Truth's Heart (The Valkyrie's Passion Book 3): A Valkyrie/Shifter Romance Read Online Free PDF

guy. Besides, what four men could compete with my Magnus? They would all come up lacking.
    Freddy reached us, setting the Eldhrimnir down at our feet. It looked like a cast iron cookpot only made of gold instead of black metal. A handle made of gold wire would hold it aloft over a fire. Its round sides were covered in runes and decorative designs showing a boar being butchered and prepared for a stew.
    “Isn't that a beauty,” nodded Gerdie. “I'm sad to part with it.”
    I reached out and grabbed the wire handle. I lifted the cookpot. It was light. “I thought gold was heavier than iron.”
    “I told you, this is gold impregnated with spells,” laughed Gerdie. “Do you think gold can withstand a simple cook fire. It would melt. No, this gold is as light as aluminum and as strong as titanium. Wonderful work. Makes such delicious stews.” She glanced at her husband. “Remember that stew recipe the nomad in Mongolia taught us.”
    Freddy nodded his head. “Best rabbit stew I've ever had. Do you still have the recipe?”
    Gerdie frowned. “I'm not sure. It's probably in the wagon.”
    I glanced at Magnus, not really sure what to say. “This is...an expensive gift. I'm not sure I can take it.”
    “Americans are so horrible about accepting gifts,” Freddy sighed. “You can accept it because we're freely offering it to you out of friendship. There are no obligations attached.”
    “No favors you want from us in the future?” asked Magnus.
    “I'm sure we'll want favors, and I'm sure you would help us out because we're friends,” Gerdie said. “Not because we gave you a pot.” She pulled me to her, my face pressed against her prodigious bosom as the giantess hugged me. “You are such a sweet thing, Raven. I want you to be happy. I want that villainous trickster to get his comeuppance. I would have Freddy do it, but he doesn't have his sword any longer.”
    “Fine sword,” Freddy nodded. “Best blade ever forged. Wonder what happened to it?”
    Tears burned in my eyes. “Thank you, Gerdie.” My arms slipped around her waist, my right hand still clutching the kettle. “You and Freddy have been too good to me.”
    “Nonsense,” Freddy dismissed. “We're fertility gods. It's our purpose to spread good tidings and provide gifts to help people prosper. It makes us happy. That's why we love our coffee house.”
    I broke the hug with Gerdie, then I gave Freddy an equally fierce hug and a kiss on his whiskered cheek—he really needed to shave more often. It spoiled his feminine charms. I broke the hug, tears burning in my eyes.
    “How do we get to these dwarves?” Magnus asked.
    “Right, right,” laughed Freddy. “They lie in Muspellheim, another world. It is a land of fire and giants. Surt lives there.”
    “Surt?”
    “He's this bully,” Gerdie said. “Never liked Freddy. He's always making fun of my husband's dresses. You watch out for him. He's no friend to trespassers in Muspellheim. He's the chief fire giant. But I know you'll be fine. You have this strapping man to protect you.”
    “Raven's more than capable of protecting herself,” Magnus admitted.
    A warm flush shot through me.
    “Still, every woman enjoys a strong man there to watch her back. I know you'll two will be fine. To get to Muspellheim, you need to reach the Steward Mineral Springs. It lies north of Mount Shasta in its foothills. A Yggdrasil root dives into the spring. You can't miss it. Once you've crossed over, head east from the root until you find the dwarves' cave.”
    I smiled at her. “Thank you, Gerdie.”
    “Fare you well,” Freddy said, reaching out to shake Magnus's hand. “And keep moving. The other gods are hunting you. Tyr and Thor have both vowed to bring justice to my sister. You need to unmask Loki's villainy before they find you.”
    “Luckily, Thor isn't the brightest young man. He's a warrior, and he has a temper. And he can drink any one under the table.” Gerdie licked her lips. “But Tyr is far more