A Midwinter Fantasy - Leanna Renee Hieber [85]
“Odin always does.” Troy slashed a glance at the grizzled old man hunched upon his ice throne. Odin’s good eye was fixed on them, the other hidden behind an eye patch.
Troy released his sword hilt and raised his hand, throwing a light dome around himself and Vidar for privacy. For a split second his face fractured with emotion, but then his barriers snapped back. Regret rode heavy on Vidar, a memory of a time long ago when they had loved each other like brothers. Before Troy’s father Loki had killed Vidar’s brother and spurred Odin into an orgy of violent retribution that still echoed horror through the halls of Asgard.
“I am not the aggressor, Vidar. I never was.”
“Nor I, Troy.” They stared at each other, the bad blood between their families too bitter and venomous for any hint of friendship to have survived. “I did my best for you when my father wrought revenge. If not for me, Sonja would have died in her crib.”
“Yet now she’s grown you put her in harm’s way?”
“She’s under my protection.”
“That rather negates your threat to harm her if I don’t behave.”
“You know I would never have followed through.”
“I should raze this icy hell to the ground for what Odin did to my family.” Troy’s jaw tightened, and Vidar’s hand went to the sword hidden beneath his coat—not that it would do him any good if Troy decided to unleash his power. “But I enjoy watching your father squirm while he awaits my vengeance. One day I’ll punish him, but not tonight. Go after my daughter and return her safely to the human world.”
Vidar let his hand drop away from his sword. Once they had been equals, young men sparring together, learning the pleasures and dangers of the world they inhabited. Now he doubted he could even stand against Troy in hand-to-hand combat. But he dared not show weakness. “Give me your word that you won’t cause trouble.”
“I give my word I will wreak havoc if you don’t look after my daughter.”
“Understood.” That was the best he could hope for.
“And . . . Vidar.” Troy waited for him to meet his gaze before he continued. “You will never tell Sonja that her power’s trapped in the Crystal Crib.”
Vidar gave a sharp nod. That was something on which they agreed.
The light dome dissolved with a pop, and Vidar strode away through the crowd, ignoring the frantic gestures of his father who would want details of his conversation with Troy. He surged out through the door into the darkness.
Odin’s shape-shifter spies waited perched on the edge of a carriage in raven form, no doubt ready to follow him. Vidar balled a handful of ice crystals and hurled the missile at the bigger bird. Huginn shot into the air in a flurry of black feathers.
“Get lost!” Vidar shouted as Muninn followed his brother.
Sonja stood alone near their sleigh, her arms wrapped around her body, her teeth chattering. He strode up behind her and gathered her into his embrace. “I’m taking you back to Santa’s world.”
“How are you involved with me and my father?”
When she tried to turn around and look at him, he held her tightly against his chest. He should have prepared for this question. “You’re cold and tired. Let’s talk when we’re back in the warmth.” After he’d had time to come up with an answer.
She didn’t object as he hustled her past the sleeping snow cat and into the sleigh. At a word from him, Gleda stood and stretched, flicking her tail. He pulled back on the reins. They reversed off the ice platform and headed toward the woodland where he’d left the theme park’s shuttle.
Sonja huddled deep in the fur coat he’d disguised as a thermal fleece, staring at something in her hands.
“Are you all right?”
When she didn’t reply, Vidar clasped both reins in one hand and used his fingers to tip up her chin. He’d thought she might be crying, but she stared at him dry-eyed, the same guarded expression on her face that Troy wore so well. She’d arrived at his office earlier that day excited and enthusiastic. In a few short hours, he’d killed her excitement and drained her enthusiasm. Bloody good job, Vidar.
He lowered the