“No, sister, you are the perfect Huldra. Under our mother’s rule, those who should have enforced our laws broke them instead, committing atrocities against the males of all races. I have read the ancient tenets written by the Old Ones. They decreed our people only take enough life energy for survival. What is happening now is not just our mother’s fault. This has been building for centuries. You are not an enforcer, but like so many, have had to take up arms to protect those who can’t protect themselves.”
Alva gently pushed her sister away. Using her thumbs, she wiped away the tears, then kissed each cheek. “I am very proud of you and your quick actions. If you hadn’t struck, I would be dead.”
“I doubt that,” Adriana scoffed. “You’re stronger than all of us.”
Alva shook her head. “Maya has kept me locked up without much food or water for at least five days. I’m not even sure how long I was in that cell.”
“You’ve been missing for nine days,” a familiar male voice said behind her.
Turning, her eyes widened when she saw Bernard standing at the bottom of the stairs. His wavy, light-brown hair looked wind tossed and very unlike him. His shirt was hanging in three bloody strips, but underneath, his skin was smooth. Her gaze narrowed. Where were his injuries?
One word echoed in her mind. “Nine?” She shook her head. “My mother has a lot to answer for.”
More light seemed to flood the room as Bernard walked toward her. Standing close enough for her to feel the heat pouring off him, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You are all right? You weren’t hurt?”
Alva stared into his brown eyes, mesmerized by specks of gold floating in their depths. She had never seen eyes like his. He reached up and held her chin between his thumb and finger, tilting her head back and jarring her wandering thoughts. “Alva?”
She blinked. “I’m fine, Bernard. Starving and tired, not to mention smelly, but I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.”
He stared at her a moment longer, the backs of his fingers trailing up her cheek. With a slight startle, as if he wasn’t aware of what he was doing, he dropped his hand and gave her a quick nod. “I must get back to Asgard, but if you should need anything, I will return.” Just as quickly as he’d arrived, he disappeared.
Freyja and Idunn hurried down the stairs and, with Aleksandra between them, formed a semicircle in front of Alva. Three sets of worried eyes stared at her. “Are you sure you’re fine?” Freyja asked, her hand cupping Alva’s cheek. Alva nodded. With her sisters at her back and her newfound family in front, she couldn’t have felt more loved.
An errant thought furrowed her eyebrows as Alva stared at the spot where Bernard had just been. She turned to Freyja. “Is it just my imagination, or was he acting a little off?” She started to raise her hand, then dropped it back to her side. “And how is he able to transport without your help, Freyja?”
Aleksandra crossed her arms over her chest. “I agree. He is acting a bit strange—Heimdall too. I’d like to know what’s up with their cryptic comments and male posturing.”