Free Oathbreaker by Amy Sumida

room, with a row of steps leading up to the overstuffed mattress. At the foot of it, was a large cabinet that appeared wide enough to hold my entire wardrobe… and that’s a hell of a feat. Vibrant tapestry panels hung from the bed's sturdy beams and thick furs were tossed across a fluffy comforter.
    A calming breeze blew in through the large windows that dominated the wall across from me, teasing the tree branches into song and playing along my skin in a gentle welcome. The trees pressed in so close, I could almost imagine the room was built right into those generous branches. It was very Swiss Family Robinson…or maybe Ewok, I’m not sure.
    Just beyond the trees, I could see the well maintained vegetable garden and the source of the apple scent, trees filled with the bright red fruit. Behind those, the mammoth forest took over but it looked barely held in check, like at any second, it could spring its bounds and lunge for the Hall.
    Giving my attention back to the room itself, I found myself a little surprised that Odin hadn’t given me a more feminine suite, but I was also glad. I loved the space immediately. There was an almost tangible feeling of acceptance in the room, a warmth that seeped into my skin and lured me into lingering. I started to worry that magic was afoot but then I concentrated my little witchy senses and discovered that the only magic in the room was a spell of protection and preservation, probably for all the books.
    I kicked my shoes off and padded through the thick silk carpets so I could scrunch my toes up in them, sighing as the softness wrapped around my tired feet. The room was perfect.
    Off to the right and near the windows was a round table and chairs, out of the same dark wood the walls were paneled in. A well loved desk stood near one of the bookshelves on the left, like a wooden librarian guarding her wards, and in the exact center of the room was a sunken, circular, sitting area with a round hearth in the middle of it. A chimney hovered above the hearth, paneled again in the polished wood, and disappeared into the ceiling. There was a fire already crackling happily, and the round couch built into the sunken walls that circled the hearth, had thick furs and blankets strewn about it invitingly. I couldn’t resist their siren’s call. Odin found me curled up there when he returned with mugs of hot mead.
    “ This room is amazing,” I accepted the mug and smiled at him as he sat down next to me.
    “ I thought it would suit you,” he watched me with a guarded expression. “Have you perused the books yet?”
    “ I looked at a few of them,” I’d been a little surprised to find antique occult books and spell books of unknown origin but I knew Odin was an avid student of the occult, so it wasn’t too strange and as far as the unfamiliar spell books, I had an inkling of where they were from. “Do you use this room a lot? It seems like the books are a valuable collection.”
    “ I visit often,” he looked far off for a moment. “I like to come here to read. I feel at ease here.”
    “ It does feel very peaceful,” I sipped my mead, savoring the rich, sweet spiciness of  honey and cinnamon.
    “ I hope you’ll be happy here,” his large fingers curled around his mug. “This room hasn’t seen happiness for a long time.”
    “ I’m sure I will,” I felt a tremor of unease at his wording; it sounded more permanent than my visit should. “It’ll only be for a little while anyway.”
    “ You’re staying until we’ve discovered the traitors, right?” There was a note of anxiety in his tone.
    “ That was the deal,” I frowned, wondering if I’d underestimated the task. “It shouldn’t take that long though.”
    “ I hope not but I can’t promise anything,” he searched my face again.
    “ We’ll work it out,” I looked into the fire and saw Trevor’s eyes glowing back at me. He wouldn’t be pleased with a long visit.
    “ Thank you,” Odin’s voice brought my