Page 93 of Kingdom of Embers and Ruin

“It’s thevegvisir,” he said to Eydis.

“Ah, I see,” she nodded in approval.

Maude seemed confused.

“Why are the two related?” she asked, a bit impatiently.

“Myvegvisirguides me down the right path to my fate,” he explained. Maude shifted uncomfortably at the topic. “And the dragon protects me on that path. The dragonhead ships are for more than displaying wealth and titles; they also protect against storms andjormungander, the Midgard serpent.”

“And the runes?” Maude asked, referring to the runes tattooed as scales on the dragon.

“Someone has been paying attention,” Herrick smirked.

Gunnar and Hakon were at the stern of the boat, guiding the rudder to stay on course, while Liv sat and sharpened her many knives, a nervous habit of hers.

“People get runes on their bodies for lots of reasons, right?” Eydis asked before Maude could snap at him.

“Yes, usually they are reminders to the bearer,” Maude said, taking her eyes off Herrick.

“And you’ll have to get me drunk before I reveal why I chose the runes I did,” Herrick replied, bringing the subject to an abrupt end.

Eydis laughed and turned to face Hakon, catching his attention. Herrick watched as his brother’s features softened when she spoke to him. Herrick knew it was killing Hakon never to be able to commit to her. Much like it destroyed Herrick that he could never pursue Maude either. Unable to stay away, though, he continued his particular slow torture and watched Maude as she started sharpening her weapons with Liv.

Liv said something to Maude that forced a half smile to her face, her teeth flashing in a way that would look predatory to anyone else but to Herrick.For him, it was a sign that she had opened up to him and his friends since they found her in that fighting pit, whether she realized it or not.

Needing to interact with her in some way, even if it was to annoy her, Herrick flicked his fingers to launch a sphere of water at Maude. The sphere slammed into her back, dripping down the black leather vest she wore over her sleeveless shirt. Maude jumped up, causing all the knives to clatter to the floor of the boat while Herrick roared with laughter.

Maude whipped around, her face red with her anger. He could swear steam was coming out of her ears.

“You beast,” she growled, raising her hand at her side, flames already burning bright in the midnight air. “Do youwantme to burn down your precious longboat?”

Well, getting her anger to the surface was easier than the last time he’d tried.

“You won't,” he said, brushing off her warning. “You need to practice your control.”

“I have been practicing, just not with you,” she bit out.

“Then show me.”

Maude clenched her jaw, the muscle in her cheek flickering with the movement. She moved the flames in both her hands up her arms until the fire spread over every inch of her skin. The bright orange and yellow of her fire skimmed across her skin, touching but never burning. She held out her hand, an invitation.

Herrick reached out with no hesitation, knowing she would not burn him, and grasped her forearm as she grasped his. They stood there for a moment, triumph in her eyes before they released each other once more.

“Good,” he said. “But control when you were calm was never your problem. Your temper gets the best of you, and that is when yourgaldercontrols you instead.”

Hakon and Eydis were now paying close attention while Liv and Gunnar ignored them. Maude’s eyes flashed.

“Show me your airgalder,” Herrick said when Maude did not speak.

“No,” she said between her teeth.

Herrick held her eye as he directed another water sphere to land on top of her head, soaking her thoroughly. Maude, in response, whipped her hand in a quick circle to dry herself off and then pushed her palm forward toward him. A gust of wind violently knocked him onto his ass.

Herrick heard Eydis’s wind-chime laughter before she said to Maude, “You have to show me how to do that!”

“She won’t be showing anyone how to use theirgalderuntil she can control it herself,” Herrick said, sitting up and grinning at Maude.

Maude scoffed.

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