The soldiers...they'd never greeted me with smiles like they did when I was disguised. Servants did the same. They looked at me casually, congenially, instead of with a thirst to join me in my bed. Their voices weren't stoic and flatly obedient as they were normally. One could say they were downright jovial.

How pathetic. So, they saw Vali as their friend...that cemented my position as their leader. Their relaxation and the fact they didn't avert their eyes before Lokison meant I commanded respect at all times. In all my days at the palace, I'd never once welcomed such open disregard for my authority. Peasants, all of them.

Father's expression surprised me, however; while I would've found the exchange deceitfully cordial from anyone else, he struck me as annoyingly unguarded and genuine. He wasn't the same man around me at all. His overexcited, animated welcome highlighted the severity I normally saw in private. His whispered mention of a secret job plucked me from the palace altogether. I was second in command of Asgard...all Yggdrasil, for that matter...so whatever Vali's "other position" was, it was kept from me purposely.

And Hela knew.

I rushed to my chamber and practically dragged her, momentarily forgetting to play the part of prince charming.

"Ah—wait, slow down."

"Almost there." I shoved through the tall, oaken doors and whipped the cape behind me, snapping the air with fury. Hela hurried in so I could close us in as quickly as we entered.

"That was too close for me." She panted in the background. "We're safe now, yes?"

"Yes. Safe. No one is welcome here without my say-so." I snapped the heavy lock in place and remained where I was by the door, not interested in seeing the false reflection of my enemy. A quiet clap from Hela, and I was suddenly covered in light again that dissipated to my actual self.

Her surprise at my privilege distracted us both from why I rushed in the first place. She spoke softly, like she was afraid of hearing her own echo. "This room...it's almost the same size as my family's whole home." Hela folded her arms closely against her chest and looked up to the ceiling. "The art is lovely."

She's not yours yet. Be wise. I took a few deep breaths and turned toward her with renewed resolve to charm my way in. "Thank you. I suppose my affection for flying things is evident." I pointed to the mural above and sighed.

"It would be odd to me if there weren't these kinds of decorations, honestly." Hela trailed her fingers down one of the four bedposts. "Feathers embossed in the gold is a delicate touch. Are you gifted with other animals, or just birds?"

"If I can commune with others, I haven't tried. Birds have always fascinated me. From above, they see everything. Are prepared for everything. They always have the advantageous position. They can be great protectors, predators, scavengers...they care more for the worlds they live in than people realize."

Hela took a step to be firmly at my side. She nudged my hand in the quiet.

I resisted the urge to bristle at her temperature. "What?"

"Are you a bird in this scenario?" She tapped at my breastplate and traced one of the feathers on my shoulder the same way she did with the bedpost. "Underestimated and unappreciated despite all you do?"

The girl was almost too easy to exploit in her want to impress me. I teased her hand with mine. "Now that you ask, I have to say yes. The mural's been here as long as the palace has. Father requested the artists choose a small species in this formation so the flock would watch as I sleep."

"That's a tad charming, isn't it?"

"It would be, except that meant he never had to do it himself." I pinched the bridge of my nose and turned away.

"Oh...how awful." She tugged at my hair, likely trying to comb through it and ignorant for how my curls snagged on her fingers. "I know you've been without a mother."

I scoffed. "Right. She abandoned me so long ago, I don't even recall what she looked like."

"Modi, I'm so sorry."

"I wish he was sorry." I spoke over my shoulder as if Father could hear me. "I wish he could understand how abandoned I've been even under the same roof."

Hela moved from my hair to the top of my cape, playing right into my false vulnerability. "Is this heavy? Vali doesn't like to keep his armor on at home." She focused on my shoulder clasps. "May I?"

"You may."

In an unhurried ritual, Hela unfastened my cape and caught it to fold neatly before it fell to the floor. She treated each piece—my breastplate, my vambraces, arm guards and boots—with appropriate reverence. The girl knew her place was beneath me, as she should, confirmed by how willingly she worshiped me. Her trick with the illusion was impressive, but if I had her allegiance, all her power might as well belong to me.

I tucked my hair behind my ears when only the underarmor remained. "Are you disappointed to learn I don't have real wings underneath?"

"That makes no difference to me. You opened my eyes and let me fly far from the cage I've known all of my life." She glanced around the chamber again. "My father says his life was once like living in a cage, too. I suppose everyone can feel that way if they're alone."

I turned away to roll my eyes. "You're probably right."

"You know my family has made me feel like my life is already sorted out. Before we left Narvlheim, I said you saw me differently. But what about you?" She couldn't seem to stop touching me and ran her hand up and down my spine. "There has to be more to why you sought me out. What are you hoping I will see?"

"I only wish to have a worthy companion, that's all." I pulled the top of my underarmor off and tossed it onto the rest of my armor.

Hela gasped. "Wow, Modi..."

Foolish girl, so easily distracted. I glanced over my shoulder. "Does the tattoo bother you?"

"Bother me?" She scoffed. "It's gorgeous. Covers your whole back. How long did this take?"

"Several days. Father unhappy with my choice to do so."

"Jealousy over your courage, I'd say. An eagle is much more fitting for you than the small birds on the ceiling. I've never seen anything quite like this. It's...it's almost vulture-like, too, isn't it?"

"Vultures are silent. Eagles are powerful. Both are beautiful. Blending them makes for something all the more formidable, fit for a man who is to be king."

She didn't answer me this time. Stayed quiet. Too quiet.

"Hela?" I faced her again and furrowed my brow. "What is it?"

"I'm...I'm afraid I'll hurt you if I tell you."

I chuckled. "Do you think I am afraid of words?"

"You might be." She lowered her face and looked up at my through her lashes. Meek. No, more than that—fear of her own.

"You're afraid I will be angry with you." My heart, normally steady and low, raced painfully. "This is about Vali, isn't it? The new position Father mentioned. Tell me."

"He came home last night, drunk with Father, celebrating the future. He was promoted to Captain, as we expected—"

"Yes, I know about that. What else?" I took her shoulders, cautious enough not to squeeze too hard. "Hela, please."

She blinked back shine in her eyes. "His new plans ensured my staying in Narvlheim. He can't come home and take over for my father if he's the new King of Asgard."

"What?" I moved closer to her face out of pure habit to intimidate her and guarantee the truth. "Asgard's throne, going to a Jotun?"

"You really had no idea? None at all?"

I released her and walked away to keep from killing her on the spot. No, it's too soon. Too soon. I'm not through yet. "No, I knew nothing. Father...he's betrayed me."

"I couldn't ask Vali last night what else they told him. I'm so sorry."

"Sorry for this, for my mother, for my circumstance." I slammed my fist on the wall. "How can this even happen? My birthright, my bloodline...it's nothing?"

She was wise to stay back for at least a few minutes. Out of words, the only thing she added to the room were tears.

Think. Think. I shook out my hair and raked through it one hand at a time. "There has to be a way to undo it. It's not set in stone. It's not guaranteed."

"Right. Perhaps if you spoke with Thor—"

"No, he's a lost cause. Thinks it's settled. His reign needs to end." I swiftly turned to take Hela's hands. "If Vali has another destiny, he cannot steal mine. If he stays where he belongs, things don't have to be disrupted. I can become King, you'll be my queen, and both of us will get what we desire."

"Another destiny?"

"Yes, one that keeps him on Narvlheim with the rest of your family, or one where he pays for the wrongs he has done. Please, Hela. I'll need you for this. I need you to help me prove to Asgard that I am the true future king. Together, we'll surprise them all."

Her eyes shook and she swallowed hard. "I..."

"We don't have time to lose. Will you help me?"

She stared and she wavered. If she thought too hard, the foundations would crack, and my plan would fail.

I had no other choice. Before she could pick apart all the fact, I crashed my lips into hers, stealing her breath and her words. My hands found hers and encouraged her to touch me. Unsurprisingly, she did, hungrily taking my shoulders and answering my advance with her own.

The girl was predictable as I thought before. Once she knew my bed, there wouldn't be many things she would refuse.