Admittance

This flash piece is a rough draft of a scene from the prequel novel of The Prophecies of Ragnarok, a Norse mythology-based new adult series I'm currently writing with Marie Sinadjan. It may or may not end up in the final version of the novel.

Here are the shorts we've written so far for the prequel, in chronological order:

• Birthright
• Ice Queen
• Quiet Time
• Tyr Lends A Hand
• Big Sister, Big Brother
• Just Friends
• Admittance (this story)
• Prison Break
• Escaping Asgard
• Marriage Plans
• New Normal
• Hunting Trip
• Night Out
• Brother's Keeper
• Final Hour
• Better Off Gone
• Resistance and Steps
• Forsaken
• Revenge Served With Rage
• Goodbye, Good Friend
• Inheritance
• A Winter's Bargain
• Death Finds All
• Homecoming
• Reconnection
• The Hour of the Wolf

Hotel Fen, the first published book of the series, follows after this point.

~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~

Hodr groaned happily as he slipped off the horse and tossed the reins to one of the stable hands. It felt like he’d been riding forever, and he couldn’t wait to get into a hot bath. But there was also something else he needed to do before he slipped quietly into the night.

Though his mind was already in the palace and down the hall, miles ahead of himself, when Thor clapped a hand on his shoulder he actually jumped a little. The surprise earned a chuckle from his older brother. “You look more excited to be home than we were when you could have had any of the pretty girls in the village, little brother.”

“Does he not know what to do with a woman?” Tyr rounded the corner and raised a brow at Hodr. “Do we need to sit you down and have you watch one of us to learn?”

Thor only chuckled more as he released Hodr and moved toward Tyr. “I don’t know, he might enjoy that a little too much.”

Frost tickled his fingertips and it took everything in Hodr not to growl at his brothers. “I don’t need to learn anything from you two. I’m just not interested in fucking everything that moves.” He pushed past them both with a small snarl, shoving both hard in opposite directions. Neither moved very far, merely a stumbling step in their laughter as it grew harder.

Tyr reached and ruffled Hodr’s hair before he was completely out of reach. “Don’t be so defensive, little brother. You’ll get there. Learn how good it is, how fun.”

He didn’t answer or engage anymore as his hand came up to try and fix his hair a little as he slipped down the hallway toward his room. It takes him two seconds to drop his traveling packs on the chair by the bookshelf before he heads out again toward the guest wing. Where Odin’s ward resided. He’d messaged her to let her know he was coming home soon, and a raven was quick to bring him her reply in which she’d told him she’d be in her room for the day. She’d found a book she’d been engrossed in since he’d left and would be happy if he just met her there.

Which is why in nearly no time at all, he finds himself at her door. One hand runs through his hair again, suddenly nervous again. But before he can let his nerves get the better of him, he reaches out and knocks on her door.

It takes a moment before she opens the door, her smile bright as she takes him in. “Welcome home.”

His ice blue eyes can’t help take in her simple blue linen dress and braided hair, his own lips turning up in a smile for her. “Thanks, it’s been a long mission, but I’m glad to be home.”

Gerivore’s head tilts a little, mischief lighting up her green eyes. “You smell like horse though, I hope you know.”

“Oh, I’m well aware. But I wanted to see you when I first got home.” He chuckles as his head dips down slightly. Eyes still on her as he raises his head again, keeping her in his gaze. “Besides, I needed to tell you something right?”

A blush rose along her cheeks gently and she nodded. “You said you would.”

Shifting his weight, he took a deep breath and tried to ignore the frost etching along the wall just outside her door. He hoped she couldn’t tell his emotions were a little all over the place with this now that she was in front of him. “I wanted to let you know in person, that you, Geiravor, are my person. You’re the reason I don’t want to sleep with anyone else when I’m on missions.”

Geiravor reached out to catch his hand gently as she smiled shyly up at him. “You’re my person too.” Her words were soft but even as she dipped her head, her eyes when he saw them were a purple color. Her magic was going haywire like his, and it eases something in his chest that she felt the same way.

His hand squeezed hers and his smile grew. “I’m glad. And you’ll go with me for the festival tomorrow?”

“I already have the seamstress making my dress.” Geiravor beamed at that question, and her already preparing. “I told her we wanted to look like we were together so she’s matching the silver and blue to what your father had made for you.”

Hodr couldn’t be surprised that she had already moved forward with that, she was always one step ahead when she could anticipate things. “I am sure you will look lovely.”

A hum left her. “Flattery may get you everywhere. But only after a bath.” Her nose wrinkled a little, just the way it always did when it was something he did or said.

“Alright. Alright. I’m going. Though, sit with me for dinner tonight?” Hodr started to take a step back but she hasn’t let his hand go, so he didn’t get far.

Her head shook. “What if we got dinner brought up to your room instead? I found this story I can read to you while you rest after your long journey?”

The first answer was a nod, trying to remember what words are for a second. “Yeah. Give me an hour to get a bath? Because that sounds perfect.”

A soft giggle left her and she dipped her head. “Go. Before I change my mind. I’ll meet you at your room with the food and story.”

Listing her hand he still gripped, he placed a kiss to her knuckles. “See you soon, my Princess.” Even as he said and did it, he blushed a light pink. And then he was letting her hand go so he could step back and with a grin, took off toward the baths to get clean.