“That was productive,” Thruor murmured. “But I think…”

 

“I think we need to move now, before things get any…”

 

And the sky split open. “…worse,” I finished.

 

Stars.

 

There were stars above Muspelheim. Were we too late. Was time cracked, was the tree burning, was the…

 

I felt myself start to panic, felt that flow through me. Felt as if it really was over.

 

My life. The world. Everything.

 

“Breathe,” Thruor told me.

 

I realized I was holding my breath. “It’s over.”

 

“Not quite yet. Not quite.”

 

“Can we reverse this?”

 

“Yes. But it will take a lot of effort and time.”

 

Stars.

 

Energy.

 

“Except.”

 

“You have an idea.”

 

I shook my head. “An idea for afterwards.”

 

“No. Not for afterwards.” She turned towards me. There was a look on her face I had never seen there before. “Spill it, Siglaugr.”

 

“Falling stars. Energy.”

 

She nodded. “You think you can grab one.”

 

“No, I think the king can.”

 

That slight nod again. “You think that you might be able to…that…”

 

“That we have one last chance to try diplomacy, or rather I do. Before we have to kill him.”

 

It was hope. And then there was the backup plan. I can grab one.

 

No.

 

I can’t. Not while…not while there was some hope that I could save the king. I hated him.

 

I hated him with a passion. A passion that was not so far, after all, away from love.

 

And this could get me out of all of it.