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)
But fate hasn't been on our side thus far. At every turn, the Forsaken have been one step ahead of us. Even with Abigail's visions, they're beating us.
We need a miracle.
I've never believed in those. I've spent too damned long in battle to believe in them. But right now, we need one.
I kick open the door to the cabin, rushing inside. Murderous fury courses through me as I whip around, taking stock of the chair toppled in the middle of the floor, with ropes looped around it.
They tied a Valkyrie to a fucking chair?
An unholy roar rips from my lips as my eyes fall on the woman handcuffed to the bed. Even asleep, pain etches grooves between her brows. She's pale and still, bruises marring her porcelain skin. Wild flame-red hair curls wildly around her face.
Beautiful. So beautiful.
Blood rushes in my ears in a torrent of sound as I stomp toward her. I can't think. I can't breathe. It's like the entire world is shifting beneath my feet, contorting wildly. All I see is her.
I feel her. Every breath she takes brushes against my subconscious like a caress, commanding me closer. Closer. Closer.
Mine.
"Oh, Dax," Rissa whispers.
I wheel around, snarling as I place myself between my mate and the rest of the world, crouched and ready to defend her. No one is getting close. No one is touching her.
"Peace, Malachi," Dax says, leaping in front of Rissa with his hands extended to show he doesn't mean any harm. "Peace, brother. We aren't going to take her from you."
"Stay over there," I growl, trying to fight through…whatever this is. The bond. Madness. I don't know. All I know is that this Valkyrie is mine—mine to protect, mine to defend. Mine.
"Of course," Dax agrees with a nod. "Just let Rissa help you get her uncuffed from the bed."
I ignore his offer, not sure I can allow the Valkyrie close yet. Not sure I trust myself enough to allow her close. Instead, I quickly examine the bed, noting where the cuffs are looped around the metal posts.
"Easy, Valkyrie," I murmur, running a hand down her round cheek. She's soft and warm, more alive and real than anything I've felt in…ever, actually. I've never felt anything as vital as her skin against my fingertips.
My cock turns to stone, straining against the fly of my pants. Ah, Gods. It hurts and doesn't hurt enough at the same time.
She stirs beneath me, sighing softly.
I plant my hands on the bars, yanking. They loosen with a loud squeal, allowing me to slip her free of her prison. As soon as her arms fall to her sides, she's in mine, held to my chest.
I feel her heart thrumming against mine. Thu-thump. Thu-thump. Thu-thump. Strong and steady.
"Valkyrie," I breathe, pressing my face into her hair. "Ljúfr."
I was right. I did die today, only to be reborn as hers—her Fae. Her mate. Hers.
Chapter Two
Marion
Iwake with a start, my heart pounding like a drum as I take in the unfamiliar room around me. Furs cover the floor, and ancient weapons glint on the walls, but it's the massive man hovering over me that draws my attention.
He's a giant, with umber skin and striking blue eyes that pierce through me. Beads click in his dark braids as he kneels beside the bed, moving slowly, as if he's afraid to startle me.
He's familiar, like a forgotten memory tugging at the edges of my mind.
Have I seen him before? I try to remember, but everything is a tangled snarl. My mind moves slowly. Too slowly.
The drugs.
I remember those all too clearly.
"Valkyrie," he rumbles, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine. "You're awake."
"W-where am I? Who are you?" I tremble, trying to gather my thoughts. "Are you Forsaken?"
Even as the question leaves my lips, I know the answer. This man is no Forsaken. He's too alive, too vital to be one of them. I feel him like a second heartbeat pulsing in sync with my own.
His eyes flash dangerously. "Nei, ljúfr. I am no Forsaken," he growls, the intensity of his gaze stealing my breath. "My name is Malachi, and you're safe here. You're in Eitr."
Eitr. That's where my parents wanted me to go.
"You're Fae," I whisper, realization slowly dawning. God. I'm so tired I can't think.
"Ja, I am." His stare intensifies, searing clean into my soul. "Your Fae."
His heated whisper burns through me, shaking loose a shiver. The way he says it—the way he looks at me—it's as if he's trying to communicate something without words. For a moment, I think I hear it whispering at the edges of my mind, caressing the edge of my soul. But that's not possible, is it?
I shiver again, sinking deeper into the bed.
Who is this man?
"I was supposed to find you. They told me…" I trail off, licking my suddenly dry lips. Uncertainty creeps in, warning me against trusting too easily. This could be a Forsaken trick, some way of…of what? I don't know.