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“Yeah, I’m excited.”

“I bet! The instatement ceremony is always so much fun! There’s like a party, and food, and dancing! It’s a blast. You’ll love it, I promise.”

“Speaking of …” Kolfinna slipped her hand in the pocket of her dress and pulled out the Hope badge with her name carved on the back. “I got the badge you made me.”

Eyfura’s cheeks flushed at the sight of the crudely made lion. “I’m glad you got it. It’s embarrassing that it looks so bad, though. I actually made a few of them, but they were terrible and I had to start over. I had asked Magni to help me with the lion’s face, but he refused.”

“I’m surprised he didn’t help you, considering he seems to like you.”

“What?” Eyfura looked at her like she had grown two heads. She laughed in disbelief. “Magni? No way!”

“He was devastated when he thought you died.”

Eyfura tilted her head. “Really? But, well, he probably likes me as a friend, nothing more.” But even as she said that, her gaze lingered on the vibrant purple assortment of lavender, petunias and amaranths in the vase on the nightstand.

“Did Magni get you those flowers?”

Eyfura’s cheeks became pink.

Kolfinna continued, “And he seems to know that … purple is your favorite color?” It was a wild guess, but she had noticed that Eyfura wore purple earrings. It probably didn’t mean anything, but Eyfura nodded dumbly, affirming her suspicions.

“There’s no way he likes me.” Eyfura laughed again and she pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re making me feel awkward about this now!” She shook her head, and her amethyst earrings caught in the light. “Anyway, what about you and Blár Vilulf? I thought he was your sworn enemy, and here you are, practically showing off to everyone that you have his favor. What wasthatabout?”

Now it was Kolfinna’s turn to blush. “How’d you hear about that?”

“Everyone’stalking about it. EvenIheard about it, and I’m stuck here.”

“It’s not like that. We’re just … acquaintances, I guess.”

“I think I’ve got a lot to catch up on. And I guess it’s a good thing I’m stuck here, so you better fill me in.”

They both laughed. Even with the threat of Ragnarök, of Revna, and of her position in the world hanging over her head—Kolfinna felt lighter to be talking to Eyfura in such a manner. All those worries seemed to melt away. She would take care of those issues later. For now, she would focus on this moment—laughing with her friend. It had been over a year since she had spoken to someone like this. Katla had been the last one she had ever been close to, but maybe there was room for others. And Kolfinna knew that this was what Katla had wanted all along. To belong somewhere.

To be continued