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“It’s like holding time itself, isn’t it?” “I suppose.” “I wish I could make it stop,” she breathed. His hands closed over hers and the watch, shutting the front latch closed. “If you could, what would you do?” Aldrik’s breath was warm on her cheeks, and Vhalla was keenly aware of how close they were.
“You just assaulted the crown prince.” He glared, but she saw the telltale glimmer of mischief in his eyes. “Vhalla, I think that violates the terms of your probation.” “Oh? Tell me, what will you do to me?” She did her best to imitate one of his trademark smirks, and she was rewarded by the spark turning to a fire in his eyes. “I could think of quite a few things to do to you.” His voice was gravelly and deep, and Vhalla felt a flush rise to her cheeks.
DAMN
“I didn’t understand until I was alone with that man. I screamed, I cried, and no one came. In that moment, I just wanted them all to die.” Larel sighed softly.
:(
“Egmun was the Minister of Sorcery before Victor.”
Wait wtf
I’d never ignore a friend because of the foolish things pain could make them do.” Vhalla quickly realized Larel was speaking about her.
“You are both a part of each other. There are records of people going mad because they lost their Bonded. Some theorize that, depending on the depth of the Bond, should one die the other will as well.”
He doesn’t want you to die because he’s afraid that it would mean he’d have to live without you.” Larel stroked the top of Vhalla’s head.
But he cares for you, Vhalla. In a way that I’ve never seen him really care for anyone before.”
Magic, she was discovering, was like poetry.
She clamped her hand around Elecia’s wrist and savored the look of pure shock as her foot kicked the other woman’s feet from beneath her. Elecia fell to her knees,
BAD BITCH
“It is, because you are my—”
Bro i fking knew it
She was tired of everything being on his terms and what he needed.
Daniel beamed from ear to ear as she approached. “We thought you had forsaken us, Miss Windwalker.”
This man is smitten asf
Gasping, she tried to push the memories of Rat and Mole’s assault out of her mind.
“You look uncomfortable.” The prince paused, his eyes reading hers. “I would think you’d be more at ease in a prince’s tent. Or is it just my brother’s?”
CHILL
“Today, I saw him in you.” Baldair squinted his eyes, as if he was trying to imagine Aldrik imposed atop her. “The way you moved, the way you were rushed by the fight. Tell me, is that the only way he’s been in you?”
BRO CHILLLLL FR
Baldair took a step closer to her. She didn’t know this prince. There was something turning him sour. He grimaced as he spoke, as if instantly regretting his words.
Thats bc you dont know him at all
“What is this?” Aldrik crossed over to his brother, stopping just short to stare Baldair down. “Misplaced jealousy?” Aldrik sneered. “That a woman may prefer me over you?”
YES
raised her hand and brought her open palm hard across the younger prince’s face.
Holy shit Vhalla
If it was a change, she decided it was for the better.
His hand went up to the red mark on his cheek, and he stared at her wide-eyed and open-mouthed. Even Aldrik was shocked into a gaping silence.
Hahahahahahahaha
“I’d only meant to help her. I thought you were—Aldrik, you’re too smart for this.” “I know,” Aldrik replied quietly, the tension seemed to have vanished, and sorrow filled his eyes in its place.
“No, I rather deserved it, didn’t I?” Vhalla stared at him, stunned. The prince turned to his brother. “It wasn’t her fault today, Aldrik. I think some of what she said actually may have gotten through to the men. You would’ve been proud if you’d seen it, I think.” Prince Baldair shifted to rest his cheek in his hand. “And Vhalla, I’m sorry. That was not a princely way to act.”
“Even something very small can cast a large shadow when it is close to the sun.”
“Because I want them to know that if they lay a hand on you again, they will deal with me directly.” Aldrik’s voice was deep and harsh, and it made her want to grab onto him and never let him go.
Aldrik just sighed and let her. “Fine, stubborn woman.”
Vhalla’s heart beat in her throat.
Babe you have wind protect everyone damn
and the world went black.
I need to sleep but i cant stop
“Vhalla . . .” Aldrik croaked. She saw dark circles beneath his eyes as he staggered toward her.
“What happened?” she whispered, unable to logically piece it together. “You foolish idiot,” he suddenly rasped, drawing himself to his feet. “You went without orders from your superior. You ignored the call. You could have killed yourself, you dumb girl.”
Aldrik reached up and cupped her cheek gently. “You foolish, amazing, astounding woman, you saved us all.”
I adore this man
would never . . .” His voice trailed off to barely more than a whisper. He braved giving her his attention once more, and Vhalla felt something flutter frantically. “I would never have the opportunity to tell you that . . .” Vhalla leaned closer to him, savoring every word. She could almost feel his breath on her face when he spoke. “That I . . .” Aldrik was suddenly keenly aware of her attentiveness and there was something that resembled fear at the realization. Aldrik’s lips parted.
Goddammit SAY IT
“Boys, don’t fight,” Vhalla muttered; she was too tired for their nonsense. Aldrik blinked at her in surprise and Prince Baldair chuckled.
Vhalla laughed. “Of course not. I enjoy being near you, hearing your thoughts, spending time with you. You’re one of the best things that has ever happened to me.” Vhalla smiled at him, and she saw the prince relax. How had she never realized how insecure he was?
“You’re so funny. Do I oblige you? Aldrik, I—” Vhalla stopped herself, her smile slipping in the wake of a revelation “—I—” Love you.
Vhalla tried to get in another word but the door had already closed behind him. She drew a quivering breath. “I love you, Aldrik,” she whispered into the silent air.
You dumb bitch
“You’re one of the craziest people I’ve ever met.” Elecia placed a hand on her hip and shifted her weight to extend the other to Vhalla. “And because of that, I owe you my life.” Vhalla reached out, clasping her bandaged palm against Elecia’s.
He stared at her, bewildered. “Vhalla.” Aldrik leaned close to her ear. “They are not saluting me, they are saluting you.”
Baby your an emprezz
Prince Baldair walked around to his father’s right side, Aldrik hovered near her. He didn’t move until she did, her silent shadow.
“But you see, my hands are tied.” The Emperor chewed thoughtfully
Of course they are
“The Senate, the voice of the people, they saw your military service as the fitting punishment, and I would not want to betray the trust of my loyal subjects.”
K thanks for sharing then, asshole
This was not a polite call to thank her for saving his army. That was a pleasant excuse for him to sit her down and formulate battle strategy.
She felt maneuvered and played, but she wasn’t sure by whom.
Prince Baldair strolled to her side. “Luckily, you have two sons, Father. I would be happy to make sure our little Windwalker makes it home safe and sound.”
Goddamit baldair
Aldrik stared at her hopelessly, then glared at his brother, but he went obediently to his father’s side.
“Please remove your hand from my person,” Vhalla mumbled to the Heartbreaker Prince.
“He’s lucky,” Daniel whispered.
Daniel Is sUch a sweet bby
“Vhalla Yarl, blessed bird of the East. The one who can soar without wings. The first chick to fly the cage. The first to return to our land.”
“You will march to victory, and it will be won upon your silver wings. But the winds of change you will set free will also shatter that tender hope upon which you fly. You will lose your dark sentry,” the woman foretold.
“Two paths will lie before you: night and day. Go west by night. Fade into the comforting obscurity of a shroud of darkness. You will find a familiar happiness there, if you can ignore yearnings for the sun.” Vi paused, looking at the glimmering ash about the room. “The other road will burn away your falsehoods by the light of dawn. You will own your wants for all to see. But take caution, for the fire that will expose you will give birth to an even greater power that will consume the land itself.”
