Page 103 of Valkyrie Unknown

“I know you won’t do anything permanent, and I respect that. Always.” He jabbed the screen as he talked. “But I also know you like a lot of what you see, and you can wear this one for a little while without scarring yourself. And bonus, the ink I bought gives it a little magic.” He indicated the purchase he’d made.

“Anditis—Oh.” Her words ended in a gasp when she looked at his phone screen.

I looked over her shoulder, and my brain stalled at the image he displayed. It was a tattoo Zeke had designed—a Dara knot. One of the more intricate knots, and one used so frequently these days, it had lost most of its meaning.

But when someone like Zeke created an image like this, it had the potential to tie to power that used to imbue all such symbols. This one was inner strength, wisdom, and possibly immortality, all tied to her ancestors.

“Why does it have wings?” I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer.

Zeke shrugged. “That’s what came to me.”

Of course it was.

“Where does it go? On me, I mean.” Azzie’s excitement was palpable.

Zeke stepped behind her, nudging me away, and traced a path along the base of her neck to her right shoulder. “If you put it here, it will help ease the burden you carry on behalf of others.”

A mark like that, made with their connection, his gift, and that ink, was far more potent than they realized. These two were playing with things they didn’t fully understand. Again.

I didn’t care what Azzie did, as long as she didn’t hurt Zeke. Him, though… The more often he protected her without realizing how potent the promises were, the more concerned I was about taking her out of the picture without Zeke getting hurt.

“When can you put it on?” Azzie tugged at her shirt sleeve and glanced toward her back again.

Zeke pulled the chair away from the table in the corner and pointed it to face the room. “Now if you want.”

Azzie grabbed the hem of her shirt and tugged up to strip it off.

“I need to step out.” I couldn’t watch any more of them like this. Besides, I had a meeting with Lugh soon.

“Because I’m going topless?” Azzie teased. “You’ve seen it all before, and I’m wearing a sports bra.”

I had seen it.Her. The fact that she and Zeke couldn’t keep their hands off each other meant I’d walked in on them more than once, when they’d decided to fuck in some random place in his house. I’d learned to announce myself when I returned to Zeke’s after being away for any amount of time.

It didn’t stop them from boinking like bunnies, but my calling outI’m backtypically gave them a chance to either cover up or shoutdon’t come in.

Then again, that last one may not have been meant for me.

This—Zeke painting magical protection marks on Azzie, was a different level of intimacy, and watching that connection gnawed at me. Was I jealous that the two of them were not only this close, but that Zeke hadn’t been interested in sex with me since she showed up?

“You already guessed I was leaving,” I said. “I have to pick up presents. This seems like a good time since you two are busy.”

Zeke let out the tiniest huff, and Azzie rolled her eyes.

I waited for a snarky comment, but none came. Which meant they probably both knew I was hiding something.

I turned to leave, and Zeke said, “I’ll walk you out.” A ridiculous offer, since I’d intended to teleport out of the room, but I walked to the hallway with him anyway. He let the door close most of the way, stopping it with his foot. “I don’t suppose you’re going to say where you’re off to.” His voice was low.

“You don’t want to hear about it.” I knew that to be the truth, but my response was also a deflection. A few weeks after Azzie became part of his life, I’d tried to remind Zeke again that he would be a god someday, and I wouldn’t let anyone—especially Azzie—keep him from his fate.

Zeke clenched his jaw. His counter never changed.We swore a blood oath. Even if I didn’t trust her, you keep insisting those are as binding as a contract gets.

The part of that argument I hated the most was the reminder hedidtrust her. “She keeps secrets too. As do you.”

“No.” Zeke shook his head. “There are things Azzie and I don’t know about each other, but it’s because we can’t touch each other and impart unfiltered knowledge. Someday you’re going to tell me where you go, when you leave with vague bullshit excuses.”

I’m doing this to keep you safe. The words wouldn’t reassure him—they never had before. “Someday I will.” I wished I could tell him now, but soon enough.

He glanced toward the room. “Don’t wait too long.”

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