Valkyrie's Kiss by Kristi Jones Read Free Book Online Page B

theft. For
theft it would be, the stealing of a mortal man's
life. The whole point in saving him was to give him his life back.
    "Why
was Gustel so afraid of this witch?" Jesse's
voice startled me.
    "You're
awake."
    "She
was scared. Your sister."
    "Yes."
    "Why?"
    " Skuld can tell you things that you don't want to
know."
    "What
kinds of things?"
    "The
future."
    "That
doesn't sound so bad."
    "Maybe
not, but it's very bad for a Valkyrie."
    "Why? What
happens to a Valkyrie who hears her future?"
    "She
dies."
    "But
you said Valkyries were immortal."
    "We
are. But there are lots of ways to die, Jess. Imagine if you knew every minute
of your future? Every event, significant and insignificant,
for a hundred years. Now imagine extending that knowing into infinity.
It's like being on a constant instant replay. It drives Valkyries mad. If I
hear what my future is, if Skuld tells me all there
is to discover in this long, long, everlasting life, it would be the end of me. Of my mind, anyway. My body would go on, but the
essential self would die."
    "Sounds
like a nightmare."
    "It
would be. A nightmare that never ends. Ever. So I'll need you to talk to her."
    "What
would I say?"
    "I'll
tell you what to say. ”
    "I
don't understand. Why would this witch want to drive Valkyries mad?"
    I lifted my
shoulders.
    "What
are you smirking at?" Jess said, suddenly angry.
    "I'm
not. It's just very mortal of you, to think she needs a reason."
    "I
thought that's what you liked about me."
    "It
is. And as it happens, there is a reason."
    "So
you're just being difficult."
    "I ’ m not trying to be, ” I said, teasing. He smiled at me and ran his hand along my naked hip. I closed
my eyes, hoping we could drop the conversation.
    “ So
what is the reason then? ” Jess said, dropping his hand.
    “ Well,
if you must know, legend says that the great goddess Skuld got bored being one of the Norns . ”
    “ One
of the Norns ? ”
    “ You ’ ve heard of the Norns , surely? The
goddesses who rule the fates of gods and men? I ’ m
not sure how much power they still hold after so many centuries, but it is said
that they once knew the fate of every god and every human.   But supposedly, this power wasn ’ t enough for Skuld . She asked and
received permission from Odin to be a Valkyrie. She left her duties at the Tree
of Life and took to the battlefield. The elders say that Skuld was covetous. She used her knowledge of the Fates to claim many warriors. The
Valkyries felt it was unfair for a true goddess to hold court over her
inferiors and to best them in battle. From there, the story gets a little
murky."
    "How
so?"
    "Well,
I've heard different versions. Some say that Skuld took Sigurd as a lover, stealing him from my
ancestor, Brunhilde . As punishment for this, Brunhilde and some other Valkyries arranged for Sigurd to be killed. Legend holds that to this day, Skuld exacts her revenge on the Valkyries she wanted to
join by telling them of their fate."
    "God. I don't know if you're crazy or cursed or..."
    "I am
what I am, Jess. Just like you."
    "I'm
sorry. I didn't mean to offend you."
    "You
didn ’ t. ” I leaned closer to him and kissed his shoulder, savoring
the feel of his smooth skin. “ I know this is all new to you, but really you don ’ t need to learn all our old myths and legends. I just need
you to talk to Skuld for me."
    "I'll
do it," Jess said, letting out a long breath, "of course I ’ ll do it. But you'll be there, right?"
    "Yes,
I'll be there. I'll stuff my ears with cotton so I can't hear her. I'll speak
for you when I can, but you'll need to listen to the answers."
    "What
if the witch is really loud, Sabrina? I don't think cotton is going to work."
    "Hopefully
she'll take pity on me."
    "Pity
on you?"
    "Most
Valkyries who seek out Skuld are looking for
something. They need something for themselves. Hopefully once she sees that
we're asking for help for you, she won't tell. It's our only shot."
    "I
don't like this. There has to be