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ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER LONG walk and they all blended into one big blanket of green-dotted, snow-filled landscape. Until something shimmered in the distance.
“What’s that?” I pointed.
Reyfyre glanced at his compass. “If I am not mistaken, that’s our destination. Hudson Bay.”
He smiled one of his rare genuine smiles, and I thought my heart stopped for a second. Thoughts about having that sexy grin aimed at me swarmed. I shook my head and diverted my gaze to the distant body of water.
“How long until we reach where your boat is?”
“Just a few more days.”
I could not wait until my legs were propped up on a bench somewhere and we were cruising away from this vast winter wasteland. I was ready for civilization, even though I was as equally apprehensive of meeting the inhabitants of this planet. I had encountered enough people back in ancient Greece to wonder about how the human race had evolved.
“Don’t look like a few days is daunting,” he said, side-eyeing me.
“The walk isn’t what is bothering me. Civilization is.”
His gaze softened. “You’ll do fine with people, just as long as you don’t demand anything from them. Being Valkyrie means nothing here except a death sentence. You’ll do well to remember that and keep your origins, as well as any of your demands, quiet.”
My gaze slashed to his. “What?”
“You are nothing here. Just like I am. Don’t expect much and you won’t be disappointed. And be thankful for anything we get.”
He stared me down as if I were going to be a problem. I had seen that expression from plenty of mothers back on Asgard when their children were on the cusp of misbehaving.
It ruffled me, but I kept my tongue silent.
“Our cover here is we’ve been hired to take a rich man’s boat into New York City.” He pulled out a paper, along with a couple of card-like items that had our pictures on them. “Driver’s licenses.” He waved them at me before tucking everything back into his backpack pocket. “And I have passports, too.”
I had no idea what a passport was, but I went along with him. “Okay.”
“So, be a good girl and don’t question me while I’m bartering for what we need for this trip. I have access to very little with my current identity, especially without magic, so don’t blow it for us.” He kept plowing forward and from the tight set of his jaw, he expected me to explode.
“Sure. If you need any help bartering, let me know and I can bat my eyes for you.” I couldn’t help the snark that crept into my tone.
“If I need you to charm someone, I’ll let you know.” His response came out with a chuckle, as if the thought of me displaying anything but superiority was outlandish.
“I am capable of schmoozing people.”
“I am sure you are, but the type of charm these people will likely expect happens with you on your knees, and not using your mouth to talk.”
My mind jumped to the tavern owner and my muscles clenched. “You mean pigs.”
He nodded. “Yes. And expect some rude comments, but please don’t react.” He met my gaze. “I will not allow anyone to touch you. Understand?”
I nodded, feeling every inch of his piercing stare. It created a heat in the center of my chest, as if he had just proclaimed me as his. And for some reason, that did not bring ire to the surface. Oddly, it vibrated through me with a pleasant rush that made me shift my feet.
It skewered my view of him just for a moment, the same way seeing his sleeping profile had warmed me to my very soul.
I gulped and kept walking, studying the patterns my snowshoes cut into the white drifts we traversed. He’s a mortal enemy of Asgard. I could not be attracted to him no matter how beautiful he might seem; he still was a brutal killer at heart. Wasn’t he?
With each step closer to civilization, my blood hummed with apprehension. I could not ease the dread pressing down on me, just as surely as I couldn’t suppress the growing attraction to Reyfyre. If I wasn’t careful, I’d end up leading both of us right to the gallows.