Hela watched Ina eat peacefully, she must eat well to live well.
She smiled contentedly as she also sipped some of the steaming liquid.
Although she didn't need to feed, there was a comfort in the soul to have good food along with pleasant company.
"I didn't expect this kind of food in your people..."
Ina could taste the light mushroom, margarine and meat taste, rich and smooth.
But it didn't seem like the kind of flavor a warrior would eat, she would venture to say that this soup was a clear and simple soup despite the rich flavor.
Hela nodded, Ina's palate was truly formidable.
"It's a recipe from a small tribe... Well, I've been watching human habits for a few millennia. I learned many things from them, whether they were Nordic or not."
Ina sipped more of the soup and the comfortable feeling of drinking something hot completely relieved her tired state.
She thought a little to herself and felt funny.
Hela was a really interesting person. "You seem to have an intrinsic rebelliousness..."
Hela arched her eyebrows and seemed genuinely interested in Ina's way of defining her. "Why do you say that?"
Ina briefly dropped her spoon on her plate and brought a napkin to her lips and finally said. "A god with ambition to be human is rebellious and reckless to say the least."
Hela rose smoothly and picked up a bottle of mead she had found.
She got a cup for herself and Ina and finally filled them.
She brought one of the glasses over to Ina and touched it lightly to the woman's fingertips.
"I poured you some mead, it should help you sleep..."
Ina took the cup and felt the cool sensation as she touched it.
Refreshing.
She took a sip and it really was as sweet as she imagined.
Hela smiled at the approving expression and sat down again at the table. "I agree... It's not like fate is fair to everyone."
Ina felt the voice slightly wistful and nodded.
Fate really wasn't fair to everyone. "Would you like to be reborn as a human?"
Even Hela was surprised by that question, she had never seriously thought about the idea of being human.
Despite envying human life, she still understood that its purpose went beyond many wants and needs.
It remained silent and Ina sipped on a little more soup until she heard a sigh. "Now I think about having a happy marriage, but I assume I already had the desire to be born human."
Ina had finally finished drinking all of her soup and despite the silent atmosphere she could clearly feel Hela's presence next to her.
Hela kept herself trapped in her thoughts about her existence.
There wasn't much to do but think deep thoughts when she was away from her occupation.
Sure, you take care of something for an eternity and suddenly it's not your responsibility anymore... You easily question your real purpose in the universe.
Ina touched her cup again and this time she dedicated herself only to drinking the liquid that was still cold. "Do you know why I'm stuck here?"
"Does Hermes gossip count?"
Ina smiled, one would expect Hermes to talk about it. "Perhaps, I created the fruit that nullifies eternal life, this was seen as an affront to the world of gods..."
Hela listened silently and for a few seconds she could imagine Zeus ranting about this against Ina, it irritated and bothered her.
Immortality was one of the few securities the gods could have, fate could be cruel but not fatal.
She stared at the empty glass and got up to get some more alcohol, but was stopped by Ina who grabbed her wrist.
"Isn't it ironic that I have the secret of eternal life and not the secret of mortality?"
Ina hugged Hela's thin waist and held on to her as if her life depended on it.
Hela didn't know how to act, where to put her hands or what to think, she simply bent down and hugged Ina tightly.
Ina didn't feel sad, she just felt irritated how everything happened so suddenly, but Hela's hug seemed to lighten her heart.
Hela no longer wore the heavy robes, so there was no real reason to worry about protecting her body or hiding her appearance.
Even if Ina saw it, it wasn't something she was willing to hide from her future wife.
The light clothing and thin fabric allowed Ina to feel Hela's rapid heartbeat and that always comforted her.
Hela had Ina in her arms and whispered softly. "What fruit?"
"Cherries."
Hela smiled and touched Ina's cheek. "Sounds sweet."
It didn't take long before Hela broke free of her embrace and poured herself and Ina more drinks.
The two talked softly.
It had only been a few hours, but they seemed to live a lifetime together.
There was no feeling of insecurity or awkwardness, the two opened their hearts and welcomed the life that was ordained for them with open arms.
Despite a punishment they accepted it as a gift.
The two remained in the kitchen for a long time, it seemed the beginning of a habit to enjoy everyday life as a moment of union.
Hela washed all the dishes they used while listening to Ina happily talk about her thoughts and experiences.
Ina finally heard the sound of the water cease and felt ready to go into a topic she thought was pertinent.
She didn't want to have regrets, she wanted to live happily and intensely every moment of her life even if they were short.
"I am not immortal, I must dwell among humans when the thousand years are over, no.."
Hela understood what Ina meant and simply stopped her. "We must live in a good place then."
Hela couldn't live with Ina on Niflheim if she wasn't immortal anymore, she already had plans for her to live somewhere among humans.
But she wasn't going to leave Ina alone.
Niflheim was a place where life was sucked in and ceased.
Life would soon cease and only bones, spirit and flesh would remain.
Marriage was the blessing she had accepted for herself and she would not end up in this world or any other alone.
Ina would remain by her side.
Hela walked slowly over to Ina and knelt beside her. "You don't want to go back to being a goddess anymore?"
Ina smiled, of course she wanted to, but she wanted to have a good life even more.
She had dreams and ambitions from when she was still human and although sudden and bitter, she could now have a fresh start with a woman who brought her peace.
She lightly touched the top of Hela's head, the strands were soft and fragrant.
She smiled a little wistfully.
"I don't know how to do anything other than be a goddess, but time is against me and it goes beyond my will..."
Hela looked into eyes full of life and sweetness and felt her heart sink. "If you could choose, would you choose to go back to being immortal?"
Ina nodded, of course she would, a lifetime was nothing but mere seconds close to a god's eternity.
She was used to thinking that tomorrow would never come, it didn't matter, it was just seconds in her utter insignificance.
But now those same seconds were filled with burden.
After all, when time finally stopped... What would happen?
Hela touched the hand that was stroking her hair and placed it close to her face.
Her face grew hotter with each touch.
"I see… Don't worry."
Ina smiled beautifully and nodded, she didn't care, she now had Hela.
After all the bottle of mead was gone and as a result there was only drowsiness and tiredness left, Hela understood that Ina should sleep.
They'd already toured the house briefly, but Ina would just figure out every single measly space when she could walk by herself.
Hela just wanted to make sure Ina had the slightest knowledge of where she was and how the house would be organized.
"We have three rooms, the one at the end of the hall will be yours… What?"
Hela watched Ina's face that looked strange and troubled, for a second her heart had completely missed the beat.
Ina smiled a little awkwardly and unprepared, maybe it was just a stupid reason... "I thought we were going to share the same room."
Hela could see Ina's slightly flushed face and smiled, feeling funny. "Doesn't that bother you?"
"Of course not, we're practically married."
Hela agreed, maybe there was no problem after all they were all women. "Alright… Let's go to the bedroom then."
She easily lifted Ina into her arms and carried her into the bedroom.
Ina never quite liked the idea of being carried around, but it seemed that she enjoyed being treated that way by Hela.
She felt in her heart that she could even name that feeling... Friendship?
No, it felt unique and intense.
Her heart seemed to speed up every time she felt Hela next to her, what kind of word would define that?!
Well, someday she would find the perfect word, there was no rush.
At that moment she just wanted to curl up in Hela's arms and let herself go.
When finally feeling her body sink onto the mattress she felt that all the tiredness was about to overcome her.
But she still had so many doubts, she still wanted to talk about so many things with Hela.
After feeling lonely for so long she finally had someone by her side and the idea of losing her scared her.
"Hela?"