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)
Despite everything this prophecy and war has thrown at them—despite torment and untold grief—they've met in on their feet. They're fierce little things, meant for greatness. It's no wonder the Norns spun them out to face this threat. There is no other capable of meeting it as these four have.
They're fucking warriors, every last one of them.
"Sounds good to me," Tori says, one shoulder rising in a shrug. "What's the worst that could happen?"
A miserable groan erupts from Reaper's lips. "Death, little Valkyrie," he says, his amber eyes locked on his mate. "Death is the worst that could happen."
"We aren't going to die, Reaper." Abigail meets my giant brother's gaze, smiling in reassurance. "I've Seen about a million different possible endings for us. Sitting around this table isn't one of them."
"That isn't the comfort you think it is, ást-meer," Damrion mutters, swiping a hand down his face.
Adriel grunts his agreement, his black eye fixed on their tiny mate.
Like Tori, she simply shrugs, undeterred.
"We should surround ourselves with Light," Marion says from my lap, drawing the eyes of her sisters and my brothers. For once, she doesn't cower under their attention. She meets their gazes, her head held high. "If this is as dangerous as they say—"
"More dangerous," Reaper mutters under his breath.
Marion nods in acknowledgement, revising her statement. "Since this is clearly dangerous, the safest thing we can do is ensure we're protected," she murmurs, her voice soft. "Before we do anything, we should link."
"Ljúfr," I protest, not liking this plan in the least. "If you're linked, anything that happens to one, may happen to all."
"Sure," Reaper complains. "Now, he's seeing reason."
I shoot him a dirty look before turning back to my mate. "It isn't safe."
"We're strongest together, Malachi." She places her hand against my cheek, smiling in reassurance. "And we have all of you here to ensure nothing goes wrong."
"You have far too much faith in us, Valkyrie," I murmur, my gaze flitting across her face.
"No," she whispers, shaking her head. "You have far too little, Malachi. We can do this. All of us, together. The Fae have gotten us this far. You've kept us safe despite all odds. If you can do that, you can do this."
Helvete. Is this what it is to love a Valkyrie? Finding it impossible to tell her no? Because with those emerald eyes shining with trust, every single part of me balks at the thought of telling her no. Of shattering her illusions that we're the warriors she believes we are, capable of protecting them from all harm.
I'd raze realms for her, wage war for her. But I'm still just a Fae, just a man. And I'm as fallible as any other. She and her sisters are the heroes of this tale. The Fae are simply their stewards, sent to slow the Forsaken until they can do what they must. That's always been our role. We're the first wave, expendable.
But I don't have the heart to tell my Valkyrie that, so I don't. Instead, I nod. "Ja," I murmur quietly. "We can do this."
I don't even have to look to know my brothers are glowering at me. I feel the weight of their disapproving stares. As if any of them would have made a different choice. If the Valkyrie have to do this, then we do what we must, too. Even if it fucking kills us.
"Well, that's settled then," Rissa says. "I guess we should get started."
A ripple of unease shudders through the room.
Damrion looks at Stephan. "I want you at the door," he orders. "Once they start, no one comes in or out unless it's through you. Understood?"
The human warrior's eyes gleam with wicked intent as he hauls himself to his feet, reaching for the sword at his hip. "Understood."
Dax plucks the vial from the center of the table, holding it carefully. "Are you sure, elskan-ljós? We can find another way."
"I'm sure," she whispers, placing her palm against his cheek. "If this is the price we pay to save all souls…" She exhales a shaking breath, her eyes locked on her father's soul. "It has to be done."
Dax leans forward, brushing his lips across her forehead. "Alt du gjør er gjort i kjærlighet."
"Ja," she whispers back.
Her and her sisters rise from the table. When Marion starts to slide from my lap to join them, I hook my arm around her waist, pulling her back down to me. She turns her head to glance at me, a question burning in her eyes.
Before she can say anything, I capture her lips with mine, pouring my love for her into the kiss. She tangles her fingers up in my shirt, gasping quietly.
"Jeg kan ikke leve uten deg. Ek elska þik," I breathe against her lips.
She pulls back to look at me, her eyes wide and dazed. "I don't understand."