Dead Embers by T. G. Ayer Read Free Book Online Page B

curled at his temple, and I smoothed away a
fat black tendril. The feel of soft, silky hair against my fingers brought a
rush of heat to my eyes. I missed him so terribly. The soft flesh of my fingertips
traced his cool cheek. I shifted so I could link my fingers with his, allowing
my warmth to seep into him, and whispered words into his ears: promises and
memories mixed with regret.
    We didn't have much luck in this love of ours. Even as I
thought about it, I wondered if it had ever been love at all. Had it just been
a physical attraction that had held us together so tenuously? He'd come into my
life and then left again so abruptly, breaking my heart into a million pitiful
pieces.
    Many weeks and many reasons later, we'd found each other
again, in Asgard, as if destiny struggled to keep us apart. A Valkyrie and an einherjar ,
a Warrior of Valhalla, destined to fight and die for Odin.
    I closed my eyes and held Aidan. Now I just needed him to
wake up and ease my doubts.
    ***
    Who knew how much time had sped by before Hugin's shuffling
and fluttering drew me out of my semi-dreamlike state? I shifted, then lifted
my head. I'd fallen asleep on Aidan's chest. Tears filled my eyes and blurred
his features as I accepted that my time with him had drawn to a close.
    " Come, Brynhildr. It is time we were going ."
    I rose to my knees and stared at Aidan's beautiful face. A
silent laugh escaped my lips. Wouldn't he find it too funny to know he played
the part of sleeping beauty so well? I bent over him and touched my lips to
his. Maybe I had this silly hope he'd be revived just by the tender kiss. Maybe
I knew it was stupid.
    I paused, waiting for something . . . anything . . . to
happen. But he didn't magically awaken. He didn't move, didn't stir, didn't
even appear to breathe. I rose to my feet and stepped away from the stone bed.
    Just in time.
    Astrid swung the door open, clearly expecting to burst in on
me breaking her stupid rule. She stared at Aidan's silent form, then back at
me, where I stood a foot away from him. A comical expression of disappointment
marred her beautiful profile.
    "Your time is up," she snapped. Two bright spots
of anger flamed on her cheeks right before she stalked off, not bothering to
check if we followed.
    We did, but I had no intention of running after her just to
keep up. I entered the hall a few moments later, Hugin flying ahead, then
circling back to land on my shoulder.
    "Did you have a good visit, my dear?" Freya's
mellifluous voice again sent a shiver rippling down my spine as I neared the
dais.
    I stiffened, hoping she couldn't tell I'd shed my tears with
Aidan, hoping she couldn't see my stupid breaking heart.
    "Thank you, my lady. I'm honored to be allowed this
visit." I lifted my chin slightly.
    "He will be revived, Brynhildr. It will take time.
Loki's serpent poison is vicious. It will, of course, be much better if a more
potent cure is found, but in the meantime we will do what we can." Freya
smiled, startling me. Was she actually trying to make me feel better?
    I nodded and lowered my eyes. Better for her to think I'd
been overcome with emotion than for her to recognize the disbelief in my
eyes—disbelief at her attempt to feign compassion.
    "I must be going back. Is there anything I can bring
him?" I knew as the words left my lips that the answer would be no.
    Astrid shifted beside Freya, who shook her head. "We
have what we need to take care of your Aidan. We will do what we must."
    I nodded. "Thank you again, my lady."
    Hugin launched off my shoulder and, in a flurry of black
feathers, led me out into the icy bleakness that was Helheim, back to Bifrost
and back to Asgard.
    And back to utter loneliness.

Chapter 9
     
    Vipers come in all shapes and sizes, and the most beautiful
ones are the most dangerous. Although Freya may have meant what she said about
Aidan, I couldn't trust her. And I certainly didn't trust Astrid. Perhaps I
could go to Odin for help.
    I tried to put the whole episode