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wife.
Ick at the king
No matter how far she ran, her phantom would be there.
She was Vhalla Yarl, Duchess in the West, Lady of the Southern Court, Hero of the North, and the Windwalker. Her name had become such an unnecessary mouthful.
Vhalla laughed bitterly. “So ending us was the best thing that could’ve happened to him.” “Loving you is.”
It would inevitably gravitate her into his orbit again, and they would both collapse in on each other like dying stars.
her . . .
You're smarter than this
She’d tried to make a deal with devils, but she’d forgotten that devils lie.
STUPID STUPID STUPID
Why was everyone so ready to believe that no Windwalkers were being born when it made so much more sense that the East had simply perfected the art of hiding them? The laws following the Burning Times, the outlawing of all magic, the urge to forget, it was all to hide people like her.
Where Vhalla had been cut and carved into harsh lines and a strong presence, Tim had been left to develop naturally to be soft and graceful. Neither of them was wrong, neither right. Simply different.
“And you, you bend to his will. You’re going to hand me over to do it for him. To be his thing, his tool, his wretch of death!”
“Love is far better to know, even if it slips from your grasp or doesn’t bear fruit like you’d hoped. People who say they regret love, true love, are just bitter liars.”
Everything seemed out of time and place. Someone should’ve told her about her magic before it had spiraled out of control. Daniel was the one she should’ve met long before the prince. She should’ve split her time between swords and books. And the Aldrik standing before her was the man she’d needed months ago. Nothing happened when she needed it to.
“We’re hopeless, you and I,” Vhalla whispered. “If I am going to be hopeless for anyone, let it be for you, Vhalla Yarl.”
“Do you still love me?” He’d gone from glancing blows straight for the kill. Vhalla frowned slightly. “It doesn’t matter.” “It matters to me.” His words were quick and breathy. “Tell me, Vhalla, do you still love me as you once did? Do you hold any feelings for me in your heart? Is there a single ember of love that I might, honorably, fan to life once more?”
“If you will not say it, then I will. Vhalla, I—” “She means to kill your father,” Vhalla blurted out. Somehow, confessing to knowledge of treason was less frightening than knowing, beyond all doubt, that Aldrik still loved her.
She didn’t bother with bathing or changing clothes. In her mind, she made the excuse she was too tired. But the truth was her heart wanted to have the scent of roses on her skin for just a little longer.
How many times would she follow the prince into darkness, trusting his light to guide her?
He’d have no one else who knows that the Fire Lord is capable of joy.”
“I won’t leave again,” she whispered. “Whatever ill fate awaits us; I’ll wait for it with you.” “I want you with me, always.” His other hand caressed the chain on her neck. “Even if you never need me again in the same way, I need you.”
“Fight at my side again?”
“If it pleases,” his voice was deep and throaty when he whispered, and Vhalla smiled tiredly at the sound as much as the words.
“Believe in me!” Aldrik’s voice rose by a fraction before softening. “I have crawled out of deeper holes this past year. Believe I can do this, because if you will be by my side, I will let nothing stop me.” He took a deep breath and continued his earlier thought. “If I could find a way to keep the peace and allow us to be together, would you still take me? Would you forgive me? Would you want me?”
instead of severing our relationship I should have taken you into my arms and comforted you, promised you that I would find a solution if you only stayed by my side. I should have never been the person I was that drove you to, alone, walk out of those camp doors.”
“And I wish I could stop loving you, my frustrating woman.” He laughed. It was an equally hopeless sound. “I wish I could see the sun rise without thinking of how beautiful you are in the dawn, your hair an impossible mess and your body contorted in that weird way you call sleeping.”
wish I could see you smile without thinking of how it feels when your lips make that shape against mine.” Aldrik braced himself with a hand by her shoulder. “I wish I was not utterly, hopelessly in love with you, Vhalla Yarl.”
now.”
Queen shit
“Infidelity of the heart to some is a greater crime than infidelity of the flesh,”
“Oh, Vhalla.” Her name was a low growl resonating up from his chest, which sent goosebumps over her arms.
There was a knock on the outside door. Vhalla rolled over in her sleep, and Aldrik’s hands followed her. He pulled her to him instinctually, his body curling around her.
“You gave me life once; I gave it back,” Aldrik breathed, nuzzling her neck lovingly.
“Quiet.” Aldrik glanced across her. “Or else you will wake them up, and I will be forced to share you prematurely.”
Vhalla gave him a small smile. She knew this life must be very odd for him, but he handled it like a gracious ruler. Aldrik caught her eyes, and his lips curled into a small smile in return. Vhalla looked away quickly, frustrated that after all this time, her cheeks could still feel hot near this man. They both seemed to be on a mutual elation just at the sight of each other, especially after all that had occurred.
Vhalla tilted her head upward, her eyelids slowly closing. They no longer shared the Bond, and so she could no longer feel his mind’s inner design as though it was her own. He would need to show her, just as she would need to show him. His breathing washed over her cheeks as he paused, timidly.
“Elecia said it will scar.” “And?” he murmured nonchalantly. Aldrik leaned forward, pressing his lips into the fabric over the mark where Victor had stolen her magic and nearly her life. “You’re not one to worry about feminine notions of your complexion.” “I’m not,” she agreed. “Are you?” Aldrik laughed lightly. It was a throaty whisper. “You could turn green with yellow spots and I’d find myself uncaring. If I’d wanted a dainty court queen, I would have picked from my father’s line-up.”
