Page 117 of Storm of Desire
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Rurik's armstightened around her, and Árdís drank in the sensation. Thirty long years without herfamily.
"I missed you,"she told him, burying her face against his chest."Somuch."
"I missedyou."
Her feet left the ground as he squeezed her so tightly she thought her ribs were going to break. This strong brother of hers, the light of thedrekicourt. She was so proud of him. So hungry to see him again, and talk of oldtimes.
Sofurious.
The second he let her go, Árdís stepped back and punched him in the arm. "You barely ever contactedme."
Rurik captured her fist before she could hit him again. "It was too dangerous. You were too young, and I didn't wish to drag you into themess."
"You’re my brother! Do you have any idea what it was like to be left behind, barely daring to mourn you or father?" She wasn't going to cry. She wasn't. But there was a storm of fury within her, one she hadn't even known she'dheld.
"Do you have any idea what it was like to leave?" Ruriksnapped.
Someone cleared their throat behindthem.
"Before we launch into a reminiscence of old times—or war, as it might be—do you think we ought to find shelter?" Haakon asked. "We don't know what else is in theskies."
Rurik's eyes sharpened. "What does thatmean?"
Árdís took the opportunity of her brother's distraction to punch him in the arm again. "You told him all mysecrets."
"That's not fair," Haakon said, running a hand down her spine. "It's the best thing that ever happened to you, and you knowit."
"Still," she sniffed. "He's supposed to be on myside."
Rurik tilted a lazy brow up. "Iamon your side. Sometimes brothers need to do what is best for their little sister, not necessarily what she thinks she wants. Where have you been? What are you doing here? Why are we supposed to be takingshelter?"
Both she and Haakon took a deep breath and looked at eachother.
"It's your story," her husbandsaid.
So Árdís toldhim.
Most ofit.
"And you didn't think to fly here?" Rurik demanded, when she wasdone.
"It's complicated," Árdís said. "I—"
"I bartered with asvartálfarfor a manacle that would trap her in her human form so I could talk to her," Haakon said brusquely. "The problem is, the manacle is will-based. I can't remove it, because a part of me doesn't want to lose heragain."
"I see." Thedreki'sgolden eyes narrowed, and tension slid through his shoulders. "I gave you the truth about my sister because I thought she owed you adebt."
"Rurik," Árdís growled. "Don't youdare."
The prince blinked down ather.
"I haven't seen you for half a cycle," she said, advancing upon him and digging a finger into his chest. "You donotget to play the overprotectivedrekimale with me. It is a matter between Haakon andme."
Rurik held his hands up and backed off. "Fine. Haakon's correct. We should probably get you backhome."
Home. "You don't mind?" shewhispered.
