Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 37456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
"Ja, we cannot," I agree softly. "But look around, brothers. We're vastly outnumbered with an army on the way. Rhistel, Baelen, and their warriors won't reach us in time without a portal to get them here. We can't protect them. If we're overrun, they'll be trapped. The best thing we can do for them is ensure they have a way out."
"Ja, a way out," Dax snaps. "That doesn't mean we put a bomb in their hands and hope it doesn't explode!"
"How else do you propose we get them out?" I ask, motioning around us. "We're on a mountain, Dax. When the Forsaken attack, a portal may well be their only way to safety." I glance at each of my brothers. "If we want to win this war, we can't afford to think like their mates now. We have to think like their mates when it counts. And someday, it's going to count, brothers. We cannot let them fall. Even if it means going against every instinct we have, we cannot let them fall."
"Faen," Adriel snarls, ripping at the short strands of his hair. "He's right."
"Ja," Damrion agrees quietly. "He is."
Dax snarls a vicious curse, his eyes flashing with barely contained fury. "Faen! You would risk their lives, their very souls, on the chance that they might escape? That portal is a death trap waiting to happen!"
I meet his enraged glare. "And what is the alternative, brother? If the Forsaken breach our walls, if they overwhelm us, do you think they will simply let the Valkyrie go? They will take them, all of them together. And then where will we be?"
Dax's face drains of color, and he staggers back a step as if he hadn't considered the possibility of the Forsaken getting their hands on all of the Valkyrie at once. It's a terrifying proposition, particularly because they're as connected to one another as they are to us. How easily would Abigail turn if she thought it might save her sisters unimaginable torment at the hands of the Forsaken? How easily would Rissa or Tori turn to save her sisters? Each and every one of us would willingly throw down our weapons and walk willingly into the hands of the Forsaken to save our Valkyrie. They would do the same for their sisters. It's who they are.
"Helvete," Dax whispers, his voice ragged as he works through the same grim realization.
"We cannot win this war if we lose them," I press on relentlessly. "The prophecy is clear—only the five Valkyrie united can restore Valhalla and bring balance to the realms. Without them, everything is lost."
Reaper sighs heavily, his massive shoulders slumping. "I dislike this plan with every fiber of my being. But…Malachi is right, Dax. We must ensure they have an escape, even if it means allowing this."
Dax groans, scrubbing his hands over his face. After a long moment, he drops his arms to his sides and barks out, "Fine. I'll tell Rissa to make her thrice-damned portal when we return."
I exhale a breath, unsure if this is the right path or not. Unsure of everything except for the fact that they must survive.
"Looks like it'll hold for now," Adriel says fifteen minutes later, scanning the wall with narrowed eyes.
He's right. It isn't perfect, but it'll hold. Particularly with the landmines and hidden trenches now stretched across the forest surrounding Eitr.
Damrion nods in agreement, his gold eyes scouring the wall, looking for any areas of weakness. When he finds none, he glances at each of us. "We need to finish them quickly without exhausting our strength. We need every warrior rested and ready for war. When they decide to strike, they won't hesitate."
"We'll be ready, Damrion," I murmur. "We know what's at risk."
"Ja," Dax agrees. "Even the Blooded know."
"I want it finished quickly," Damrion orders, his jaw clenched. "Now, back to Eitr. We have other business to attend."
"Ja," I mutter as a ripple goes through me. Marion is awake. She's afraid. I feel it. Because I'm not there? Because of me? I don't know, but I don't like it. "I have a Valkyrie who thinks I'm the devil."
"If the shoe fits…" Reaper says with a smirk as we all turn away from the wall, heading toward the gates.
"Saurigr skitkarl," I growl.
The giant warrior rumbles laughter, his smile growing. I tune him out as he taunts me, focusing on the sensations drifting from my bond with Marion. Something feels…off. They're muted, duller than they have been at any time since I found her. Almost as if she's blocking me out.
But she doesn't know how to do that…does she?
Faen. She wielded a blade like a Fae warrior. She pushed me away with her Light. Clearly, she knows more about her power than expected, more than Rissa or Tori knew.
Why didn't I tell my brothers about the blade?