The Witch's Heart

by Genevieve Gornichec

consider yourself lucky. I’m letting you know as a friend.” “A friend?” The word was foreign to her. “Yes. I’ve decided it just now.” He cocked his head. “Am I your first friend? What an achievement for you.” She ignored the question. “Seems a rather one-sided decision on your part.”

There was something wild about him, something about his eyes that spoke of deep forests and midsummer nights. Something untamed, unharnessed.

“I would have all of you,” he said quietly, brushing her nose with his. “I would have everything.”

Sometimes, when Loki and Angrboda were sure the children were sound asleep, they slipped away to lie by the fire. Most of the time they were too sluggish to do anything but curl up together and say nothing for a few hours, listening to the snow blowing and the wind howling outside, listening to the fire crackling and feeling its warmth on their hands and faces.

when she pulled away to look at them both, she whispered, “Go, my boys. And show them what you’re made of.”