Page 87 of Storm of Fury
“Tormund—”
He cast his cousin a smile. “Fear not. I know what I’m doing.”
Seventeen
Same tavern.Same chair.
Tormund hauled the chair out beside Bryn with a squeal and sank into it. “I thought you’d be forty miles to the north by now and riding your horse hard.”
“The war marshal owes me a signed confession. And she’s been incredibly difficult to track down today.” Bryn tapped her tankard, and the innkeeper bustled over to fill it. “I thoughtyou’dbe flying over the northern seas.”
He gestured for a second tankard. “The war marshal’s been busy. Apparently Marduk was sent here ten years ago to fulfill an alliance between theZiniand theSaduclans. He was supposed to choose one of King Harald’s daughters to mate with, but he slipped away in the dead of the night never to be seen again. Until now.” The memory stole a smile from him. “King Harald has given him a night to make his choice.”
Bryn’s eyebrows arched. “It appears our kind war marshal failed to mention that.”
“Likewise ourdrekiprince.”
A somewhat wolfish smile crossed her mouth. “Ah. I wondered why Solveig seemed to bear such a grudge.”
Tormund winced. “Apparently he composed a song about her one night when he was in his cups. It’s played in many adrekicourt, I believe.”
“And so now King Harald is going to make him pay.” Bryn smirked into her ale. “Justice seems to wield an iron hammer.”
The conversation stalled, as though they both realized they’d come to the end of any possible discussion about Marduk and Solveig’s affairs.
“It’s a wonder you’re not enjoying the hospitality of theSaducourt tonight, if the mating ceremony will happen on the morrow.”
He met her gaze. “I have some unfulfilled business here in town.”
She set her tankard down, her lashes half obscuring her eyes. “I thought we’d finished it. I did as requested, Tormund. I got you into Harald’s court. I’ve paid my dues.”
“At considerable risk to your agreement with Solveig. Don’t think I didn’t notice that.”
The muscles in her throat shifted as she swallowed. “Solveig gave her word by the goddess. She cannot renege.”
“I think she could find a way if she wished to.” He brushed his knuckles down her spine, enjoying the way she squirmed. “And I’m not talking aboutdrekiand betrayal. I’m talking about us.”
Bryn captured his wrist, heat flashing in her eyes. “There is nothing between us.”
“No?”
He considered her. No longer a legend. No longer Valkyrie. Merely an angry, lonely woman who kept her shields up against the world. And if he was going to ever earn her heart, he would have to not only break through them, but shatter them.
“I want you,” he told her. “I’ve wanted you from the moment I first laid eyes upon you, and I know you feel it too.”
Bryn sucked in a sharp breath. “I already told you—”
“One night. You and I. And then tomorrow we walk away, and we both forget this.” He leaned closer, stroking the inside of her wrist. “There will be no talk of the future. There is no future. Not for us, not tonight. Tonight we kiss. We fuck. And tomorrow, we part with no ill thoughts between us.”
“I can’t help but think you plan on repaying me for the betrayal, and I’ve never been interested in playing the role of victim.” Bryn moved to push away from him, but he set a hand on the bar, and she froze, trapped between him and the bar, their bodies mere inches apart.
“I’m not talking about punishment. Do you really think me such a man? If I had you in my arms—in my bed—then the only thing you would find would be pleasure.” He stepped closer to her, feeling her breath on his lips as she tilted her chin to meet his gaze. “I would never hurt you. I would never lay a hand on you in anger. And I would never give you reason to shed a single tear. I promise you that, no matter what may fall between us.”
A considering look settled in her eyes, but it was the doubt there that slayed him. “No man makes me cry. Not my father. Not even you. I would never let them.”
It was both confession and curse.
The father that had put that doubt in her eyes deserved to be flayed.
