Page 107 of The Last Valkyrie

Chapter 34

Ravinica

OUR VICTORY PARADEand boost to morale was short-lived. As the onlookers below reached a crescendo with their cheering and hollering, Kelvar the Whisperer made an appearance behind my mates, at the base of the cliff-walk where no one below could see him.

I landed next to my men, furling my wings and facing the Hersir.

He had a frown on his face, as usual, and was unreadable. “Not what I had in mind when I asked you to rally the troops and speak for the leadership of the academy, cadet.”

I stood in front of my men. “You never told mehowyou wanted it done, Kelvar.” My hand spread out behind me, gesturing. “Can you not hear the rallying cries? I’d say it was a smashing success.”

“And what doors will it open, Ravinica? What dangerous path have you led us down, broadcasting your powers and true nature to these people? Have you given them false hope? Do you evenunderstandyour powers, other than the pretty wings on your back?”

My mouth opened and closed to argue, but no words came out. He had a point, and of course the Whisperer would be the first to shoot down my excitement.

Still, there was no denying the buzz of anticipation down below, where the students watched and called for more antics.They were reinvigorated by my showing, after going days of living through doubt, shame, and anger at who we had allied ourselves with.

Magnus said, “That’s not fair, Father. Ravinica did a good thing here. Don’t take that away from her.”

With Magnus’ help, I finally found my tongue. “Shortly before her death, Lady Elayina wondered if it would be so wrong if I showed my power to my peers—what I was. I’m starting to think she was right, after hiding it for so long.”

“How long has it been, really? Weeks? This is a new headache for us to mitigate, if the Dokkalfar and jotun bastards hear of this. You’ve painted a target on your back.” Kelvar shook his head, sighing. “I’m only wondering how much good it will do in the long run.”

“Better a target on my back than the rest of the academy, sir.”

“This will be the talk of town for days,” Arne said excitedly. “Isn’t that better than the constant conflicts we’ve been forced to fend off while you leaders hide away?”

“If nothing else,” Grim said, “it shifts the focus from one of impending doom to one of hope. Now the students have something new to fight for, Hersir.”

“Is there a reason you’re here shitting on our party?” Sven asked, helping swarm the Whisperer with questions. He had grown incredibly averse to leadership over the past few weeks, and no longer even called our Hersirs by “sir,” “ma’am,” or their titles.

It made me smile, hearing my men get my back, unconditionally.

“Yes,” Kelvar said flatly. “I suppose you’ve done one good thing in that regard, gathering so many people so close to Dorymir Hall. Rally your troops inside, cadets.”

He turned to leave, heading down the gentle decline that led to the steps of Dorymir Hall not far away.

“What reason should I give them?” I called out to the Whisperer.

“New Gothi’s been decided,” he grunted.

His grunt didn’t sound very promising.

The hall was bustling with energy as the vast room filled with students. The few elves from the stunt joined us, and I noticed some of the humans giving them a wide berth, while others were actually conversing with them.

It was the first time I’d seen any sort of civility between our two races since the elves had arrived here. Which showed me that, at least on a basic level, my stunt had worked.

For the time being. Gods only know how long the fever dream will last until we’re thrust right back where we started in a haze of fear and gloom. Hel, that moment might be right now.

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