A great deal actually.
I glanced around the crowded festival grounds uneasily.
Too many people.
Too much noise.
Too public.
My instincts rebelled at exposing something this important where strangers could overhear.
So I took Amrin’s hand firmly and guided her away from the central plaza toward the cliffs overlooking the sea.
The Draugr and Serena followed silently behind us.
Guarding.
Witnessing.
The blue moon hung higher now, enormous above the black waters surrounding Asgarheim.
Perfect timing.
“Guys,” Serena asked carefully behind us, clutching her ridiculous avocado beneath one arm. “What’s happening?”
I inhaled slowly.
Then looked directly at Amrin.
Gods.
She was beautiful tonight.
Moonlight caught in the blue-black curls spilling around her shoulders while the gown I’d crafted for her shimmered softly like living starlight.
And those eyes—those pale luminous eyes that could gut me faster than a knife—simply watched me with complete trust.
And that alone nearly undid me.
“Amrin,” I began carefully, “I never intended to keep you in the dark.”
Her fingers tightened around mine immediately.
“But part of the reason I came to Runevald was to gain control over my abilities.”
She nodded slowly.
“That’s pretty common here though, right?”
“Yes,” I admitted. “But my circumstances are… different.”
Concern flickered across her face instantly.
“You’re scaring me a little.”
Shit.
That was not my intention.
