Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 41683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 208(@200wpm)___ 167(@250wpm)___ 139(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 208(@200wpm)___ 167(@250wpm)___ 139(@300wpm)
They can't have him. I won't allow it.
I don't know what it is or what I'm doing, but I reach for that flickering light, grasping greedily for the hot rush of power emanating from it. An intense blast of Light fills me, ripping me wide open. I let it, allowing it to flood through me.
Reaper needs me. I have to protect him.
I surge forward, my hand extended toward him, deaf to the warnings shouted from the throng of warriors behind me. My heart throbs in my chest, matching the rhythm of the chant echoing in my mind: Not him. Not him.
They cannot have him.
As I touch Reaper, the Light pulses out of me, plunging into his massive body. The world turns white, blinding and relentlessly bright. It's as if I've harnessed the power of a thousand suns and directed it all at him.
His body bows from the ground, his massive form going rigid under my touch. His amber eyes flash open, glowing as bright as the light piercing his massive form. In this moment, I feel everything he does. His regret at being ripped from my side, his pride at having given his life for mine, the power of his feelings for me, and his surprise at what's happening now.
Behind us, I hear gasps and shouts. They're panicking. They don't understand what's happening—neither do I—but none of that matters now.
I keep my hand on Reaper, willing him to stay. He has to stay. He's mine. He belongs here—with me.
The Light burns away the poison pumping through his veins, purging it with brutal efficiency. It leaves no trace behind, taking every last evil drop. When the last bit is gone and Reaper's blood is clean once more, the Light recedes back into me as quickly as it flowed out. It winks out, leaving nothing but normalcy in its wake—normalcy and Reaper, alive and well.
For a moment, stunned silence reigns around us, the Fae frozen in shock.
I collapse across Reaper's chest, exhausted in a way I've never been. But victorious too. He's alive and he's safe.
"You promised," I whisper, brushing trembling fingers through his hair. Tears stream down my face as I cling to him, his strong heart beating beneath my ear. The scent of smoke and blood permeates the air, mingling with the metallic taste of fear and adrenaline. My heartbeat pounds in time with his, a testament to the bond we've somehow formed.
"Ja, little Valkyrie." His rough voice shakes as he pulls me closer, his lips at my ear. "Ja, I did."
The Fae murmur around us, disbelief replacing shock.
"What in the name of Odin have you done?" Malachi asks, his voice low and awestruck.
I look up at him. "I…I don't know," I choke out, my mind reeling as I try to process what just happened. I think I just healed Reaper. No, I know I just healed him. I felt it happening. "I felt him slipping away, and I couldn't let that happen. I don't know how I healed him."
Malachi and the other Fae share a look between them, their expressions a mix of confusion and awe.
Reaper laughs quietly, his amber eyes shining with pride. "You are a Valkyrie, solsken. That's how you did it."
"The Valkyrie can heal?"
"Ja, some can," Malachi says. "But none has ever been able to heal the bite of a varulv. You're the first." He shakes his head, his braids clicking. "It's a hell of a handy Gift, that's for sure."
"I…" I trail off, not sure what to say to that. Not sure where to even begin processing this. Like so much else that's happened, it feels far too big for me. But I guess that's my life now, isn't it? Everything is big and overwhelming. Everything except the giant Fae warrior holding me in his strong arms.
He's the part that makes sense. He's the part that feels just big enough. And for now, he's safe.
Chapter Six
Reaper
We're nearly to the Hall of Warriors when a loud rumble echoes through Eitr, as if the very mountain itself is coming down around us.
"Helvete," Malachi breathes, his eyes wide with shock as he stares at the walls in the distance. "They're bringing them down."
My heart slams against my ribcage, my arm tightening protectively around the precious little Valkyrie at my side. I hold her close, my body pressed tightly to hers as I follow my brother's gaze. Sure enough, the massive wooden wall closest to our position is caving, entire sections crumbling with a roar.
Skita.
For the first time in three hundred years, the protective walls of Eitr are failing, brought down by whatever dark magic the Forsaken have unleashed upon them.
"We have to get the Valkyrie out of here now," I growl, terrified of anything happening to Tori. I just found her. She's my mate, my reason for existence, and I won't allow anything to happen to her.