Awesome.
One of the other Macks grinned at me. “Plus, Mom’s dying to see you. She made pickleberry pies.”
The original Mack’s eyes lit up. I could practically see the drool pooling at the corners of his mouth. I sincerely hoped the pies had more to do with berries and less with pickles. But since Gran had been a stickler for manners, I knew I wouldn’t be able to refuse if they offered me a slice. Pickles or not. Please, no pickles.
Tore opened his arms and tilted his head forward. The Mack Pack quickly turned around. They moved through the trees as one, their steps silent against the forest floor. They ducked under low branches, not rustling a single leaf. These were some seriously stealthy elves. Or maybe all elves moved like that. I was hardly an expert in elfin mobility. Heck, I was still surprised none of them had pointy ears.
We broke out of the thicket of trees and entered a clearing. My jaw dropped as I stared at the scene before me. Was all of this for real?
Mack had said we were going to a village, but this was unlike anything I’d ever seen before. This was . . . this was magical. Modern elements mixed with nature to give Mack’s village a whimsical-suburban vibe. The cob houses were completely smooth on the sides, and their roofs were actual slabs of grass and flowers. Their roofs were living things! The windows of the structures were comprised of intricate geometric patterns, not unlike humans’ mandalas. And when my eyes roamed over the streets, I gasped. Actual crystals lined the roads. Talk about energy efficiency! The lanterns dotting the streets resembled glass sculptures, and the village’s gardens put even the most artistic Midgardian landscaper to shame. I was seriously in the most beautiful fairytale . . . but everything about it was real.
“Nice, isn’t it?” Tore’s whisper in my ear snapped me from my shock.
I could only nod—there were no words. Each cob house was connected to another, forming a circle. The houses were clumped in groups of five, with a communal garden in the center of each ring.
“What are the circles?” I finally found my words as I moved with the guys. We made our way down the tall, grassy hill.
Original Mack answered me. “In Alfheim, we live in communities—what we call pods. There are five families to each pod. Each family takes turns hosting dinner one night each week, to diminish the workload on the individuals. Our society very much believes in sharing our blessings with one another. If a family falls sick, one of the other families takes care of them until they are better. If one family needs help and another family can step up, they do.”
“That sounds amazing.” It had always been just Gran and me growing up. I’d have loved to have been a part of a community like this. These pods sounded like one big party, all the time.
Mack beamed his soulful smile at me, and now I knew why he was so deep; so in touch with his spirit. He’d had an amazing upbringing—one of community, sharing and kindness. How could he not be as enlightened as he was, with such a beautiful beginning to form him?
When we reached the base of the hill, a tall woman with chocolate-brown hair waved to us. She stood beside a man that had to be Mack’s father—the guy looked just like original Mack and his five doppelgangers. And if that man was Mack’s father, there was a good chance the brown-haired woman with Mack’s twinkling eyes was his mom. I made a quick note to thank her for raising such an awesome son. He may have been par for the course in Alfheim, but where I came from, he was one in a million.
Mack’s parents opened their arms in greeting as we drew closer. Their elegant, hooded cloaks billowed behind them. Mack’s dad shook Tore’s hand, clapping him warmly on the back as he stepped closer. Mack went to hug his mother, but she sidestepped him and went right for me. I tried to hide my surprise as she pulled me in her arms and held on tight. The smell of apples, cinnamon, and warmth enveloped me before she pulled back to hold me at arm’s length. She looked me up and down with an approving smile before meeting my curious stare with tear-lined eyes.
“Oh, Allie.” She hugged me again. “I’ve waited so long to see you. I’m sure you don’t remember me. I’m Elora, your godmother.”
My mouth dropped open at the sudden revelation.
“Mom!” Mack hissed. “Remember, we talked about this. We’re trying not to overwhelm her.”
Elora stroked my hair in a loving gesture. “Nonsense,” she chided her son. “Allie, this is my husband — your godfather, Ryul.”
“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Allie.” Ryul’s warm eyes were crinkled in what I thought was a smile—warmth radiated from him, but I couldn’t see his mouth beneath his bushy beard. Apparently, the Mack Pack’s facial hair was a multi-generational deal.
“Hi,” I whispered. I had a godmother and a godfather? Which I guess meant I had six light elf god-siblings. Mack was practically my brother. Ha!
“Mom, please.” Mack frowned. “Allie’s had a rough couple of months, and she really needs to—”
“I know what she needs, dear. Now go inside with your brothers, and your father, and the rest of your friends. Allie and I have something to discuss.” Elora flashed me another smile.
“Sorry about her, Pepper.” Tore winked at my newly introduced godmother. “Elora’s been bugging us to bring you here since we were dispatched to Midgard. She tends to be an overenthusiastic welcome wagon on a normal day, but when it comes to you . . .” He whistled. “Good luck.”
“You behave yourself, Tore Vidarsson, or I’ll tell my son to stop making that stew I know you like so much.” Elora tutted at Tore.
“That’s low, Mrs. Medisjon.” Tore chuckled. “All right, I’ll go. But seriously, Allie, you going to be okay out here?”
Under any other circumstance, I’d have run screaming at someone being all up in my space like Elora was, but she was so gentle—so maternal. Her energy was familiar and invigorating all at once. Being near her felt like taking a sip of one of those carbonated juice drinks—her energy was fizzy and bright and uplifting.
“I’m good, Protector.” I nodded at Tore. “You can go in with the guys. I’ll be there in a minute.”
“Okay. Yell if you need anything.” With that, he, Bodie, Mack, and Johann followed Mack’s family across the crystal-paved street and into one of the pods. I stared wistfully at his backside as he moved.
“He cares deeply for you,” Elora said.
“What? Who?” I ripped my gaze away from Tore’s butt.
“Tore. I’ve known him for a long time. You bring out something in him I haven’t seen before.”