Dark Devotion: Dark Series 3 Read Free Page A

nose.
    A shaggy beard.
    But there was one thing to distinguish him from any other dwarf in his kingdom. And that was the ostentatious crown perched on top of his head. Diamonds traced the scalloped edge of the crown, which was made from a mix of yellow and rose gold. A combination of rubies, emeralds and sapphires adorned the curved edges wrapping around Hreidmar’s head.
    “It has been too long, Hreidmar. How are you fairing?”
    The old dwarf gave him a broad smile that showed his yellow teeth. Gesturing to the small seat beside him, he said to Odin, “Please,” before lowering himself onto his golden throne. “Been doing just fine, Odin. What can I do for you?”
    Giving the king a nod, Odin took the other seat, shifting to get into a comfortable position, which proved nearly impossible. Gold was not a forgiving metal to sit on.
    “I have come to collect what you owe me.”
    Hreidmar’s gray brows rose slightly. The dwarves were a self-sufficient race, but they still needed help from time to time. And Odin had provided them with it in their hour of need. But Odin never wanted to have the roles reversed; to be indebted to the dwarves meant to promise something without knowing what it might be. It could be small like jewels or gold, or it could be large like the gifting of a child for nefarious purposes.
    Hreidmar sat back into his throne, carefully studying Odin. “What is it that you need of me, All-Father?”
    That was simple: he needed a way to control Loki. Imprisoning him had crossed his mind before, but he always decided against it; he simply couldn’t bring himself to do it – his love for Loki was just too strong. But family had always been Loki’s weakness, and that was how Odin would gain the upper hand.
    “A chain strong enough to bind Fenrir forever.”
    “Loki’s son? Is this the same Fenrir of whom you speak?”
    Odin nodded, knowing the dwarf had many more questions and bracing himself for them. But … to his surprise, none came. The dwarf king nodded just once and stretched out his hand.
    “Agreed. My best craftsman can do that for you.”
    “Can you guarantee its strength? Fenrir has broken free of his bindings before. He is a dangerous beast that needs to be taken to heel.”
    Hreidmar looked over at the dwarf who had shown Odin in. “Rago, fetch Brok. Tell him to come immediately.”
    Rago nodded briskly and excused himself from the room. A few minutes passed before Rago returned with another dwarf. The pair could have been brothers – their likeness was that strong. Brok was the same height as Rago, with the same wiry, gray hair. The only thing to set him apart was the fact that the dwarf had only one eye, a jagged but faded scar criss-crossing where the appendage used to be.
    The heavy leather apron hanging from his shoulders almost scraped the ground as he walked to the dwarf king, his shoulders rolling forward as he lowered his head. In his hands, he twisted a pair of leather gloves nervously.
    “King Hreidmar, you summoned me?” he asked, his voice like gravel.
    “Yes, Brok, I did. I have need of your skills.”
    The dwarf looked up. “I would do whatever you ask, my king.”
    “You will be paid handsomely for your work, since this is a special task for the All-Father,” Hreidmar said.
    Brok turned his attention to Odin. “What do you need, All-Father?”
    “A binding strong enough to ensnare and keep Fenrir bound forever.”
    The craftsman’s small smile turned into a knowing grin. “I’ve been working on something that would be perfect for that. I call it gleipnir , and it has been made with six things that are not of this world, or any of the Nine Worlds.”
    Intrigued, Odin sat forward in his seat. “Go on.”
    “I created it with the sound of a cat’s footfalls, the beard of a woman, the roots of a mountain, the breath of a fish, the spittle of a bird and the sinews of a bear.”
    “And where is this binding now?” Hreidmar asked.
    “At my