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“Ales is a good man, and an even better soldier.” He paused. “The best I’ve ever known. He sensed you when no one else could. Ales will do what needs to be done to end this war. He will always fulfill his oath. He knows no other way,” Cri whispered.
My heart ached for Ales and Cri. I thought I was doing the right thing submitting to Valkyrie, but now I didn’t know anymore. What if I was damning them by trying to save them?
“Even if you’re right, I don’t know how to do it. She’s so strong…”
“You’ll find a way. Over the years I’ve learned loving and fighting aren’t so different. Passion, baby Valkyrie. It won’t kill you to embrace it.”
Cri twirled his torch and plucked it into the steel cage. “See you tomorrow, Charlie.”
“That wasn’t very helpful, Cri!”
His advice was the worst freaking riddle. I had enough passion to sink this island in aether, that was the problem. Charlie wanted to be in Logan’s arm, but the Valkyrie craved Ales’ touch and the power inside him.
I loped down the side of the mountain, picking wildflowers as I went. My fingers began twining the stems together until I had enough flowers to form a halo. It distracted me from Cri’s words, but barely. I finished the last knot and pushed open the door to Lana’s home.
“Hey, look what I made you,” I sang to her as I barged through the wooden door.
Lana was in Danny’s lap on the edge of the hearth, their mouths sealed over each other.
“Oh… my bad.” I turned on a heel to walk out.
Called it. English lessons my ass…
“Charlie?” Lana called out.
“Yeah, still me.”
“Why wouldn’t it be you?” Danny asked as Lana slid off his lap.
“Guess you haven’t talked to Logan yet. You know what, I’m just going to leave you two alone, and go for a walk. A long walk. Probably be gone all night.”
“Charlie, wait. It’s okay. I should probably go check on Logan. I already ate dinner anyways.” Danny laid a brief kiss on Lana’s lips and headed for the door.
“Night, Danny,” Lana said.
When Danny was halfway out the door, I reached for his shoulder. “Look out for Logan for me, huh?”
“Always.” Danny stared at me as if I’d lost my mind.
He’d figure it out when Logan spilled the beans.
I shut the door before he could ask any more questions.
Lana sat in front of the fire stirring tonight’s dinner into perfection. She smiled when I laid the crown of bright red flowers on her head.
“You look like a fire Goddess.”
“Anakai,” she said. Her smile reached her eyes as she beckoned me to join the hearth next to her. I think the word resembled thank you.
“Charlie and Ales?” she asked.
“He is complicated and difficult to be around. Things are even more confusing,” I said.
“Hmm, bad?”
“I’m not sure yet. I wish there was an instruction guide for breaking the rules.”
Lana laughed and tossed her auburn hair over her shoulder. I guess she understood more English than I thought. Thank you, Danny.
