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Kirby shrugged. “I’m supposed to find all potential Valkyries. I suspect it’s to stop Ragnarök, but not even I have a clear idea of why I have this ability, or need to bring Valkyries back on the immortal chess board.”
My back straightened, and Astrid sucked in a tight breath. Ragnarök was a real event?
“I’m not a total bitch, where I’d force you to promise to help me in order for me to manifest this power. I’ll do it regardless of whether you join whatever cause this is, and you can use whatever abilities the Valkyrie power bestows on you, in whatever way you deem.” Kirby gave a weak smile. “We were friends once, and I know you’d make an invaluable addition, so I would like you by my side in this, but I still will leave that decision in your hands.”
My eyes flicked between Kirby and Astrid, who now mulled over the offer.She could really make it so Astrid could live forever?My gut twisted as realization set in.
This left me as the only mortal here, should she take the offer. Astrid would outlive me.She may not want to watch me grow old and die…
“I’ll do it,” Astrid said. “I’ll help you stop Ragnarök.”
Kirby smirked. Aya and Fenrir whooped and slapped hands while Tyr nodded with approval. I couldn’t celebrate, however.
“Astrid, wait, don’t be so hasty,” I said. Everyone turned to look at me. I wouldn’t back down. “Take more time to think about it. I don’t know what will entail stopping a world-ending event, but it can’t be easy. You don’t know yet what that’ll require of you. Saying yes to something you don’t understand… isn’t smart.”
I didn’t care if she activated this Valkyrie Soul and became immortal. If that was something she wanted, then I’d support her there, even if that guaranteed she’d not find it worth her time to choose me when she could have an immortal god instead. But I wouldn’t let her just jump into danger without thinking.
“I don’t need to think about it,” Astrid said. She got up to sit next to me, pulling her legs up onto the couch as she faced me. She reached out and cupped my face. “I feel it, deep in me, this is something I have to do. I haven’t felt so sure about anything the way I do about this decision.”
“Why do you feel this way?” I asked. “What makes you so sure?”
“Because of the number nine.”
My brow knitted. “What?”
“Nine was an important number for me and my people in my first life. It was associated with magic and completion. I died nine times. The ritual was used on me nine times. I am on my ninth life since the first reincarnation.”
Her green eyes peered into me—through me, as they always did. These eyes of hers always had this soul-piercing feeling, and now I was seeing why.
“Kirby broke her curse during this specific life of mine. I have a Valkyrie soul, possibly since the beginning. I always felt drawn to the Valkyries, wishing I could be one.”
“You also had developed Valkyrie-like habits the longer you were immortal in the past,” Tyr added. “It’s why so many thought I made you into one.”
Astrid nodded, though didn’t look at him when she did. Her focus on me remained strong. “The odds of me having one now, with all these other boxes checked… remember, there’s no such thing—”
“As a coincidence.” I closed my eyes and sighed. When I opened my eyes again, I cupped her cheeks, like she did mine. “If you go through with this, mi amor, don’t expect me to walk away. I’m staying right here. I don’t care if I’m some basic, moral human. I’m not going anywhere.”
Astrid smirked in a way that made my pulse jump. “That’s what I want.”
I pulled her into me, wrapping her up in my arms. I pressed my face into her gorgeous hair and inhaled her intoxicating scent. My heart beat strong in my chest. Calmness fell over me in a way I’d never experienced before. This felt right.
It was like the dream I had of us, only she would live forever without me.That’s fine. I’ll be with her until I draw my last breath.
When I was ready, I let her go. I didn’t care that we had an audience. Their opinions of my and Astrid’s relationship didn’t matter to me.
Astrid grabbed my hand and squeezed before standing and facing Kirby. “Okay, I’m ready.”
Kirby approached and had Astrid reposition while Fen moved the coffee table out of the way. When Astrid’s back was to the windows, Kirby and she clasped their hands and pressed them against Astrid’s chest.
“Any strange feelings you experience, don’t fight them,” Kirby said.
Astrid nodded and took a deep breath in anticipation. Kirby’s brow furrowed while she concentrated. Nothing seemed to happen for a long moment, and then suddenly, tendrils of golden light sprang out from Astrid’s hands.
Aya gasped, and I sat up straight.Holy shit, that’s real magic.
To Astrid’s credit, she hardly reacted. Her eyes widened, but otherwise, she didn’t move a muscle.
The golden light slowly floated through the house. Angel lifted her nose to it, sniffing the air. Her calmness around the magic intrigued me about as much as the tendril loosely wrapping around me.
