Page 99 of Storm of Desire
"Youmarriedadreki?" The words exploded out of Dúrnir, and he turned toward the kitchen. "Odin's balls. These humans and their insaneideas."
Haakon tugged a small leather pouch from his belt, and followed Dúrnir, ducking beneath the arch of the doorway. Everything in this place was undersized, which made him feel like a giant in a house full of antiques. One wrong step and he'd obliterate something. A dead chicken hung over the sink, its blood filling the small copper washbasin. A burning stick of sage clouded the room, and the smoke settled near the ceiling, which meant his head was directly in the haze. Haakon waved a hand, his eyesstinging.
He dropped the pouch on the table, letting it give a satisfying clink. "I have another task foryou."
"I don't wantit."
"That's too bad." He reached for Árdís's hand, lifting it up to reveal the shackle. "There's a slight problem with thebracelet."
Dúrnir poured himself a drink of something that smelled vile. He drained half the cup, before setting the silver goblet back down with a clink, and placing both hands flat on the table. "You wanted something that could contain adrekiin her mortal flesh. It appears to be workingperfectly."
"The words of release don'twork."
Dúrnir shrugged, and settled into a chair, kicking his boots up on the table. "Not myproblem."
"I can make it your problem," Árdísmuttered.
Dúrnir eyed her warily. "No magic. No fangs." He forced a smile and waggled his fingers. "I wouldn't be making threats if I wereyou."
Árdís rested her hands on the table and leaned over it to glare at him. "I'm not entirelypowerless."
A flash of Chaos green rolled through hereyes.
Dúrnir yelped, and the chair toppled over as he twisted. He landed with a loud bang, disappearing behind thetable.
Haakon circled the table, grabbing the little man's hand and hauling him to his feet. "Are we done with the posturing?" He frowned. "You two don't even know each other. What's with this mortal enemiespact?"
"I told you." Árdís's eyes narrowed. "Long ago, thesvartálfarand thedrekiwent to war for thiscountry."
He didn't have to ask who'dwon.
"Longago?"
"Two thousand years or so," she replieddismissively.
Haakon had been in the middle of brushing dirt off his hands, but he paused. "You mean to tell me you hate him because of a war that happened millennia before any of us even walked thisland?"
"Weremember."
"And so do we," Dúrnir shot back. "Never trust adreki, with their arrogant and viciousnatures."
"Never trust thesvartálfar," Árdís retorted. "With their wretched magic, and lying tongues. I told you this was a trick. He probably laughed himself silly the second you left thishouse."
Haakon very, very badly needed a drink. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he considered the problem. "Can you remove themanacle?"
"Give me one good reason why I should," Dúrnirsaid.
Haakon opened his mouth, but Árdís beat him to it. "Because I have an entire court ofdrekihunting for me. If you do not help us remove this manacle, then I shall sit here and wait for them. I'll even open the door and welcome them inside, and tell them you trapped adrekiprincess into mortalflesh."
Dúrnirpaled.
"You'll be compensated," Haakon said quickly, hefting the weight of his purse. "The sooner you work your magic, the sooner I haul her over my shoulder and take her out ofhere."
"A very tempting offer." Dúrnir's eyes narrowed. "As much as I would like to say we have a deal, there is one slight problem. There's nothingwrongwith the manacle. I cannot remove it,dreki. Only the one who placed it upon youcan."
The pair of them looked at eachother.
"We're tried that," Haakon said. "Numeroustimes."
