Page 114 of The Daughter of the Scarred Elf

She could already see it happening—the soldiers storming around her, Sijur’s disappointed look at her wasted potential, and Blár’s fury at being unable to help her. She suddenly felt dizzy, the back of her head feeling like it weighed more than the stars dancing at the corner of her vision. She wanted to lean forward and puke as nausea rolled over her.

Ivar raked a hand through his chestnut waves and exhaled loudly. His gaze flicked over to their party, to where Inkeri was giggling at something Herja was saying to her. “So you’re not one of them, right?”

“W-What?”

He turned to her sharply. “You’re not one of those soldiers, right? The elves and the fae soldiers.”

“I’m not a part of Ragnarök.”

“Are you going to be a danger to any of us?”

“No!” She spoke so loudly she caught Blár half turn away from the fire.

Ivar nodded. “What about your powers?”

“I can’t really explain it,” she said quickly, her heart hammering so loud she could feel the rush in her ears. “I seem to be blood-related to something elf-like, but I’m not sure. I really don’t know anything about my parentage, if I’m being honest. They died when I was too young, and all of this is confusing for me too?—”

“All right.” Ivar sighed loudly and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I believe you.”

Had she heard him right?

She stared up at him. “You believe me?”

“I do.” Ivar removed his hand from her. “But I think you should explain to the rest of the party eventually. You can trust us, you know?”

Although Kolfinna wanted to trust him and the others, she couldn’t. Because it wasn’t just a matter of trust. These powers that she had, and what they were linked to, were sinister enough for anyone to turn on her.

“Anyway,” Ivar said when she was quiet for too long. “We should head back.”

“O-Okay.”

“No need to look so spooked. I won’t tell anyone.” He patted her shoulder once more and gave her a grin. “You’re one of us now, fae girl.”

26

As they approached Aggersborg,the southern fort, Kolfinna’s ears perked to the sound of lightning cracking in the air. She tilted her head to the side, her ears picking up on more sounds: the splitting of wind, the violent swish of water, the splintering of ice, and the roaring of fire. All of it distinct enough for her to pick it out.

For a second, her breath caught in her throat as she tried to listen more intently. Then she heard even more noise: grunts, screams, from the distance.

The realization hit her a second later: a battle.

And they were headed straight toward it.

How much longer until they were in the thick of it?

“Eluf!” She spurred her horse forward, breaking formation. Inkeri called out to her, but Kolfinna was already gone. She galloped to the front of their small formation, where Eluf twisted around in his seat with a confused look.

“What is it?” he asked when she reached him.

“I need to get a message to Sijur,” she said quickly, gaze flicking up to the sets of soldiers beyond their group. “I can hear a battle happening in the distance and I’m pretty sure we’re walking straight into it.”

Eluf’s expression fell and he nodded. His horse shot forward before she could give an excuse as to why she was able to hear so well.

“Kolfinna!” Gunnar pulled up beside her on his horse. His gaze was set to where Eluf had ridden on ahead. “What’s happening?”

“A battle.” Adrenaline rushed through her veins and she breathed out shakily. “Where’s Blár?”

“Up front, where he’s needed.” He smiled reassuringly upon seeing her expression. “He’ll be fine. Don’t worry about him.”

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