CHAPTER 1
How could one begin to describe Thor Odinson? Various Asgardians had expressed their views. The main issue was Thor's own arrogance. He would relish every cheer someone threw at him and felt he stood above everyone else. There was no doubt that Thor Odinson was destined for greatness. But why did someone with so much power condone himself to impulsive decisions? This was something that could only be answered by the one man himself. Who was delighted by his coronation.
A bowl of fire illuminated his silhouette. Tall. Broad. And you just knew he was there before he shouted "Another" and threw his cup into the flames. Loki and Celaena appeared from behind the drapes, standing either side, waiting, smiling.
"Nervous brother?" Loki asked.
"Surely you must be," Celaena said.
Thor threw his head back and chuckled. "Have you ever known me to be nervous?"
"Well, there was the time in Nornheim."
"That was not nerves, Brother," Thor argued, "That was the rage of battle."
"Ah, I see."
"How else could I have fought my way through a hundred warriors and pulled us out alive?"
"As I recall," Loki started, "I was the one who veiled us in smoke to ease our escape."
Celaena gave a little laugh. "At least you had a plan."
Thor chuckled. "Yes. Some do battle, others just do tricks."
Amusement passed over her face.
"Those tricks saved our lives," she said, her voice firm without aggression.
A servant approached them with a goblet of wine, and Loki, sensing an opportunity, took one glance and twisted his hand. The servant yelped and as cup and plate clattered to the floor, Celaena gave a startled cry. She took one look at Loki then doubled over, laughing. She caught her breath and listened as Thor spoke.
"Loki! Now that was just a waist of good wine.
Feigning innocence, Loki added, "Oh it was just a bit of fun. Right, my friend?"
With a wave of his hand, the snakes disappeared. After a moment, Celaena knelt down and reached for the plate, handing it to the servant. He nodded a thank you before he left. It was peculiar. She didn't have to do anything, but she felt she had to. She couldn't stand around and do nothing. Thor and Loki glanced at her. Afterwards, another servant appeared, giving Thor his helmet. Celaena stifled a giggle.
"Very fetching, Brother."
"Nice feathers."
Thor moved his head to concentrate on Loki.
"You don't really want to start this again, do you, Cow?"
"I was being sincere," Loki told him.
"You are incapable of sincerity."
"Am I?"
"Yes?"
"And as for you," Thor said to Celaena, "Will you ever not wear male?"
The sides of her hair were taken back and she wore a golden armour that covered her chest. Underneath it were black leggings and a black skirt with small pellets of gold. On her wrists were two golden cuffs and long sleeved teal-grey shirt. Over her shoulders hung a teal cloak and on her feet were long black boots. She also carried a sword.
Celaena smiled at him and replied, "Perhaps one day."
Loki turned to look at Thor and she realised he was softening.
"I've looked forward to this day as much as you have, you're my brother and my friend. Sometimes I'm envious," he admitted, "But never doubt that I love you."
"Thank you." Thor placed a hand on the back of Loki's neck, offering comfort.
"Now give us a kiss."
"Stop it!"
"Really, how do I look?" Thor asked them.
"Like a king," Loki replied.
"A very powerful one," Celaena added. "You know, our entire lives…"
Her brothers considered this. The three of them stared towards where the crowd started to gather.
"We understand, Sister," Thor answered.
"There's something you should know."
Loki raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
She embraced them, teary-eyed and added, "I couldn't be more proud of you both."
They stayed like that for a few moments. Then broke their hug and looked on.
"It's time."
"You both go ahead," Thor offered. "I'll be along. Go on."
Loki and Celaena walked out of the room together.
The grand hall was the biggest in the palace; a space holding thousands of guests. It was, unquestionably, jubilating, and for quite some time, Celaena and Loki had waited a moment before walking out to greet the crowd. They stood side-by-side, studying the roaring crowd with such a curiosity that for now it made her forget about the nightmare.
"I think you look ravishing," Loki murmured.
A young boy looked up as Celaena appeared on the steps. She stood beside her mother and brother, waving at the child, then curtsied at Odin. The cheers began again. There he was, The Mighty Thor himself, waving his hammer in sheer jubilation. He came forward, laughing as Lady Sif muttered "Oh, please" and rolled her eyes. Frigga and Celaena looked at each other with an expression that read Same old Thor.
The steady roar of cheers died down as they waited for Odin to speak.
"Thor Odinson. My heir," he said, as Loki stared at the floor. "My firstborn. So entrusted with the mighty hammer Mjonir, forged in the heart of a dying star, its power has no equal, as a weapon to destroy or as a tool to build. 'Tis is a fit companion for a king…"
While proud of Thor, a part of Celaena felt a rush of sympathy for Loki. She couldn't ignore the fact that Odin had always favoured the eldest of his sons. She felt like she should smile, but she could not, so instead she found awe, something that would not seem out of character.
I cannot believe this day has come so fast, she thought.
Odin was saying something to Thor.
"…And the lives of the innocent across the Nine Realms from the time of the great beginning. Though the day has come…"
Loki and Celaena glanced at each other, and while he was grateful she believed Thor wasn't sensible enough to rule Asgard, he was also satisfied that she knew nothing of his plans.
"Do you swear to guard the Nine Realms?" Odin went on.
"I swear."
"And do you swear to preserve the peace?"
"I swear."
"And do you swear to cast aside all selfish ambition and to pledge yourself only to the good of the Realms?"
"I swear!"
"Then, on this day, I, Odin Allfather, proclaim you…" He hesitated, something no one ever saw him do. "The Frost Giants!"
Celaena felt her stomach drop. Her father and brothers headed to the Weapons Vault. She followed, making sure to stay close behind them. They saw the bodies. Or rather what was left of them. For a moment all she could do was stand there, stunned. Fresh ice sparkled over the floor, along with the remains of blue legs and hands. They observed the wreckage, unsure of what to think.
"The Jotuns must pay for what they have done!" Thor declared, venom adding an edge to his voice.
"They have paid, with their lives," Odin said, "The Destroyer did its work, the Casket is safe, all is well."
"All is well?" Thor repeated. He was so far past boiling point he was practically steaming out the ears. "They broke into the weapons vault! If the Frost Giants had stolen one of these relics–"
"They didn't," Odin cut in.
"Well, I want to know why."
Celaena lip's tightened as though she had tasted something sour. All the while, Loki kept his gaze on their brother and father.
Odin spoke in a relaxed, calm tone. "I have a truce with Laufey, King of the Jotuns."
"He just broke your truce!" Thor yelled, "They know you are vulnerable."
He turned to him and asked, "What action would you take?"
"March into Jotunheim as you once did. Teach them a lesson. Break their spirits so they never dare try to cross our borders again."
"You're thinking as a warrior."
"This was an act of war!"
"It was the act of but a few, doomed to fail."
"Look how far they got!"
"How in the Nine Realms did they manage to get inside?" Celaena snapped.
Before she could continue, Odin spoke out, calmly, without a hint of aggression.
"We will find the breach in our defenses and it will be sealed."
With both eyebrows raised, Loki dived looks between Odin and Thor. As they argued, Celaena mulled the situation over. Her first instinct was to inform her mother of what they had discovered. It was be so easy to turn around, walk out and conjure something up; especially if it meant calming the citizens too.
"As King of Asgard–"
"But you're not king!" Odin shouted. "Not yet."
Celaena moved her head to concentrate on Loki. They turned and watched their father go. Thor's anger remained, even when he stormed out. Loki didn't speak, not even when Celaena's face contorted into a mask of fear as she faced him, hoping to get some answers. He hadn't told anyone, because they would condemn him for what he'd managed to do. They stared at the Casket for a long time, with its black patterns and blue shade, as though it was calling to them, waiting. It was the colour of the sky and its blue was glowing like a sea of stars.
Hours before he'd set his plan into motion, Loki had stayed away to think. He was committing a grave offence against Asgard, but it was just a bit of fun to ruin the big day. And to protect the realm from Thor a little while longer. Loki understood that no one else would approve. Neither would Frigga or Celaena. Or anyone else for that matter. Loki was aware of this. He was prepared to face the gravity of his actions. The one thing he wouldn't – couldn't – do was to allow the realm to be ruled by a fool, once given the opportunity. If Odin had his way, Thor would be crowned king. Imminently.
Celaena let out a long breath. "We should go."
He studied the casket again, wondering what to do next.
A loud crash thundered in the banquet hall. Celaena stayed perfectly still, blocking out last night's dream as she listened to the bang and the clatter up ahead. She went to take another step and nearly walked into the dark hair main waiting right behind her. He and Celaena looked at each other, his expression stunned, but with a look that suggested he probably knew who was to blame. He headed towards the nearest pillar, while Celaena waited beside the overturned table. He took a deep breath and lowered himself next to Thor.
"It's unwise to be in my company right now, brother. This was to be my day of triumph."
"It will come. In time".
At the sight of the overturned table, Sif, Hogun, Volstagg and Fandral stopped dead in their tracks.
"What's this?"
Celaena shot them an apologetic glance and explained, "He's still upset."
Meanwhile, Loki shuffled closer to Thor and said, "If it's any consolation, I think you're right. About the Frost Giants, about Laufey, about everything. If they found a way to penetrate the Asgard defenses once, who's to say they won't try again. Next time with an army."
"Exactly!" Thor agreed.
"There's nothing you can do, without defying Father," Loki told him. As Thor's eyes lit up, Loki felt his stomach turn to ice. "No. No, no, no, no, no. I know that look!"
"It's the only way to ensure the safety of our borders," Thor argued.
"Thor, its madness."
Celaena, Sif and the Warriors Three turned to them and listened. Now it was Volstagg's turn to speak.
"Madness? What sort of madness?"
"We're going to Jotunheim," Thor said, feeling a rush of pride.
Fandral held his gaze. "What? This isn't like a journey to Earth, where you summon a little lightning and thunder, and the mortals worship you as a god. This is Jotunheim."
But Thor wasn't listening. "My father fought his way into Jotunheim, defeated their armies, and took their Casket. We would just be looking for answers."
Celaena stared at him, wide eyed. "Thor, we can't."
Sif said, "It is forbidden!"
Thor stared at them. His expression was, to say the least, amused.
"My friends, have you forgotten all that we've done together? Fandral, Hogun? Who led you into the most glorious of battles?"
"You did," Hogun said sincerely.
"And Volstagg, to delicacies so succulent, you thought you'd died and gone to Valhalla?" Thor said.
"You did."
He chuckled. "Yes!" To Sif, he asked, "And who proved wrong all who scoffed at the idea that a young maiden could be one of the fiercest warriors, this Realm has ever known?"
Sif gave him and approving glance and replied, "I did."
"True. But I supported you, Sif." Thor turned to the others and said, "My friends, we're going to Jotunheim."
"Thor, wait." Celaena watched him, worried. "Just stop. Please. Think about what you're doing."
He placed a hand on her shoulder and met her eyes.
"Celaena, never before have you been involved in a proper battle. This is an opportunity to test your skills."
"They've been tested enough."
"Now, we must do this. You're not going to let your brother and me take all the glory, are you?"
"What?" Loki asked, evidently perplexed.
Thor glanced at him.
"You are coming with me, aren't you?"
The corners of Loki's mouth twitched. "Yes. Of course." He felt Thor clap his shoulder as he added, "I won't let my brother march into Jotunheim alone."
Celaena stood with her brothers and muttered, "I fear we'll live to regret this."
"If we're lucky," Thor retorted, causing Loki to chuckle as the three of them walked off.
They arranged to meet Sif and the Warrior's Three at the palace gardens. There, they walked together. Celaena walked a few paces back, then quickened her pace, listening as Thor explained, "First we must find a way to get past Heimdall."
"That will be no easy task," Volstagg informed them, "It's said the Gatekeeper can see a single drop of dew fall from a blade of grass. A thousand worlds away."
"Yes," Fandral said, "And he can hear a cricket passing gas in Niffelheim."
Volstagg quipped, "Just not. He hears us all."
"Please." Fandral scoffed. "Getting past him should be civil enough. Now that he seems to be letting Frost Giants sneak by under our nose."
Celaena opened her mouth to say something, but she decided to let it go. She turned around and saw Loki slipping away from the group.
He's probably telling them a clever lie, she thought when she saw him with the guards.
After five minutes, they passed through the gates, galloping down the Rainbow Bridge and left Asgard behind. The bridge itself was wide and flat, running straight from the palace to the black void of space. They continued onto the Observatory, where the Gatekeeper, Heimdall, blocked their path. He stared them down, his intimidating expression masked by his armour.
Loki turned to Thor and instructed, "Leave this to me." He added, "Good Heimdall..."
"You're not dressed warmly enough," Heimdall informed him.
"I'm sorry?"
"Do you think that you can deceive me?"
Loki chose his words carefully. "You must be mistaken..."
"Enough!" Thor said, moving in front of his brother. "Heimdall, may we pass?"
"Never has an enemy slipped my watch, until this day." Heimdall stared at them, his face grave. "I wish to know how that happened."
Thor's expression grew serious. "Then tell no one where we've gone, until we've returned. Understand?"
Celaena's heart stuttered in her chest. After a moment, Thor walked passed Heimdall. He stood to the side, letting the others pass. Loki felt a rush of anger, even when Volstagg needled him and mocked, "What happened? Your silver tongue turn to lead?"
As they stepped inside the observatory, Heimdall placed his sword into the panel. And as the machine came to life, Celaena checked her belt, sighing. At least her own weapon was there.
I can't believe we're doing this.
Over the whirring vibrations and flickering lights, Heimdall kept looking at them and explained, "Be warned. I will honor my sworn oath, to protect this Realm as its Gatekeeper. If your return threatens the safety of Asgard, Bifrost will remain closed to you. And you'll be left to die in the cold wastes of Jotunheim."
Celaena felt her stomach turn to ice.
Attempting to lighten the situation, Volstagg asked, "Couldn't you just leave the bridge open for us?"
"To leave the bridge open, would unleash the full power of the Bifrost, and destroy Jotunheim with you upon it."
She exchanged looks with Loki and Sif.
"I have no plans to die today," Thor said, confidence adding an edge to his voice.
"None do," Heimdall added sincerely.
Celaena gave Thor a look. How could he not understand the recklessness of his decisions? Was everything always one big game to him? Needless to say, this was hardly new information. She knew nothing of being sucked in. She didn't even register it until she was rushed off her feet. The beam around her flickered with life and they had already landed by the time it disappeared.
"So this is Jotunheim," she murmured to no one in particular.
She moved her head to concentrate on Hogun.
"We shouldn't be here," he said.
Damn right! Celaena thought.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Thor cleared his throat.
"Let's move."
Loki gestured at Celaena to stay close. Being the intelligent and sensible woman she was, the last thing they needed was to generate more trouble. She followed, squaring her shoulders. They walked together, taking in their surroundings.
"I never thought we'd actually come here," she whispered.
"Neither did I," Loki answered, lowering his voice.
They had already walked a fair distance ahead, and still there was no sign of life. The Realm was as bleak and empty as the sky.
Sif asked, "Where are they?"
"Hiding," Thor replied, "As cowards always do."
The group stopped at a large stone building.
"You've come a long way to die Asgardians," a deep voice said.
They turned and saw Laufey glancing down from his throne. He remained hidden in the dark. Except for his eyes. Harsh and red.
"I am Thor Odinson."
"We know who you are," Laufey informed him.
Celaena brought a trembling hand onto her sword.
"How did your people get into Asgard?" Thor asked.
Laufey stared at him. "The house of Odin is full of traitors."
"Do not dishonor my father's name with your lies!"
"Your father is a murderer and a thief. And why have you come here? To make peace? You long for battle. You crave it! You're nothing but a boy, trying to prove himself a man."
"This boy has grown tired of your mockery."
Blades of ice formed around their hands. Celaena remained still, gritting her teeth and stared stone-faced at Laufey. And when Loki intervened, she made no attempt to hide her relief.
"Thor, stop and think. Look around you. We are outnumbered."
"Know your place, Brother," he hissed.
As Laufey came towards them, Celaena continued to stand her ground.
"You know not what your actions would unleash. I do. Go now, while I still allow it."
Loki held his gaze. "We will accept your most gracious offer."
Celaena nodded. "Thank you." Then she sighed.
"Come on, brother."
They turned to leave when Laufey began to speak.
"Run back home, little princess."
Loki muttered under his breath.
"Damn."
They didn't even registered what was happening until Thor sent a Jotun into a thick wall of ice. He crashed through, landing with a sickening thud.
"Next?" Thor asked, grinning.
Loki and Celaena watched the scene unfold. She reached for her sword. A second Jotun lunged at her and fell onto the blade. She yanked her sword, and it came away with flecks of red.
With a clearly amused grin, Thor shouted, "At least make it a challenge for me!" As another group of Jotuns advanced on him he feigned roaring sounds, knocked one back and added, "That's more like it!"
Celaena found herself cornered by another group of Frost Giants and saw Loki at the edge of the crevasse. She became aware that he was suddenly trapped.
And so am I! an inner voice screamed.
They lunged at her, but she'd already managed to dodge the attack. While Celaena managed to deliver a few stabs to their chests, Loki had succeeding in duping one into the crevasse. The real Loki stood on her right, lifting his dagger.
"Nice move."
Loki grinned. "Thank you."
Volstagg released a blood curdling scream. He knocked the giant back and shouted, "Don't let them touch you!"
The realization came too late. Loki raised his dagger, but at the same time felt a hand grab his arm. His throat went dry and he went rigid at the colour of his skin. It was blue. The giant's eyes widened and Loki saw that as the opportunity to plunge his dagger deep into his chest. He stared down at his arm, but the blueness had already started to disappear. All that mattered now was keeping himself alive – and everyone else.
If Celaena had done nothing over the last thousand years, she wouldn't have had the strength she needed to do battle with her enemies. She gave it all she had to give. She turned, ducked, swung and on most of the time came away unharmed. Only her wit saved her from succumbing to her death.
Only her wit and tactfulness.
And because Celaena had never not practiced, now she had everything she needed. She composed herself, struck a Jotun with her fists, drawing blood. At the sight of Loki freezing in place, she couldn't move at first. But when she did, she ran faster than she'd ever ran before.
"Laena, look out!" Loki's cry motivated her.
Celaena didn't move. Not right away. First she picked up an ice dagger and then ran. She nearly succeeded.
A Jotun's hand clamped shut around her calf and he slipped towards the edge, dragging her with him.
"LAENA!" Loki screamed, "LAENA!"
Celaena twisted on her back, trying to gain the upper hand and bit her lip, hard enough to draw blood. Her leggings tore and her skin scraped painfully towards the monster as he fell towards the drop, his fingers locked around her leg.
Slipping.
Slipping.
Celaena shrieked. Her foot twisted over the edge and her knee rose to stop her ankle from breaking. There was a cry, but it wasn't her screaming.
Fandral!
"We must go!" Loki shouted.
"Then go!" Thor barked at him.
Celaena got her foot up, striking the Jotun in the jaw so hard he coughed out pieces of broken teeth and lost his grip. She plunged her sword into the ground, staring down as he disappeared into the darkness. There was something else she realised, something that made her freeze in place. It wasn't the wet crunch of the Frost Giant after he plummeted to his death. It wasn't the effort of freeing herself from the cliff. It was the chill that had nothing to do with the bitter cold air. And after dismissing what she'd seen as just a trick of the light, she brushed the ice away, running to the nearest person she could find.
"Laena? Are you all right?" he asked.
She stared momentarily at her calf, as though the Jotun's hand was still there.
It wasn't.
He wasn't
"Are you?"
Loki nodded, but she could tell he was lying.
At the crack of the ice, Volstagg saw what had cause it to break.
"Run!"
Thor wasn't listening. As he chose to stay and fight, the others took that as the opportunity to leave. And felt a stab of fear when Heimdall didn't answer.
Thor didn't feel defeated. He felt content. He felt content when he shot through it and content when he sent it falling back, he felt his ego had been satisfied. He wasn't called The Mighty Thor for nothing.
That was the moment they found themselves surrounded by Laufey's army.
Excellent, Celaena thought. We've just given ourselves a death wish.
At that moment, a bright haze came from the sky, illuminating the dark. Thor recognised the figure and shouted, "Father! We'll finish them together!"
"Silence!" Odin hissed in pure venom.
He turned and much to his surprise, he saw that Laufey was approaching him. The Jotun King looked him up and down.
"Allfather," he mused, "You look weary."
"Laufey, end this now," Odin commanded.
"Your boy sought this out," he said.
"You're right. And these are the actions of a boy, treat them as such. You and I can end this here and now, before there's further bloodshed."
"We are beyond diplomacy now, Allfather. He'll get what he came for. War and death."
"So be it," Odin declared.
Before Laufey could strike the killing blow, Heimdall's beam came down, lifting them to safety.
"Why did you bring us back?" Thor snapped.
That was one more retort than Odin was prepared to tolerate.
"Do you realize what you've done? What you've started?"
"I was protecting my home."
"You cannot protect your friends. How can you hope to protect a kingdom?" Odin paused, glancing at Fandral and to the Sif, Hogun and Volstagg, commanded, "Get him to the healing room! Now."
"There won't be a kingdom to protect, if you're afraid to act! The Jotuns must learn to fear me, just as they once feared you."
Celaena and Loki looked at each other.
"We should not have done this," she murmured, quiet enough to avoid Odin hearing.
"I tried to warn him."
Odin was saying something to Thor.
"That's pride and vanity talking, Not leadership! Have you forgotten everything I've taught you? About a warrior's patience."
"While you wait and be patient, the Nine Realms laugh at us. The old ways are done. You'd stand giving speeches while Asgard falls!"
"You're a vain, greedy, cruel boy!"
"And you are an old man and a fool!" Thor retorted.
Odin lowered his eyes.
"Yes. I was a fool, to think you were ready."
"Father–" Loki and Celaena said in unison.
He pointed a finger and snarled at them.
"Thor Odinson... You have betrayed the express command of your King," Odin started to say, "Through your arrogance and stupidity, you've opened these peaceful Realms, and innocent lives to the horror and desolation of war!" He placed his spear into the panel, activating the Bifrost. You are... unworthy of these Realms! Unworthy of your title! You're unworthy... of the loved ones, you have betrayed."
Loki and Celaena watched them, worried. They exchanged a look which told the latter something else should have been done, that maybe they should have spoken up, instead of waiting without saying a word. At least that was what Celaena presumed. They realised Thor was being stripped of his armour.
"I now take from you, your power! In the name of my father! And his father before!"
Thunder rolled overhead and harsh sparks exploded across the room. She was still reeling from the revelation when their father yelled, "I, Odin Allfather, cast you out!"
Thor was knocked off balance, falling head first into the portal. Loki stared, wide-eyed and ran to where his brother had disappeared. Mjonir was the last thing to be thrown inside. In all the time they had known Odin, Loki and Celaena never saw him this disappointed.