I release a slight whimper as I draw my lips away and offer my neck. With his eyes clouded over, Albert grins and dives in to taste my skin. I continue to make fake moans of pleasure. I get Brahm and Bergot’s attention with my eyes. I smile and slightly tilt my head backward. Brahm sniffles and nods as he scoots closer to me.
Albert’s lips are in my cleavage now, making my stomach grow sick. I pray for Brahm to hurry. When Brahm has the dagger and shuffles back toward Bergot, I release another moan to cover their noise.
“Albert, not in front of them. Please.” I give him a sultry grin. “Is there somewhere we can be alone?”
Albert nods and cups my cheeks. “Good idea, my goddess.”
As soon Albert stands, Bergot raises her palm and knocks him down with her powers. He lies asleep on the floor of the tiny, dim temple. I exhale a steady stream of air through my lips, letting the nausea subside. Bergot takes her ropes and binds Albert’s wrists and ankles.
With reddened cheeks, I turn toward Brahm as he cuts my ropes. “I’m so sorry.”
“That was painful to watch.” He clenches his jaw as he works. When my wrists are free, Brahm moves to my ankles and looks at Bergot. “What are we going to do now?”
“Shh. Let me think.” The goddess bows her head and hums.
Brahm sits next to me but stares with wide eyes at Albert. My heart aches at the thought of him mad at me.
“Please look at me, Brahm. I’m sorry.” I lean my head against his shoulder, and he kisses my forehead.
“It’s alright.” He rubs his neck. “Jealousy is a terrible feeling.”
“I know.” I pick up his hand and press my palm against his, where our heart lines can touch. “Always know my heart belongs to you.”
Bergot trembles and yelps in pain. “I cannot do anything here. The magic of my father’s relic is new to me. I need time to practice—away from Hexegot’s curses.”
“Can you summon enough power to get us out of here?” Brahm asks.
Hexegot’s whispers and hums grow loud again.
“She is waking,” Bergot says. “Let us run, and maybe I will grow stronger away from this place.”
We can’t run, Hexegot threatened Thora.
Bergot rushes toward the exit, but I hold out my hands and shout, “No!”
The goddess freezes in place until I lower my palms. “How did you do that? Why did you do that?”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.” I shake my head and point to Hexegot. “But you heard her. She will kill Thora if we attempt to leave.”
“Maybe she was lying?” Brahm lifts my hands to inspect my palms. “Seriously, how did you do that?”
I shrug and open my mouth, but Bergot interrupts.
“I am glad you did, or I might be dead right now. My sister really has cursed the threshold.” Bergot holds her arms in the air near the exit. “I cannot break it. I am too weak.”
“What do you propose we do?” Brahm asks. “We can’t let her keep Gisela.”
“As of now, with her relics, we cannot kill her. If I could get away from here, find my brother and practice, maybe he and I could defeat her.” Bergot hangs her head. “Where could Stargott be? I need time.”
As the goddess paces the floor, my head grows hot with fear, confusion, and anger. I close my eyes and focus on the pain. This time, I allow the power to move through me in a wave of tingling heat. When I open my eyes, Brahm and Bergot are staring at me from below. I’ve somehow floated into the air. I concentrate on lowering myself to the ground, and my body obeys.
Brahm rushes to me and takes my hands. “What was that?”
“I don’t know.”
Bergot shakes her head. “Your powers are growing quickly, Gisela. I thought keeping you in the dark would hold Hexegot at bay. I am sorry I took so long to tell you who you are. Let me see your hands.”
Bergot steps close and takes my hand and Brahm’s. She inspects our palms and nods.
I stitch my brows in confusion. “What?”
“Like I said before, your powers are great, Gisela, but look at his hand.” Bergot tilts Brahm’s palm toward me. “Do you see what I see?”
“Well, I always told Brahm he had the strongest heart line I’ve ever seen.”
“Indeed. The strongest.”
Brahm looks back and forth between us. “What?”
“Only a strong heart like yours can handle the love of a goddess. You two were meant for each other,” Bergot says. “You never had faith in me like your parents, did you? Tell me, Brahm. How long have you worshipped Gisela?”
Brahm chuckles and looks into my eyes. “For as long as I can remember.”
My heart swells inside my chest with love for Brahm, and I press a kiss inside his palm. My elation fades as Hexegot’s humming grows louder and turns into singing. In her incoherent ramblings, one word pierces my ears.
Sacrifice.
The blood drains from my face with a growing ember of an idea. I think Mother Holle knew what would need to be done.
“Bergot,” I say and take a deep breath, “when Hexegot first met with Albert in my form, I could see everything. I even took control for a moment before Hexegot realized I was there…”
She gasps. “Yes. You are very powerful, my dear.”
Brahm turns his wide eyes to me. “What are you two getting at?”
I can’t look at Brahm, or I won’t be able to ask this. With a heavy heart, I ignore him and turn to Bergot. “You say you need to practice. How much time do you need?”
The Sacrifice
“ARE YOU SURE, GISELA?” BERGOT ASKS.
“Yes, she killed my brother and has now threatened my sister. I will do anything to defeat her…even if it’s from inside.”
“No, no, no,” Brahm mutters and shakes his head. “No, Freckles. Bergot can get us out of here, right? You can do something.”
I can feel his desperation as he grips my hand even tighter. I have to fight hard to hold back tears.
“No, Brahm.” Bergot shakes her head. “Not here. All I can do is a brief protection charm. Knocking down Albert was easy, but Hexegot will not be. I cannot summon enough strength here. If we want to save Thora and everyone else in the valley, I must leave this place.”
What will happen to me? There’s something I must know before I go through with this. “Bergot, can you do me one favor before Hexegot wakes?”
“What is that?”
“Can you summon enough power to check on my sister? Are you able to see her?”
She pats my shoulder. “I will try, my dear.”
Bergot hangs her head, whispering and humming into a trance. I finally turn to Brahm, whose eyes are brimming with tears. He shakes his head and looks away at Hexegot, who is still meditating.
I reach for him, but Bergot exhales and sits up. “Thora is very well, indeed.”
Joy rises in my chest, and I release a tearful chuckle. “Yeah? She’s alright?”
“Yes. Your father has not touched one drop of alcohol since May Day, and your Uncle Erik gave him his woodworking job back. Your mother and Thora have been selling goods at the market. They invested some of the money Brahm gave them to purchase more goats, and the rest they are saving. Thora has not gone hungry at all.” Bergot wraps her arm around me as I cry happy tears.