Chapter Thirty

Four months later

Kara stepped out of the apartment and filled her lungs with the fresh spring air. The last of the snow had melted only a few days ago, giving way to the grass sprouting up everywhere, taking the land back. It’d been years, centuries since she’d experienced the natural cycle of life, and she liked it. She would never forget Valhalla, not completely—but it’d begun to shift into a pleasant dream, her time there clouding around the edges with each day she spent in the Ridge with Liam.

Besides, she had other matters to worry about.

She pressed her hand to her belly, feeling the life inside her twitch and move. Today Annie had verified what she’d known all along—Liam was going to have a son.

She was going to become a mother.

The thought both excited and terrified her.

How will I do this?

What if I make a mistake?

She flashed back to her own poor, desperate parents selling her into slavery. In retrospect she knew it was to give her a chance to survive, that they didn’t know the merchant would be so cruel. But becoming a mother herself…

“You’ll be fine.”

The familiar voice had her spinning to spot Freyja standing in the apartment doorway.

The goddess spread her arms as Kara ran into them, hugging her tight. “I’m so pleased for you.”

Kara wiped away tears. “I’m going to tell him today—if I don’t, the gossip train will beat me to it. Annie won’t say a word but people will notice the extra clinic visits.”

“That’d probably be for the best.” The blond woman nodded. “And how has he been?”

“Busy.” She laughed. “There’s talk of a ski resort going in down the road, halfway between us and the city. Bringing in new money to the town, since we’ll be supplying the employees and the entertainment.”

“And the rest of it?”

Kara knew she was referring to Liam’s charity work. “We’ve done well. He got a raise at work, and I’m still doing odd jobs, at least for the time being.” She paused, eying Freyja. “Just because you erased that part of his past doesn’t mean the weight of those deaths are off his shoulders. We checked—the men and women he killed died from another assassin’s bullet, another killer taking the contract.”

Freyja nodded. “There are limits to what we could do without upsetting the balance. I’m sorry.”

“He still feels the blood on his hands. But he’s lighter now, happier.” She pressed a hand to her belly. “This will help.”

“Yes. For both of you.” Freyja touched her cheek. “I’m glad you’ve found your place. He needed your help.”

“And I needed his.” Kara took her hand and squeezed it. She paused, the reality taking hold. “I won’t be seeing you again, will I?”

“No.” Freyja shook her head. “I shouldn’t have come now but I had to congratulate you. A new life.” She raised her index finger. “With a touch of royal blood in him.”

“But only a touch,” Kara said. “He’ll have a good father and mother—the best we can do.”

“Then that’s all he needs.” Freyja leaned in and kissed her cheek. “I must leave now. Go and be happy, Kara.”

“I will.” She watched the goddess fade away.

“She knows how to make an exit.”

Kara turned to see Liam. He still wore his work gloves, his heavy jacket stained with dirt and grass. A smear of dirt on his right cheek betrayed his assignment.

“Been putting in the new flowers at the library. Geraldine’s thrilled with the new layout—with the resort going up, she’s hoping for plenty of visitors.” He moved in, putting his arms around her for a scorching kiss that left her dizzy and smelling of fresh-cut grass, the dirt on his face now spreading to her own. “Oh dear. Guess you’ll have to join me in the shower now.”

“The pain of it all,” she murmured. “How much did you witness?”

“Just that she was here.” He entwined his fingers in her hair. “What was she here for? Another shift in our reality?”

“In a way.” She laughed and tugged him toward their apartment. “I have something to tell you…”

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