Of course, it led us to…the kitchens.

 

The chef blinked as we appeared. “Oh, there you are.”

 

“Thanks for the food, but we’re checking out now!”

 

He laughed. “Get.” And he knocked a door open with his foot.

 

I blinked. “You…”

 

“I never saw you. You didn’t come this way.”

 

I was surprised by the unexpected help, but ducked through the door. Storage space, but I could see the tunnel that led to…a back entrance they brought the carts up. We’d almost come up that way.

 

“Why did he help us?” I asked Kanesha.

 

“Absolutely no clue.”

 

I thought of the maid we’d locked in the room. “Maybe Surtur’s a lousy boss.”

 

“Maybe.” She seemed skeptical, though.

 

“Or you’ve been winning hearts left, right, and center.”

 

She blushed.

 

“You’ve had an effect.”
And I wondered how that would alter things.

 

“Put the necklace on?” I added.

 

“Already done.” She grinned. “I’m not stupid. It’s an anti-fire shield, right?”

 

I nodded. “Surtur didn’t notice it. Maybe because there’s already so much fire magic. Maybe the dwarf that made it for me is just that good.”

 

“Can I keep it?”

 

I laughed. “It’s yours.” But I had no intention of ever coming back. We had to get away from the spire.

 

We had to get away and plan, but a riderless horse came charging towards us. Not Thruor’s steed.

 

She must have borrowed an extra. But I knew what it was, and I wasn’t ignoring the invitation to mount.

 

I helped Kanesha up behind me, and the steed turned and charged into the night, sparks striking up from his…somehow I knew his…hooves.

 

The offspring of Sleipnir.

 

It occurred to me that the horse I was riding was actually possibly my nephew.

 

Okay. That was not a good thought to have. I tucked my hands into the mane and clung on as we ran into Muspelheim’s night, lit only by the fires on the mountains and the leaves of the flaming trees.

 

There were no stars.