Of Ash and Iron (Flame Cursed Fae, #3)

by Eliza Raine

Your val-tivar is a bear, Maddy. That means you're a berserker. They're the strongest fighters in Yggdrasil. I look down again at the runes on the floor. Strength. Speed. Fury. Bloodlust. Control.

I will be strong, fast, and in control. I will earn my wings and harness the power of my bear. I will become a Valkyrie.

"Nobody will ever, ever make you look that ashamed of yourself again. Nobody will ever make you feel worthless or alone, ever again. Do you understand me? Do you understand that whatever you say right now will not stop me from ensuring that those who have fucked with you will regret it for the rest of their sorry lives?"

He steps away from the brand, his skin red and seared. The ancient rune for the word "alone" is burned into his flesh. Just like mine. "I— Why—" I try to speak, but words aren't working. "Now we're alone, together."

He's right. He's taken every drop of power the brand had over me away from them. The very definition of the mark is useless, now that he has a matching one. I thought he was going to hurt her, but he took away her power. He took a fucking brand for me. I love him.

"Kain, I think I'm in love with you." I bite my lip as I stare up at him. Flames dance in his irises as his chest heaves. "Princess, I've been fighting falling in love with you since the week you got here." "Did you win?" "It's the only fight I've ever lost."

He just gave up his life for us. The fae accused of cold-blooded murder and dishonor just gave up his life to save ours. I can't let him die. And if I can't save him, then I can't let him die alone. He's been alone too long. If he has to burn, then I will burn with him.