Thruor’s gift for Hel turned out to be a bottle of white wine from, of all places, Canada. Icewein, it was called.

 

And two glasses. I really hoped I wouldn’t be spotted with this. I also wasn’t letting Kanesha’s sword out of my sight.

 

It was sort of a hope thing. A feeling that as long as I had it with me I had a good chance of her showing up, of being able to give it back to her.

 

Only one other dwarven blade ever given to a mortal.

 

And there was something about the way I’d been told that. I set both blades down next to me, poured two glasses, and murmured her name…in a wooded part of Arlington Cemetery, off the common jogging paths, and with every bit of glamor up to keep myself from being seen.

 

“What are you hiding from?” came the soft voice.

 

“Midgard rules.”

 

Her laughter was bell-like, and then she sat down on the grass. Pale hair like her mother’s. The fair side of her resembled our father.

 

I was trying not to look at the foul. “Lady.”

 

“You are my sister. No need to stand on ceremony, Siglaugr.”

 

She took the glass, sipped from it. I took a taste of my own. It was incredibly sweet.

 

Dessert wine.

 

“You are also a queen. I was…aiming for a compromise.” She was…smaller than I am, a little, which surprised me.

 

Or was a deliberate move to keep from being quite so intimidating.

 

“What did you want to talk about? Few ever want to converse with me.”

 

“Most would rather forget you exist, I suppose, given what you represent.”

 

“Change. That is what they truly fear.”

 

“Surtur has my girlfriend.”

 

“Ah. And she is mortal.”

 

“Right, which means without whatever enchantments he’s using to keep her from being burned to a crisp.”

 

“And you want to make sure she is safe if…” She tailed off. “I acknowledge your claim.”

 

“Is that all that’s needed?”

 

“It would be better if you were there if the worst happens. But I know that may not be possible.”

 

“Better in that nobody else could interfere.”

 

“Yes.” She looked at me. “She is mortal. Are you sure you are doing the right thing?”

 

“We’ve talked it over.”

 

Her lips quirked. “You treat her as an equal, then.”

 

“She’s my lover, not my servant.”

 

“Do you think that will last?”

 

I considered it. “I can only do my best to do what is right for her. And now I need to work out how to rescue her.”

 

“What does he want?”

 

“Me. Which means if I give in he will either kill her or hold her forever as surety.”

 

“And if he gets you…he wants you as his consort.”

 

I nodded.

 

“Then she would not be able to escape him either. Unless…”

 

“Unless I stab him in the marital bed. But I’m not…”

 

“…that dishonorable.”

 

“Besides, he wants to use me to start Ragnarok. I know…” I closed my eyes. “I have to rescue her.”

 

“I cannot help you with that. But…”

 

“What I need is anti-fire spells. Really good ones. Thruor’s talking to some people.”

 

“Remember she is yours if all else fails.”

 

No.

 

I didn’t want to go there. But the pale blue eye of her fair side said it all.

 

Said I should not be afraid of her. For myself or for anyone else.