“I can’t believe I’m even saying this to you,” she shook her head smiling, “but please don’t leave me here. Come back for me.”
He lifted a hand under her chin, tilting it an inch to look up at him. “There’s nothing in the Nine Realms that would keep me from you, Ailsa.”
Her smile fell as he said the words, sensing a forbidden message behind them, searching for a deeper truth he could never speak out loud. The seriousness of their situation suddenly snapped him back into reality, to a world where he was Vali and she was the Tether. Where an entire realm depended on him to follow his calling. He turned away before he did something he regretted. And after last night, his self-control was particularly vulnerable.
When the giant unlocked the cell, he left without sparing her another glance. The sight of her tears stimulated something uncomfortably vulnerable inside him, and he swallowed it before it carved an Ailsa-sized foothold in his mind.
This time apart would be beneficial, he decided. He needed space to settle these feelings festering inside him like a weakness before they manifested into something more crippling. He could not afford to let her threaten his conviction. Not now.
Not yet.
“One moment, Vali,” A voice followed him as he was leaving the dungeon stairwell. Thrym emerged from the shadows and offered him the single dungeon key. “I want to warn you just in case you get any ideas. If I see even the slightest bit of force from Asgard, I will blow apart those dungeon locks and squash your human like a grape.”
Vali turned slowly to face the giant, staring him dead in his crimson eyes. “And if I return and hear you have even looked upon her in a cruel way, you won’t have to worry about the gods. I will be the Aesir who ends you. Take care of her, Thrym, or I will take care of you.”
He left the giant’s territory, the hole in his chest a bit larger than before.
Vali did not stop to rest or eat. He traveled back to Drieger’s and returned Skiord’s horse knowing the beast would never cross the river in the shallow boat. Seela was raging when he returned, furious he left her without a word. Her anger did not quench when he explained the giant’s bargain.
“This mortal is becoming more trouble than she’s worth,” she mumbled as Vali pulled their boat back to shore. “We should have tried to transfer the power ourselves. The ring was much easier to carry around.”
“Like she asked for any of this! We were perfectly happy in Midgard before you fae came along and murdered everyone.” Ivor muttered.
“If she would have kept her hands to herself—"
“Enough, Seela.” He was tired and stretched thin, and their constant fighting was draining him of patience.
“Do you not agree?” the commander asked.
“What does it matter?” he asked much sharper than intended. “What’s done is done. We cannot go back and change the events in Drakame. Whether we like it or not, Ailsa is our responsibility. And I’m tired of you speaking of her like she is a burden.”
She didn’t answer right away, her silence spoke loud enough. “Oh, Vali,” she whispered. The tone of her voice demanded his attention, her pity touched a sadness in her eyes. “Don’t tell me things have changed. You can’t do this now. Not when we’re so close.”
“What do you mean?” Ivor’s voice was tight behind her. She searched Vali like he was hiding something. Her nostrils flared with a large breath. “Are you saying—”
“Gods below,” he moaned. His hand was on the bow of the boat, so close to sailing away from this uncomfortable conversation. “Yes, I care about Ailsa, but not in the way you think, Seela. It is purely platonic.”
“You’re lying! No wonder your scent is different.” Ivor yelled at him. “Things have been changing since the day we boarded your ship. Your intentions, your feelings, everything about you has transformed into something worse. Something more deceptive.”
It took every last ounce of his willpower not to set the wolf on fire. Glaring at her, he said, “I am not the only one who has changed, I assure you. Do not assume to know me, wolf.”
The wolf sneered, barring her teeth. “I know you, Vali. You’re a heartless beast who wouldn’t know compassion even if it bit you on the ass.” She took a step closer, crowding him. “How could you possibly care for her? You killed her family. You kidnapped her from the only home she’s ever had. You ruined her life—”
“Don’t you think I know that?” He spun to face her, one move of his index finger away from snapping her neck. But Ailsa would never forgive him if he killed her wolven, and he had already added enough to her pain. “You are right about one thing, Ivor. I am heartless. I have one purpose in this life, and I will complete it. Neither god nor giant nor anything else in creation on this Tree will keep me from delivering the Tether and saving my home. Especially not a pretty little heathen.” Ivor slammed her mouth shut, her response replaced with a scowl. “Enough of this. I am going to Asgard, and I will return as soon as I have the hammer. Keep an ear out for any news of Thrym or Ailsa, Seela.”
“Of course, Vali.” Seela embraced him before he left to whisper in his ear. “Remember the vow me made to each other in the forest?”
He nodded against her temple.
“I will never judge you for your choices, and I will support you until the end as long as you are always honest with me. I will keep my promise, as long as you keep yours.”
Vali slipped out of her embrace with a sigh. Whatever this affectionate feeling he had for her was, it must be forgotten. Ivor was right, he had turned her world upside down, taken everything from her and gave her nothing back but grief. He couldn’t take something as precious as her heart, not when he had no intentions on returning his. Not that he could. Vali had committed so many crimes against Ailsa but caring for her would be the worst.
He spared no time when he reached the opposite side of the river, gathering his small bag of supplies and his blade, and started the long trek to Asgard. It was a day’s ride to the dwelling place of the Aesir gods, and he was making the journey on foot. But he would not stop for rest until he saw the wall surrounding the divine realm. There was enough burdening his mind to distract him from the fatigue of his body.
* * *
The sun sankat his back and rose to meet Vali the next morning as he neared the realm of the Aesir. The first morning rays of light struck the opaque stones composing the wall and glared a thousand colors across the landscape. A tangible bridge formed from the fragmented light.