© 2017 SilverStream22. All Rights Reserved.  

~

  Need something that I can confess
Til' all my sleeves are stained red
From all the truth that I've said  

~

Not to my surprise, I found myself back in the hot springs early in the morning. Jasper and Draver seemed to take immense pleasure in steeping in the hot water. It made sense, the water was warm and enveloping and comforting, wrapping me in warmth.

Jasper and Draver seemed distant from me. I noticed it in the morning, when I rolled on either side of the bed and found that neither of them were present. I really picked up on it when I went to wrap my arms around Jasper's back as he was cooking breakfast and he dodged me like the plague. The same thing happened when I tried to kiss Draver once he came back from Odin's palace.

I realized that this was their punishment for me. They had to go two weeks with not knowing where I was, and now I had to do the same.

Even now as I was soaking in the water, completely naked and ready to fulfill their desires, Jasper and Draver were on the opposite side of the hot springs. 

I got it. I could take a hint.

When I passed by the kitchen after showering from the hotsprings, I noticed there was a letter on the counter.

Gone to Odin's. He's expecting you for lunch. He doesn't know where you were- Thanatos must've done a good job blocking your presence. Good lucking finding an excuse to explain your absence.

- J & D

I set the letter down, biting the inside of my cheek. Fuck.

I pulled my notebook from my jacket hanging on the couch. Athena could help me out with this. After searching for a pen, I returned to the notebook and scribbled a question.

What excuse will Odin accept?

An abnormal gust of wind blew the pages around as the owl detached off the front cover and perched itself on the counter, watching me. 

I stared right back, biting the clicker of my pen. "Are you going to answer me or what?"

The owl tilted its head and an awkward angle, blinking its yellow eyes.

Movement of the notebook drew me back as the pages flipped to my original question. 

I read out her response, watching the owl occasionally. "Take this owl with you. Say it was a gift from me. An assistant of sorts. Say that you were with me on Mount Olympus. Apollo is under review for breaking the Godly Accords, you were visiting him as per my request. Bring the notebook as well. He can write a question of verification. I will approve."

I shut the notebook. Turning to look at the owl. "So. Just you and me, huh buddy?"

In response to that, the owl took flight through the open kitchen window.

I scrambled from behind the counter, snagging my jacket as I jerked open the sliding doors to the hotsprings and chased after the owl.

Running wasn't getting me anywhere so I kicked off, wings catching the up draft as I glided quickly to the owl.

I snatched him up, grimacing when he pecked my hands with his beak.

"Dios mio, stop!" I snapped, making a sharp turn as I began my descent back into the house.

The sliding door swung open and I was unfortunately met with Rosemarie, a cynical smile on her face.

"Hey! Fixed your wings, haven't you? Why don't we take it for a spin, yeah?"

I landed as gracefully as one could when wrestling for dominance with an owl.

"Where'd you get that beauty?" Rosemarie swooped forward, taking it from me.

The owl seemed to take a liking to her. He locked his talons in her arm and began preening.

I huffed, blowing strands out of my face. "Gift. From Athena. Also, how did you get in?"

I heard Ryland and Ryker shuffling in the kitchen. "We broke in!" they called in unison.

Right, of course.

"Why are you here?" I slid the door shut behind Rosemarie and I once we walked in.

While Rosemarie and the twins had their back to me, I made directional eyes for the owl to swoop up the letter.

The bird tilted its head again before snatching up the letter and flying into one of the rooms. 

"So what's for brunch?" Rosemarie sat on the couch, Ryland and Ryker sitting on opposite sides of her.

I gaped at them. "You did not come from the palace to my house just because you want to have brunch."

Ryker's small smile dropped from his face. "You're right. We're here because we know what happened last night."

Shit.

"And- before you say anything- we want you to know that we are on your side. Rosemarie can be a little eccentric but she does care for you in her own strange way." Ryland promised.

I crossed my arms. "I doubt it. Odin is just trying to get conspiracy theories through you about where I've been the past two weeks. I've already given you my answer. The owl was a gift from Athena. He's supposed to accompany me throughout my time here until the threat, Loki, is subdued."

I kept note that they hadn't mentioned just exactly what they thought happened last night.

Rosemarie leaned forward, all sense of crazyness lost as she locked her eyes with me. 

"Odin is fighting a losing battle. He is losing his mind after finding out that Thor and Baldr have been compromised. Despite our persistence to rally the remaining Valkyries, he refuses to reveal the location. But I know there are three left. One of them is in Cairo. We are leaving tonight. Are you with us, or not?"

I blanked, trying to process this. "Wait, what? How do you know where it is?"

Rosemarie tapped her head. "You may be the Þrima, but I'm the Mōðir. I'm interconnected with all the Valkyries, I know their locations based on how strong my connections are. Once I find her, she can recall her bond with the other two and I can get a strong sense of where they are."

I gripped the edge of the counter. "Have you spoken to Jasper and Draver about this?"

Ryker nodded grimly. "They do not seem keen on betraying Odin."

I shook my head. "It's not that. There's more to this going on. It's no longer just us being hunted down. There's something bigger at stake. I think-"

Ryland sat up straight. "You think this could be Ragnarok?"

I groaned, hoping that no one would voice my thoughts. "Shit. Yes. God, I hope not."

"Let's pray that it is not." Ryker blew out a heavy sigh. "So are you with us?"

I hesitated. "Where will you be leaving from?"

They glanced at each other. "We were hoping from here. Maybe around ten."

I nodded. "Let me check with Jasper and Draver. I'm sure they would be okay with going."

They made their way to the door, but I stopped Ryland from leaving.

He rounded, facing me straight on. "Do you need anything?"

"What is Odin's play? If he wasn't going to round up the Valkyries, what did he plan to do to fight Loki?"

He cupped the back of his neck, wincing. "He was going to use you as his champion in the Trials."

I paused, glancing up at him in surprise. "What are the Trials?"

He swallowed. "You fight to the death against creatures from all nine realms, save for Midgard. Odin is betting on you winning. If you do, most of the realms will give their assistance to you."

I frowned. "And I get no say in this?"

He laid a hand over the one I had on his arm, his eyes softening. "Faye, when did you ever think you had a say? Odin is the All father, he has no reason to report his decision to you."

I stepped back. "Yet you knew."

He crossed his arms, "I knew because I am by his side. If I didn't spend almost every waking moment at guard with him and Ryker, I would've never known."

"Is the Trials something of only Norse mythology?" I gulped, already knowing my answer despite the fact that he left it out from his explanation.

Ryland cleared his throat. "No. It is for all the mythologies. It was an event created outside of the Godly Accords."

I recalled Poseidon's words: "I'm betting a lot of sand dollars on you."

Oh God. The future of Asgard and the nine realms rested on my shoulders...if we couldn't rally the remaining Valkyries.

I pulled away entirely, crossing my arms. "Thank you for telling me. Everything makes a lot more sense now. Goodbye Ryland."

He nodded sharply, turning to exit the house. To both of our surprise, Jasper and Draver where the ones who opened to door. I didn't miss the way that they openly glared at me. Only this time I felt like it wasn't for appearances.

"Why were you alone with Ryland?" Jasper narrowed his eyes suspciously.

I held back a snort. "That's the first thing you say to me all day? Wow. Thank you for the vote of confidence."

Draver rushed forward, curling his fist at the nape of my neck to tug my head back. "We warned you not to bring males into our home. Did you not read the ground rules?"

"Read them? What are you talking about?"

Just then, the friendly neighborhood owl swirled into the living room hovering near me. On the back of the note was the ground rules. 

Shiiiiiit.

Rule #4: No males permitted to be near you, or inside the house, without our explicit permission.

Draver growled low. "The consequence for breaking the rules is silence."

I made light of it. "Silence? So that silent treatment you gave me this morning? All for talking to Ryland in a PG manner about my inevitable demise at the hands of Loki and what my options of survival were? You know I was expecting something kinky from what you made it sound last night-"

And then I couldn't speak anymore. My voice just dropped off into nothingness. My lips were moving, but nothing was coming out. 

A silver trail that looked like thread was following Jasper's fingertips. From the couch, he was able to silence me as the threads wrapped around my throat. He didn't even look up from the book he had in his lap. "Trick I learned from Artemis. Funny how she has no problem giving us tools to punish you. We had a very interesting meeting with her and Odin. We also saw Ryker and Rosemarie in the streets. They debriefed us on the plan you brought up. I told her we'd consider it and they'd get their answer when they returned to the house. No more beautiful lies coming from your mouth, Faye."

I tried to speak again, but Draver tightened his hold and bit my jugular lightly. The sheer thrill of him having the power to tear my throat out had my talons come out. 

"None of that, Faye." he rasped, kissing my ear. "Now go away. Jasper and I need to talk."

The feeling of being dismissed roused my feminist Valkyrie and human side. The owl jumped on my shoulder, pecking at Draver. With a single glare he had the bird freaking out.

"Whoa there!" I spoke, catching it when it lost its footing. 

I was confused then, because I was able to speak. I glanced at them for explanation. Draver handed me the ground rules. The very bottom was the consequence for all of them.

Silence must be maintained when attempting to address us. 

So I was giving them the silent treatment? Or more like they refused to hear me speak.

I crumpled the note in my fist. Turning on my heel, I walked to the bedroom.

I felt more like I was a child then I was their equal. It was back to daycare once more. Next thing I know I'll be getting a bed time or time out when I "misbehave". 

I sat at the balcony, letting the owl perch on my arm. "You seem to like me now that you've been with Rosemarie."

The owl ignored me. Okay. Maybe too early to start being friends. Perhaps we were just acquaintances in times of need.

"Well lunch is soon, isn't it? Should we head out?"

The owl hooted. 

"You need a name first." I eased him off onto the railing. "Once we pick one for you, we can leave. Good idea?"

The owl did its weird head thing again. 

"Alright. Well since you're a gift from Athena, why don't we call you Olive?"

The bird screeched, raising its wings. I flinched back, "Okay. No Olive. How about Oliver? More masculine for you?"

The bird calmed down and cooed. 

"Freaky bird," I muttered, opening the sliding doors of the balcony that connected to our room. "Stay inside with me until I'm done getting ready. I don't trust you to leave without me."

Oliver swooped in and settled himself at the top of the dresser. 

These clothes were mainly robes but thankfully Frigga had appealed to my human side and added more modern clothes. 

Pulling on black jeans and a peach blouse that exposed my midriff, I tied my hair up into a half ponytail, rolling the top portion into a bun. Tossing my jacket back on, I decided I was ready to face Odin.

The owl followed me out the door. Jasper and Draver were in the kitchen, whispering to themselves. I snatched up my notebook from the counter and made my way to the front door. 

Jasper and Draver blurred in front of me, preventing me from leaving. 

I frowned, wanting to say something but knowing I couldn't. 

"Did you even read the rules?" Jasper growled. "You do not leave without kissing us and telling us where you're going."

I glared at him, pointing at my voice box.

He flashed his canines. "Don't give me attitude. Are you going to Odin's?"

I nodded. 

Draver arm slipped under my blouse, pulling my flush against him. "Not in this. Change."

I narrowed my eyes, pushing against his chest. 

 I shouldered past them to open the front door but Jasper stopped me. 

"Kiss." he demanded. 

I tilted up, giving him a peck. I did the same for Draver.

Jasper snarled, "That is not enough."

He slammed me back against the door and I could hear Oliver's wings flapping agitatedly. Jasper cupped the back of my thighs, lifting so I could wrap my legs around his waist. 

"Give me a kiss, Faye." he whispered. "A real one."

I hesitated but nevertheless pulled him down for a kiss that quickly turned rough, his teeth tugging at my bottom lip. 

He pulled back as Draver took his turn, sweeping my legs out from me just as Jasper stepped away. He held me bridal style as he made love to my mouth. 

Fuck. I forgot how amazing they were at kissing. 

They both turned around, impassive expressions like robots. 

"Goodbye Faye." Jasper muttered carelessly. 

And I didn't know that it would hurt so much for them to act like this, so cold and indifferent. Here I was panting from our kiss, but they seemed completely unaffected. Like I was some blow up sex doll. 

I had really pissed them off by leaving without telling them. I guess this is what I had coming. My only question was how long this treatment was going to last and if they were ever going to trust me again- enough to remove the ground rules.