Water's Wrath (Air Awakens, #4)

by Elise Kova

She didn’t need it to cut through souls. She only needed it to cut through the shadows that threatened to swallow her whole.

“Baldair gave the Guard an order before we left Soricium. That we were to be the ones to find you, and when we did, we were to protect you at all costs. I found you by luck, but that’s why I was looking.” Vhalla sunk onto the bed, too tired and confused to care about the dank smell that assaulted her nose. “Why?” “Because he said he considers you his sister.”

A second ice dagger pierced his back. Jax was thrown to the floor and didn’t get up. He wheezed and stared at her with dulling eyes.

Wait no i love jax

“They sought to bring a new war upon the Empire.” Vhalla met the Emperor’s eyes. “Once more I have defended the Empire, and my reward is to be more chains?”

I love her character development

“I should’ve killed you myself when I had the chance.” “Another step closer and I will be the one killing you,” she threatened.

“You have no idea what I’m capable of,” Vhalla whispered.

Her clothes were folded and hung on pegs, exactly the same as Larel had left it.

Brb crying

“It’s no wonder Jax likes you.” Vhalla swallowed hard. “Erion . . . Jax is . . .” Vhalla gripped her fingers, emotions running high. “He was trying to protect me.” “Oh, he told us.” “What?” “When he got back to the palace a few days ago, not long before Daniel, he told us all about how you got him stabbed.”

Thank god

“I’ll do any one thing you ask of me.” Daniel drew his sword, a beautiful rapier with a golden pommel in the shape of wheat. “Anything?” Vhalla raised her eyebrows. “They say make love, not war,” Jax shouted down from the spectators’ ring that lined the training pit. “I frankly don’t care as long as you two get to one or the other.”

“We’re hopeless, you and I,” Vhalla whispered. “If I am going to be hopeless for anyone, let it be for you, Vhalla Yarl.”

“If you as much as think of touching him, I will kill you myself,” Vhalla growled.

How many times would she follow the prince into darkness, trusting his light to guide her?

“Do I have a new cleric?” Baldair asked his brother with a tired grin.

He better not die i stg

“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.”

“Nothing will happen to you.” Aldrik looked right through her, and Vhalla had no idea what he saw, but it terrified him. “I will not let it happen.”

Vhalla grabbed a roll of bread off the table—Aldrik had continued to make safe choices with food. She tore off a hunk and, as Baldair opened his mouth for some retort, she unceremoniously shoved in the mass of food. Baldair looked at her in shock as he was forced to chew through the soft piece of bread. “Now eat, oh golden prince.” She grinned. “Don’t—” Baldair chewed. “Don’t think that when I’m well—” he coughed again “—I won’t get you back for these indiscretions against the crown.”

“I wish I was not utterly, hopelessly in love with you, Vhalla Yarl.”

She sat herself in one of the waiting chairs, pulling up her feet. “Is that any way for a lady to sit?” Aldrik teased. “I am a lady, and I am sitting this way; therefore, yes.” Vhalla nodded her head to underscore her response. “I can’t refute such sound logic.” He placed his hands on her shoulders, standing behind her chair.

“I am more than happy to depart, if that is best.” The woman opened her mouth to speak, only to be cut off by a tired wheezing. “Vhalla, don’t be crazy,” Baldair managed from the bed within. “My mother said only family. Clearly—” He coughed, and Vhalla heard the blood come up. “Clearly, the little sister I never had is included in that.”

“You had, you have still, a beautiful heart, Vhalla. I’m glad I somehow found a place in it. You healed things, things I didn’t think could be healed. I don’t think I have spoken as much to my brother in years as I have in these past months. I am thankful for it.”

“Vhalla, don’t do this,” Aldrik pleaded, ignoring the world ending around them. “I need you. Don’t leave me, my lady, my love.”

“And that lord stands before me.” The man dropped to a knee, bowing his head. “Long live the Emperor Solaris.”

Vhalla dropped to her knee before the Emperor of the realms. “Long live Solaris.”