Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 37456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
"I…felt you in my soul. I clung to the memory of you, the thought of you." She swallows hard. "I knew I had to let it go before I burned out or it'd kill you too." Tears shimmer in her lashes. "I didn't want you to die with me, Malachi."
Gods.
I drag her into my arms, my lips searing against hers. "I love you, Marion." There is no truth more simple or profound than that. I love her. Not because the bond says I must. Not because she's Valkyrie. Not even because she's Fae. I love her because she's Marion—my Marion.
"Then love me, Malachi," she breathes against my lips, wrapping her body around mine. "Love me in this realm one more time before we leave it behind."
If I were a stronger Fae, one worthy of the goddess in my arms, I'd tell her no. She needs rest. But she needs this too. And I can deny her nothing. So I don't tell her no.
I press her back against the wall, and I love her, my body surging against hers, surging into hers again and again. She cries out, her hands clutched around my braids, my name ringing from the stone walls.
And we fall in this realm, one last time. Together.
An hour later, we gather in the living room as the Valkyrie open their soul portal one final time to allow Damrion back through.
He steps into the room with a small chest in his hands, the shards of the Bifröst contained within.
For long moments, no one says anything.
I don't think anyone knows what to say. We've dreamed of this for three hundred years. We've fought and bled and died for it. But I'm not sure any of us actually let ourselves believe this day would come.
And yet, it's here. And somehow, the five of us are still standing, charged with protecting the souls of the Valkyrie called to restore the home that welcomed us when ours fell to Darkness…the home we never thought we'd see again.
"We should do this in the Hall of Warriors," Damrion finally says. "It's where we came through. It should be where we return."
"Ja," I agree quietly. Adriel, Dax, and Reaper nod their agreement.
Damrion turns to the Valkyrie. "Can you spin your soul magic one more time and move us to the Hall of Warriors? I won't risk the walk with the five of you and the Bifröst together."
"We can do it," Rissa says, looking at her sisters.
One by one, they close their eyes, linking arms. The portal doesn't collapse and then reopen. We watch as it flickers, turning itself inside out. A moment later, the Hall of Warriors appears where dark forest was just moments ago, dimly lit but as familiar as the day we built it.
"Dax and Reaper go through first, followed by the Valkyrie, then I'll go, and then Malachi and Adriel," Damrion says. "Dax, Reaper, make sure the Hall is clear before the Valkyrie come through. Malachi, Adriel, you ensure no one follows before they close the portal."
Dax and Reaper immediately draw on Magn, calling their lyststål. Their swords flare to life in their hands, lighting the way as they step through the portal.
We wait in silence for them to give the all clear.
It comes less than four minutes later, Reaper poking his head through to motion the Valkyrie forward.
"Be careful," I murmur, brushing the back of my hand down Marion's cheek before she slips through the portal behind her sisters, holding hands with Kara to keep them linked.
Damrion follows behind her, entering the portal just seconds after she does.
I take a final glance around, reaching for Magn. Power crackles through my veins in a hot rush, my lyststål blazing to life in my hands. A second later, Adriel's appears. We step toward the portal.
The front door flies open, banging against the wall.
I spin, my lyststål already raised to strike.
"The Forsaken are pouring into Eitr," Stephan growls, his eyes blazing with fury. "They know what we're doing. There are portals opening everywhere."
"Faen!" I roar.
"Get everyone to the Hall of Warriors now!" Adriel commands. "I don't care if it costs every last Fae life, we hold the Hall until the Valkyrie are through the portal."
Stephan nods, spinning on his heel.
Adriel and I plunge through the portal into the Hall to warn Damrion…but he already knows. He spins to face us, barking orders.
"Keep that fucking door closed and the Forsaken off of us," he growls. "I don't care what it takes. Until the portal is open and the Valkyrie are through, we aren't giving an inch."
I nod, already striding that way as screams erupt outside.
"Fae! To the Hall!" Stephan roars over the wall of noise, his voice far off but moving closer. "Defend the Hall!"
My back lands beside Dax's against the door. He glances at me, his expression savage, haunted. I have a feeling the same reflects back at him from mine.