Page 21

In the end, Tyr and Asher were right, because the second my belly was full, I was feeling sleepy. As if it was all catching up with me, or perhaps it was being pregnant. Most likely a combination of both. I honestly didn’t know, but one thing was for sure, the second I was home, I was buying a dummy’s guide on being pregnant… that was,if I and this baby ever made it home in one piece.

Gods, I sure hoped so. I rubbed a hand to my belly.

The second I started to yawn, giving away this sleepy fact, Tyr chuckled and asked the waitress if they had a room available. When the answer had been no, his handsome grin disappeared and his blue eyes started to glow, narrowing as he demanded,

“Make one available.”

This gave me the impression that the God of Justice and War was used to getting his way and now was no exception. Not when she rushed back with a large iron key and giggled nervously.

“Er, wouldn’t you know, one just became available,” she said, then glanced behind her for us to see a female and male demon shuffling down the stairs. Doing so with all their clothing in their arms as if they had been in the middle of something and were still trying to dress as they were made to vacate the room. I couldn’t help but feel bad for them but clearly, Tyr felt nothing.

He simply stood, finished off the last of his ale, and offered me a hand, telling me,

“Time to put you to bed.”

However, Asher was up out of his seat, not even bothering with the rest of his own ale.

“Yes, allow us tobothescort you,” he said, emphasising the wordboth.

Again, Tyr looked like he wanted to punch him, his scowl would have made weaker men drop to their knees. However, Asher didn’t seem to bat an eyelid at this, instead focusing back on me.

“After you, Ella.”

I couldn’t help but beam up at him, silently thanking him for being so protective with a nod. So, we made our way up to the second floor, and I soon realized it was just an extension of the floor below as it held more seating. And like downstairs, the tables were full and bustling with chatter and drinking.

Tyr had obviously been here before, as he guided us through an arched beam that opened into a long hallway full of doors. Which meant we must have been in one of the buildings attached next door.

Each of the doors held symbols, like ancient numbers, making Tyr look down at his key before stopping at the right door. Then once inside, the first thing I noticed was how sparse it was. As literally, it was nothing more than a few single wooden frame beds, that had the bedcovers rumpled up on one of them. This was obvious now as to what the vacated couple had been up to.

As for the rest, there was also a small table with two chairs, a tattered rug that was so old it forgot what color it was, and a window that must have looked out to the street.

“This is pitiful,” Tyr complained, screwing his nose up at what was the bare minimum, no doubt used to sleeping in his own temple dedicated in his honor. I couldn’t help but internally laugh, as he was this rough, ready, warrior Viking God, and the sight of dust and threadbare covers were appalling to him.

“It isn’t much but it’s better than the ground,” Asher said, making me shrug, and tell them,

“At this point, I could sleep on a porcupine’s ass.” To which they both laughed. Then Tyr unbuckled his layers, laying one down for me to sleep on and then bringing the fur from across his shoulders so as I could use it as a cover.

“Thanks,” I said, making him grin, like my thanks had been the equivalent to winning the battle.

“You’re welcome, Bál Ásynja.”

Asher frowned before getting closer and telling me,

“Get some rest, for we will wake you when we think it best to leave.”

Well, I didn’t need to be told twice, I was out like a light. However, what I didn’t expect was waking hours later to overhear Tyr and Asher talking about me… or should I say…

The plans they had for me.

“We will have to leave soon if we are to make it to the portal back to the mortal realm,” I heard Asher say, making Tyr question,

“And what of the fact that her HellBeast isn’t there waiting for her?”

At this question I held my breath, wondering what Asher’s reply would be.

“She won’t like it, but that is our only goal here, to get her back to where her aunt and uncle can keep her safe.”

Well as nice as that sounded, they were in for a shock, and I woke up saying,