silence. She did hate Ragnar on a level so deep, the mere sight of him provoked her to violence. The nonchalant way her brother, Thor, regarded him, the way that Odin seemed to fawn over him and apparently forsook her own happiness to please the exalted warrior despite knowing his flaws, knowing the damage he’d done…

It made her even angrier.

“Loki took advantage. We didn’t know it was him at the time,” Sif said, breaking the silence. “He posed as my mother, Queen Kelpie of the Frost Fae, and granted us permission to wed under one condition: All we needed was to recover Ullr’s bow from the Frost Kingdom’s arch enemies, the Frost Giants. It was originally crafted by the first Frost Queen for the god Ullr and had the power to destroy even Odin, if the right arrows are created. You went to retrieve it. For me. For us.”

Tears welled in Violet’s eyes as she understood the fae’s admission. It wasn’t lust for the power of the bow that drove Gersemi. She’d just wanted the power to love. It had cost her life and it had cost Sif everything that made a life worth living.

“I don’t know what to say,” Violet managed, swallowing a sob.

“I’m tough on you because I know who you are. Who you could be. I loved you, once. I’ve gotten over that part—I’ve had centuries to come to terms with it. Gersemi will never be in control of her own life. She never was. But you—you can be. And I’ll do everything in my power to support that. To support you. I owe it to Gersemi. Loki tricked her into starting Ragnarok by using her love for me. She died defending me from that monster. As penance, I was taken into the Valhallan Court as a permanent envoy and will serve it for eternity. My mother disowned me and Freyja took pity on me. So, I serve you. And I do it gladly,” Sif relayed, rising and sitting next to Violet.

The fae took Violet’s hand in both of hers. She looked up at Violet with unabashed earnestness.

“I’m eternally grateful for you and I’m so sorry that all that happened. Whatever I can do to make it up to you, or to make your service more pleasant, please tell me,” Violet quietly stated.

Sif gently cupped Violet’s chin in both of her cold, little hands, saying, “Just be you. Live. Do everything to the fullest. Nothing gives me greater joy than to see you living the life they would have deprived you of. And I’ll be here every step of the way.”

“So I take it we’re not going back to Valhalla?” Violet sniffled as Sif released her.

“I miss it. But knowing that your place is here and your power will never be what it was supposed to be in Asgard? I’m happy to remain at your side. Here or anywhere,” Sif said.

“I’m honored. Teach me how to be a Valkyrie. I’ll give you every ounce of fight I have.”

“Good. You’re going to need it. Rest now. We’re safe and you’re exhausted. I need to run some tests on that bullet. It was enchanted and it might still be affecting you. I’ll stay until the boys get back—”

As if the words summoned them, Desmond, Peyton, and Manuel walked through the door then. They closed it quickly and Peyton engaged the deadbolt. Not that it would do anything against the kind of assassins that hunted Violet, but it made everyone feel better.

Sif squeezed Violet’s hand, stood, and disappeared. Dezzy shook his head at the action and went into the kitchen to grab some drinks for everyone. Peyton knelt in front of Violet, smoothing his hands up her knees to her thighs, and eventually to her waist, his gaze worried.

“Did ya get your wing healed?” he asked, his arms snaking around her torso to draw her against him.

“Yes. Thor and… And one of the team leaders for the security team were here. They went to Valhalla to consult with Odin and Freyja about what’s happening here. These assassins are next level and took out several of the Einherjar,” Violet replied.

“Are we safe here?” Manny asked as he took a spot on the sofa across from them.

“For now, though Sif and I might have to leave if it gets any worse,” Violet replied as Peyton stood and re-settled next to her.

“Leave?” Peyton asked. “Nope. Ya ain’t goin’ anywhere without me.”

“Or me,” Dezzy seconded.

“You might not have a choice,” Violet quietly said.

“What happened up there today, Vi?” Desmond asked. “You and Sif bolted up towards the clouds like you always do and then you just… Stopped. Is that when you were shot? We didn’t even hear the gun go off.”

“I couldn’t make it to the cloudbank. I was too tired. When I stopped, the sniper took his shot. We tried to avoid him but he had it out for me. And I fired back.”

“Are you okay? Those wounds looked pretty nasty,” Manny commented. “Do we need to take you to the hospital?”

“The wounds are healed. Sif is doing some tests on the bullet; she thinks it’s enchanted. Depending on what she finds, we’ll see what we’re up against. In the meantime, you’ve got a title defense in a few days. Dezzy has a title defense in two weeks. Peyton has his title shot next week. And I’ve got several other fighters who are going out of town next week to LA for their own fights. We’ve got plenty to keep us busy. Stay focused,” Violet said, leaning back against the couch.

“You’re absolutely right,” Manny agreed. “Keep our eyes on the prize. You going with Tay tomorrow?”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“I wasn’t aware that I had a choice in the matter,” Violet tiredly laughed.

“You don’t. I’ll let her know you’re still on so she won’t pester me about it tonight,” Manny chuckled, standing. “I’ll see you all in the gym tomorrow morning. And Vi?”

Violet looked expectantly at him, brows raised.

“Tomorrow is rest day. You need it. I see you on any machines, and I’ll come take you off them myself.”

Violet gave him a half-hearted salute. They watched him leave and Dezzy bolted the door once more behind him. He retreated to his personal gym at the back of the house to run some sparring drills with the virtual training program one of his coaches had set up for him. Peyton helped Violet walk to the bathroom and started drawing her bath before kissing her sweetly on the top of the head and joining Dezzy in the gym.

Violet lowered herself shakily into the hot water, happy for the instant relief it granted her sore muscles. She leaned against the tub’s backrest, letting her head loll against the tub, closed her eyes, and sighed.

“But what if he says no? We already have a strong royal alliance—”

She leaned forward and seized the fae’s face in her hands, staring deeply into those crystalline dark blue eyes of which she was so very fond. They sat in the middle of Gersemi’s bed, facing each other. Outside, a violent thunderstorm raged and whipped the ocean into a crashing frenzy on the coastal rocks that echoed the rumblings of the sky.

“Sif! You worry too much. If he says no, we’ll elope. I’ll never have the Asgardian throne—that’s all Thor. What do I care about lines of succession? Can you imagine the uproar if I ever took the throne?”

Tears welled in the fairy’s eyes and she smiled brightly.

“You’d do that for me?” Sif whispered.

“What wouldn’t I do for you, silly?”

Gersemi leaned forward and playfully kissed the fairy on the mouth, smoothing her silvery, shining hair as she released her grip.

“But what about your impending betrothal to Ragnar?”

“He’s bedding one of the Valkyries. He’ll never agree to it and neither will she,” Gersemi scoffed, pulling the fae closer and wrapping her arms around Sif’s shoulders. “He’s got what he wants. Right hand of Odin, a Valkyrie for a lover, immortality. He wants for nothing.”

“Don’t be so sure,” Sif gently warned, leaning into Gersemi’s embrace. “He’s always wanted power and the daughter of Odin would be quite the prize.”

“I’d rather die.”

“You don’t mean that,” Sif whispered.

“I do. They’ll have to kill me first,” Gersemi also whispered, touching her lips to the crown of the fairy’s head.

Violet sat forward, sniffling as tears ran freely down her cheeks. She’d kept her promise, at least. There were few things in life more rewarding or more important than a promise kept. Especially when that promise involved a matter of the heart.

*****

“What do you think?” Tay giddily asked, spinning in a circle in front of the circus house style mirrors that surrounded her.

Violet looked up and smiled at her friend. Taylor had donned a white gown with a tightly fitted bodice with an open back. It clasped behind her neck and had a low neckline trimmed with lace. The skirt of the dress fit tightly to her thighs but flared voluminously just above her knees. The train of the dress was several feet long, trimmed with lace and embedded with pearls.

“Stunning,” Violet earnestly replied.

Tay sat next to her on the low, white velvet-cushioned bench.

“You gonna tell me what’s up? You’re miles away today,” Tay said, taking one of Violet’s hands in both of hers.

“I just… Have a lot on my mind.”

“So spill. Get it out,” Tay chimed, bumping her shoulder against Violet’s.

Violet gave a short, bitter laugh as she said, “We don’t have that kind of time right now.”

“Pfffff,” Taylor noisily snorted. “Your time is mine right now and I’m asking you to talk to me. We never just talk anymore.”

The store clerk entered with the next round of wedding gowns then, effectively ending the conversation for the moment. Tay giggled and jumped up.

“Well, maybe not right now,” the spritely woman said as she disappeared into the changing room.

The clerk left them and Violet waited for Taylor to emerge with the next gown.

“What do we think of this?”

Taylor twirled once more in front of the mirrors. The gown was more of what Violet imagined a Victorian Queen would wear. While it was a beautiful dress, it didn’t quite fit Taylor’s personality or brand of style.

“Eh,” Violet said, “Maybe a little too—Puritan?”

“Ugh, you’re right. It’s pretty, but it’s not me.”

Taylor eventually narrowed her choices from over a dozen to three and the clerk placed the discarded dresses back into the inventory. The other selections were held for future fittings until Taylor could make up her mind.

Violet wheeled herself after Tay and waited as Tay wrestled the unwieldy collapsed wheelchair into the rear cargo area of her big SUV. Tay hopped into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

“So. You can fly and shoot lasers out of your eyes and hands now, huh?”

Violet sighed. Of course, Manny told her.

“And survived three gunshot wounds to my wing,” Violet added. “Don’t forget that part.”

Tay giggled, “Girl, you don’t do anything half-assed.”

“Not like I’ve ever had much of a choice about it,” Violet replied.

“We all have choices. Just gotta play the cards we’re dealt,” Taylor said as she guided the truck out of the parking space and made for the main road.

“Go Fish,” Violet quipped, which drew more laughter from her friend.

“More like full house, read ‘em and weep,” Taylor retorted.

“Don’t be jealous,” Violet laughed. “It’s not fun.”

“I’m not jealous,” Tay said, all too quickly. “Okay maybe a little. I haven’t even gotten to see your wings. To hear Manny talk, you’re some sort of avenging angel.”

“I’d invite you out with us, but flying lessons are currently canceled since somebody’s decided to use me for target practice,” Violet darkly replied. “I can show you at your house, maybe. I can’t just whip out the wings in public. This is Vegas and all, but I don’t think people are quite ready for that.”

“I think you’re right,” Taylor giggled. “What are we eating? I’m starving!”

They settled on Chinese takeout from one of Taylor’s favorite places and took the bounty back to Taylor and Manny’s mansion outside the city. They sat together at the kitchen island and began eating.

“Where’s Thor today? I didn’t see him at the gym and Manny is anxious to work on his ground game,” Taylor said once they’d gotten comfortable.

“He’s out of town at the moment. Should be back any time,” Violet answered around a mouthful of egg roll.

“This shit is serious, huh?”

“I mean, they’re shooting at me with sniper rifles now so…”

“Ugh,” Taylor grunted. “Isn’t there anything the police can do?”

“Not really. These guys aren’t from this world and it’s not exactly safe to go public. Hi, I’m Violet, and I’m a Valkyrie. Oh, I’m also the Princess of Valhalla, I can fly, I can fight with a sword, and alien assassins are constantly trying to kill me. Nice to meet you,” Violet snarkily said.

Taylor nodded dejectedly, saying, “Yeah, you’re right. It just—it just seems so impossible.”

“Tell me about it. I don’t know what’s real anymore and I just feel like… I don’t own my life.”

Taylor’s expression softened as she considered her friend.

“I know this all seems frivolous, shopping for dresses, gossiping, and whatever. But I wanted to help you get your mind off it all. Between the work and your crazy Valkyrie deal—you just seem so worn out. You’ve been through a lot. More than I could ever survive.”

“And I appreciate you all the more for it,” Violet said, smiling. “Truly.”

“How are things with Pey?”

Finally, something Violet could gush about.

“I don’t think a more perfect man exists,” Violet replied. “I owe him my life.”

“He was pretty busted up. Kept blaming himself,” Taylor said between chews.

“It was never his fault,” Violet murmured.

“Nope. You’re just a danger magnet,” Taylor chortled. “It’s why I like you.”

Violet laughed, “I didn’t used to be.”

“No,” Tay conceded. “How are you? I mean it—I never get details from you and I’m always worried. Manny constantly tells me to just leave you alone but it seems like you’re drifting.”

Violet was silent a few moments, contemplating a response. How was she doing? Everybody asked the question but few ever really wanted an actual answer. They wanted to hear that she was okay, that everything was fine, that she was soldiering on.

But was she, though?

“I don’t know who I am anymore, Tay,” she finally replied and sat back in the chair, her appetite extinguished.

“Well, I mean, that’s to be expected, isn’t it?”

“You’re all taking this whole fucked up situation in stride and I’m trying to. I just… Sometimes, I feel like an empty vessel, just waiting for the next occupant to take possession and drive.”

“Why do you say that?”

“All my life, I felt like I knew who I was. I knew where I came from. I knew who my family was, who my friends were, where I was going, what I wanted to accomplish. When Tommy died… All of that disappeared and I fought to get it back. Just when things started settling down and I felt like I could breathe again…”

“It all went up in the air again,” Taylor finished for her, nodding in understanding.

“Yeah, but…” Violet started, trying to figure out how to make her rambling, frantic thoughts coherent enough to speak aloud, “At least with Tommy, that happens to people. People die. The living move on. They don’t survive assassination attempts and turn into some mystical being from another realm. A royal mystical being from another realm at that.”

“So you’re not the least bit excited about it?”

“I’m terrified!” Violet exclaimed. “Someone from an entirely different universe is trying to fucking kill me and they’ll hurt anyone close to me to do it.”

“Will they, though?” Taylor countered.

“What do you mean?” Violet asked.

“I haven’t heard of anyone attempting to hurt Dezzy or Pey. Or me. Or Manny. Or anyone else. They seem to be solely focused on you,” Tay reasoned.

She was right, Violet realized. The obvious target would have been Desmond, her brother. They were the closest. Then she reasoned that just because it hadn’t happened yet didn’t mean it wouldn’t.

“What happens when they get sick of tracking me down and taking shots at me, then decide to start hurting me by more indirect means?” Violet finally said.

“I think you’re borrowing trouble,” Taylor replied, smiling.

“I’d rather not place you all in any more danger than you already are,” Violet responded.

“Well. We can agree to disagree, but that still doesn’t change the fact that you are in an identity crisis.”

“Am I?”

“You just said you don’t know who you are anymore. Sounds like an identity crisis to me,” Tay retorted. “So, how do we fix that?”

“I don’t know,” Violet candidly stated. “I’m two people and none. I’m Violet, just normal, vanilla, human Violet trying to eke out a living and do it without stepping on too many toes. But I’m also Gersemi, Princess of Valhalla, goddess divine, daughter of Norse gods, sister of Thor.”

“So why don’t you talk to her?”

“Who?”

“Gersemi. If you’re both occupying the same space, why can’t you talk to each other?”

The better question, Violet thought, was why hadn’t she thought to do that herself. She forcefully smacked her palm to her forehead.

“I’ll try it. But she might be upset with me. Apparently, she and Sif were engaged.”

Taylor almost spit out the drink she’d just taken and she stared wide-eyed at Violet for a moment.

“Sif looks like a child,” Tay coughed, recovering. “How is that possible?”

“She’s literally thousands of years old,” Violet replied.

“I get that, but you were like—involved? Like, romantically?”

“Yes. I promised to elope with her. I started the war of all wars to be with her.”

Taylor studied Violet for a moment, as if she was just seeing her dear friend for the first time. Violet felt as though she’d been laid bare, but she trusted Taylor. The little sprite of a woman loved her gossip but if one were to swear her to secrecy, she’d never betray the confidence. Tay was that rare ride-or-die.

“How do you know that?” Taylor finally asked.

“I saw it. In my memories. And Sif confirmed it. I hate the man to whom I was supposed to be betrothed. He is the highest-ranking warrior in Odin’s retinue, not counting Thor. And he’s an adulterous, scheming, flirtatious asshole.”

Taylor burst into a fit of giggles then.

“How do Peyton and Adulterous, Scheming, Flirtatious Asshole get along?”

“You’re a bitch,” Violet laughed.

“It’s why you love me,” Tay beamed unapologetically. “C’mon. Let’s go out to the back yard. You can finally show me those wings I keep hearing about!”