Page 138 of Storm of Desire
The kiss fused the pair of them together, and a whirlwind of power swept up through her. It sparked all across her skin. Suddenly she didn't know where he began, and she ended. She felt like Haakon's mind brushed back against her. A sickening whirl began to pull her down, toward him. Árdísswayed.
"Hold him there,"Ruriksnapped.
She stood on the edge of life and death, energy draining through her as she gritted her teeth. If she let go, even for second, then she'd lose him, sheknew.
Heat flushed through the pair of them all of a sudden, and Árdís sensed her brother trying to direct weaves of pure Fire. Haakon suddenly screamed, his spine arching as they wove through him. Árdís wrapped her arms around him, standing in two worlds as she fought to holdhim.
"I will never let you go,"shepromised.
Thunder clapped, and the skies spit lightning. Haakon collapsed beneath her, and then Árdís was blinking back into the natural world.Exhausted.
"The Great Goddess has heard your vow," Rurik murmured, sitting back on his knees. A relieved smile graced his face as she blinked at him. "You've claimed him asyours."
"What happened?" shewhispered.
"Instinct, Árdís. That's all you ever trulyneeded."
She could feel the whisper of her husband's thoughts against hers. His life tied to hers. A surge of pure happiness shot through her. "I boundhim."
"Árja?" Haakon rasped, reaching up to touch herskin.
She captured his hand, consumed by the strange feelings inside her. "Haakon!" Leaning down, she threw her arms around him, careless of the mud or the blood, or anything but the feel of him against her. "You're alive. And mine.Forever."
Chapter 25
My lord?"Malin whispered, her hands curled into tight little fists as she interrupted Prince Rurik before he could open the door to his mate's littlefarmhouse.
The golden prince stirred, looking weary. "Malin."
She tried to curtsy, but he caught her hand and shook his head. "I understand the court is different these days to the one I matured within. But you owe me no obeisance." His smile lit up the night. "Technically, I'm not even a princeanymore."
"Yes, you are," she breathed, swallowing the tight lump in her throat. "The entire court whispers your name. You're the rightful ruler, the rightful heir. They all want to see you overthrow yourmother."
Rurik didn't look happy at the news. "Were you troubled, Malin? Did Freyja not find you someplace tosleep?"
"Yes, she did, but...." Malin drew on all of her courage, and blurted. "Sirius flew after his father and the rest ofthem."
The prince's eyes narrowed. "He made hischoice."
"No, he didn't!" she cried, catching at his sleeve. "He entered the fray, and he fought Roar. If he hadn't,then….”
Silence. She found herself the focus of those intenseeyes.
"He was afraid for his brother," she said. "He touched minds with me when he left. He flew after them because he feared they might kill Andri in response to his betrayal. They'll hurt him, I know they will. Or worse. We have to rescuethem."
"I cannot attack the court. Its defenses are too strong, and my mother and Stellan have proven they won't play fair. I can't challenge them and lure them out. I can't get inside the court, Malin. They'll feel mecoming."
"He fought for you," she snapped, and then swallowed hard. Oh, sweet heavens.... But the prince didn't look as though he was going to strike her. "Please, my prince. If Sirius hadn't joined the battle when he did, Haakon would be dead and you overthrown. He betrayed his father foryou."
Rurik's lips pressed tightly together. "He killedmyfather."
She looked up in shock. "What?"
"I felt his magic in my father's chambers that night. Sirius was there the night my fatherdied."
No."That doesn't mean he murdered theking."
A little voice inside her whispered,"Are youcertain?"
