Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 37501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
"I…" I quickly shake my head. "No, no one has been unkind. I didn't mean it like that." This is what I meant. Everything I say to the Fae seems to come out wrong. I'm not like my sisters, able to fit right in. They fit as if they belong—as if they've always belonged. But me? Not so much. I know in my soul that this is my home and these are my people. But I still feel like an outsider.
Maybe it's simply because I've felt that way my entire life. Maybe it's because my sisters have known the Fae longer or because they're all mated. I don't know. But they aren't awkward around the Fae. That's just me.
"The animals are quieter than five hundred Fae and Blooded warriors," Stephan says, stepping closer to me as his deep voice rumbles through me. "It's not easy to constantly have other voices in your head, and five hundred warriors shouting and banging around outside of it."
I quickly glance at him, startled. How does he know that? I never told him. But he isn't wrong. Here, it's…loud. I'm never really able to shut off the chattering of the animals. It's like conversation flowing around me. I'm always getting little snippets whether I want them or not. And with the Fae and Blooded warriors working day and night to restore and fortify Valhalla, there's a wall of noise I can't escape.
Out in the forest, it is quieter. I get to escape a little of the noise, even if it's only for a little while. I don't feel like an outsider with the animals. And I get to try to exorcise the guilt too.
It never really works, but I try anyway.
Damrion nods as if he understands. Perhaps he does. He's wise and patient, one of the strongest Fae. It's not hard to see why he's in charge. I barely know him, but I respect him.
"We heard the Fae shouting that the Forsaken were here," Stephan says, smoothly changing the subject. "What happened?"
"They sent one through the Portal," Adriel growls, his lip curled in disgust. The scar across his missing eye pulls taut, giving him a savage, dangerous look. Then again, he always looks savage and dangerous, save for when he looks at Abigail and Damrion. There's a softness to him then, as if he can't hide the way he feels for them.
They always look at him the same way—like right now. He reaches for Abigail instinctively, pulling her into his arms as Damrion presses up against her side, one arm around both of them.
Before them, I knew that relationships like theirs existed, but I'd never seen one, and I didn't understand how it worked. But they make it look natural, as easy as breathing. They don't simply share Abigail; they're three equal parts, all madly in love with one another.
"Only one?" Stephan's brow rises.
"Ja," Adriel mutters. "Reaper and Tori killed him."
"That doesn't make any sense," Rissa says, stirring uneasily beside Dax, who immediately slips a hand into hers, offering her comfort. The ancient warrior doesn't say a word. He simply squeezes her fingers as if to remind her that he's right there and she's safe.
"They're testing our defenses," Reaper growls as he and Tori join our little group and the warriors close ranks again. Even though the threat is, evidently, gone, they won't relax until their scouts finish checking every inch of Asgard on the other side of the Portal. "Had I not been there with my Valkyrie…"
She immediately places her hand on his cheek, smiling up at him. "Of course you were there, Reaper. You're always with me."
He grabs her hand, placing a kiss to her palm. The move doesn't calm the worried lights in the massive Fae's eyes any. Reaper isn't thrilled about her connection to the Portal. I think he'd prefer if she were right here behind a wall of Fae and their lyststål all day, every day.
But if Fae are warriors, so are Valkyrie. We were forged for war just like the Fae were. Battle brews in our souls too. As much as they may want to protect us from what's coming, that isn't what any of us were born for. The Fae know that. They may not like it, but they accept it, even if it is begrudgingly.
"We need more time," Rissa says, her blue eyes full of worry. "We aren't ready yet."
Dax pulls her close, bending to brush his lips across her temple. "Ja. We always need more time, but it does not look like we're going to get it this time, elskan-ljós. You and your sisters need to figure out how to free the trapped souls soon."
"Really soon," Abigail whispers, causing Adriel and Damrion to growl as one.
Everyone turns to look at them.
Abigail flinches slightly, leaning into Adriel, who splays a hand across her abdomen and pulls her tighter against the hard wall of his chest.