Page 30 of Storm of Fury
“Stupid, stupid, stupid,”Bryn hissed to herself as she stuffed her things in her travel bag.
She looked up and met her eyes in the mirror.
There was not even a hint of blood. Not anymore. And Tormund had seen it. He knew he’d hit her hard enough to split her lip and had to be wondering why she’d stopped bleeding so swiftly.
This was what came from getting close to a man. She hadn’t been able to help herself. She’d let those generous smiles and twinkling eyes soften her, and she’d very nearly betrayed her heritage.
Bryn swallowed, her gaze lowering to her lip. Even though she was half mortal, there was enough Valkyrie left within her to make her heal exceptionally fast.
She was going to have to make it bleed again, just to assuage his doubts. Curling her fist, she winced a little.
She should never have sparred with him. Never have bathed with him.
Never have let him get close.
Why the hell did he have to be so charming?
* * *
“What happened to your beard?”Haakon stopped in his tracks the second he saw Tormund on the stairs.
“It’s a long story.” He scrubbed at his newly pink cheeks. Damn it. But he was a man of his word.
Haakon’s eyebrows rose. “Does it involve a dangerous redhead?”
“It might,” he said in a noncommittal voice.
Haakon fell into step beside him. “There’s something about her story that I don’t trust.”
“You don’t trust anybody,” Tormund pointed out. “Except for me and Árdís.”
Haakon gave him a long, slow look.
“I’m not a fool.” Tormund shouldered his bag. “There are a lot of things about Bryn’s story that don’t add up. I’m interested in finding out what those things are. That’s all.”
“That’s not all, and you and I both know it,” his cousin told him irritably.
“Well, we can’t all fall in love withdrekiprincesses.”
“She’s remarkably interested in finding Marduk.”
“He owes her money and she likes money.”
Haakon grabbed him by the wrist. “Even if there’s nothing sinister in her background, she’s still intent upon using us to find him.”
“And I am aware of that.” He sighed. “Don’t worry about me, Haakon. I’m not a fool. My eyes are wide open. She’s secretive, prickly and the glitter of gold gleams in her eyes. But there’s something about her that tells me she’s not just hiding a secret, she’s hiding her heart. She doesn’t like me talking about her mother. Something happened. Something bad. And I am going to discover what it is.”
Haakon finally let him go with the shake of his head. “A vulnerable redhead with a secret. It seems as though some god somewhere has wrapped up all your weaknesses in one enticing package.”
“Fate,” he said with a wink. “She can fight too.”
“Tor—”
“I’m in love, Haakon. Who am I to deny the will of the gods?”
Haakon shoved past him moodily. “I’m going to remind you of this when you’re crying in your cups.”
“Let’s go find ourdrekipackhorse. We’ve got half a continent to traverse, a prince to find, and a gorgeous redhead to seduce.”
