Underworld Gods Series by Karina Halle

Underworld Gods Series by Karina Halle – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.books2020.com Wed, 25 Dec 2024 21:49:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 http://www.books2020.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/favicon.png Underworld Gods Series by Karina Halle – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.books2020.com 32 32 Goddess of Light (Underworld Gods #4) Read Online Karina Halle http://www.books2020.com/goddess-of-light-underworld-gods-4-read-online-karina-halle Wed, 25 Dec 2024 21:49:59 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/goddess-of-light-underworld-gods-4-read-online-karina-halle Genre: Alpha Male, Dark, Fantasy/Sci-fi, Paranormal Authors: Karina Halle Series: Underworld Gods Series by Karina Halle
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Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 125422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 627(@200wpm)___ 502(@250wpm)___ 418(@300wpm)

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The battle for the Underworld has begun…

When Hanna Heikkinen sacrificed herself to the God of Death to save her father, she never imagined she’d fall in love with the grumpy god—or thrive as Queen of Tuonela. Nor did she expect to uncover the truth of her divine lineage, a secret tied to powers far beyond her understanding.
But when the Old Gods rise and Louhi’s dark forces plunge the Land of the Dead into Kaaos, threatening to destroy the balance of life and death, Hanna must fight for more than just her realm. With Tuonela unraveling and the souls of the dead at risk of eternal Oblivion, Hanna and Tuoni face impossible odds as love and duty collide.

Can Hanna save Tuonela before it’s lost to the void, or will her greatest sacrifice come at the cost of the one she loves most?

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

GLOSSARY & PRONOUNCIATION

Tuonela (too-oh-nella)

Realm or Land of the Dead. It is a large island that floats between worlds, with varied geography and terrain. The recently deceased travel via the River of Shadows to the City of Death, where they are divided into factions (Amaranthus, the Golden Mean, and Inmost) and admitted into the afterlife. Outside the City of Death, Gods, Goddesses, spirits, shamans, and the dead who have escaped the city can be found.

Tuoni (too-oh-nee)

The God of Death, otherwise called Death, and King of Tuonela, who rules over the realm from his castle at Shadow’s End.

Louhi (low-hee)

Ex-wife of Death, former Goddess, half-demon daughter of Rangaista.

Loviatar (low-vee-ah-tar)

The Lesser Goddess of Death and Death’s daughter. Her job is to ferry the dead down the River of Shadows to the City of Death, a role she shares with her brother Tuonen.

Tuonen (too-oh-nen)

The Lesser God of Death and Death’s Son. He shares ferrying duties with his sister, Loviatar. Tuonen is also a lord in the City of Death and helps oversee things in the afterlife.

Sarvi (sar-vih)

Short for Yksisarvinen, Sarvi is a relic from the times of the Old Gods and originally from another world. Sarvi is a unicorn with bat-like wings who died a long time ago and is composed of skin and bone. Sentient, Sarvi is able to communicate telepathically. While he is a loyal and refined servant to Death, he is also vicious, violent, and bloodthirsty by nature, as all unicorns are.

Ilmarinen (ill-mar-ee-nen)

Louhi’s consort, the demigod shaman she left Death for. He lives with Louhi in their castle by the Star Swamps.

Eero (ay-ro)

A powerful shaman from Northern Finland.

Väinämöinen (vah-ee-nah-moy-nen)

Death’s past adversary and legendary shaman, who became a Finnish folk-hero.

Ukko (oo-koh)

A supreme God and the father of Tuoni, Ahto, and Ilmatar. Husband to Akka.

Akka (ah-ka)

A supreme Goddess, wife to Ukko, and the mother of Tuoni, Ahto, and Ilmatar.

Ilmatar (ill-mah-tar)

Goddess of the Air, sister to Tuoni and Ahto.

Vellamo (vell-ah-mo)

Goddess of the Deep, wife of Ahto. Protector of mermaids. Vellamo can be found in the Great Inland Sea.

Ahto (ah-to)

God of the Oceans and Seas, husband of Vellamo, brother of Tuoni and Ilmatar.

Kuutar (koo-tar)

Goddess of the Moon, Mother of Stars, protector of sea creatures.

Päivätär (pah-ee-vah-tar)

Goddess of the Sun, protector of birds.

Kalma (kahl-ma)

God of Graves and Tuoni’s right-hand man and advisor.

Surma (soor-mah)

A relic from the days of the Old Gods and the personification of killing.

Raila (ray-lah)

Hanna’s personal Deadmaiden.

Pyry (pee-ree)

Deadmaiden. Head cook and gardener of Shadow’s End.

Harma (har-mah)

Deadmaiden. Head of the Shadow’s End servants.

Tapio (tah-pee-oh)

God of the Forest.

Tellervo (tell-air-voh)

Lesser Goddess of the Forest and daughter of Tapio.

Mielikki (Mi-eh-li-kee)

Goddess of the Forest, Tapio’s wife

Nyyrikki (Nye-rick-ee)

Lesser God of the Forest, brother to Tellervo

Hiisi (hee-si)

Demons and goblins of Tuonela, spawns of Rangaista.

Rangaista (ran-gais-tah)

A powerful demon and Old God, father of Louhi.

Liekkiö (lehk-kio)

The spirits of murdered children who haunt the Leikkio Plains. They are made of bones and burn eternally.

Vipunen (vee-pooh-nen)

An unseen giant who lives in the Caves of Vipunen near Shadow’s End. The most ancient and wise being in Tuonela from before the time of the Old Gods.

Keskelli (Kes-Kell-ee)

Friendly trolls that live in the Frozen Void

PLAYLIST

“The Prophecy” – Taylor Swift

“I am not a woman, I’m a god” – Halsey

“Don’t Say You Love Me” – Depeche Mode

“And Nothing is Forever” – The Cure

“The Night Does Not Belong to God” – Sleep Token

“Help Me I Am in Hell” – NIN

“Dark Signs” – Sleep Token

“Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?” – Taylor Swift

“Into the Void” – NIN

“God Games” – The Kills

“Combat” – Deftones

“The Great Destroyer” – NIN (Modwheelmod version)

“God Given” – NIN (Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert version)

“Risk” – Deftones

“Gods” – Sleep Token

“March of the Pigs” – NIN

“Kingdome Come” – The Kills

“Always You” – Depeche Mode

“Going to Heaven” – The Kills

“Warsong” – The Cure

“I Let Love In” – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

“Hole in the Earth” – Deftones

“Last Rites” – +++ (Crosses)

“Castle” – Halsey

“Everything in its Right Place” – Radiohead

“The Epilogue” – +++ (Crosses)

“Endsong” – The Cure

CHAPTER ONE

HANNA

When I was young, maybe eight years old, I visited my father in Finland during the height of summer. I remember the days were long and warm, and the woods held so much life, every day was an adventure to me. My father was happy to let me play by myself or with the kids who lived on the other side of the lake but, sometimes, he would take me on nature walks for hours at a time.

One day, the two of us had walked deep into the woods behind our house, where the pines grew so tall, they blocked out the sky. It was dark, strangely so, like I was seeing everything through a black veil. I remember being a little afraid, but my father held my hand and told me the woods were always looking out for me.

Eventually, he led me to a small clearing with a ring of moss-covered stones in the middle. There was a quiet stillness that suddenly fell around us, something so deep, it felt as if even the wind dared not enter the circle.

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Advertisement City of Darkness (Underworld Gods #3) Read Online Karina Halle http://www.books2020.com/city-of-darkness-underworld-gods-3-read-online-karina-halle Fri, 15 Mar 2024 06:57:13 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/city-of-darkness-underworld-gods-3-read-online-karina-halle Genre: Alpha Male, Dark, Fantasy/Sci-fi, Paranormal Authors: Karina Halle Series: Underworld Gods Series by Karina Halle
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Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87781 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)

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From the New York Times bestselling author of A Nordic King and Black Sunshine, comes CITY OF DARKNESS the third book in the Underworld Gods series, a high heat dark fantasy adult romance series.

When mortal Hanna agreed to marry Tuoni, the God of Death, in exchange for her father's life, the last thing she expected was to fall for the morally grey anti-hero. But it's not only her heart that's in danger now. As she navigates her new role as the Goddess of Death in the spooky and macabre underworld of Tuonela, Hanna discovers that Death has many enemies in his kingdom, none more powerful than his half-demon ex-wife, Louhi. With an uprising of Old Gods at her fingertips, and skeleton armies ready to do her bidding, Hanna and Death must work together to make sure the underworld isn't lost forever, even if it means losing each other and all they hold dear.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Playlist

“God Games” - The Kills

“I am not a woman, I’m a god” – Halsey

“Going to Heaven” - The Kills

“Welcome Oblivion” - How to Destroy Angels

“Death’s Head Tattoo” - Mark Lanegan Band

“Always You” - Depeche Mode

“Kingdom Come” - The Kills

“Last Rites” - +++ (Crosses)

“Gatekeeper” - Torii Wolf

“Castle” - Halsey

“Meet Your Master” – Nine Inch Nails

“Runner” - +++ (Crosses)

“Welcome to My World” – Depeche Mode

“Goddess” – Banks

“Various Methods of Escape” – Nine Inch Nails

“Last Cup of Sorrow” – Faith No More

“Master of Puppets” – Metallica

“Bone House” – The Dead Weather

“Should Be Higher” – Depeche Mode

“Die by the Drop” – The Dead Weather

“Born to Die” – Lana Del Rey

“Death Bell” - +++ (Crosses)

“King for a Day” – Faith No More

“Nocturne” - Mark Lanegan Band

“Gods & Monsters” – Lana Del Rey

“Phantom Bride” - Deftones

“Lantern Room” - Torii Wolf

“Immigrant Song” – Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Karen O

“Sin” – Nine Inch Nails

“The Epilogue” - +++ (Crosses)

“This Place is Death” - Deftones

Glossary and Pronunciation

Tuonela (too-oh-nella)

Realm or Land of the Dead. It is a large island that floats between worlds, with varied geography and terrain. The recently deceased travel via the River of Shadows to the City of Death, where they are divided into factions (Amaranthus, the Golden Mean, and Inmost) and admitted into the afterlife. Outside the City of Death, Gods, Goddesses, spirits, shamans, and the dead who have escaped the city can be found.

Tuoni (too-oh-nee)

The God of Death, otherwise called Death, and King of Tuonela, who rules over the realm from his castle at Shadow’s End.

Louhi (low-hee)

Ex-wife of Death, former Goddess, half-demon daughter of Rangaista.

Loviatar (low-vee-ah-tar)

The Lesser Goddess of Death and Death’s daughter. Her job is to ferry the dead down the River of Shadows to the City of Death, a role she shares with her brother Tuonen.

Tuonen (too-oh-nen)

The Lesser God of Death and Death’s Son. He shares ferrying duties with his sister, Loviatar. Tuonen is also a lord in the City of Death and helps oversee things in the afterlife.

Sarvi (sar-vih)

Short for Yksisarvinen, Sarvi is a relic from the times of the Old Gods and originally from another world. Sarvi is a unicorn with bat-like wings who died a long time ago and is composed of skin and bone. Sentient, Sarvi is able to communicate telepathically. While he is a loyal and refined servant to Death, he is also vicious, violent, and bloodthirsty by nature, as all unicorns are.

Ilmarinen (ill-mar-ee-nen)

Louhi’s consort, the demigod shaman she left Death for. He lives with Louhi in their castle by the Star Swamps.

Eero (ay-ro)

A powerful shaman from Northern Finland.

Väinämöinen (vah-ee-nah-moy-nen)

Death’s past adversary and legendary shaman, who became a Finnish folk-hero. Väinämöinen has supposedly been dead for centuries.

Ukko (oo-koh)

A supreme God and the father of Tuoni, Ahto, and Ilmatar. Husband to Akka.

Akka (ah-ka)

A supreme Goddess, wife to Ukko, and the mother of Tuoni, Ahto, and Ilmatar.

Ilmatar (ill-mah-tar)

Goddess of the Air, sister to Tuoni and Ahto.

Vellamo (vell-ah-mo)

Goddess of the Deep, wife of Ahto. Protector of mermaids. Vellamo can be found in the Great Inland Sea.

Ahto (ah-to)

God of the Oceans and Seas, husband of Vellamo, brother of Tuoni and Ilmatar.

Kuutar (koo-tar)

Goddess of the Moon, Mother of Stars, protector of sea creatures.

Päivätär (pah-ee-vah-tar)

Goddess of the Sun, protector of birds.

Kalma (kahl-ma)

God of Graves and Tuoni’s right-hand man and advisor.

Surma (soor-mah)

A relic from the days of the Old Gods and the personification of killing.

Raila (ray-lah)

Hanna’s personal Deadmaiden.

Pyry (pee-ree)

Deadmaiden. Head cook and gardener of Shadow’s End.

Harma (har-mah)

Deadmaiden. Head of the Shadow’s End servants.

Tapio (tah-pee-oh)

God of the Forest.

Tellervo (tell-air-voh)

Lesser Goddess of the Forest and daughter of Tapio.

Hiisi (hee-si)

Demons and goblins of Tuonela, spawns of Rangaista.

Rangaista (ran-gais-tah)

A powerful demon and Old God, father of Louhi.

Liekkiö (lehk-kio)

The spirits of murdered children who haunt the Leikkio Plains. They are made of bones and burn eternally.

Vipunen (vee-pooh-nen)

An unseen giant who lives in the Caves of Vipunen near Shadow’s End. The most ancient and wise being in Tuonela from before the time of the Old Gods.

Previously, On Underworld Gods

Hello, dear reader,

Thank you for your patience with this book. I know it’s been a long time coming, with every issue under the sun impacting the writing and release of it. Since it’s been so long and you may not have had time to re-read River of Shadows and Crown of Crimson, I’ve decided to do a little recap for you to catch you up to speed. Keep in mind, it won’t be that comprehensive, but hopefully, it’ll do the job!

Our story started off with River of Shadows.

Twenty-four-year-old Hanna Heikkinen gets word that her beloved (yet mysterious and estranged) father is dead. Heartbroken, she flies to Northern Finland for his funeral. There, she finds out that he’s not dead and is attacked by two Shamans, Noora and Eero. She’s rescued by Rasmus and taken through a portal under a frozen waterfall into Tuonela, the Land of the Dead. The objective? Get back her father, who has been captured by the God of Death.

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Advertisement Crown of Crimson (Underworld Gods #2) Read Online Karina Halle http://www.books2020.com/crown-of-crimson-underworld-gods-2-read-online-karina-halle Tue, 24 May 2022 09:11:36 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/crown-of-crimson-underworld-gods-2-read-online-karina-halle Genre: Fantasy/Sci-fi, Myth/Mythology, Paranormal, Romance Authors: Karina Halle Series: Underworld Gods Series by Karina Halle
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Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 110034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 550(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)

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Read Online Books/Novels:	Crown of Crimson (Underworld Gods #2)
Author/Writer of Book/Novel:	Karina Halle
Language:	English
Book Information:
The next thrilling instalment in the Underworld Gods series. Perfect for readers who want high steam Hades/Persephone and Beauty and the Beast vibes with a dark Nordic folklore twist. All Hanna Heikkinen wants is to be reunited with her father again. After all, that's why she ventured into the dark and dangerous fantasy world of Tuonela, the Land of the Dead, in order to save his life. But this time her devotion to her father comes at a cost---her growing relationship with Tuoni, the God of Death himself, who held Hanna captive in exchange for her father's life. The last thing she expects is to feel remorse at how she left things with Death, yet the dark and sexy God is all she can think about. Death has always prided himself on never trusting the living, but Hanna's apparent betrayal has left a scar fathom's deep. Vowing revenge on his future bride, and making sure she upholds her end of the bargain, Death sets out across his realm to steal Hanna back, which only fans the flames between them. But Death and Hanna aren't just fighting each other---malevolent Old Gods are rising to power within the realm, magic is being poisoned, and buried secrets are brought to light, secrets that may cause Hanna to lose everyone she loves dear once again.
Books in Series:	Underworld Gods Series by Karina Halle
Books by Author:	Karina Halle

Prologue

Death

The Caves of Vipunen

“Have you gotten cold feet?” the deep voice of reckoning booms across the walls of the cave.

“That’s a rather modern phrase for someone so old,” I respond, adjusting the blind mask. I wish I didn’t have to wear this ridiculous thing every time I sought out the giant, but because I can see in the dark, Antero Vipunen takes no chances. They say there’s no way to kill the God of Death, but there is and he’s in the cave with me. Sometimes I think that Vipunen’s power rivals that of the Creator, and he could destroy this whole world if he wanted to.

As such, I wear the blind mask so I don’t piss him off. Part of me feels bad that both my children had to train in combat with him, wearing this heavy bronze and iron mask the entire time while wielding the sword. But at least they’re the finest warriors now.

I also used to think that there would be no day where their training would be put to use, but I feel that day creeping ever closer, like the snakes do if you stay too long in the crypt.

“Then what is it that has you seeking my counsel again?” Vipunen asks, louder now. In the background I can hear stalactites falling from the ceiling and crashing onto the cave floor, splashing into the underground lake. As it always happens when I’m in the caves, I’m brought back in my mind, eons past, to when I was just a young little shit, thrown here on my first day on the job as God of Death. I felt so vulnerable—naked and helpless then—and I despise the fact that today I feel the same.

It’s a most unbecoming feeling.

“It’s the girl,” I tell him.

“The mortal, Hanna,” Vipunen says. “Is there a problem?”

I let out a breath. Fuck. I hate how uneasy I feel. “I have some fears about the marriage.”

Vipunen lets out a low, rumbling laugh. More stalactites fall to the ground, one sounding too close for comfort. “Fears about marriage? Did you not learn your lesson the last time?”

He can’t see the fuck you smile on my face, but I hope he hears it in my tone. “Apparently not. I’m concerned that she may not be the one you prophesied about. Any chance you could, you know, clear that up a little bit? Give me something a little more to go on?”

Instead of being so fucking annoyingly vague from day one?

“To give you more information would be to interfere with your life and the natural order of things, and that I cannot do,” he says.

“Cannot or will not?” I ask.

A cold blast of air comes rushing at me. I’m not the only one who can influence the weather and temperature with my moods. “You dare have contempt for me?” he bellows.

“No contempt, Antero, only frustration.”

“Is it not your wedding day?” he asks after a moment.

“Yes, in fact she might be at the altar right now.”

“Then you’re cutting things a little close, don’t you think?”

I sigh, adjusting the mask again. “I’m not asking if she’s the one, or the chosen one, I just need to know if I’m making a mistake. What if I marry Hanna and the one I’m supposed to be with, the one that is supposed to save my kingdom, comes along?”

Another laugh. “You think that another mortal girl will come strolling along into Tuonela like that?”

“So then Hanna is the one…” I surmise, trying to bait him.

“I will tell you no such thing. This has nothing to do with me. This is your future, Tuoni, laid out in front of you. You either take it or you don’t.” He pauses. “You really do have cold feet, don’t you? You want a way out. An easy way out. Well, no one told you to propose.”

He’s right. That was all my own doing.

I just couldn’t help it.

After what happened with Surma, everything changed. Hearing his intentions, him working for the Old Gods, it made me realize that the uprising wasn’t just a rumor. It was real and at our doorstep. I needed to do something about it, and quickly. I needed to marry Hanna in hopes that an alliance somewhere would form. Perhaps just the act of marriage itself, signaling to Louhi that I have moved on, that she is no longer the Goddess of Death, would do it, or telling the realm that I am part of a unit again would make them fall in line. Either way, it was time to act.

But then there was the surprising thing with Hanna herself.

I’d been so impressed by her, in awe of her, yet I did all I could to keep distance between us. The less distance, the less control I had. The more distance, the more my power remained firmly in check.

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Advertisement River of Shadows (Underworld Gods #1) Read Online Karina Halle http://www.books2020.com/river-of-shadows-underworld-gods-1-read-online-karina-halle Thu, 03 Feb 2022 17:36:49 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/river-of-shadows-underworld-gods-1-read-online-karina-halle Genre: Fantasy/Sci-fi, Myth/Mythology, New Adult, Paranormal, Romance Authors: Karina Halle Series: Underworld Gods Series by Karina Halle
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Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 100837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)

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Read Online Books/Novels:	(Underworld Gods #1) River of Shadows
Author/Writer of Book/Novel:	Karina Halle
Language:	English
ISBN/ ASIN:	9798409092955
Book Information:
River of Shadows is an adult dark fantasy romance based on Finnish mythology and the underworld of Tuonela. When 24-year old Hanna Heikkinen's estranged father dies, she reluctantly makes the trip to Northern Finland for his funeral. Being in the enchanting land of ice and snow feels miles away from Hanna's busy life back in Los Angeles, especially under the complicated circumstances. But when Hanna discovers that her father's body is missing, that's when things really get weird. A mysterious man, Rasmus, tells Hanna the truth: her father was a powerful shaman who went into Tuonela, the Realm of the Dead, in order to barter for more life, and has been held captive by Tuoni, the God of Death. The only way her father can be freed is if she travels with Rasmus into the mythical underworld to rescue him. Willing to do anything to have a second-chance with her father, Hanna accompanies Rasmus into the dark and bloody realm, traveling via the River of Shadows, stalked by dangerous creatures, monsters, and the living dead, until they finally come into the haunted kingdom ruled by Death and his family. Only for her to be captured and held prisoner by the God of Death himself. Turns out Death is intrigued by Hanna's beauty and fierceness and makes a bargain with her. If she marries him, and spends an eternity in the Realm of the Dead as his wife, he'll set her father free. But even the most noble sacrifices come with hidden costs, and Hanna's might involve the most unexpected of all things: her heart.
Books in Series:	Underworld Gods Series by Karina Halle
Books by Author:	Karina Halle

Chapter 1

The Arrival

“We come from the land of the ice and snow, where the midnight sun and the hot springs flow,” Robert Plant sings through my noise-canceling headphones as the plane begins its descent. My music choice was certainly apt since there’s nothing but ice and snow for miles. I don’t even see the town of Ivalo, let alone the airport where we’re supposed to be landing shortly. There’re just low rolling hills of white until they blend in with the monotone sky, like we’re flying into nothingness.

A flutter of panic forms in my chest and I immediately grip my armrest, my eyes pinching shut. I’m lucky no one’s seated next to me on this Finnair flight from Helsinki up to Lapland because I’ve been riding the Hot Mess Express the whole time. One minute, tears are streaming down my face, lost in grief and regret over my father, the next I’m having a full-on panic attack, wondering what the hell I’m doing, flying to not only Finland, but the remote north of the country, all by myself. I’m no stranger to taking flights alone—it’s a part of my job—but this time it’s different. My mother refused to come to my father’s funeral, and I’m an only child, which means I have to carry the burden without any support. I’ve never even been to a funeral before.

At least I’ve been to Finland, though this is my first time in Lapland. I was actually born in the town of Savonlinna, but my mother left my father when I was only six years old, ushering me off to California. I don’t remember much of my childhood in Finland, and my only other visits were every other summer when growing up. My father fought long and hard to see me when he could, and I later learned that it was only when he threatened my mother with a custody battle that she relented and let me visit.

Suddenly a memory floods my mind, making my heart feel waterlogged. I had been staying with my father at his lakeside cottage where he lived, having just come in from a refreshing near midnight swim. Despite the hour, the sun was still shining, as it does in the summer months, and the air was thick with dragonflies that buzzed about on kaleidoscope wings, nipping at the mosquitos.

I walked along the dock, a towel draped around me, wet footprints in my wake, wondering where my father had gone, when suddenly he appeared in the doorway to the cottage.

Only he was pretending to be someone else. Santa Claus.

My father is…was one of those people, like Leslie Neilson or Christopher Lloyd, who always looked old with his prematurely white hair and beard, so he suited the role perfectly. He stood there in the waning golden light of the summer sun, dressed in the red velvet Santa suit, a sack full of toys beside him.

I was about eight or nine years old, old enough to not believe in Santa Claus anymore. And even if I had, it would have given me a major pause to have Santa come visit during the summer. But I know from the letters my father would write me (my mother didn’t let us talk on the phone very often), that he missed having me around at Christmas, especially since Finland is Santa’s home, and so I played along happily, reveling in his attention, and the toys and treats of course.

My chest grows warm at the memory, and yet there’s a sharp pinch between my ribs. That’s how it’s been ever since I got the phone call that my father had died. Every moment I feel like I’m torn between two worlds: the world where my father is still alive and my life can carry on as usual, and the world where my father is dead and my life has changed irrevocably, never to be the same.

It was my father’s colleague, Noora, who had made the call a week ago. She told me that my father had gone for a walk in the woods and somehow became disoriented. A search party found him the next day, coated in ice and snow. Dead.

The news didn’t seem real at the time. To be honest, it still doesn’t. It feels like those two worlds are still intermingling with each other, and I keep being bounced around and I never know where I’ll land. Sometimes I just wish that the grief would set like cement, because the moments where the reality crashes upon me can be too difficult to bear. I’d rather be stuck in the thick of it, all the time, as real and raw as possible, as if I could get the pain over with.

People assumed that because I rarely saw or spoke to my father that we didn’t have a close relationship, but the strange thing is that, despite the distance, I felt closer to him than my mother. It’s like we had our own silent language, or some kind of magnetic tie between us that kept us connected throughout my life. I always felt him with me, felt his love, even when we were technically estranged.

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Read Online Books/Novels:

Crown of Crimson (Underworld Gods #2)

Author/Writer of Book/Novel:

Karina Halle

English

Karina Halle

Read Online Books/Novels:

(Underworld Gods #1) River of Shadows

Author/Writer of Book/Novel:

Karina Halle

English

9798409092955

Underworld Gods Series by Karina Halle

Karina Halle