“I usually can’t. That’s why I don’t entertain.” She stared down her nose at the next guest. She didn’t smile, just nodded curtly. She knew how to draw a line between her and her guests. I tried to be as calm and indifferent as her, but some of these men were comical in their attire.
“Preening peacocks” Echo had called them, and they did look like the exotic birds. Over the top cloaks, fancy clothes, jewelry, and swords strapped to their waists. I didn’t catch the names. It didn’t matter whether they were Dwarves, Elves, or J?tnar. None matched up to Echo. Where was he anyway? I wanted him here so he could see that none of their glitter and glam impressed me. Yes, I liked my clothes, but I wanted to shine for him.
I tried to see how many more guests were waiting to be introduced. They were entering through a different entrance by the Waiting Hall, not the door the Grimnirs usually used. Each guest walked to the foot of the stairs to be introduced, his entourage waiting on the side.
The staff served drinks and food, but I doubted the guests appreciated Helheim’s lavish offerings. They stood in groups with their entourages, whispering in low voices, and staring at me. Mother hadn’t introduced me yet, but they knew who I was. I’d heard the whispers.
The next one marched like a drill sergeant and wore a black uniform of some kind with medals. His skin was grayish, and his tattoos covered one side of his face and shaved head. Unlike the all-male entourages of the other peacocks, this one had an equal number of male and female guards. They all had skin with the same grayish hue, Mohawk white or pitch-black hair, black cloaks with silver designs on the shoulders, and sleeveless shirts. Their arm braces almost reached their elbows, and tattoos covered the visible skin to their shoulders.
He was introduced as Dorac, son of a Dokkalfr general. Mother waved over one of his guards after the introduction. She stepped up to the throne and bowed. She had serious body piercings, several on her ears, and a stud on her nose. Her tattoos covered her neck and the shaven sides of her head, and her eyes were silver. They stood out against her dark skin. Was she Eirik’s friend Niorun? Unlike the other guards, she wore a leather duster like a Grimnir.
“Niorun, since when are you part of an entourage in my hall?” Mother asked.
The girl made a face. “My father ordered me to bring Dorac to Helheim, and I couldn’t say no.” It was obvious she considered the task a chore. She glanced at me and nodded. “I’m Niorun, your brother’s friend.” She glanced at Eirik and added, “Hey, Baldurson. Can I visit Celestia while here, Goddess?”
She talked to Mother without fear, yet I’d noticed wariness in the eyes of the others when they were introduced.
“Of course. Try not to start a fight while in my hall,” Mother warned.
Niorun grinned. She was beautiful. Exotic. “I’ll try, Goddess, but I can’t make any promises. If they insult me, my guards, or my people, I will be obligated to defend our honor.”
“Not in my hall, Niorun. I mean it.”
“Outside the hall?” she asked, and Mother smiled. It was obvious she had a soft spot for the girl.
“If you must. However, your father will have to be informed if you destroy my property.”
Niorun groaned. “Yes, Goddess.”
Mother lifted her scepter and brought it down. Silence spread across the hall. “Thank you for coming to my hall. I know you came here to keep vigil with us while my son’s consort, Celestia, fought for her life. You’ll be happy to hear that she is doing better and is expected to fully recover within the next forty-eight hours. You are welcome to stay until she is back on her feet.”
She paused as though daring them to say anything.
“For now, drink. Eat. Enjoy our hospitality. Let’s see which ones are bold enough to ask about Einmyria,” she added softly to Father, but I heard her. She was tough as nails, baiting them even though we knew they were here for me.
The conversation in the room rose until Lavion stepped forward and bowed. “Goddess, may I have the honor of talking to your daughter, Einmyria?”
Instead of answering him, Mother glanced at Eirik. “Rescind the invitation to that little man.” She glared at Lavion. “About what, Lavion, son of Drathyn?”
“Life, Goddess. Her dreams and mine, and a way to make them merge,” Lavion said, grinning. “She is more dazzling than the sun, yet more delicate than the benga flowers that bloom at midnight under the full moon in my homeland. It would be an honor to have her as my consort.”
I fought hard not to smile. He was bold and funny.
“Lavion, my daughter will one day rule this realm. Any man she favors with her affection and devotion will be her consort, not the other way around.” The conversation level shot up. Apparently, they hadn’t known I’d rule Helheim.
Revan, one of the Elven princes, stepped forward and bowed. “If it pleases the young goddess, I would like a chance to win her approval.”
The blue-eyed J?tun, now in human size but still towering over the Elf, rose to the challenge, too. “I would love a chance to court the young goddess and will meet any challenges to prove I’m worthy of her.”
“I will challenge anyone for a chance to prove I’m worthy of the young goddess,” another claimed and more followed. Oh brother. I glanced at Father from the corner of my eye. He wore a broad grin. It was obvious he was enjoying himself.
There was commotion at the entrance of the Waiting Hall, and one of the guards ran up the steps to whisper something in Mother’s ear. She exchanged a glance with Father, then said, “Let them come inside.”
The guard hurried out. Silence swept across the hall, and necks craned to see who had arrived. Mother wasn’t even looking. She was busy whispering to Father. I was about to ask her who had arrived when they entered.
No, they made an entrance.
Echo led the way, and behind him were Rhys, Nara, and eighteen Grimnirs I’d never met. Dressed simply in the reaper uniform—leather pants, black shirts, fingerless gloves, and leather dusters—they looked badass. Had he finally reunited with his Druid brothers and sisters?
“No one in here is worthy to win the young goddess’ affection, except me,” Echo said. “And that’s why she already favors me.”
I wanted to clap. The goddess sighed and muttered, “He didn’t even wait to be introduced. Should I kick him out?”
“Mother!” I sputtered. Eirik chuckled, and I glared at him. “It’s not funny.”
“Who are you?” came from the lined-up suitors.
“I’m Echo Mairid, Druid of Eljudnir, soul reaper to Goddess Hel.” Laughter rippled among the people assembled in the Throne Hall. Echo smirked. “Laugh all you want, but no one courts Einmyria without going through me. I will accept any challenges, because when I’m done with you, you will pack up your tents and leave our hall, and she’ll stay here with me as my goddess, the love of my life, and the woman I cannot live without.” He glanced at me and winked. I grinned. Now he was showing off.
“I challenge you,” rang out from the line, and with each challenge, Echo’s smile broadened. I had a feeling he would have enjoyed facing each and every man that challenged him. Luckily, Mother had promised to intervene, and I trusted her. There would be no fighting Echo. Some didn’t volunteer to fight him. Maybe they figured anyone bold enough to claim me in front of all of them and my parents had to be legit.
“Who wants to start now?” Echo asked and pulled out two swords from the belt around his waist. “I’m ready.”
Mother’s staff connected with the floor, and I could swear a pulse of energy spread across the room. Silence followed its wake, and everyone’s attention shifted to her.
“There will be no fighting in my hall. My daughter is not a prize to be handed over to the winner like some toy. She is her own person, strong, independent, and gifted. She has already chosen a mate, and her decision is final.”