Page 16 of Storm of Desire
"It belongs tome."
"Do you think I haven't tried to get rid of it?" she cried. "Do you think I haven't thrown it away a thousand times? I tried to give it up. But I couldn't. I couldn't. And I won't. It'smine."
"It has no worth to you," he said sharply, turning to look ather.
"That's got nothing to do withit!"
"Fine. What do you want for it?" He slammed the goblet down and snatched at his coin pouch, tearing at the strings. "I have gold. Killing dragons is rewardingwork."
He didn't understandher.
"I don't wantgold."
"Gemstones?" he snapped, throwing the purse aside. It clinked as it hit the floor, and gold coins rolled all over the floor. "Jewelry? A fuckingcrown?"
"I willnotgive it back! It's mine."Bought and paid for in blood and tears.She could see he still didn't understand. "I cannot," she pleaded, branding the metal into her flesh with the tightness of her grip. Her hand was no longer obeyingher.
"It means nothing to you. Or you wouldn't have tried to throw itaway."
He'd given it to her, along with his heart, and thedrekiwithin her had claimed it. If she could no longer have his heart, then she would keep this. Sheneededto. The very idea of losing it scraped her soul raw, and made something violent shift withinher.
"Icannotgive it back. I swore an oath on this ring, and mydrekisoul considers thatbinding."
"A shame you didn't consider our actual marriagebinding."
She had nothing to say tothat.
"If I could give it back," she whispered, "I would. I swear I would, Haakon. But mydrekidemands it. And I will fight any man who tries to take it from me. Evenyou."
Haakon searched hereyes.
The sound of a sudden commotion caught her ear. Shouts downstairs, perhaps. And the crash oftimber.
"Idon't—"
She took two swift steps, and slammed her hand over his mouth, her head turning toward the door. "Bequiet."
Her heart slammed to a halt. Too late. She could sense the whisper ofdrekimagic calling to her. "They'rehere."
They'd foundher.
"Go out the window," she said, turning toward the door. "I'll stall thedrekibefore they catch yourscent."
A hand caught her wrist, and Árdís tumbled against his side. "Like hell," Haakon snapped, and then he reached for the hilt of the sword resting in its scabbard near the bed, and drew it with a steelyrasp.
"They won't hurt me!" She grabbed a fistful of his shirt and shoved him against the wall. "But they'll killyou!"
He gaped at her, his arms splayed and the sword held loosely. Those eyes narrowed. "Didn't know youcared."
Careful now...."Just because I consider our marriage to be over, doesn't mean I want to see you hurt. Or have your blood on myhands."
"You're choosingthem?"
It had never been a choice. "Yes. I'm choosingthem."
The tip of the sword lowered. Blue-gray eyes stared at her steadily, a question within them, one she didn't think she recognized. Árdís stepped back when she saw he wasn't going tofight.
"Those are my men down there," hesaid.
