Page 112 of Storm of Desire
The blood in his veins ran cold. "Whatmessage?"
Árdís's head turned unerringly toward the south and the soaringdrekiwraith that fled across the velvet skies, and this time, her expression was like nothing he'd ever seen, nothing human, anyway. "I told her if she comes for you, if she tries to harm you in any way, then she will face me. And I will do my best to killher."
This was what he'd wanted, but those damned protective urges rose. Haakon forced them down. "Are you sure you're ready forthis?"
"I have challenged my mother for your life." Árdís's smile was chilling. "I have decided it's time I stopped letting her—and fear—rule my choices. This time, I am the one who makes the decisions. And I chooseyou."
He pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose. Words he'd longed to hear. "I'm glad. But next time, is there any chance we could discuss our moves before making them? I'm trying to let you do this, but it would be easier on my nerves if you forewarnedme."
Árdís's smile softened. "Poor mortal man," she purred. "Have you only just learned what you're infor?"
Haakon's eyes narrowed. He'd wanted thedrekiprincess, after all. "I am more than well equipped to handle you if you proveunruly."
"Oh?" Árdís trailed her fingertips down his hip, her eyes promising a thousandpleasures.
"Don't make me throw you over my shoulder again," he whispered, and slid his hand into hers, to drag her back to theircabin.
Chapter 20
Amadea came awake with a hiss,her heart racing in herdrekichest.
For a second she thought she saw a ghost, but it was only a fragment of the dream lingering; a promise of doom unfolding with sweet, whispered malice. As she lifted her enormous head, surveying the Chaos bubble that held her innermost realm, she could see nothing, and yet the echoes of pure Chaos magic lingered like a sulfurousstink.
She'd heard Árdís's voice, ringing in her dream like abell.
And she'd felt the girl's raw, unrestrained magic slam through her, burning a warning into herskin.
Chaosmagic.
Her daughter had somehow learned to master the art ofChaos.
Forcing magic through her veins, Amadea transformed into her mortal shape, and stared at the white burn mark on her arm. A small print shaped likedrekiclaws.
A violent quiver went throughher.
"Be careful what you wrought, my child,"her grandmother, the mighty seer of theZilittuclan that had birthed her, had once said."You dabble with Fate and she is capricious. For your downfall will be a gift you spawn yourself. Your own blood will be the blade that ends your immortallife."
She'd thought all along it would be Rurik, the golden prince who looked far too much like hisfather.
Conjuring clothes out of Chaos, Amadea gowned herself in bloodred leather and strode toward the portal that led from her Chaos bubble to the court. Fear churned within her, but she did not dare showit.
The corridors were dark with fire flickering in the torches that lined them, though there was no sign of any of herdreki. They didn't stroll the court as they used to when her husband wasalive.
Amadea finally arrived at the golden doors that led into the Hall of Mirrors. She could feel her brother within, his soul bonded to hers in the womb in a way few understood. He was the only one she could trust, and she needed him now to quell her fears. Amadea slammed her hands against the double doors, forcing them wide, and startling two of the threedrekiwithin.
Stellan was already looking toward the doors when she entered, as if he'd felt hercoming.
"What is it?" he askedsharply.
Mirrors lined the walls, images of the world outside flickering in them. Stellan pushed away from one of the mirrors, his eyes narrowing when he saw her warriorgarb.
Amadea hissed at the pair ofdrekiwarriors who guarded her brother. "Out."
The pair of them bolted, but she waited until the doorsclosed.
"What is it?" Stellan askedagain.
"You've foundnothing?"
