“And if he doesn’t? Will I be returned? And what of my people? Shall the gods ride down from this place to save them?”
There was a chance to pull back and return. A part of me applauded this decision; it might be my chance to save my people.
“Worry not, Nanna. All will be well.”
His answer was nothing but an attempt to coddle me. Sure, he’d saved me from a legion of Roman soldiers who would have executed me in the most public of ways, but that didn’t mean he owned me. I was not a woman to be owned by any man. I’d heard of what they did to those who resisted—fighting in the grand Coliseum to the death for their entertainment or stretched out on their wooden torture tables to die slowly.
Yet, here I stood because of a god who’d saved me. I trusted a dream, and in those dreams, he’d always been kind, honorable even.
Maybe, I could convince him to help me. If Melqart would not answer our prayers, perhaps it was time we had a new patron god of Carthage. My people needed me, and I needed him to help save them, no matter what.
The Rainbow Bridge shimmered with an array of colors, new and fresh. But it was the stars that awed me the most. They twinkled so brightly, and as we walked through the ether of night, I breathed in pure, fresh air—air so rich and sweet, it filled my lungs and made every part of my body tingle.
Then we crossed over the Bifrost Bridge, and a gate opened, revealing a golden city before me.
“Welcome to Asgard.”
Nanna
Asgard, the City
As we reached the end of the Bifrost Bridge, a solid gate appeared on one side, on an incline, while the other side held a doorway with runic markings carved into the surrounding stone. These signs must have given options as to where one could go, but for the life of me, I couldn’t figure them out. The markings were of different shades: one was a vibrant purple that could have been peeled right from an eggplant’s skin; another was as richly red as a pomegranate’s seed.
“What is this?” I asked, pointing toward the signs.
“This is the bridge’s end, whereat one can choose which part of Asgard to enter, either by the gate or the doorway. Asgard is not only the name of the realm, but also the name of its capital. There are many lands and regions in the realm, and each of the gods have their own halls. When we are in the city of Asgard, we also have our place with the All-Father, for a daily meeting of the minds is necessary, and of course, our own home.”
We. It held such foreboding. I wasn’t sure I could carry with me what this word implied. “You know, you speak of a ‘we,’ but my heart’s desire must first be unlocked, and such a gift cannot be simply commanded. When I love, I love with every part of my being.”
“That’s a long explanation as to how I will win you,” Baldr said.
He smiled a dashing smile—one that stirred something within my belly. It was filled with unsaid promises of pleasure, desire, and most importantly, my guaranteed satisfaction.
Even under his armor, his body appeared as if it were carved from marble—broad shoulders, defined arms built for carrying heavy weapons and defending, and a handsome face that was easy on the eye. His thick blonde hair hung about his face, and rich stubble rested on his strong jaw.
“Pft,” I muttered, and felt my face begin to blush.
“Come, there is much to see that is beautiful,” he said.
I’d never seen anything like this, a sky deeper and bluer than I’d ever witnessed.
“Tell me of this place.”
“Asgard is one of the nine realms, and the home of the Norse gods.”
I sighed. “Nine realms, you say?”
“Yes, love—”
“And the others?”
“Our cosmology is different from what you know on Earth. We have the tree of Yggdrasil, the Tree of Life, and on its branches, at the very bottom, is Helheim, the land of the dead. Then comes Svartalfheim, the land of the dwarves, and on the next plain, is your home, Midgard, which is connected to Asgard by the Rainbow Bridge. Vanaheim is the land of the Vanier, another tribe of gods, and Jotunheim is where the giants dwell, which begins just over the river there. Beyond it is Alfheim—the land of the elves.”
I began to chuckle. “Yes, this is all quite different.”
His eyes sparkled as he shared this piece of information. He could have been cruel, or ridiculed my lack of knowledge, but instead, he’d shown kindness and patience.
“And I didn’t even make it through all nine.”
“All of these places have gods like you?”
“No, love. They retain their own populations. Some who are friendly with the gods, and some who would seek to destroy us. Just as Earth, or Midgard, is the home of humans, Asgard is the home of the Aesir, the gods and goddesses.”
I cleared my throat. “In which direction will this beauty take us?”
“That, my love, will all depend on which way you decide to go.”
I let him talk, interested in hearing every nuance he wished to provide me with. From my position on the bridge, I stared at the view—tall buildings crafted with the best stones jutted into the sky, and far below, Asgardians strolled along the golden streets.
“How is it that your feet do not burn on your golden streets?”
“The streets may appear like gold from far away, but they are made of granite, strong enough to support the thousands of feet that they must carry, as well as the hooves of our thunderous steeds.”
We headed toward a large building, which reminded me of a humongous Roman shrine, larger and grander than any Phoenician temple. The
