Chapter Thirty-Three

Kara nodded and stretched out the lance again, but in place of the painful thrust he expected, it was a gentle, almost loving touch on his forehead. Blood dripped from the sharp edge, marking his skin.

Erik swallowed hard, waiting.

He didn’t sure what to expect. A chorus of angels singing him to a heavenly rest, wings to suddenly sprout from his shoulders…he remembered Scotty and April rising up.

Nothing.

Brenna shook in his arms, bleeding out from her wound. He felt her growing limp, the last of her life waning away. He leaned in and kissed her one last time, her lips going cold.

“I love you,” he whispered. “I will never, ever stay in Valhalla without you.”

Kara frowned and laid the bloody spear tip on his forehead again.

“I don’t understand,” she murmured.

“It’s not your place to.” The voice came from his right, a soothing low feminine voice.

Kara’s gaze flashed upward.

She flinched and dropped to her knees, letting go of the spear. It clattered on the ground.

A woman moved into his sight, her long flowing robes shimmering with rainbow colors. Her blonde hair was pulled into two braids, one on each side of her face.

Erik blinked.

The pain in his chest was gone, the rattling in his lungs as well, just like it’d been back on the battlefield when he’d first met Brenna.

“Freyja,” he said.

She tilted her head and smiled at him. “Erik Harrison. I’m pleased to meet you, after all this time.” She stretched out her hand and touched his forehead.

He gasped, every nerve in his body catching fire at once. Then the pain was gone, leaving him with only a faint memory. The bones knitted together, healing as a coolness crept through him, rising and then vanishing as it repaired the damage done by Kara and her berserker.

“There.” Freyja dropped her hand, the long slender fingers brushing over Brenna’s forehead with the same gentle gesture. “Wake up, little one.”

Brenna gasped and arched against Erik. He grabbed at her instinctively, keeping hold.

She turned her face and stared at him.

He smiled, drawing his fingertips down her face, not sure what to say.

Brenna turned her gaze on Freyja.

“Mother.” She let out her breath slowly, her grip on Erik’s hand tightening. “You came.”

“Of course I did.” Freyja frowned. “Why wouldn’t I?”

Kara remained on her knees, her gaze firmly fixed on the ground. “Mother, I’ve done as you asked. I found them, and now I’ll take what was denied us.”

“So you say.” The tone grew icy. “By bringing a berserker, one of the fiercest men in the Great Halls, and setting him loose in Midgard.”

“It was necessary,” Kara said. “When Brenna broke faith with us and decided to be with him, I felt it was needed for me to complete my mission.”

“Your mission,” Freyja repeated. “Your mission was to restore the balance. I said nothing about unleashing the warrior among them.” She waved her hand around. “Witness what that single, horrible decision has wrought.”

She strode around the destroyed compound, stopping at each person. They were all frozen in place, their grimaces and horrific stares tugging at Erik’s heart.

It was amazing to watch her walk, almost glide across the ground.

“This one, for example.” She stood by Mark. “He was worthy of Valhalla before but even more so now, having taken a lethal blow from the ax to defend his friends.” She leaned down and touched his forehead, lovingly moving a strand of hair off the sweat-soaked skin. “It is not his time yet.” Freyja nodded at Helen. “A mother, a grandmother who stood toe-to-toe with one of Odin’s Warriors, armed with nothing more than a torch. The brain injury will kill her in a few days, the internal bleeding choking the life from her.”

She caressed Helen’s cheek before turning to Lucy. “Young, an abuse survivor fighting her nightmares.” Freyja gave Brenna a knowing look. “Recently, with your help. She isn’t coming to Valhalla for a good long time.”

Brenna smiled. She didn’t try to break away from Erik’s hold, almost afraid to move.

“Jacob.” Freyja knelt by the older man. “Witness to much pain in his life. He will be a welcome addition to our ranks. Except not at this time.” She rose and advanced on Kara. “This is inexcusable.”

Kara raised her head. “You told me to bring Erik home when my sister faltered, when she failed.” She stood. “When she fell in love with him.”

“Yes. Yes, she did.” Freyja moved to stand in front of the couple. “She is no longer a Valkyrie. She hasn’t really been one now for a year.”

Brenna frowned and stirred, moving to sit up. “What?”

Freyja nodded. “That is for us and us alone to discuss.” She glared at Kara. “Go to your barracks. I’ll talk to you later. You angered Odin by wasting one of his warriors on a fool’s errand. Prepare your defense. He may not be as merciful as I might be.”

Then Kara was gone, a flick of Freyja’s finger sending her away. The spear also vanished, leaving only an indentation in the dirt.

Brenna let out a soft sigh, the tension easing from her body.

Freyja turned back. “Did you ever wondered why you couldn’t claim his soul a year ago, on the battlefield?” She smiled. “I have many roles, Brenna. One is to lead the Valkyries. Others are subtler…” She extended a hand to Erik. “Rise, Son of Odin.”

He blinked. “Who of what?”

Brenna got to her feet, touching her midsection. The bloody shirt was all that was left of the spear’s attack, the skin knitted together as if new. She moved off to the side, watching and waiting.

Erik took Freyja’s hand and stood awkwardly, his mind racing.

She squeezed his fingers, reminding him of a gentle mother preparing to chastise her children. “Did you ever wonder why you healed so quickly from your wounds? From all your injuries, in battle serving your country and in the fighting ring?”

He stuttered, at a loss for words.

“It’s been a long time since Odin walked among you.” She led him into the center of the clearing where the remains of the fire lay. “Longer since he found himself attracted to women. Age has tempered his desires.” She gazed past him to Brenna. “The Allfather is who he is. He rules Asgard with a gentle but firm hand. At times in the past, he came to Earth and bred sons and daughters with women.”

Erik frowned, fighting to quell the rage building up inside him. “My mother’s never been unfaithful to my father.”

“I meant no dishonor to your parents. Please excuse my phrasing.” She paused. “Neither of your parents have violated their sacred vows. What I refer to happened far in the past, ancient past as you measure your years. Your ancestor appealed to Odin for help in a time of great famine. She was a widow with children, unable to provide for them. She called out to him, and he heard her plea, coming to her as a man to offer his help to work the fields and hunt for her and her family to survive. As a man, he loved her and left his child behind, a part of himself that would never be completely human. Or fully Aesir.”

She studied him intently as she continued. “The blood simmers in your line, waiting to come forth when called by acts of bravery. When you rose to the emergency call from the convoy, put yourself in danger to rescue your comrades, it brought out what had been in your veins already.” One edge of her mouth curled upward. “But that was not all that summoned your heritage. There was another factor, another piece falling into place at the right time and place.”

Freyja turned to Brenna. “You triggered his noble blood when you kissed him, and he fell in love with you at first sight.” She laughed. “The idea sounds ridiculous, but all of the best legends are based in fact. Love was what stopped him from coming to Valhalla. Your love for him and his love for you.”

“So this was all my fault?” Brenna stepped toward them with her hands open and arms spread. Her eyes brimmed with tears. “Mother, I had no idea. I never…” She hesitated, seeing Freyja’s frown.

“You couldn’t reap him because he was never yours to take in the first place. As a Son of Odin, he can only go to Valhalla if he chooses to—and at that moment in time, all he could see and think about was you, his attraction to you overwhelming all else. He said he wouldn’t go with you until you told him who you were. A firm statement, a pronouncement.” The frown disappeared, replaced with a smile. “You didn’t answer, sealing his fate. His need to find you kept him here, shackled to this realm.”

“I’m so sorry,” Brenna said.

He wasn’t sure if she was saying it to Freyja or to him.

Freyja chuckled. “It was not your fault. He shouldn’t have been able to see you, much less demand you say who you were. And yet he did. There are some powers far above the Gods’ control. One of these is Love. Even we must bend a knee to it.” She put a finger to her lips. “This will be our little secret.”

“I don’t understand.” Erik looked around at the people frozen in place, his mind spinning. “What are you saying?”

“You are of royal blood,” Freyja said. “That bestows certain benefits on you.” She gave a little laugh. “No, you are not immortal or able to lift mountains. Your bloodline thinned over time, but there is still enough for you to claim your seat in Valhalla next to the Allfather. Now you must choose what you want. If you wish, you can ascend now and be with your fellow warriors in the Great Halls. Or…”

“Kara—” he started.

“Kara will be dealt with. She has no say in this matter.” The tone in her voice left no doubt as to her displeasure with the Valkyrie. “Tell me what you want, Erik Harrison.” She raised one eyebrow. “Tell me what your heart most desires.”

He reached out for Brenna, drawing her into his arms. “I want to be with her.” He held her tight, a thrill going through him at holding her warm and alive against his skin. “I love her and won’t go anywhere without her.”

“You understand she cannot return to Valhalla as a Valkyrie. She forfeited that through her actions.” Freyja turned her attention to Brenna. “You are not the woman you were a year ago. That life is no longer open to you.”

Brenna sighed and nodded.

“You want to send her to Helheim because she screwed up.” Erik shook his head. “If you send her there, I want to go, too.” He tightened his grip.

Freyja tilted her head to one side, studying him. “You would pass up an eternity in Valhalla? Or as you would call it, Heaven?”

“Yes. Because it wouldn’t be Heaven for me, not without her. You can keep your parties and your festivals, your cheers and your glory. I’d rather be in Hell with her, dirty and starving, for the rest of time. Until Ragnarok.”

“Indeed.” She fixed her gaze on Brenna. “You gave up Valhalla for this man and chose Helheim for your actions, your dereliction of duty, and your refusal to allow Kara to complete her assignment. Do you have anything to say before I sentence you to what you deserve?”

Brenna’s hands tightened on Erik’s arms. “I regret nothing.” She stood tall, holding her own with the goddess. “I now know love. No matter where I go, I’ll carry that with me.” She drew a deep breath. “I won’t ever renounce him, wherever I am. Send me where you think I belong.”

Erik pulled her in for one last kiss. He cupped her cheek, staring into her deep blue eyes. “I’ll come and get you. No matter how long it takes, I will be with you. I love you, and nothing will keep us apart.”

“I’ll be waiting.” Her eyes brimmed with tears. “Only for you.”

He turned and nodded at Freyja. “We’re ready.”

“Are you now?” She drew herself up to her full height and spread her arms.

Erik hugged Brenna tight, trying to memorize the smell of her, the touch, everything he could to keep her alive in his mind during their time apart.

Freyja smiled, the grin startling him. “Then it is done.” She looked at Erik. “Son of Odin, the halls of Valhalla will be open to you at the end of your life, when you wish to join us. Along with your true love, as she proved herself to be a most worthy warrior and a dedicated partner.” Her eyes were wet as she turned her attention to Brenna. “Know I never truly abandoned you—I was with you during this journey, in different forms. I tried to help you in my own way. There are some things not even the Gods can interfere in.”

“I know,” Brenna said. “The dreams, the police officer—I now see your hand behind them.”

“The headaches,” Erik added. “That was you as well.”

Freyja moved to stand by the van. “I told you I have many roles. One of them is also the Goddess of Love.” She lifted a hand. “Goodbye, Erik and Brenna. I look forward to seeing you both in Valhalla.” She chuckled. “But not for a good long time.”

A cool breeze swept over them, and the woman was gone.