Earth's End (Air Awakens, #3)

by Elise Kova

It wasn’t war any longer: it was an impending massacre.

Elecia was surprisingly snuggly when passed out,

“You two move well together,” Baldair said ineloquently. “Must have great sex,” Jax snickered from Aldrik’s right.

JAX ONE NICE DINNER IS ALL WE ASK

“Leaders lie to their people all the time.” The Emperor waved a hand. “Do they?” Vhalla didn’t miss the opportunity for the slight jab, and the Emperor stared in angry shock.

Ouchie hahahahah

“As I said, the Le’Dans stand with the Windwalker. I am honored to have her be a lady of my home,” Erion practically decreed.

Bless this man and his iron balls

“You will not put those on her,” he uttered threateningly.

“She has served you dutifully and without question. She has saved my life—more than once—as well as the lives of countless others in your army. And she has likely saved your campaign today. And you would put her in irons?”

Hallelujah

“It is good enough for me,” Daniel was the first to speak. His eyes met hers with determination, and Vhalla swallowed in relief. Even when she was half in Aldrik’s embrace, Daniel stood by her. “And me,” Jax seconded.

y’all are crazy but i love you :-')

“I see no reason why we should not trust her.” Vhalla had not expected Major Zerian’s support. “I have always known Vhalla to be a woman of her word,” Baldair spoke as well.

CHEFS KISS BALDAIR

“She has proven her loyalty, Father. Take them off.” Baldair frowned at Vhalla’s empty expression.

“It is a heritage of hate.” The prince glowered at the dissenter. “It is a heritage that true Westerners do not take pride in.”

“Father, I have found your behavior toward Lady Yarl—our guest, your loyal subject, the person whom you have brought here to help with your victory—appalling. You have tested her time and again, where each test she passes more stunningly than the last.” Aldrik pointed at his father. “No more. I will not let you harm her again—or demand for her to harm herself—for your amusement or to abate your insecurity. I understand the pressures of war have misplaced your better judgment. Hopefully you quickly realize the same, for I have no interest in any further discussion until a much deserved apology has been given.”

“No. Do not tell me that,” he demanded firmly. “That was entirely the right thing to do. I’m tired of standing by while my father treats you as he does. Appearances be damned.”

“She is an inspiration for the East, a beacon of hope, a new era, and he would send the message that he would treat Windwalkers as they were treated more than a century ago, hunt them, chain them, kill them. He outright called her a tool! Not even a person to him but a thing. I do not blame the Western leaders for not wanting anyone to think that the West is still in bed with such archaic thinking—as my uncle supplied the means!”

“There is a position which I need to fill. This position requires such things every day. Someone must assume the mantle before I can be Emperor.” The lump in Aldrik’s throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. “It requires someone brilliant, someone strong, and someone kind. Someone who can temper me and remind me of my own humanity even in the darkest hour.”

“It is, and it will be.” Aldrik curled and uncurled his fingers. “But it is not without rewards. This person’s word would be trusted, respected, admired. She can shape the future of this Empire for good, for peace.” He focused on the floor a moment, a faint blush creeping up on his cheeks. “She could make her office my rose garden, forever, if she so chose.”

“It is not something you can apply for.” Aldrik’s eyes returned to her, and Vhalla’s chest swelled. “You must be asked.” “By whom?” “By me.” Aldrik knelt before her.

BITCH PLEASE IM SCREAMING RIGHT NOW

“Would you, Lady Vhalla Yarl, like to someday be the Empress Vhalla Solaris?”

BABE YOU BETTER

The pocket watch was smaller than his in size, but was also cast in silver. Strung by a fine chain, it held a hook that could clasp around the top of the watch to be worn as a necklace or in the traditional fashion. Its back was polished to a mirror finish. Embossed upon its front was the blazing sun of the Empire, cut in half by a wing—the same wing that had been on the back of the Windwalkers’ cloaks.

STOP HE GOT HER A POCKET WATCH MY HEART

“You wished for time,” Aldrik explained. “I heard each utterance when you beseeched time to stop, for mornings not to come. I want you to know I shared your every sentiment. I wanted to give you the promise of my minutes, my hours, my days.” His long fingers curled around hers, around the watch. “My future is yours, Vhalla Yarl.”

Babe imma bout start sobbing

“My father excused himself over dinner, likely to hide his face, and the moment they were free of his presence, all they spoke about was you.”

“Aldrik, you’re nothing I expected—and everything I never knew I needed.”

“Jax, enough.” Aldrik pinched the bridge of his nose with a heavy sigh. Jax roared with laughter,

Jax is everything

with Daniel, who’d be on the east.

I really hope Daniel doesnt die

Even the Emperor remained silent.

He's prob willing to kill his own son to kill Vhalla or maybe he knows Vhalla will keep Aldrik alive either way I'm sussed *eyes narrow*

Baldair spoke, “I would miss you.” “Huh?” “I would,” he insisted. “If something happened, I would miss you.”

:'-( cutie pie their friendship is one i didn't know i needed

She had one night. She had until dawn when her prince would return to bed looking to curl against her. Vhalla had to defend their victory. Somewhere in the darkness, an axe that could cut through souls waited.

Jfc Vhalla

More than once, she saw soldiers stitching painted wings to their clothing, etching the symbol of the Windwalker onto their armor.

MY HEART

but they had been trailing her too long for it to be mere chance.

Its fking Daniel i just know it

When Vhalla crested the apex of the structure, the moon hung right above her.

I am already stressed, can she not

It radiated power that felt like Aldrik’s, which gave Vhalla the sensation of his skin on hers. Her eyes fluttered closed a brief moment.

Hm

There was no one there; it was just crystals. In fact, she had no idea how she would get out of the room.

Cant she just use her wind to fly up like aang

“Leave it,” the voice was ghost-like, faint, chilling, and oddly familiar.

The way i would absolutely shite myself

Vhalla engaged in an uncertain staring contest with achel.

Babe you better leave that shit

The axe was free with hardly any effort.

You dumb bitch holy shit

It was the hair-raising feeling of being watched.

Fvck

“You were not born to be their leader, you were chosen. And that has far greater weight.”

Fritz glanced over at her, and Vhalla mouthed his name in shock. He smiled weakly and gave a small nod. Elecia was at his side as well. Vhalla realized too late that instead of spending the night hunting legendary axes, she could’ve—she should’ve—spent it with her friends. Had she learned nothing from Larel’s death?

Honestly im so sad she didnt go to them. I hate how distant her and Fritz became

Everyone she cared about readied themselves to launch their attack. Aldrik, Daniel, Fritz, Baldair, and even Elecia; how could she keep them all safe?

This was it.

I’m so nervous i need to go to bed

Together, they were unstoppable. Bound, Joined, madly in love, there was no longer any boundaries that could limit them. They were a single force of nature.

It was like playing an invisible instrument, her fingers plucking at the air.

The Heartbreaker Prince’s arms closed around her shoulders, and he lifted her into the air. “Vhalla!” he shouted with a laugh. “You stubborn little Easterner.”

Vhalla threw her arms around his neck. “We Easterners are stubborn!” She laughed.

There were the inevitable few who were given mercy vials and the hardest choice, the last choice, of their lives.

“Enough.” Vhalla held up a hand, and Jax stepped into it. “It’s fine, Jax. The major here will protect me, and we’re heading to see the Emperor. I’m sure Prince Baldair is there also.”

Dumb asf Vhalla

Was the Emperor going to kill her? She’d delivered him his victory.

Why tf would you think that mattered

“Major Schnurr.” The Emperor stepped forward. “What is the meaning of this? Unhand the Lady Yarl.”

I wonder if Aldrik mentioned the bond

“I have to go, alone.”

I cant believe this shit is happening rn

And by the time the crown prince learned of the Windwalker’s whirlwind departure, Vhalla Yarl was too far to hear his screams of anguish.

My chest just caved in