Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 47068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 235(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 235(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Damrion jerks his head in a nod. "Which means we have no idea why we're really here," he says.
I cock my head to the side, not sure what he's getting at.
"We don't know if they sent the vision that led us here or if it's a true vision," he says. "My gut tells me it's a trap they've set for her. One she's willing to walk into to free the people she loves. But if it's a true vision, she was always meant to come back to Seattle. So why try to trap her in the valley tonight at all?"
It's an excellent question. One I hadn't considered until just now. I was operating under the assumption that the Forsaken and varulv attacked to get to her, but if she was destined to return to Seattle, they had to know that wouldn't work. They had to know they were wasting their numbers in a doomed attempt. As far as we know, not even the Forsaken can circumvent Abigail's visions. What she sees always comes to pass. Always.
"Abigail," I say. "They want Abigail." Whatever they're planning, they don't want to risk us seeing it.
"Ja," Damrion growls, his expression fierce. "I believe so."
"Have you warned the warriors in Eitr?"
"I have. Two dozen guard her and Letty as we speak. They'll continue in shifts until we're back in Eitr." He blows out a sharp breath. "I'd bring her here if I thought it was any safer."
"Eitr is the safest place for her. It's always been the safest place for her." As the Forsaken learned tonight, getting to her won't be a walk in the park for them. Even without Rissa's power, getting up the mountain is no easy feat. Neither is locating Eitr. If they're lucky enough to do it, they still have to battle their way through scores of Fae warriors—every single one willing to die where he stands to protect every one of the Blooded in town.
"Ja, I know." Damrion scrubs a hand down his face. "It does not make me worry any less, brother. As Rissa reminded us today, Abigail is still just a girl. And when I agreed to allow her to stay, I made a vow to ensure she was well cared for and happy."
"You've kept your vow, brother."
He nods, though he doesn't look any less troubled. Damrion always worries too much. He carries the weight of the world on his shoulders and always has. That's the price of leadership. He never complains. He simply shoulders the burden and continues on. But it isn't easy. I suspect, sometimes, it's the hardest thing in the world.
"Adriel does not agree," he says after a moment. "He's furious that we left her behind."
"Nei," I say quietly. "Adriel is furious that the only person he's opened his heart to in two thousand years is in danger and he's helpless to do anything about it." He's a complicated Fae, but this, I understand completely. Adriel would move heaven and earth to protect Abigail, just like Damrion would. And right now, there's nothing either of them can do for her. Damrion blames himself. Adriel blames himself. But he lashes out at Damrion, just like he's always done.
Even now, Adriel loves Damrion. He's just too angry to admit it. He was abandoned when he needed him most. In two thousand years, the sting of that still hasn't faded. It might not ever. But sooner or later, one of them will be forced to admit what they both fight so hard to deny. They aren't brothers. They never have been. This is more than that. That's why it cuts them both so damn deeply. Perhaps Abigail is a part of that. Perhaps she isn't. I don't know. I don't pretend to see the patterns in the tapestry the Norns weave.
But the three of them can only circle one another for so long before the Norns either push them together or pull them apart. One day soon, one or the other will happen. It's only a matter of time.
Half an hour after Damrion slips from the room in the old Fae safehouse, Rissa begins to stir. I'm back at her side in an instant, kneeling beside the bed with my hands on her cheeks.
"Valkyrie," I breathe as her eyes flutter and slowly open. "You're back with me."
Confusion cuts through her gaze before those bright blue pools lands on me. As soon as they do, relief washes over her. I see it take her, relaxing her muscles and the furrow between her brows.
"Dax," she whispers. "I had the worst dream."
I don't have to heart to tell her it was no dream.
"All is well, lyseste ljós. You're safe."
Apparently, though I say little, I still manage to speak too much.
Her expression falls.
"It wasn't a dream."
I don't lie to her. I cannot.
"Nei, Valkyrie. It was no dream."