Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 41683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 208(@200wpm)___ 167(@250wpm)___ 139(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 208(@200wpm)___ 167(@250wpm)___ 139(@300wpm)
"You're outmatched," he taunts. "Flee now, little cockroach, or face the consequences."
But the Forsaken only laughs, a chilling sound that echoes through the clearing. He channels dark power, casting shadows that twist and writhe around Reaper.
Reaper's lyststål cuts through them like butter, his strikes relentless and fierce. Each clash of Light against Dark reverberates through the night, a symphony of battle and fury. The smell of smoke fills the air, mingling with the softer scent of flowers and frost.
The Forsaken snarls in frustration, his attacks growing more desperate and reckless. But Reaper doesn't slow or falter. He's a machine with his lyststål, implacable and sure.
With a final surge of strength, Reaper delivers a decisive blow that shatters the Forsaken's defenses. Dark energy dissipates into nothingness, leaving only silence in its wake. A moment later, Reaper's lyststål slices through the Forsaken. Smoke curls from the wound, black blood gushing.
For a monster, the Forsaken screams like a man as he ignites, catching fire quickly. Within seconds, he's a raging inferno, blazing hot. He stumbles forward and falls.
Before he even hits the ground, he's gone, his body nothing more than smoking tendrils of ash.
Breathing heavily, Reaper lowers his lyststål. He doesn't release it though, and he doesn't relax. Shouts still bounce to us through the trees, eerie and distorted. Eitr is still under attack.
"Are you all right, little Valkyrie?"
"Yes," I whisper.
"Good. We have to get to the Hall of Warriors. The others will be waiting for us there. I want you to stay close and keep your eyes peeled for anything that doesn't look right. If you see anything, you shout," he instructs, his voice low and urgent. "If we're outnumbered, you run. You don't stop until you're surrounded by Fae. Do you understand?"
"Reaper," I choke, tears welling at what he's asking of me. He wants me to leave him behind…to leave him to die. I can't do that. "I won't leave you."
"You must," he says, turning to place his hand on my cheek. "If you fall, we all fall, solsken. There will be other lives and other worlds, but only if you survive this one."
"But I need you."
His gentle smile cracks my heart wide open. "You have me, Tori. My soul is yours. If I must fall to ensure you survive, I'll fall with a smile on my lips." He tips his head down, touching his mouth to my forehead. "I felt my heart beat again today, little Valkyrie. For the first time in two thousand years, I felt it beat."
I sob his name, my heart threatening to break. It shouldn't be possible for him to mean so much already, and yet he does. And yet, if he dies, I'll never forget him. I'll never forgive him, either. He's supposed to live. That's how he protects me, by living.
If we survive this, one way or another, I will figure out how to wield my power. To save this Fae, I'll do whatever I have to do.
I stay behind Reaper as we creep through the woods back toward town, my heart in my throat and tears in my eyes. Terror threatens to choke me.
I hear the whispers of the Forsaken as they spread through the forest, creeping toward town. Every shifting shadow sends my heart into overdrive. But somehow, we make it to the edge of Eitr without running into another Forsaken.
I know Reaper is on high alert as well, but he's calm and collected as always. His lyststål hangs ready at his side, and he moves with a grace that I can only aspire to.
As we approach Eitr, the destruction is overwhelming. Parts of the village are on fire, entire buildings engulfed in flame. Warriors and Forsaken battle in the streets, the Fae desperately trying to defend the people who call this tiny mountain village home.
Reaper stops just before we enter Eitr proper, turning to me. "Remember," he says firmly. "If you see anything that doesn't look right, you run."
I nod, trying to swallow down my fear. "What about you?"
He gives me a small smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "I'll be right behind you if you have to run."
I take a deep breath, fighting not to cry. He doesn't mean it. We both know he doesn't. If I have to run, it'll be a last resort, because we had no other choice. He'll stay behind to give me time. He'll sacrifice himself to ensure I get to safety.
"My soul and lyststål are yours, little Valkyrie. Always." He touches my cheek and steps out on the path running between buildings.
I choke on a sob.
The chaos is even worse up close. The sound of fighting fills the air, along with screams of terror and pain. Reaper stays right behind me as we navigate the madness of battle. Every step feels like an eternity as we try to make our way through Eitr undetected.