Reporting In

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
• Prison Break
• Escaping Asgard
• Marriage Plans
• New Normal
• Hunting Trip
• Night Out
• Waltz
• Treason
• Reporting In (this story)
• 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 as he shifted his weight and tugged at the collar of his tunic. The formal tunic made out of some thick fabric caused his skin to itch and he craved to get this over so he could get out of it.

“Would you stop fidgeting?” Baldr’s hand knocked Hodr’s down to his side carefully.

He swallowed the grumble, even as he tried to reign in the frost that itched to ice over the walls around him. “Sorry, I’m tired and I always hate the formality of all of this.”

Shaking his head, Baldr glanced at the guard at the study door. “Maybe if you had gotten more sleep before we came home, you wouldn’t be so tired and irritable.”

The guard’s lips quirked a little despite not looking at either of them. They’d been waiting to see Odin for a while now, Hodr wasn’t sure why their father had summoned them if he wasn’t ready to see them.

By the quirk of lips, Hodr was pretty sure word about him taking a woman into his bed had made it back to Asgard. It wasn’t normal for Hodr, which meant that the news had taken off even faster than them being back. Not that they knew who the mystery woman had been. He’s been tight lipped about it, wanting to keep that it had been his ex and most hunted Jotunheim Queen.

She’d had to keep up the glamour when they were out of one of their rooms to keep her secret, but they had a lot of things out and reconnect. Which, his brother wasn’t wrong, he hadn’t slept a lot in those days. But it had been worth it.

Even Yrsa had teased that he looked like the sex had done him good. Which had only led to him blushing and telling her to stop asking him details.

Before he could answer his brother, the door behind the guard opened and he stepped aside. Gullveig slipped out of the room with the telltale smirk on her red lips. “He’s ready for his princelings.” She moved to Hodr’s side, nail teasing down his tunic. “If you’re now finally opening your bed, you’d be surprised at the options available.” She winked before moving down the hallway.

“I hate her,” Baldr grumbled before he straightened and with a nudge of his brother to get Hodr moving, walked into the room.

Hodr couldn’t blame Baldr. The nail down his chest, even through the thick fabric made him shudder, and not in the good ways. Though the lazy look on his Father’s face had him wrinkle his nose.

Odin’s eyes may have been a little lazy, but they sharpened on his sons. “What do you have to report to me from Alfheim?”

Both of them stopped in front of his desk, standing at attention and keeping their hands at their sides. Though Hodr stayed quiet, letting Baldr take lead. Even if it made him nervous to do so, because Baldr has been the only one to figure out who the woman has been. He had helped them keep their secret, and Hodr hoped he would keep that to himself.

“We secured a betrothal and an alliance with one of the king’s daughters for me. They were happy to broker peace between our realms, aligning to you, Allfather.” Baldr bowed his head, though Hodr could see the slight tense of his jaw at having to be betrothed at all.

Hodr was willing to bet even if their father reneged on the peace, he’d want Baldr to keep the wife. She was lovely, and honestly looked like she’d fit right in with their father’s mistresses.

Odin nodded and leaned forward. “Good. Securing them as an alliance will make it easier to keep them from joining Jotunheim and give us a reason to go back to find the Seers.” His blue eyes slid to Hodr and for some reason the look have Hodr the chills. His father was likely trying to gleam information off him, but Hodr kept himself mind fairly blank.

“We’ve been able to confirm that they’re in the city,” Baldr confirmed with a nod. “With another trio we should be able to contain and bring them back.”

A hum left him. “Good. They'll be right where we want them.” His lips quirked up as his gaze pierced Hodr. “I heard you finally dipped into playing a little more. Finally doing the family tree proud.”

Hodr shifted a little, not knowing how to deal with the pride in his father’s voice. “It was just a way to relieve stress.” And a way to secure his love of the woman who had been required to head home to her own realm.

“I’m sure I can help you find someone else to help you relieve your stress in Asgard.” Odin chuckled and shook his head. “We’ll have to have a feast to celebrate your betrothal, my son.” Attention back on Baldr, Hodr couldn’t say he was surprised.

Baldr bowed slightly. “Thank you, father. That would be wonderful if we could.•

Part of Hodr was amused, but part of him wasn’t surprised at the feast. Their father tried to find any reason to feast and be merry. And few argued it, if only because they were always a good time. If you liked that kind of thing.

“Dismissed. But be ready for the feast tonight.” His voice was warmer than usual, but the two bowed and slipped out the door.

Hodr’s heart started to slow again when they were in the hallway and headed to his room. His brother hadn’t mentioned who he was with. A small miracle. And a feast tonight would be perfect, because the mead flowed freely at feasts, well more freely. Which meant he could slip out tonight.

“But how will we be together?” Her words echoed in his head. How indeed. Traveling through shadow and portal were dangerous, even more so if their father was hunting you down. Both had agreed his leaving Asgard would be good, she’d even given him a shadow spell to help him stay invisible on his way out.

“I’ll see you tonight, brother.” Baldr’s words pulled Hodr out of his head.

Nodding, Hodr nodded. “Yeah, thanks. I’ll see you tonight.” At least for a small appearance. For now, he headed back to his room to set his plan into motion.