“So…?” Freya raised an eyebrow.

“I think I’m learning that it’s better to go with prophecies than try to fight them.”

She laughed ringingly. “What do those four want?”

“To either kill me or prove me worthy of being queen. The fact that I don’t want to be queen…”

“We don’t always get what we want,” she mused. “Not that I would recommend taking Surtur’s offer.”

“I don’t intend to. If I could convince them of that.”

“Fire giants, stubborn. Frost giants, worse.”

“Asgardians no better?” I quipped.

She grinned again at that. “Come on. Walk with me.”
She was wearing armor, but as we walked I saw it fade to jeans and jacket. I didn’t bother trying to see through the illusion. “If we can’t stop them from fighting then we have to contain it.”

“Which may well be what Monica saw.”

I closed my eyes. “I want to do something for her.”

“You can’t.”

“I know. But I don’t like watching a friend in that much pain.”

“Don’t fear for her.”

I shook my head. “I probably spend too much time with mortals. Maybe the idea of learning to appreciate them can go too far.” I opened my eyes again. Freya was heading towards my apartment. I mentally considered; did I have food for a guest?

Yes. And her escort had faded away. Apparently she thought I was escort enough. I felt complimented by that.

“You will appreciate more what she will become.”

I frowned again. “Can I know, or are you too worried I’ll spoil a surprise?”

“Odin asked me not to tell you yet.”

“In other words, too worried I’ll spoil a surprise.” Perhaps something like one of Freya’s warriors. Perhaps…but she would not be the same Monica. Could not be.

Kanesha would not be the same if… “She won’t be the same, whatever.”

“They never are.”

“Kanesha…”

“Will be welcome with me if you ever fall out.”

I laughed. “I don’t plan on falling out, but I’ll remember that.”
And I wondered…no. Surely, what was happening to Monica could not be in part to teach me?
Surely Odin would not be that cruel.