AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ever so slowly, the blackness seeps from my vision. I blink rapidly, the blurry landscape slowly coming into focus.
I swallow against the dryness of my mouth and run a hand over my eyes. A pounding headache fuzzes my thoughts, as if I have partaken in too much wine. I take one stumbling step, then two, walking much as a new-born colt does, shaky and unsure. People stand frozen around me, some with swords in their hands. My brows lower. Where am I?
Although I have a vague sense of home, nothing looks like it should. I stare at the black barren trees and the dried-out earth. Wheeling around, I search for something, anything familiar. A thick fog seeps out of the trees surrounding me, forcing me to back away as panic gnaws at my insides.
As it begins to swirl around my legs, a barrage of disjointed memories slams into me. I clutch my head, my eyes nearly popping out of my skull. Falling to my hands and knees, I begin to retch, bringing up a foul bile.
What have I done?
Chapter 40
Snow White
Pressingmybackintoa tree, I cover my eyes with my hands. Agony rips through me at the sounds of the wounded and dying. Cries ring out amongst the clash of weapons, a deadly cacophony that scrapes my nerves raw.
The scent of scorched flesh and blood turns my stomach, and I rage anew at what Morana’s greed and misplaced anger has wrought. So much death, so much anguish, so much suffering for nothing. I knew this day would not pass without casualties, but knowing it and seeing it are two very different things.
Hanging my head, I breathe in and out, forcefully shoving down my feelings. I cannot afford to feel the grief, I must keep my wits about me. Tomorrow will be for mourning.
Itiscowardlyofme to stand here amongst the trees, shielded from view by an invisibility shield. But it and the promise to “not move one muscle” was the only way Cass would leave my side. He has trained and prepared for this day for years. He has hungered for it, dreamed of it, yearned to exact a measure of revenge for the both of us.
Before we left the village, he had forced the names of the huntsmen that aided Morana in my torture from me. Although my conscience vehemently objected, I gave them to him. He needs this, both him and Aren. The years of separation and the pain I suffered still weigh heavily on him, and if bringing me their heads is what soothes the primal need to protect me, then I will gag my conscience and lock her away somewhere her disapproval can be ignored.
I track Cassian as he charges into the field with no hesitation, no second-guessing. He clutches the axes the Valkyries gave him and heads straight for the line of huntsmen, a feral yell ripping from his throat. The axes glint in the sunlight, slashing and slaying. Blood arcs through the air in a crimson rainbow as he dispatches them one by one. He is magnificent.
I tear my eyes away, placing a hand over my racing heart and squeezing my thighs together to assuage my aching core. I’m a little disturbed by how much my body responds to the sight of him avenging me. My conscience tries to pipe up again, but this time, I shove it into a dark box and cover it in locks for good measure.
Casting my gaze around the field, I quickly tally everyone’s movements. Thor, Baldr, and the Valkyries battle the dragon, while the army, dwarfs, and Robin’s men keep Morana’s company busy.
After promising Khallan I would destroy the mirror, I had filled him and Baldr in on my plan. I needed Morana to be overwhelmed, attacked from all sides. She wouldn’t be able to fight everyone at once, and with attacks from land and air, by humans and gods, her attention would be so divided that she’d be unable to keep track of everything and everyone.
I needed her to expel as much power as possible, to weaken her enough so that when I eradicate what is left of the mirror, she will be powerless to stop me. I’m not surprised when Merlin transforms into Odin. The “knowing” that came when my powers were awakened informed me of his true identity.
Now that she is cornered, I can finish this. I throw out my magic, suspending the battle but leaving Cass unaffected. He strides toward me, gazing at me with hooded eyes. He clutches a severed head in each hand, sinew and tendons dragging on the ground, leaving a bloody trail behind. He tosses them at my feet, then grabs me by the throat, pulling me into his chest. My heart flutters, my core growing damp as he smashes his lips to mine.
I wind my fingers into the soft hair at the base of his neck, my breath catching in my throat at his tongue’s invasion. He plunders my mouth as if it gives him life, and I cling to him desperately, dizzy with lack of air and lust.
I wish I could suspend time truly, to hit pause on everything around us. I would give in to that secret wish of mine and allow Cassian to hunt me through the forest. My body hungers for his, an electric desire thrumming through my veins, demanding to be sated. But as desperate as I am, I refuse to put on a show for the gods. I can only imagine what Hilda might have to say.
Placing a hand on his chest, I push him back, both of us dragging in deep lungfuls of air. “Later,” I promise, and he nods jerkily, his erection thick against his breeches. “It’s time. Are you ready?”
Cassian slides a hand over my cheek. “Remember your promise, Princess. You will walk off this field whole.”
“I promised I would try.”
“There is no ‘try.’ Youwill.”
He steps back and pulls off his clothing, dumping them in a pile on the ground. The transformation into Aren takes only a moment before I stare into his emerald eyes.I do not like this, mate,he says with a rumbly growl.
“I know.” I run my fingers down his chest, his eyes narrowing with pleasure. “But Morana is weak, and I have to finish this. For us, for my people. And remember, I’m no longer quite so easy to kill.”
He stares down at me, then a giant sigh echoes in my mind.Just don’t accept any apples from strangers.
A strangled laugh works its way from my throat, and I swear Aren winks at me. Shaking my head at him, I call upon the elements and a thick fog forms around us. I draw it out of the trees surrounding the field, encouraging it to slither around the frozen fighters. I pull it up, raising it high enough to obscure us from view, then run a hand over my body, changing my clothing. I plan on making an entrance.
Reality freezes for just a heartbeat, a gasp of air indrawn, a sense of knowing that you are stepping onto the path you were always meant to be on. I was born for this, this second, this minute, this hour. It has all led up to this. All I have to do is reach out and grab it.
It is time for me to take the crown and become the queen I was always destined to be.
