Page 84 of Soul of Fire

My chest was too tight. Like the walls were closing in on me. “No. No, I need someair.”

“Kjære.”

I marched past Arik and out into the sanctum, which was tinted pink from the witchfire in the sconces.

“It’s dark—“

“We’ll be fine.” I heard Arik cut Amaya off as he followed me, his stride eating up the distance between us. “Kjære.”

“I need air.” My voice was breathless, my chest tight as I pushed open the door and began climbing the stairs. I was so out of shape that my thighs were burning by the time I hit the tenth step, but I kept pushing forward even as my breathing turned to ragged gasps.

“Just breathe.” Arik placed his hand on my back, a reassurance and support as I continued climbing. When I slowed, he matched my pace, never telling me to stop but also never leaving my side.

Drageling,Idunn intoned as she curled around my mind. Her presence was a soothing balm to my rioting heart.I am with you.

I’m sorry.The words felt choked even in my mind as I struggled to take in gasping breaths.You should have bonded someone stronger. Someone better.

There is no one I would wish to bind my soul to but you, Drageling. Breathe.

We emerged into the chill night wind, stars flickering in and out between the clouds that constantly blocked out the sky over Stalheim.

I breathed in the crisp air, feeling like the weight of the temple had finally lifted somewhat.

My lungs felt like they had been run through a meat grinder.

“Breathe, Eisa.” Arik held me by the shoulders, his steady warmth and scent of leather and smoke encircling me. “In and out. Nice and slow.”

“I’m sorry.” I gasped out the words between ragged breaths, holding on to him as I tried to calm my racing heart. “I’m sorry.”

“Breathe, Kjære. I have you.”

I leaned forward until my forehead rested against the hollow of his throat, and his arms came around me. He stroked soothing circles against my back in time with my breathing, until it had slowed enough that I could think again.

We stood there for a time, letting the night air soothe my racing heart. It felt like every answer Sigrid had given me had resulted in a thousand more questions. How could my mother have been Dragonborn? How did Sigrid know any of this, about the Rift, about the Goddess? And if this was all true, why had we languished under Henrik’s thumb for so very long? Why didn’t Sigrid bring me here?

“I should have listened to you.”

“Hmm?” Arik murmured against the top of my head.

My face was still buried in his throat, as if the scent of him could chase away the darkness that might be coming for all of us.

“Doing more squats.”

Arik huffed a laugh as he pushed a lock of hair back from my sweaty brow. “You’ll certainly feel it tomorrow.” He cupped my cheek. “Are you alright, Kjære?”

“No. No, I’m not.”

“I thought not.” He looked down at me, lifting my face with his hands. “We’ll weather this together, Kjære—whatever it means. For you. For us. For the whole godsdamned realm. You won’t do this alone.”

He stroked his thumbs over my cheekbones, and I sank into the touch, letting my eyes close. “I suppose you were right after all.”

“About what?”

“About me being able to close the Rift. About Idunn.” I swallowed, opening my eyes to meet his steely gaze. “You told me you thought she could close the Rift because she burned blue.”

“I fucking hate being right,” he sighed, folding me back into his embrace. “The last blue must have been Dragonborn too. It’s the only way any of this makes sense. Why she tried and failed to close the Rift.”

I released a disbelieving laugh. “If she wasn’t able to close the Rift, I’m not sure what hope I have.”