“Uh, right.” Heat flooded my cheeks, and I quickly changed the subject. “You knew my mother?”
Elora slipped her arm around me. A sad smile dampened her energy. “Your mother was my best friend. Is my best friend,” she corrected. “I’m a midwife for Asgard. It’s my job to assist in the delivery of all of the gods and demigods. Your mother and I met working—the Alf?dr paired us up, since on occasion, a healing was needed during or after a birth. We’ve known each other for centuries now.”
Shut the front door. Centuries? Mack’s mom didn’t look a day over thirty-two. Dear Universe, please let me be this pretty at many hundred years old. Thanks. Xoxo, Allie.
Elora gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. “I was there the day you were born. Asgard threw one of the biggest parties I’ve ever seen.”
“A party? Because of me?” I fidgeted with my armor.
Elora beamed. “Every god or goddess likes to think they are the most important to the realms. The God of War, the God of Fertility; don’t get me started on Thor.”
I laughed.
“But deep down, they all know that healing is the most important gift we can receive.” Elora’s expression became serious. “Without healing, we open ourselves to death, destruction, and division. So for Asgard to have a descendant of Eir—someone with her innate abilities, to help guide the realms to balance . . . it was a very happy day for Asgard. Your spirit was the blessing none of us knew to hope for.”
Whoa. That was such a Mack thing to say. Now I knew where he got all of his insight.
I reached out to hold Elora’s hand. A surge of love shot from her palm to my heart, causing me to smile. “Thank you.”
“No. Thank you.” She squeezed my fingertips. “I understand why your grandmother had to hide you on Midgard, but I am so grateful that you’ve returned to us. And now that you know where to find me, if you ever need to talk, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Your mother chose me to be your godmother, and I’ve been waiting a very long time to be able to fulfill my end of our contract. I am always here for you, Allie. Whatever you need. Please know that.”
I just nodded. I did not want to get all weepy right before I was supposed to hunt for my broken weapon piece.
Elora tilted her head toward one of the pods. “Come inside, or all the pie will be gone. My husband and sons have appetites you would not believe.”
I silently followed her across the crystalline street, taking a moment to just reflect on how amazing and slightly crazy things had become. I had a godmother, and a family of Macks who wanted to be there for me. It was everything I’d ever wanted.
And so long as I could track down the pieces of my weapon without getting myself killed, I had an eternity to enjoy it.
****
For the record, pickleberry pie had nothing to do with pickles, and it was amazing. I downed every last speck and went for seconds without feeling the slightest bit gluttonous. If I hadn’t been sitting at a table with the godmother I very much wanted to impress, I’d have licked my plate clean.
When we finished eating, we moved to the pod’s living area, where Tore was questioning a local resident. Apparently, this light elf was the scout who’d seen the dark elves come through a portal, and Tore was steely in his determination to extract every possible bit of information.
“How many were there?” Tore was all business, arms crossed, face serious.
“Maybe two?” The light elf offered. His pale hair fanned out across his broad shoulders as he shook his head. “I didn’t stay to watch. I ran back here to get word to the Alf?dr and the warriors.”
Tore paused. “And you say one was killed?”
The man nodded. “One was killed, but the other made a portal right in the middle of the forest and jumped through.”
Tore brought his hand to his chin and looked at the ceiling for a long beat. “Did he have anything in his hands when he left? Something four to six inches long, possibly glowing?”
“Nothing glowing.” The man frowned. “He did have a blade, but it was a standard dark weapon, from what I could see.”
“Good.” Tore ran a hand through his hair. “And can you pinpoint the exact location you saw them?”
“Of course.” The man sounded insulted. “They were atop the ridge, just above Eternity Falls.”
Mack shared a nod with Tore. I assumed this meant he knew where Eternity Falls was.
“Thank you,” Tore said to the light elf. His visitor stood and placed his arm across his chest in farewell before leaving the house. Tore turned to the cluster of Macks and protectors in the living area. “You guys know what this means. Suit up. It’s time to head out. Mrs. Medisjon, takk for maten. The pie was delicious.”
Elora smiled serenely at Tore. “I do hope you come again soon. And bring my dear goddaughter with you.”
Tore gave a tight nod. “Of course.”
The Mack Pack and my protectors headed to the front door of the pod, where they donned the weapons they’d removed in the name of civilized pie eating. Oh God, this was it. We were going to find Gud Morder. Like, now.
As the boys jostled for weapon-donning space, Elora gently pulled me back into the kitchen. She ran her fingers through my hair. “Can I fix you up? You need braids to look like the daughter of Eir.”
Oh. I just nodded, and Elora’s hands went to work as she expertly wound two small braids on each side of my hair. She bound each with leather straps that perfectly accented my armor. At this point, my life was full of so much weird, I didn’t bother asking where she’d gotten them.
“There you go.” Elora winked. She ran her hand over my hair one more time, and I was suddenly overcome with emotion. I’d only just reconnected with this woman, but already she treated me as a daughter and loved me with a ferocity beyond anything I could have hoped for. I could see it in her energy.
“Thank you, Elora. For everything.” I pulled her into a hug.
She held me tight, then released me.
“Allie.” Tore’s stern voice came from the living area. “It’s time to go.”
I cleared my throat and gave Elora’s delicate hand one more squeeze. My mother had had a best friend; I had a godmother. My protectors weren’t the only ones who cared if I lived or died, and I wasn’t as alone as I’d felt since Gran’s passing. It was a lot to process, but it gave me something I hadn’t had before this whole thing started—it gave me hope.
For the first time in a long time, the hope that I might one day have a family again glimmered deep within my soul.
****
“Tore, you’re running point?” one of the Macks asked. We were all back atop the hill where the Bifrost had dropped us in.