I take the chalice and turn to them. I raise it up to the Old Gods I was told are watching from their realm, and bow to them in thanks for this gift.

  I drink one sip. The liquid tastes like nothing, it has even less taste than water.

  I turn and place the chalice where it was before I bow once more to the Old Gods. I turn and wait for the sign. I wasn't told what it was, but I was told when it happens, I'll know.

  I stand for a few minutes with nothing happening. Then suddenly, the statues of the Old Gods start glowing from their mouth and all the light shines directly to me.

  It's so bright, I have to close my eyes. But I feel my skin warming and something substantial sinking into my soul. The light stays for a few moments before it disappears.

  It takes a few more moments for my vision to come back to me. When it does, I find smiles on Hela and Freya's face before the priestesses start chanting again and I walk back feeling energized.

  Hela and Freya are waiting with the robe as I exit the black pool. They robe me and they pat my back.

  I don't know if I feel any other difference, but we will see.

  "Thalia, you are reborn." The goddess Freya says to me as she draws one last rune on my forehead.

  It feels heavy and my skin warms everywhere and my lids get heavy. Before I know what's happening, blackness blankets me.

  Goddess Thalia

  Vidar

  My brothers place the last of the rings on my fingers. It feels ridiculous having them dress me from head to toe. But it is customary. My kin is supposed to dress me.

  Baldur is sitting, watching, bored with a fermented grape drink in his hand, but he had to be here because we all need to get dressed together as they will be my first witnesses.

  He finished dressing first, and has been waiting for our two brothers as they fight with fabric and jewels.

  Thor put on the trousers inside out the first time because he was busy talking all our ears off, and it's a shame I couldn't say anything. This would have been the one time I wanted to. To tell him to shut up.

  I haven't spoken a word for three days per custom before the union rite. The next words I'm to speak will be my vow to my soulmate in front of the Moon Goddess, the All-Father, and all the celestials.

  "There." Hodur places his hands on his hip like a woman who is scolding naughty children and I almost laugh. "That was a lot. I need a drink." He turns and goes to get himself a drink.

  "I'd say you look handsome, but I wouldn't want it to go to your big head," Thor mutters. Challenging me with a grin to say something but I step away to find a mirror. If I see one thing out of place, I will knock the godliness out of them. A few pieces of clothing have taken them close to an hour.

  "I'll say it, you look handsome, brother," Baldur says, surprising us all. He doesn't give out compliments often. I make eye contact with him in the mirror, and he rolls his eyes, saying, “Don’t get used to it.” Then he gets up for another drink.

  I make sure everything is fine in the mirror before I take the seat next to where Baldur was while we wait for Hodur and Thor to finish getting dressed. I wish they would hurry so we can get out of here. I can't wait to see my queen. I have been going mad without seeing her.

  I was overjoyed when I was informed her immortalization ceremony went well.

  Aunt Hela really likes her. She came to personally congratulate me, and left us a basket of her cherries. I can't wait till me and Thalia are alone so she can taste them.

  I can't wait to see her smile. Her eyes that always pull me in, willing me to stay and make a home in them.

  It is a shame we have to stay in my father's house for a month after we are officialized as truly one creature. But the post union tradition is a must, and I can't say I am complaining about spending an uninterrupted thirty days with her.

  Even with the brewing talks of an uprising in the realms, it will be refreshing to step away from Empire issues before we are thrust back into trampling the blood of rebels. My jaw ticks when I go over the too many coincidences I need to investigate. Father and my brothers may think it is something that will pass, but I remember the look of the wolf council. Much is brewing under the surface, and we should prepare.

  "Don't cry, brother, you will see her soon enough." Baldur mocks, pulling me from my thoughts.

  Ignoring that, I look over to where Thor and Hodur are getting dressed and see they are almost ready. I decide to get up, glaring at them to hurry. Hodur rolls his eyes as he places the last touches on his garb.

  When we are all ready, my brothers surround me, and place their hands on me. Blessing me.

  "May Ymir's blessing be on you, brother," they say in unison.

  Thor positions himself in front as the eldest and the rest stand behind me.

  We walk out and find the corridor lined with all my father's other male children, the elders, council members, and all male celestials of prestige. Including our uncle Loki's son Narfi. They travelled all the way from the dark realm to grace us with their presence.

  If it were up to me, I wouldn't have them come. It is too early for my queen to be acquainted with the other side of our family. And the family politics that come with it. I stifle my annoyance as we pass, and let anticipation bubble in me again.

  We stop when we get to the grand hallway. Thalia and I are supposed to walk alone and meet in the middle before we walk together to stand in front of the witness of all my ancestors.

  We wait for her party to show on the other end. Minutes pass and I start getting anxious.

  She finally shows in her ceremonial dress, and she looks every bit like the masterful perfect creation of the gods.

  My heart races harder than it ever has. My feet move on their own, I can't wait anymore.

  All at once I wish I could have a meeting with the Moon Goddess so I can thank her personally for giving me the creature with the most beautiful soul.

  Her walk is more graceful than my long, hurried strides. I just want to have her in my arms. I feel more of her stronger aura as I near her.

  I slow down when I notice I will get to the middle before she is even halfway her way.

  We finally meet, and I want to pull her into my arms and kiss her out of her mind. But we stand and there are no words.

  I question with a look whether she is still with me and if she's ready. She nods with a nervous smile. Then I give her my hand and she looks at it before she takes it.

  We turn to the open grand doors of the temple of my ancestors and walk in.

  Seating has been arranged for our guests and father, Freya, aunt Hela, and uncle Loki are already standing at the alter in their priesthood garb.

  Me and my queen walk hand in hand, over the now-covered black pool before standing in front of them at the altar and bow our heads before them. Then we kneel for the Old Gods.

  The few chosen as witnesses come in, while the rest of the attendees wait for the celebration.

  I have my three brothers and Thalia has her sister, brother and father. They finally agreed to come, and she was over the moon.

  Father clears his throat.

  "You Vidar, son of Odin, and Thalia, daughter of Zephaniah have answered the Moon Goddess’ call to accept the other piece of your being."

  "Today you come of your own volition to complete what the Moon Goddess has started. You will be made one in front of Ymir and the host of all the celestials," Freya says.

  I feel Thalia's hand trembling slightly and squeeze it. She gives me a small squeeze back.

  Aunt Hela steps forward, opening her hands, light emitting from them. Eternal energy. She is one of the very few gods who can siphon it and manipulate it.

  She rubs her hands together and light spills from one hand to the other. She stands in front of us, and we lift our joined hands to her. She covers our hands in the light, binding us together.

  "This is the eternal energy. Let it forever flow without disturbance from one to the other."

  She steps back to her place.

  Uncle Loki takes the chalice from the pedestal and brings it to us. We drink as he says, "drink from the abundance of the Old Gods’ generosity and favor."

  Freya steps forth with a rune pen and draws the union runes on our forearms. The sign of our unity. They will be invisible to other people's eyes, but they solidify our connection in all of existence. We now belong to each other forever. We will never be apart even in the next life.

  When they are all back to their places, we bow to them.

  "May you walk, eat, breathe, feel and sleep as one. And may the Moon Goddess be against all those who are against your union," Father says. "Now it is time to exchange promises."

  We turn to each other, and I see nothing but love staring back at me. It hits me in waves, and I can't believe how blessed I am.

  "I will spend every day thanking the Moon Goddess for you, my love. Having you has brought sun to my days and color to my life. I vow to devote the rest of our days honoring you, supporting you, protecting you, and loving you. You are the best part of me. All my love. All I am is yours."

  Her eyes glisten as her hands tremble. I wipe the tear that slides down her beautiful face.

  "Vidar, lord Vidar..." I grin and she grins back. "I love you. Being your soulmate has brought me joy and a happiness I had never known could exist. Thank you for your patience, your devotion, and your support. For trusting us when I didn't. Thank you for seeing everything we were to be and fighting for us. There isn't anyone else that could fill my soul like you do. I am proud to be your soulmate, my love. I vow to love you, to hold nothing back from you, and to honor you. All I am belongs to you. I love you deep."

  My heart overflows as her words seep to my soul and I feel her inside me.

  "With the blessing of Ymir, the Moon Goddess, and the host of all our ancestors, go forth from this day as one." Father seals our union.

  "You may drink from each other's abundance."

  I smile, pulling my soulmate close. I marry our lips and am brought to a state of euphoric bliss unlike anything I have ever felt. I feel her very essence in mine and I feel us flowing into each other. The bliss is blinding and everything else disappears.

  It's just us two.

  She pulls from me too soon. I blink once and find her grinning. Then she gestures to the direction of my father, and I want to roll my eyes. I don't care who is here. Truthfully, I just want to take her to my old wing where we will be spending the next month. I don't want to go to the celebration, but alas, one must still show face.

  After we receive our congratulations from her family and mine and the confirmation of the light of the gods, we head to the celebration. Before we enter, my father goes before us to announce us.

  "Special guests, help me welcome the new addition to our family. My son, Vidar's soulmate and new queen. Everybody, Goddess Thalia!"

  "Goddess Thalia!"

  THE END

  Epilogue

  I look over the lit village. Portaling to the mountain is tedious, but one must take extra precaution when one is on the business of war and treason.

  My long legs carry me as I drag the cloak, so my face isn’t as obvious.

  I have been here a few times over the years delivering messages, instructions, and various items I have collected for our cause. Reminding myself every day why I'm doing this. It is what keeps me on course, unfaltering. Unyielding.

  My legs propel me forward as determination fills my bones.

  I am doing the right thing.

  I duck behind the closing shops, and take the less obvious route to the rebel agent's store. One must liaise with the lowliest of lows in this business.

  Many years ago, when I joined the rebellion, I vowed to do whatever it took to gain a foot in so the Empire could be brought to its knees. I will return a hero to my own people when the right side of history takes back power from the cruel gods of Asgard.

  When I get to the store, I walk in. It is disguised as a mages workshop but those of us who know, know better.

  All manner and size jars line the walls with roots and bones. And the smell permeating the air can be best described as death.

  On top hangs a large rib bone of a dragon. I guess to sell the authenticity of the services offered. There are also two large portaling mirrors on either side of the shop. Those who don’t know may think they are special, but they can only travel locally. A cheap trinket for cons.

  This shop is as fake as they come. Real mages don’t flash showy trinkets. But in Midgard most of the humans don’t have any magic, so they easier to fool.

  The disgusting creature slides out of the mirror.

  "Stumpy," the creature mutters with a lopsided grin. He knows what I bring.

  This transaction will change the tide of the war.

  We finally have the means to take down the celestials.

  They will bleed.

  They will all bleed.

  And this time they will fail.

  The celestials will surely land on their knees, and we will finally be free of their tyranny.

  Securing this item has been near impossible, but with the help of other brothers in the struggle, we finally got it.

  Holding the box close to my body to ensure it’s out of the creatures reach. I need something before I hand over the very key to the coming war.

  "Do I have your word that my kind will be spared?"

  He chuckles. I shouldn't trust him or his lord, but when his lord made me the offer all those years ago, I had no choice. He was the lesser of the evils.

  Thor and his brothers have had us under their thumbs for thousands of years, and they might think we forget, but we remember.

  We also live lengthy lives and have long memories.

  The creature nods, and after he inspects the contents, he draws a rune that gives me his promise. An ancient symbol long erased in the memories of many.

  Now I can breathe a little easier knowing I have done all I can for my people.

  I will be executed for treason, but at least I can save mine. Our lives are not ours anyway, only living to serve the gods. I was going to die no matter what choice I made.

  The transaction complete, I head back to the mountain where I will portal back to my station and no one will ever know I was gone.

  Other Books by the Author

  The Queen and the Orc Prince Duology

  The Orc Prince

  The Orc Queen

  ARIA

  I am alone. Like I have always been.

  Other people look at me, see my face and think I have everything.

  But I have even less than the pauper in the street.

  I am doused in opulence, and I have a name; but none of those things are mine.

  I am at the mercy of those who own my life.

  IGOR

  A hundred years of banishment to this realm was the price I paid.

  A realm of humans, where I am the monster of every youngling’s nightmare and a cautionary tale for naughty children.

  Am I changed enough to return to my realm?

  The answer stares at me, as clear as the moon above.

  No.

  A chance meeting leaves Aria in the hands of the mysterious monster that haunts her lands. Will life finally give them the peace they both crave, or will their pasts catch up with them and ruin everything?

  Acknowledgements

  Thank you dear reader for coming on this journey with me. I have said this a million times to anyone who would hear me, but this is my favorite book I've ever written, and sharing it with you is my greatest joy and my biggest stress. I hope you had a great time and come back for our next adventure.

  To my mother and my family, thank you for your support of me during this time. I appreciate your acceptance and I love all of you with everything in me.

  To Morgan, we got another one in the bag. Thank you for believing in my work as you do. There are few like you in this work and I am so thankful we found each other.

  And lastly, to the book community. Your support of me as an unknown has floored me. I am shook every day I get tagged in your posts and your kind words. I take none of you for granted. I see you and I appreciate you so much. Especially the BookTok community. I will never forget what you did for me. To my ARC team, your feedback and input are so appreciated, and thank you for the respect you give my work each time.

  About the Author

  Qua is a South African author, born and still lives there. Although she has always enjoyed reading books, writing was never something she thought she had the talent for. In her earlier years, she penned poems and random lines she thought of. But she always had stories occupying her mind, she always had characters living their lives in her head taking up most of her days.

  It wasn’t until she thought she was going mad, because these characters that had been living in her head started taking over all her faculties, that she furiously opened a Word document to get rid of them. But as soon as she put finger on keyboard, she was lost to the world. The stories would not stop coming and she has not stopped writing since.

  At her core, she loves romance. Every subgenre has its place and time. She is a mood reader that turned to a mood writer. The vibe determines her interest. Writing is an outlet for her and a happy place. And as long as her mental health permits, she will bring you stories written with love.

  Her favorite subgenres are: fantasy romance, dark romance, monster romance, alien/sci-fi romance, and a good reverse harem romance. She will mostly rotate between these sub genres too.

  Find Me

  FaceBook Group

  Facebook Author

  TikTok

  Instagram

  Twitter

  Email: AuthorQuaHudson@gmail.com