Page 44 of Storm of Fury
Silence stretched out.
“Árdís never knew she existed until today,” Haakon finally admitted. “Marduk’s birth was traumatic for the queen and she was locked away for weeks with the baby. That’s all Árdís remembers. She was young when he was born.”
“Relax,” Tormund chided. “We’ve found our prince. He’s going to fly us out of here. And then we’re all going safely home, where Haakon is going to buy me an entire vat of ale.”
“It just seems too easy.” Bryn paced the ledge. “A princess nobody has ever heard of, who is locked away in the darkest pit in this forsaken mountain, and we’re going to rescue her. Just like that.”
“I don’t ask the questions,” Tormund said, jerking a thumb toward Haakon. “That’s what he’s here for.”
Haakon’s lips thinned, and he peered into the pit. “It does seem unusual. Árdís is overjoyed at the thought of a sister, but—”
“Here they are,” Bryn cut him off, capturing a glimpse of a pair of figures emerging from the darkness below.
Marduk stood at the base of the pit, staring up at them. “Throw down your rope, Dragonsbane. My sister is too weak to climb the walls.”
Behind Marduk, a slender figure slid out of the darkness, her hair a pale, silvery blonde. She seemed tiny in comparison to her brother, her shoulders narrow and a sack of a dress hiding the delicate lines of her body, but the shadow that stretched behind her seemed to dwarf Marduk’s.
The hairs down Bryn’s spine rose as she laid eyes upon the princess.This is wrong, all her instincts screamed. She could practically feel the air growing thick and heavy, and the metallic taste of magic bled across her tongue.
The pair of them had eyes for no one else. It was like watching two halves of a whole finally reach for each other.
But at the last moment, the princess looked up at the cell door, and a shiver ran down Bryn’s spine. There was an almost green tint to her irises, as if—
“Come with me,” Marduk told his sister as their hands finally touched.
Power jolted through the world, and the cavern began to buck as if the mountain was finally done protesting.
Bryn staggered against the nearest wall, Tormund slamming into her hard. His arms wrapped around her and he bore the brunt of the assault, but they were not done yet.
“The volcano is about to explode!” she screamed as pebbles began to rain from the roof.
“The rope!” Marduk yelled.
Haakon tossed it down into the pit. “Thoughtdrekiprinces didn’t need human assistance.”
Bryn seized Tormund’s collar, drawing his gaze. “Something’s wrong with her,” she insisted.
His brows furrowed. “Maybe she’s scared. She’s spent her entire life in here alone.”
Of course, he couldn’t see it. The stupid fool was one step away from draping his cloak over a puddle for her. He’d take one look at the princess and see a fragile victim.
“No.” Bryn shot a glance toward the pit. “Her eyes. Did you see her eyes?”
This time, there was doubt in his expression. “Maybe they’re glowing green because of her magic. Rurik’s often give off a golden light—”
“Green is the color of warped magic.” Of all the gods, only Loki dared touch such power.
But it was too late.
Marduk hauled himself over the edge of the pit, a thin pair of arms draped around his shoulders. The second he made the ledge he turned and lifted the frail figure into the air, cradling her against his chest.
“You’re safe,” he whispered, brushing silver-blonde hair off the woman’s face. “I’m going to get you free of this filthy place, and you’ll never have to come back. I promise you.”
“Later,” Tormund told her, grabbing hold of Bryn’s arm as she moved to open her mouth. “The roof’s starting to rain stones. We can have this discussion outside, once we’re back on the mainland.”
He spoke sense. There was no time to bring up her concerns.
“This way!” Marduk yelled, hauling his sister along with him.
