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“We made our move, Nightrender,” she whispered. “Now we see it through. I’m all right, Kase.”
“You weren’t,” I said so softly I wasn’t certain I actually spoke. “You weren’t all right.”
“I am. I will be. And now we know about the warding.” She looked to where Niklas stood against the wall. “Nik is already planning how to counteract the elixir.”
“I can make herb pouches we can place in our skin. A little gruesome, but it’s a simple mix and can be done quickly. We’ll always be guarded against poisons and wardings.” Niklas said with a grin. “Frankly, I’m a little ashamed I didn’t think of it earlier. This set us back in a frightening way, but I agree with Mal. We keep on with the plan.”
Malin tapped her brow to mine. “From start to finish, you’ve made a good plan, Kase.”
There were so many steps. House Vill, Jagged Grove, the ring, they all were mere pieces of our grand dance with the Black Palace. If it protected Malin from this, though, finding the ring would be our priority.
We had to finish our game. I knew this, but I hadn’t lied when I said I would live a full life with Malin somewhere in the glacier peaks of the North. No mistake, I could go the rest of my days without looking at another person but her and be content.
I cleared my throat and held out the horn. “Tova said I’m supposed to make you drink this.”
“We’ll leave you,” Elise said, giving Malin a small smile.
“Find me if anything changes,” Niklas said before following the women out of the house.
Stillness surrounded us, a peaceful quiet. For the first time since she touched that bastard and collapsed, I breathed easier. Malin was here, recovering, and alive.
“You’ll need to help me.” She flicked her gaze to the horn.
I tipped the cup to her lips and helped her drink the tea as fast as she could. When it was done, she leaned her head against the wall. “It feels better. I can almost move my fingers.”
Setting the horn to the side, I adjusted on the bed, so I could wrap her in my arms and hold her under the wiry bear furs.
Malin sighed, nuzzling my neck. “I was almost as terrified tonight as I was the night Ivar took you from me.”
I kissed her brow and tightened my hold around her weak body. “I could only sense my fear; it overpowered even yours. I thought I had lost you, Malin.”
“Herja told me something on the journey here,” she whispered. “She told me we must fight for something worth dying for. Tonight, I was terrified, but I kept thinking of you. Of what it would be like to be parted from you if I was doomed for the Otherworld. Of what it would be like if you were the one on the ground.”
“Mal, don’t—”
“No, it was a good thing. Forced to be silent, it gave me a great deal of time to think.” She paused for a few breaths. “I wish I was more honorable and could say fighting for our land, our people, and our kingdom was what I would die for. But it is you, Kase Eriksson. I will fight for you because I will die for you. Given a choice, I will choose you every time.”
“Then you will be fighting me, for I will give up the last breath in my chest to see you alive.” I closed my eyes, crushing her against me.
“Why are you not kissing me?” she asked against the crook of my neck.
A wet laugh burst from my throat. “Forgive me, wife. I figured since you couldn’t move, I should control myself.”
“What a stupid thought.”
I laughed again and kissed her.
She would die for me. I would do the same. But I would make sure we lived for each other first.
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
THE MEMORY THIEF
“Kase Eriksson,if you do not step back, I will stab you.”
Kase narrowed his eyes, jaw tight, but obeyed and took two steps away from me. Gods, I loved that man, but he knew how to fret.
“You fell last time,” he said, sounding more like the Nightrender than my husband.
