Giants of the Frost by Kim Wilkins Page B

in a dark red coat, a gold circlet keeping his long black hair in place. Aud, tiny next to Loki's long frame, clutched a stack of books against her.
    Vidar rifted Aud to the ground. "Thank you for returning Aud to me."
    "There's a storm approaching. Can I stay?"
    Vidar checked the clouds again. They drew close; the wind chilled and rain spat down. He couldn't consign his guest to the wild weather. "Yes, of course. Take Heror to the stable and I'll stoke the fire." Loki rode off as Vidar ushered Aud inside. The firelight bathed the dark wooden pillars and beams in warm amber, chasing shadows into the alcoves.
    "I'm sorry," she said, making a taper to light the candles. "He insisted on bringing me."
    "I'm glad he did. You would have been caught in the storm." A rumble of thunder shook the shutters.
    "But now he'll stay the night and you don't like him."
    "Nor do I dislike him," Vidar said, carefully placing two fresh logs on the fire. "I just don't trust him." She offered him the four books. "This is all he would give me. I'll have to go back."
    "No, these are enough."
    "You don't understand. I have to go back because—"
    Loki threw open the door. "What's for dinner?"
    "Welcome, cousin," Vidar said, taking Loki in a brief hug. "Sit with me. Aud will prepare us a meal." He led Loki to the bench nearest the fire.
    Loki fingered the carvings around the pillar beside him. "Beautiful work, Vidar. Your own?"
    "Of course." Vidar had hewn and carved every inch of wood in this house of his own construction. He had thatched the roof, laid the hearthstones, hung every door and shutter. Then there were the fences, the stable, the chicken coop. His father had said such menial work brought shame on the Aesir. "Eternity is a long time to fill, Loki," Vidar said. "It's wearisome to be idle."
    "I agree."
    Aud brought them two cups of mead. Rain beat heavily on the roof, but inside was warm with the smell of woodsmoke and wax.
    "Have you seen your father lately?" Loki asked.
    "Not in five years. You?"
    "I visit from time to time. I'm not always welcome."
    "Because you steal things."
    "I borrow things. I intend to return them all. Eventually."
    "How is he?" Vidar asked.
    "The passing of time eases neither his arrogance nor his folly."
    Vidar smiled. "But is he well?"
    "Oh, they're all well. Your brother is well." Thunder sounded outside and Loki pointed upward. "All the drunken sods in Valhalla will be cowering, thinking it's him—Thor, the great god of thunder."
    "A sad fool with a hammer."
    Loki laughed loudly. "You can't tell them, Vidar. They still think they're gods. Nobody worships them anymore, their great hall grows emptier every year. I can't remember the last time Odin was sober enough to raise a battle with Vanaheim. Yet their self-deception continues." Vidar sipped his mead. He preferred not to think of his family. Aud was in and out of the cook-room, her hair tied in a knot at the nape of her neck.
    Loki followed his gaze. "Your bondmaid broke something that belonged to me today," he said.
    "I'm very sorry."
    "She can work it off. One day a week until the end of the year."
    "I'll give you until winter."
    "It was an object very precious to me."
    "Did you steal it?"
    Loki assumed a mock-indignant expression. "There's that word again."
    "Until winter, Loki. It's a long way to travel between our two homes. I don't want her making the journey in snowstorms." Loki was within his rights to demand some payment from Aud. Vidar just hoped it wouldn't mean weekly visits from his cousin.
    "Until winter, then," Loki conceded.
    Vidar waited until Aud had left the room. "And you are not to force her to lie with you."
    "I've never forced anyone to lie with me. They eventually come willingly. She will." He hooked a thumb toward the cook-room. "I'd wager Heror on it."
    Vidar watched Aud as she held the door open with her hip. With her slender wrists and white skin, she looked very young and vulnerable. "Be kind to her, Loki."
    "Ah, here's