by Elise Kova
“What does this have to do with me?” It was interesting history, but she didn’t know why it was relevant.
“Why did the West want Windwalkers?” Lord Ophain returned her question with a question. She was beginning to see where Aldrik got his teaching style from.
“For their magic,” Vhalla said uncertainly. She’d only read one book.
“To access the caverns.” The lord leaned forward with grave seriousness.
Aldrik nursed a drink from behind the bar, still ignoring them.
“Why ...” Her voice had dropped to a whisper.
“Because Windwalkers are the only ones, of all sorcerers or Commons, who cannot be tainted by the crystals.” Lord Ophain finally gave her the answer that she hadn’t wanted to see on her own.
“So then—” Vhalla looked to Aldrik and stole his attention. “You don’t want your father to know because you don’t want him to have this power.”
“If he can have it or not is irrelevant.” Aldrik topped off his glass before returning to his seat. “I don’t want you used by anyone.”
Vhalla’s heart couldn’t even skip beats at his words, her mind was too heavy. She had a power that could give access to an even greater, ancient magic that had the ability to warp the hearts, minds, and bodies of men. Vhalla gripped her hands tightly. Minister Victor had asked her to bring him a crystal weapon. She now knew why, and why it had to be her.
“But enough on history and dark ‘what ifs.’” Lord Ophain attempted to disperse the cloud that now hung over the room. “May I have a demonstration of your abilities, specifically this Projection I have heard of, in advance of tomorrow?”
Vhalla obliged him and was better for it. The wonder and excitement Lord Ophain had toward her magic helped Vhalla overcome the worries and fears of the Crystal Caverns. The war was over and people had learned their lessons when it came to crystals. While Vhalla agreed with Aldrik’s decision to keep secret the fact that they did not affect her negatively, she also decided not to worry about it.
They talked over dinner and into the evening. Vhalla began to contribute more yawns than words to the conversation, and Aldrik finally noticed their dozing companion. “You should rest.”
“Oh, no, I’m fine.” It would have been more convincing if she hadn’t punctuated the statement with a yawn.
“You need your energy for tomorrow.” The prince stood, offering her a hand. “Get some sleep.”
Vhalla realized with the way he turned his body that he was about to lead her into the bedroom. “I could go back to the inn,” she said quickly.
“No, I want you here with me.” He paused. “If you still wish it also.”
Vhalla smiled softly at his addition; in a way, it was adorable to watch a born and bred royal attempt to be less princely. “Of course I wish it.” She squeezed his hand lightly. “I’ll sleep out here tonight,” she offered.
“No.” Aldrik shook his head. “I will be burning the midnight oil with my uncle. I have not seen him in too long. Take the bed, it will be much quieter.”
Vhalla nodded, and Aldrik relinquished his hold on her, satisfied that she was not about to leave. Vhalla turned toward Lord Ophain as the prince went to retrieve her pack from behind the bar. The Lord of the West had a knowing smile.
“Lord Ophain, it has been a delight to meet you,” she said earnestly.
“I can only say the same, Vhalla. A friend—of Aldrik’s is a friend of the West. I will see you tomorrow.”
Vhalla noticed his smirk and couldn’t stop herself from blushing. All too eager to hide her embarrassment, she grabbed her pack from Aldrik, bid them both goodnight, and slipped behind the wooden sliding doors into the dim bedroom beyond. A flame flickered by the bedside and in the bathroom, hovering above a metal dish that had been set out. Vhalla made a note to someday ask Aldrik how Firebearers left their flames, but for the time being she was grateful for the light.
Knowing Aldrik was going to take his time, Vhalla decided to take hers, enjoying the luxury of his bath. The water came out piping hot and she let it seep into her bones. The heat relaxed her and staved off the tension in her muscles from turning into fear and worry at the unknown of what the Emperor’s impending demonstration would bring.
She was wrinkled in her fingers and toes when she emerged. Drying and dressing in basic sleeping clothes, Vhalla dragged her feet back into the bedroom. Dim lights still flickered beyond the sliding doors that did almost nothing to block the deep resonance of Aldrik’s words.
“Would you like another one?” he asked, likely from behind the bar with the way his voice carried.
“No, we have a long day tomorrow. You should stop too,” his uncle warned.
“Just a nightcap,” Aldrik assured.
“You were past a nightcap two drinks ago.” There was a tone of scolding in Lord Ophain’s voice that made Vhalla grin slightly.
“Don’t fault me for this.” She heard Aldrik crossing the room, the sound of the furniture scraping as he sat heavily.
“You know I do. And I will especially if you are in an alcohol haze and can’t perform as you need to tomorrow,” the lord said sternly. “I do not think you want to be the cause of her demonstration going poorly.”
“I would never do anything that could jeopardize her,” Aldrik said sharply.
Vhalla took a step closer to the doors, her heart racing. She knew she shouldn’t be listening, that it was an invasion of his privacy. But she couldn’t stop her feet from carrying her up to the papered and carved screens.
“It sounds as though you already have.” Lord Ophain’s words were strong, but his tone was not.
“Don’t you dare tell me—”
“What?” the older man cut off the prince. “That you have clearly broadcasted your relationship with the woman to your men, your leaders, your father of all people?”
Aldrik was silent.
“He mentioned the trial in a correspondence. He asked me to come and speak sense into you.”
“And here I thought you were paying your dear nephew a friendly visit.” Aldrik punctuated his words by bringing his glass down upon the table a little too hard.
“Your father summoned me to reject this. But, you summon me seeking my advice and my approval. Why else would you bring her before me as you have?” Lord Ophain had a point.
“Well,” Aldrik asked finally, “what is your advice?”
“Make her a ward of the West.” Vhalla inhaled sharply at Lord Ophain’s words. “Send her back to Norin with me to study at the Academy of Arcane Arts. Put her out of your father’s reach, and yours.”
“That would be the smart thing, wouldn’t it?” Aldrik sighed.
Vhalla gripped her fingers so tightly she thought one may break. She should be happy. Being sent to Norin to study at one of the oldest academies in the world, nevertheless an academy for sorcery, should sound like a dream compared to marching to war.
But it would not be by his side.
“You’re not going to do it, though.” Lord Ophain heard something in Aldrik’s words that Vhalla hadn’t. The clanking of ice in glasses filled the silence. “What is this woman to you?”
“Vhalla, I need her in so many ways, Mother help me,” Aldrik groaned. “I need her as my redemption, I need her kindness, I need her forgiveness, I need her smiles, I need her humanity, I need her ignorance, I need her innocence, and, yes ... Mother Sun, yes, I need her as a man.”
Her breathing was short as she leaned closer to the door. Vhalla’s heart threatened to beat over Aldrik’s soft words.
“You love her.”
It was not a question, but Aldrik answered it anyway. “More than I ever thought possible.”
“Aldrik,” the lord said thoughtfully. “You have yourself in quite a spot, don’t you?”
“I don’t know what to do.” His voice sounded weak compared to its normal fullness.
“You know your place in life, your duty to your people.” Vhalla didn’t like where Lord Oph
ain was headed with his logic. “Someday you will be Emperor and no one will be able to question your decisions. No one will question them if they feel that your law comes from a place of honor, sensibility, and compassion. The crown is a heavy burden and you will have to make choices between your wants and your Empire.”
“I know all this, Uncle.” Aldrik’s voice was muffled a moment as he buried his face in his hands. “But I can’t.”
Vhalla released a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
“I know,” said Lord Ophain. “You remind me so much of your father.”
“What?” Aldrik’s anger was quick at the comment.
“Calm down.” The lord laughed. “You never saw them together, but he was over the sun for your mother. Of course, she was still a princess, but the logical choice would have been one of your older aunts. He should not be so hard on you because it is not as though he has been exempt from chasing a stolen heart.”
Vhalla blinked, she’d never heard anything of Aldrik’s mother. She should leave now; this was certainly a private moment.
The lord sighed. “She was too young, younger than you now ...”
“Enough,” Aldrik said softly. There was a long pause.
“We have quite the day ahead of us.” It sounded like Ophain stood. “And you have a beautiful woman in your bed,” he added with a chuckle.
Vhalla fought a blush.
“There she will stay without me,” Aldrik sounded resolute.
Vhalla fought unladylike disappointment.
“You and your nobilities. You are a prince, Aldrik, people expect you to enjoy yourself when no one is watching.” The lord’s voice diminished as he headed for the door. “It is a true shame that the seat of power was not kept in the West. Our people would be all too eager to accept a woman like her as their princess.”
Vhalla tried to absorb what the man was implying, what he was outright saying.
“One step at a time ...” Aldrik’s voice faded as she padded over to the bed.
Vhalla settled the covers around her. Her blood felt on fire with shame for listening in on a conversation that wasn’t meant for her ears. But that was not the only thing burning her. She wanted to touch him, to kiss him, to let him know that she felt much the same and more and that she was never going to let the world rip him from her needy grasp.
The sound of wood on wood filled the silence as the door was slid open and Vhalla sat.
“You’re awake.” His cheeks were lightly flushed and his lips parted.
“I am.” All eloquence left Vhalla when she looked at him.
“I ...” He glanced between her and the sitting area in the main room.
Vhalla saw the debate on his face and put an end to it. “Stay with me.”
“I shouldn’t.” His focus was now solely on her and it sent sparks up her chest.
“You shouldn’t? Just like you shouldn’t have me in your bed right now, or kiss me, or love me? I’m not, I’m not asking for—” Vhalla gripped the covers and blushed, forcing herself to act a woman, “—for you to make love to me tonight. But I want you near me.”
Aldrik sighed heavily, and Vhalla prepared herself to see him leave for the other room. But he crossed to the bed, crawling over the sheets on his hands and knees to her. Vhalla felt deliciously ensnared, pinned to the pillows before a predatory beast.
The lights extinguished magically as he kissed her, his weight assaulting her senses. Vhalla snuck a hand around his neck, holding his face to hers. He tasted of sweet liquor and every delicious dark dream she’d ever had. She wanted to lose herself to him, to give him everything she had. When he pulled away countless kisses later it didn’t feel even close to enough.
“Aldrik,” she sighed breathlessly.
“No, I won’t. You said not tonight.” The prince read her mind.
“But—”
“No,” Aldrik repeated. He scooped her up into his arms and twisted onto his back, pulling her half onto him. “I also don’t want you to think that I take women to bed lightly.”
“You don’t need to worry. I know.” Vhalla caressed up his stomach, feeling the groves of muscle carved by years of duty through the thin fabric of his shirt. “I don’t care how many it has been, or why. I just want to be here now.”
“How many do you think it has been?” He actually sounded amused.
“I told you, I don’t care.” Her movements stilled.
“Ah-ah, Vhalla, I practically invented dodging questions. You’ve much to learn yet.” He tucked some hair behind her ear.
“I don’t know,” Vhalla resigned. She didn’t want to offend him with her guess being wildly off. He was six years older than she was, and judging by his brother’s comments he had been significantly more active from a younger age. “Eight?” She took a stab at a number, thinking it would be too low as it was less than one a year since his coming of age ceremony at fifteen.
His laughter rang out through the darkness.
“Three.” “Three?” she repeated. It was more than her grand total of one, but it was far fewer than she had expected.
“Is that a pleased repeat, my parrot?” He pressed his lips to her forehead.
“I suppose so.” She shifted slightly closer to him. “More than me.”
“I’d assume so.”
“What does that mean?” Vhalla huffed in mock offense.
“I used your lack of experience to throw you off balance right off, remember?” He ran his hand down her arm to intertwine his fingers with hers.
“Two isn’t that big of a difference,” Vhalla muttered, unsure how it had become a contest.
“Two.” The simple math took Aldrik far too long. “You mean, you have ...”
It was Vhalla’s turn to laugh. “The East doesn’t really have your Southern notions of a woman’s virgin blood. Yes, one man.”
“And here I thought I was corrupting you.” Vhalla heard the grin in his voice, and she moved her hand to his cheek, feeling how his mouth curled.
“I’m fairly certain you are,” Vhalla teased lightly.
“You’re right,” he teased back. “I am out to dine upon your still beating heart.”
“If that’s all you wanted, you should know I gave it to you a while ago.” Vhalla was confused when she felt the grin slip from his face. “What?”
“How have you not seen it yet that I am not worthy of you?” He grasped her hand, pressing his lips against her fingertips.
“How have you not seen it that you are and more?” Vhalla retorted.
He gave a huff of amusement and squeezed her hand tightly. “I love you, Vhalla Yarl.”
“How fortunate for me.” She yawned. “For I love you as well, my crown prince.”
His breath ruffled her hair slightly as Vhalla pressed closer to the prince, and he filled her senses as she drifted to sleep.
SHE STARED AT the face of a man who was painfully, horribly familiar, and yet was completely different. Egmun wore his hair cropped short to his head, though the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were smoother, the lines around his mouth lighter, and he wore a hint of stubble across his chin. The sight of the younger senator sent Vhalla into a rage-filled dread, the emotion conflicted with what her dream-self was feeling, a sense of calm trust.
Vhalla fought against the vision, struggling to escape, to push Egmun away. She pulled and pried and twisted mentally until something fractured at her raw panic. She stood outside of the body she previously occupied, what should be her body in any other dream.
Aldrik looked like he could be no older than fifteen. His hair was longer, down to his shoulders and tied back at the neck. Messy bangs framed his face, and Vhalla looked on with a strange mixture of love and fear for the wide-eyed boy alone in this dark place with a man she hated more than anyone or anything else.
The room was filled with a haze that mingled ominously with the darkness, making only certain details easily distinguishable. There was a single flame flickering in the cave
rnous space, and wherever it was, neither the ceiling nor walls were visible by the light. The floor was stone, inlaid with what seemed to be shards of shimmering glass. She tried to get a closer look but a fog covered them every time she tried to focus. There were old looking markings carved beneath their feet, spiraling toward the center where a man was kneeling, bound and blindfolded. He shivered and shook. The fabric covering his eyes was wet with tears.
“Prince Aldrik.” Egmun took a step forward. He wore a formal black coat and dark trousers; there was no sign of his Senatorial chain. “Someday, you will be Emperor. Do you know what that means?”
“I-I do.”
Vhalla turned to the stuttering child.
“So you know that justice will fall to you.” Egmun took another step forward, and Vhalla’s heart began to race, feeling hopelessly trapped. She didn’t want to be here, she didn’t want to see this. “It was your mother’s last request for your father to spare you these duties as long as possible.”
“My mother’s?” Vhalla saw a sad flash of hope in the boy’s eyes at the mention of the mother he never knew.
“But you will soon be a man, won’t you?” Egmun asked softly.
“I will.” The boy prince took a deep breath, as if to grow into all his height in one moment.
“It is rather unfair, no? For your father to be treating you like a child?” Vhalla watched the man grin, and she knew this Aldrik had not yet perfected his powers of perception and manipulation. If she could see Egmun for what he was in that moment, she had no doubt the adult Aldrik would as well. “Are you prepared to be the crown prince this realm needs?”