“If she was immortal she’d change her mind,” Fabian murmured. “If I turned her she’d want to be with me forever. She’d see.”
“Perhaps, Brother,” Miles replied vaguely though I could tell he was just offering platitudes.
“If she was one of us I wouldn’t hunger for her blood,” Fabian persisted. “She’d have no reason to fear me and she could allow herself to see me for the man I am. She’d see how right we are for each other...”
They moved too far away for me to hear Miles reply. A shiver raced down my spine and I glanced at Julius nervously.
“I’ll never let him do that to you,” he growled.
I nodded in agreement. “We need to get Magnar back as soon as possible,” I said. “And then we need to break this curse once and for all.”
I moved away from him towards the bed. My limbs ached and my head was pounding more violently with each passing moment. I needed to sleep. I had to recover so that I could help Magnar as soon as we figured out where that bitch was holding him.
There were mounds of blankets and pillows on the huge four poster bed and I passed an armful of them to Julius so that he could make himself comfortable on the floor. He lay down, blocking the door and a knot of concern eased in my chest. Fabian wouldn’t be able to get in without waking him. I could rest a little easier knowing I wouldn’t be woken by the feeling of his fangs in my neck as he tried to turn me into a monster.
I slid Fury beneath my pillow as a backup and curled beneath the blankets as I closed my eyes. I expected sleep to be hard to find as my gut churned with worry over Magnar but as I reached towards the space between dreams, a burning light called me to it.
I raced towards Magnar’s dream with a desperate urgency and the light consumed me as I fell into it.
A sprawling forest surrounded me and birdsong filled the air. It was hot like the longest days of summer and a bright blue sky peeked between the boughs above my head. I was wearing battle leathers just like the last time I’d entered his dream and I spun about wildly, searching for him amongst the trees.
“Magnar?” I called as I failed to spot him.
“Callie?” His voice came from somewhere to my right and I ran towards him, desperate to see if he was alright.
I burst through the trees and found a huge pool. The water was shimmering blue and steam rose from it in coiling tendrils.
Magnar was standing in the centre of it, looking at me with a smile.
I ran straight into the warm water, wading closer to him as my heart slammed into my ribs almost painfully with its desire to be reunited with him.
The fighting leathers were heavy and I willed them off of my body, leaving me in the thin shift beneath them so that I could move faster.
I leapt into his embrace and he kissed me with a simmering desperation as I wound my arms around his neck and felt the firm press of his body against my own.
I was filled with desire and the dream tried to pull me that way, begging me to merge my body with his and forget why I’d come as I gave in to the aching need of my flesh.
Magnar’s hands were already skimming over my body and a fire lit in my veins as I tried to remember why I was here.
“Wait,” I breathed, grasping for the edges of reality as I almost lost myself to the dream. “We need to... I came here for a reason...”
Magnar moved his mouth to my throat and my concentration wavered as my breaths came faster and my fingernails dug into his flesh.
More, I need more of him, I need-
“Stop,” I commanded, jerking back. “Valentina. Valentina took you.”
He released me suddenly, shaking his head as my words broke the spell of his lust.
“You’re alright?” he asked, his gaze raking over me in the transparent shift as if he could inspect my real body for wounds. “You weren’t injured in the battle?”
I summoned the memories of my fight with Wolfe, showing him the wound to my head and finally revealing how Montana and I had finished him.
“That monster met with the end he deserved,” Magnar growled proudly, his grip on me tightening as he looked into my eyes.
I nodded. Wolfe’s death had righted a terrible wrong but it had done nothing to ease the pain left behind in place of my father’s absence.
“I’m glad we killed him,” I agreed firmly. “But…” I wasn’t sure if I should say the rest of my feelings aloud. Magnar had hungered for revenge for his own father’s murder for so long that I didn’t know if admitting that it brought me no relief from my pain was the right thing to say.
“But it doesn’t change what he did,” Magnar finished for me softly, running a thumb along my jaw.
“It doesn’t,” I agreed. “We got justice but it doesn’t bring Dad back. It doesn’t change what happened or lessen my grief. It only sated my rage.”
Magnar nodded thoughtfully. “Grief fades with time. Eventually your memories of him won’t be tainted with the pain of his loss. You’ll be able to look back on the things you loved about him fondly... Somehow rage is easier to cling to.”
I reached up to touch his face, brushing the frown from his brow with a gentle caress.
“Maybe it’s time you focused on love instead,” I breathed. He’d been consumed by what Erik had done to his father for so long that I wasn’t sure he’d allowed himself to fully feel anything but that anger ever since. But killing Erik wouldn’t fix the wrong that was done to his family. And neither would ending the curse or even destroying the gods. The only one who could set him free of it was him.
Magnar held my eye for a long moment and I could see the turbulence of his emotions warring inside him.
“Before I slept, the idea of letting go of this anger would have seemed like an impossible idea. But now… being with you makes me want to surrender all of it. I don’t want that darkness to touch us. It has poisoned everything I’ve ever owned. Each moment, each breath was laced with a piece of the hatred which drove me on. But the more I learn about the things that happened to me, to my family, even to the Belvederes. The more I see the gods’ hands in it. And still they seek to use me as their pawn. You are the only thing they didn’t intend for me to have. We crossed paths when we both needed each other more desperately than we could have realised and that collision has changed everything for me. I lived my life for the cause. For revenge. But you’ve given me so much more. And I don’t want the worst moment of my life to define me any longer.”
“It doesn’t have to,” I replied softly. “The gods are determined to rip us apart but they can’t control our hearts. And no power in the universe is strong enough to stop me loving you. They can beat us and break us and tear us away from each other but in my heart I’ll still be right here with you.”
Magnar pressed his lips to mine and in place of the aching lust that had been there before was a pure sweetness which spoke of how desperately he loved me. A tear slipped from my eye as I drew him closer and my soul yearned to be ever nearer to his.
Magnar pulled back, his fingers tangling in my hair as he looked down at me.
“I dreamed of you every night before I met you,” he breathed. “You were the most desperate desire of my heart a thousand years before you were even born.”
I bit my lip as I trailed my fingers over his pounding heart and my body was immersed in the warmth of his words. Being with him was like bathing in sunlight. He’d captured every piece of me and made it shine a little brighter as he claimed it for his own.
“Where are you now?” he asked. “Are you safe?”
“We’re back at the Belvederes’ castle,” I explained. “We’re searching for you and Erik. Can you show me where you are?”
The scene around us melted away and reformed quickly. I was standing in a golden cage beside Magnar and Erik was held behind bars a few feet away. We were in a train under the ground. Memories of how they’d brought him there flooded me and I drank in every detail.
“You shouldn’t risk coming for us,” Magnar said d
arkly. “She wants us alive but she’ll kill you if she can.”
I shook my head dismissively and wrapped my arms around his neck once more as I looked up at him. “Just let me rescue you for once,” I breathed before stealing one final kiss.
I could feel all the protests he wanted to make as I drowned in the feeling of his mouth against mine but I didn’t give him the chance to voice them.
I drew myself out of his dream and the last thing I saw was a fire burning in his golden eyes.
I hunted around in the glimmering starlight between dreams until I spotted Clarice’s consciousness shining brightly ahead of me. I headed towards it with purpose. I was going to show her what Magnar had shown me and we would get them back.
I turned to face the angry slayer in the cage next to me with a glare. Magnar had fallen asleep and I was kind of pissed off at how easily he'd managed it considering our current situation.
He finally roused, sucking in a slow breath.
“Have a nice rest?” I shot at him.
His eyes narrowed. “I was hoping Callie would come and Dream Walk with me. And she did.”
My eyebrows lifted with hope and my anger fizzled out. “And?”
“And now they know where we are. So we have to be prepared. She also showed me how she killed Wolfe with Montana.”
My mouth opened and closed. A warmth grew in my chest and a sigh left my lips. Montana had gotten her revenge. Wolfe had died at her hands. I just wished I’d been there to see it.
“They’re amazing,” I breathed.
Magnar nodded as we agreed on something for once. “They are that. But I still don’t know what Callie’s sister sees in you.”
“Well you saw it earlier when you shoved your tongue down my throat,” I pointed out with a snigger.
He scowled darkly. “That was one of the lowest points of my life.”
I snorted a laugh. “What’s the matter? You’re not homophobic are you?”
“No, I’m fucking parasite-o-phobic.”
My laughter grew and I was pretty sure it had more to do with Montana’s victory than anything else. Magnar cracked a smile - though he fought it damn hard - and for a moment I felt like we’d actually bonded.
Doubtful.
I sighed. “Are you ready to take on Valentina?” I asked.
“I've been ready since I arrived in this place,” he snarled.
“You didn't look so prepared earlier.” I gave him a mocking grin and his eyes narrowed sharply.
“Which you insist on bringing up again and again. So I suspect it is you who cannot get me out of your head.”
“Hilarious,” I muttered. “I've actually been thinking about my wife, thanks. She tends to give me a bit more motivation than a seven foot boar.”
“I have no doubt my love for Callie will help me escape Idun's hold on my heart, but I can't imagine a parasite loves anything more than blood. Maybe you should daydream about that for a while.”
I lunged at the bars, trying to grab him through them but he jerked backwards.
“Don't you dare question my love for Montana,” I snarled.
His eyes slid over me and his face softened ever-so-slightly. “I know how you look at her. But do you really think you'd pick her over blood if a human throat was cut before you?”
“Fuck you,” I spat. “I'd pick her over anything.”
His brow furrowed as he eyed me. “Perhaps.”
I snarled my fury, backing up from the bars and pacing around the space. It was one thing being locked up with this particular slayer, but another entirely for him to be jabbing at me in the only place I was vulnerable. The idea that anyone could question my love for my wife made me lose my mind with anger. The rune on my right palm itched with annoyance and I was sure it was pumping rage into my veins. Whatever tenuous connection we’d just been forming was already broken.
“She's back,” Magnar muttered and my head snapped up as Valentina appeared beyond the carriage window.
A satisfied smile dragged up her lips as she walked beside her Biter lackeys. She stepped into the train carriage and I noticed a line of soot on her shoulders. I suspected Fabian's Familiars hadn't lasted long against her powers. But it didn’t matter if the Familiars hadn’t spotted her; Callie was already giving my family all the information they required to find us.
“Forgive me for leaving you in suspense,” Valentina said as the doors slid closed and we were left alone with her.
“It only gave us time to think of more ways we'd like to murder you,” Magnar said dryly.
Valentina laughed as if he was joking then walked away from us toward the red and gold throne at the end of the carriage. She perched on it with a sigh as if her sitting there somehow meant she owned my entire empire. She was going to find out just how wrong she was when my family came for her.
“So we have a little issue,” Valentina said with a pout and I didn't think she was talking to us. “They can almost fight off the hold on their hearts. It's not good enough.”
Idun's presence washed over me and I shuddered at the caress of her power. She materialised before Valentina, walking toward her on bare feet as shimmering golden smoke coiled up her body, barely concealing her nudity.
The goddess stilled and Valentina bowed her head. “Thank you for coming to me.” She clasped her hands together in a prayer and Idun regarded her with delight.
The goddess turned her gaze on us, her upper lip peeling back. “If you were this pious perhaps you wouldn't be in this mess.”
Magnar clenched the bars between his fists. “You have played with me too long. You swore I could have love and now you have led me into the arms of my betrothed again. Why?”
“You know why,” Idun purred and Valentina lifted her head with a small smile. The goddess ran her fingers through the smoke coiling around her waist. “You betrayed me when you used Andvari's ring against us, Magnar Elioson. Remember that.” She whipped around to face Valentina again, reaching out to touch her throat. “A gift...” A black lace choker emerged around Valentina's neck with a large tear-drop ruby hanging from it.
Valentina brushed her fingers over it. “Thank you,” she gasped.
“It is not just beautiful,” Idun whispered. “It is incredibly powerful too, created by the great ruler of the gods. Odin gifted it to me thousands of years ago. It will offer you what you need to control these two adulterers.” She gestured at us and ice crept down my spine. Adulterers? Was she fucking serious?
Idun glanced at us, her achingly beautiful face morphing into a grin. “The necklace is unbreakable. Its power unable to be thwarted. It is designed precisely to wield the hearts of men. And this time, it cannot be fought off.”
Horror pounded through me and I shared a look with Magnar. If what Idun said was true, the moment Valentina used that necklace against us, we were doomed.
“Go ahead, try it,” Idun encouraged with a tinkling laugh.
Valentina rose from her throne, running her fingers over the ruby and sucking in a breath. “Oh...it's wonderful. I can feel its power.”
“Use it,” Idun urged.
Valentina moved toward us and Magnar tried to bend the bars apart to no avail. I kicked the door to my cage and my boot impacted with a gong. I knew it was pointless, but we had to try.
As Valentina petted the ruby, it glowed a deep red. A red that transfixed me, halting my movements as I was captivated by its crimson glow. I sensed Magnar falling still in his cage too, enraptured by it.
The whole world seemed to fall away and all I could see was that incredible light.
Valentina's words filled my ears, dripping through my body like melted candle wax. “You love me, no one else. And you will do as I bid. You will fight for me with all your heart. You will adore me, covet me. There is no other love in your life but me.”
Every word she spoke seemed to brand itself on my skin. I was hot and cold at once. I held onto the image of Montana for as long as I could, but she slipped away from me, locked s
omewhere deep inside my heart. Somewhere I wasn't sure I'd ever reach her again.
Valentina filled the place of her in all of my memories, standing at my side as my wife. Kissing me, making love to me. She took my memories of Montana hostage and replaced my love's face with hers. And when the red glow in the room lifted, my Rebel was lost to me.
My mouth parted as my gaze fell on Valentina. She was stunning, incredible, and entirely mine. Nothing else existed but her. She was a fierce warrior and the most exquisite woman in the world.
“The twins of dark and light are your mortal enemies. My enemies. You will do whatever it takes to kill them,” Valentina commanded and I nodded eagerly.
Magnar held the bars, releasing a desperate groan. “Let me near you,” he begged.
“You can trust them now,” Idun whispered, then disappeared into the ether.
Valentina produced two keys, her eyes flicking between us hesitantly. She released Magnar first and he lunged toward her, gripping her waist and kissing her fiercely. He tried to claw away her clothes and I released a growl of frustration. Jealousy tore through my chest, ripping at my insides.
Valentina pressed him back with a keen smile. “Patience, my love. We must release Erik. You're brothers now. And brothers like to share.” She held the other key out to Magnar and he unlocked my cage with envy in his gaze.
I stepped past Magnar and Valentina giggled as I approached. My love. My life. She was everything to me. There was nothing on Earth more important than her.
I reached for her cheek and revelled in the softness of her flesh. She tugged me toward her by my waistband and I released a moan as her mouth met mine. She kissed me deeply, brushing her hands down my bare spine. I shivered under her touch, needing more, desperate to please her.
She pushed me back and I found Magnar beside me, gazing at her with adoration. She skated her fingers down his chest and I eyed her hand with a deep yearning. She placed her other palm on me and I shivered as she petted me.
“We will have time to play together later,” she said with a hungry smile. “But we have something to do first.”
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