Relinquished: Book 5 (Thor's Dragon Rider) by Katrina Cope

Author:Katrina Cope [Cope, Katrina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cosy Burrow Books
Published: 2021-06-24T16:00:00+00:00

- Chapter Thirteen -

* * *

Deep lines crease Thor’s forehead as he stands pressed against Yggdrasil’s trunk. Every few moments, he tosses Mjollnir, flipping it for a few rounds before resting against the trunk again. He appears to be deep in concentration, with an expression that rarely visits the god of thunder’s features.

“What’s gotten into you?” Hildr’s voice, as harsh as always, cuts through the silence.

Thor’s frown deepens, and he tosses the hammer for another round. “What makes you think there’s something wrong?”

“For a start, you’ve been standing there for a while, just tossing that hammer and looking deep in thought. It almost looks like you’re pining. Are you having second thoughts about bargaining your daughter away?” Her mouth twitches, and she doesn’t bother hiding her spite as she leans on one leg.

Ignoring Hildr’s remark, Thor looks off into the distance, where a tiny sliver of sunlight pierces the dark sky, his thoughts seemingly far away.

“What? Don’t you have a comeback?” Hildr presses. “You certainly look like someone with a guilty conscience.”

Eir groans and murmurs, “Just leave it, Hildr. If he’s having second thoughts, he doesn’t need you harping in his ear. Let him think it through. Perhaps he is thinking that. Perhaps not. I don’t know.” She turns to Thor and lifts her voice. “Are you sure Alvis hasn’t ditched us here and gone somewhere else?”

Thor doesn’t say anything but continues to stare at the horizon. The slit of sun grows, spreading glimmering light.

I ask, “What exactly did you get Ratatoskr to say to Alvis?”

Strangely, my leader ignores me.

I press further. “Are you worried that he’s abandoned us to defend against the dwarves alone?”

Thor huffs.

Finally, a reaction.

“Worried? I don’t think so.” He nods in our direction. “I have you four with me, and I have myself and my trusty hammer.” He raises Mjollnir, and his biceps bulge through his long sleeve. “I’m sure we could find a way back to the dragons and the carriage one way or another. The goats should have resurrected by now.”

His gaze travels across the horizon another time, the light hitting the whites of his eyes. “If Alvis doesn’t turn up shortly, then we should leave anyway. We don’t know if he’s a dwarf that will turn into stone when hit by the sunlight. It may have even happened.” Thor shrugs. “I don’t know if this turning-into-stone-in-the-daylight business is true, but I’m not waiting around all day for him to come back.” He rests against Yggdrasil again, crosses his ankles, and resumes tossing his hammer.

We leave him alone to his thoughts and wait impatiently for the dwarf.

Seeing the sunlight again relaxes my muscles. I didn’t realize how much I missed its light shining across the lands and the fresh air that accompanies it. It’s also comforting that we can see the land and any threat that may come with it clearly. I’m not looking forward to returning to the caves’ darkness and stale air. I can’t fathom how the dwarves can dwell in the stagnant atmosphere, hidden underground for most of their lives.

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