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I keep my hand on Reaper, willing him to stay. He has to stay. He's mine. He belongs here—with me.
The Light burns away the poison pumping through his veins, purging it with brutal efficiency. It leaves no trace behind, taking every last evil drop. When the last bit is gone and Reaper's blood is clean once more, the Light recedes back into me as quickly as it flowed out. It winks out, leaving nothing but normalcy in its wake—normalcy and Reaper, alive and well.
For a moment, stunned silence reigns around us, the Fae frozen in shock.
I collapse across Reaper's chest, exhausted in a way I've never been. But victorious too. He's alive and he's safe.
"You promised," I whisper, brushing trembling fingers through his hair. Tears stream down my face as I cling to him, his strong heart beating beneath my ear. The scent of smoke and blood permeates the air, mingling with the metallic taste of fear and adrenaline. My heartbeat pounds in time with his, a testament to the bond we've somehow formed.
"Ja, little Valkyrie." His rough voice shakes as he pulls me closer, his lips at my ear. "Ja, I did."
The Fae murmur around us, disbelief replacing shock.
"What in the name of Odin have you done?" Malachi asks, his voice low and awestruck.
I look up at him. "I…I don't know," I choke out, my mind reeling as I try to process what just happened. I think I just healed Reaper. No, I know I just healed him. I felt it happening. "I felt him slipping away, and I couldn't let that happen. I don't know how I healed him."
Malachi and the other Fae share a look between them, their expressions a mix of confusion and awe.
Reaper laughs quietly, his amber eyes shining with pride. "You are a Valkyrie, solsken. That's how you did it."
"The Valkyrie can heal?"
"Ja, some can," Malachi says. "But none has ever been able to heal the bite of a varulv. You're the first." He shakes his head, his braids clicking. "It's a hell of a handy Gift, that's for sure."
"I…" I trail off, not sure what to say to that. Not sure where to even begin processing this. Like so much else that's happened, it feels far too big for me. But I guess that's my life now, isn't it? Everything is big and overwhelming. Everything except the giant Fae warrior holding me in his strong arms.
He's the part that makes sense. He's the part that feels just big enough. And for now, he's safe.
Chapter Six
Reaper
We're nearly to the Hall of Warriors when a loud rumble echoes through Eitr, as if the very mountain itself is coming down around us.
"Helvete," Malachi breathes, his eyes wide with shock as he stares at the walls in the distance. "They're bringing them down."
My heart slams against my ribcage, my arm tightening protectively around the precious little Valkyrie at my side. I hold her close, my body pressed tightly to hers as I follow my brother's gaze. Sure enough, the massive wooden wall closest to our position is caving, entire sections crumbling with a roar.
Skita.
For the first time in three hundred years, the protective walls of Eitr are failing, brought down by whatever dark magic the Forsaken have unleashed upon them.
"We have to get the Valkyrie out of here now," I growl, terrified of anything happening to Tori. I just found her. She's my mate, my reason for existence, and I won't allow anything to happen to her.
The very idea of the Forsaken getting their hands on her fills me with a blinding rage. I'll destroy the nine realms myself before I let that happen. To Helheim with fate and prophecy and her destiny. She's mine, and nothing will take her from me now.
"Ja." Malachi picks up his pace, jogging toward the safety of the Hall of Warriors.
We're nearly to the steps when a blinding blast of pure Light erupts from within, blowing the doors of the building open and rolling over us in a scorching wave. It rips through me, viciously plunging deep into my soul. With ruthless, brutal efficiency, it measures the worth of my soul, leaving no corner untouched.
Tori cries out beside me as the Light does the same to her, brutally invading every cell and leaving her shaking uncontrollably. But the cry barely leaves her lips before the Light moves on, satisfied that we're not the dark threat it seeks.
My mate stumbles into me, shuddering. "What was that?" she cries.
"That was Rissa," I breathe, lifting her gently from her feet as I race into the Hall with Malachi at my side.
The Hall is in chaos, warriors and the Blooded alike tending to the injured. A ring of warriors surrounds Rissa and Abigail, standing two deep. But even the bright Lights of their lyststål pales in comparison to the blazing Light pouring from the Valkyrie. She's lit up like the Sun, ropes of Light flowing out of her.
