Page 67 of The Last Valkyrie

He became flustered. “I’m notfondof the ice—”

“I’m sure it has nothing to do with him dominating the dominator and railing—”

“Enough!” Sven growled. “Don’t pretend to know my feelings, Grim, when you don’t even know your own.”

My smile faded. “The Hel is that supposed to mean?”

“I saw the way you judged me for how I reacted to my father’s appearance on the shore. How you stopped me from getting at him.”

My face sank. “Sven, brother, that wasn’tjudgment. That was . . . pity. Sorrow. For how I know he’s treated you all your life.”

“You know nothing of my life, Kollbjorn. Don’t act like you do. I amnothinglike you! Just because your father sent you off to die in the woods as a whelp, doesn’t mean mine did. And I don’t want your fucking pity, either.”

He stormed off, leaving me stunned and wondering how things had fallen apart so swiftly.

I tried to give him grace, thinking,He’s just resentful and worried like the rest of us. Eager to make sure Ravinica is safe. And, most of all, he doesn’t want to show weakness or vulnerability.

Yes, we were certainly more alike than I’d even realized.

The abrupt blow-up showed me that my initial thought all those months ago was true: Ravinica was the key to keeping us from each other’s throats, because even at our best, Sven Torfen would always see me as a rival.

A day out from our scheduled journey, Magnus and Corym finally returned. It was at the most hectic, anxiety-riddled time—they couldn’t have cut it any shorter.

The duo wrapped Ravinica in hugs and the rest of us fucked off so they could have a smoldering threesome alone before we returned to get to brass tacks about tomorrow.

We were all ecstatic the entire pack had survived. No one looked worse for wear. Even the bloodrender and the elf, gone the longest, were unscathed and pleased with how things had gone. The elf, I noticed, had a bit of a forlorn, concerned expression on his face, however, as if he was hiding something.

Arne had said, “Dieter will do the right thing with the Lepers Who Leapt when the time comes,” though none of us really knew what that meant.

Magnus told Ravinica the Skogalfar forces were mobilizing in Kiir’luri Forest and would go through the portal before too long. Hunter-Chief Jhaeros would lead their contingent in the coming battle. Their battle prowess in forested terrain would be greatly appreciated.

Rav asked Magnus what he had to give Jhaeros for his assistance, and he didn’t hesitate.

“Access to my blood.”

“Magnus, no!” Rav wailed. “It’s been months since the last blood-leechings and tests! I can’t let you do that, for my conscience.”

“Silvermoon,” Magnus said with a small smile, “it’s different this time. That was extortion and blackmail. This is voluntary. More importantly, it’s . . . for you. For all of us. I would gladly give my blood to anyone, so long as they’re willing to help us.”

Ravinica let the argument die there.

When it was Corym’s turn, he said the Ljosalfar would also be sending a small army to assist the humans. It was a revelation, history-making, and we wished we could tell Gothi Sigmund the good news.

However, everything was so up in the air right now, we simply couldn’t trust him enough, even though Sigmund had authorized their journey through the portal.

“What did you have to give in exchange?” Ravinica asked. “I’m sureMaltorVaalnath would want a lot in return for brokering an unprecedented peace agreement between our people. Unless he was satisfied with the glory and accolades that will come with such an agreement.”

“He . . . was not,” Corym mumbled.

I raised my brow, along with the other mates. Magnus wouldn’t meet anyone’s eye.

Then Corym said, “I cannot lie to you, Ravinica. I had to swear an oath.” He sighed deeply. “It’s one I don’t intend on keeping.”

“An oath to do what?” Suspicion colored her question.

“An oath to . . . erm.” Corym scratched the back of his neck. It was the first time we’d seen him so out of sorts, the proper, cool light elf fumbling his words. Finally, he composed himself and spoke slowly. “I had to guarantee a union between my family and another, to stop rebellious elves from attacking Heira’s Eastern Crossing.”

“A union,” Ravinica said, her voice flat. Her eyes narrowed with deeper suspicion.

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