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She would have expected him to be jaded and resigned by now, unlike hopeful mortals who didn’t know any better. But for all of Ere’s sarcasm and casual nonchalance, he radiated a palpable light from within.
When he spoke, she believed him. He gave her hope.
“I’ve been a bad,badboy for a very long time,” he said, his smile twisting into a self-directed sneer.
“I’ve hurt everyone I love without exception. And by hurt, I don’t mean something trivial like a harsh word or a small slight. I meanhurt.”
He stared at her with such intensity and pain that she felt a visceral stab in her chest.
“All because I gave up on hope, gave up on myself,” he snarled low, his expression darkening by the second.
“I should have fought harder. Should have never given up. I regret all the evils I perpetrated. I suffered for them in my own way, and I deserved it. Somehow, I’m here now with my one and only love. I am the luckiest and happiest of all creatures. I won’t ever take what I have for granted, and I’ll never give up again.”
Startlingly, his expression transformed from one of determination to cheerful openness once again.
He was such a chameleon, Eir thought. Such a fascinating male.
He could be lighthearted, whimsical, bored, satirical, scathing, and downright frightening in his vehemence sometimes. Light and darkness existed in equal measure within him.
“Buck up, Valkyrie,” he said finally.
“You’re just getting started. Stop dreading the worst. Nothing is inevitable. And don’t just hope for the best. Don’t wish for it.Makeit happen.”
~ * ~* ~ *~ * ~* ~ *~ * ~
Day Seven, After: Claimed.
Eir was gone from their hayloft before dawn. Kai had not seen even a glimpse of her all day.
Her stallion was gone as well. Perhaps she took him to patrol the surrounding lands from the skies. Perhaps she had her own tasks to fulfill. He did not worry about it, for he knew she would return for the battle.
And if she didn’t…
Well, he wouldn’t worry about that either.
For one, if for whatever reason she didn’t fight alongside them against the Frost Giant, it would mean that she’d be safe. Immortals could be killed, as Kai knew firsthand. He wouldn’t mind Eir staying safe.
For two, she’d given him so much already over the past days and nights. The way she touched him and looked into his eyes. The way she kissed and fucked him…
It had felt like love. It had felt true.
Kai was grateful for every moment they shared together. Whatever became of him after this, whether she took him to Valhalla or returned him to the Celestial Realm, or his existence finally came to an end, he would always have these moments. He would always remember.
Beyond life and death, beyond time, he would remember.
He was a dragon who learned to love.
And a dragon’s love was everlasting.
He hoped she would come back before the end, however. Of course, he did. He was selfish enough to want more time with her. To allow himself to dream of a future together.
If only…
By nightfall, the air was eerily still outside. Not even a whisper of the wind or an errant flurry of snow disturbed it. As if the earth and skies held their breath before the impending confrontation that would tear them apart.
Kai sat on the hill overlooking the frozen lake and snow-covered plains below, searching the horizon for a sign of Eir. By rote, he sharpened the blade of the axe she’d gifted him with a whetstone.
He might have been sitting here for hours; he didn’t know.
