“Who is this person, Gytha?” Alva asked, resting her arms on the tabletop and leaned forward.
The elder’s pale-blue eyes met hers. “You must go to Sökkvabekkr and ask Sága. She is the gods’ historian and will be able to tell you anything you wish to know.”
“Until then,” her mother interjected, “we can make a few preliminary changes for the betterment of our people.”
“What are you proposing, Isabel?” Iona asked, her tone brittle.
Queen Isabel’s green gaze speared her sister’s, holding her with the regality of her title. “I am still your queen, sister, so show some respect. Do you or do you not wish the Huldra to flourish and grow stronger? Do you not remember when we were children, running through the forest with laughter ringing in our ears, not tears? I will admit I have not been the ruler I should have been. I did not see the plight before us until Maya forced me to see it. While I don’t approve of her actions, her motives were worthy.”
Standing, her mother stared at Gytha, looking more regal than Alva had ever seen her look before. She couldn’t have been more proud of her mother. “I, Queen Isabel of Aasveigheimr, declare that all life energy is forfeit and will be brought to the central well for storage so that no Huldra in this land will ever go without again. Also, from this day forth, killing a host, whether man, woman, or large animal,”—she gave Alva a quick wink before continuing—“will result in a death sentence for anyone who commits such a crime.” As soon as the sound of her voice disappeared and the room filled with silence, the queen sat.
Alva didn’t like how pale her mother’s face had become. In fact, her lips were tinged a light blue, which scared her enough to jump up and move to stand beside her. Resting one hand on her mother’s shoulder, she addressed the council, “Since this meeting came about on the heels of the skirmish, I’m certain we all would like to get back to our homes, so we’re adjourned.”
“The queen is the only one who can call the meeting to an end,” the queen’s youngest sister, Sigrid, said in a nasty tone.
“The meeting is adjourned,” Queen Isabel snapped at her sister. “Is that better for you, Sigrid? Now, go. All of you. I want to spend some time with my daughters.”
Alva waited for the room toclear beforeshe and Adriana turned to their mother and kneeled in front of her. “Momma, tell us what’s wrong. What should we do?”
“This is what happens when a Huldra falls in love, and she loses him.”
Alva twisted her neck around to see Freyja and Idunn standing at the end of the table. She didn’t like their sad expressions. “She will get over it. Hearts mend. I’ve seen humans, gods, and goddesses in Asgard do it all the time.”
Freyja’s only response to Alva’s reassurance was to press her lips together.
“Huldra are different, I’m afraid,” Idunn answered.
Alva stared at the goddesses, then glanced back at her mother. “So, how do we fix this? Please say you just need some time to get over Anders.”
Her mother’s chin trembled, and she laid her hand over her daughter’s. “I don’t think time will help, my sweet. As you so distinctly pointed out a little while ago, our history and traditions have long been forgotten. Our only hope lies with Sága. Go, daughter. Find her and discover who we truly are.”
She cradled Alva’s cheek, her thumb gently rubbing back and forth. “Please forgive me, Alva, for letting your father take you away from us—from me. I missed so much of your life, and I regret that more than you will ever know.”
Tears filled Alva’s eyes as she leaned in to her mother’s hand. “I had a wonderful childhood. Papa raised me with love and laughter. He taught me to be open-minded and just, no matter the person or situation. He loved you, you know.”
She nodded. “I know. I loved him as well, but we were so young, and I had just become queen. I believe he understood.”
“He did, although it made him sad thinking about what could have been.”
I am so sorry to do this, Alva, but you are needed on Midgard.Freyja’s voice filled Alva’s mind.
Seriously? You are asking me to go to work when my mother is like this? She may be dying!
Alva, sheis dying, but if we don’t figure out what’s happening on Midgard, it won’t matter because no one will be alive. The chain of events happening now is catastrophic.
Alva gave Freyja her best scowl. Why me? Why not one of your Night Witches? Surely, they are more qualified to figure this out than I am?
This may sound cryptic, but yes and no. Yes, they can figure it out, but it will take them too long, and no, because they do not know the person, whom I believe to be behind it as well as you do.
Alva sat back on her heels and continued to stare at the goddess. A niggling sensation began deep inside her as she worked her way to the answer. Her eyes widened. “Bernard? You think Bernard is behind something bad—but why? He fought just as hard, if not harder than the others, so Hitler would not win. I don’t believe for one second he would jeopardize that.”
Freyja stepped closer and laid her hand on Alva’s shoulder. “What do you know of his past?”
“He mentioned he once had a family, but they died.”
“They were killed when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.”
Alva’s heart felt like it plummeted into her stomach. “Oh, dear gods...” Her eyes filled with tears. “You think he’s gone back to save them, don’t you?”