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)
Individually, they're formidable. Together, they may be unstoppable. We need each of them and their unique gifts. Every warrior here will die to keep them out of the hands of the Forsaken. If we don't…Gods. There will be no saving any of us if we don't. Because that kind of power in their hands is unthinkable.
"Dax," Garrison grunts, his spoon halfway to his mouth.
I glance over my shoulder to see the warrior heading our way, worried lights in his green eyes and his expression stoic. He pulls up a chair beside me, dropping into it.
"Keep the Blooded out of the forest," he says without preamble, glancing between me and Garrison. "Rhistel's warriors spotted a pack of wolves while on patrol today. They seem to be moving closer to us instead of further away."
"Varulv?" Garrison asks, his spoon hovering in midair as he growls the questions.
"Not varulv," I murmur for Dax. "They've been in Valhalla for centuries."
Dax's eyes widen in surprise as he looks at me, but his expression clears quickly. "Kara," he guesses. "She's communicated with them?"
I nod, pitching my voice low to explain, "One of them has been coming to see her for the last several days."
Garrison grunts, but he keeps his opinion to himself. I'm not entirely sure if it's the fact that she can speak with animals that makes him uneasy or the reminder that we're ill-equipped to fight this war we've gotten ourselves into the middle of. But he isn't the only one. Some of the other Blooded react the same way when faced with the power of the Valkyrie.
They'll defend them with their lives because they know in their bones that the Valkyrie are our only hope…it's why they were drawn to seek out the Fae in the first place. But monsters and magic and ancient Prophecy and fiercely powerful woman aren't things they truly understand. They accept it because they must, because they've seen too much to dispute the existence of this world. But that doesn't make facing it any easier.
Garrison accepts it easier than most. He likes each of the Valkyrie. But coming face to face with the extent of their powers still catches him off guard on occasion.
I've never felt that way. I'm not sure why. I think I've felt more comfortable in this world than the human world since the beginning. My whole life, I knew I was training for something, preparing for something. Seeking out the Fae felt like heeding a whisper of wind, the same instinct that drove me for as long as I can remember.
"Tell her to take care," Dax warns me, his voice a soft murmur. "The wolves here are the most dangerous she'll ever meet. Once, they belonged to Odin. They were fierce warriors in their own right, earning their place here just like every man who crossed through the Portal. I imagine the children of their children still possess those same instincts."
"Descended from the Great Ones," I mutter.
"What are you going on about?" Garrison asks, shoveling stew into his mouth.
I wave him off instead of explaining Ing's name, and glance at Dax again. "She'll be safe. I'll keep an eye on her."
A slow smile stretches across the warrior's face. "Two of them, huh?"
I just look at him, my expression level. If he's fishing for information, he isn't going to get it from me. The Fae may not like what's happening between me and Kara, but it's happening regardless. And that's our business. At least for the time being. Eventually, I'll have to tell them, and face whatever consequences they want to dole out. But for now? For this moment? Until I figure out how to complete the bond and ensure she can't be taken from me? Well, until then, my secrets are my own.
Dax clamps a hand down on my shoulder, rising to his feet. "You're a good choice for her, brother. The Norns chose well."
I stare at him, unable to hide my shock.
He chuckles quietly, shaking his head. "Did you think we didn't know?"
"Hoped you didn't," I mutter, not lying.
"We know," he says, shaking his head before he strides off.
I stare after him for a long moment, my mind reeling. The Fae know about the bond. And they aren't going to try to stop it. Jesus. Maybe there is a way forward for me and Kara after all.
My little Valkyrie is not going to be happy.
I grin, amused at the thought of throwing a wrench into whatever plans she's been making to avoid me.
"Hold the fuck on," Garrison growls, pointing his spoon at me suddenly. "You and the Valkyrie? When did this happen?"
I scoop my bowl up from the table, hauling myself to my feet. "You're behind, old man," I mutter, smirking at him. "How about you keep up for a change?"
"How about I shove my ímun-laukr up your a–?"