Chapter 41 #2
I concentrate, drawing my human form back to the surface. The change reverses. Fur receding, bones shifting, until I stand upright once more. The cold evening air hits my naked skin, but I barely notice it after centuries of shifting in all conditions.
Astrid watches, her wolf form trembling slightly with concentration.
"Focus on your human form," I murmur. "Your body knows."
For a moment, nothing happens. Then, with a shudder that runs through her entire body, the transformation begins. The golden shield pulses, feeding whatever it is her magick needs as her shift releases. Within moments my mate kneels before me in her human form, naked and shivering in the cold air.
Frigga's dome dissipates in shimmers of light.
I help her to her feet, pulling her against me for warmth. "Well done," I whisper against her hair.
"That was..." she starts, then shakes her head, seemingly at a loss for words.
"Exhilarating," I supply with a smile. "It gets easier each time."
Frigga approaches and removes a ring from her finger. A band of twisted gold set with a deep blue stone with starlight swimming inside it. A galaxy gem. Only Odin can make them.
"For you, daughter," she says, offering it to Astrid. "This will create the shield whenever you need to shift, containing your magick so it harms no one. And it's enchanted to remain with you even in wolf form, so you won’t lose it."
Astrid stares at it, then at Frigga. "That's possible?"
"Many things are possible with the right knowledge," Frigga says with a smile. "Take it."
Hesitantly, Astrid accepts the ring and slides it onto her finger. “Thank you. I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”
“You’re very welcome, dear.”
"Where are the clothes?" Astrid asks suddenly, seeming to remember her nakedness as she tries to cover herself with her hands. Then she steps quickly behind me to hide.
Eir appears in the doorway behind Frigga, carrying folded garments. “I have them.”
"My dear," Frigga says gently, "In Asgard, nakedness is just a given when shifting. Everyone here is a wolf."
Astrid peeks around my shoulder. "Everyone?"
"Well, nearly everyone," Frigga amends. "The Valkyries are not. But you'll find our people are far less concerned with such things than humans tend to be."
"Great," Astrid mutters, "an entire civilization of casual nudists."
I can't help but laugh, which earns me an elbow in the ribs from Astrid. I take both cloaks from Eir and turn to wrap one around Astrid's shoulders. She clutches it gratefully, pulling it tight around herself.
"Thank you," she says to Eir, her cheeks still flushed.
"You're welcome, dear one." Eir smiles warmly. "Though you have nothing to be embarrassed about. You're quite lovely."
If anything, this makes Astrid blush harder. I wrap my own cloak around my shoulders, hiding my smile.
"The wolf suits you well, Astrid" Eir observes with professional interest. “It’s good to see you’re able to shift so easily already. Some children get stuck for weeks when they first start shifting.”
“Oh, well… thank you,” Astrid says. “Look at you guys just leaving out the extra instructions about the risks of shifting into a wolf.”
I chuckle and shake my head. “Would it have stopped you?”
She glares up at me, her lips pursed tightly. Then she sighs. “No.”
"Let's get you both inside," Frigga says. "The day grows colder, and I imagine this isn't quite the welcome you expected."
"Not exactly," Astrid agrees dryly.
I place my arm around her shoulders as we follow my grandmother through the palace corridors. Servants and courtiers we pass avert their eyes respectfully, though I catch several curious glances directed at Astrid.
"Is everyone looking at me because I'm a newcomer, or because they all know I was just naked in the garden?" Astrid whispers.
"Both, probably," I reply honestly.
"Your suite has been prepared, Fen," Frigga tells us as we ascend a grand staircase. "Fresh clothing awaits, and a bath will be drawn immediately. And yes," she adds with a smile over her shoulder, "actual clothing this time, I promise."
Astrid lets out a small laugh despite herself. "I'd appreciate that."
"What about Nimue?" I ask, keeping my voice low.
Frigga's smile is serene but carries a hint of steel. "The Siren Queen can wait. She arrived unannounced. It's only proper she experience the full hospitality of Odingard, including our... unhurried pace."
Astrid glances at me, eyebrows raised slightly. I give her a subtle nod, acknowledging my grandmother's tactical delay of the Siren Queen.
"How long will you make her wait?" Astrid asks.
Frigga's eyes sparkle with mischief. "Enjoy yourselves. We'll see you for a late dinner in… let’s say about three hours."
“Thank you, grandmother.”
We reach my private quarters without encountering anyone of significance. My rooms occupy an entire wing of the east tower, with windows overlooking both the city and the mountains beyond.
I pause at the threshold, a wave of emotion washing over me unexpectedly. I never thought I'd see these rooms again as a man, never imagined I'd return with my mate at my side.
My fingers trace the ancient carvings on the door frame—symbols of protection placed there centuries ago. Whole. I am whole again.
"Fen?" Astrid looks up at me, sensing my shift in mood.
I swallow past the tightness in my throat. "It's good to be home," I manage, the simple words inadequate for the storm of gratitude within me. Because of her, I stand here as a man, not a beast. Because of her, I have a future beyond being a feral animal.
I take her hand, pressing it against my chest where my heart beats steadily. "Thank you," I whisper, the words meant for her alone.
She squeezes my hand in response. “You saved me too, you know.”
“We saved each other.” I press a kiss to her forehead and pull her into a hug.
She melts against me, her arms sliding around my waist. There is only her warmth against me and her scent surrounding me.
"Forgive the interruption," my grandmother's voice is gentle.
Astrid stiffens in my arms, though she doesn't pull away. I turn us slightly, keeping one arm around her shoulders as servants file in with steaming ewers of water and trays laden with food.
"Your bath should be ready shortly," Frigga continues, her eyes twinkling as they move from me to Astrid. "I've taken the initiative and selected suitable dinner attire for both of you."
Frigga gestures to the servants. "Leave everything as we discussed," she instructs them. To us, she adds, "I'll leave you to settle in.” She smiles as she meets my gaze. "It's good to have you home."
With a graceful nod, she turns to leave, the servants finishing their tasks efficiently before following her out. The door closes behind them with a soft click.
"Your grandmother has impeccable timing," Astrid murmurs.
"A skill honed over millennia," I agree, reluctantly releasing her.
Once they've departed and the servants have finished arranging our bath and refreshments, Astrid begins examining my chambers more thoroughly.
"So this is how a prince lives," she says, trailing her fingers along the carved wooden posts of the massive bed. "Do you have servants who dress you too?"
I move to the table where a simple breakfast has been laid out. "Grandmother does.” I flash her a wide grin. “But only on formal occasions. Are you hungry?"
“Haha, very funny.” She joins me, dropping into a chair, her muscles clearly tired from the run and the transformations. "Starving, actually."
We eat in companionable silence for a few minutes. I watch Astrid eat with undisguised pleasure, enjoying the sight of her becoming comfortable in my space. Our space.
Here's the revised section with Astrid's reaction to Nimue's age and a conversation about Fen's age and her new longevity:
"So," she says eventually, setting down her cup. "This Queen Nimue. Tell me what I need to know. I'd prefer not to embarrass myself."
I lean back, considering where to begin. "Nimue is among the oldest of the Sirens. Their queen for nearly a millennium."
Astrid chokes on her drink. "I'm sorry—did you say a millennium? As in a thousand years?"
I nod, watching her process this information.
"She's a thousand years old?" Astrid sets her cup down with a little too much force. "And I thought dating older men was just a figure of speech."
I can't help but smile at her shock. "Age works differently here."
Her eyes narrow suddenly. "Wait. How old are you exactly?"
I hesitate, realizing I've never actually told her. "I'm... past five hundred."
Astrid stares at me, mouth slightly open. "Five hundred years old? Five. Hundred. Years."
"Five hundred and twenty-eight, to be precise," I admit. "Though that's still relatively young for my kind."
She pushes back from the table, standing to pace the room. "I'm mated to someone who was alive during the Renaissance. Who probably met Leonardo da Vinci."
"I didn't, actually," I say, following her with my eyes. "Though my grandfather did. Said he was brilliant but terrible at finishing things."
"Not helping," she says, running a hand through her hair. "I'm thirty-three. Thirty-three! I'm practically an infant to you."
I rise, moving to catch her hands in mine. "Age doesn't matter the same way here, Astrid. And besides, you're not entirely human anymore."
She stops pacing, looking up at me. "What does that mean?"
"The wolf," I explain gently. "And our bond. You're Asgardian now. Your lifespan will be... extended."
"Extended," she repeats faintly. "By how much?"
"I can't say exactly. But likely a very long time. Most Asgardians live thousands of years."
She sinks back into her chair, looking stunned. "Centuries. I'll live for centuries."
I kneel beside her chair, taking her hand. Too much, too fast. I've had so many years to understand this world, and I'm forcing her to absorb it all in days. Not even that. Hours. Minutes.
"It's a lot to take in, I know." The words feel inadequate even as I say them.