Page 30 of Soul of Fire

“Eisa!” Branka shook my shoulder, and I blinked at her in confusion. “Okay, this is getting ridiculous.”

I cleared my throat, remembering that Branka had asked a question, which I had both completely ignored and forgotten. “Sorry. What did you ask me?”

Branka crossed her arms in annoyance. “I asked whothatis, but clearly we should talk about your inability to focus. Are you undressing Arik with your eyes during these long silences?”

“It’s Arik’s uncle, and no, I’m not undressing him with my eyes.” I looked around. The spectators were some distance from us, having been scared off by a growl from Jorgen when one of the men approached Branka, but I didn’t particularly want to be overheard. “Keep your voice down.”

“Then what are you doing?” Branka whisper-shouted back. “Because Iknowyou’re not talking to Idunn.”

One of the braver soldiers from the crowd had entered the sparring ring, his friends eagerly cheering him on. Arne, Arik, and Jorgen watched as he stripped off his shirt and took one of the long poles from the rack at the edge of the training yard.

“Why do they all need to be shirtless?” I muttered, half hoping to distract her.

“Tell me, Eisa.” Branka’s eyes were fierce, their edges turning slightly gold as Bryndis sensed her irritation.

Across the ring, Arne began to walk the newcomer through the movements with the pole as Arik and Jorgen faced off against each other to the whoops and cheers of the crowd.

I sighed. “We can speak in each other’s minds.”

The confession was a whisper, but Branka heard me well enough. “You can what?!”

“Shhh!”

“You can speak in each other’s minds? For how long?”

“Since the Rifting.”

“The Rifting?!”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” I glanced around nervously, but there was still at least ten feet between us and the nearest soldier. “We weren’t sure what it meant.”

“Elysia’s glorious tits,” Branka murmured, her wide eyes falling back to the men.

Arne had easily disarmed the newcomer, inspiring three more men to strip off their shirts and join the fray.

I caught Arik’s gaze.Everything alright? Branka looks like you’ve just confessed your undying love.

I told her. About our…connection.

Branka gripped me by my shoulder. “Oh my Goddess, you’re doing it now! Is it because Idunn is a blue?”

“We think so.” I took her arm, linking it with mine. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”

“No, I get it. Wait!” Branka clapped a hand over her mouth, looking suddenly horrified. “Is it all of your thoughts, or only some of them?”

I smiled, despite myself. “It depends. Sometimes I can’t control it.”

Across the training yard, Arik took on three men while Arne and Jorgen split off to spar with two others who had joined the impromptu training exercise. He cast a raised brow at me, and I shook my head slightly.We’re fine.

Branka shuddered. “I’m not sure I’d want Jorgen hearing every single one of my thoughts. Bryndis is already incredibly intrusive sometimes.”

“It gets inconvenient,” I agreed wryly.

Heard that.Arik’s mental voice didn’t sound winded as he swung the wooden pole over and over again, catching one man in the stomach and another in the ribs. Both limped away as five more men entered the yard, their grins eager as they picked up the sticks of their fallen comrades.

I have decided I like this game after all,Idunn interrupted, purring loudly in my chest.Look how shiny he is getting.

Control yourself.I felt pink creep into my cheeks. Arik had broken into a light sweat from the exertion, his broken tattoos and thescars from his whipping standing out in sharp relief against his tan skin.You’re enjoying this far too much.