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Did he experience the same bliss, the strange intimacy, like I did?
“I don’t know what it feels like for you,” he said.
“I mean, does it hurt when I take from you like that?”
“No.” Ales paused. “It doesn’t hurt, elskan mín.”
“Can I ever give it to you? I mean, beyond the changing, can I give you my light? Or any other Einherjar?”
Ales was so quiet I lifted my head in his direction.
“No.” He tilted his head. “There isn’t a reason to do that. Valkyries are the true weapon. The key to destroying the Keres lies in the Valkyries’ hands, not ours.”
I liked the thought of sharing my aether, my energy with him. The Valkyrie seemed just as disappointed as me at his answer. We both wanted to share our strength. Was it because the burden of saving worlds rested on our shoulders and theirs as well?
“Hmm. That doesn’t seem fair.”
“War isn’t fair.”
“I don’t know war—Charlie doesn’t.”
“I wish you didn’t have to, but that is not the path the Fates deem for you.” Ales stood stiffly in the sand before he jerked his head to the side. “You’ve stalled long enough—time to practice,” he said, waving me toward the water.
“Wait. One more question.”
Ales turned back to me. “Why do I believe it’s not your last?”
“I promise.”
He nodded, lifting his gaze to mine.
“Ales, can I bring back the dead?”
If I could bring back Jason, would I? It had been three years, and I wouldn’t even be me anymore. But he had died so young. Maybe I could give him the life I wouldn’t get to have.
Ales stilled as his eyes became a cold gray steel. “No. The dead should remain dead.”
“Fine.”
Ales seemed pissed. Did he know I wanted to bring back Jason?
Maybe it was best to let this subject go for now, to let the dead remain untouched.
“All right. That was the last question. Teach me how to control the energy so I don’t accidentally drown us all,” I said, trotting down to the water’s edge.
Ales stalked me to the beginning of the tide and sat on the sand.
I mimicked his actions and crossed my legs, placing my hands in my lap, palms up like him. “Okay, now what?”
“Breathe. Close your eyes, summon the Valkyrie, and breathe.” he said gently.
All right, let’s do this. Here we go. We are one with the aether. We are controlling the energy. Feeling good, feeling calm. I can do this.
I reached inside me until the aether bounded forth across my skin, searing with visible sparks. The Valkyrie flickered amongst Charlie’s thoughts.
I fought every urge to separate the two.
I could hear the breath slowly entering Ales’ mouth, and then I counted as I heard him exhale slowly. I could smell the scent of citrus mixing with the ocean water.
